Snow Sundays at First Baptist

Last Sunday was another Sunday with fresh snow on the ground. For the second Sunday in the a row the normal Sunday schedule was reduced to the 11 AM service.

We met Al, 94, as we were entering the building. Al is the usher that usually gives us our bulletin as we enter the balcony on Sunday mornings. On this snowy Sunday, he drives himself as usual. He would not think of missing worship!

First Baptist has a very stately looking building that is accented with the snow.

We arrived early and had a chance to sit and visit with Bev for a few minutes before the service started.

Phil Mitchell, the minister of music, leads the choir in 'Here Am I, Send Me!" based on Isaiah 6. One the top right is Lewis our Sunday school teacher, his wife Toni, is on the bottom right.

Pastor Jim Somerville, introduces communion by pouring the juice into the goblet.

Associate Pastor, Steve Booth, and the Pastor serve a member communion. This Sunday, there were not enough deacons available to serve communion in the traditional fashion.

At the close of the service the pastor recognized Becky Payne for twenty years of service to the church.

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On the down side, the weather has played havoc with churches in the Richmond area this year. Most churches cancelled services for two weeks in a row. The same thing happened in late December. When that happens churches have a tough time making up the loss in giving. Most churches are wrestling with tight budgets because of the recession. They will survive and do well, but it does require leadership to trust that God will provide the needs.

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On the up side, the smaller congregation does make for a more intimate worship experience. We were all seated closer to the platform. The balcony was closed. It was not hard to see. There was greater interaction with everyone. I was glad I was there.

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Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10: 22-25