Please Support United Christian Ministries Food Drive
When: This Friday & Saturday Oct. 21st & 22nd
Friday 9:30am – 6pm
Saturday 9:30am – 2pm
Plus Hot Dog Sale on Saturday!!!
Where: Harold’s Supermarket
Thank You to the Kitchen Team!
We want to extend a huge thank you to the Smoky Mountain High School's JV football team for coming out and to all who helped prepare and serve their meal! It was a great time of fellowship and fun!
Toxic
If you are blessed to live long enough, you’re bound to see it all.
In an unprecedented moment in our nation's history, the crescendo of this election cycle has felt more like the Egyptians’ weathering of the plagues than it has the triumph of our democracy.
Personally, I feel like I have been poisoned. But when it comes to my own personal politics, that’s as forthcoming as I’m going to be.
Here’s why.
Baptists have historically championed the principle of religious freedom and the separation of church and state. By distinguishing where the institution of the church ends and the institution of the state begins, it preserves the integrity of both organizations. As history has proven time and time again, when the church becomes the state, it loses its ability and privilege to speak prophetically. If the state is the church, it becomes near-to-impossible for the church to speak truth to power.*
In regard to politics, the times in which we live have become especially fraught with danger. While there was once a time where we could engage in civil dialogue about our political similarities and differences, that day is not today. The arena of civil discourse has become so toxic that we can seemingly find nothing in common and regard one another as the bitterest of enemies.
Just as the Church of Jesus Christ is a place for all people--regardless of nationality, race, ethnicity or background--the Body of Christ is the place where our unity in Jesus becomes our common ground. And when differences do exist (and how could they not?), it is imperative that we treat one another with respect, kindness and love.
Indeed, as Pastor Blake McKinney of First Baptist Church of Lee’s Summit in Missouri points out in his article, “A Dangerous Path for Politically Active Christians,” our demonstrative political discourse can damage our Christian witness. Regardless of our political affiliations, we can, in fact, be doing harm in the name of Jesus.
McKinney admonishes us: “Are you free to speak your mind about political matters? Absolutely. Should you speak up when political decisions have ethical and spiritual ramifications? Absolutely. But be careful about how you discuss politics, and how often. Realize that your political talk can have unintended consequences on the spiritual lives of the people who hear you. The more obnoxious you are in talking about politics, the more people will tune you out in matters of faith.”*
Perhaps I’ve said too much. Maybe I haven’t said enough. Probably, both statements are accurate.
You’ve probably heard the anecdote about the individual who just suffered through a long, wandering sermon. “I know the preacher means well, but today he should have just read the scripture and sat back down.”
So, I’ll do just that.
The Word of the Lord from Paul’s Letter to the Church in Rome:
"Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
God’s words serve as the anecdote for our “warring madness.” Thanks be to God for giving us the way out of this mess.
*For those interested in the historical foundation for the Baptist principle of religious liberty, consider this resource from the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty: http://bjconline.org/religiousliberty/
**Blake McKinney’s article, “A Dangerous Path for Politically Active Christians,” is a good read. I commend it to your attention: http://www.ethicsdaily.com/a-dangerous-path-for-politically-active-christians-cms-23666
Staff Spotlight
Get to know our First Explorers staff with "Staff Spotlight!" Every week, we will highlight a 1E staff member so that everyone can get to know our team a little bit better.
Meet Marcus Tayloe!
Marcus works on our 1st Explorers Ministry Staff in our After School Ministry.
Where are you from: I am from Rome, Georgia but currently live in Charlotte, North Carolina.
What year are you in school: I am a sophomore, and I am double major in History and Philosophy and Religion
What did you want to be when you grow up: I wanted to be an archaeologist or a professional baseball player
Now, today what kind of career do you want to have: I want to teach high school history or philosophy. I am also considering some form of ministry as a career option as well.
My favorite Bible verse is John 3:30 which is “May He become greater, and I become less.” This is my favorite verse because it simply and effectively states a central doctrine of Christianity, and also is something that I try to focus on doing every day.
I spend a lot of my free time playing sports, fishing, and playing guitar.
One thing I love about living in Western North Carolina is the mountains and streams.
One thing I want to do before I graduate is take a road trip out to the Midwest.
Help Needed in Recovery from Hurricane Matthew
Please be in prayer for Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina (BCH).
As is the case with others who were in the path of Hurricane Matthew, several of
BCH's statewide locations have been hit hard by this devastating storm.
The good news is all the children and families we serve are safe. However,
as a result of the storm's impact, some of the residents and staff were evacuated.
We will need work volunteers once the damage has been assessed as well as
immediate financial support. See the information at the end of this post if you can help.
Here is what we know at this time:
- Kennedy Home, BCH's eastern area campus in Kinston, has been evacuated
due to power outage (lasting for as long as 10 days) and wind-driven rain
resulting in fallen trees and high water levels. The potential for more damage is high.
Flooding is expected later this week as the rivers and creeks continue to rise.
Water has already entered some of the buildings on campus. It is predicted that all
of Kennedy Home's buildings will have water inside them by the end of the week.
Accompanied by their houseparents and staff, the boys, girls and mothers
have been relocated to BCH's Mills Home campus in Thomasville where they will be for
the foreseeable future. The staff have rallied and the children are holding up very well.
Damage, which is expected to be substantial, will be assessed once the water recedes.
Around a dozen trees have fallen at Kennedy Home in Kinston.
Wind-driven rains at Kennedy Home. Flooding expected to worsen.
- Odum Home in Pembroke evacuated this past weekend gathering at the local
high school gymnasium due to wind-driven rain causing fallen trees, power
outages and high water levels. Conditions have improved and the residents and staff
have returned to campus. They have generator power at the Odum Home gym, but it is
unknown when power will be restored to the residential cottages and offices. The
children are doing well and staff are using grills to cook meals.
