Worship at First Baptist

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Worship has always been central at First Baptist Church.  The common experience of worship is one of the major components in the identity of the church. It is also rather unique, particularly in Baptist life. In some ways, the worship is traditional, including scripture-based preaching and well-loved hymns. In some ways, the worship is liturgical, including the architecture of the sanctuary, following the liturgical seasons, and incorporating the banners and stoles appropriate to each season. In some ways, the worship is spiritual, with a significant emphasis on reverence and the grandeur of the music, both classical and modern, which may be best described as “exciting and worshipful.” In some ways, the worship is joyful, including warm fellowship and appropriate laughter. As one member said, “I have a hard time describing it to others, but once they experience it, they know why I love it so much.”

We welcome all to our services of worship. Sunday morning worship begins at 11:00 am.

Scripture Thoughts for Children is an integral part of our worship service most Sundays, after which K5 children and younger are invited to leave for Children’s Church in room 130. Childcare (Extended Session) is available each Sunday for newborns through age 4.

Special Emphases

(For a summary of the seasons of the Liturgical Year, which First Baptist Church observes, please see The Liturgical Year).

The Baptist Women in Ministry (BWIM) Month of Preaching, observed in February, is an affirmation of women in ministry and one of the occasions on which FBC opens it pulpit to a woman preacher.

During State Missions Emphasis, observed in May, FBC joins churches throughout the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of South Carolina in celebrating missions in our state and collecting the Beverly Greer Offering for State Missions.

On Graduate Recognition Sunday, observed in late May or early June, FBC celebrates its graduates from high school, college, and graduate school.

On Parham Scholarship Sunday, the first Sunday in August, FBC recognizes the recipients of the Craig Holbrook Parham Scholarship, which is awarded to college and seminary students preparing for Christian ministry.

On Christian Education and Spiritual Formation Emphasis Sunday, the third Sunday of August, FBC thanks and blesses its volunteers in the area of Christian education and spiritual formation. This Sunday includes the presentation of Bibles to first graders and the Blessing of the Backpacks for pre-school and elementary school children.

On Senior Adult Sunday, generally observed in October, FBC celebrates the many contributions of senior adults to our church and its ministries.

On Music Emphasis Sunday, observed in September, FBC thanks its many volunteers who make the music ministry such a meaningful part of our church’s heritage and worship. The church also recognizes the recipients of the Young-Beaudrot Music Scholarship, students who are studying music in college and who participate in one of FBC’s music ministries.

On World Communion Sunday, the first Sunday of October, FBC joins Christians around the world in the observance of Holy Communion.

Pink Sunday is usually observed in October.   Sponsored by FBC’s Rosemary Benjamin Circle, it is a time to remember and pray for persons affected by all forms of cancer. Worshippers are also reminded of opportunities to support the church’s Relay for Life team.

On Children’s Sabbath, the third Sunday of October, FBC participates in the international observance of Children’s Sabbath and celebrates the many gifts of our children.

On Youth Sunday, typically observed in October, FBC celebrates its youth and its youth ministries.

In November, FBC observes its Global Missions Emphasis. On this Sunday, we emphasize the Global Missions of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, and we begin our annual collection of the Offering for Global Missions.

Additional notes:

Each Lenten season, FBC’s musicians present a cantata grounded in Lent and Easter, and each Advent season, they present a cantata grounded in Advent and Christmas.

FBC celebrates Holy Communion on a Sunday morning once each quarter, and worshippers come to the altar to receive Holy Communion on Christmas Eve.

FBC celebrates baby dedications with a charge to the parents, a charge to the congregation, and a special blessing for the child.

Rather uniquely, FBC accepts all forms of Christian baptism, while we practice believer’s baptism by immersion.