Chat With the Preacher

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1 The Good News First Baptist Church of Tryon 125 Pacolet Street, Tryon NC Phone: (828) tryonfirstbaptist.org April 2014 Chat With the Preacher Summer Sabbath Opportunities A cold March, and perhaps an unusually cold spring (at least that s what the extended forecast is saying), makes summer seem distant. But summer is just around the corner. Before long, our complaints about cold weather will be complaints about hot weather, and the next thing you know, we ll be longing for fall and winter, so we can start the complaining all over again. So while it is still cold, I want to mention two unique opportunities for Sabbath this summer. The first opportunity is a backpacking trip on June (Fri, Sat, Sun) to the Roan Highlands (located on the border of NC/TN). The Roan Highlands feature the longest stretch of grassy bald in the Appalachians (7 miles), and the largest natural rhododendron garden in the world (the rhododendron should be around peak). It s a gorgeous area! The purpose of the backpacking trip is to provide an opportunity for Sabbath in a natural environment, and to help participants explore opportunities for prayer and silence. We ll also have a lot of fun! This trip is open to anyone 16 or older who can carry at least 30lbs. on their backs, while hiking 5 to 7 miles per day in mountainous terrain. If you are under 16, you must be accompanied by a parent. Participants are required to bring their own backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and tent/shelter. If you do not own these items, Sunrift Adventures in Travelers Rest rents them, or maybe you can borrow these items from someone. Also, many backpacking tents sleep two people, therefore not everyone has to have their own tent. Stoves and other cooking gear can be shared as well. If you are interested in this trip, but do not have the equipment, please let me know, and I ll help. If you need more information about backpacking, this is a quick overview: backpacking-beginners.html The group will be limited to people, so let me know if you are interested or have questions. There will be a meeting of interested persons following worship on April 27.. The second opportunity is the FBC Camping Trip on August (Fri, Sat, Sun) at Orchard Lake in Saluda. Bring your RV, pitch your tent, or rent a cabin, and enjoy a relaxing weekend with your friends from FBC. We ll have lots of fun (swim, fish, zip line, canoe, etc.) eat good food, reconnect with old friends and hopefully make some new ones. And if camping isn t your thing, I hope you ll join us for dinner on Saturday and/or worship on Sunday morning. Many of you have done this trip before so you know it ll be a blast. In a culture that worships busyness, I hope you can slow down enough to enjoy one or both of these Sabbath opportunities. Grace and Peace, Jeffrey C. Harris, Pastor Candace B. Wilson, Minister of Music and Christian Formation

2 April 5 Deacon Training Retreat If you have ever served as a Deacon at First Baptist Church, you are invited to a Deacon Retreat on Saturday, April 5, from 9:00am- 2:oopm at the church. Eddie Hammett, church consultant and clergy coach, will lead the retreat. Lunch is provided. WMU April Mission Focus An Easter Egg Hunt for Preschoolers and Children will be at the home of Phillip and Hilda Pleasants on Sunday, April 6, at 3:00 pm. We will hunt eggs (with prizes), enjoy a snack, participate in an egg toss, and play other games. We are collecting individually wrapped candy. Collection boxes are in the church kitchen and narthex. Last month, the WMU ladies completed the last eight baby blankets and delivered them to Steps to Hope. For April, school supplies for Tryon Elementary is our focus. We will also participate in the Easter missionary offerings. WMU meets at the Church the first Tuesday in the month at 10:00am. All ladies are welcome to join us for fellowship and to help plan our mission outreach. -photos by Kay Greene Vacation Bible School Coming Soon! Vacation Bible School coming soon! VBS for ages 4-grade 5, is scheduled for June 16-19, Monday-Thursday, 5:30-8:30 pm. The theme for this year is Workshop of Wonders: Imagine and Build with God (W.O.W.). At W.O.W, we will help children experience how the ordinary becomes extraordinary with God through dramas, crafts, games, activities, music, and hours of fun! Please mark your calendar today and consider how you can be involved in this special week of learning and fun. You can register for Vacation Bible School at FirstBaptistChurchofTryon. March Brotherhood Event Brotherhood welcomed a presentation in March by Brian McAtee, who spoke to a wide group about his experiences in working with Chin/Burmese and Sudanese congregations of refugees in the Oklahoma City area. Brian currently serves as the Minister of Missional Engagement at First Baptist Church of Oklahoma City, and is the son of TFBC members Jerry and Lorraine McAtee.

