If you are interested in supporting the disaster relief mission trip to Texas by donating supplies, here is a list of food and drinks our team will need during the trip:
Cases of bottled water
Cases of Propel/Gatorade
Individually packaged peanuts
Individually packaged variety of chips
Cases of soft drinks
Variety of packaged snacks
Please bring items to the Loving Kindness Center, or to the Church Office.
When: Saturday October 21st From 10:00am-2:00pm
Location: First Baptist Church of Sylva’s front common area
Mission: Our GA, RA and Acteen mission programs work hard every year learning about missionary work here and abroad. We want to provide them an opportunity to earn funds in a FUN way to help provide for a missionary project.
Rock-A-Thon description: We hope to have 10-15 school age participants, Grades 2-12, to rock in rocking chairs between 1000am-200pm.
How will they raise money? Each participant will get at least 5 sponsors to sponsor their rocking efforts per hour and also help sell jewelry, coffee, and baked goods.
How will the money be used to benefit mission services? To provide food boxes for children and youth through United Christian Ministries of Jackson County, NC.
How can I help? You can help by sponsoring your child and help them achieve their goals of 5 or more sponsors or if your child is unable to attend you can also help by donating baked goods to sell or monetary funds to First Baptist Church of Sylva/Mission programs by check or cash at our church office M-F 830am-430pm.
Can I volunteer? We would love for you to volunteer your time during the event. You can also rock for missions and have sponsors yourself or you can donate baked goods to sell or just be present to support your child at the event.
Deadline: All permission slips/Volunteers forms are due by October 4th
All sponsorship forms and money is due by Oct 18th.
Contact: Bethany Moore @ 828-226-3433 or Email cwmoore21@gmail.com
FBC Sylva is putting together a group of individuals who are interested in going to either Texas or Florida to help with hurricane disaster relief. The prospective dates are Oct. 22 - 29. If you are interested in joining or donating to this cause, please contact Harold Messer: 828-586-9416, or the church office: 828-586-2095, fbcsylva@gmail.com.
"An amazing thing happened. One of our newest students, Ben, from the mainland of China, had only attended our Tues./Thurs. English conversation classes a few times. in July he joined the Wednesday Bible Reading class for the first time. As soon as he walked in the classroom, he went straight to the table where the Bibles were laid out ready for class. Picking up one of the Bibles and excitingly thumbing through it he said under his breath, 'My first time to see a Bible.' I asked, 'Ben, did you say it's your first time to see a Bible?' He confirmed: 'Yes!' That moment was so special to witness. He fully participated in our class, and afterward, I gave him a Chinese-English New Testament and encouraged him to start reading it so we could talk more about it. This experience has challenged us to read the Bible with enthusiasm as if it were the first time seeing God's written word."
- Sarah Ballew, CBF field personnel in Macau, China
"Without a doubt, your gifts and contributions are touching and transforming lives for eternity. How Kormariayya met Christ is nothing but a miracle. Being a snake charmer all his life, he used to catch cobra snakes, put them around his neck and walk in the community to earn money from cobra snake worshipers. One day, a cobra snake bit Komariayya and he was taken to the nearest hospital for treatment. The doctor gave up hope and told the family he would die in about an hour's time, so they should take him home make plans for his funeral. Instead, his sons took Komariayya to church. The pastor and several church members joined Komariayya's family and prayed. God gave Komariayya a second chance! He accepted Christ, was baptized and joined the church where his sons are members. Because of God's miracle and Komariayya's second life, now many in that village are learning more about Christ and joining the church. Without a doubt, God is up to something in Chelpur and a lot of neat things are taking place."
Pastor Jonah in Chelpur, India, partner of CBF field personnel, Sam Bandela
"Recently we hosted the youth group from a local church partner to work at Welcome House, an apartment setup for arriving refugees awaiting long-term affordable housing. After we shared briefly with the youth we sent them out into the apartment community to meet other youth and children. The youth were all over the place playing and making friends with their international neighbors. It was an amazing scene. The next morning I got an email saying some of the youth had been asking when they would be going back. This is what mission engagement looks like sometimes in North Raleigh."
Kim and Marc Wyatt, CBF field personnel in the Research Triangle of North Carolina
A member of the church in Nesvady told me that he had begun bearing witness to Jesus Christ with the Roma family next door. Along the way, the two households began a transformative relationship. People who lived next door to each other for decades slowly became neighbors. And that is when, and how, his attempts at bearing witness bore fruit. Concluding his story of how wonderful it was to see his neighbor become part of the church, he held back tears and said, "After she was baptized, she asked me 'Why didn't you tell me sooner?'"
- Dianne and Shane McNary, CBF field personnel in Slovakia
Volunteers are needed to help with GAs, RAs, and Mission Friends beginning with the start of the new school year. Training will be available. You'll have a part in watching children grow and mature in their faith as they learn more about missions and God's special place for them in the world. Come be a part of this vital ministry of our church. Contact Sandra James or Cheryl Beck to get involved.
"We first met Todd years ago, when one of us was wandering the neighborhood with a backpack full of lunches on what we called the 'roving feast.' Soon we became regular guests on Todd's stoop and in his apartment. A few months back, we celebrated Todd's birthday. Todd got seconds at his birthday meal, but only after checking with everybody to see if they had already gotten some and if they wanted seconds, too. He was anxious not to take more than his share, even as we insisted that he should. Todd has learned something over the years that he continues to teach us as we share life, work, and prayers with him: the work of our hands in community isn't just about giving. Todd's hands are teaching us how to receive, as well."
- Jessica and Joshua Hearne, CBF field personnel in Danville, Va.
On Mother's Day, WMU launched our Shining Stars project with a two-fold objective:
1. To collect money for a variety of statewide missions projects for the Heck-Jones
WMU NC Offering and,
2. To honor those people who have been "Shining Stars" guiding, modeling, and
mentoring us in our Christian walk.
Today, I am happy to report that through your generous giving, our church's contribution
to the Heck-Jones Offering was $1,576.00 with a $1000 match from an anonymous donor, the total amount comes to $2,576.00.
And.......over 75 women and men were remember for the important role they played in the lives of many in our congregation. Please take time to look at the bulletin board outside the choir room where you will see the Shining Stars honored through the project.
Daniel 12:3 says: "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever."
Thank you!