About Us

Welcome!

We recognize that choosing a church home is a big decision and involves many things. There’s your first impression. Was the service interesting? Were the people friendly?

Information about the church, its beliefs and practices, how it governs itself, what other activities there are … these also are important. In an effort to ease that process and provide all the information you need to know about us, we have prepared this booklet. We also stand ready to answer any questions you may have along the way, so don’t be afraid to call and ask or set up an appointment with the Pastor. He’ll be glad to meet with you at his office or in your home. No pressure will be applied. We would feel honored if you decide to make this your church home, but we respect that this is a personal decision. No church is “right” for everybody. Our prayer for you is that you might find a place where you can worship, serve and grow in your understanding and appreciation of the Living God and of the salvation provided for you in Jesus Christ.

THE LOWVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH

Our people .....

As you can see on any Sunday morning, our congregation is a mix of ages and backgrounds. Many of our people have known each other for years and years with a goodly number of them having been here 25 to 50 years or more. They have a rich appreciation for our area and what it means to be a community together. Others, like our pastor and his wife, moved to the area a few to several years ago, and have found the people of the Lowville Baptist Church to be a warm, friendly and welcoming people.
To our people, church is not something to attend; it is a family, a community of faith. We come together because we believe in God and know that, through Jesus Christ, we have received forgiveness, new life and a hope for the future that is genuine. Therefore, we enjoy coming together to worship, learn and serve the Living God. You will find a good mix of fellowship activities to strengthen that bond we have.

Our pastor ...

Our pastor is the Rev. Everett Reed. formerly of Massachusetts. He grew up in a rural Massachusetts (that’s where his accent comes from!), accepting Christ as Savior as a youth while attending a small country church. In 1968 he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies and Christian Education from the Barrington College, RI, was ordained and began his first pastorate in the Berkshires. Moving in 1973 to the Boston area to continue his studies, in 1976 he received the Master of Divinity degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and was called as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Wilmington, MA. He accepted the pastorate of the Lowville Baptist Church in January of 1990.
While at Barrington he met his wife Carol and they married upon graduation in 1968. Carol is an elementary teacher, having taught in public schools in Massachusetts as well as in a Christian School founded by the Reeds while they were in Massachusetts. Carol is currently a second grade teacher at Lowville Central School.

Our history ...

Founded in 1824, our history really goes back to 1819 with the founding of the First Baptist Church of Lowville and Denmark, also known as the “Line Church” because it was built on the boundary between those two towns with the pulpit straddling the line. With long winters and horse and sleighs for transportation, it soon became apparent that the distance was too much and there was a need to divide with a church located in the village of Lowville itself. Thus, the Lowville Baptist Church was established in 1824 with a long and active history of biblical witness and cooperative spirit.
The original wood-frame structure was replaced in 1890 with the current brick main building. Over the years several modifications were made. In 1997 the downstairs dining hall was converted to Sunday School classrooms and the fully handicap-accessible fellowship hall and office wing was added at the rear.
We are associated with the American Baptist Churches/USA, thus tracing our line through the original bodies of Baptists in the United States. We hold to a reasonable faith which avoids a stiff literalism that turns our faith into legalism, or a liberalism that leaves us with no certainty. We seek to understand and apply the Scriptures as they were originally intended, believing that the God of Creation can work miraculously in human affairs.
We are a mission-minded church. Our written history shows that our support of the worldwide mission of the Church goes back at least as far as 1829 when the church began its support of the work of the first Baptist missionaries from America, Adoniram and Ann Judson. The mission field was Burma. Today we are a leader in both the North Country and the state in the support of missions.
We are a cooperative church. We have always believed that we are only a piece of the larger work God is doing, not only in our denomination, but also among all true Christian denominations and churches. For this reason we continue to work cooperatively with the other Christian churches of our area to support outreach and ministry. Through the Lowville Council of Churches we support the Lowville Food Pantry, Head-To-Toe Thrift Shop, Christmas Sharing and similar projects. Through the Fellowship of Evangelical Churches we join in occasional inter-church services, a cooperative Fair ministry and other outreach ministries to our local area.

Our faith ...

