FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH WILMINGTON

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1 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH WILMINGTON AUGUST 2018 ISSUE 8 VOL. 82 Grow stronger and deeper in living out your faith by being a part of one of the adult discipleship Bible studies, formation groups and seminars this fall. WEDNESDAYS SEPT 5 - NOV 14 6:15-7:15 PM FBC ACTIVITIES CENTER QUESTIONS JESUS ASKED Some of us know what Jesus is asking us. We know it in our head but we don t always respond with our hearts and with our lives. A formation group will look at some of the challenging questions Jesus asks like, What do you want me to do for you? and If you love only those who love you, what reward do you have? We will grapple with how we are to respond in ways that allow God to transform our lives and the world. We will also be taking a serious look at how we talk about difficult issues with one another in a very polarized time in our world. How does Jesus call on our lives shape our discourse even, and especially, when we disagree? FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH WILMINGTON BOOK OF EXODUS Do you ever feel like you are wandering in the wilderness, unsure of where you are headed, unclear on what God wants of you? A Bible study in the book of Exodus will begin with the Israelites already in the desert, discovering who God is, what power God has and how God wants to shape their lives as well as the world. KIDS CROSSTRAINING YOUTH CROSSTRAINING KAREN MINISTRY Children will explore how God is at work in the world today and discover how they can be a part of serving others. They learn to praise, be active worshipers, develop Bible skills and apply scripture to everyday life. On Wednesday nights, 6th-12th graders are encouraged to participate in one of our Youth Small Groups (for every grade and gender). In small group, students will connect with God, loving adults and their peers as they walk through life together. Our Karen teenagers are improving in their English speaking skills and better able to do their homework on their own. The elementary age children still need help so we will provide tutoring during CrossTraining. We will also offer classes for the Karen women and men. Instead of a church-wide dinner at the Activities Center before CrossTraining, we encourage and bless folks to form dinner communities outside the building using the theme dinner has left the building. The decision to discontinue serving a meal at the Activities Center was made for a variety of reasons: our overall participation is less than 25% of all those attending CrossTraining, we have been operating at a net loss for three+ consecutive years and most importantly we are growing in our discipleship opportunities and need more space to accommodate our children, youth and adults. We encourage you to start or join a new dinner community on Wednesdays before CrossTraining. Several informal groups are already eating outside our building at places like Chick-fil-a and K&W Cafeteria, giving us an opportunity to build community and be a witness to others. FBC Staff will be present at Chick-fil-a and K & W at 5 PM. If you are currently part of a group or would be interested in starting or joining with others for dinner please contact John Daniels.

