1st Baptist to remain closed for in-person worship and Bible Study during "Yellow" - Facebook Live to continue

The Governing Board of 1st Baptist, with the concurrence of Pastor Powell, has decided to remain cautious during the "Yellow" transition phase and not seek to reopen in-person services at this time.

Reasons?
1. The 25 person limit only leaves 17 people who could attend (with the 8 required for our current worship format).

2. A significant portion of our congregation is at-risk, and would be advised to not attend at this time even if we did reopen.

3. Most of the churches in Venango County have already cancelled in-person services through May.  Showing solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Christ also is a priority for us.

4. The majority of our congregation has been able to take advantage of the worship service and/or prayer time and Bible Studies through Facebook Live.  {Audio CD's of the service remain available as an alternative upon request}

What is included?  The Sunday morning worship service, the Wednesday prayer time, and both Wednesday Bible Studies.

How long will this last?  The board will re-evaluate the situation at the end of May, or sooner if our county receives a "Green" designation. 

Questions?  Please call the office and ask for Pastor Powell (432-8061)

National Day of Prayer, Thursday May 7th @ 6 PM via ZOOM

The Venango County Christian Ministerium is participating in the National Day of Prayer this year by hosting a Zoom meeting on Thursday, May 7th @ 6 PM. 

Click on the link below to join the meeting (note the password: prayer), you don't need to have an account to participate.  When attending a ZOOM meeting, please leave your mic on mute unless you're the current speaker, this helps control background noise so everyone can hear; thanks.

National Day of Prayer ZOOM Meeting

Meeting ID: 840 8592 3528
Password: Prayer

Venango County Rises to the Challenge

One of the reasons why it was the right decision to move to Franklin in 2012 to lead 1st Baptist, and to raise our daughter Clara in this community, is the tremendous way in which the area churches, charities, civic organizations, schools, and local government work together to help our community.  As you know, we've seen this with Mustard Seed Missions and Emmaus Haven, and now we're seeing it once more with the local food pantries who have found a way to increase their already excellent service to our community as they distribute food safely during a pandemic to more people than normal.  How have the people of the county responded to these increased demonstrations of love for our fellow human beings?  By sending extra donations of money to cover the cost of the influx of new people seeking help during this pandemic's economic downturn.

God bless you all, keep up the good work, and please, as you are able, support our local food pantries.  We were in this together when things were 'normal', we're certainly still in this together now as well.

{1st Baptist supports the Shepherd's Green Food Pantry hosted by our neighbors St. John's Episcopal Church as well as Community Services of Venango County, one of the two highlighted in the article}

As always, excellent news coverage from our local newspaper, the News-Herald/The Derrick
Please consider subscribing to help keep this local source available to our community.

Good Friday Crosswalk

Because of the pandemic, the Franklin Christian Ministerium recorded our crosswalk readings and hymns yesterday, for those of you unable to come out and walk the course solo, this is the alternative.

Venango County Christian Ministerium utilizes local pizzerias to bless healthcare workers

On Thursday, April 9th, the Venango County Christian Ministerium coordinated the delivery of dozens of pizzas for the staff at five healthcare facilities throughout the county.  Given the isolation and anxiety caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, local churches were eager to show support for, and solidarity with, those tasked with continuing to provide care for our family members, friends, and neighbors.  In addition, the symbolism of providing a meal to those who don't normally get holidays off, when the Church would typically be gathering together to commemorate the Last Supper, reminds us that the Church must continue to "go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find." (Matthew 22:1-14)  There will always be people who cannot physically be at our church when we gather to worship, whether they be Christians with job responsibilities, transportation, or mobility challenges, or simply those who do not yet know the Good News about Jesus Christ.  We must always reach out into our community with the salt and light of the Gospel.

Our thanks to those who participated and helped bring this blessing, including Fox's Pizza in Franklin and Sweet Basil in Shippenville.  In addition, we discovered along the way that several of our targeted healthcare facilities were already being blessed today by local individuals or businesses with a free meal.  They beat us to the punch, but it encourages our hearts to know that others too are seeking to spread kindness during these difficult times.

