First Baptist Church of Elon May 2018

Transcription

1 First Baptist Church of Elon The Courier 2018 Back in April I posed a question in my newsletter article that no one answered. No one! Not one single person responded. The question, "What does Spiritual Renewal look like?" How do you measure results? Which comes first, unity or renewal? Is spiritual renewal primarily a personal and individual matter, or a congregational issue? Is it both? In that article I asked for you to call, write, or me to share your thoughts. Silence. Sunday, 13 I wonder about the cause of silence. Is it that we are collectively unsure about what our new vision statement means? Are we afraid of rocking the boat or causing conflict if our answer doesn't match up with others? Are we weary of the vision process and simply have lost the will to engage? Are we apathetic? Do we just not read the newsletter? Or, do we simply not know the answers? Do we simply not have any perspective to share? Do we not care? Someone recently said to me, "Why can't we just have church and keep having church. If it ain't broke don't fix it." So, this month I will give you and easier question. Do you agree with that sentiment, "If it ain't broke don't fix it"? Do you agree that we are fine the way we are and need no change?...call, write, ... I'm listening. Inside this issue: Children s Team Easter Pictures 2 3 We are a congregation striving for Spiritual Renewal as, together in unity, we seek God's vision for our church. Family Team Missions Team Senior Adults 4 Music Notes Our Graduates 5 Youth 6 Calendar Birthdays Gifts/Memorials Announcements 7 8 W.H. & Lydia Bryant 626 Spanish Oak Rd. Elon, NC Chip Ferguson 4959 Lowder Rd. Burlington, NC Joined & Baptized on April 8, April 8, 2018 Dreama Howard Garland Tickle Judy Tickle

2 Children s Team Vacation Bible School Friday, August 3 Sunday, August 5 5:30 Snack Supper * 6pm-8:20pm VBS or call We need tents, lanterns, flashlights campfire cookware, trees! Page 2

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4 Family Team Afternoon Chat Thursday, 17 Barnes & Noble at 3:00 p.m. If The Creek Don t Rise by Leah Weiss Missions Team *Carson and Laura Update: Our friends are back at school working hard to master the Japanese language. Please continue to pray for Carson and Laura as they study and interact with their fellow classmates and teachers and as they witness to the people they met in Japan each day! *Thank you for your support of our recent food collection for the Salvation Army. Our church family donated over 150 items for the staff there to distribute to their clients in need. Nancy Bowling was smiling from ear to ear from her new home in heaven!!!! Our next food collection will be at our June Communion Service. Be on the lookout for specific foods we will be collecting. *The students and staff at Reedy Fork and Hampton Elementary Schools appreciate the tissue, hand sanitizer, and gift cards that our church family donated to their schools as they recover from the damages from the recent tornado. If you are interested in sending more items, please contact Amy Harrison. *Our Children s Mission groups are getting ready for the annual Pinewood Derby in early June! It s not too late to enter a car see Alec French for more details. Senior Adult Team Senior Adult Ministries Senior Adult Breakfast - Tuesday, 1 8:30 am 40 West Grill/Ramada Circle of Friends - Wednesday, 2 1:30 pm Senior Adult Team Meeting - Tuesday, 8 2:30 pm Fun and Fellowship Trip: "Beauty and the Beast" - Temple Theater, Sanford Thursday, 10 12:15-5:00 pm (Show: 2:00 pm) Cost - $20/ticket Senior Adult Luncheon - Tuesday, 15 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Entertainers: The Virginians, Southern Gospel Group from Roanoke, VA Menu: Hursey's Broasted Chicken, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans, Dessert, & Drink $3/person Youth Car Wash Fundraiser at American National Bank Saturday, pm Graduate's Sunday - 20 Page 4

