Letter From Pastor Flemmings
March, 2025
Dear Members, Families, and Friends:
God’s grace and peace be with you and your family!
In this season of Lent, the Psalmist cries out to God, asking: How long? He says “How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” (Psalm 13:1, NIV) Have you ever lamented how long to God? How long must you be in angst? How long before you see your children come to the Lord? How long must you stay in a job that doesn’t satisfy you? David’s how long lament shows we will sometimes feel forgotten and even forsaken by God. David’s lament is taken directly to God in the form of prayer. God calls us during this season of Lent to lament, and as we cry out to him in lament, He hears and answers in His time.
Our annual theme is “God Has Prepared Us in Advance”. The Lord was with us in our plans in 2024 and we trust the Lord will continue to make our plans known in His time. Even when our plans seem unclear in 2025, we have the assurance that God knows the plans he has for us. This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:10-11).
We will have an In-Person Teleconference Special Church Business meeting on Sunday, March 2nd following the morning worship service. The purpose of the special meeting is for the First Baptist Church membership to discuss and vote on a proposed severance retirement package for Pastor Flemmings. Attached is a copy of the two-page recommended severance package that was presented by Bernard Fisher, CPA, on behalf of Pastor Flemmings on Sunday, February 2nd.
Please mark your calendar and invite your family and friends to our In-Person Teleconference Holy Communion worship service on March 2nd at 11:00 AM. Let us continue to pray for the victims of the hurricane in North Carolina, the wildfires in Southern California, the deadly attack by a driver during New Year celebrations in New Orleans, and the victims of the plane crashes in Washington D.C., and Philadelphia. Let us also remember 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. 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 February. Enclosed please find copies of the Sunday worship services for March 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th. 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 March 2nd. 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.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Loreno R. Flemmings
