Last Sunday
Last Sunday
Sunday Worship is held ONLINE
Service Time: Sundays at 11 a.m.
You can view all our previous Sunday services using the video playlist below
(New videos added every week)
Join us this Sunday as we explore the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. If you think about it, it’s a pretty scandalous story. Jesus, a Jewish man, and the Samaritan woman shouldn’t even be interacting, and yet they have a full conversation. Somehow, Jesus sees and knows this woman whom he has never met. He tells her of a living water that will quench her thirst eternally and that will never run dry. The Samaritan woman is the first person to behold Jesus as God in the Gospel of John. The Samaritan woman reminds us that it is often the people we least expect who point us to God. Jesus and the Samaritan woman show us that this living water is for all who are thirsty.
Living Water 2024-04-28Humans can't be the only beings that God talks to. All of Creation proclaims God's glory and has a part to play in Christ's work of reconciliation. If God spoke to Humans when God created us, surely God also spent some time talking to the Trees – and just might be talking to them still.
What Did God Tell the Trees? 2024-04-21In the weeks after Easter, the stories that come up in the lectionary are intended to show how resurrection is not a one-time thing, but an event occurring again and again in multiple, varied ways throughout the world. Acts 5 tells of the healing work of Peter and the other apostles following Jesus’ ascension, and we usually encounter this story after Pentecost. However, placing this story two weeks after Easter offers us an opportunity to think about how resurrection is an actor in the text. How does healing the multitudes in the Portico of Solomon really enact resurrection among the people? How can our thinking about ministry, healing and restoration be informed by practicing resurrection daily?
Now What? 2024-04-14This Sunday in Worship we will explore the story of the disciple Thomas. Thomas often gets categorized as a doubter. He often gets criticized because he could not believe Jesus had risen from the dead until he touched the nail marks on Jesus’ hands and the wound in his side. He often is used as an example for what not to do. But here’s the thing: Thomas is the only reason we know that the risen Christ is the crucified Christ. Thomas took the incarnation seriously. He knew that bodies matter and that if Jesus did not still have his unique body—he wasn’t Jesus. Join us this Sunday as we talk about the body of Christ and why it matters that Jesus was raised in spirit and in body.
The Body of Christ 2024-04-07This Sunday we celebrate Easter and all things resurrection! We will “Embrace the Good News” as Pastor Anita leads us in preaching on John 20:1-18, winding in Wendell Berry’s prophetic Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front. What does it mean to “embrace the good news” this year, as illness, death, violence, war, oppression and hate rage on all around this world? How can we come close to the mystery of Easter if we are feeling stuck in the tomb’s close quarters? Where do we see resurrection around us, if not in grand gestures, in small, easy-to-miss sprouts? Beloved church, resurrection is real and it is closer to us than we know. Come and worship. You are welcome just as you are. Let’s wonder and embrace the good news together.
Embrace the Good News 2024-03-31Our theme throughout this Lenten season has been, “Embrace.” We have embraced imperfection, faithfulness, the work, abundance, and accountability. This final Sunday of Lent, we will embrace discomfort. In worship, we will undertake the journey from Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem all the way to his arrest, conviction, and crucifixion. We will read scripture and sing together as we sit with the reality of how quickly the shouts of “Hosanna!” turn to shouts of “Crucify him!” It might be uncomfortable at points, but we will embrace the discomfort. We will wonder and reflect together on the ways we are implicated in Jesus’ death, and how we can work against powers of empire and death in our world today. We hope you will join us this Palm/Passion Sunday as we begin Holy Week.
Embrace Discomfort 2024-03-24This Sunday, Pastor Anita will be preaching on Mark 10:1-16 with the topic “Embrace Accountability.” This is one of several difficult texts about marriage, sexuality, and family in the gospels—and one that is easily misconstrued and has been used to take advantage of people. Together we will explore what we know about “biblical marriage”––such as, THERE IS NO SUCH THING. So if that is not what Jesus is talking about with his disciples in this passage seemingly banning divorce, what is he talking about? We will think together about accountability in all types of relationships, including accountability in community.