We believe the Bible to be the inspired and authoritative Word of God. It is God’s revelation about Himself given to people of faith over many centuries. In spite of this, it speaks with one voice and reveals God as one who is at the same time righteous, just and holy, yet merciful, loving and kind.
We believe the Bible shows one God in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Not three gods, but one, much as we as humans are one unit but with body, soul and spirit. In this way we were created in the image of God.
We believe that sin (the determination to do things our way instead of God’s) separates us from God. This separation leads to and is death.
We believe Jesus Christ is God in the flesh, come to earth to bear the guilt and shame of our sin so that we might be forgiven and receive the gift of God which is eternal life to all who believe. We receive this gift when we believe in what He has done for us and invite Him into our lives as our Savior and God.
We believe that every Christian at the moment of faith receives God’s Spirit into their life. The role of the Holy Spirit is to confirm in our hearts that we are Christians and to guide us into living a Christian life, bearing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. He also bestows upon us gifts and abilities that are needed for ministry and outreach.
We believe this world is not permanent, nor is it our eternal dwelling place. The Bible looks forward to a day when God will come again in Jesus Christ. At that time this earth will pass away and a new heaven and earth will come into existence. This will be our eternal dwelling. No one knows when that day will be.
Until that day, it is the responsibility of every Christian and of the Church collectively to be the visible body of Christ on earth, doing the things He would do, sharing the Good News of God’s love and salvation and demonstrating God’s love through acts of mercy and kindness.
While these truths are not the sum total of what we believe and teach, they are the core from which all other teachings come.

OUR GOVERNMENT...

As Baptists we adhere to a congregational form of government. By that we mean, our church is completely autonomous and self-governing. We cooperate denominationally for the support of the wider mission and receive counsel and resources from the larger body to improve and strengthen our own local ministries. But the Lowville Baptist Church is solely responsible for its ministries, doctrine and discipline.
The basic human authority is the body of Christians who make up the membership of the Lowville Baptist Church. Membership is open to all who confess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, who have received believer’s baptism by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit, and who regularly attend the services of the Lowville Baptist Church. Associate membership is available to those who transfer from another church or denomination but who have not received believer’s baptism by immersion.
Each January (usually the third Sunday), the Lowville Baptist Church holds its Annual Meeting for the election of officers, adoption of a budget, and to conduct any other business. Special meetings may be called throughout the year as needed.
The oversight of the properties, programs and ministries of the Lowville Baptist Church throughout the year are divided among three elected Boards. The Board of Trustees oversees property and finances. The Board of Deacons assist the Pastor in ministering to the spiritual needs of the congregation.  The Board of Christian Education works with the Pastor to oversee and strengthen the educational ministries of the church. In addition, the Flower, Memorial, Missions, and Music committees work with the pastor to see to their respective areas of responsibility.

BAPTISM & CHURCH MEMBERSHIP...

As Baptists, we practice believer’s baptism, which simply means that a person comes to faith in Jesus Christ and, acknowledges Him as their Savior and Lord before baptism. Thus, while we have a service of dedication for infants and young children, we do not baptize them. As Baptists we also practice baptism by immersion (by placing under the water) as the New Testament mode of baptism which best signifies the believer’s identification with Christ in death, burial and resurrection.
Persons may be received into regular membership upon baptism by immersion, or, having been previously immersed, by statement of Christian experience, or by letter of transfer from another evangelical church without being re-baptized by immersion.
Associate membership is available to those transferring from another Christian church who have been baptized by some mode other than immersion and who do not wish to be re-baptized. Associate members may vote, hold office, and exercise the rights of regular members except in areas dealing with Baptist doctrine and affiliation.
Those desiring baptism by immersion or membership in the Lowville Baptist Church should contact the Pastor or one of the deacons.  General guidelines for baptism and church membership include:
- 12 years or older
- faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord
- regular attendance at LBC for 6 months or longer

OUR MINISTRIES

WORSHIP...

Worship is an important part of any church. It is how we approach God. It says something about who we are and how we see God.
Worship at Lowville Baptist is varied and user friendly. Though we see God as Almighty, Righteous, Holy and Awesome, we also see Him as Loving and Approachable through Jesus Christ. In Christ, God has invited us to be part of His very large and extended family. Thus, family fellowship is important to us. We do not ask that people sit quietly before the service,but encourage people to mix, converse and greet one another before worship begins. Often during worship we will provide time for people to share prayer requests, thanksgivings and celebrations. Most months we observe communion or the Service of the Lord’s Supper on the first Sunday of each month.
We praise God in congregational singing using contemporary choruses and traditional hymns. Special music may include solos, quartets, adult or children’s choirs, etc. The Bible message is always an important part of our worship experience as we examine His Word together and allow His Word to examine us!
Most of the year the worship service starts at 11:00 AM on Sunday morning. During the Summer (from Father’s Day through Labor Day weekend) worship starts at 10:00 AM with a contemporary worship service at 8:30 AM..  Each Sunday nursery care is provided downstairs for infants and toddlers. Just before the Bible message children (pre-school through grade two) may go to Children’s Church for their own Bible lesson.
An important part of worship is music. Our Music Director is Mel Chalker. If you would like to join the choir, volunteer for special music, have a favorite hymn you’d like sung, or any other questions, he would be happy to hear from you.
We also have a Praise Team which includes various instruments and singers to lead us in contemporary music.