The VCCM will continue to seek ways to help to those in need in our community, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and beyond.  To monetarily support the efforts of the VCCM during this crisis, please send a check made out to the Franklin Christian Ministerium to Grace United Methodist Church, 350 Front St, Franklin, PA 16323, with "Covid-19" in the memo line; thank you.

Rochelle Vroman of Fox's hands pizzas to Lyn Serafin of The Caring Place in Franklin

Upcoming online class starts Tuesday 4/7 at 7 PM

The History Of The Bible

ACTS Continuing Education Class
The History of the Bible

Instructor: Pastor Randy Powell
Pastor, FBC of Franklin, PA

April 7th, 14th, and 21st
7:00-9:00 PM

In an effort to provide some support and encouragement for the ABCOPAD Family in the midst of dealing with the challenges of COVID-19, the ACTS Coordinating Council is pleased to offer a free continuing education course on The History of the Bible, taught by Pastor Randy Powell. The course will be held on three successive Tuesday evenings (April 7, 14, 21) from 7:00-9:00 PM using the online Zoom platform. 

While there will not be a formal Registration process for this course, Continuing Education units will be offered for the experience to those who request them on the opening night of the class.

Below you'll find a description of the course by Pastor Randy....

The history of the copying, preservation, and translation of the Bible will be given in a three-part seminar taught by Pastor Randy Powell of First Baptist of Franklin. This seminar will include helpful visual aids that will assist in the telling of the amazing history of God’s Word, beginning with the original manuscripts in Hebrew and Greek, and ending with the modern English translations that we read today. When we understand the history of how an accurate rendering of the original words of the authors of the Bible have been preserved for two millennia, our faith in its trustworthiness will only increase. The seminar will include an opportunity for Q&A, is free and open to the public with no reservation required; it will be a benefit both to novices and to those who only need a refresher, including pastors. Questions? Call 814-432-8061

Below you will find the Zoom link for the first class on Tuesday, April 7 at 7:00 p.m.

Topic: History of the (English) Bible
Time: Apr 7, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/106181233
Meeting ID: 106 181 233
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Good Friday Crosswalk: Changes in response to COVID-19

The Franklin Christian Ministerium, which sponsors The Community Good Friday Crosswalk in Franklin, has decided in the interest of public health, to cancel the event for this year.  Good Friday is April 10, 2020.  In keeping with the tradition of carrying the Cross of Jesus Christ on Good Friday, the Franklin Ministerium will be offering two alternatives to the live event.

The pastors of the Franklin churches will gather prior to Good Friday to record a video of the walk.  The pastors will share in the readings at each of the 14 stations of the walk.  The video of this walk will be shared on websites, Facebook pages, and YouTube channels of our Franklin churches.

The Franklin churches will also be sharing the booklet that has been traditionally used for the Crosswalk event.  The public has the option of downloading the booklet (link below) to read along as they watch the Crosswalk video or of using the booklet to individually perform the walk in-person on Good Friday.  Check a local church website or Facebook page to download the Crosswalk booklet and view the map of the station locations.  In addition, a supply of the physical booklets will be placed at the front steps of St. Patrick Church (station #1), if you use one, please retain it and don’t return it to the box. If one chooses to perform the walk, we insist in following the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control and our governments for social distancing.  If you feel ill in any way, please stay home.

We are blessed in Franklin with a vibrant ecumenical spirit, which will continue, despite the temporary loss of one of the ways in which we show that we belong to one Lord, one faith, one baptism.  Jesus walked the road to Calvary alone, this year we will each feel isolation like the isolation he experienced as he prepared to take the sins of the world upon his shoulders.

Good Friday Crosswalk booklet

Homemade Beef Vegetable Soup and Cookies: Free to those harmed economically by COVID-19 - Thursday April 2nd 3-6 PM

Given the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic, 1st Baptist Church of Franklin (1041 Liberty St, Franklin PA, 16323) is making 125-150 16 oz. portions of homemade beef vegetable soup to be distributed in sealed styrofoam containers in our parking lot on Thursday, April 2nd from 3-6 PM (or until our supply runs out: limit 1 container per person, up to 4 for a larger household).

