“To Love, Serve and Please God”

This is our mission statement at First Baptist Church. We implement our
mission by offering the community events like this festival, as well as our Fall Festival. We are sincere and believe families are an important ministry. We offer information and guidance to parents as the spiritual leaders within their own families. We also offer programs for children and youth in order for them to learn and grow in their faith.

Programs Offered:

INREACH:

Children, Youth and Teens Programs that encourage relationship building skills with self, family , friends, community and God. Designed with developmental stages in mind. Nursery care provided for infants through 3 years old, Pre-K & Kindergarten (1st—4th grades),
Middle School (5th—8th grades), High School (9th—12th grades)

Palm Sunday Breakfast —if you like Cinnamon Swirl French Toast, and homemade muffins, you'll enjoy this annual church event.

Children & Youth Sunday —this is a special Sunday as our children and youth lead us in worship through song as well as drama, and maybe even a surprise or two during this special morning.

Rally Day is a celebration that starts off our new church school year.

OUTREACH:

Easter Festival —this event is celebrated with crafts, egg hunt, face painting, and a visit and photo opportunity with the Easter Bunny. This is a very popular activity with well over 100 families from both the community and the church enjoying the morning activities.

River of Joy (Korean Baptist Church) — We host the wonderful congregation of the Korean Baptist Church and their related activities and ministries. They meet for worship and fellowship on Sunday afternoon at 12:30pm every week. Worship is spoken in the Korean language. The community is invited at all times.

Christian Camping —During the summer months children, youth and families are offered two camping opportunities. Camp Pathfinder located in Cooperstown and Camp Vick located in Sandusky are both coordinated by the ABC of New York State. Several of our children and youth attend these camps every year, with scholarships opportunities
available.

Family Fall Festival –this opportunity is for families to enjoy decorating pumpkins, musical entertainment, face painting, and refreshments. Once again, this is an exciting event for families from both the community and church, with well over 150 participants.

The Outdoor Labyrinth —Adjacent to the parking lot at First Baptist a Labyrinth walk has been provided that is open to the community. The Labyrinth is a spiritual walk or sometimes referred to as a local “pilgrimage”. We enter through the sheep gate and slowly follow the pathway to the center. We remain in the center for a time of quiet and when ready we leave the labyrinth by following the pathway in reverse. There is information on the Labyrinth bulletin board for your assistance. The Labyrinth walk is a wonderful opportunity for quiet reflection, personal centering or praying. It is a place to bring your spirit, your heart and your life. It is not uncommon that when walking the Labyrinth you may receive an insight, an answer or a thought which ultimately is a gift. There is no right or wrong way to walk this Labyrinth. May it be a blessing to you. And children are very welcome to walk as well.

Meditation Pathway —To the left of the entrance driveway is the entrance to the meditation pathway that meanders through the wooded area and re-enters just above the Labyrinth by the cross. This pathway is designed to surround us with the sights and sounds of creation and to be available for moments of meditation and prayer. It is a quiet, gentle place where it is not unheard of to sometimes see rabbits, squirrels, turkey or deer.

ADDITIONAL MINISTRIES OFFERED
Below you will find ministries that are available to you and your family.

INREACH

· Nursery area for infants and toddlers with also a separate private “nursing room” for mothers.

· Designated parking spaces for parents with young children located close to the front doors of the church.

· Youth & Teens meet the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month.  This is a time of gathering for a meal, followed by activities, discipleship, and discussion. The youth and teens also participate in service projects or fellowship activities throughout the year.

· Parenting Courses are also offered as requested.

· Adult Coffee/Tea Discussion Times

· Adult Reading Book Group. The group meets monthly for dessert
and discussion.

· Cooperative opportunities with other community churches.

· Discipleship classes are offered for all ages -nursery through adults every Sunday morning from 9:00 – 9:45am,  and Worship begins at 10:00am.

· Support and volunteering at the Jamesville Ecumenical Food Pantry

BEYOND REACH

First Baptist sponsors several international mission opportunities to provide aid both in material form and by annually visiting mission sites in Kenya and Ghana. The opportunities are open to all people in the wider community as a time to learn of other cultures by living among the people and by serving in unique ways. For more information please contact us at First Baptist.