Letter From Pastor Flemmings
April, 2025
Dear Members, Families, and Friends:
God’s grace and peace be with you and your family!
Our monthly theme for April is “God Speaks in Silence”. Most of us likely know the expression, "Silence speaks louder than words." Years of experience have taught many of us that this proverb is true. This was certainly the case as our Savior faced charges against Him before the Sanhedrin, Pilate, and Herod. The Gospel writer Matthew states “But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge–to the great amazement of the governor. Matthew 27:14. As Jesus was being tried in a court for doing wrong, He would not make any statements defending Himself. He neither accepted nor denied the charges being brought against Him to the amazement of Pilate and everyone present. Silence gives us space, however, for God to speak to our hearts. It is God who speaks in Psalm 46, saying, “Be still, and know that I am God.” The stillness is the time in which God can make himself known to us—to face any challenges to our faith.
Our annual theme is “God Has Prepared Us in Advance”. continue 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 our plans known to us in His time.
Please mark your calendar for In-Person Teleconference Holy Communion worship service on April 6th at 11:00 AM. We invite your family and friends to join us for our teleconference Holy Week services. Palm Sunday will be April 13th at 9:45 am. and Maundy Thursday will be on April 17th at 6:45 pm. 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 April. Enclosed please find copies of the Sunday worship services for April 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 April 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.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Loreno R. Flemmings
