First Baptist Church Ottawa

06/03/2026

PASTORAL REFLECTION
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5d5c4566f0260a0001d7b521/t/6a200eecc612610bbc0df224/1780485868558/TSG+2026+06+03+web.pdf
June 3, 2026
A Welcoming and Inclusive Light

At the heart of the gospel message is the premise that God’s grace, love and justice is for all people. Everyone is included. When the church first began in the weeks following the resurrection, it sought to live out the gospel message of Jesus, who reached out to, ministered to, cared for, all people. On the day of Pentecost, the good news of God’s love made known in Jesus Christ was shared in a way that all could understand, regardless of language.

06/02/2026

Here is the recording of our service from May 31st. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_dT24Mn020&t=4132s

05/31/2026

“A Caravan of Kindness”
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5d5c4566f0260a0001d7b521/t/6a1c0fdf15b4fb736e971325/1780223967570/sermon+2026+05+31.pdf
a sermon preached by Rev. John C. Perkin
at First Baptist Church Ottawa
on Pentecost 2 – Sunday May 31, 2026
based on Genesis 1:26 - 2:4

Dear Friends
In the church calendar, this Sunday is Trinity Sunday - the end of the Easter season and the beginning of Ordinary Time in many traditions. This Sunday and through June I will preach the lectionary texts, binding them together loosely in a theme of being the church in the modern age, still under the general heading of the season of Pentecost. I am responding, in part, to my own question posed in April about what unique things the church offers, so continue to draw on the Pentecostal story of the formation of the church. The texts this week are the conclusion of Matthew's gospel, the conclusion of the second letter to the Corinthians, and the conclusion of the first creation story in Genesis -- and yet they all speak of beginnings. May my reflections this week offer some comfort and hope and possibly inspiration to our lives and journeys of faith.
Blessings
John
IMAGE: Ezra Winter's Canterbury Tales mural (1939), Library of Congress John Adams Building, Washington, D.C.

05/30/2026

WORSHIP ORDER AND BULLETIN

Here is the worship order and bulletin for this Sunday, May 31.https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5d5c4566f0260a0001d7b521/t/6a19c031de312358f516058d/1780072497226/Bulletin+-+May+31%2C+2026.pdf
We hope you can join us! We look forward to welcoming you.

05/27/2026

05/27/2026

PASTORAL REFLECTION
"A Castle in Time"
Read the entire message here:https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5d5c4566f0260a0001d7b521/t/6a16dad0660623710df982ee/1779882704208/TSG+2026+05+27.pdf
Worship invites us to find what Jewish scholar Abraham Heschel calls “a castle in time.” A castle is a secure and safe place, a refuge; when we gather in church, we gather in “a castle in time.” And we gather not only for ourselves, but also as a witness to the disordered world beyond us, giving a reminder that we are not alone, we are not without vision, we are not without hope.

05/24/2026

SERMON - STAYING ALIVE
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5d5c4566f0260a0001d7b521/t/6a125098c82e650ac32b67bc/1779585176936/sermon+2026+05+24.pdf
preached by Rev. John C. Perkin
at First Baptist Church Ottawa
on Pentecost – Sunday May 24, 2026
based on Acts 2:1-21

Dear Friends
This Sunday marks the end of the Easter season in the church with the observance of Pentecost. Pentecost, from a Greek word meaning fiftieth, was a Jewish festival of the first fruits of the land coming fifty days after Passover. In the Christian Church, it is celebrated as a commemoration of the coming of the Holy Spirit to empower the disciples and followers of Jesus fifty days after the resurrection. I preach on the traditional text, Acts 2:1-21, which tells the story of the coming of the Spirit and the first proclamation of the good news to people in Jerusalem. I touch on themes of the empowerment of the church, the openness of the church, and the mission of the church.

In subsequent Sundays, through to the end of June, I will explore the larger theme of what it means to be the church in our modern world, developing some thoughts I set out in Through Stained Glass at the end of April. In that epistle, I posed the questions: what does the church really offer when it speaks of good news in today’s world? How is the church different? My preaching in the next few weeks will offer some responses to those questions. I will base my preaching on the lectionary texts, but may choose to veer away -- my planned outline is not yet complete. It may be a good idea to linger after church one or two Sundays in June and continue the discussion, so watch for an invitation to share in such a conversation.
Blessings,
John
IMAGE: Pentecost mosaic, Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, Missouri

05/22/2026

Get your tickets now!

Rideau Park is hosting a concert on Saturday, May 30th at 7:30pm, with the dynamic and joyful choral music of the Big Soul Project. All proceeds go to MHI's Odenak. Many faith communities have been hosting fundraising with concerts for Odenak and we are appreciative of all your efforts!

Learn more and buy your tickets at the following link https://bit.ly/4uicLYi

05/22/2026

Join us at our Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, June 9th at 6:30 at our Furniture Bank.

We will share highlights from the past year, future plans, and the financials (the part everyone pretends not to be excited for 🙂)

Thank you for being part of our community!

05/18/2026

MHI is grateful for the incredible support of local faith communities who have spent the past year organizing fundraising concerts in support of our newest affordable housing build, Odenak, opening in December 2027.

Join us for the final concert in the series on June 5 at Barrhaven United Church. Doors open at 6:30 pm. “Raise the Roof” with the Retrosonics will bring a fun beach party vibe to the evening.

Admission is pay as you can. Donations of $25 or more are eligible for a tax receipt. No advance tickets, just come and pay at the door.