1st Baptist to participate in Seek God for the City, 2014

Our Church will be participating in the 40 Days of Prayer for Lent using the Seek God for the City format in conjunction with 40 churches through Venango County.  Each church will host a particular day and utilize their own style to pray for the issues outlined in the booklet. 
1st Baptist will host, Tuesday, March 18th at 7PM with the focus on those battling spiritual darkness, the plight of orphans, and several countries in Asia.  This date was chose because of our connection to the work of CYS caseworkers who struggle each day to help children with very difficult parenting situations.  Mustard Seed Missions has worked with CYS and I know personally the dedication of these workers, they need our prayer support.
You can access the complete calendar at the Venango County Christian Ministerium website:
Venango County Christian Ministerium

The History of the English Bible, a 2 week study, Feb 19th and 26th

Pastor Powell will be leading a short two week study on the History of the English Bible

Wednesday 7-8 PM, 1st Baptist, on the 19th and 26th

Week 1: From Moses to Erasmus, the Bible from Hebrew and Greek originals to the Latin of the Middle Ages

Week 2: From Luther to Wycliffe and Tyndale, to the modern translations

- includes powerpoint examples of the original documents as well as facsimiles to pass around and look at to help the story come alive and let God's people know that they have reason to feel confident in the accuracy and effectiveness of the Bible in their hands today.

Everyone is welcome.

Christmas Eve video of Awana kids

The Awana kids sang "Jesus, Joy of the Highest Heaven" during our Christmas Eve service.

To watch the video, click on the link below:
Awana Kids video

Victorian Christmas Concert at First Baptist, December 14th

On Saturday, December 14th, First Baptist Church of Franklin will host a "Victorian Christmas" Concert featuring Dennis Geib, Kevin Downey, Brianna Steves, Max Schang, Nicholas Nasibyan, the choir of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, and more. Pre-concert entertainment will begin at 6:30 PM, concert at 7:00 PM.

The concert is free, no tickets are necessary, and there will be a collection taken to support Mustard Seed Missions of Venango County.

"baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" - Matthew 28:19

As Christians, we have the privelage in publicly declaring our faith through the waters of baptism.  To watch the video of our most recent baptisms of Tammy and Jennifer, click on the link below:
Video of Baptisms at First Baptist

Gideon's International Bible distribution in Franklin during Applefest

The Venango County camp of the Gideon's International distributed 1,250 Bibles in front of First Baptist Church during Applefest.  Pray that these Bibles will not only be read, but understood, and that those who did not know of God's love for them will be willing to accept it. 
The work that the Gideon's are doing throughout the world is an integral part of the Church's evangelism, as they help put God's Word into the hands of those who don't have it.  Since 1908, the Gideon's have distributed 1.8 Billion Bibles worldwide.  To learn more about this ministry, click on the link below to visit their website:
The Gideon's International

Blitz Week of Mustard Seed Missions completed

July 15th-21st saw five different Mustard Seed Missions projects utilizing repair teams under the leadership of MSM project leaders and the volunteer labor of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio's teen missions team.  During the week, 23 teens and 6 adults from Ohio, coupled with several MSM volunteers worked on projects all over the county including extensive work on the 3rd floor of Heart 2 Heart in preparation for the opening of Hope House, a soon to be operational homeless shelter.  Many thanks to all who helped make this week's work possible, including those who housed the teens (St. John's Episcopal, Mother Holly), those who made the meals for them, our own MSM volunteers who coordinated the work sites, and the many churches, civic organizations, and individuals who donated the funds to purchase the needed materials.  God continues to be at work amongst us when we continue to work together to help those in need.

Mustard Seed Missions interview with The Stream

The Stream in Titusville asked me to do an interview about Mustard Seed Missions, I was certainly happy to talk about the work that this church and so many other churches have taken on through this amazing service organization.  The show is 2 hours long, the segment about MSM starts at 1:34:45; simply click on the timeline once it starts to skip ahead.
To watch the interview, click on the link below:
The Stream MSM interview

Video of Pastor Don Piper, author of 90 Minutes in Heaven

Pastor Don Piper shared his message of hope and faith this past weekend here at First Baptist.  The video is in three parts, to watch it, click on the links below:

Don Piper - Part 1

Don Piper - Part 2

Don Piper - Part 3

Successful Retreat and Ecumenical worship featuring Pastor Don Piper



Thanks to all who helped make the retreat and worship service this past weekend possible.  Many hearts were blessed by Don Piper's testimony and encouraging words about finding a "new normal" after a traumatic experience.  We will be planning another retreat next spring, in cooperation with many of the other churches here in Franklin, details will be posted here and at getawayonretreat.com when they are available.



