Worship for Summer Sundays 9:30am
2022 SUMMER WORSHIP COMMUNION.docx
Microsoft Word document [552.0 KB]
Church Life Meeting Report
2021-2022 Annual Church Life Report full[...]
Microsoft Word document [1.6 MB]
SOME FUN FACTS ABOUT THE 4TH OF JULY!!!
- Thomas Jefferson was the main author of the Declaration of Independence. There were four others on the drafting committee: Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Robert Livingston.
- John Hancock was the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence. Likely because he was the President of Congress at the time, he signed in a large hand and at the center of the document, according to the National Archives. His bold signature is where we get the phrase "put your John Hancock" when referring to signing your name.
- Independence Day should have been celebrated on July 2, 1776. Although the document was dated July 4, congress actually voted for independence from Great Britain two days prior on July 2, 1776. It apparently wasn’t signed by everyone until a month later on August 2, 1776.
- John Adams wrote a letter to his wife about how memorable Independence Day would be in American history... He was obviously right — in his letter, he said the day should be celebrated with parades, bonfires and fireworks. Scarily accurate, right?... but he thought it was celebrated on the wrong day. In fact, he was known to turn down invitations to 4th of July celebrations in protest. In his correspondence to his wife, Abigail Adams, he only referred to Independence Day as July 2nd.
- The 'Pennsylvania Evening Post' was the first newspaper to print the Declaration. It came out in the newspaper on July 6, 1776 for everyone to see, after a local printer named John Dunlap produced copies of the declaration's manuscript.
- An estimated 2.5 million people lived in the nation in July 1776.
- Three presidents who signed the Declaration of Independence died on July 4. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826 — on the 50th anniversary of the country's independence. James Monroe died five years later on July 4, 1831.
- The Liberty Bell rings 13 times every Independence Day to honor the 13 original states.
- Descendants of people who signed the Declaration of Independence tap the bell, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at 2 p.m. eastern time every 4th of July.
- Independence Day was once celebrated on July 5. The holiday fell on a Sunday in 1779, so the country celebrated on July 5th instead.
- The very first 4th of July fireworks show took place in Philadelphia in 1777. Fireworks, canons and bells all went off to honor the 13 original states. Much like modern celebrations, they even had a dinner and parade for the Declaration of Independence's first anniversary.
- U.S. soldiers got a special treat on the 4th of July in 1778. George Washington helped the troops celebrate by allowing them a double ration of rum, according to Live Science.
- Americans spend over $1 billion on fireworks every year.
- According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, the numbers continue to go up every year. The biggest celebration is the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks show, which takes over 8,000 hours to prepare!
Welcome to Oak Lawn Community Baptist Church
At Oak Lawn Community Baptist Church, we support people as they seek to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We are an American Baptist Church in partnerships with American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island and American Baptist Churches, USA. We are ecumenically minded and seek opportunities for
worship and service with other community churches.
Our church welcomes diverse families. We provide for Christian Education (Sunday School) for school aged children, as well as a nursery for pre-school children during worship services.
A very important part of our worship at Oak Lawn Community Baptist Church is our music program. We have been blessed with a strong music ministry consisting of a Sanctuary Choir, Hand bell Choir, two
organists, and many musically talented members who readily share their gifts during the worship services throughout the year.
At the conclusion of worship every Sunday all are invited to the fellowship hall to join in conversation and refreshments.
Oak Lawn Community Baptist Church is located at 229 Wilbur Avenue in Cranston. We warmly invite you to worship with us on a Sunday morning at 9:30 am. Until then, may our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ richly bless you!
A Note From The Moderator
From The Pastor
Meet Sky, Pastor’s puppy named after Sunrise & Jordan’s mother Grace Skye
June 2022
Pastor Barbara's Facebook Page:
Dear Friends in Christ,
When I first said yes to being the settled pastor of Oak Lawn Community Baptist Church, the thing that most impressed me about the congregation was the willingness everyone had to serve the Lord through the work of the church.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has served on the various church boards and committees not only in the last year but also during the entire time of my pastorate among you. I would never have been able to serve as your minister without your help.
I want you to know how much your input was valued as we discussed the direction of the
church. Without people like you serving, the church would not be able to fulfill her call to nurture within and reach out without.
I’ve heard it said we lead best by serving! It's an amazing paradox for sure, but one that should be a lifetime goal of every Christian. I'd like to encourage everyone to find areas to “plug in” to use the gifts and talents God has blessed you with. Trust me when I say, the Lord has need of everyone of us, and a good prayer to pray daily is, “Lord, bless me and make me a blessing.”
Isn't it great to know God still uses “ordinary people” to do extraordinary things?
As I prepare to move into retirement, I am happy knowing that many have said yes to continued service. I just know this will dovetail nicely with the work of the pastoral leadership to come. Again, thank you for your willingness to serve!
I pray God’s blessing on you, as you continue to seek the Lord’s guidance in all things.
Gracefully yours,
Pastor Barbara
The Legend of the Dogwood
There is a legend, that at the time of the Crucifixion, the dogwood had been the size of the oak and other forest trees. So firm and strong was the tree that it was chosen as the timber of the cross.
That it was used for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the tree. Jesus, nailed upon it, sensed this, and in His gentle pity for all sorrow and suffering said to it "Because of your regret and pity for My suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross. Henceforth it shall be slender and bent and twisted, and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross... two long and two short petals. And in the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints, brown with rust and stained with red, and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns,
and all who see it will remember."
Submitted by: Robin Butzier
Worship Service
Sundays, 9:30am ET
Contact Us
Oak Lawn Community Baptist Church
229 Wilbur Avenue
Cranston, RI 02921-1016
Phone: 401 944-0864
Pastor: The Rev. Barbara DaCosta
Or use our contact form.
Print 