Why Baptist?
Our Summer 2021 series called "Free to Be" explored what it means to be Baptist and how our Baptist identity can be a source of belonging and becoming. For Baptists, faith means both freedom for the individual and formation in community. Perhaps in understanding our heritage more fully, we will hear – in new ways – who God is calling us to be and how God is freeing us to live. Check out our Zoom gatherings and sermons below that explore the four Baptist freedoms, principles, ordinances, associations, and identity.
Handouts
ABCUSA- 10 Facts, Statement on Racial Justice
Church Freedom Handout
Soul Freedom; Four Fragile Freedoms
Baptism Handout Comparing Sacraments and Ordinances ; Pastor Anne's Baptism Liturgy
Quick Baptist Facts Handout
Our Sermon Series on Being Baptist (Contemporary Worship)
- 8/22/2021
Free To Be: A People Who Partner With Others In Ministry
Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 25:42-45; Luke 4:16-21; Philippians 4:1-3; 1 Corinthians 3:4-9
Minister Javon Bracy
- 8/8/2021
Hope Is An Active and Present Reality
Selected verses from Ephesians, 1 Corinthians
Rev. Sara Reynolds
- 8/1/2021
Free to Be: A Community that is “Open to All, Closed to None” The Story of Calvary’s Inclusion Statement and How it Shapes our Vision
Selected verses from Mark, Acts, Romans
Rev. Alice Horner Nelson
- 7/18/2021
Free to Be: A People Who Break Bread Together (Baptist Ordinance: Communion)
Selected verses from John, Matthew, Luke, Acts, 1 Corinthians
Rev. Matt Nelson
- 7/11/2021
Free to Be: A Priesthood of Believers (Soul Freedom)
Selected verses from Joshua, 1 Peter, 1 Timothy, Matthew, John
Rev. Alice Horner Nelson
- 6/27/2021
Free to Be: A People Who Believe & Baptize (Baptist Ordinance: Baptism)
Selected verses from Mark, Acts, Ephesians
Rev. Jacob Goertz
- 6/20/2021
Round Table Discussion - How Do We Interpret Scripture? (Bible Freedom)
Selected verses from Nehemiah 8, Acts, 2 Timothy, Hebrews
- 6/6/2021
Free to Be: A Divinely Created, Covenant People
Selected Verses from Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy and Jeremiah
Rev. Alice Horner Nelson
Our Sermon Series on Being Baptist (Traditional Worship)
- 8/22/2021 Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Free to Be: A People Who Partner with Others in Ministry (An Exploration of our Local, Ecumenical & Interfaith Partnerships)
Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 25:42-45; Luke 4:16-21; Philippians 4:1-3; 1 Corinthians 3:4-9
Rev. Anne J. Scalfaro
- 8/15/2021 Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
Free to Be: A People Who Share Baptist Affiliation & Identity, Part II (Regionally)
Selected verses from Luke, Acts, Philippians
Rev. Anne J. Scalfaro
- 8/8/2021 Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
A People Who Share Baptist Affiliation & Identity - Part I An Exploration of your American Baptist Identity & Associations (Nationally)
Selected verses from Ephesians, 1 Corinthians
Rev. Anne J. Scalfaro
- 8/1/2021 Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
Free to Be: A Community that is “Open to All, Closed to None” The Story of Calvary’s Inclusion Statement and How it Shapes Our Vision
Selected verses from Psalm, Mark, Romans, Galatians, Acts
Rev. Anne J. Scalfaro
- 7/25/2021 Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Free to Be: A Local Church Who Organizes & Ordains as Christ Leads Us (Church Freedom)
Selected verses from Acts, Ephesians, 1 Corinthians, 1 Peter
Rev. Alice Horner Nelson
- 7/18/2021 Eight Sunday after Pentecost
Free to Be: A People Who Break Bread Together (Baptist Ordinance: Communion)
Selected verses from John, Matthew, Luke, Acts, 1 Corinthians
Rev. Brenda J. Goodman
- 7/11/2021 Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Free to Be: A Priesthood of Believers (Soul Freedom)
Selected verses from Joshua, 1 Timothy, 1 Peter, Matthew, John
Rev. Anne J. Scalfaro
- 7/4/2021 Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Free to Be: A People Who Stand for Freedom OF Religion, Freedom FOR Religion, and Freedom FROM Religion (Religious Freedom)
Selected verses from Matthew, John, Ephesians
Rev. Anne J. Scalfaro
- 6/27/2021 Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Free to Be: A People Who Believe & Baptize (Baptist Ordinance: Baptism)
Selected verses from Mark, Matthew, Acts, Ephesians
Rev. Chuck Goertz
- 6/20/2021 Fourth Sunday After Pentecost
Free to Be: A Non-Creedal People Who Interpret Scripture for Ourselves and With One Another (Bible Freedom)
Selected verses from Nehemiah 8; Luke, Acts, 2 Timothy, Ephesians
Rev. Anne J. Scalfaro
- 6/13/2021 Third Sunday After Pentecost
Free to Be: A Beloved People Living in Christ-Like Community
Selected Verses from Matthew, John, Acts, Ephesians
Rev. Alice Horner Nelson
- 6/6/2021 First Sunday After Pentecost
Free to Be: A Divinely Created, Covenant People
Selected Verses from Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, Jeremiah
Rev. Anne J. Scalfarro