Our end-of-summer picnic will be at East LaPorte on August 14th from 4:30—8:00 PM! Please bring food for your family and enough to share! We hope you can also join us in our annual Whiffle Ball Game!
A Letter from Pastor Ernesto Bazan
Greetings brothers and sister of First Baptist Church of Sylva,
I hope in the Lord that you all are well and happy. I thank God that I was able to have the chance to meet so many brothers and sisters at this church who pray and understand and open their doors to other countries. America unites us with sincerity and the desire to do things together for God's glory. I sincerely hope to come back and meet more brothers and sisters who grow every day in love. Friendship through brotherhood and solidarity will unite us forever. You received our church like it was a city of God. You will forever bless the church of God no matter where you go.
Sincerely in Christ,
Ernesto Bazan
Lights On Camp Celebration
As the end of Summer Explorers camp approaches, we would like to invite everyone to join us for a Lights On Camp Celebration! Celebrate camp with us on August 11th at 6:00 PM in our Mission and Fellowship Center. Dinner will be provided. Students will share about their summer and there will be a silent auction for art work and a raffle.
Backpack Ministry
First Baptist Church would like to thank you all on behalf of WMU and Gaye Buchanan for your support of our Backpack Ministry. This ministry helps provide children with supplies for school when they wouldn't otherwise have access to them. This ministry is very important to the children in our community, and your support is very much appreciated.
Lost (and Found) in Translation
Together, we faced one another from across a table. Between us was an iPhone. We pressed a button on the device and took turns speaking in our respective languages. After each statement that we would make, we would pause, press the corresponding button on the device, and wait for the translation.
“Ahhhhh,” one of us would say, grinning. “I understand.”
In this way, Ernesto and I got to know each other this week. It was a remarkably fulfilling experience.
My family and I have been blessed to spend time with Ernesto this week. We have had the chance to share our stories, speak about the realities of our contexts for ministry, and have been able to find places of intersection for our hopes and our dreams. Ernesto and I are brothers in Christ. We are also becoming close friends.
And we may just have technology to thank for that.
This much is true: Ernesto’s command of English is far better than my understanding of Spanish. He is able to comprehend my statements more effectively than I am able to understand his. It will not surprise you to learn that I am the troublesome one in our dialogue. Without the assistance of a translator, our conversation is pleasant but not particularly rich.
Jeff: “I like the rain.”
Ernesto: “Sí. The rain is very nice.”
Jeff: “Sí.”
Our universal connectivity through technology certainly has its drawbacks, but in this circumstance the translation software on my iPhone has provided many breakthrough moments for our relationship. My device acts as an intermediary which seamlessly allows us to speak long, coherent thoughts to one another.
The word ‘seamless’ may be a bit of an overstatement. There are times when the translation is clearly incorrect. And we laugh. At other times, we may fail to press the ‘start’ button on the application, only to realize later than our profound statement fell on deaf (or at least uncomprehending) ears. We laugh some more.
One benefit of the software is that it dictates on the screen what will be translated. In other words, the device listens to my statement and presents it on the screen for both Ernesto and I to see. Only a moment passes before the device translates my statement into Spanish. The computer then speaks the translation aloud. The upshot of this feature is that it helps me to see in advance if the device heard me correctly before it translates my words into Spanish. For, of course, if the words that appear on the screen are not a good representation of what I actually said, the translation will be meaningless—or even dangerous.
After one such translation bobble, I remarked, “This is how World Wars get started.”
We laughed together.
Because of this technological tool, we have been able to dialogue about more than just the pretty mountains or the weather. Ernesto and I have been able to speak passionately about our love for our churches and our concern for our communities. Since we’ve been able to have an intermediary, we’ve been able to talk about strategies to deepen our relationship and to grow our friendship. Neither of us want an imbalanced relationship. Both Ernesto and I want a relationship of equanimity to develop between our churches, for friendship is defined by reciprocity—not dependency, or empiricism. It is important to both of us that we treat one another as equals: supporting one another, loving one another, working together for good in our respective contexts. To that end, we believe that our next step should involve sharing our particular needs, and then working to identify projects that we can work on together.
But as we are discovering this week, huddled around an iPhone at a table, none of that can happen without a strong friendship in Christ.
As brothers in Christ through our sister-churches, we know that it is the presence of Jesus that truly connects us to one another. Jesus is our ultimate intermediary. Christ bridges the gap between us and God. And, of course, Christ bridges the gap between you and me. In a world with such violence surrounding our differences, the love of God in Jesus has never been more critical to our future.
On Sunday, Ernesto and I will be leading in worship together. With the help of a (human!) translator, Ernesto will lead from our pulpit. And together, Ernesto and I will speak the Words of Institution together as we gather around the table of the Lord for communion.
It will be a striking scene, similar to the one Ernesto and I experienced this past week. We will face one another from across the table, ready to listen, to partner, and to love. But this time, it will be Christ who is at the center--between us, connecting us together for service, now and tomorrow.
Last Vespers for the Year!
Our last Vespers for this summer will be on August 3rd! Join us at 6PM at Waterrock Knob (milepost 451 on the Blue Ridge Parkway) for a time of fun fellowship. The church will be providing a hot dog supper, a time of devotion for the adults and play time for the kids.
Exercise Class Postponed
The upcoming exercise class sponsored by WMU has been postponed. " A Matter of Balance" will be rescheduled for early next year due to the instructor having recently undergone surgery. The next series, "Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program" will begin in September. Watch for more details.
A Note from Hazel Monteith
Dear First Baptist Church,
Thanks so much for all the beautiful cards I have received from your church. I love to send and get cards. I see many times the good work your church is doing, especially with the children. I've really loved to work with the children in my younger years.
Remembering your kindness with warmth and gratitude.
Love and Prayers,
Hazel Monteith
Wedding Ceremony for Judy Seago and Jerry Parker
Please RSVP to the email judacula@frontier.com by August 6th.
Dress will be casual. We do not wish for any gifts, but If you’d like, you can make a donation in our names to either the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Heifer International, or READI/Nepal, which is an agency for impoverished children in Nepal. We can take the money with us on the honeymoon to Nepal and deliver it directly to the agency.
Directions to the ceremony:
Follow Highway 107 to Cullowhee. Take a left onto Caney Fork Road across from the Citgo station. After 3 miles take a left onto Judaculla Rock Road.
Drive along the road and follow the sunflowers up the mountain to the ceremony site.
FBC to Attend "As You Go" Event
Celebrate the ways God is using normal Christians to demonstrate the presence of Christ, to offer service for Christ, and to have positive impact in their home towns.
Connect with other lay persons who are seeking to infuse faith in their daily walk.
Be challenged and inspired to be a living witness “as you go.”
“As You Go” events will be held on Sunday afternoons, 4-6pm. Each event will include testimonies, small group clusters, and large group sharing followed by refreshments and fellowship. CBFNC staff members Eddie Hammett and Rick Jordan will lead teaching and discussions.
First Baptist Church of Sylva will attend the October 16th gathering at Hominy Baptist Church in Candler!!