The First Baptist Church of Waukegan

01/20/2021

Asking all who are able to join in for prayer and fasting today. Without a doubt our country and our world need it.

01/19/2021

When the insurrectionists and extreme Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building, many carried knives, handguns, automatic rifles and other weapons; hand-made bombs, Molotov cocktails, and explosives; twist-ties to restrain legislators; they wore red MAGA hats; carried and draped themselves in Trump and Confederate flags. Surprising, perhaps, was that they also came with Christian flags, crosses, posters with scriptures, and even signs declaring, "Jesus saves." Deeply intertwined within those actions was - and is- a notion of Christian nationalism that has been brewing for quite some time.

There's a lot of Christian Nationalist language thoughts surfacing all around us, challenging our minds and forcing our faith into a mythical relationship with the politics of our country. My prayer is that we see through the "bantha fodder" and realize that's NOT what our faith demands of us.

We then have to ask the question: is what we are seeing pro-Christ or is it anti-Christ?
https://youtu.be/It9bXNZa4nQ

https://www.newcitymana.comBe sure to check out part 1 if you missed it!: https://youtu.be/64YtxUgGw7IWhen the insurrectionists and extreme Trump supporters ...

01/19/2021

My prayer is that we never remember him as a respectable, safe, easy African American who simply had a dream.

The King of 1968 was a less loved, less desirable, unsafe fighter who was not aligned with the status quo of the government, of civic organizations, of the major Christian denominations, or even with the Black church of his day - fighting against poverty, racism & discrimination of all kinds, a war economy, and all forms of violence - and for these reasons, he was killed.

Let's remember today that obtaining freedom and justice for all of God's creation is not easy, is not safe, nor is it relegated to just a “dream”.

Happy Birthday to You!

My prayer is that we never remember him as a respectable, safe, easy African American who simply had a dream.The King of 1968 was a less loved, less desirabl...

01/19/2021

Lots of folks honor MLK through service today.

Service is a powerful and great thing, however, I don’t want to simply reduce the legacy of Dr. King to simply an act of service. Service, while great and significant, is not the same as freedom fighting.

(I am not saying that service is a bad thing at all - just different from freedom fighting!)

So while we serve in his name. him up, let’s also remember that he wasn’t killed for service but for daring to say and do the hard work that so many others did not say or do.

Happy Birthday to You!

Lots of folks honor MLK through service today.Service is a powerful and great thing, however, I don’t want to simply reduce the legacy of Dr. King to simply ...

01/18/2021

Many Anti-Christs? Whhhaaaattt!

When the insurrectionists and extreme Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building, many carried knives, handguns, automatic rifles and other weapons; hand-made bombs, Molotov cocktails, and explosives; twist-ties to restrain legislators; they wore red MAGA hats; carried and draped themselves in Trump and Confederate flags. Surprising, perhaps, was that they also came with Christian flags, crosses, posters with scriptures, and even signs declaring, "Jesus saves." Deeply intertwined within those actions was - and is- a notion of Christian nationalism that has been brewing for quite some time.

There's a lot of Christian Nationalist language thoughts surfacing all around us, challenging our minds and forcing our faith into a mythical relationship with the politics of our country. My prayer is that we see through the "bantha fodder" and realize that's NOT what our faith demands of us. We then have to ask the question: is what we are seeing pro-Christ or is it anti-Christ?

Be sure to check out part 2 tomorrow.

01/18/2021

Many Anti-Christs? Whhhaaaattt!

When the insurrectionists and extreme Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building, many carried knives, handguns, automatic rifles and other weapons; hand-made bombs, Molotov cocktails, and explosives; twist-ties to restrain legislators; they wore red MAGA hats; carried and draped themselves in Trump and Confederate flags. Surprising, perhaps, was that they also came with Christian flags, crosses, posters with scriptures, and even signs declaring, "Jesus saves." Deeply intertwined within those actions was - and is- a notion of Christian nationalism that has been brewing for quite some time.

There's a lot of Christian Nationalist language thoughts surfacing all around us, challenging our minds and forcing our faith into a mythical relationship with the politics of our country. My prayer is that we see through the "bantha fodder" and realize that's NOT what our faith demands of us. We then have to ask the question: is what we are seeing pro-Christ or is it anti-Christ?

https://www.newcitymana.comMany Anti-Christs? Whhhaaaattt!When the insurrectionists and extreme Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building, many carried k...

12/27/2020

Church folks oftentimes say that earth has no sorrows that heaven cannot heal. While that may be true for some of us, that end goal can be very far away for so many of us across the world who suffer from the compounding effects of one issue, after another, after another, and repeated over and over again.

My prayer is that as we walk in this moment let us be more than just cliches, quotes, and just another repost on social media.

My prayer is that we go to the great God of the universe, asking for innovative ways to demonstrate compassion and love when we cannot be there together.

My prayer is that we genuinely listen and dare I say even allow ourselves to feel the pain and frustration that so many of us experience.

And my prayer is that when our family, friends, and even the random person in the grocery store line with us - when they share theirs pains offer the focus and support we can, and dare to use the words “that sucks,” “ I don’t know,” or just simply utilize silence as tools of the conversation.

May the God of the universe hold us all, equip us, and move us all to be the change we want to see in this world.

Amen

Church folks oftentimes say that earth has no sorrows that heaven cannot heal. While that may be true for some of us, that end goal can be very far away for ...

12/26/2020

Wishing you blessings and joy for the next week. With the heart of Kwanzaa, we lift up the focuses on family, culture, and community.

Want to hear more, check out this article:
https://www.scarymommy.com/talk-kids-kwanzaa

12/25/2020

A good morning Christmas brunch from your pastors at First Baptist Church. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

12/24/2020

And if you're close, drive-by for a children's gift giveaway, too.

12/23/2020

Did you know that we were handing out brand new children's coasts, scares, and hats?

Praising God for Pastor Barbara's heart and ability to keep spirits and people warm this winter.