3 Guest Musicians in Worship on Sunday, April 27 Kim Christman and Stan Dotson of Fairview, NC will be our special music guests in worship on Sunday, April 27. Kim Christman was co-pastor with her husband, Stan Dotson, of Providence Baptist Church in Stoneville, NC for 5 years. Then she worked as an artistin-residence in public schools teaching theatre and creative drama and integrating it with children s literature for 10 years. After receiving her teaching license in English as a Second Language, she began teaching English in public schools where she has worked for the past 6 years and continues to work. She was named her county s Teacher of the Year for the school year. She enjoys playing the hammer dulcimer and piano (church music, classical music and traditional folk music), yoga, pilates and gardening. She lives in the mountains of North Carolina on land her husband s family has lived on for many generations. Kim loves to hike with her dog on mountain trails and is blessed by the beauty of her peaceful surroundings. After co-pastoring Providence Baptist Church with his wife Kim, Stan Dotson was on staff at Mars Hill College for 12 years. After that, he founded an organization, In Our Elements, to provide leadership training and teamwork facilitation for churches and other organizations. He enjoys playing guitar (both church music and classic rock music), and gardening. He lives in the mountains of North Carolina on land his family has lived on for many generations. His neighbors include a family of bears. Kim and Stan have been to Cuba over a dozen times, working with partner churches in the Fraternity of Baptists there. They plan on spending 10 months in Cuba beginning this summer, teaching courses at the ecumenical seminary in Matanzas, and traveling across the island facilitating workshops for churches and communities around topics of leadership, team-building, and drama. -submitted by Candace Wilson Community Chorus Concert at Polk County High School April 27 The Community Chorus, under the direction of Candy Wilson, will present a Spring concert on Sunday, April 27 at 3:00 pm at Polk County High School. Several of our own church members participate in the chorus. The theme of the concert is Music: The Harmony of the World. There will be a variety of music on the program including Gospel, Spiritual, Folk, Pop, Novelty/Fun, African, Disney, Traditional, and a few other styles. You don't want to miss this fun afternoon of music. The tickets can be obtained from any member of the local Rotary Club. Proceeds from ticket sales go toward scholarships for Polk County area students. -submitted by Candace Wilson Great Turnout for Workday March 22 Many hands might light work on the morning of March 22. One of the largest groups to ever turn out on a work day gave a donation of their time and labor to tidy up the church grounds and spread yards of mulch. Another group worked tirelessly to make the Activity Building kitchen sparkle. We are grateful for the hands and hearts that were able to work together that day and enjoy the fellowship of one another.

4 WNCBF Spring Gathering Sunday, May 4, 2014 From the beginning to the end of Jesus Christ s ministry on earth, he taught that prison attention and prison policy is a measurement of the essence of Christianity. I think that is the most serious departure that modernday Christians have made from the teachings of Christ than any other thing that I can think of. -Jimmy Carter, former President of the United States and long-time Baptist Sunday School Teacher Join us as we seek to shed a light on the ways God is opening doors for the church to live out the gospel message through prison ministry. We will look at ways individuals and churches can support prison chaplains, be hands-on in prison outreach, assist in welcoming men and women back into society, and be advocates for those who were at the heart of Jesus earthly ministry. Featuring: Nancy Sehested (pastor and retired prison chaplain), Cerol Dalton (CBFendorsed prison chaplain), Mark Siler (Re-entry Coordinator for Buncombe County and former prison chaplain). The Carolina Community Chorus (under the direction of Rev. Candace Wilson) will provide music during worship that evening. Dinner cost is $7 per person, and children under 12 are free. A nursery will be provided. Please register by calling the church office at (828) Schedule: 4:00 pm Screening of Through the Door 4:30 pm Breakout Sessions 5:15 pm Dinner 6:30 pm Worship (a love offering for the WNC Baptist Campus Ministry will be taken)

