3) The freedom of the individual, led by God's. 2) The study of the Bible - "All scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for

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1 Every church has a unique identy, and it is important to pause from me to me to consider who we are and why. Who are we as First Bapst Church of Hickory? What makes us who we are, and why are those identy traits important to our God-given mission? Keep reading: you might be surprised by the answers! Our official church Identy Statement begins with this: We are a body of bapzed believers who share a personal relaonship with Jesus Christ and acknowledge Him as Head of the church and Lord of our lives. With the Bible as our guide, and being empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to This is the most basic but most central statement about our identy, one we can share with all believers around the world. But beyond this basic statement, there are twelve unique identy traits to which as members of this unique body we commit ourselves. Let s consider just a few of these (words in blue are from our identy statement): 1) The centrality of worship as the cornerstone of all that the church is to be and do. We embrace worship shaped and guided by scripture, believing the mulple approaches can capture the fullness of Chrisan worship (Isaiah 6:1-8, John 4:23-24, Revelaon 7:9-12); 2) The study of the Bible - "All scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correcon, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NRSV) The criterion by which the Bible is to be interpreted is Jesus Christ; Worship and Bible are two essenal elements of being a follower of Jesus and a part of His Church. These two identy traits are evident in all that FBC Hickory does week in and week out. Our worship every week is shaped and guided by Scripture. Every element of worship is Christ-centered and Biblically-supported. The Scriptures are the guide for our worship, our preaching, our teaching, our thinking, our planning, our doing. We affirm that the Bible is inspired by God. But also noce what is missing from this statement: we are also careful not to label the Bible with language that the Bible doesn t claim of itself. Words some church identy statements use, like inerrant or plenary verbally inspired, are words people use about the Bible that the Bible never claims for itself. In fact, within Southern Bapst history, Bapsts have been careful in what we claim about the Bible so that the Scriptures are never elevated above the One for whom and about whom the Scriptures speak. One cannot overstate the importance that the criterion by which the Bible is to be interpreted is Jesus Christ. The wrifen word, the Scripture, points us to the Living Word, Jesus. This is who we are as FBC Hickory. 3) The freedom of the individual, led by God's Spirit within the family of faith, to read and interpret the Scriptures, relying on the historical understanding by the church and on the best methods of modern biblical study; When interpreng the Bible, we shouldn t do so in isolaon. We must rely on those who have gone before us to help us read and interpret the Scriptures. The Church should always approach the Scriptures collecvely first, then individually second. Else, we are apt to err in many ways. We value those who have gone before us to help us understand the Bible while also finding great help from modern research, inquiry, and Bible scholarship. This is who we are as FBC Hickory. 4) The freedom of the local church under the authority of Jesus Christ to shape its own life and mission, call its own leadership, and ordain whom it perceives as gihed for ministry, male or female; FBC Hickory is unique among many Bapsts today because we understand that God calls both men and women to ordained ministry. We believe that God can and does call and equip all of His children, girls and boys, women and men, to be ministers in His body. We see Biblical evidence for women deacons and women ministers, for women evangelists and women teachers, just as we see the way that the teachings and acons of Jesus elevated women in a society that was unequivocally patriarchal. We are free and faithful Bapst who ordain

2 women. This is who we are as FBC Hickory. 7) The pracce of Chrisan Stewardship whereby all things are entrusted to us for the glory of God to minister to others with our me, talents, and material possessions. We should contribute of our means cheerfully, regularly, systemacally, proporonately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer's cause on earth; Part of our identy as a church perfectly parallels our recent emphasis on stewardship of me, talents, and treasure. Stewardship is not to be viewed as an occasional emphasis that we undertake when the church gets into financial distress. Far from it! Stewardship of me, talent, and treasure is part of our DNA as a church and as disciples of Jesus. This is who we are as FBC Hickory. 