This distribution is targeting those who have had their hours cut, been laid off, or lost their job due to the ongoing pandemic.  We will not be asking for any proof, so PLEASE show kindness to your neighbors by self-limiting to those hard hit by the economic shutdown.

Given the health hazard from the risk of spreading COVID-19, precautions will be taken regarding the food preparation.  We ask that you simply drive into our parking lot on Buffalo Street, receive your pre-packaged homemade soup, and then exit.  As a bonus, homemade cookies will be included as well.  Those without a car are welcome to walk to our parking lot.

Pastor Powell will be there to take prayer requests.  We will pray for all requests during our Sunday worship service (live streamed on our church Facebook page).

A free Bible will be available for any household that needs one.

Matthew 25:34-40 New International Version (NIV)

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Sunday Worship closed to the public (FB live); Wednesday prayer group and Bible Studies go online only as well

In consultation with the church board in light of the deteriorating Covid-19 circumstances; 1st Baptist will close its Sunday morning worship service to the public.

Rest assured,Worship will still take place in our same sacred space, utilizing our same order of worship, but with only the half-dozen involved in leading the music in attendance along with Pastor Powell.  Everyone else will worship with us online.  The service will be broadcast at 10:45 on Facebook Live on the 1st Baptist Facebook Page.

This will continue for the foreseeable future.  Please call the office, email Pastor, or text Pastor with your prayer requests prior to 10:30 on Sundays, we will pray for them as always.

To the people of 1st Baptist.  YOU are the church.  When this church prays, worships, and hears God's Word preached, you NEED to be there.  If you need technical help figuring out how to watch the service, please call the church office.  If you don't have internet access, please tell us so that we can make sure receive an audio CD in the mail.

The Wednesday 10:30 AM prayer group will meet via phone, and 11 AM & 7 PM Bible studies will be conducted via Facebook Live.

If you are unable to follow the Facebook Live broadcast, you can watch the week's sermon here: Pastor's Blog and the podcast of the Bible studies here: Bible study podcasts.  New sermons are typically posted by Tuesday morning, new Bible studies podcasts typically by the end of each week.


If you need help with childcare or food because of the school closure or lack of work at this time, please call the church office 432-8061 from M-F 8-3, or call Pastor's cell phone 616-552-2103.  We will do our best to help you find resources.

1. The office will still be open during our regular M-F 8-3 hours.

2.  Pastor Powell is available for counseling, conversation, and prayer either at the office or via the phone.  With the normal routine of visiting shut-ins suspended; Pastor Powell will endeavor to call his way through our directory on a regular basis to check in with the congregation.

3.  Please don't neglect to support the church during this crisis; you can mail your donation to 1041 Liberty St.  Franklin, PA 16323.

AA meetings held on Tuesdays at 7 PM will continue to meet

Apologies if you saw an announcement of cancellation; that was a miscommunication.

AA will CONTINUE to meet here at 1st Baptist every Tuesday at 7 PM

AARP tax preparation at 1st Baptist suspended

The AARP headquarters has ordered our local tax preparation site to shut down until further notice.  It is unknown at this time if they will be able to resume prior to the tax filing deadline.

Fairy Enchanted Evening: Postponed, rescheduled for August 29th

A note from event organizer Nicole Powell (Pastor Powell's beautiful wife, he's typing this so you know its true):

In light of the current epidemic and the health concerns regarding large event gatherings, we feel that it is in the best interest for the safety and peace of mind of all of our guests to postpone our 4th annual Princess Ball to a later date. Our decision was based on the current recommendations and guidelines from our government and health officials. In light of our local schools cancelling and postponing all nonacademic/instructional activities, we feel that it is best to follow suit.

