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2025 Church Announcements

Good news: First Bethel now accepts Zelle as a payment for church donations.  Payment can be made with the QR code or cell phone number: 240-532-1256. 

Email:  Firstbethelbaptistmd@ gmail.com

First Bethel Baptist Church Announcements – Sunday, April 6, 2025

 

The following are our church announcements for the week:

 

Greetings to our Viewing Audience and thanks for joining our Lord’s Supper Praise and Worship Service today.

 

Our Sunday School Class occurs each Sunday morning, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Our Noon Day Bible Study Class occurs each Tuesday. All are encouraged and always invited to attend.

 

We are rejoicing over the Christian Baptism of Rylee Perry that occurred this morning. We congratulate Rylee, and lift her and her family up in prayer as she begins her Christian walk through faith and receives the Right Hand of Fellowship today.

 

Thank you to everyone who attended our “Deacon Ordination Service” last Sunday. Both Deacons Covington and Curenton, as well as our 3 new Deaconess, would like to extend their gratitude for all the warm love and encouragement they’ve received and ask for your continued prayers as they grow in their new responsibilities.

 

We can now accept church donations via ZELLE for tithes, offerings, and special gifts. The QR-Code can be found in our church website under “Donations.” If you have any questions, please see Sister Faye Highsmith.

 

On Sunday, April 27, 2025, beginning at 3:00 p.m., Pastor Bates will be preaching for the “Second Pastoral Anniversary of Dr. Dwayne Brown.” Pastor Bates, our Gospel Ensemble and First Bethel family have been invited to participate in this occasion with the First Baptist Church of Warrenton. The church is located at 39 Alexandria Pike, Warrenton, VA, 20186 and dinner will be served to all guests beginning at 1:30 p.m. By next Sunday, we will need an accurate headcount for catering and bus transportation purposes. Therefore, anyone planning to attend is asked to please sign up TODAY using the sign-up sheet in the church entrance and indicate whether you are driving or riding the bus.

 

On Thursday, June 5, 2025, our bus trip to see “Noah” at the Site and Sound Theater in Lancaster, PA, will occur. The bus will depart from our church parking lot at 7:30 a.m. Total cost of the trip is $185 per person. A sign-up sheet and flyers with complete details and payment due dates are posted in the church entrance. Deposit payments are past due, so if you’re interested in going, please sign up today. Friends, family, and neighbors are all welcome to us for a full day of fun and fellowship.

 

“Happy Birthday Wishes” are extended to everyone born in the month of April. This week we showcase two men in our First Bethel family: Deacon Michael Artis, who will celebrate his birthday on tomorrow, and Brother Reese Weaver, who will celebrate his birthday on Friday, April 11th. Happy Birthday to you both and may God’s grace shine upon you!

 

As we pray for our Pastor and one another, pray for all our First Bethel family and friends who are sick and shut in, bereaved, or experiencing health challenges.

 

 

Thought for the Week

“We must each bear our own cross, so be patient and compassionate with one another. You never know when someone might need an encouraging word

because their load is heavier than yours!”

Pastor Bates Appreciation Day Media Page

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3pm Appreciation Service 

        Speakers: 

  • Damien Briggs

  • Bernard Winchester

  • Anthony Maclin

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Pastor Bates' Thank You

“I want to sincerely thank the Pastors: Dr. Lehman D. Bates, II, Ebenezer Baptist Church – Charlottesville, VA; Dr. Damion Briggs, Eastern Community Church – Landover, MD; Dr. Bernard Winchester, First Baptist Church of Fairmont Heights – Fairmont Heights, MD; Bishop Anthony G. Maclin – The Sanctuary at Kingdom Square, Upper Marlboro, MD that preached the WORD; the Pastors, the Ministers, the First Bethel Family; present and former members of First Baptist Church of Marshall Heights, Washington, DC; and all of my Brothers and Sisters in Christ, who came together and those who could not attend, to make this a very special day for me.

        Your presence, fellowship, love, time and generosity will never be forgotten. To God Be The Glory… For The Things HE Has Done!!!

            I am truly beyond grateful. Thank you so very much!” – Dr. Lehman D. Bates

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Special Notices
Welcomet First Bethel

Welcome to First Bethel Baptist Church

Welcome to the Website of FBBC of Camp Springs, MD

Thank you for visiting us. 

 

On behalf of myself and the First Bethel Church family, we welcome you to our sanctuary.  It is our hope that your experience with us will strengthen your relationship with God, cultivate your desire to link with our church and its numerous activities, and/or accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

           

At your first opportunity, you are invited to come and Worship with us on Sunday Mornings at 10:00AM.  Sunday Church School Classes for all ages begins at 9:00AM.

 

Moreover, on each Tuesday of the week Structured Scripture Study is taught by Pastor Bates at 12 Noon and 7:00PM, everyone is welcome to attend.

