Write Your Own Headlines Series Begins

/in /by

Most people are frustrated by the news. We don’t like that the news feels depressing, filled with stories of murder, theft, corruption, and other discouraging topics. Where are the stories about good things happening? Is there anything good happening?

While we get frustrated with our sources of news, we often live out the same challenges in our own lives. If someone were to keep track of the stories you share throughout the week, would the news be filled with positivity or would it focus on the negative things happening around you? Are your personal headlines filled with health crises, with fear of violence in the community, and economic gloom? Or are your personal headlines filled with stories of bravery, hope, and love?

This Easter, we begin a series investigating the news we are noticing and sharing. We will be reading through Luke 24, paying attention to the news that the early church shared about Easter as they sought to understand what had just happened.

To better help imagine the different ways we can tell the Easter story, click the link below to read through an imagination of what Easter Sunday’s front page headlines could have looked like from four different perspectives: from the vantage point of Roman authorities in Jerusalem, from Judean zealots, from the temple authorities, and from Jesus’s disciples.

We hope you’ll join us as we change our perspective to better reflect God’s perspective.

 

Easter Newspapers in 4 Perspectives

 

On-Site Closures (COVID-19)

/in /by

While on-site activities may close, you can continue to worship with us online. Visit our online worship page to worship with us.

Update: July 8, 2020

The church is entering Phase 3 of reopening, with limited operations and a blended single worship service that is available live online as well as in person with safety measures. Learn more about phase 3.

Update: June 10, 2020

Our church is entering into Phase 2 of it’s reopening, a time of preparation for on-site worship and for transition to livestreaming to continue our online worship opportunity in a sustainable way going forward. Read more.

Update: Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Since last Friday’s Executive Board meeting, our government leaders from the President to the Governor and on down have directed and mandated even greater separation and social distancing with each passing day.  This week, we’ve learned of the first presumptive positive test in Jackson, an employee who worked near the church. To be good neighbors and contribute to the greater good, the FBC building will remain closed for now. We will follow the lead of our schools and keep the building closed at least through Friday, April 3rd.  A reevaluation will be made prior to April 3rd to determine if we will be able to congregate for Palm Sunday on April 5th or not.  Until then, we still have plenty of opportunities to be the church everyday. Let’s see what new things God might do in the midst of this time.

Original Notice from March 14, 2020

Church leadership has been in contact throughout the week as we’ve watched the developments of the spread of COVID-19 (also known as the coronavirus). The Executive Board met Friday night, March 13, and has decided to cancel this week’s on-site church activities, including on site worship on Sunday and the Wednesday night Lenten dinner and program. We are called to love our neighbor, and we hope that not meeting in person this week will help protect the vulnerable in our church and in our greater Jackson community.

While we will not be gathering in person for worship, we are not closed. We will be providing an online worship service that will be available Sunday morning at 10am on our Facebook page. Anyone can watch! You don’t have to have a Facebook account to watch. The video will become active at 9:55am, and show a 5 minute countdown leading to the start of service. We will send more information out either later tonight or early tomorrow morning to explain in more detail how to access the video.

While on-site church gatherings are closed this week, our staff will still be available, coordinating efforts to support the vulnerable in our midst. If you need help in the midst of this coronavirus pandemic, please contact the church office. We have several individuals who have already expressed desires to help with delivering groceries and other supplies for those who need to stay home. If the risk of exposure is high for you and you could use assistance, please reach out to us.

Expect to hear more from us in the upcoming days as we continue to follow the health recommendations of our state and city. You can follow many of those recommendations by checking the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Communications about safety and closures will be communicated by email, alongside postings on the website and Facebook. Known individuals who attend worship without emails will be contacted by phone.

Please stay safe. Use this opportunity to point people to the peace of Christ amidst the chaos of the world.