Embrace Accountability 2024-03-17This week we continue in worship with our Lenten theme of Embrace, as Pastor Anita preaches on Mark 7:24-30 and James 2:14-19, 24-26 with the title “Embrace The Work.” These texts, one about Jesus meeting the Syrophoenician woman and one about the relationship between faith and works, provide both challenge and encouragement as we are “united in exploring what it means to follow the way of Jesus Christ, to be a people of God, and to love and care for our neighbors.” What is “the work” that we each must do on ourselves, to become self-reflective and affect positive change in the world? What is “the work” that we must do as a community? What is “the work” that only we can do, and that we are called to? Faith and deeds hold hands and are inseparable, the letter from James says, and Jesus’ encounter with a woman from a different ethnic background than his own shows him being called back to his own values in order to move forward. So, church, what is our “work”? May we not run from what must be done, but do it with kindness, graciousness, perseverance and…let’s do it together.
Embrace The Work 2024-03-03Join us in worship for the second Sunday of Lent as we explore a passage from the book of Proverbs that invites us and challenges us to embrace faithfulness. Embracing faithfulness does not mean that we will never have questions or doubts. Embracing faithfulness is not always easy to do. Faith is how we respond to God’s goodness and how we act to bring about God’s goodness here on earth as it is in heaven. We hope to see you this Sunday as we embrace faithfulness together!
Embrace Faithfulness 2024-02-25On this first Sunday in Lent, Pastor Anita will be preaching on Romans 12:14-21. At first read, like much of the behavior Jesus called his followers to, the behaviors in this passage seem to call for perfection. Who really blesses those who persecute them? Who is never arrogant? Who lives in peace with every human? It can be a challenge to embrace our imperfections and admit that we make mistakes, are messy, and say and do ugly things sometimes. Pastor Anita will ponder on all this, questioning how perfect we are actually being called to be. Lent is the prime time to consider perfection and imperfection, to closely examine our speech and behaviors, to think twice about how we show up in the world and how we, too, can overcome evil with good.
Embrace Imperfection 2024-02-18The Transfiguration is an odd event. Jesus goes up the mountain with Peter, James, and John and he begins to transform. His clothes become dazzling bright, and Moses and Elijah appear. The voice of God comes from a cloud that has engulfed them and says, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” It can be hard to believe that all of this really happened. This is why the writer of 2 Peter writes about being an eyewitness to the event. Peter, James, and John were eyewitnesses to Jesus’ transfiguration. They know that while he is fully human, he is also fully divine. As eyewitnesses to Jesus and his way of life, they and other followers of Jesus must cling to and bear witness to this truth. Join us this Sunday as we explore how we can bear witness to the way Jesus.
Eyewitnesses 2024-02-11This Sunday, Pastor Anita Peebles will preach on Mark 4:1-20. The parable of the sower is one of the most well-known of Jesus’ mysterious riddles, but did you also know that Jesus provides an “answer key” to the parable, too? As he explains the tricky word puzzle, he convicts his followers (the disciples then and us now!) about the conditions of their/our hearts that make receiving the Word challenging. For us today as we seek to learn and grow in being antiracist, we must each of us ask “what is the condition of our hearts? Are we ready to receive the liberating Word of Christ’s love?” And how do we till the soil of our hearts so it is healthy and ready to nurture the Word that comes to us?
Look Well, Listen Well 2024-02-04The fourth of the ten commandments that God gives to the Hebrew people in the book of Exodus is, “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.” The seventh day of the week is to be a day of rest honoring God. This day of rest is for every body. In worship this Sunday, we will read the story of Jesus healing a man’s hand on the Sabbath. Performing this miracle costs Jesus. But, the lesson he gives is clear—to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy includes honoring life, well-being, and wholeness for every body. We hope you will join us this Sunday!
Sabbath for Every Body 2024-01-21This Sunday we celebrate Epiphany. Pastor Anita will preach on Matthew 2:1-12, the story of the magi who sought the baby Jesus and had a run-in with a powerful political figure. As we see news story after news story about innocent children being targeted and killed all over the world, and as we seek to be a church that protects and cares for the youngest ones among us, how do we hear the story of the magi that says they “returned home by another road”? What roads are open to us? Where do we have the opportunity to worship the Holy by disobeying the powers and principalities of our world?
