Welcome to First Baptist Church!
We're excited that you would like to join us for worship. We know how daunting visiting a new church can be, so we would like to make your visit as comfortable and welcoming as possible. Below are the answers to some frequently asked questions. If you have any other questions, please contact Pastor Dan or Pastor Katie.
Where should I park?
There are a couple of options available to you:
- We have ample parking available in our church parking lot, located just east of our building on Kiowa St. Any available spot is open to you, and there are spaces reserved for guests in the area closest to the building.
- If you have a disability, we reserve all of the street parking around our building for you! Feel free to park any available space.
Where are the church entrances?
All of the church entrances are located on the North facing side of the building on Kiowa St. There are three primary entrances:
- The Office/Education Wing Entrance is the first entrance you will encounter as you make your way to the church from the parking lot. We encourage you to come in this entrance if you've come for Sunday School. There will be someone just inside the building to greet you and point you in the right direction.
- The Atrium Entrance is the entrance we encourage you to take if you have a mobility issue. This is the entrance that goes directly to the elevator and can save you from having to use any steps.
- The Sanctuary Entrance is our only arched entryway. This entrance will take you directly into the foyer just outside of the Sanctuary. If you're joining us for worship only, this is the entrance to take. If you're arriving a few minutes late, this is also your best entrance as many doors are locked once worship has begun.
What should I wear?
Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable. We will accept you for who you are no matter what you’re wearing. On any given Sunday you will find people wearing anything from jeans to suits and everything in between. We gather together to worship and fellowship, and we can do that no matter what type of clothes we're in.
When do you gather for Worship and Bible Study?
Most of our Bible studies and worship opportunities are concentrated on Sunday morning. Sunday School classes are offered for people of all ages every Sunday morning at 9:00 AM. After Sunday School, we all gather in the Fellowship Hall (right below the sanctuary) from 10:00-10:30 AM for a Fellowship Time with coffee, doughnuts, and other snacks. Worship begins in the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM and is usually finished by 11:30 AM.
Other opportunities for Bible Study are a small group, which generally meets every other week on Sunday Evenings in the home of one of its members, and a interdenominational women's Precepts Bible Study that generally meets every Tuesday morning at 9:15 AM in the Hurlburt Room (come in the Office/Education Wing Entrance).
There are other series and opportunities that come and go on a seasonal basis. It's always wise to check with Pastor Dan or Pastor Katie to see what else might be happening.
Other opportunities for Bible Study are a small group, which generally meets every other week on Sunday Evenings in the home of one of its members, and a interdenominational women's Precepts Bible Study that generally meets every Tuesday morning at 9:15 AM in the Hurlburt Room (come in the Office/Education Wing Entrance).
There are other series and opportunities that come and go on a seasonal basis. It's always wise to check with Pastor Dan or Pastor Katie to see what else might be happening.
What can I expect worship at First Baptist to be like?
The best way to describe our worship here is traditionally creative or creatively traditional. We sing hymns and the doxology, we pray the Lord’s prayer together, and the sermons we hear are based on a lectionary reading. However we are always looking for ways to be creative with art and music.
You will hear praise music, choral anthems, organ preludes, and even handbells. We often have guest musicians and incorporate styles of music from all walks of life. Our sanctuary is often adorned with seasonal installations. During Epiphany (the season of light), our sanctuary is covered in lights and suspended Moravian stars. During Pentecost, you're likely to see vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges throughout the sanctuary.
We strongly believe that the congregation is actively involved in worship, not a passive participant. It’s not uncommon for our congregation to take part in responsive readings, and we are often led in worship by members of the congregation. It’s also not uncommon for our children and teenagers to pray and read scripture. Liturgy literally means, "the work of the people." At FBC, our hope is that the people lead us in worship.
You will hear praise music, choral anthems, organ preludes, and even handbells. We often have guest musicians and incorporate styles of music from all walks of life. Our sanctuary is often adorned with seasonal installations. During Epiphany (the season of light), our sanctuary is covered in lights and suspended Moravian stars. During Pentecost, you're likely to see vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges throughout the sanctuary.
We strongly believe that the congregation is actively involved in worship, not a passive participant. It’s not uncommon for our congregation to take part in responsive readings, and we are often led in worship by members of the congregation. It’s also not uncommon for our children and teenagers to pray and read scripture. Liturgy literally means, "the work of the people." At FBC, our hope is that the people lead us in worship.
What are the people like?
Pastor Dan often says to guests, "If you're looking for a place where you can remain anonymous, then we aren't the place for you!" Our people are warm and loving. You are likely to be greeted by multiple friendly faces when you visit FBC, and they will want to be able to call you by name.
Our body, in a word, is diverse. We spread the theological, political, and economic spectrums. We have doctors and professors in our membership, but also often expect to have homeless guests worship with us. Some of us are "blue," some of us are "red," and some of us don't know what color we are! In recent years, we have been mostly older members, but our fastest growing segment in the church is "twenty-somethings." We embrace the diversity, and are looking to a bright future together!
Our body, in a word, is diverse. We spread the theological, political, and economic spectrums. We have doctors and professors in our membership, but also often expect to have homeless guests worship with us. Some of us are "blue," some of us are "red," and some of us don't know what color we are! In recent years, we have been mostly older members, but our fastest growing segment in the church is "twenty-somethings." We embrace the diversity, and are looking to a bright future together!
What if I'm not Baptist? Should I still come to FBC?
Absolutely! We are a distinctly Baptist church, holding to the four essential Baptist freedoms, but more than being Baptist, we are interested in being Christian. We see ourselves as part of the big "C" Church and simply want to contribute our small part to Christ's Kingdom.
To this end, even if you were baptized in another tradition, we do not require you to be re-baptized to become a member of our congregation. Rather, we believe we can welcome you into our community of faith (even with its distinctions), while also honoring your own Christian background. In fact, many of us have backgrounds as Methodists, Catholics, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, and many others, but who have all found a spiritual home at FBC. Don't let our being Baptist prevent you from worshiping with us. We won't let your not being Baptist prevent us from worshiping and serving with you!
To this end, even if you were baptized in another tradition, we do not require you to be re-baptized to become a member of our congregation. Rather, we believe we can welcome you into our community of faith (even with its distinctions), while also honoring your own Christian background. In fact, many of us have backgrounds as Methodists, Catholics, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, and many others, but who have all found a spiritual home at FBC. Don't let our being Baptist prevent you from worshiping with us. We won't let your not being Baptist prevent us from worshiping and serving with you!
What if I'm liberal/conservative/etc...? Should I come to FBC?
Yes. People at FBC span the spectrum from theologically liberal and moderate to conservative. Those who are affiliated with the Democratic and Republican parties worship together on a weekly basis. We don’t always agree about everything, and we don’t want to. That would be boring and inconsistent with how we interpret the Jesus of the Gospels. We believe every Christian is a minister in his or her own right, and is able to interpret scripture with God’s help, which means that we believe everyone’s opinion and contribution is essential and valid. Diversity makes us stronger because we have the opportunity to learn from each other.
You don’t have to think like everyone else to be welcome here. That’s not even possible. First Baptist is a safe place to wrestle with important issues and express doubt.
You don’t have to think like everyone else to be welcome here. That’s not even possible. First Baptist is a safe place to wrestle with important issues and express doubt.
