How ‘bout a special summer treat on a warm Sunday evening? If you’re thinking ice cream, count me in! Here’s what I have in mind: Dr. Bob “Wildfire” Evans continues his insightful Bible study of the Minor Prophets at 6:00 p.m. in the Great Hall. Our musical guest tonight will be Dr. Dick Baker. Beloved church musician, composer and friend to First Baptist Church, Dick comes to lead us to God’s throne as we worship together. You don’t want to miss this!

Next Sunday’s “Celebration of Religious Liberty” will be a great time of gratitude to God and an affirmation of our historic Baptist belief. Here’s the article from our church’s confession of faith:

God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on its work. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power. (Baptist Faith and Message, 1963)

We pray that God might bless America . . . and that America might bless God. May God bless you as you “render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s - and to God that which is God’s!”

I’m proud to be your pastor,

Jerry