 

Additionally, Members and Friends of FBBC can contribute Tithes, Offerings and Special Gifts through our various QR Code/PayPal links on this web page (including below).

“My Prayer for You is that the LORD will Bless You and Keep You Daily.”

(Psalm 118:24)

Lehman D. Bates, Pastor

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About Our Church

Committed to Spreading the Good News

The First Bethel Baptist Church of Capitol Heights Maryland was organized and held the initial Worship Service on Sunday, December 23, 2012 under the dynamic leadership of our beloved Pastor and Organizer, Dr. Lehman D. Bates. The initial service was held at our previous location, 9171 Central Avenue, Capitol Heights, MD with a total of 47 members. The Lord allowed us to grow and we were officially incorporated in January 2013 with a Charter Membership of 83 Members. Today we thank God for a total of 107 members, more than twice our initial number in ONE YEAR.

GOD has continued to bless us with three faithful and dynamic ministers of the gospel; as well as the support and prayers of three Sons of the Church and their wives as Charter Members. These ministers continue to help and support our Pastor and our Church. Through God’s grace and love we receive many expressions of love and support from non-members and friends – we are blessed!

After much prayer and fasting, the Lord directed Pastor Bates to complete the organization of our church family for the work and glory of GOD. The structure now includes: Board of Deacons, Board of Deaconess, Board of Trustees, Budget Committee, Church Clerk, Church Secretaries, Music Staff, Missionary Ministry, Welcome & Announcement Committee, Church School, New Members Class, Ushers, First Bethel Gospel Choir, Golden Saints/Travel Fellowship and Revival/Hospitality Committee. The Young Adult Fellowship, Nurses Unit, Christian Education, a Historian and the FBBC Media Powerhouse Committees are still being developed. The Church By-Laws were completed and ratified. The church purchased a new set of drums and microphones. The Golden Saints/Travel Fellowship sponsored their first trip to see Moses on March 28, 2014. Our first Fall Revival was held Sunday, September 22 through Wednesday, September 25, 2013. Dr. Marshall F. Prentice, Pastor of the Zion Baptist Church in Baltimore, MD was the evangelist.

Also, the church baptized three young people: Nyha Lavern Shaw, Talayia Maria Sharon Rhode and Zander Aiden Perry. We have mourned the lost of numerous members over the years, and we continue to pray for those families. We have supported bereaved families inside and outside our church family, as we dedicate ourselves to spreading the love of God.

Our congregation presently supports both foreign and local missions. We continue to honor families with Thanksgiving Baskets on any given year in support of families in need.  The Lord also blessed us to purchase, wrap and send Christmas Gifts to The Joseph Francis General Hospital Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies for patients unable to go home for Christmas. The growth and stability of our congregation will lead to the continued support of education, foreign and local missions, and many other areas that our Pastor envisions, encourages and the Lord allows us to be a part of.

With Christ and Pastor, our church will make a difference as we spread the love and peace of God throughout the world.

About our Church
About the Pastor
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About the Pastor

Biographical Sketch
Of
Dr. Lehman D. Bates

Dr. Lehman D. Bates, a native of Columbus, Ohio, was licensed to the Gospel Ministry and ordained into the Pastoral Ministry through the Union Grove Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio, and the Columbus, Ohio Baptists Pastor’s Conference. He currently serves as the spiritually pragmatic Pastor of the First Bethel Baptist Church in Capitol Heights, MD. Previously he pastored First Baptist Church of Marshall Heights, Washington, DC; Victory Baptist Church in Pittsburgh, PA; and Second Baptist Church in Delaware, OH.

          Dr. Bates is a dedicated teacher, profound thinker, and motivating humanitarian. As a dedicated Pastor, preacher, teacher, and speaker, he desires to be a positive motivator of individuals and groups, encouraging them to achieve their full potential. He travels and ministers domestically and internationally to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and provide counseling, health care support, medical supplies, and enlightened meaning of the Word to developing countries. His mission travels include the Caribbean, East & West Africa, Israel, Iran, Saudi Arabia, India, West Indies and Europe, among others. Moreover, he is the Executive Director of “Global Faith Alliance,” which has provided health care support, counseling, and the work of missions in St. Kitts-Nevis and Haiti.

          As a family man, Dr. Bates is the grateful and honored father of one son, Pastor Lehman D. Bates II, who is married to the former Gloria Pailen, and one daughter, Lori DeVon Bates Curry, who is married to Melvin Curry and the parents of Dr. Bates’ three delightful and loving granddaughters.

Worship Service Hours

Come Worship with Us!

