ABOUT US

First United Baptist Church is one of the historical churches of Lowell (and America), founded in 1826.

With its affiliation with the American Baptist Churches, USA, the church has a large heart and welcomes those of other affiliations, or no affiliation.

Its buildings are attractive and well-maintained. Its fellowship is warm and friendly and new people are genuinely welcomed, regardless of age or ethnic background.

Through the years First United has had a reputation of unselfish service in the community. At present it shares its building with the important work of the Visiting Nurse Association which uses the building for training, American Red Cross, which uses our rooms for CNA certification, Greater Lowell Mental Health Association, Middlesex Women's Club, Lowell Garden Club and Lowell Camera Club.

Its pastoral ministry stands ready to assist people in all kinds of needs, both spiritual and physical. The church is associated with the Interfaith Leadership Council of Greater Lowell (formerly Greater Lowell Council of Churches); the Open Pantry, The House of Hope as well as providing monthly meals to the Middlesex Shelter.

First United is proud to cooperate with the other American Baptist Churches of the Merrimack Valley - Calvary Baptist and Chelmsford Street Baptist Churches of Lowell.

There are several existing groups and programs in the life of the church such as the Adult Choir, Children and Cherub Choirs, Adult Bell Choir and Children's Bell Choir. There is a bi-weekly Adult Home Bible Study which takes place in various members' homes. The women of the congregation continue to gather seasonally for fellowship and mission projects, including support of regional gatherings.

The warm-hearted folk at First United would be happy to have you join them at the church, and the office will be happy to supply additional information.

Beliefs
We believe that we are called to act justly, love mercifully and walk humbly with the God revealed fully in Jesus Christ. Having been led to confess our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord, we joyfully recommit ourselves, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, to Him and one another.

We affirm as a Baptist Congregation our belief in the authority of the scriptures, active membership, believer's baptism by immersion, the individual ministry of every member, a church life where each person has a voice, freedom of conscience and the separation of church and state.

We recommit ourselves to the mission of Christ in the present. By the grace of God we will be a church where all who come to us in sincerity to find God's love will be welcomed. We support Christian mission work in our own and other countries, mindful that we are a part of the American Baptist work. We will work and pray for cooperation among all Christians.

Acknowledging our gain in so many blessings and examples of personal improvement, yet aware of our inclination to do wrong and need of forgiveness, we confess our need of Christ as Savior, through whom we place ourselves into the keeping of almighty God and the promise of eternal life.

Worship
The experience of worship is central to our church life, and we worship on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. Nursery care is provided for infants and toddlers on Sundays throughout the service.

Won't You Join Us?

Good Preaching
Children's Story

Excellent Music
Nursery for Cribs & Crawlers

Youth Fellowship
Weekly Coffee Hour Following Morning Worship

Monthly Communion Service
Home Bible Studies (every other week)

Home Communion to Shut-Ins
Handicap Access (chair glide)

Sunday School Classes
We believe in the importance of continuing to learn about our faith, and offer Sunday School classes for all ages at 11:15 a.m. Nursery care is provided for infants and toddlers on Sundays from 10:00-12:00.

Bible Study
Because of the importance in which we hold the Scriptures, Bible study for adults is offered in two different settings - - - Sunday morning at 11:15 a.m., and evening meetings in host homes monthly, except during July and August. Please contact the church office at 978-452-9281 for the next location.

Youth Ministry
An active youth ministry, including both a social and Bible study dimension - please contact Cheryl Mamalis at cherylcam@hotmail.com for further details and current events.

Ministry of Music
The Ministry of Music has for many years been considered as a vital part of the church life, as a means to enhance the worship experience. We have 3 vocal choirs: adult, youth and Cherub (ages 3-7) and two handbell choirs - adult and children. Special concerts are performed annually, featuring guest musicians. A variety of music styles is performed by all choirs, accompanied by organ, piano, trumpet and/or guitar.

Mission Programs
Once upon a time, a loving God created a wonderful, perfect world. But, because of man's original sin, the perfect world changed drastically. Oh, God still loved his subjects - he just put Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden. They had to work to live. They had broken trust and disobeyed God. In the centuries following Creation, many good things came about with God's people, yet many still denied Him and went their own way.

God spoke to the Prophets and leaders of the tribes. He told them that one day a Savior would come to die on a cross to save US from all our sins. People believed God and waited anxiously for the coming of the Savior.

So it came to be that Jesus was born into the world. He grew into a man and began his ministry. He fulfilled his destiny. Christ's coming brought joy as well as hope and salvation to our world.

The story does not end there. It is a continual story to remind us that Christ has a purpose for those who follow him. He tells us to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them, and teaching them.

American Baptist Churches (ABC) believe in missions. The First United Baptist Church believes in missions, and the members of our Missions Committee believe strongly in supporting the mission call to service.

The Missions Committee looks to the body of Christ to support mission needs which includes this congregation, our community, our country, and greater community throughout the world.

Following is a summary of the First United Baptist Church's missions giving program:

ABC - Denomination Supported

ABC United Missions
- World Fellowship Offering
- America For Christ
- Retired Ministers & Missionaries Offering
- One Great Hour of Sharing

Local Missions Supported
- Alternative House
- YMCA
- Habitat For Humanity
- New Day Program
- House of Hope
- Renewed Baptist Church
- Lowell Open Pantry
- Southeast Asia Ministry
- Lowell Pastoral Counseling Center
- UMass - Lowell Protestant Chaplaincy
- Lowell / Lawrence Hispanic Church
- Parking Lot Ministry
- Merrimack Valley Baptist Association
- Other Outreach
- Middlesex Shelter

These offer us, the world and the local community an opportunity to experience Christ's love through actions.

Fellowship
Gatherings of the congregation socially, around a particular mission theme or celebration of our faith such the birth of Christ, take place throughout the year.

Coffee hours are hosted by various members after the Worship Service each Sunday.

Community Service
We are a Covenant Church with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell, building decent, affordable homes in the area for god's people in need. A number of our members also serve by their participation in community services such as Community Teamwork, Inc., the Greater Lowell YMCA, The Salvation Army, the school "Grandparents" volunteer program, and tutorial programs.

Prayerline is a ministry to Greater Lowell of prayer for those who phone with requests. Persons and situations mentioned are held in prayer by members of our congregation for a two-week period. Prayer requests are renewable. The # for prayerline is: 978-771-3887.

American Baptist Churches
The American Baptist Churches, USA, comprise nearly 1.6 million persons who worship in more than 5,800 congregations in the United States and Puerto Rico. We are one of the 25 Baptist groups in the USA. We are rich in our diversity, and quite individualistic. We do not believe any church leader has a right to speak for us on matters of faith or conscience.

Christian Camping and Conferencing
Through American Baptist Church of Massachusetts we offer a variety of camps for Youth, Families, Senior Citizens and Adults with Special Needs at Grotonwood and Oceanwood . Each facility has a variety of accommodations to meet conferencing and retreat needs.

Grotonwood and Oceanwood is a Ministry of the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts. Two Sites - One Ministry!

Grotonwood is located in the heart of New England in Groton, Massachusetts. (45 miles from Boston). Grotonwood's sister camp, ç, is located in Ocean Park, Maine on 175 acres of wooded grounds and is within four blocks of beautiful Old Orchard Beach, and is 16 miles south of Portland. www.grotonwood.org

We invite you to worship with us.