5 2014 Scholarships Available Scholarship applications and renewals for the school year are available in the church office. Scholarships of $500 are awarded to those students planning to attend an accredited college, university, Bible or theological school. New applicants should include a recent photograph, a letter of acceptance from the college of their choice, a short essay describing their career goal, and two letters of recommendation in a sealed envelope, with the writer s signature across the seal. Renewals require a transcript of grades showing that the student has maintained a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in the educational institution in which they are studying. All applications and renewals are due in the church office no later than April 30, Easter Lilies for Sanctuary Easter Lilies can be purchased in honor or memory of loved ones. They are double lilies, and the purchase price is $12, and there are pew envelopes for your order. Orders will be taken for the next two weeks, until Wednesday, April 9. We also invite and encourage you to bring fresh flowers from your home to decorate the outdoor cross immediately following the sunrise service on Easter Sunday, April 20. Church Family Fun and Games with Cook-Out Scheduled May 18th We have an afternoon of fun planned for the entire church family on Sunday, May 18th. We will meet at Harmon Field at 3:00 pm for games (including an adult wiffle ball game) and fun for all ages. Some of the church's best-known chefs will be in charge of the cook-out, which will follow the game time. The entire event will wrap up around 6:00 pm. Make your plans now to bring your family for this afternoon of fun, fellowship, and food. April Mission Focus The April Mission Focus for the month of April will be gifts given to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering (missionary salaries and ministry supplies) and CBF Global Missions (Poverty and Transformation, Disaster Response and International Ministries, Education, Peacemaking, Healthcare, Church Starts, and Justice Ministries). There are special envelopes included in your offering envelope boxes, or you may designate your choice on the memo line of your check.

6 TRYON FIRST BAPTIST LENT/EASTER SCHEDULE 2014 Sunday, April 6 Sunday, April 13 Monday, April 14 Tuesday, April 15 Wednesday, April 16 Thursday, April 17 Friday, April 18 Sunday, April 10 10:00am Sunday School 11:00am Worship and Communion 3:00pm Easter Egg Hunt Pleasants Farm 10:00am Sunday School 11:00am Worship Palm Sunday 12:00pm Noonday Prayer 12:00pm Noonday Prayer 12:00pm Noonday Prayer 7:00pm Maundy Thursday Service 12:00pm Community Good Friday Service at Congregational Church 7:00am Sunrise Service (sponsored with TFBC and Tryon Presbyterian, at Tryon Fine Arts Amphitheater), Coffee, tea and doughnuts in the Activity Building after the service 10:00am Sunday School 11:00am Easter Sunday Worship

7 Deacons for April: April Sunday Schedules *Keith Collins Shelvie Foust Elizabeth Burrell Jeff Miller Pat Feagan (balcony) *denotes Lead Deacon Ushers for April: Elizabeth Burrell & Gigi Covil (Front) Jamie Greene (Hall) Caitlin Britton (Side) Acolytes for April: 4/6 Communion No Acolytes 4/13 Verae Upton & Hayden Blackwell 4/20 Katie Cothran & Jonathon Edwards 4/27 Ashlyn Green & Jack Fox Children s Church Workers: 4/6 Ben & Amber Fincher-McEntire 4/13 Cathy Johnson 4/20 Susan Smith 4/27 Keith & Debbie Collins Fifth Sunday Thanks! The total budget giving for March 30, including the I Love My Church Offering, was $13,065. Thank you for your faithful generosity. April Birthdays/Anniversaries Anniversaries 4/2 Kevin & Buffy Blackwell 4/6 David & Diane Cothran 4/10 Fred & Edith McKaig 4/21 Harold & Elizabeth Burrell 4/22 Ellis & Linda Fincher 4/28 Benny & Frances Smith 4/1 Jamie Greene 4/5 Kathryn Smith 4/7 Garland Goodwin 4/9 Todd Constance 4/10 Fred Edwards, Sr. 4/11 Arvilla Smith 4/12 Dawn Campbell 4/13 Jessa Jackson 4/18 Margaret Ballew 4/19 Edna Morrow 4/20 Mildred Bodie 4/21 David Cothran 4/22 Kathy Campbell 4/26 Bob Constance 4/28 Alex Miller Birthdays Student Birthdays 4/1 Carrie Greene cmgreene1@catamount.wcu.edu 4/23 Brett McFarland brettauston@yahoo.com Military Birthdays 4/18 Emily Dona 2100 Skyuka Rd., Columbus, NC emilydona1@gmail.com 4/19 Erin Stillinger ( 05) 1090 Misty Oak Ln., Keller TX /26 Michelle Santa 233 Green View Rd., Moyock, NC mstantasa24@hotmail.com