Another Way 2024-01-07Join us on Christmas Eve at 6pm for a service of carols, candle light, and communion. We will hear a story we have heard many times, but yet never grows old. We will celebrate and remember the birth of Jesus—of God coming to dwell among us as a human being. All are welcome to join as we live into the hope, peace, joy, and love of Christmas together.
Christmas Eve Message 2023-12-24On the morning of Christmas Eve, we will hear how a weary world rejoices by singing songs of hope together. Pastor Anita will preach on the Magnificat in Luke 1:46-55. How do the songs of hope help us continue forward to build a world where all are named and their dignity honored? How do the songs of Advent prepare us for the hope found in the manger on Christmas Eve? How does our world change when we tune into the songs of liberation from oppression, justice for the poor and solidarity with the downtrodden? Let us listen to Mary's song, and sing along, though our voices may be weary.
Our Magnificat 2023-12-24Do you know why you have the name you have? Names can have deep meaning and typically there is some story or some reason why we have the name we have. This week in worship, we will hear the story of Elizabeth giving birth to and naming her son. She gives him the name, “John,” much to the surprise of everyone gathered. Why does she name him John? How does that impact who he will become? The act of naming is intimate. The act of naming is important—it shapes and forms both the one giving the name and the one who is named. To be called by name indicates that we are seen and known—it shows that we matter. Join us this Sunday as we explore the act of naming.
The Act of Naming 2023-12-17This Sunday, Pastor Anita will lead us in reflecting on Luke 1:24-45, the story of the Annunciation to Mary. As we follow our Advent series “How does a weary world rejoice?” we turn to the idea that “we find joy in connection.” We will focus on the relationship of Mary with her cousin Elizabeth, which we often hear about in the context of “Mary went to Elizabeth for comfort” or “Mary sought wisdom from her older relative.” What about Elizabeth? What did she gain from the visit? How does Mary’s presence with her, holding within a divine spark, change Elizabeth’s role in the Christmas story? What connection can we find that makes this story, one we’ve heard many many times, come alive for us today?
Blessed Is She 2023-12-10This Sunday we will explore Luke 1:1-23. At the very beginning of his Gospel, Luke takes the time to say why he is writing this story and who he is writing it for. He wants to make sure that the story, the real story is told. When the angel Gabriel comes to the priest Zechariah to tell him that he and his wife Elizabeth will have a son despite their old age, Zechariah can’t believe it. Zechariah instead buys into another story, a story of skepticism and doubt at what God can do. There are all sorts of stories all around us—telling us what we should and shouldn’t believe, where our allegiance should or shouldn’t be. But how do we know which story to listen to? How do we know what to believe? How do we know what story is the real story?
What's the Real Story? 2023-12-03This Sunday, Pastor Anita will preach on Hebrews 1:1-9, considering the majesty of God and the person of Jesus as described in the text—while also questioning the systems that shaped (and still shape) our understanding of God and Jesus. Monarchy was the governmental context for much of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Testament. It is likely that people alive throughout the times when the Bible was being written could not have imagined a different system of governance. Today, living in a world governed by capitalism, it is also hard for us to imagine a different world. But as we prepare ourselves to move into the season of Advent, as we hear more and more about a guy named Jesus, how might our understanding of his person inform how we understand and live in possibility?
Subverting the Monarchy 2023-11-26This Sunday we will spend some time with Psalm 46, which might be a familiar psalm to many of us. Verse 10 of the psalm is most usually translated as, “Be still, and know that I am God.” This verse is often used for meditation—to create space for people to be still. The verse, however, is more accurately translated as, “Let go, and know that I am God.” What do we need to let go of? There are often many things that we try to hold on to that we think might save us, but they won’t. The challenge and promise of the psalm is that we can let go and when we do God will still be right there with us.
