Hi friends! Today you’ll receive 2 messages from me. This 1st contains music and a mission moment. -Pastor Steph Music Moment: Peace Like a River[i] played by Jan Randlett: https://youtu.be/v0Cq-xzDtnY Mission Moment: News from Kit Ripley, New Life Center, Thailand How is the New Life Center faring during the global health crisis? Many of you have contacted us to inquire as to how the COVID-19 global health crisis is affecting our work. The first case of coronavirus occurred in Thailand in mid-January, but we did not become aware of the need for social distancing until the end of February and travel restrictions were first implemented on March 5. This took place concurrently with the end of

Recently, I’ve been meditating using a book called “Looking at Mindfulness” by Christophe Andre.[i] He looks at paintings and they lead him to provide reflections on modern life. Today, I joined him in considering the attached painting by J.M.W. Turner[ii] which shows the city of Venice, Italy, as seen from a boat heading towards the city. On the right side of the painting, the sun shines and the view of the city is bright with promise. On the left side of the painting, the moon is rising. If we were in the boat approaching the city, it is clear that by the time we arrived, the sun will have set and moonlight will reign. Mr. Andre suggests that our happiness is very much like this. We aren’t

Everyone! You are invited to another Prayer and Communion time. Please join us by computer or smartphone if you are able (you will want to download the GoTo Meeting app ahead of time – see below); or you can call in using the numbers below. We will share greetings and prayers, then have communion together. Have a bite of bread or cracker and a bit of something to drink to share in communion with us. Use anything you wish. Looking forward to “seeing” you all on Thursday night! Grace & Hope, Pastor Steph Instructions: Prayer and Communion Thu, Apr 30, 2020 7:20 PM - 8:00 PM (EDT) Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/516885069 You

For this Sunday, I offer you both Music and a Message. I thank you for continuing to pray for your neighbors - those you know and those you don't know; and for continuing to keep up your giving and pledges which are so very helpful to FBC in these days. Stay well all, Pastor Steph Music and a Message! Music: Jesus to the World (Roaring Lambs) Sung by Stephen (& Samuel) Salinas https://youtu.be/Nw8pXeChZrw [i] Message: “See? Jesus!” by, Rev. Dr. Stephanie Salinas, Westwood, MA https://youtu.be/IxDfX2JbYVg [ii] [i] Newsong. Jesus to the World (Roaring Lambs). Album: Arise My Love, 2000. [ii] Barbara Brown Taylor. When God is Silent. (Boston: Cowley Publications, 1998), 58-59.

Friends... Today, please enjoy devotional tools of several kinds: Music, a Reading, and tonight's Prayer and Communion plans. As always, we thank you for your continued support of First Baptist in your pledges and gifts, and we continue to pray for ALL of you and yours! Peace, Pastor Steph Music: This piece of music comes to us all the way from Kodiak, Alaska. Those who traveled there with me remember Ellamy, who was a teacher at Kodiak Baptist Mission when we were there. She is a talented musician, and has given me permission to use some of her music to minister to us here in Massachusetts. Please enjoy: https://youtu.be/BPkGOIVLTnQ [ii] Reading: Never let a good crisis go to waste, part 4

Invitation to Prayer and Communion Time, now using Goto Meeting. Thursday, 4/23/2020, at 7:20pm. Friends… you are all cordially invited to our second Prayer and Communion Time. We have purchased a new way to do this that should be clearer and more efficient. Here are details on how you can join us: Date: Thursday, 4/23/2020 Time: 7:20pm If you have a computer available, please use that to make our meeting smoother. If you do not have a computer available, you can call in on any phone. If joining by computer, try to make sure your camera is on (if you have one) and download the Goto Meeting app beforehand. Details below. Please plan to have a bit of bread or cracker, and a bit of beverage, t

Never let a good crisis go to waste, part 3 of 4: Winston Churchill is credited with having said, “Never let a good crisis go to waste,” though the phrase cannot be found in his recorded speeches, personal notes, or his books. Illinois Congressman Rahm Emanuel did say it in 2008.[i] It seems to me that that is exactly our call as Christians living in the weeks following Easter, not only this year, but every year. For Easter, the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, created a crisis for the first disciples. What did they do with this new reality? We, as we live in the midst of staying in our homes, get more devotional readings from our pastor because of our current crisis – and thus more oppo

Friends... This morning we join with other American Baptist Churches across Massachusetts, with a sermon from our Executive Minister: Sermon: "Faithful Doubt" Based on John 20:19-31 by, the Rev. Dr. Mary Miller, Executive Minister, TABCOM https://youtu.be/lFcnHkNzPZw

Never let a good crisis go to waste, part 2 of 4: Winston Churchill is credited with having said, “Never let a good crisis go to waste,” though the phrase cannot be found in his recorded speeches, personal notes, or his books. Illinois Congressman Rahm Emanuel did say it in 2008.[i] It seems to me that that is exactly our call as Christians living in the weeks following Easter, not only this year, but every year. For Easter, the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, created a crisis for the first disciples. What did they do with this new reality? We, as we live in the midst of staying in our homes, get more devotional readings from our pastor because of our current crisis – and thus more oppo