10) Theological educaon in congregaons, colleges, and seminaries characterized by reverence for biblical authority and respect for open inquiry and responsible scholarship; To put it simply, we recognize the need for our ministers to be trained for the vocaon to which God has called them. Solid theological educaon is invaluable for the ministry of the church s pastors, but more so, it is invaluable for the health and wellbeing of the church itself. Theological educaon for the church s pastors is as important as medical educaon for surgeons, because in a real sense, pastors are doing heart surgery (even soul surgery) every day. Our surgical tools are the words we employ about God. This type of surgery impacts not just the lives of people in the here and now, but for all eternity. Quality seminaries and divinity schools that embody reverence for biblical authority and respect for open inquiry and responsible scholarship are, in my esmaon, few and far between. I am thankful for the way Gardner-Webb s School of Divinity embodied both for me. I am thankful for the bond this church has with Gardner-Webb, with its dean, with its professors (like Dr. Jim McConnell), with its mission. But, it s also important that we not limit this statement just to ministers. It s important that every member of FBC Hickory be helped to think theologically. Theology isn t just for ministers; it s for every follower of Jesus because what we think about God and how we say it mafers. We all are called to use our hearts and our heads to the fullest. This is who we are as FBC Hickory. 11) The proclamaon of the Good News of Jesus Christ and the calling of God to all peoples to repentance and faith, reconciliaon and hope, social and economic jusce; The Gospel (Good News) of Jesus is the message of the church. We proclaim Jesus! And, at the same me, we proclaim the message Jesus proclaimed: The Kingdom of God! The Gospel is both narrow (about Jesus) and broad (about the Kingdom). Depending on what we focus on in the Scriptures, we can be tempted to confine the Gospel exclusively to the idea of saving individual souls for heaven. Yes, we exist to co-labor with God in leading people into a relaonship with Jesus Christ. New Testament portrays that, yes, salvaon is individual. But, as the Scriptures also bear witness, the Gospel goes beyond that individualisc understanding. The Good News of Jesus is transformaonal for the Women s Winter Bible Study whole world and all who are in it. The poor, the outcast, the marginalized are first in the Kingdom of God. The way of Jesus commands us to see the Gospel as a complete overhaul to the systems in society that oppress, bind, divide, or bring about injusce. Here at FBC Hickory, we work toward a holisc understanding of the Gospel that is personal and at the same me not private or individualisc, but rather affects the whole of society and helps put the scales at balance amongst all of God s children. This is who we are as FBC Hickory. These are just a few of the twelve identy traits of FBC Hickory. These identy traits are very important to who we are and how we fulfill our God-given mission in the world. These traits, when rightly understood, do not limit our Gospelsharing mission in the world; rather, they enable it! They both express and guide who we are for good reason, because those who have gone before us have, through experience and reflecon, been convinced that these identy traits best represent the Biblical model for the Church of Jesus Christ and best help us represent Christ to the world. During this me in which we, as a church, are serng the course for the future of FBC Hickory, let s not forget the wisdom of the past. Let s celebrate that, by the grace of God, this is who we are as FBC Hickory. Rev. Rendell Hipps, Acng Senior Pastor/ Minister of Discipleship A complete version of our official Identy Statement can be found at our_mission_and_identy. Kelly Minter will lead you through the LeFer of 2 Corinthians. Each of us has a message to proclaim and live by: Because of Jesus the old has gone, the new has come. 8 Sessions Each Tuesday,

3 WORLD DAY OF PRAYER ECUMENICAL WORSHIP ON-LINE www. c.cc/give Mark your calendar for the annual World Community Day ecumenical worship service at Corinth Reformed Church on Saturday, March 2 at 7:00pm. This service is prepared by over 12 area churches. Childcare will be provided. Refreshments will be served following service. For more informa on, ask Nellie PruiF or call Carole Marmorato at Why not give on-line giving a try! Set up automa c drah from your bank account or credit card. If you already give on-line, remember to renew your giving in the new year by going on-line and upda ng your giving informa on. Brochures are available around the church with details about on-line giving. The missions and ministries of WMU NC are made possible by gihs to the HeckJones Offering during the week of February INCLEMENT WEATHER In case of inclement weather, the most up-to-date informa on on closings or delays will be posted on our website at and our Facebook page. The following TV sta ons will also have informa on: WBTV Channel 3, WSOC Channel 9, and WCNC Channel 36. Giving opportuni es are available this month to support the BRHNC. Envelopes are available around the church. FBC COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS Applica ons are available in the church office. Members and grandchildren of members qualify to apply. Please note applica ons are due by April 1. Contribu ons above and beyond your regular thes are tax deduc ble and can be made to FBC for the FBC Scholarship Funds handled by the NC Bap st Founda on. SOUPER BOWL OF CARING Sunday, February 4, FBC will take part in the na onal Souper Bowl of Caring. Soup pots will be outside of worship space as you exit. A suggested dona on of $1 per person will benefit the Hickory Soup Kitchen. FEB 3 MAR 3 APR 7 MAY 5 NEW MEMBERS Please welcome these new members to the FBC church family. Bert and Joan Schmid who joined January 21, 2018 ON THE COVER The new sanctuary doors with glass inserts, installed by a group of our Bap st men.