8 First Baptist Church 2014 Schedule APRIL MISSION EMPHASIS Easter Missions Offering Sat., Apr 5 Deacon Training 9am to 2pm, Eddie Hammett, Facilitator Sun, Apr 6 Communion Sunday EASTER EGG HUNT Pleasants Farm, 3pm Sun, Apr 13 Palm Sunday SEE (5-6:30pm) 1 st Sunday of Spring Break Refuge Movie and Popcorn Night Mon, Apr 14 Noonday Prayer Tue, Apr 15 Noonday Prayer Wed, Apr 16 Noonday Prayer Thu, Apr 17 Maundy Thursday service, 7:00pm Fri, Apr 18 Good Friday Community Service 12pm, Congregational Church, Tryon Sun, Apr 20 Easter NO SUNDAY EVENING ACTIVITIES Sun, Apr 27 Quarterly Church Conference SEE (5-6:30pm) Fun Night of Games/Activities/Crafts for Grades 1-5 MAY MISSION EMPHASIS Baptist Retirement Homes Sun, May 4 Ed Beddingfield, FBC Fayetteville, NC Baptist Retirement Home Emphasis FBC hosting WNC Baptist Fellowship Spring Gathering, 4-7:30pm Sun, May 12 Mother s Day NO SUNDAY EVENING ACTIVITIES Sun, May 18 All Church Cook-Out and Games, Harmon Field, 3-6pm Sun, May 25 Memorial Day Weekend NO SUNDAY EVENING ACTIVITIES JUNE MISSION EMPHASIS Stop Hunger Now Sun, Jun 1 Graduate/Scholarship Recognition, Communion Sunday M-Th Jun Vacation Bible School F-S, Jun Spirituality/Backpacking Trip led by Jeff Harris Vacation Bible School TBA Sun, Jun 29 I Love My Church Offering JULY MISSION EMPHASIS Christmas in July S-W, Jul Passportkids! Camp for 3 rd, 4 th and 5 th graders at Converse College, Spartanburg SC M-Sat Jul Passport Camp for Youth (grades 6-12), Atlanta GA Sun, Jul 27 Quarterly Church Conference AUGUST MISSION EMPHASIS Back to School Sun, Aug 3 Communion Sunday F-S Aug All Church Camp-out at Orchard Lake in Saluda Sun, Aug 31 I Love My Church Offering SEPTEMBER MISSION EMPHASIS Fall Mission Initiative Sun, Sep 14 SEE (5:00-6:30 pm) Sun, Sep 28 11:00 am Outdoor Worship at Harmon Field SEE (5:00-6:30pm) Con t. on next page

9 First Baptist Church 2014 Schedule (con t. from previous page OCTOBER and NOVEMBER Mission Emphasis Coat Drive and Shoe Box Sat, Oct 4 Mission Initiative (tentative date) Sun, Oct 5 World Communion Sunday Sun, Oct 12 SEE (5:00-6:30pm) Sun, Oct 26 Quarterly Church Conference Fall Party for Children (P-S through grade 5) SEE (5:00-6:30pm) Sun, Nov 2 Sun, Nov 9 Sun. Nov 23 Sun, Nov 30 All Saints Sunday SEE (5:00-6:30pm) Communion Sunday Community Thanksgiving Service First Sunday of Advent/ I Love My Church Offering DECEMBER Mission Emphasis Kathy s Kids Sun, Dec 7 Christmas Meal Sun, Dec 21 Caroling Wed, Dec 24 5:00 pm Christmas Eve Worship Regularly Scheduled Weekly Activities (unless otherwise noted) include: Sundays 10:00 am Sunday School 11:00 am Worship 5:00 pm Children s Choir 6:00 pm Refuge Wednesdays 6:00 pm Handbell Rehearsal 7:00 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal Regularly Scheduled Monthly Activities (unless otherwise noted) include: 3 rd Monday of each month: 6:30 pm Brotherhood 1st Tuesday of each month: 10:00am WMU Group 1 2 nd Tuesday of each month: 7:00 pm Sisterhood 3 rd Tuesday of each month: 6:50 pm Deacons This is the current schedule for the year. Please note some things may be re-scheduled, added, or changed as needed. If changes occur, you will be notified by , worship bulletin, newsletter, or announcement in worship. If you have any questions, please contact the church office. Thank you.