The Fifth Sunday After Epiphany
Service of Worship
11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary
Sermon by Linda Bridges, President of Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond (BTSR)
“A Voice from the Silence”
This Sunday we celebrate Martha Stearns Marshall Month of Preaching. Since 2007, the month of February has been recognized by Baptist Women in Ministry and partner churches as a time to invite women in ministry to preach. This annual event encourages our church and others to publicly voice our support of women in ministry, and celebrate the call and gifts of women.
“In 1748, Mr. Marshall married his second and last wife, Miss Martha Stearns, sister to Rev. Shubal Stearns. Mr. Marshall had the rare felicity of finding in this lady, a Priscilla, a helper in the gospel. In fact, it could not be concealed that his extraordinary success in the ministry, is ascribable in no small degree, to Mrs. Marshall’s unwearied, and zealous cooperation, Without the shadow of a usurped authority over the sex, Mrs. Marshall, being a good sense, singular piety, and surprising elocution, has, in countless instances, melted a whole concourse into tears, by her prayers and exhortations” (p. 374).
Robert B. Semple, THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE BAPTISTS IN VIRGINIA, 1810.
Dr. McKinnish Bridges was a founding professor of Biblical Interpretation, Ancient Greek and New Testament Interpretation at BTSR from 1991-2001. From 2001-2014 she served Wake Forest University as Associate Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, Associate Dean of International Admissions, as well as faculty and administrator in the School of Divinity. McKinnish Bridges recently served as Managing Director of The International University Alliance, Shorelight Education, helping international students and U.S. universities reach international education goals. Author of The Church’s Portraits of Jesus (1997) and 1&2 Thessalonians: Smyth and Helwys Bible Commentary (2008) and a strong social media presence, Bridges comingles her passions of research, writing, and administration. At the beginning of the 2017-18 academic year, Dr. McKinnish Bridges returned to BTSR as the third president, shaping the future of the seminary with her innovative and visionary leadership.
Scripture Texts:
Malachi 3:1-4
Isaiah 60:1
Luke 2:22-40
Music by the Chancel Choir
Following worship we will have a reception in the Fellowship Hall hosted by the deacons.
Everyone is invited!