2 JOYFUL INTIMACY OF SABBATH REST When I was a sophomore at Samford University I participated in a men s prayer group. Every Tuesday night at 9 pm, twenty of us would gather in one of the classrooms in Tidwell Bible Building and pray. Sometimes we prayed for our campus, sometimes we prayed about world events and sometimes we prayed for each other. 9 pm is early for college students. It wasn t uncommon for me to study in the library until 11 pm and THEN go hang out with friends. But on one particular night when we gathered to pray I was exhausted. Typically we d sit on the floor with only half of the overhead lights in the room on, and sometimes a few guys would even lie on the ground, prostrate, to pray (maybe to prove our piety). And so it just so happens that a couple of hours later, I woke up to find myself alone in an empty room. I had fallen asleep while praying. A few of the guys gave me a good-natured ribbing about it. They weren t ugly about it but I WAS embarrassed. For years, I would think about that night and feel disappointed in myself that I fell asleep when I was supposed to be praying. But a few years ago, I came across a book called Keeping the Sabbath Wholly. The author, Marva Dawn, talks about sleep in one of her chapters and in that chapter she talked about a similar experience of falling asleep during prayer. Except for Dawn, falling asleep while talking to God was a good thing not a bad thing. Prayer is serious business, she writes, but so is rest, and can you imagine a better way to fall asleep than talking to God? Every night, Allyson or I try to tuck our kids into bed. Sometimes we lay down with them, we turn out the light, and then as we depart we kiss them on the forehead having spent their last waking moments being blessed by being together For the next few weeks you are invited to consider both the serious business, but also the joyful intimacy, of Sabbath rest. For the Children of God they are one and the same. We need not be embarrassed about our need for rest, God made us that way. And at least one of the reasons God made us that way is because it is in such moments that, together with God, we receive the slow but deep blessing of being together. FBC STUDENT MINISTRY GROWING, FOCUSING, INVESTING A new school year will bring a fresh look and directed focus to Student Ministry at First Baptist Church. Having Middle School and High School ministries specifically geared to meet the developmental and spiritual needs of two different age groups will grow deeper faith and provide opportunities to build stronger relationships with peers and leaders. MIDDLE SCHOOL MINISTRY will welcome students who are in the 6th through 8th grade. We believe folding 6th graders into Middle School Ministry is healthy for their growth and spiritual development as they learn and practice Christian faith at home, school and at play! Our HIGH SCHOOL MINISTRY will focus on the needs of students in the 9th through 12th grades, digging deeper in matters of faith and life. We will guide students to know and love God, as they learn to love their neighbor and discover the blessings of serving others. Separate Sunday School classes for middle and high school students will be offered each Sunday morning beginning August 26. On Sunday evenings there will be creative youth group opportunities geared specifically towards middle and high school students. Our small group ministry divided by grade level and gender will continue Wednesday evenings, at the Activities Center during CrossTraining. HOW WILL YOUR CHILD SPEND HIS/HER TIME? CONSIDER THIS - From birth to the last day of high school there are approximately 936 weeks - When students become 6th graders there are 364 weeks of school remaining - A 9th grader has 208 weeks until graduation - A rising 12th grader has less than 52 weeks before walking across the graduation stage When we see how much time we have left with something we tend to make the most of our time. INVESTING IN OUR PARENTS Another layer of our restructuring is to provide additional tools, resources and encouragement to help parents navigate these precious weeks before high school graduation. Stay tuned for more information. FBC Student Ministry is very grateful for the faithful prayers and support of the teenagers, families and leaders. We see the hand of God at work daily. Nathan Tuttle, Minister to Students

3 A Healthy FAITH IS A Growing FAITH Sign up at fbcwilmington.org IMMERSE : BEGINNINGS Be a part of a Bible reading group. This summer we read through the entire New testament in 8 weeks! This fall we will read the first five books of the Bible, Genesis Deuteronomy. Ground yourself in God s word. Read in community and hear how others respond to what God is saying. See the big picture of what God is doing in the world. Groups will meet for 8 weeks beginning late September on various days and times, some in person, some online. Cost of the book is $11. WOMEN S RETREAT : RESILIENT Using Childlike Faith for Big Girl Problems September 29, 9 am - 3 pm Resilient: Using Childlike Faith for Big Girl Problems will be the theme for our annual Women s Retreat led by Rev. Kristen Tucker (pictured right). Join us for a wonderful day by the beach where you will be challenged, inspired and renewed! The retreat will be at the Holiday Inn Resort on Wrightsville Beach. The $35 cost includes a continental breakfast and lunch. SPIRITUAL FORMATION RETREAT October 19-21, 2018 Camp Agape Renew your spirit, rest your body and reset your rhythm. Our FBC Spiritual Formation Retreat will be held at beautiful Camp Agape in Fuquay Varina, NC. Dr. Caleb Oladipo (pictured right) of Campbell University Divinity School will lead us as we focus on Forgiveness. Cost is $149/person, double occupancy. $50 deposit due by August 10. Silence & Solitude FORMATION GROUP : SILENCE & SOLITUDE Tuesdays, 6:00-7:15 pm September 25 October 30 This six week formation group will help us to practice the disciplines of silence and solitude, incorporating them into our daily lives, creating space to hear God in a noisy world. SABBATH THIS SUMMER God has built the rhythm of sabbath rest into creation but, as modern people, we all but ignore the fourth commandment, choosing instead to live life at a frantic pace, as if it all depends on us. This summer we are focusing on the gift of sabbath, that intentional rest that allows us to simply be, just as we are; to honor God and listen for his voice; to notice God s presence in our lives. To transition from human doings to human beings. Sabbath Practices: PLAN FOR SABBATH - Mark out a weekly time of sabbath on your calendar for the next two weeks. Two hours, 8 hours. Whatever it is, schedule it. Commit to it, individually, or ideally, as a family or community of friends. Try to include one 24 hour period of sabbath. PREPARE FOR SABBATH Have your meals prepared and ready to go. A casserole, deli sandwiches; whatever works for you. Return your s, straighten up the house before sabbath begins so you won t be distracted. PROTECT THE SABBATH - Limit access to technology. Turn off your phone or put it away. Keep the tv and computer turned off to avoid mindless distraction. Enjoy a book, game or conversation. ENJOY THE PLENTY OF SABBATH - Be content with what you have. For this short period of time, don t buy or sell. Be grateful. Allow others to rest. Do what you can, not what you can t. Be consistent. Habits form and grow over time.