5 MUSIC NOTES Surely the Presence of the Lord Is in This Place Lanny Wolfe (born 1942) is a Christian songwriter who has won numerous awards for his song, to include a Song of the Year Dove Award for his song, More than Wonderful, which was popularized by Sandi Patti in His songs are included in a number of hymnals. Surely the Presence of the Lord Is in This Place is in the most hymnals. Wolfe served for a number of years as the Dean of the School of Music at Jackson Bible School, Jackson College of Ministries-but his most significant influence has been introducing music influenced by black Gospel music to Pentecostal churches. Surely the Presence of the Lord Is in This Place is based on Jesus promise, Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in their midst (Matt. 18:20) It emphasizes the senses feeling, hearing, touching, and seeing. We can feel the presence of the Lord-and hear the brush of the angel s wings and see glory on each face. Wolfe was inspired to write this song in 1977 when a friend invited The Lanny Wolfe Trio to sing at a dedication service for a new building. Surely the Presence is the song that the Trio sang for that occasion. This song is especially important, because it helps us to get the emphasis right. We often talk about the church on the corner, by which we mean a particular building. However, the building is not the church. The people are the church. The building is just the place where the church meets. Surely the Presence captures that nicely. The only reference to the building is the phrase this place. The song shifts the focus to people, as in each face and His children and two or three. It s a good reminder to all of us of the real meaning of church. High School: Sophia Allred David Farnham Savannah Howard Andrew McKee Mattie Ann McKee ACC Middle College College: Abygail Allred Jamie Angie Katherine Hill Landon Hines Chloe Robin Alamance Community College Elon University North Carolina State University Appalachian State University Elon University Page 5

6 Just a thought Youth News We are quickly approaching the end of the school year. While I know our students cheer when they hear "last day of school", I have to admit that this time of year brings a little sadness to our youth ministry. As soon as the school door closes, the summer is here and our youth are scattered in all different directions with vacations, summer jobs, camps, travel sports, and more. This time of year also brings graduation for our high school seniors and just a few months away, they will be traveling to their college destination. This year five high school graduates will be collecting their diplomas and celebrating the end of their high school career. Sophia Allred, David Farnham, Savannah Howard, Andrew McKee, and Mattie Ann McKee - each of you have been a vital member of our youth ministry for many, many years. I have been blessed to get to know you individually and to see how God has worked in your lives the past seven years that you have been part of the youth program. First, congratulations on this wonderful achievement! Each of you have been a dedicated student and it has shown through your high school years. Second, thank you for being active members of our youth program. Each of you have brought your unique, individual personality that cannot be replaced. You will be missed this coming fall, but I know God has special plans in store for you! Finally, my door is always open and my cell phone is always on! Just because you are graduating to a new part of your life, it does not mean that I am closing my door. I hope each of you know that I am your biggest supporter and whatever you need, I am just a phone call or quick visit away! Thank you for all that you are, for all that you have done, and for all that you will do! Remember these words from the prophet Jeremiah found in The Message, "I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. "When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." - Jeremiah 29:11-13 In Christ, David Upcoming Youth Ministries Youth Ministries "The Breakfast Club" Wednesday, 2, 16, 30 6:45 am Fellowship Fun: "Avengers: Infinity War" Saturday, 5 Matinee Time TBA Emerge! - Sunday, 6, 13, 20, 27 9:45 am Consuming Fire! - Sunday, 6 and 20 5:30 pm Administration Team Meeting - Sunday, 6 7:00 pm 2nd Retreat Deposit Due! - Sunday, 6 ($50 per Youth) Mother's Day - Sunday, 13 No Sunday Night Ministries Retreat Fundraiser: Car Wash at American National Bank - Saturday, 19 1:00-4:00 pm Graduate's Sunday :00 am - Brunch 11:00 am - Worship Recognition Memorial Day Hangout! - Pelican's Snoballs Sunday, 27 6:30 pm Congratulations to Our 2018 High School Graduates! ACC Middle College Sophia Allred David Farnham Savannah Howard Andrew McKee Mattie Ann McKee Summer Retreat Reminders 2nd Deposit Due ($50) - Sunday, 6 Car Wash Fundraiser - Saturday, 19 (Pre-Sell Tickets - $10) Mattress Raffle Fundraiser - Friday, June 1 (Tickets go on sell Sunday, 13!) 3rd/Final Deposit Due ($50) - Sunday, June 3 Pancake Supper Fundraiser - Date TBA Youth Birthdays! Joshua Mills 2 Patrick Roof 5 Tristan Roof 15 Page 6

