We seek to provide great hospitality to our guests.
Even so, visiting a new church for the first time can be a little intimidating. At First Baptist, we’re happy to let you get comfortable at your own pace, but we don’t want you to feel alone while you get acquainted with us. We encourage you to ask about our worship service, Sunday School classes, Wednesday evening programs, or anything else on your mind. Finding your way around our facilities can be confusing, so please don’t hesitate to ask for directions. Our greeters will be happy to escort you to a Sunday School class or help you find a seat in the sanctuary, introduce you to First Baptist members and our staff.
Directions
We are located at 304 Main Street, NW in downtown Lenoir, at the intersection of Main Street and Ashe Avenue. Our campus is directly across Ashe Avenue from the Caldwell County Courthouse.
Where should I park?
Visitors are encouraged to park directly in front of the church on Main Street, across the street in the parking lot, or at the rear of the church. If you enter through the rear, take the elevator to the third floor. The sanctuary is located just to the left when you exit the elevator.
Is FBC’s sanctuary accessible to people with disabilities?
The rear entrance and the Chapel/Preschool entrance on Main Street (just north of the sanctuary entrance) are accessible to wheelchairs. Listening devices are available in the narthex of the sanctuary. Our greeters will be happy to assist you.
Is my infant or young child welcome in the sanctuary during worship?
Infants and children of all ages are welcome in worship. If you choose, our volunteers will be happy to care for very young children (infants through age three) in the nursery. Our greeters will be happy to assist you in locating the nursery. Following the children’s sermon, elementary-aged children can rejoin their families in the pews, while preschoolers and kinders may choose to adjourn to their classes for age-appropriate learning activities in the preschool department.
What should I wear?
Wear whatever makes you comfortable. Some in our congregation wear their “Sunday best” (dress or skirt for ladies; suit or coat and tie for gentlemen). Others prefer business casual, and some wear jeans.
What is a typical worship service like?
Sunday morning worship begins at 10:00 a.m. We sing hymns accompanied by our pipe organ and the adult choir, follow the lectionary in reading both Old Testament and New Testament passages, have intercessory prayer for each other and the world, enjoy a worship anthem by the choir, give our tithes and offerings in response to God’s love, and hear a message by our pastor, Dr. Josh Hughes. Most morning worship services also include a brief children’s sermon by our children’s minister, Becca Lawing. We celebrate Communion once each quarter and invite all Christians to participate, regardless of their denominational affiliation.
What’s next?
During the welcome at the beginning of the worship service, our pastor will invite you to complete a guest card. This will give us an opportunity to connect with you in the coming days.
We hope you will consider joining us for Sunday School. We have various classes for adults, children, and youth of all ages. Classes gather at 8:50, but things officially start at 9:00. Our friendly greeters at the rear entrance of the church will guide you to the classrooms.
Membership
At First Baptist, we think membership is an important part of our faith journey. Joining the First Baptist family enables us to strengthen each other as we study, worship, and serve. We take seriously our commitment to care for our church family.
In September 2016, our church voted to no longer require baptism by immersion for new members from different denominational affiliations. We welcome all brothers and sisters in Christ who have been previously baptized and/or confirmed to join us on our faith journey. For new believers making a profession of faith for the very first time, baptism is performed by immersion.
If you would like to talk about membership or ways to serve at First Baptist, please contact the church office.