Last Sunday, we explored the Parable of the Good Samaritan, pondering the question “Who is my neighbor?” Many of us walked away challenged not only to be more compassionate in our day-to-day lives, but also to consider Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of creating a “new and safer Jericho Road.” King reminded us that while we do well to help those who are hurt and stranded along life’s way, we are also called to address the conditions that allow people to end up in harm’s path in the first place.

Sometimes, the biggest shift God asks of us is to see beyond single acts of kindness and step into ongoing, transforming love. A modern example of this occurs in many cities that have reclaimed abandoned lots or neglected corners, and turned them into community gardens or safe play areas for children. It takes both compassion for neighbors and commitment to structural change to see these transformations through. Someone who decides, “I’m going to install better lighting, organize volunteers, and lobby for resources” is enacting that deeper, communal “Good Samaritan” spirit. It’s not merely about tending to one victim at a time; it’s about improving the whole neighborhood so fewer people are endangered.

Dr. King believed the Jericho road had to be repaved with justice, so that fewer people would find themselves wounded by racial discrimination, poverty, and violence. His work reminds us that the Good Samaritan story is not finished when we carry the injured man to the inn. It continues when we advocate for the systems and policies that protect all travelers, no matter who they are or where they come from. Perhaps this is how we embody Jesus’ call to see every stranger as our neighbor.

Now, as we approach the second Sunday of Lent—focusing on “Faith & Works”—the story of Mary and Martha offers a fascinating continuation. Where last week’s parable highlighted compassion in action, Mary and Martha invite us to explore how faith must fuel those actions. True discipleship involves both contemplative stillness before God (Mary) and active service (Martha). One cannot flourish without the other.

• Faith reminds us why we care: we slow down to listen, pray, and open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, so that when we do act, we do so with God’s vision in mind.
• Works reminds us that a living faith propels us outward: because we have listened to God’s heart, we respond to needs around us with real, tangible help—just as the Good Samaritan did.

When Jesus tells Martha that Mary “has chosen the good portion,” he’s not dismissing Martha’s work; he’s reminding us that our acts of service flow best from a heart aligned with God. It is not an either/or but a both/and: a rich, reciprocal relationship where we sit at Jesus’ feet (faith) and walk the Jericho roads of our communities (works).

Take a few moments to reflect and share what you discover from this reflection with me or with someone in your life:



• Look Inward: How have you been a Good Samaritan lately? Has God opened your eyes to anyone who might need immediate care—a neighbor, coworker, or stranger?
• Look Outward: Beyond short-term help, where might we begin re-paving the Jericho road itself? Are there ongoing injustices or broken systems around us that God is prompting us to address collectively?
• Look Upward: Where do we need Mary’s posture—slowing down, listening, praying, and opening ourselves to God’s transforming presence—so that our good works rest on a strong foundation of faith?

This Sunday, Jeanne Anderson will guide us deeper into the “Faith & Works” theme. I know you’ll be both thankful and excited to hear her perspective. Let’s prepare by allowing God to stir us this week, nudging us to that space where compassion (like the Good Samaritan’s) meets conviction (like Dr. King’s) and where, in humility and courage, we become people who pray deeply and act decisively.

Our children, too, are embracing this rhythm of faith. They will be attending the Children’s Ministry Retreat in Williamsburg, hosted by CBF of Virginia, where they will explore the theme “Heaven on Earth.” Imagine them discovering new ways that God’s kingdom is already stirring among us—through laughter, creativity, friendship, and prayer. I believe their experiences will spark fresh wonder in them—and in us—as they return and share their stories of what “Heaven on Earth” can look like in everyday life.

Thank you for journeying together through this Lenten season!

An Invitation to Journey Through Lent: “Everything in Between”

This Lent, we invite you on a journey through the Gospel of Luke—a journey that begins when Jesus “sets his face toward Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51) and unfolds through stories many of us have heard countless times: the Good Samaritan, Mary and Martha, the Lost Sheep, Zacchaeus, and more. These are narratives that have woven their way into both sacred tradition and popular culture. Yet, if we pause and explore the cultural and historical context, we rediscover just how radical Jesus’ actions and words truly were: befriending an outcast tax collector, describing a Samaritan as “good” in a world where that was unthinkable, or sharing a promise of paradise with a convicted criminal. In each of these moments, Jesus shines a spotlight on the social, political, and religious divides of his time, showing us again and again that God’s love breaks down the boundaries that we so often erect.