4 Twenty-Two 3rd-6th graders traveled to Converse College in Spartanburg, Passport Kids Camp where campers explored SC for the theme of Enough. God is enough, we are enough, and there is enough. Enough prompted campers to consider their belovedness and the call to take action in the world today. Camp Jonah and Camp Creation involved nearly 500 Campers and Volunteers in two weeks of Camping Out with God s Promises. Through Bible study, worship, crafts, recreation, science, missions and fun, campers experienced God s promises in the biblical stories of years long ago and still true for us today. A huge thank you to all the youth and adult volunteers who make Camps possible!

5 High School Senior trip to Bimini Our recent high school seniors and adult leaders had a great time exploring Bimini and reminiscing on all their memories growing up at FBC Wilmington. Continue to pray for them and their families as they transition to a new chapter of their lives in August. Surf Camp With over 80 campers and 21 leaders, we were excited to build faith & friendships and grow in our knowledge of surfing this summer at FBC Surf Camp! Puerto Rico Mission Trip FBC sent over 40 high school students and leaders on mission to serve in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Our team was divided into two construction teams, who both put on two new roofs for families. Our other team helped lead VBS at a local church and served families with small projects around their respective houses in the afternoons. On the 4th of July, the VBS team had the opportunity to travel two hours across the country to a coffee plantation that was destroyed by last summer s hurricanes. That was a very moving experience as we got to hear the owner s heart for the area, and we could see the immediate impact of the work we did in just one day. It is still heartbreaking to see the damage and impact of the hurricanes. By the end of the week, our group could see that God had used us to bring hope to the people in Puerto Rico. Even with all the people in Puerto Rico have experienced, this past year they proclaim that Dios Es Fieli God is Faithful. Ridgecrest Camp Our group of 37 middle school students and adult leaders had a fantastic week in the mountains at Ridgecrest July Through a fun time in recreation, Bible Study, worship and small group discussion students learned more about the characteristics of God found in Exodus.

6 COMMUNITY And he said to them, The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath -Mark 2:27 ESV JOIN OUR TEAM Childcare staff provide care for our youngest members on Sundays and for special events. Do you have a great sitter, nanny or neighbor who might be perfect for the job? Are you a mom or grandparent with some time to commit? Candidates over the age 17 are needed to work one or more Sundays a month on our paid childcare team. Contact Becca Jones for more information. PROMOTION SUNDAY August 26 is Promotion Sunday! Children will go to their new classes based on age and grade for the year for Worship Care and Sunday School. New volunteer commitments begin for Sunday School on this day. If you are interested in joining the Kids Ministry Team contact Becca to find out how you can use your gifts to help children know and experience God s love for them! FAMILY PROMISE Our next week of hosting local homeless families through Family Promise (formerly Interfaith Hospitality ministry) will be August We need a female and a male host for each night of the week. The kids of our families are always eager to make new friends, play games and watch movies. If you are available for one night, please contact the church office or sign up online. DINNER GROUPS Join the FBC Dinner Groups for food, fun and fellowship! Dinner groups meet September through November and are a great way for you to connect with others at FBC. After you are registered, you will be linked with 8-10 other adults and meet once a month to share a meal together. Sign up by August 27 at fbcwilmington.org. NEW ARRIVALS Congratulations to John & Tara Bullock on the birth of their son, John Colton Colt Bullock, born June 11. He weighed 8.66 lbs and was 22.5 inches long. BEACH BAPTISM Our upcoming Beach Baptism will take place on Sunday, September 30 at 5 pm. It is an opportunity for people of all ages that have professed faith in Jesus but not been baptized to be immersed in the free flowing expansive water of Wrightsville Beach just as Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River so many years ago. We will gather as a church to celebrate the next step of new believers as people along the shore observe our outward witness of faith. Parents and children can be baptized together. Contact a member of the pastoral staff if you would like to talk about being baptized on this unforgettable afternoon. It will be life changing for you and those that gather with you. ALDERMAN TEACHER LUNCH You are invited to help provide a Mega-Salad and Desserts Bar for the committed teachers of Alderman Elementary School as they prepare to welcome students back for a new school year. The Alderman Teacher Lunch is Tuesday, August 21 at 12pm. Sign up at fbcwilmington.org. IN SYMPATHY CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY IS EXTENDED TO: The family of Robert Smith on July 13. Robert was the oldest member of FBC born March 19, 1919.

