Letter From Pastor Flemmings
November, 2024
Dear Members, Families, and Friends:
God’s grace and peace be with you and your family!
Our monthly theme for November is “Invitation to Come to the Great Banquet” When you think of a feast or banquet, what do you think of? I think of a Thanksgiving or Wedding feast with family, relatives, and friends. Jesus tells us the story of the Parable of the Great Banquet about those persons who will eat at the feast of the kingdom of God.
"Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yokes of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ Luke 14: 16-20 NIV.
The banquet host says the guest list for the kingdom of God will look quite different than these dinner guests imagine. The invitation is extended to all, but some will refuse to accept God’s invitation to come to the kingdom of God. The way banquets worked in Jesus’s day was that the host invited his potential guests. The invitees were then required to either accept or reject the invite, so the host could properly prepare for the banquet.
Please mark your calendar and invite your family and friends to our In-Person Teleconference Holy Communion on November 1st at 11:00 AM. We are grateful to God for First Baptist celebrating 181 years of faithful Christian service. Special thanks to our guest speaker Reverend John Grove, former pastor of Columbus Baptist Church, Margaret Moore, Chairperson, and the officers and members of First Baptist for their support, and participation. A special contribution of $181.00 is being requested for the Church Anniversary. Please feel free, if you haven’t already done it, to place your anniversary donation in the special envelope provided.
Our 2024 Annual Church Theme is “God Goes Before Us” and the scripture passage is Mark: 1”1-3. Mark writes from the prophecy of Isaiah these words “The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”— “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.”
Let us continue to pray for the families and children killed in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Haiti, and other countries from acts of violence, and warfare. We pray for members, family, and friends suffering from health-related illnesses, and those recovering from the aftermath of tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, and wildfires. Please feel free to visit our church’s website for upcoming services, events, and activities at firstbaptistsomerville.org.
Our sincere appreciation to members, family, and friends of First Baptist joining us for our teleconference and in-person worship services. We extend God’s love and blessings to all members and friends celebrating birthdays, and anniversaries in November. Enclosed please find copies of the Sunday worship services for November 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th. Please note that the sermon topics and scripture verses are subject to change. We ask that you prepare juice and crackers for loved ones who will be partaking in Holy Communion in person and via teleconference on October 6th. Please continue to mail your tithes and offerings to the church at First Baptist Church, Attention: David Brown, 132 West High Street, Somerville, New Jersey 08876.
A Blessed Thanksgiving!
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Loreno R. Flemmings
