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Welcome to First Baptist Church
WELCOME
to the First Baptist Church
of Portland, Oregon!
On this website, you'll be able to find information about First Baptist Church, our beliefs, our service to the community and the world, and our church family. We are an American Baptist congregation committed to being "Ambassadors for Christ to the Heart of the City."
We'd be delighted to have you join us any Sunday for worship or Sunday School, or for one of our other weekly gatherings. See the many opportunities to be connected and involved in the life of First Baptist Church.
Have you looked at the FBC digital photo album lately?
See our Annual Report!
In cold, gray February, when Christmas is gone and spring seems far away, we compensate by celebrating St. Valentine's Day, the festival of love.
Who was St. Valentine? There are several Roman Christian martyrs who bear the name "Valentine," and their histories are vague, sketchy and often indistinguishable. Perhaps the best known is a priest who was arrested by the emperor Claudius II in the third century for, among other things, counseling couples to solemnize their marriages in the bosom of the church, which was a despised illegal sect in the Rome of that time. Legend has it that in custody he charmed and entertained the emperor until, trying to convert him to faith in Christ, he enraged him, and was executed in 269 A.D.
Valentine's tenuous connection to romantic love was not solidified and widely celebrated until more than a millennium later, when he was recreated as a fictional character in Gregory Chaucer's "Parliament of Foules" in 1382. His feast day, February 14 – the day of his martyrdom – was celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church from the fourth century until 1969, when Pope Paul VI dropped him from the official roster of saints because of the sketchy documentation of his history. But St. Valentine – or at least the celebration of love associated with his name – retains a hold upon our imagination. Because in a world rife with disaster, distorted by injustice and haunted by death, we cling to love as the greatest good.
Read the rest here
| Upcoming Events at First Baptist |
CELEBRATE FIVE YEARS
Sunday, February 5 - Please join us in celebrating five years of Rev. Dr. David L.
Wheeler's ministry with First Baptist, Portland. Worship services will be held at 9 and 11 a.m., with a
reception to celebrate Pastor David's tenure immediately following the 11 a.m. service in Fellowship Hall.
During Dr. Wheeler's time at First Baptist, the church has continued its long tradition of service to the people and city of Portland, Oregon, strengthening ongoing and building new affiliations with partner ministries. Most importantly, he has continued FBC's mission of welcoming all to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, teaching His Word. We invite you to worship with us, and to stay to celebrate the first five years of Pastor David's ministry with FBC.
YOUTH GROUP SUPERBOWL PARTY
Sunday, February 5 - Attention all youth: are you ready for some football? Bring your favorite game day food and come and root for your team! Or come and cheer for your favorite commercial! Or, just come and hang out with friends. We will be gathering at the Velasquez's house starting @ 3:00. Kickoff is at 3:30. Contact Pastor Rick for more information.
PASTOR'S MEMBERSHIP CLASSES
All who are interested in exploring commitment to Christ and membership in First Baptist Church are invited to a series of Bible-based classes taught by Pastor David Wheeler. Classes will be held on Sundays, 12:15 pm (after second service), February 12 – March 4 in the Lifeline Room.
More upcoming events...
Click on any of the following for more information about
worship services, Sunday school, and opportunities for Bible study and Christian fellowship. Please join us sometime!
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