There s a lot going on at FBC Hickory!

Transcription

1 There s a lot going on at FBC Hickory! New deacons are sensing the call of God to serve this congrega on, with our deacon elec on scheduled to take place on October 8 and deacon ordina on scheduled for the morning of Sunday, October 12. Folks are saying yes when asked by the nomina ng commi+ee to serve this congrega on and community through various commi+ees and teams. We ve seen God s Spirit at work in worship as many respond to God and are moved toward the altar as a symbol of their openness to receiving God s grace, wisdom, and strength. Our recent Night of Prayer and Worship was a powerful me of prayer for our church. Each day, your prayers put on feet as many of you care for those in your Bible study classes through visits, phone calls, cards, meals, and other ways of showing that we truly care for one another as family. Ministries of discipleship with preschoolers, children, students, college-aged, single adults, and adults of all ages con nue as we study God s word together. Yes, a lot! Plans were well underway for Oktoberfest and for our annual Fall Harvest Celebra on to reach out to our community. Sabbath Soup is right around the corner. Celebra ons and services for Thanksgiving and Advent are taking shape. Bap st men are on the move. WMU groups are ac ve. Women s Bible studies are mee ng weekly. Men s prayer groups during the week are praying. Choir and worship team are rehearsing. Handbells are ringing. Children are singing. New church front doors are gleaming! Yes, a lot! Our deacon pulpit supply commi+ee brought the great news that Rev. Ma+ Hearn will be filling our pulpit through December as we con nue to look for an interim pastor. Our search for a full- me Minister with Students con nues to move forward. We have a new part- me Church Administrator, Bert Schmid. Our Listening Sessions with Eddie Thompson will be held end of October, providing everyone in the church an opportunity to be involved in char ng the future of FBC Hickory. Yes, a lot! God is unifying this congrega on in spirit and in mission. God is opening doors of new opportunity that will help this church con nue to thrive and grow and minister in Christ s name. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed boldly every Sunday through music, prayers, scripture, and preaching. Yes, a lot! And aren t you, like me, just so proud, so thankful, so excited, so blessed, and so humbled to be part of it? Yes, a lot! Rev. Rendell Hipps Ac ng Senior Pastor/ Minister of Discipleship

2 ALL SAINTS On Sunday, November 5, we will give thankful remembrance for those saints whose homegoing in Christ has occurred since October Those members of First Bapst who have died during this me will be included in our worship bullen. If you have lost a loved one who was not a member of First Bapst and would like to have their name included in the bullen, please fill in the informaon that will be included in each Sunday s worship guide during October. You, and any other family members of the deceased, are invited to a luncheon aaer the service in the Fellowship Hall. Reservaon deadline for the luncheon is October 29 REV. MATT HEARN Beginning Sunday, October 8, we welcome our part-me Extended Pulpit Supply Preacher, Rev. Ma+ Hearn, who will fill our pulpit October, November, and December while we connue our search process for an interim pastor. In addion to preaching, Ma+ will be in the office and/or assisng with pastoral care on Tuesdays and Thursdays during these months. Check out NCANNUALMEETING.ORG for informaon about the NC Bapst State Convenon/Annual Meeng including the 30 prayer guide and informaon about a+endance and registraon. Anyone interested in going as a messenger should contact the church office HANDBELL CHOIR Handbell Choir pracce has begun. All high schoolers and adults are welcome to ring with us. Pracces are each Tuesday at 7:00pm in room 301. Contact Denise Filip for more informaon. DEACON ELECTION - OCTOBER 8 Twenty-two members have been nominated to serve as a deacon beginning January They have agreed to serve a three year term if elected. The informaon about each nominee has been compiled by the church office along with informaon provided by the nominees. This informaon has been mailed and ed to the congregaon. Copies are also available in the church office. On Sunday, October 8, you may vote for up to 13 (thirteen) to serve on the Commi+ee of Deacons. Absentee ballots will be available in the office at your request. CCM FOOD PANTRY October is our month to help stock the CCM Food Pantry. The following are their most urgent needs: beef stew and canned soups; canned pasta dinners; spagheh noodles, macaroni and lasagna noodles, pasta sauces; bread and cake mixes, oatmeal, cereal, grits, Pop Tarts, granola bars and other instant breakfast foods; canned tuna, chicken, Treet and Spam; canned green beans, peas and corn; pork and beans; baked beans; canned pinto and kidney beans; black eye peas; dry beans or peas; dry soup mixes; applesauce; canned fruit; macaroni and cheese; rice; peanut bu+er, canned sweet potatoes; salne crackers and powdered milk. Please bring your non-perishable food donaons to the collecon boxes in the lobbies next to the church office and fellowship hall, or take them directly to CCM. Thank you for your compassion and generosity. HURRICAN RELIEF EFFORTS If you are interested in ways to help with Hurricane Relief. Please go to h+p://bapstsonmission.org/missions/by-type/disaster-relief