Don Piper in the Seneca Hills chapel

Pastor Scott Woodlee from Franklin Christian Alliance
leading his workshop on Biblical Laments.

Pastor Piper and Pastor Powell before
 the start of the Ecumenical worship service.

Cheryl Rila (office manager) with Nicole Powell (retreat coordinator),
Pastor Randy Powell, and Pastor Don Piper



Awana Awards Night

May 5th was our annual awards night for Awana.  There was a high number of clubbers who earned their book awards, (nearly every kid who came for the majority of the year) as well as several who completed the extra credit sections as well.  Thanks to all who volunteered this past year, our numbers have never been higher!  We look forward to seeing this group of kids grow next year as God continues to bless the study of his Word.


The First Baptist Awana program, clubbers and leaders



Mustard Seed Missions recognized by Venango County Human Services

Mustard Seed Missions is an organization that partners with the Human Services department of Venango County in order to help those who might otherwise fall through the cracks.  MSM is supported by dozens of churches of all denominations throughout the county.  This award was given to MSM by the Human Services department, the acceptance speech is given by Pastor Randy Powell of First Baptist Church of Franklin, one of the supporting churches.  Those up front to accept the award are members of the committee that runs MSM, all of whose tireless efforts make this work possible...You can learn more about Mustard Seed Missions by visiting our website: mustardseedmissionsofvc.org

To watch the awards video, click on the link below:
Award video

Communication from the Kiryakov's, Missionaries in Bulgaria

I get a lot of phone calls, you never know who will be on the line or what they'll be calling about, but today's call was certainly unexpected.  Pastor Radoslav Kiryakov called today from Bulgaria to let us know how things are going for he and his wife Boyka.  Radoslav expressed much thanks to First Baptist for our support of his ministry, we are the only church that they have for support, and also for the cards and letters that have been sent to encourage them (thanks to Donna, Missions Rep. on the Board).  Boyka is doing somewhat better with her health needs, she still needs to go to Sophia later this year for an MRI to continue treatment and is taking regular medication.
The work in their small church continues, they have about 20 to 30 people, mostly older, but Radoslav was happy to report that a new family has been coming to church since Christmas that has two small children.  In Bulgaria evangelicals are looked at with some suspicion as it is assumed that they represent "the West" (America in particular) and may be some sort of Western cultural plot.  The atmosphere in Bulgaria is one of Orthodox that has been trying to recover from the extremely difficult years of persecution under Communist rule where Atheism was the only safe choice.  Pray for the Church in Eastern Europe; Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant, as they try to teach a new generation about God's love for them.

1st Annual Franklin Ecumenical Retreat

We are excited to announce that the first annual Franklin Ecumenical Retreat, Waiting in Darkness, Longing for Light, is scheduled to take place at the Seneca Hills Bible Camp and Retreat Center on Saturday, May 18, 2013.  We have been incredibly blessed to procure guest speaker Rev. Don Piper, author of the New York Times' best selling book 90 Minutes in Heaven.  Men, women, and young adults of all faith communities, particularly those who wrestle with doubt, trouble, or turmoil in their spiritual lives, are encouraged to join us for a day of deep reflection, heartfelt prayer, and ecumenical worship. 

For more information and to register, visit the retreat website: www.getawayonretreat.com

A church that makes their pastor proud

In a week it will be one year since I was called here to be the pastor of 1st Baptist of Franklin.  In that year I have witnessed many things which have confirmed to both myself and my wife Nicole that we made the right choice when we moved here.  The spirit of love and generosity that embodies this church is certainly at the top of the list.  My heartfelt thanks go out to all who have donated of their time, skills, money, and prayer to this ministry.  I have often been the recipient of your generosity, as with the Christmas gift my wife and I received, and countless other acts of kindness, you have my thanks.

When I became involved in Mustard Seed Missions, I found a church eager to follow me.  When I suggested changes, big or small, for the sake of the mission of this church, I found a thoughtful people willing to give it a try.  Along the way I have built new friendships both within these walls and without.
I have been strengthened by the words of encouragement and support of this people, thank you once again, you know how hard it is for me to accept compliments, I am the product of the path that the Lord has set me upon, when I do my job well it reflects upon the care with which my maker crafted me and the loving hands in which my life was entrusted along the way.

