First Baptist Church of Greensburg, PA
We are an American Baptist Church with a blended (contemporary/traditional) worship style
Due to the coronavirus, the Salvation Army canceled the annual Back-to-School Bash for this year. There is a possibility they may choose to do something different in compliance with the safety requirements for the school children at a later date. Our Mission Board is staying in touch with the Salvation Army.
NOTE: The Mission Board has new backpacks so if you know any child in need — please contact Eleanor Keenan or the church office.
Ravi Zacharias, the India-born Christian evangelist and apologist whose intellect, winsomeness and grasp of diverse cultures helped him gain a global hearing for the Gospel, was remembered during a May 29 memorial service as a “gentle giant of our faith” and the “C.S. Lewis of our day.” Zacharias, 74, died May 19 after a brief battle with cancer.
“Ravi shared the truth of God’s Word with millions worldwide, ‘so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father’ (Philippians 2:10-11).”
—Franklin Graham
Zacharias grew up in a nominal Anglican household in Delhi, India. His father was influential in the Indian government, and much to his father’s displeasure, Ravi neglected his studies in favor of playing cricket. But at age 17, Zacharias was converted to Christ in a hospital bed after attempting suicide by poisoning. That week, he was visited in the hospital by a Youth for Christ worker, who asked Zacharias’ mother to read to him John 14. As she read John 14:19—Zacharias said that the words of Jesus to Thomas, “Because I live, you also will live”—penetrated his heart, and he surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. “I walked out of that hospital a different man,” Zacharias recalled.
For 49 years, Zacharias traveled the world as an evangelist and apologist. In 1984, Zacharias launched Ravi Zacharias International Ministries as a way to “meet the thinker where they were” and “to train cultural evangelist-apologists.” Today, RZIM has more than 100 affiliated speakers in dozens of countries. Its flagship podcast, “Let My People Think,” is popular on audio streaming apps.
I join in the sorrow, anger and confusion felt by Americans across the country following the death of George Floyd. The nature of his death is shocking to all of us who believe in a just, lawful, and equal society.
I believe that God’s love is all-encompassing and it urges us to reject racism and discrimination. The Bible commands us to “be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” We are committed to fighting racism wherever it exists and will speak up wherever we encounter it. As we pray for God’s will to be done on earth as in heaven, I will continue to work toward a world where all people are loved.
I encourage people of good will to look closely at their own attitudes to determine how they can contribute peacefully to solving this problem. I support the peaceful protests and dialogue that have come from this tragedy. I encourage a display of love for all, in non-violent ways.
Never has our Christian mission been more imperative: to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. I call on all individuals to work together toward a common cause in the spirit of love, tolerance, and forgiveness.
Bramwell Kjellgren
INTERIM PASTOR
If you are donating cookies, bring store-bought, prepackaged cookies to church on Sunday, June 21 and place them in the yellow wagon in the foyer. If you want to donate cookies but are not planning to attend church, cookies can be placed in the cooler located outside the church at the foyer entrance on Thursday June 18 and Friday June 19.
We wish to recognize Rev. Bramwell Kjellgren our Interim Minister
and congratulate him on his one year anniversary at our church as of June 9.
The Lord has richly blessed First Baptist Church with your ability to shepherd the flock.
Eleanor Keenan (Mission Board) and Carol Clayton (organizer) would like to say THANK YOU to all the ladies who spent days sewing a grand total of 1,354 face masks for the safety of others.
For a small group of servants, you selflessly shared A LOT OF GOD’S LOVE!
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A few short weeks ago, the Mission Board sent out a plea for donations to assist the Westmoreland County Food Bank who was in dire need of funds due the coronavirus crisis. As God’s will be done, the contributions began rolling in totaling $1,888.00!
MANY, MANY THANKS to all the donors for such a quick response and amazing result!
Farmers to Families Food Box distributors are planned twice monthly at the Westmoreland Fairgrounds, 123 Blue Ribbon Lane, in Mt. Pleasant township. The drive-thru program provides federally purchased food on a first-come, first-served basis. Recipients don’t need to meet income guidelines to qualify. Distributions will continue as long as the federal program lasts. Tentative dates include 3-5pm June 8 and 10am-noon June 22. Visit westmorelandfoodbank.org and search under “What We Do” for more information about the distributions.