First English Baptist Church

Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
A Congregation of American Baptist Churches USA

We are believers in God, our Father Almighty, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the hope of salvation through God’s Grace and Christ’s sacrifice.

We are a celebratory people who make a "joyful noise."  We pray.  We serve.  We support each other.  We have fun in God's love.  We regularly celebrate the gifts, which we have received, especially the gifts of each other. We celebrate our common faith in the Bible’s teachings and the ongoing renewal of our baptisms. We celebrate our community and have become well known for helping others, no matter what their religious affiliation or lack of belief. We celebrate our love for the needy in the world. We even celebrate our own differences.

We are historically and culturally diverse. Our lack of homogeneity is almost as famous as our reputation for assisting the community. How else could we be? All of us were welcomed here, no matter from what or where we have come. Therefore, we continue to put forth "large branches" so that others can "make nests" here in our shade. All are welcome. We are mixing pot of religious backgrounds. Before joining in First English Baptist Church we were non-believers, Lutherans, Catholics, Methodists, Southern Baptists, or one of many other denominations. (Some were even American Baptists before they joined First English Baptist Church.)  Here at First English Baptist Church we found God's love and forgiveness.

The "English" in our name comes from our 19^th Century history when there was a nearby Welsh speaking Baptist church.  It is not a descriptor of our membership today.

See Some pictures.  Click here: Our Pictures

As of our survey in early 1999, First English Baptist Church had 378 active members and 139 inactive members for a total of 517. The largest age/gender groups represented are females between 30 and 45 and men between 46 and 55. We have a relatively high number of families in their childbearing years. Our church family naturally includes many children. The congregation enthusiastically welcomes both members and visitors of different races, ethnic backgrounds, and religious affiliations.

Welcome Parents and Children. We offer a nursery for infants to 4 years olds with caring adults ready to supervise your children while you worship in the sanctuary or attend Sunday School. We invite children aged 4 years to second grade to join their parents in worship until the "Children’s Moment," after which these children are excused to a Children’s Church designed especially for them. If you wish, your child may remain with you throughout the service. We only ask that, should your child become distracting, you relocate behind the glass partition where you can still both see and hear the service. 

The majority of people report that they live 2 to 5 miles from the church. Most are employed full-time. As compared to most churches, we have a higher number of college graduates and a slightly higher number of high school graduates. More members consider themselves as "clerical" workers than any other category, with "homemakers" and "teachers" closely following. Nearly 60% of families have attended First English Baptist Church for ten or more years, forming a very stable core congregation. There is plenty of room and opportunity for new members to join in worship, learning, service, play, and Christian leadership.  We need new members with new ideas and talents to do the work that Jesus sent us to do.

Our activities are lead by a formal organization. Elected officers work along side the pastor to administer the business of the church. Several boards with specific responsibilities provide leadership and direction. These include a Deaconate Board, Board of Christian Education, Board of Trustees, Mission Committee, and an Advisory Board.

Other activities include the Church Prayer Pyramid, Children’s Church, Nursery, and Monthly Prayer Breakfast. Our special events include Christmas Eve Service, Annual Christmas Party and Talent Show, Maundy Thursday Service (sometimes with a Seder Meal), Easter Sunrise Service (with the men serving breakfast), Spring Fling (a social/fund-raiser), Baptism and Right Hand of Fellowship, Women’s Sunday Worship Service, Children’s Sunday Worship Service, Rally Day, and the Annual Congregational Meeting.

We are truly a family of friends united to worship, learn, serve, and have fun.  Please join us.

See Some pictures.  Click here: Our Pictures

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Webmaster Bill Lowthert mailto:Bill@alwaysimproving.com,  Bill's Website is http://www.alwaysimproving.com