Letter From Pastor Flemmings
July, 2025
Dear Members, Families, and Friends:
God’s grace and peace be with you and your family!
Our monthly theme for July is “Take Nothing for the Journey.” Jesus said to his disciples that they should take nothing but that which is needful for the ministry, and that, of course, would be just them and their faith in God. These are important words for First Baptist membership and Christians to remember as we depart the church and continue to serve the Lord in other forms of Christian ministry.
“Take nothing for the journey--- no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt.” – Luke 9:3 (NIV).
We are called upon to rely on God. He doesn’t want the disciples or us to go out and seek to minister to others, relying on ourselves. He wants them to rely on God. We need to learn to do the same. Take nothing for the journey but rely on him who sent you to find a new church and to keep the legacy of First Baptist Church alive in your heart.
The pastor, Jackie, and family would like to extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation to the church staff, leadership, and membership of First Baptist for your love, prayers, and support during my twenty years of pastoral ministry. I thank God for the opportunity to serve the First Baptist Church family and the Somerset County community. The pastor's official date of retirement will be Thursday, July 31st. As we prepare for the pastor and church’s transition, we wish to express our deepest gratitude to all who have contributed to the life of First Baptist Church. Every member, past and present, has played an integral role in shaping the character and mission of this faith community. Your prayers, gifts, volunteer hours, leadership, and faithful presence have been the lifeblood of our congregation.
Our annual theme is “God Has Prepared Us in Advance”. He has continued to make our plans known in His time, even when our plans seem unclear in 2025. Jeremiah 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 have the confidence that God knows the plans He has for us and will continue to make them known to us in His time.
During June and July, we will observe our summer worship schedule in person at 10:00 am. Please mark your calendar for the In-Person Teleconference Holy Communion and Independence Day worship service on July 6th at 10:00 am and the Sunday closing In-Person Closing Worship Service on Sunday, July 27th at 10:00 am. Let us 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.
We extend God’s love and blessings to all members and friends celebrating birthdays and anniversaries in July. As we approach Independence Day, we pause to say Happy Fourth of July to each of you. We thank God for the freedoms we are privileged to enjoy—freedom to worship, freedom to assemble, and freedom to speak boldly in love and truth.
Enclosed, please find copies of the Sunday worship services for July 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th. 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 July 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.
In Christ's love,
Pastor Loreno R. Flemmings
