by Dr. Frank Lewis, senior pastor
2010 is the Year of Worship and Prayer at First Baptist Nashville. This emphasis emerges from our core values, those things that we feel are at the center of our church's being. Worship and Prayer are vital to us as a congregation. When our congregation joins together for worship we have the opportunity to hear and respond to a fresh word from God. We declare our faith in song and through prayer. In the fellowship times that surround worship, we find encouragement and nurturing from those walking the same journey of faith with us.
In our private times of worship, God also communicates with us. I hope that you are making time in your life to spend a few moments in private worship and prayer on a regular basis. I want to encourage you to try something new for your spirit in 2010. It may be to begin a prayer journal, to practice a contemplative time of reflection weekly, or to have a quiet time at Radnor Lake or one of Middle Tennessee's many parks or greenways. Start prayer walking in your neighborhood. Do a prayer walk downtown one day this year. You might try visiting a nearby monastery or retreat center for a weekend study or really give yourself a treat and participate in a weekend of silence. Nashville is blessed to have a number of places where you are welcome to attend a mid-week worship service with another church or a convocation on a university campus. Find one and participate. You'll hear God's whisper in new ways. If we all make a little space for the Spirit of God to work in our lives, imagine the difference it could make when we come together as a congregation.
We will celebrate Communion on the first Sunday in February in the Service of Word and Table (8:15 a.m. in the Chapel) and in the Sanctuary Service at 10:30 a.m. If you have extended session responsibilities or other duties at 10:30, we hope you will take advantage of the earlier service at 8:15 so that you can join with your church in sharing in this time of worship.
Our Season of Prayer begins on February 17 and extends through Easter Sunday morning. You can read more about it in this issue of The Evangel. Please find an hour that you can commit during this short season (7 weeks) and join us to pray for spiritual renewal in our nation, our community, and our church.
You'll see many opportunities for growth and service in this month's Evangel. I look forward to being a part of it with you!
Blessings!