3 OUR NEW CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR Our church family will join together in prayer as we seek God s guidance for our future. Please hold these dates on your calendar as we unite in prayer: Sundays, October 8, Month of October led by Dr. David Ratke, Dean of Theology at Lenoir-Rhyne University CELEBRATING THE REFORMATION Upon the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reforma on, we will look back to how those events have impacted the church and the world. Join us on Wednesday in the Fellowship Hall at 6:15pm. CHURCH CONFERENCE Our annual church conference event will be on Sunday, October 29. We will con nue our October Reforma on theme with a German-Inspired menu and a Reforma on Theatre experience featuring a modern reenactment of Mar n Luther s spiritual journey. The mee ng will feature the nomina ng commi+ee report. Family supper begins at 5:00pm (Wednesday meal charges apply), Mee ng at 5:45pm and Reforma on Theatre begins at 6:30pm. PRIME TIMERS On Thursday, October 5, all Prime Timers are invited to gather for food, fellowship, and fun and games in the Fellowship Hall at 12noon. For $6 enjoy a delicious lunch of chicken pot pie, fruit salad, salad bar, dessert and tea. Sign up by calling the church office. Please join us in welcoming Bert Schmid to our staff as our partme Church Administrator. Bert is a graduate of Cal State Fullerton and a member of the American Ins tute of Cer fied Public Accountants. Bert owned his own CPA firm in California for over 25 years and has worked with many churches throughout his extensive career, serving for 25 years as financial consultant for two Presbyteries in California which governed in total 70+ churches. As a commi+ed follower of Christ, he also a+ended and served in two congrega ons as an Elder of Property and Finance. His CPA work with non-profit clients included performing cer fied audits, reviews, and complica ons, and he has helped churches revise their accoun ng systems and procedures. Here at FBC Hickory, his du es will include oversight of church finances, as well as food services, CDC, and maintenance staff. In this part- me administra ve role, Bert will not be responsible for any ministerial or pastoral du es. He and his wife Joan very recently re red to Hickory and have been a+ending FBC Hickory. Bert is excited to be used of God to serve this church with his skills and talents. We welcome Bert and Joan to FBC and we welcome Bert into his role as partme Church Administrator. OCC SHOEBOXES Shoeboxes will be here soon. November 12 is our church day to bring our boxes in. Our Goal this year is 400. It s important to note that no tooth paste or candy of any kind will be acceptable to pack this year. On the cover Children s Choirs leading in worship.

4 October 1-10:30am There is Something About a Meal World Communion Rev. David Wachter October 8-10:30am Pure and Blameless Rev. Ma Hearn October 15-10:30am Win-Win Rev. Ma Hearn October 22-10:30am Jesus Is Lord Rev. Rendell Hipps October 29-10:30am This One Thing Rev. Ma Hearn FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 339 Second Avenue, Northwest Hickory, North Carolina Volume 17, Issue 10 Published Monthly by First Bap.st Church, Hickory, NC Return Service Requested Phone: (828) Fax: (828) info@sc.cc Website: Ma3 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)@sc.cc CELEBRATING THE REFORMATION led by Dr. David Ratke, Dean of Theology at Lenoir-Rhyne University Upon the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformaon, we will look back to how those events have impacted the church and the world. 6:15pm in the Fellowship Hall. FROM THE DEACON CHAIR Thank you church for connuing to step up in doing pastoral care by vising hospitals and nursing homes. It is wonderful to see such membership involvement. You are a caring, loving congregaon. Together I believe we can soon be in the black if we all step up. Let s erase our line of credit! Remember the best is yet to be! In Christ, Brenda FALL HARVEST CELEBRATION Sunday, October 22 4:00-6:30 pm Free NO COSTUME Event for families with children 6th grade and under Find us at the corner of 1st Ave NW and 4th St NW Volunteers needed! You may sign up in your Bible Study class or contact Cindi Morrison: crmorrison@mac.com or