SUNDAY SCHOOL...

Sunday School features Bible classes for all ages, children through adults. In addition, nursery care is available for infants and toddlers so that Mom & Dad can participate in the adult Bible class.
The basic Sunday School curriculum follows David C. Cook’s Bible-In-Life curriculum which makes learning the Bible practical and fun with ample audio-visuals, activities and life application. Special material or studies may be used from time to time.
All children’s classes are in classrooms in the church basement. The adult class generally meets in the church fellowship hall.
Sunday School classes run from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM. The Sunday School year starts the Sunday after Labor Day and continues to Children’s Day which is the second Sunday in June. Children’s Day is celebrated with a special program by the children and an all church picnic after the 11:00 AM worship service.

YOUTH GROUPS...

In addition to having active Bible School classes for Middle School (gr. 6-9) and High School youth during the Sunday School hour, we have regular youth activities, outings and events. We also cooperate with other churches and faith-based youth ministries.  For a schedule of what’s coming up, contact the office, check out the youth page in the newsletter, or ask to be added to the email notification system.

LUNCHEON CLUB...

On the first Wednesday of each month at noon, September through June, all who are available are invited to gather for a shared lunch. Different people sign up to bring main dishes, desserts, salads, etc. Following the meal people are invited to stay for conversation or other activities. Reservations are not required, but appreciated and can be made by signing up the Sunday before or calling the office at 376-2115.

WEEK DAY BIBLE STUDIES...

Throughout the year, the Pastor conducts a Pastor’s Bible Study on Wednesday mornings from 10-11:30am. We are currently going through the Bible together. 
From time to time, lay-led or shared leadership small groups may be held at the church or in private homes. The pastor will be glad to work with couples or individuals on defining such a group and finding resources available.

HELPING HAND...
The Helping Hand ministry is one operated by the Board of Deacons. It enlists volunteers to assist church families in time of need such as hospitalization, convalescence or urgent transportation. It may involve bringing in meals, providing a ride to the doctor or hospital, sitting with a home-bound loved one for respite care or to give the care-giver time to go shopping, etc.
The coordinator for this ministry is Betty Nortz (315-376-2853). You may contact her to get more information, volunteer your services, or ask for help.
Emergency financial assistance from the Deacons Fund is also available to church families by contacting the Pastor.

“OPEN GATE” COFFEE HOUSE

From April through November we conduct monthly coffee house ministries featuring regional Christian groups in an informal atmosphere. Our 2009 schedule looks like this:
April 3: The Misfits
May 1: Ingersoll Family Band
June 5: Carl and Michelle LaGray
July 10: New Helmsmen
August 7: Diamond Someday (in Memorial Park)
Sept. 4: Together Again
October 2: Blue Grass Express
Nov. 6: Pam and Bruce Lyndaker

RADIO BROADCAST...
Every Sunday afternoon at one o’clock you can tune in to our radio broadcast over radio stations WBRV-AM 900, WBRV-FM 101.3 and WLLG-FM 99.3. We feature 25-30 minutes of Christian music by an assortment of recording artists followed by the Bible message from the Lowville Baptist Church.

OUR “SAFE CHURCH” POLICY...

While in recent years a lot has been heard about the dangers of child molestation and the need to safeguard our children, the Lowville Baptist Church has had a “safe church” policy for several years. This policy follows common sense measures to make our programs as safe and open as possible, assuring that both children and volunteers are protected from abuse or false accusation. Some of the guidelines followed include:
-All classrooms, offices and areas where people gather, must have unobstructed windows.
-All classes or groups of children and youth have two or more adults working together.
-Following insurance and denominational guidelines, no volunteer is used to work with children or youth who has not been part of the congregation for at least six months.
-All volunteers must fill out an application with references. All references are checked.
-References for staff positions are carefully reviewed.
These policies are reviewed annually by the Board of Christian Education and by those volunteering to work with children and youth.
Parents are asked to report any incidents to the pastor immediately. All concerns will be acted upon and the parents will be informed of that action. Any illegal activity will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Call the church office at 376-2115 to...
-Set up an appointment with the pastor or request a pastoral visit to your home.
-or-

Request any of the following booklets:
-Lowville Baptist Church History
-Lowville Baptist Constitution & By-Laws
-Our latest Annual Reports booklet
-“Our Daily Bread” or “The Upper Room” daily devotional guides
-Or any other information.

Email: lowvillebaptist@frontiernet.net