Let Go 2023-11-19This Sunday, Pastor Anita will preach on selections from Isaiah 25 for All Saints' Day. When the prophet says "God will swallow up death forever," what does that mean for how we remember those who have passed on from this life? The promises of life and love after death can ring hollow in times of grief—and yet, still we gather to call the names of the deceased, tell their stories, and live the legacy they've left to us. All are welcome to bring a photo or a token of a loved one to worship on Sunday, to place it on the altar of remembrance. We will share in honoring our communion of saints, and then in sharing communion together.
A Holy Flirtation with the World 2023-11-05Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is downright foolish. He spends the sermon telling his listeners to live in the exact opposite way that the world around them says they should live—and in the exact opposite way our world today tells us we should live. The world tells us that there is nothing wrong with “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,” and we see the way war, violence, and oppression abounds because of it. We often have the urge to spiritualize or explain away Jesus’ words in his sermon, especially these specific words. But, what if we took Jesus at his word? What if we took his instruction literally and started living foolishly?
Living Foolishly 2023-10-22This Sunday, Pastor Anita preaches on Matthew 25:31-46, that famous parable about the sheep and the goats… and judgement. As progressive followers of Jesus, we tend to lean away from texts about judgement, whether from our own past church trauma or simply because we don’t want to be associated with “that kind of Baptist/Christian.” But the lesson that Jesus shares about sheep and goats goes far beyond a stark line between affirmation and condemnation: Jesus is telling us something important about what it means to follow him, what kinds of actions people of faith are called to take in caring for our neighbors, and, ultimately, that salvation is communal. How can this story about farm animals lead to a profound message about salvation, redemption and liberation? Join us on Sunday to find out.
The Danger of Drawing Lines 2023-10-08By challenging the religious norms of his time, Jesus again flips what it means to be faithful on its head. Let us wonder together how the text challenges us at this time to do the same by unpacking our own norms and exchanging them for a heart-centered way of speaking life into ourselves and others.
Sermon 2023-10-01This Sunday, Pastor Anita will lead us, preaching about 2 Samuel 1:17-27 and Matthew 5:1-9. Together we will consider the necessity of lament in the face of grief, particularly the powerful tradition of lament within the Hebrew Scriptures. When we talk about grief, the focus is often on moving through it—quickly. But this week, let us together imagine grief not as a state to move through to get to another destination, but a companion to live alongside. Jesus says in the Beatitudes, “blessed are those who mourn,” and so we wonder together: what blessing is in our mourning? What blessing might come to us if we approach our various griefs with the intention of integration and not dismissal? Beloved church, bring yourselves this Sunday. It is a gift to be together.
What to Say About Grief? 2023-09-24This Sunday, our candidate for co-pastor, Rev. Leigh Curl-Dove, will be preaching on Matthew 18:1-5,10-14. Choosing pastoral leadership is important in the life of a church, and we are looking forward to hearing Rev. Curl-Dove preach. Then, following the conclusion of worship, the members of the congregation will have the opportunity to vote (via paper ballot) on whether to call the candidate. Please refer to the letter in the September Spire and the references from the members of the search committee for more information about Rev. Curl-Dove.
Rev. Leigh Curl-Dove 2023-09-17Come home to Seattle First Baptist for Homecoming 2023! It is always wonderful to see friends and church family we haven’t been with in a while—please join us! Pastor Anita will be preaching about sacred space, especially in the context of Psalm 139 that proclaims that there is no place where we can go where God is not. What spaces and places are sacred to you? What makes them sacred? Or is it the people that gather that bring a sense of holy recognition to the place? How does Seattle First Baptist Church function as a sacred space with many meanings to many different people that all come together as we proclaim “Welcome Home”? In preparation for Sunday, you are encouraged to think about places that are sacred to you, maybe even bring a picture to share with a friend during coffee hour, or think of a story you’d tell about one of those places. Welcome home, beloved children of the Holy, you are welcome here.
Home in this Sacred Space 2023-09-10This Sunday, Pastor Anita will share a sermon entitled "We Will" on the topic of Psalm 72. Now that we have spent time exploring our values as a community, we get to make commitments about how we will live together. But a commitment for how "we will" be goes beyond this community – what do we want to put forward into the world: peacemaking, justice for those on the margins, access to all that is needed to live healthy and safe lives. What will we dedicate ourselves to in this upcoming "program year"? Let us say "we will" as we commit to making the world a better place together.