5 DEACONS OF THE WEEK BC: W::D O<B=E:A 7-13 Jim To3y, Coordinator Cody Wingler Sheree Watson David Haire BC: W::D O<B=E:A Allen Wi3enberg, Coordinator Gary Woods Ashley Hightower Norma Flores BC: W::D O<B=E:A Dana Benne3 Coordinator Lloyd Bost, Jr Brenda Bost Ed Auten BC: W::D O<B 28 - N=M 3 Greg Watson Tom Foster Norma Flores Ashley Hightower From Chef Steve: As we move forward in this new season we need to revamp our Standing Reservaons List for Wednesday Night Dinner. We would really appreciate it if you would please call Amy in the front office by Monday, October 2 nd to be included on our new list. This list is off many mes by a significant amount so please help us to be beer stewards by keeping up with your reservaon. Please call by Monday before the Wednesday Dinner to make a reservaon or to cancel for that week if you have a Standing Reservaon. Thank you, Steve Spivey October 4 th Swiss Chicken, Chicken Breast filled with Stuffing and topped with a Swiss Cheese Sauce Apricot Glazed Cooked Baby Carrots, Green Beans Salad Bar Roll, Dessert & Beverage October 11 th Herb Roasted Pork Loin, Mushroom Gravy Oponal New Potatoes, Broccoli & Cheese, Salad Bar Biscuit, Dessert & Beverage October 18 th Bratwurst with Sauerkraut or Baked Ham Warm German Potato Salad, Green Beans, Salad Bar Pretzel or Roll Dessert & Beverage October 25 th Beef Stew served in a Regular Bowl or a Bread Bowl Cooked Apples, Salad Bar Dessert & Beverage NEW SANCTUARY DOORS Many thanks to Tom Brock and all who helped with the installaon of our new sanctuary doors. What a beauful change this has made to the front entry. Also offered each Wednesday Night as a Substute for the main Entrée: Chicken Salad on Croissant or on Le+uce Chicken Strips if you want the Salad Bar as your Entrée We will strive to have enough based on past request but quanes on these items are limited No To-Go Boxes on the Salad Bar Please unless it is an Entrée Salad you are taking with you October 29 th Church Conference Roasted Leg Quarter Roasted Vegetable Medley, Scalloped Potatoes Salad Bar, Corn Bread, Dessert & Beverage

6 October 1 9am - Kara Wienberg 10:15am - Kara Wienberg Infants Adair Bowman Walkers & Two s Danielle Paulsen & Caroline Trado Three s & Four s Chuck Trado & Gail Ford Coordinator: Valerie LaBo Children s Church: Children in Worship October 8 9am - Ashley Dyson 10:15am - Gail Ford Infants Kara Wi+enberg & Pam McCall Walkers & Two s Jill Pernell & Sheryl King Three s & Four s Linda Jones & Kimo Mullinax Coordinator: Janice Barger Lead Teacher: Lee Bogle Shepherd: Joy Knuckles October 15 9am - Krisn 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 Lead Teacher: Cindi Morrison Shepherd: Ashley Dyson October 22 9am - Vonda Paquin 10:15am - Dana Woods Infants Melanie Wingler & Carla Ingram Walkers & Two s Ma+ Ingram & Kelly Clark Three s & Four s Sonya Brown Coordinator: Shellie Bumgarner Lead Teacher: Beverly Crosby Shepherd: Sco+ Sledge October 29 9am - Kara Wienberg 10:15am - Kara Wienberg Infants Becky Hedrick Walkers & Two s Rebecca Tanner & Greg Watson Three s & Four s Noelle Wachter & Evelyn Terry Coordinator: Terry Starnes Lead Teacher: Krisn Herring Shepherd: Ruthann Waters HISTORIAN S COLUMN In Praise of Strong Women SECURITY TEAM October 1 October 8 October 15 October 22 October 29 Rick Travis Gary Woods John Carreira Sco Slwell Bernie Whitmer Frank Mofford I think God made a woman to be strong and not to be trampled under the feet of men. I ve always felt this way because my mother was a very strong woman, without a husband. Li+le Richard Let s face it. I have an abiding affinity for strong women. My mother was a strong woman raising three small children on a widow s pension. My wife is perhaps the strongest woman I know. I have watched her maneuver her walker for the past five months with grace and dignity while she waits for what she hopes will be her final ankle operaon. There remains a song on her lips. Somemes it is Trust and Obey. Somemes it is Sweet Caroline. We have an abundant number of strong women in our church. Did you know that two Deacons chairs in the past fiaeen years have been women? God saw fit to place both Sherry Watson and Brenda Bost as deacon leaders during two of the most important and turbulent mes in the life of our church and they both performed humbly and magnificently. Virginia Tanner is a strong young Chrisan woman who faces one day at a me with strength and courage that deeply inspires our own journey through life. Just look up the definion of strong woman and you will probably find a photo of a First Bapst Hickory lady. And now the historian part of the column in the middle of the third century the Roman emperor Decius realizes the Chrisans are gehng more organized and of larger numbers throughout the Empire. They worship one god only and refuse to parcipate in Roman rituals. He insists that they either recant or be eliminated. One of the most amazing documents historians of early Chrisans are privileged to have is the prison diary of a young woman in the year 202 or 203 AD. It is the first wring by a Chrisan female known to exist. Her name is Perpetua and she insists on being killed. She is what one historian has called an overachiever in the sense that she demands to be martyred as part of her Chrisan witness. A martyr story has an incredible effect on the imaginaon of early Chrisans because Jesus himself was the first Chrisan martyr. Martyrs, like Perpetua, were heroically witnessing to their own faith and against a hosle government. Thank God for strong women.