This has been a good year, the Lord is good, his people have proven worthy of the high calling of the cross of Jesus Christ.

Ecumenical Week of Prayer - January 21-26

The Franklin area ministerium is hosting a week of Christian unity through prayer that will feature events each day in a different church throughout the community and culminating in a time of worship alongside the congregation of St. Patrick's with their Saturday evening Mass.  The participating churches of Franklin feel strongly that Christian unity is best fostered when we serve those in need together and when we worship and pray together.  The week will offer us all the opportunity to step outside of our normal routine and join with those who we don't normally have a chance to worship with in praying for our churches, our community, and our nation.

Event Schedule:
1/21  Franklin Alliance Church - Noon
1/22 First United Methodist Church - 6:15 PM
1/23 Christ United Methodist Church - 6:15 PM
1/24 First Baptist Church - Noon
1/25 Holiness Church of Rocky Grove - 6:15 PM
1/26 St. Patrick's Church - 5 PM

Mustard Seed Missions - logo, pamphlet, and bulletin insert

In addition to the website: www.mustardseedmissionsofvc.org
Mustard Seed Missions now has an official logo (thanks to my wife Nicole for the design)

You can also download our pamphlet and bulletin insert for yourself, your organization or church; please feel free to print your own and distribute them; the more volunteers and donations we receive, the more families we can help; God is good.
Mustard Seed Mission bulletin insert

Mustard Seed Mission pamphlet (pdf)

Christmas Concert brings joy and praise

Our Christmas Concert was held this past Saturday in front of a packed house that enjoyed the instrumental and vocal music.  Thanks to Dennis Geib and all those who participated.  We look forward to additional concerts in the future, as well as the use of Miller Auditorium by the public.

The beautiful stained glass windows and murals of the church



The doors are open to the adjoining Miller Auditorium for overflow seating
with one of the two large murals and the organ in view.

Pastor Powell opens the concert with prayer.



Christmas Concert, December 15th 6:30 PM

Victorian Christmas Concert

December 15^th at 6:30 PM (doors open at 5:30)

First Baptist Church of Franklin

1041 Liberty St.

Christmas is a time of wonder, celebration, and joy as we share in the commemoration of the advent of Jesus Christ.  One of the most heart-warming aspects of Christmas is the amazing music that fills the air.  On Saturday, December 15^th, First Baptist Church will be hosting a free Victorian Christmas Concert featuring both classical and sacred Christmas music.

The concert will be held in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church, a beautiful example of Victorian architecture with massive stained glass windows, murals, and an Estey pipe organ.  This setting will add wonder to the evening which will also feature a Steinway concert grand piano generously provided by the event sponsors.

            The concert will feature local vocalists Brianna Steves and Kevin Downey (winner of A Taste of Talent 2011), guitarist Max Schang, pianist and trumpeter Nicholas Nasibyan, and pianists Erin Clarahan and Dennis Geib.  There will be additional performances by sensational young pianists Joey Babcanec, Will Heller, Kevin O’Brien, and Jonah Brown, as well as string pieces by Tom Karg, Diana Downey, and Nicole Powell, and a performance by “Whimsy” of Sweet Adelines International.

            The concert is free to the public and donations will be accepted to continue the renovations of the adjoining Miller Auditorium and to support future concerts and plays featuring local artists that will become a regular part of the outreach of First Baptist Church.

Venango County Children's Summit

We hosted the Children's Summit yesterday and had about 130 participants representing agencies, charities, and faith-based groups throughout the county.  The day featured presentations about changes that have been made to the legal system to make it non-adversarial, to decrease the amount of time needed for a child to find permanence (less foster care), to encourage families to take ownership of their problems and assist in the resolution of them, to decrease truancy, to encourage fathers to become more involved in their children's lives, and lastly to harness the faith-based community to help in the process. 
As you know, we've launched Mustard Seed Missions of Venango County in order to utilize the resources (primarily volunteers) of our churches to help people whom CYS has referred to our organization for help.  The help will include transportation, mentoring, and various repair projects designed to help kids (primarily) avoid being put into the system by helping their families to become better integrated in their community and connected churches where they can find acceptance and support.

There is a mountain of work left to go, but the journey has begun.
Thanks to all who have helped thus far, God bless you.