4 February 4-10:30am Take a Step Invest Together Rev. MaF Hearn February 11-10:30am Study of the Book of Ruth: Building Faith Rev. MaF Hearn February 18-10:30am Study of the Book of Ruth: Building Faith Rev. MaF Hearn February 25-10:30am Rev. Rendell Hipps FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 339 Second Avenue, Northwest Hickory, North Carolina Volume 18, Issue 2 Published Monthly by First Bap5st Church, Hickory, NC Return Service Requested Phone: (828) Fax: (828) info@tc.cc Website: Ma8 Hearn, Extended Pulpit Supply Preacher Rendell Hipps, Minister of Discipleship, Acng Senior Pastor David Wachter, Interim Minister to Students Steve Clarke, Minister of Music & Worship Cindi Morrison, Director of Children's Ministry Bert Schmid, Church Administrator Andris Rozukalns, organist Staff (last name)@tc.cc Bible Study at 6:15pm the Fellowship Hall. Final weeks of the study of the book of 1 Peter. Dr. Jim McConnell, Professor of NT at GWU School of Divinity Beginning in February - Dr. Larry Phillips Immigra!on, The Bible, and the Church: Ministry to People on the Move " Meeng the Biblical Challenge of American Immigraon" BLOOD DRIVE We will host an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Sunday, March 4 in the fellowship hall beginning at 12:30 5:00pm. Couples Night Out. Dinner and Dancing Friday, February 9, 6:00-9:00 pm Fellowship Hall, First Bapst Church, Hickory Tickets are $28 per married couple for a delicious meal and a fun night of dancing in an inving environment. Tickets are limited and can be purchased in the church office through February 2. Payment is required at me of purchase. Please indicate names and ages of children. ~ MENU ~ Valenne Berry Salad with a Raspberry Champagne Vinaigre'e Salmon & Asparagus Quiche, Chicken FeFuccini Alfredo Florenne Honey Glazed Carrots, Croissants Caramelized Banana Crepes Childcare and meal provided free for infants thru sixth grade Dance lessons will be provided and will include couples line dancing, swing, cha-cha, and more. No experience needed.