Our Lenten series, “Everything [in] Between,” invites us to lean into these stories and the tensions they reveal—tensions that often mirror those we face in our own day. We live in a world accustomed to quick labels and stark binaries. But in these scriptures, Jesus disrupts the simple either/or categories and beckons us to see life’s in-between places—those shades of gray, rainbow hues, and complexities where God’s Spirit is especially present. This series is an invitation to notice the polarities that define our lives—like “faith and works” or “grief and hope”—but to also embrace the possibility that God meets us in the middle, beyond the borders of one side or the other.

Together, we will explore how Jesus’ words and actions model a faith that transforms lives and communities by crossing the boundaries we so easily take for granted.

Weekly Themes & Scripture Passages

A S H W E D N E S D AY

intention & action Luke 9:51-62

(Jesus sets out for Jerusalem)

T H E F I R S T SU N D AY I N L E N T

stranger & neighbor Luke 10:25-37

(Parable of the Good Samaritan)

T H E S E CO N D S U N D AY I N L E N T

faith & works Luke 10:38-42

(Mary & Martha host Jesus)

T H E T H I R D SU N D AY I N L E N T

rest & growth Luke 13:6-9

(Parable of the fig tree)

T H E F O U R T H S U N D AY I N L E N T

lost & found Luke 15:1-7

(Parable of the Lost Sheep)

T H E F I F T H S U N D AY I N L E N T

righteousness & mercy Luke 19:1-10

(Zacchaeus greets Jesus)

P AL M / P A S S I O N S U N D AY

shouting & silence Luke 19:29-40

(Jesus enters Jerusalem)

MAU N DY T H U R S D AY

power & humility Luke 22:1-27

(Last Supper)

G O O D F R I D AY

acceptance & resistance Luke 23:32-49

(Jesus dies alongside a penitent thief)

E A S T E R S U N D AY

grief & hope Luke 24:1-12

(The women grieve and Peter runs to the tomb)

As we take this meaningful journey to the cross and, ultimately, to the joy of Easter Sunday, we invite you to fully engage with our Lenten practices and resources:

• Devotional Booklet: We have added writing from our staff and several of our Deacons to the devotional booklet. Printed copies will be available at church, and a digital version will also be accessible online—so you can read and reflect anywhere, anytime.
• Weekly Prayer Cards: Each week, be sure to pick up a prayer card (located on our liturgical trees in the Welcome Center). These cards offer a short prayer prompt to guide you through the week.
• Online Engagement: Keep an eye on your inbox and our social media pages for weekly emails, reflections, and other ways to connect with the Lenten theme. Whether you’re here in person or engaging from home, we want to walk this sacred path together.

I pray that each of you will immerse yourselves in our Lenten theme this year—showing up, going deeper, and inviting others along the way. What God is doing in and through our church community is too wonderful and too important to keep to ourselves. Let’s be a church that joyfully extends our worship, our work, and our hearts to those who may need a place to belong. After all, we are always stronger and more faithful together than we could ever be on our own.

Men's Prayer Breakfast

Saturday, March 15, 8-9 am

Can you believe it? It feels like Spring. I just want to remind you that we have our men’s prayer breakfast this Saturday at 8:00. AM. I really want to encourage you to come and join us. It is really important for us to try to stay connected and to do it around the breakfast table and to have time to laugh and also share what is important in our lives, is a great way to accomplish that. I look forward to seeing you. Peace. Wes Pryce

Youth Group

Sunday, March 9, 5:30-7 pm

Open to all youth in 7th-12th grade! Join us in the Youth Area for a fun night of dinner, games, and engaging in a discussion about the upcoming season of Lent. Contact Beth Bailey for more details.

Adult Midweek Study

Wednesday's March 5, 12, & 19 from 11:30 - 1 pm

Join us in PA 111 (Bue Room) on the first, second, and third Wednesday of each month for a delicious soup lunch—or feel free to bring your own lunch! Each month, we’ll explore different topics, lessons, or Bible studies. We hope you’ll mark these dates on your calendar, attend, and bring someone along. It’s a wonderful time to learn and fellowship together.

