FIRST BAPTIST FOCUS AND EVENTS
May 2026
National Day of Prayer – Thursday, May 7
Glorify God among the nations, Seeking Him in all .
Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. 1 Chronicles 16:24
The National Day of Prayer Task Force is calling America to join in prayer so that we can stand confidently in faith during these tumultuous and uncertain times. The challenges our country faces are great from economic, moral, natural disasters, immigration, violence, war and political unrest. Please set aside some additional time for heartfelt prayer. Pray topics will be posted on the church Facebook. Call and/or visit someone and prayer together.
The National Day of Prayer Task Force has resources on How to Pray for America @
www.nationaldayofprayer.org -see 2026 National Prayer
In 2026, the day of Ascension is Thursday, May 14 (40 days after Easter)
Ascension, in Christian belief, the ascent of Jesus Christ into heaven on the 40th day after his Resurrection (Easter being reckoned as the first day). Ascension ranks with Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost in its
observance among Christians.
GARAGE Sale to Benefit FBC- Thursday, May 28-Saturday, May 20
The garage sale will be held at 419 East Park Street, Plano (Bender home) which is easily accessible (tho
limited on parking!). Contact Paula at 630-552-3612 or 630-631-1506 to drop off donations starting May15. NO clothes or shoes. Volunteers will be needed for set up Tuesday, Wednesday and during the sale. The garage is fulling fast. Lunch will be provided each day.
May 2026
The Bible Alphabet
Knock and it will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:7c
Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth!
Isaiah 45:22a
Read the Whole Bible in 3 Years
Suggested Bible Book of the Month
Nahum
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What the History of Baptists Can Teach Us
from the American Baptist Historical Society
Baptists of all stripes play a vital role in American life and thought. The journey has been difficult, but the Baptist experience sheds light on our context today. Several scenes from Baptist history parallel our current situation.
Many Baptist were Refugees
Beginning in the 1630’s Puritan immigrants, seeking refuge from Anglican persecution in England, began arriving to the area of North America that would eventually become New
England., While most retained their Puritan
beliefs, eventually establishing the Congregationalist tradition, some became Baptist, such as Roger Williams, John Clarke, and others who subsequently became refugees as
they sought religious freedom in Rhode Island.
By the end of the 17 th century, Baptist
Immigrants were arriving in New England as
part of a larger English/Welsh Baptist migration
to the area.
In 1655, Thomas Gould of Boston, along with
his wife refused to present their baby for
baptism.(With the belief that those who died
unbaptized were consigned to hell, not baptizing
an infant was construed as child abuse.) The
next several years found Gould the subject of
persecution by ecclesiastical authorities,
including imprisonment, spiritual banishment,
and exile form Boston, In 1665, Gould
organized the First Baptist Church of Boston,
which would become one of the most influential
Baptist congregations. But with prominence
came unwanted attention by the authorities, and
members were eventually forced to seek refuge
temporarily on Noddle Island in Boston Harbor.
---to be continued in June's newsletter