Friends... Over the next 2 weeks, we will take some mid-week time to continue to consider Easter: Never let a good crisis go to waste, part 1 of 4: Winston Churchill is credited with having said, “Never let a good crisis go to waste,” though the phrase cannot be found in his recorded speeches, personal notes, or his books. Illinois Congressman Rahm Emanuel did say it in 2008.[i] It seems to me that that is exactly our call as Christians living in the weeks following Easter, not only this year, but every year. For Easter, the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, created a crisis for the first disciples. What did they do with this new reality? We, as we live in the midst of staying in our hom

Friends Far and Near... Easter Blessings on you all from First Baptist Church of Westwood. Here is today's devotion in word, human song, and birdsong: https://youtu.be/QWWWee-F1AI [i] [i] Music: Somewhere Beyond the Sea. Original by Bobby Darin, 1945. Recorded 2020 by Peter DeReyna.

Blessings on your Good Friday... and may the assurance of God's love be, indeed, goodness in your life today. -Pastor Steph John 19:16b-30 John 1:1-14, 3:16 Music: Ashokan Farewell, folk tune, played by Stephen S. https://youtu.be/uPSdUszntV0 [i]; [ii]; [iii] [i] Crucifix, 16th-17th century, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kongo peoples, solid cast brass, 27.3 cm high (The Metropolitan Museum of Art) [ii] Marc Chagall. White Crucifixion, 1938. Currently housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, and one of Pastor Steph’s favorite paintings. [iii] “El-Bariyah” The Wilderness: Palestine’s New Ancient Destination, travelpalestine.ps, accessed 4/5/2020.

Hello friends... please find, here, a scripture reading with art, a beautiful musical meditation, and an invitation. Grace and Peace and Hope and Caring, Pastor Steph Reading and Art: John 19:1-16a https://youtu.be/7JwvPNlRSD0[i] Music: https://youtu.be/4m-efQfCXK4[ii] Gabriel Fauré’s Élégie Opus 24 (played by our bell choir director!) Invitation: You are invited to join us for a Maundy Thursday Communion and Prayer Time. Here are details: · Thursday, April 9, at 7:20 pm. · If using a computer: Online meeting ID: pastor0148 Join the online meeting: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/pastor0148 · OR, with any phone, call (978) 990-5000. When prompted, key in access code

Friends... Here is today's scripture read by Steve B and some music to accompany it from my husband, Ned. Stay well all! Trial John 18:28-38 https://youtu.be/UIPg1ahd5YE Music: Pilate’s Dream by Ned Salinas[i] https://youtu.be/j7QylLny2WE [ii] [i] Tim Rice. Pilate’s Dream. Sung by Ned Salinas. [ii] Before Pilate, Eric de Saussure, 1968.

Friends... Here, on Tuesday of Holy Week, I offer you two items. First, a reading from scripture, read by Steve B. and Second, a song for your enjoyment: Scripture: John 18:15-18, 25-27 Read by Steve B https://youtu.be/LH-myr8qO1k Music: Voice of Truth Sung by Stephen, Laura, & Samuel https://youtu.be/C869kwSoZzw[i] [ii] [i] Casting Crowns. Voice of Truth. (2005). Sung by Stephen, Laura, & Samuel Salinas. [ii] Peter Denying Christ, by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, Amsterdam, 1660.

Dear friends... Each day this week (Monday-Friday) you will get a brief video or two from me, as a small Holy Week meditation. The first is below. I also want to invite you all to mark your calendars for a prayer and communion time by conference call on Thursday evening. You are invited to join us for a Maundy Thursday Communion and Prayer Time. Here are details: · Thursday, April 9, at 7:20 pm. · If using a computer: Online meeting ID: pastor0148 Join the online meeting: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/pastor0148 · OR, with any phone, call (978) 990-5000. When prompted, key in access code 493475 followed by the # sign. · We will be sharing communion together.

Palm Sunday greetings my friends! As we enter Holy Week, we are reminded that the first Palm Sunday and Holy Week were times of uncertainty. Yet they were also times of true power. The same is true for us today. Here, then, are two videos. The first is a Palm Sunday sermon "around town," and the second is a wonderful bit of music from our bell choir director. May you find a sense of hope in this week! Message: Music: Copy and paste this link to see and hear some music! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rHqhO3A8RFuGhSqEsHMGLlfByJQrycqK/view With Caring, Pastor Steph

Friends... Join me, this day, on a gratitude walk. Yes, GRATITUDE. And know I am grateful for every one of you. With Hope, Pastor Steph Gratitude Walk Video: https://youtu.be/Sn3pSQzqfVM ________________________________________________________________________________________ Also: for Maundy Thursday… a phone conference communion and prayer time. Thursday, 4/9/2020, 7:20pm. We held our first conference call prayer meeting on Tuesday 3/31, and it went rather well. It was so good to hear one another! So, we’re going to try it again… This time WITH COMMUNION! You are invited to join us for a Maundy Thursday Communion and Prayer Time. Here are details: · Thursday, April 9, at 7:20 pm. ·