Please note that the event is NOT CANCELLED. Refer to the new date and location we've posted. Please also note the following:
1. If you purchased a ticket for the 3/28 date, your ticket is still
valid for the new date. Just present it at the door as you
would have at our 3/28 event.
2. If you find you cannot attend the new date, you have three
options available to you can:
(A) give your tickets to someone else.
(B) donate the cost of your tickets to The Magic Yarn
Project. We encourage you to consider this
option, as 100% of our ticket proceeds go directly
to the charity and do NOT fund the event.
(C) request a refund for your tickets. More
information on how to get a refund coming soon.

Thanks for your understanding in our current situation. These are clearly very extraordinary circumstances, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Questions?  Call the church at 432-8061

Cancelled Event: County-wide Palm Sunday Service, April 5th

The previously scheduled Palm Sunday service, sponsored by the VCCM, has been cancelled in accordance with precautionary measures being taken in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.  Our hosts, the Cranberry school district, have cancelled all extra-curricular activities indefinitely, that includes the use of the building by VCCM.  While saddening, this decision is in keeping with our desire to protect the most vulnerable among our community.  

County-Wide Palm Sunday Service

April 5^th, 2020     6:00 p.m.

Cranberry High School

1 Education Drive

Seneca, PA 16346

Sponsored by:

Praise led by: Franklin Church of the Nazarene

Featured Speaker: Pastor John Seth

Offering to benefit:

Please Share: Palm Sunday Flyer

Homeless Shelter moving forward

Our thanks once again to the News Herald/The Derrick for covering the role of religious organizations in our community, in this case the work moving forward by Emmaus Haven to have the shelter in Siverly open by next winter (Lord willing) and the help that Mustard Seed Missions is giving to make that happen.  First Baptist is a proud partner/supporter of both of these organizations in the effort to show the Love of Christ to those in need.

Mustard Seed's Ross Kilian in the background of the top picture (blue vest).

Mustard Seed Missions's Paul Sallade in the background (brown jacket).

Upcoming Event: Week of Christian Unity service 1/19

Christmas Eve Service at 7 PM

Their will be an Open House prior to the service at the church parsonage (attached to the church, please park at the church and enter through the church building) at 6 PM; refreshments will be provided, please join us to share holiday cheer.

The candlelight service, featuring Lois Ann Schaeffer's rendition of "O Holy Night", will begin at 7 PM.  All are welcome as we celebrate the coming of the Messiah with beloved Christmas carols.

The end of an era with our Estey Pipe Organ

Don't worry, our 1903 Estey Pipe Organ is still working (and hopefully will continue for decades to come).  But today is the last day that Tim and Cathy Hemry will be tuning and performing maintenance on it because they're retiring of many years in the organ business.  In 2005, 1st Baptist asked Tim and Cathy to do restoration work on our organ, for the past 14 years they've been coming once a year to tune each note individually.   Incredibly, they brought us a gift basket today to commemorate the occasion.  On behalf of 1st Baptist, thank you to Tim and Cathy Hemry for helping us continue to make a joyful noise (and a loud one!) unto the LORD.

Toy Drive for UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh - 12/13 5:30-7:30 PM

Inspired by 1st Baptist of Franklin's Josie and Abbie Seely (and assisted by their parents, Missy and Jordan Seely), the Christmas toy drive for UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh is now in its 4th year, having netted over 700 toys in its first year.  The church will be open from 5:30-7:30 PM on 12/13 for drop-off of new and unwrapped toys.  Please help us share the joy of Christmas with the children who spend the holiday in the hospital.

Upcoming Event: Christmas Concert - December 14th at 7 PM

Upcoming Event: County-Wide Thanksgiving Service, November 24th

Great is thy Faithfulness

A County-Wide Thanksgiving Service

Sunday, November 24^th at 6 PM

At Cranberry High School

Sponsored by:

 The Venango County Christian Ministerium

Featuring:

Congregational Singing, Scripture Readings, and a message from Scott Walters of Christ UMC in Franklin

This event is free and open to the public

All are welcome

An offering will be collected to support the food pantries of Franklin, Oil City, and Seneca

Thanksgiving Service Flyer
(please share)