904 Washington St SE, Olympia, WA 98501
It’s hard to believe that we are entering the last third of 2024. It has been a year of continuing transitions; filled with unexpected surprises and losses. Through it all, you, the people of God, here on the corner of 9th and Washington, have been faithful, resilient, and hope-filled. The struggle of faithful and faith-filled living is real, but we are moved along by the Spirit of the Living God, who loves us, encourages us, pushes us, forward, into a future grounded by God’s presence, grace, and deep, abiding love for us, others, and creation itself. So, again, the struggle is real, but so too, is God’s love, strength, and guidance.
At the last Executive Council meeting we had a conversation about what makes us unique from other churches? What are some of our distinctives here at Oly First? It was a good discussion for this leadership team to have. We didn’t come up with a definitive list, but it was a good step in the right direction. As American Baptists we have certain distinctives that make us, well, Baptists, like Soul Liberty, Autonomy of the Local Church, Priesthood of All Believers, and Separation of Church and State, just to name a few. But we are more than just an American Baptist congregation. When it comes to theology, interpretation of scripture, and thought, we are a diverse congregation where you can find people across a pretty wide spectrum of belief and faith. Don’t ask me how that works or how that is possible in today’s context that seems so divisive. Let’s just call it a God-thing…a work of the Spirit happening in our midst that feels organic and genuine.
I look at what God is doing and bringing together over the last 3 to 4 months. It started, in my mind, when we had an overwhelming amount of house-less folks sleeping on the church property. No one on the leadership side was completely comfortable in putting up signs on the church property that said, NO! As in No trespassing or No camping! NO didn’t ring quite true. Instead, we decided if we could find a different way, a pathway that we could discover and/or put together, that would present safer and more stable alternatives for those who were sleeping here. That lead me to change my office hours where I start my day much earlier here at church in order to interact more positively with our guests as well as get them moving along, but more importantly, it led to a meeting and coming together with folks from Catholic Community Services and specifically, meeting with Alissa List, who oversees their Arrest and Jail Alternatives program (AJA). Since those two things happened, our “camping” problem has been almost a non-issue. Hardly anyone is camping anymore and if they do, they are up, packed up and the area cleaned up, usually, before I arrive between 7 and 7:30. And then, the real unexpected happened. Alissa and her partner Don came to one of our worship services. They have been a part of our worshiping community since.
Spirit led. Opening ourselves to being surprised by God and God’s Spirit. Challenged, each and every day to live into and embody the teachings of the One we follow, Jesus Christ. Paying attention and attempting to live out the good news in pro-active and healthy ways, one day at a time. We walk humbly, love completely and live differently. Why? Because God first loved us! That love, maximized in Jesus Christ, is what compels us; what moves us; what is instilled in us; to love others, to serve others, to see others, the way that God through Christ does. Maybe that doesn’t make us distinct from other faith communities of Christ, but it’s a pretty good foundation to jump off of as we continue to discern and discover what makes us distinct as a Jesus-following faith community on the corner of 9th and Washington!
Blessings and Joy - Humble over Hype!
Pastor Mark (Rev)
September 1st
15th Sunday after Pentecost – Communion Sunday
First Reading – James 1:17—27
Second Reading – Psalm 15
Sermon Text – Mark 7:1—8, 14—15, 21—23
Sermon Title – Squeaky Clean
September 8th
16th Sunday after Pentecost - Ordinary Time
First Reading – Isaiah 35:4—7a
Second Reading – Psalm 125
Sermon Text – Mark 7:24—37
Sermon Title – Housecleaning
September 15th
17th Sunday after Pentecost - Ordinary Time
First Reading – Isaiah 50:4—9a
Second Reading – Psalm 19
Sermon Text – Mark 8:27—38
Sermon Title – Confessional
September 22nd
18th Sunday after Pentecost - Ordinary Time
First Reading – James 3:13—4:3, 7-8a.
Second Reading – Psalm 54
Sermon Text – Mark 9:30—37
Sermon Title – We Didn’t See That Coming!
September 29th
19th Sunday after Pentecost - Ordinary Time
First Reading – I John 3:16—24
Second Reading – James 5:13—20
Sermon Text – Mark 9:38—50
Sermon Title – Partly Cloudy with a Chance for Thunderstorms
Copyright © 2024 Olympia First Baptist Church - All Rights Reserved.