Sundays: 

9am - Church Sunday School in the Polar Room

10am - Sunday Service in the sanctuary

Tuesday Bible Study: noon

First Sunday:  Communion and Right Hand of Fellowship

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Home: Opening Hours

Sermon for 4/6/25

Pastor Lehman D Bates

Ephesians 5: 15-27

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Sunday Sermons
African American History Facts

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Sermon for 6/13/21:
"The good fight of faith"

4/6/25 Sermon : 



Pastor Lehman D. Bates

African-American History Facts


Black History Month Fact

2/11/25:  As we all know, our Black History cannot be contained within one month, for we live “our” history 365 days a year, every year of our lives. So this week’s “Black History Moment” showcases the African American Baptist Church. The First African Baptist Church, located in Savannah, Georgia, is the oldest Black church in this country. Organized in 1777, they are still in existence and worshipping today. The 19th Street Baptist Church is the oldest Black church in Washington DC and was founded in 1839. The Ridgley Methodist Episcopal Church, founded in 1871, is the oldest Black church in Prince Georges County. It’s located on Central Avenue in Landover, Maryland, and is currently home to the New Rock Church.


This week’s “Moment in Black History” showcases Mr. Thomas A. Dorsey, the Father of Gospel Music. Dorsey, the son of a revivalist Baptist preacher, learned to play the piano at an early age, and by the age of 12, he was a professional Blues musician. In 1922, after attending a Baptist Convention in Chicago, he was so moved by the musical preacher that night that he had a conversion experience and coined the term “gospel music,” writing his first gospel song within a week. In August 1932, while away working, Dorsey received horrible news that both his wife and child died in childbirth. Wrecked by the news, he said that God led him to the piano where he penned “Take My Hand, Precious Lord.” While still traveling the Blues circuit, he began having his gospel songs printed in sheet music form and selling them for 10 cents a piece to musicians and Pastors. He became the Choral Director at Pilgrim Baptist Church and founded the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses in Chicago in 1933, serving as its president for 40 years. He later composed such compelling gospel classics as “Peace in the Valley,” “On the Battlefield,” “The Old Ship of Zion,” “Walk All Over God’s Heaven,” and “The Lord Will Make a Way.”

2/23/25
This week’s “Black History Moment” showcases African American inventors. Dr. Mark E. Dean, an inventor and computer engineer, is the co-creator of the first IBM computer and color monitor, and was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1997. Garrett Augustus Morgan Sr., an American inventor and community leader, invented the 3-way traffic light. In 1966, because the crime rate in their Queens, NY neighborhood was very high and police were slow to arrive on the scene, Marie Van Brittan Brown and her husband Albert Brown invented their own home audio-video security system. Their invention laid the foundation for security systems that are in use today. Alexander Miles revolutionized the design for elevators, inventing the electric elevator in 1887 to make it safer than the old manual models. He also founded the United Brotherhood Life Insurance Company for Black people in 1899, and was posthumously inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2007. George Crum, born George Speck, was a renowned NY chef who reportedly invented the potato chip in the mid 1800’s. However, his sister Catherine Wicks later claimed to be the real inventor of this tasty and popular invention.

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond.

Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America long over due. In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. Sensitized to the conditions and experiences of others, only then can we make significant and lasting improvements in our society.

General Order Number 3

One of General Granger’s first orders of business was to read to the people of Texas, General Order Number 3 which began most significantly with:

"The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer."

The celebrations that followed the reading of the proclamation by General Gordon Granger began a tradition that has lasted for one hundred and fifty five years, and today is hosted in cities across America and beyond. The JUNETEENTH.com website is dedicated to this celebration and to those who tirelessly contribute to its continued existence and growth. For information regarding the website, contact them via email or call: 504 242-4691.

Videos: Sunday Service

First Timers at First Bethel Baptist Church

First Bethel Baptist Church is an open and welcoming church. From humble beginnings, we have grown into a sizeable congregation. Our typical services include prayer, sermon and community inclusiveness. We are always overjoyed when people want to come to worship with us, so please know there’s always room for more in our ranks. We look forward to meeting you.

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Visitors link
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PASTOR'S CORNER

Lehman D. Bates

CHANGE YOUR FACE

Every personality has a face.  SMILE!  How do you see yourself?  What’s your real self- esteem quotient on a scale of 0 (low) – 10 (solid)?  Hopefully the face of your personality is not marred, twisted, inferior, ugly, or caustic.

The feelings and pictures you have about yourself form your self–image.  How you view yourself consists of both emotional feelings and mental pictures, this is your selfconcept.  What you see and feel about yourself will determine your relationship with other people and with God.  The Scripture statement is significant here as it brings the heart and mind together: “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7)

A sound and secure self–esteem is viable without arrogance or selfishness.  A healthy, Godly self–image is essential to virtuous growth in character, personality and disposition.  In his book, “The Sensation of Being Somebody,” Dr. Maurice Wagner discusses three (3) basic components essential to a healthy self–image:

  1. A sense of belongingness, of being loved: you are loved; accepted; enjoyed; cared for.

  2. A sense of worth and value: you count; you have something to offer.

  3. A sense of being competent: you can do this task; you can cope with that situation; you are able to meet life.

You are somebody.  You belong to God and He Loves you so much.  You count. He gave Himself for you through Christ and you have something to offer.  Never underestimate your capability.  You are fit for the task.  As you believe in God, BELIEVE in yourself.  You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13).  Change your face!  SMILE. 