Watching Worship Online

/in /by

Join us at 10 a.m. on our Facebook page for worship. [Update: Here’s the live link! Watch now]

Are you new to Facebook videos? Here are a few tips:

  • You don’t have to have a Facebook account to watch our video. If Facebook happens to give you a popup message asking you to register or sign in, you can close the popup and continue to watch our video.
  • The video is set to premiere at 9:55am, with a 5 minute countdown so that the service begins at 10am. This means that you won’t be able to see the video on our Facebook page until 9:55am today. If you’re on our page at that time and don’t see the video, reload the page.
  • If you miss the live stream at 10am, Facebook archives the video and you can still watch it whenever you’d like.
  • If you do have a Facebook account, please “like” the video and share it with friends so that more people can experience worship with us. Leave us comments so we can enjoy interacting with each other from afar.

If you’re not familiar with navigating our Facebook page and aren’t able to find our worship service on Facebook live at 10am, the video is embedded below on this page. Just click the video play button below to watch the service!

There's Another Way to Love Your Neighbor

Worship with FBC JXN this week as we all maintain a safe physical distance apart, but draw together into God's loving embrace. Today's message provides some reflection on what it means to be the church in the midst of social isolation because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Posted by First Baptist Church, Jackson MI on Sunday, March 15, 2020

By the way… if you never watched our Ash Wednesday service video on Facebook, you can watch it anytime at this link.

JPCM Closure

/in /by

For the safety of its guests and volunteers, the Jackson Personal Care Ministry will be closed indefinitely as of March 11, 2020.

This decision is in keeping with the governor’s decision to cancel gatherings of 100 or more people, in order to slow the spread of COVID-19.

We hope to find a way to provide at least cleaning products and soap during this pandemic to those who depend on JPCM for these products.

For up to date information on the JPCM, follow their Facebook page.

Baskets spread holiday spirit

/in /by

Church members put together and distributed 50 holiday food baskets to the community! This annual outreach offers a time of fellowship for members and helps others during the holiday season.

Christmas Eve

/in /by

Still Hoping to Share the Good News

First Baptist Church celebrated Christmas Eve, the arrival of the Christ Child, with a service of music, message, candles and reflection.

Jackson Christmas Parade Hot Chocolate Outreach

/in /by

Church members passed out hot chocolate to those on their way to the Jackson Christmas Parade!

FBC Jackson and Bright Walls

/in /by

Sign up for a time to volunteer with FBC Jackson during the Bright Walls Mural Festival (Sept. 5-10). We really need your help in being a welcoming presence for our neighbors.

What are the service opportunities?

International Exchange Program Event – Youth For Understanding is hosting a social in our church and then interacting with Bright Walls. We could use a few volunteers to make them feel welcome and answer any questions they have.

Bright Walls Interactive Booth – Bright Walls is hosting a family friendly organization fair where organizations provide interactive experiences. We will have a booth with colored sand art that people can make and take home with them. We will also have information about our church available for people to learn more about us.

Bright Walls Artist Panels – Bright Walls is providing transportation for a lot of local children to come to our church and learn from Bright Walls artists. The event is open to the public. We could use some warm, friendly faces to welcome people and answer any questions they may have.

FBC Music at Bright Walls – Brently, Dallas, and Gabe (one of Brently’s friends) will be playing on Bright Walls music stage on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 11am. We would love to see FBC folks there to support the event and sing along with us.

During all of these events, we would love it if you could take pictures to share about this great weekend!

  • When can you help us serve? *Select as many times as you are able to serve? Click here.

Blessing Box

/in /by

About a year ago, the Connection Service decided to do a mission for our community so we took inspiration from the book boxes around Jackson and created a Blessing Box to provide small basic necessities for those who need them. The box will be stocked with socks, hats, and mittens when it is cold and personal care and non-perishable food items year around. These items will be available at anytime and available for the taking by anyone who needs them. It is our hope that these items will be blessings that show the local community the giving heart of Jesus.

Blessing Box at FBC

Comfort Quilt Ministry

/in /by

First Baptist’s Women’s Book Club has launched a quilt ministry.  Each Friday after discussing their book, they sew these lovely quilts to give away.  They are truly warming hearts with the love of Christ!

Mary W. explains the comfort quilts. Quilts in sanctuary