Bostonia Baptist Church

Here is a word of hope in a tense time. Let us pray for peace and ever seek God's will. --Pastor Van "Balm in Gilead" by Grace Schulman... Is there no balm in Gilead? So cries dour Jeremiah in granite tones. There is a balm in Gilead, replies a Negro spiritual. The baritone who chants it, leaning forward on the platform, looks up, not knowing his voice is a rainstorm that rinses air to reveal earth’s surprises. Today, the summer gone, four monarch butterflies, their breed’s survivors, sucked a flower’s last blooms, opened their wings, orange-and-black stained glass, and printed on the sky in zigzag lines, watch bright things rise: winter moons, the white undersides of a California condor, once thought doomed, now flapping wide like the first bird from ashes.

The person who loves their dream of community will destroy community, but the person who loves those around them will create community. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together Friends, in a time of stress, let's be loving to the people we interact with in person and online, regardless of their stance on candidates, parties and issues. It's the Jesus thing to do.... Blessings! Pastor Van

Friends, I encourage everyone to pause today at noon, and pray the Lord's Prayer together as we lift up our country and this electoral process to God: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, ... And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. See more

Dear friends: If you have not yet done so, I encourage you to take the time to pray, and reflect, and vote in today's election. God is in control. But God grants us freedom of will, and the opportunity to make consequential choices. We thank God that we live in a country where we have a formal voice through the electoral process. Let's use that voice, humbly, wisely, and well.

Worship service for October 18, 2020. Blessings! Meeting Recording: https://us02web.zoom.us//PjuyDl-USCfZY27P3Yam08pkUAwaC0O7L

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pUdUX5Gagc

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those exposed to, infected with, or recovering from Covid-19, including President Trump and the First Lady. We also grieve with the families that have lost 206,000 people to Covid-19 in this country alone, and many more around the world. We thank God for walking with us and holding us up even in the hardest times.

Meet April Diaz, the speaker at our American Baptist regional annual conference this Thursday-Saturday! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcHLfLmZJ98&feature=youtu.be

Hi, friends! Just a reminder that, before you look at the smoke-stained sky overhead, before you check your social media feed or take in any more political news, this is a good time to . . . --Listen to a song you love (I've got "Standing on the Promises" on right now) --Look at a photograph that reminds you of a happy memory --Study a leaf, a flower, a piece of bark --Pray... Remember that there is much more to the life God has in mind for us, much more to creation, than one pandemic, one election, or one tweet. Blessings!

Worship for September 13, 2020. Back in the Sanctuary! We praise God. The passcode is: h9L#7CV8 https://us02web.zoom.us//3MOcCA9IZsCVztgOVv9iOsv5fZfy82VHL

Bostonian Baptist Church, whether inside or out, seeks to honor God and reach people in His name. Please join us at 11 am in the Sanctuary on Sunday!

We grieve with the families of all those who were lost on 9/11, and all those who have been lost since in Afghanistan and Iraq. As Christians, we cling to the knowledge that we serve a risen Savior. Death does not get the final word. Wisawa Szymborska has written a sad and beautiful poem about that day, called "Photograph from September 11." The "last line" that Szymborska mentions can only be written by God:... They jumped from the burning floors one, two, a few more, higher, lower. The photograph halted them in life, and now keeps them above the earth toward the earth. Each is still complete, with a particular face and blood well hidden. There’s enough time for hair to come loose, for keys and coins to fall from pockets. They’re still within the air’s reach, within the compass of places that have just now opened. I can do only two things for them describe this flight and not add a last line.

If you have not yet filled out the Census, please take the time to do so right away. The Census is used to determine how our federal tax dollars are apportioned to local communities for a whole range of programs. This is a simple way to concretely help the community. "Think of your morning commute: Census results influence highway planning and construction, as well as grants for buses, subways, and other public transit systems. Or think of your local schools: Census results ...help determine how money is allocated for the Head Start program and for grants that support teachers and special education. The list goes on, including programs to support rural areas, to restore wildlife, to prevent child abuse, to prepare for wildfires, and to provide housing assistance for older adults."

Let's keep praying, friends. https://www.youtube.com/watch