DR. LEHMAN D. BATES, PASTOR

UPCOMING Church news

Lauren's Volleyball Links: (she's #5)

Games occur on Saturday mornings around 6am (via Facebook Live)

https://www.facebook.com/studioulcalina

Remaining game dates:

1/18/25

2/1/25

2/8/25

2/15/25

3/8/25

Read More >

prayer for healing corner
Please pray for and send cards of encouragement to all our sick, shut-in, and/or bereaved members and friends.

Read More >

1/12/25

We extend our deepest and sincere condolences to the Artis family on the passing of our beloved and devoted Deacon Dwight Artis. The Home Going Service for Deacon Artis will occur here on Saturday, January 25th. Viewing will begin at 9:00 a.m., followed by the service at 11:00 a.m. A Repast will occur downstairs following Interment.

 

We also extend our condolences to the family of Dr. Winston Ridley Jr., the late Pastor of Greater First Baptist Church in Washington, DC, and to the family of Dr. Grady Jones, on the recent passing of Dr. Jones’ son William. We collectively pray that God will comfort the grieving hearts of the Artis, Ridley, and Jones’ families, and that He will give them His blessed peace and strength during their bereavement.

Pastors Corner
Church News/Prayer Corner
Shared Church news/media
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Pastor's Guide to Christian Living

Pastors Guide to Christian Living

Scripture Study Archives
(coming soon)

Scripture Study Archives

Organizational Profile

Dr LEHMAN D. BATES, PASTOR & ORGANIZER

 

FIRST BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH 

2025 OFFICERS, MINISTERS, ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF, ORGANIZATION LEADERS 

BOARD OF DEACONS: 

Michael Artis – Chairman 

Khaliff Kassim – Vice Chairman 

Kelvin Cooke 

Herbert Corbin 

Boyd Covington, Jr,  

John Curenton  

Murphy Hackett 

Eddie Johnson 

Marvin Nash 

George Turner 

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES: 

Eddie Johnson – Chairman 

Mikal Ba’th 

Boyd Covington, Jr 

John Curenton 

Terry Joyner 

Kim Outlaw 

George Turner 

Rhonda Weaver 

 

ASSISTANT TO PASTOR: 

Phillip M. Coram, Retired Associate Pastor 

Lewis Fortune, Minister (ill) 

Gregory Gavin, Minister 

Robert D. Morgan, Minister 

Vaughn D. Perry, Minister 

 

BOARD OF DEACONESS: 

Rosetta Artis - Chairlady 

Cassandra Cooke - Secretary 

Gloria Anderson 

Alphonise Artis 

Regina L. Brown 

Rhodenia Coram 

Sibbie Corbin 

Petrina Covington  

Linda A. Curenton  

Frances Felder 

Linda Morgan 

Antoinette Vallier 

 

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF: 

Faye Highsmith - Church Clerk & Finance/ Budget 

Regina L. Brown – Church Secretary 

Cassandra Cooke – Church Administrative Aide 

Vonzy Davis – Church Bulletin Coordinator 

 

 

2025 - ORGANIZATION LEADERS 

 

MISSIONARY MINISTRY – Joan Carver, Coordinator 

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION – Pastor Bates, Coordinator 

CHURCH SCHOOL – Linda Curenton, Secretary  

TEACHERS – Michael Artis & Deborah Thomas 

FIRST BETHEL GOSPEL CHOIR – Billie Champ-Lopes, Minister of Music 

GREETERS of VISTORS – Synthia Howell, Coordinator 

USHER BOARDS – Rebecca Outlaw and Linda Curenton, Coordinators 

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENT – Terry Joyner, Coordinator 

HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE – Alphonise Artis, Coordinator 

REVIVAL COMMITTEE – Michael Artis, Chairman 

SISTER’S KEEPERS – Gloria Anderson, Chairlady 

TRAVEL & FELLOWSHIP – Antoinette Vallier, Coordinator 

FBBC MEDIA & SOUND – Musicians, Coordinators 

WEBSITE POWERHOUSE –Lawrence Weaver - Coordinator 

Church Organization Profile

Contact Us

Current mailing address:

 

First Bethel Baptist Church

9201 Edgeworth Drive #4734                                                                  Capitol Heights, MD 207

 

Current Worship Adress:

Bells United Methodist Church

6016 Allentown Road, Camp Springs, MD 20746

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OFFICE: (301) 499 - 7115 

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