- Cameron Boys Camp and Camp Duncan for Girls, BCH's residential
wilderness camps in Moore County, both experienced power outages and fallen trees. The campers spent two nights indoors and have returned to their campsites. Power at both camps is now back on. There does not appear to be substantial damage but conditions will be assessed in the coming days.
- Three of BCH's Family Care homes, Oak Ranch near Sanford, Britton
Ministries in Ahoskie and Smith Home in Marston, all lost power power this weekend.
However, the mothers and their children are doing well and there does not appear to be
any damage.
As with the camps, things will be assessed further in the days ahead.
Please help! The need for funding and volunteers to help with clean-up is
vital.
If you or your volunteer group wish to assist with clean-up, please
contact BCH's Sam Barefoot at 336-474-1278 or svbarefoot@bchfamily.org
A 'Great Commission' Moment
Our Church is pleased to support Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Global Missions in moments like these offering hope and hospitality to Muslim neighbors in Southeast Asia:
"September began with our neighbors celebrating Eid al-Adha, the Feast of the Sacrifice. This is an important Muslim holiday that commemorates Abraham’s faith through the sacrifice of sheep, goats and cows. It was fun teaching our children about the holiday and how to pronounce the Arabic words (eed-al-odd-ha!). They asked, “Dad, why don’t we do sacrifices?” We had the opportunity to share this month with our children and our neighbors that Jesus is the final sacrifice.
We came to this country knowing God called us here to walk alongside people as they made their way through the decisions of life and faith. This month has been full of one-on-one conversations with students and young adults. Our study of the Song of Solomon has opened the door to many private discussions with students about their relationships. One does not feel loved, and other is unsure of which path is right. Another is recovering from abuse from within the church, but is running back to Jesus who she desperately missed during her time away."
- Mike and Brooke CBF Field Personnel serving in Southeast Asia
WMU Pillows
The Ruby Daniel WMU group making pillows for Children's Hope Alliance!
A Wonderful Homecoming Sunday!
We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped to make Homecoming Sunday a success!
Thank you to all who gave offerings of music during the worship service: our children and youth choir, the men from Phi Mu Alpha Fraternity who played brass instruments and sang with our men's choir, and Jay Coward, Meghan and Ed Beddingfield.
We also want to thank everyone who prepared and brought food for our potluck lunch! Not to mention the kitchen helpers who served and cleaned before, during and after the lunch.
Lastly, thank you to everyone who was part of the photo that we took on our front porch steps.
Cuba Connections
The Cuba Connections team will be having a brief meeting on Sunday, Oct. 16 immediately following the worship service.
Goals:
1. Assess Ernesto's stateside trip
2. Determine next steps in our walk together
All are invited to come to the meeting! We hope to see you there!
How We Pass the Time
Last Sunday afternoon, a part of my soul retreated into shadow like a sugar maple’s leaf drifts to the ground in autumn. The regular season of baseball came to a close and my team’s season is over.
And like any good thing that comes to a close, I find myself pondering why I feel forlorn.
As many of you know, my love for the game of baseball is well documented. For years dating back to my youth, my evenings from April through October are filled with the familiar sights and sounds of baseball. The consistency of the broadcasters’ voices is calming. The beauty of baseball’s architecture and geometry feels transcendent. The story lines of team standings, pennant races and hitting streaks are narratives that tie me to a kind of alternative reality that sets my mind at ease. Baseball and its 162 game regular season is how I pass the time.
Yes, I am aware that our nation’s infatuation with football has not ebbed over the years. The seemingly ‘made for TV’ sport—with our screens strikingly similar to the dimensions of a football field—has a rabid fan base. I, too, enjoy football but my heart and my time belong to our nation’s pastime.
Despite being overtaken by the draw of football, baseball remains our nation’s pastime because the arc of baseball’s life cycle encompasses such a significant portion of time. According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, a pastime is, “Something that amuses and serves to make time pass agreeably.”
Why this diatribe on baseball, you may wonder? Aside from the fact that I wax poetic about baseball at least once a year in my ‘Five-Day Forecast,’ why this dribble on pastimes?
Quite simply, it is this.
Sunday is our church’s homecoming. It is the day that we will celebrate our church’s impact and legacy over its 128-year history. This Sunday, we will pause to consider who we have been together and what we have accomplished as we have sought to be God’s People at 669 West Main Street. We’ll take note of the fact that our church serves as a library of memories, stories and life-changing events.
Our children have grown up in our church. Our grandchildren have walked our halls and played on our playground. We have been married at First Baptist. We have sat on the front row in our sanctuary, the communion table replaced with a coffin. We have had baby dedications, recognized graduates and have been stirred to action by the stories of missionaries. We have dined together, planned together, argued together, wept together, laughed together and prayed together. We have celebrated holidays together over the years. We have dripped melted candle wax on our pews during Christmas Eve Services, and have tripped on our steps. We have hosted baby showers, picked weeds and served hot cocoa on our church steps. We moved across the street, occupied a new worship space and built a Mission and Fellowship Center together. And throughout our history, the sound of bell chimes have filled our valley and reminded us of our faith family on Main Street.
First Baptist, church is how we have chosen to pass the time together. Church is our pastime. It is the one consistent, unifying experience by which we distill and measure our lives. Church is how we choose to be with ourselves, with one another and with God. Church is uniquely positioned to interpret both the world and our lives for us.
And this Sunday, we’ll pay tribute to this most-significant pastime. I hope you’ll join us as we look back, look around and look forward.
For truly, our future together is as full of promise as Opening Day.