July Worship Calendar

July 19 at 11:15 am All-Church Worship, Traditional Music in the Sanctuary

July 26 at 11:15 am All-Church Worship, Traditional Music in the Sanctuary

Other Events

July 21 at 6:00 pm Church Council Meeting in the Conference Room

July 22 at 9:15 pm Youth Pool Party at West Broadway Swim Club

July 31 at 6:00 pm Game Night in the Parlor

Churchwide Pool Party

August 11, 5:30-8:00 at Albert-Oakland Family Aquatic Center

Join us for our churchwide pool party at Albert-Oakland Aquatic Center on August 11 from 5:30-8:00 pm.

Youth Pool Party

All youth and their parents are invited to a pool party at the West Broadway Swim Club on Wednesday, July 22, from 9:15–10:30 pm.

Join us for an evening of swimming, snacks, and fun! This is a great opportunity to spend time together, catch up with friends, meet new people, and enjoy a summer evening at the pool.

Snacks and drinks will be provided. The pool allows floaties, pool toys, and other pool accessories, so feel free to bring your favorites!

Location:

West Broadway Swim Club

4100 West Broadway

Columbia, MO 65203

We hope you'll join us!

Together on the Way: A Family Sunday School Experience

This summer, First Kids is trying something new for Sunday School!

Children and their adults are invited to join us in the Children’s Suite for Together on the Way, a Family Sunday School experience focused on learning and growing in faith side by side.

Throughout the summer, we will explore themes of the Spirit, discipleship, the church, and prayer through hands-on activities, conversation, storytelling, and shared practices designed for all ages. Along the way, we will collect mementos on carabiners as reminders of what we are discovering together.

While designed with First Kids families in mind, adults of all ages are welcome to join us as we learn and grow together in community. Together on the Way will continue through August 16.

Looking to End Your Summer with a Bang (or Clang)? Ring Bells!

Are you looking for some summer enrichment? Maybe you need a fun activity to do with a friend, family member, or loved one? Did you make a New Year's resolution to learn a new skill and you haven't started yet? Whether it's any of these or one of a hundred more reasons, come join Noah Hartsfield, Handbell Director for an easy-going and low-commitment summer opportunity! He invites you to join in an intergenerational handbell ringing opportunity.

The group will meet on Wednesday evenings for five weeks, from July 22nd to August 19th, to learn how to ring handbells, make music, and have fun. Whether or not you have any experience with bells or music, all are invited to give it a try. You are only responsible for two notes and we can mark music! All friends who are rising 2nd graders or older are invited to participate (friends that are 2nd through 5th grade need an adult to participate with them). The group will meet from 6:30p to 7:30p and nursery care is available if needed. You do not need to be available all Wednesdays to participate. The goal will be to ring in Traditional worship on Sunday, August 23rd. If you are interested or want more information, please contact Noah at nhartsfield2010@gmail.com.

Chancel Choir Update

The Chancel Choir will return to its normal rehearsal schedule of Sunday mornings at 9:10 am beginning this Sunday, July 12. If you've ever considered singing in the choir, this will be the perfect time to join in the fun!

All ages are welcome! From 5 to 105! Worshipping God through singing is for EVERYONE!

Never sung in a choir before? No problem! There is no previous experience needed. All our choir veterans are friendly and will help you feel comfortable.

You do not need to commit to choir every week -- we are happy to have you singing with us whenever it fits your schedule best.

If you normally attend the Awakening service but would still like to sing in the choir - even if it's not every week - you are more than welcome to attend just a portion of the rehearsal, or none at all and just sing along during the service. While rehearsal time is certainly valuable, it is not a hard requirement. The important thing is that you are included!

Also, you are not bound to the choir loft for the entire service. If you just want to "pop up" to sing the anthem and then go back to the pews, that is okay! Flexibility is the name of the game for us.

If you ever have any questions at all, just talk to Jonathan or send him an email. Choir is for everyone and you are always welcome here, no ifs, ands, or buts.

We look forward to seeing you and hearing your beautiful voice on Sunday, July 12 at 9:10 in the choir loft!

Who Do I Say That I Am: A Spritual Retreat

"When we reject the single story... we regain a kind of paradise." 

— Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Our lives are not linear, and no one else gets to define our story. We are more than a name, a title, or a circumstance. In this contemplative retreat, participants will explore how to honor their own identity by choosing a story to share and by learning to listen deeply and without judgment to the stories of others.

Inspired by Jesus' question to Peter, "Who do you say that I am?" we are invited into a sacred question of our own: Who do I say I am?

Throughout the retreat, Sandra will guide participants through a variety of contemplative practices, including journaling, meditative reflection, creative art, quiet sitting, prayer walking, and group conversation. Participants will have the opportunity to express their chosen story in whatever form feels authentic—through poetry, prose, visual art, dance, silent movement, or another creative expression. Together, we will practice both the courage of sharing our stories and the sacred work of receiving the stories of others with openness and care.

Join Sandra and fellow seekers for this meaningful time of reflection, creativity, and connection.

September 18–19

Friday, 4:00 p.m. – Saturday, 4:00 p.m.

Lay Center, Louisiana, Missouri

Cost: $45 per person

Space is limited to 25 participants. To reserve your spot, please contact Pastor Kristin.

We Want to Pray for You

At First Baptist, we believe community is stronger when we support one another in prayer. If there’s something on your mind, a concern, a hope, or a celebration, our pastors would be honored to hold it in prayer with you.

Your prayer requests are kept private with our pastoral team. Share your request anytime through our Prayer Request page, and know that you are held in prayer. Because we are better together, your joys and burdens matter to us.