5 Church-wide Survey and Listening Session Follow-up Distribu5on begins Sunday, February 11 Due Date is Sunday, February 25 As follow-up to the Listening Sessions that the enre church parcipated in last fall, the next step in charng the future of FBC Hickory is a church-wide survey. This survey will be essenal in helping us create a Church Profile and Pastor Profile to be used by a to-be-elected Search CommiFee in calling our next Senior Pastor. Also, this survey will provide another opportunity for the church body to influence the future direcon of the church for years to come! It is a comprehensive survey designed to bring needed clarity on a number of important issues that affect our future. The few minutes it will take you to complete it will be well worth the investment! Please take the survey! In addion to being comprehensive on a number of topics, the survey has been created to address the items that were submifed to the deacons in the Listening Session Report by Eddie Thompson. Eddie s report itself did not provide the data and clarity which was ancipated and needed. However, Eddie s report has served as an invaluable guide in creang this survey, and the items in Eddie s report to the deacons are reflected in the contents of this survey. On Sunday, February 11, the survey will be distributed, one per person 10th grade and above, in Bible Study classes. Each survey will be labeled with each person s name on the survey (you will remove your name and re-use the label as instructed for anonymity). Those who are not in afendance that day (absent, homebound, etc) will receive their individual survey in the mail the following week. Guidelines for compleng the survey are inside the survey front cover, and are summarized below: Please approach the survey though^ully and prayerfully Complete one survey per person Complete your survey individually, not as a couple, family, or group Be ages 10th grade and above, member or regular afender For anonymity of your survey, ulize the peel-away address label on the front of your survey and the address card inside the survey Return the completed survey to the church office drop box The deadline for receiving all surveys is Sunday, February 25. MINISTER ON CALL February 3 Pat Pearce on call ( ) February 10 Larry Phillips on call ( ) February 17 Ma' Hearn on call ( ) February 24 Rendell Hipps on call ( ) DEACONS OF THE WEEK DABCDEF GDH IJA WAAK DG FALHMBHN 3-9 Gary Woods, Coordinator Jack Pressly Jim Woolf KiFy Yount DABCDEF GDH IJA WAAK DG FALHMBHN Kelly Clark, Coordinator Brenda Bost Tom Guthrie Alan BenneF DABCDEF GDH IJA WAAK DG FALHMBHN Norma Flores, Coordinator Ashley Hightower Greg Watson Ruth Ann Carreira DABCDEF GDH IJA WAAK DG FALHMBHN 24 - MBHCJ 2 Chris Paulsen, Coordinator Krisn Herring Daniel Lucaciu Susan Haire SECURITY TEAM February 4 Phillip Burns February 11 Rick Travis February 18 Nathan Bowman February 25 Chris Paulsen An independent contractor not affiliated with FBC Hickory has been secured who will tabulate and compile the results of the survey. The raw results of this survey in its enrety will be conveyed back to the church as soon as possible aher February 25. Thank you for your prayerful and mely compleon of the survey!

6 Wednesday Night Price Structure is as follows: $8 for anyone 15 and over $6.50 for Children 11 to 14 yrs. of age $4.50 for Children 5 to 10 yrs. of age No Charge Children 4 and Under $28.00 Family Max February 7 Oven Baked Pork Chops Green Beans, Scalloped Potatoes Salad Bar, Biscuits February 14 ManicoR with Meat Sauce Roasted Veggies, Salad Bar Garlic Bread Scks February 21 Baked Chicken with Mushroom Sauce Green Beans, Parsley New Potatoes Salad Bar, Rolls February 28 Turkey & Dressing Mashed Potatoes & Gravy Broccoli Casserole, Salad Bar February 4 9am - Kara Wi'enberg 10:15am - Kara Wi'enberg Infants Adair Bowman Walkers & Two s Caroline Trado Three s & Four s Church Trado & Gail Ford Coordinator: Valerie LaBo Children s Church: Children in Worship February 11 9am - Ashley Dyson 10:15am - Gail Ford Infants Kara WiFenberg & Pam McCall Walkers & Two s Jill Pernell & Sheryl King Three s & Four s Linda Jones & Kimo Mullinax Coordinator: Janice Barger Children s Church: Lee Bogle & Sally Johnson February 18 9am - Kris!n Herring 10:15am - Infants Sandra Foster & Fran Ballengee Walkers & Two s Adriane Oxford & Beth Miller Three s & Four s Lisa Meade & Dana Woods Coordinator: Carol Ann Keller Children s Church: Cindi Morrison & Tiffany Hightower February 25 9am - 10:15am - Dana Woods Infants Melanie Wingler & Carla Ingram Walkers & Two s MaF Ingram & Kelly Clark Three s & Four s Sonya Brown Coordinator: Children s Church: Beverly Crosby & Susan Haire Bring in the Chinese New Year Fellowship Lunch & Chinese Checkers Tournament February 16 th at 12noon Fellowship Hall $8.00 per person Call the church office for reservations NEW COMMUNION CHALICES Many thanks to FBC pofer, John Plymale, for the beauful Communion Chalices that he created and fired for our worship services. The chalices were debuted at our Christmas Eve service and will be used many more mes in future worship services.