7 Ushers: Tommy Hill, Webb Sockwell, Athan Lindsay, Mike Harrington, John Jennings, Ethan Reinheimer - Greeters: Janie Brown, Liz Hill, Paula Harrison, Chip & Tammie Ferguson, Judy Tickle, Betty Justice Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 8:30 AM Senior Adult Breakfast at Ramada Sunday Morning Opportunities 9:00 AM Prayer (Library) 9:15 AM Deacons Prayer (rm. 201) 9:45 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Morning Worship 2 6:45 AM Youth to Biscuitville 1:30 PM Circle of Friends 3 National Day of Prayer 6:30 PM Crochet Group Mtg. 4 5 Youth Movie TBA Women of Joy Conference Weekend On Call Minister Mason :30 PM Children to Trampoline Park 7 PM Youth Adm. Team Mtg. 7 3 PM FH (Election) 8 2:30 PM Senior Adult Team Mtg. FH Reserved for Primary Election PM Spring Reading Day for College Students 10 12:15-5 PM Fun & Fellowship Trip to Sanford :30 AM Men's Breakfast & Bible Study Weekend On Call Minister David Mother s Day No PM 14 6:30 PM VLT Mtg :30 AM- 1 PM Senior Adult Luncheon 16 6:45 AM Youth to Biscuitville 17 3 PM Afternoon Chat Barnes & Noble 6:30 PM Crochet Group Mtg PM Youth Car Wash Fundraiser at American National Bank Weekend On Call Minister Gay Graduate s Sunday 4 PM Church Council 5 PM Fellowship Meal Newsletter articles due 21 FH reserved 5-9 pm Weekend On Call Minister David :30 PM Youth to Pelican s Snoballs No PM 28 Memorial Day Church Office Closed :45 AM Youth to Biscuitville 31 Sunday Night Ministries 5/6 & 5/20 5:00 PM Fellowship Meal - 5/20 5:30 PM Consuming Fire (Youth) 5:30 PM Kid s Music 6:15 PM RA s, GA s, Mission Friends 1 st Lauren Collins 2 nd Joshua Mills 3 rd Jeff Brenner 5 th Jesse Allison 5 th Marc Miller 5 th Patrick Roof 15 th Tristan Roof 17 th Wes Carroll 18 th Denise Carroll 19 th Wesley Harrington 19 th Julia Allison 20 th Norman Morris 22 nd Sarah Nikitin 22 nd Mike Wilburn 26 th Patty Wilburn 28 th Daniel Coble 28 th Jerry Zodun 29 th Duffie McKee 29 th Chip Barnette 30 th Paula Harrison 31 st Jane Yount 31 st Lee Hinton Page 7

8 621 E. Haggard Ave. P.O. Box 778 Elon, NC Phone: Fax: Dr. Mason Smith, Pastor Dr. David Durham, Associate Pastor Gay Collins, Minister of Music & Children Janice Somers, Adm. Assistant We re on the Web! www. fbc-elon.org Gifts & Memorials The church appreciates the following gifts. Music Fund: M/M John Dawson Faye Naylor In memory of Lora Walker. In memory of Lora Walker. FBC, Elon - donation given to Harvest Baptist Church in memory of Jane Crabbe s daughter, in lieu of flowers. Mt. Zion Baptist Association Senior Adult Banquet 2018 Thursday, 31st, 5:30-7:30pm Glencoe Baptist Church 2556 Glencoe Street, Burlington, NC Cost $7 per person DEADLINE TO REGISTER/PAY FOR THIS EVENT IS THURSDAY, MAY 24 TH Call Sandi at Mt. Zion Office at For Summer Retreat Car Wash American National Bank Saturday, 19 1:00-4:00 pm Selling Tickets for $10. Annual Mattress Raffle (Queen Size Set) - Friday, June 1 The Annual Fish Fry) Selling tickets on Sunday, 13!