7 GIFTS IN HONOR & MEMORY GENERAL FUND In memory of Nancy Davis by Frank Davis In memory of Herbert Fisher by John & Ruth Clayton by Stephen & Karen Hobbs In memory of Caroline Swails by Sherry & Eddie Weaver In memory of COL Stuart Perkins USA by Edna O. Perkins FEEDING MINISTRY In memory of Herbert Fisher by Myra M. Norris LOCAL MISSIONS In memory of Lacy Davis Pearce by Bettie Anne & Tommy West FELLOWSHIP FUND In memory of Herbert Fisher by Ann Brown In memory of Caroline Swails by Jack & Beth Upton MUSIC MINISTRY In memory of Mary Fales Lippard by Russ Fales In memory of Herbert Fisher by Russ Fales CONNECT GATHERING SUNDAY, AUGUST PM FBC ACTIVITIES CENTER Commit: Learn why making a commitment to a church matters. Together, we are the body of Christ. Grow: Discover a small group to grow in faith and community. Together, is how God created us to experience life. Serve: Offer your gifts to serve others. Sign up by August 20 on our website or calll FBC SCOUTS ADVENTURE The scouts of FBC Troop 19 have just returned from Camp Daniel Boone in the beautiful NC mountains. They participated in high adventure activities like white water rafting and earned merit badges in activities such as shotgun shooting, search and rescue, and civics topics. The scouts are preparing for their 2019 trip to Philmont with a hiking trip to Linville Gorge later this month. We are actively seeking new scouts ages 11 and up to join our Troop. We meet weekly at the First Baptist Church Activities Center. Cub Scout Pack 219 is open to younger scouts (first through fifth grade). If you are interested, please contact Mike & Michelle Stine at or Wayne Currie at AUG WORSHIP SCHEDULE PORTRAITS OF JESUS SEPTEMBER 2 - SEPTEMBER 30 AUGUST 5: Rhythm Of Life AUGUST 12: Step Back To Leap Forward AUGUST 19: Body and Soul AUGUST 26: What Keeps You Up At Night? MISSION UPDATE WORSHIP This number includes participant engagement in the following opportunities for worship each week. week of 8:50 am 11:00 am karen tues. noon GROW This number includes participant engagement in the following opportunities for discipleship each week. week of sun. MORNING $162, $138, $977, $889, $33, $163, JUN 17 JUN CONNECT Number of new members who have joined our church this year. SERVE Number of individuals who participated in hands on missions through FBC this year. GIVE The number of individual families who supported the mission and ministry of God through our church this year. June Goals June Receipts YTD Goals YTD Receipts June Special Collections YTD Special Collections TUESDAY NOON CHURCH We have a special summer schedule for Tuesday Noon Church! Join us at the Activities Center once per month over the summer for a meaningful midweek devotion and delicious homecooked meal. Schedule as follows: August 14 - Bill Dunn, speaker September 11 - Tuesday Noon Church will resume its regular weekly schedule Contact Bill Dunn to join one of our rotating cooking teams at bdunn@fbcwilmington.org.

8 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH W ILMINGTON NC 411 MARKET STREET WILMINGTON, NC We would like to introduce a useful tool for CONNECTION & COMMUNICATION we call it THE by Church Community Builder (CCB), a platform designed with you in mind., which is powered What is THE? It is an online tool designed to help us connect and communicate with others at First Baptist Church. THE provides information about current classes and events, tools for connecting with people, groups, and volunteer opportunities. It offers ways to view and update personal information as well as receive church communications. It s the communication hub for all things First Baptist. Over the next several weeks we will be talking more about this powerful tool. Join with us as we grow in connection and community.