Young Adults Dinner

Thursday, March 20, 7-9 pm

Join us for our first monthly Young Adults dinner out! We will meet at Agave Bar & Grill for dinner and fellowship. Each month, we will visit a new place in town for dinner. Use the link below to RSVP by Wednesday, March 19th. Friends & partners are welcome!

Theology On Tap

Tuesday, March 25, 7-8:30 pm

Join us at Strangeways Brewing for fun conversation, learning from one another, and fellowship! All adults 21 and older are invited to participate. All adults 21 and older are invited to participate. For more information, contact Beth Bailey.

Story Table

Saturday, April 2, 5 - 7 pm

We're thrilled to start another year of Story Table, which offers a unique space for sharing stories in the intimate and familiar setting of a dinner table. The Story Table at Fredericksburg Baptist Church is all about creating connections, fostering understanding, and giving voice to stories that need to be heard.

Story Table invites a small group of “Storytellers” to share personal, impactful experiences related to a chosen theme, while a room full of “Witnesses” listens quietly and attentively. These stories, sacred and powerful, have the ability to change us and bring our community closer together.

Our upcoming Story Table will focus on the theme Friendship "Friendship Means One Anothering." In these stories we aim to realize that there is give and take in friendship, initiating and reciprocating; also one anothering is a New Testament concept asking us to get over ourselves (to lay down our lives, egos, status, fears, etc. for a friend) if we are to endure and even flourish in relationship with each other

Come be a part of this meaningful event, where stories are shared, heard, and cherished. We look forward to gathering with you around the Story Table.

Ladies Fellowship

Thursday, March 27, 11:30 am

Ladies are welcome to join in a time of fellowship at the Olive Garden located at 211 Plank Road. RSVP to Linda Britt, at or Gail Hylton, by Monday, March 24. Please come and bring a friend!

Youth vs. Parent Game Night

Sunday, April 6, 5:30-7 pm

Open to all youth 7th-12th grade and their parents! Join us in the Youth Area for dinner and some friendly competition between the youth and parents with some fun games. Click link below to sign up your family by April 3rd. Contact Beth Bailey for more details and if you have any questions.

Easter Egg Hunt

Sunday, April 13, 2 pm

Join us for a joyful Easter Egg Hunt at Silver Ridge Farm on Saturday, April 13th, at 2:00 PM! Bring your baskets and your brightest smiles as we celebrate the season with fun, laughter, and plenty of surprises. There will be treats, games, and memories to treasure. We can't wait to see you there! Email Stephanie with questions.

Graduate Sunday

Sunday, May 18

Calling all 2025 graduates! Save the date for a Graduate Sunday Celebration on Sunday, May 18th. Whether you are graduating high school, an undergraduate program, graduate program, technical school, or a certificate program, we want to celebrate you! All graduates will be honored during the 11 AM service. Click link below to submit your graduation information by May 4th so that we may honor you that day during worship. Contact Beth Bailey for more information.

Family Retreat

Friday - Sunday, August 22-24, 2025

Save-the-Date for our 2025 Family Retreat! Families with children and youth are invited to join us for a weekend of play, worship, and building relationships with church family. Our retreat will take place in Williamsburg, VA and more details will be available soon! Please contact Stephanie or Beth if you are interested in reserving a room.

Women's Bible Study

Monday's 10 am - 12 pm

All women are invited to join the new session of Women’s Bible Study beginning Monday, January 6, 2025. We are excited to begin a study of the book of Hebrews using the Community Bible Study, Engaging God’s Word series, and hope you will join us! You can order the book from Amazon. We meet Monday mornings from 10:00 to noon in the Princess Anne (PA) Room 111.

Please contact Leah Fromer (540) 903-5530 or Becky Parker (540) 341-5621 for more information.

Thursday Night Dinner Supply Needs

Thank you for the ways you make sure we have enough supplies to serve dinner every Thursday for our community.

Current Needs:

Butter

Potatoes

If you are able to order chili, please do so by clicking the link below, it would be helpful to purchase the largest cans available with beans. Thank you!