This year marks 100 years that Watts Street Baptist Church has been in existence! 100 years of God’s people meeting together at the corner of Watts and Urban, seeking the path of following Jesus together – caring, risking, questioning, worshipping, and so much more. As we celebrate this 100th year we want to reflect the beautiful Dag Hammarskjöld quote, “For all that has been, thanks! To all that shall be, yes!” To that end, part of our celebration this year is dedicating different months to the THANKS and YES of our various ministries. Take a look below for some wonderful ways you can be part of this celebration year!
January: THANKS and YES…A NEW BEGINNING!
Sunday, January 1 – New Year’s Day
Sunday, January 14-15 – MLK Weekend
- Joint service project with St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church at Catawba Trail Farm
- Joint worship service and lunch with St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church
- Guest preacher: Rev. Amber Burgin-Brothers
Sunday, January 29 – Introduce Centennial Theme
February and March: THANKS and YES…FAITH FORMATION!
Wednesdays, February 1, 8, 15 – Youth Discipleship Classes
Saturday, February 4 – Adult Education Retreat with Dr. Lauren Winner
Sunday, February 5 – Guest Preacher – Dr. Lauren Winner
Sunday, February 12 – Youth and Senior Adult Sweetheart Banquet
Wednesday, February 22 – Ash Wednesday, Lent begins
- Lenten Theme – Seeking: Honest Questions for Deeper Faith
Thursday, March 2 – “Bless the Lent We Actually Have” Lenten Small Groups begin
Sunday, March 5 – Chancel Choir sings “Let Us Walk in God’s Light” (Sherry Blevins)
- This anthem, based on Micah 6:8, was commissioned in honor of Watts Street’s 100th anniversary
Sundays, March 5, 12, and 19 – March Forums
Sunday, March 19 – Youth Sunday
April: THANKS and YES…NEW LIFE IN CHRIST!
Sunday, April 2 – Palm Sunday/Holy Week begins
Sunday, April 9 – Easter Sunday
Friday, April 14-Sunday, April 16 – All Ages Beach Retreat at Fort Caswell
May: THANKS and YES…MISSIONS and COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS!
Saturday, May 20 – Watts Street Community Connections Day
- An intergenerational, church-wide day of service projects and community connections with our Watts Street Mission Groups and Community Partners.
Sunday, May 21 – Worship Celebration and Service of Challenge and Recommitment to Watts Street’s mission “beyond our walls”
- Guest Preacher: Rev. Mel Williams
- Visual display of the missions and community connections that have grown out of (and are growing out of) Watts Street Baptist Church
June, July, and August: THANKS and YES…SABBATH and CONGREGATIONAL LIFE!
Presentation of New Worship Stoles and Paraments
June – Hymn Sing and Ice Cream Social
July – Forums: Sabbath-Keeping, Faith Stories
Summer – several relaxing and fun social events
- examples: movie night, Durham Bulls night, meditation walk, etc.
July 2-7 – Youth service/learning week with Spark’Dwell, Winston-Salem, NC
July 18-24 – Senior High Week with Iglesia Bautista Emmanuel in El Salvador
August 13 – Youth-led Service of Thanksgiving
September: THANKS and YES…WORSHIP and MUSIC and CELEBRATION!
Sunday, September 10 – Welcome Sunday
Saturday, September 23 – NC PRIDE Parade
Sunday, September 24 – WSBC’s Centennial Celebration
- Worship with special music, including the commissioned anthem
- Potluck dinner on the grounds
- Opening the time capsule, celebrating our history, looking ahead to the next chapter
October: THANKS and YES…STEWARDSHIP AND OUR FUTURE!
Stewardship emphasis
Sunday, October 15 – Children’s Sabbath
Sunday, October 22 – Fall Church Meeting/Vote on 2024 Church Budget
November: THANKS and YES…GRATITUDE!
Saturday, November 4 – 46th Annual WSBC Fall Bazaar
Sunday, November 19 – Thanksgiving service
December: THANKS and YES…THE ADVENT OF CHRIST!
Sunday, December 24 – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
More details to come!