We Will! 2023-09-03This Sunday, Pastor Anita returns with a heart full of gratitude for all that made it possible for her to take an extended vacation. She will lead us in worship and preach on Psalm 25:4-12 , reflecting on the importance of community. Together, we will listen to the wisdom of the Holy in and through each other and our congregation, as we acknowledge the depths of grace and gratitude that community can reflect. Join us for worship at 11am—you are an important part of this community and we love you!
The Gift of Community 2023-08-27This Sunday we explore SFBC's fifth core value – actively working to recognize and change our own biases. For many of us – trained to "look good" – admitting that we may not be seeing clearly and that our behaviors are often driven by unconscious assumptions and beliefs which lift us up by keeping others down – is a tough lesson. But like Philip who engaged with the Ethiopian eunuch on the desert road, we can learn to listen to Spirit – and in so doing begin to walk the true path of humility and justice.
Walking Humbly 2023-08-13Our fourth value beckons us to welcome, include and support the causes of strangers and refugees. In our passage for today, Jesus gives clear direction on some ways in which that can be accomplished. As we look to both as guides, let us consider together what it means for our community to exercise empathy.
Exercising Empathy 2023-08-06Growing up I learned that love was only available in limited quantities. Love of parents, love of friends, and especially the love of God was only intended for the right people, the good people, the people like “us.” Of course this meant that people who did not share our particular strain of Calvinist Christianity were not loved or lovable. They had to be converted to our ways, our beliefs, the “right” beliefs, or literally they would all go to Hell. This idea that love is scarce and must be earned seems to exist in other parts of Christianity, and other parts of most world religions to some extent. But what if we change that? What if we come to understand that Love is infinite and everywhere and within everyone? I wonder what our world would be like if we all knew in our hearts that we are Loved, and that there is enough Love to go around.
Enough Love to Go Around 2023-07-30This Sunday’s passage – Matthew 15:21-28 – should never have made it into scripture. “Jesus and the Canaanite Woman” tells the stunning story of Jesus using his privilege (at least religious, ethnic, sex and class) to dismiss a woman begging for help. She confronts him with his bias(es), and he is challenged to grow. May we be inspired to grow, too? Let’s hope so!
Imperfect Jesus 2023-07-23As we begin our sermon series highlighting the values of SFBC - we first emphasize the commitment to live out justice, mercy, peace, and humility. We will explore together the possibility that when we embody these as communal practices, we deepen the roots of our faith and make room for our branches of embrace to stretch to the furthest corners of creation.
The Circles of Justice and Faith 2023-07-16Who are we, Seattle First Baptist Church? What makes us into a community? How and why and when do we gather as a people seeking to follow the Way of Jesus? This week Pastor Anita will set up a sermon series about the SFBC values, including why they exist in the first place and what we might do with them now that we have them. What resonates with you from the values on this list? What doesn’t resonate? How are we doing as a community, following these values? In what values could we grow and change? Let’s gather intentionally and collaboratively as we consider what makes us US?
Who What When Where How Why 2023-07-09Preaching on 1 Samuel 2:1-10, Pastor Anita will lead us in exploring the canticle of Hannah, the song that Hannah sings to God and the song that resonates deeply with Mary’s Magnificat. As we think of how we process the events of our lives and how our faith affects and informs our lives, we wonder: what song do we sing? What song gives evidence as to what we’ve been through and what has made us into who we are? What song represents what the Holy means to us? How and where do our individual songs intersect into a collective song of praise and seeking justice?
What Song Are We Singing 2023-07-02The stories we tell are important. They help form who we are and help us learn right from wrong. Stories can help us work through problems, perhaps help us know that we are not the only person who has dealt with a particular issue. That I am not the only one. There are others like me and always have been. But sometimes the stories we tell are part of the problem. They justify behavior that should be repugnant. They reinforce harmful stereotypes and prop up the macho patriarchy that has ruled our race for far too long. They prolong beliefs such as might makes right, that God is on OUR side, and only OUR side, that ends justify means. In this sermon we are going to tell the story of David and Jonathan, which does pretty much all of the above.
The Stories We Tell 2023-06-25“Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” This beautiful statement of love and commitment is a regular occurrence in wedding ceremonies—but many forget that these words were said to affirm the love between two women! Pastor Anita will preach on Ruth 1:1-18 this Sunday. The story of Ruth and Naomi has long been one that queer theologians and scholars have lifted up as demonstrating love outside heteronormative bounds. Let’s listen closely to the commitment between these two women, and let us hold as sacred their story of creating family together.
A Sermon on Ruth 1:1-8 2023-06-18Amidst the escalation of anti-LGBTQ legislation and the onslaught of violence against transgender people across our country, let this church stand in strong and vocal solidarity with the queer community as we declare unequivocally that queer love is at the center of our faith. Preaching on Mark 14:12-16, Pastor Anita will lead us in considering how layers of societal expectations and gender norms and body stereotypes have covered up queer people in our sacred texts and in our faith traditions, and still today. On this first Sunday in Pride Month, let us rejoice in the creative and loving God who made all people, and let us rededicate ourselves to working for the good of and justice for all people, especially our LGBTQIA+ members, friends and family.
Queer Love Sets the Stage for Communion 2023-06-04This Sunday is Pentecost, the birthday of the Church and the day when we remember the gifts from the Holy Spirit. Besides the regular text from Acts 2, Pastor Anita will preach on 1 Corinthians 12:4-13, considering what the relevance of the Holy Spirit is for us today. What gifts of the Holy Spirit resonate with you? What gifts are you discovering in yourself, or do you want to discover? Wear your red on Sunday as we celebrate the flame and the breath that enliven us all, the One who is continually at work in this world.
Pentecost Sunday 2023-05-28This Sunday, we will be celebrating and supporting the work of the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America ~ Bautistas por la Paz. Pastor Anita has been involved with the organization since 2014, serving on the Board and attending multiple conferences across continents. She will preach on the topic of “What I Have Learned About Peace,” and will invite you to share what you have learned about peace throughout your life, as well. The theme of the day is “Moving Mountains,” so we will consider together what it takes to move the mountains of injustice to create peace, how each of us as individuals, as a collective congregation and as a movement of peacemakers can impact our world for the better, “witnessing to God’s peace, rooted in justice; working together until it comes.”
What I Have Learned About Peace 2023-05-21Last week, we considered the difference between being smart and being wise. In case we were giving knowledge the short end of the stick, this week Pastor Anita will lead us in considering how knowledge is power—but sometimes being comfortable with mystery and unknowing is power, too. We will explore one of the most interesting sermons included in the book of Acts, Paul’s speech before the Athenian governing council in Acts 17:22-34. To prepare your hearts and minds, consider these questions: what are your beliefs about knowledge? How do you feel when confronted with ambiguity or mystery? What can faith offer to those of us who prize knowledge highly?
Knowledge is Power 2023-05-14This Sunday, after gratefully receiving wisdom from our two recent guest preachers, Pastor Anita will lead us in wondering about the nature of wisdom itself. Wisdom is personified throughout the Bible, including in the apocryphal texts that some traditions include. We will explore Wisdom 6:12-19 and consider where wisdom comes from, how we know wisdom when we encounter it, and what it means to live every day with wisdom as our guide.
Being Smart vs. Being Wise 2023-05-07This week Pastor Anita will lead us in encountering the story of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances to his disciples, including Thomas. What does it mean that Jesus’ resurrected body had scars? How do our scars tell stories of our struggles and persistence, as well as remind us of how we can be like Jesus?
Scars That Remain 2023-04-16Come celebrate the resurrection of life-giving love this Easter Sunday with your Seattle First Baptist Church family! We will greet the day with guest brass instrumentalists, sing together, welcome new members and celebrate the wondrous experience of the women at the tomb so long ago. We will also observe the tradition of “flowering the cross,” so you are welcome to bring a stem or two to contribute to our Easter display. Pastor Anita will preach on Matthew 28:1-10 and explore the text using our theme of “Liberation,” as we conclude our Lenten journey with Cole Arthur Riley’s This Here Flesh.
Something Happened 2023-04-09
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