Humbled at the Nursing Home

On the first Wednesday of each month, I visit two nursing homes and help to provide a brief worship experience with their residents.

I do not go alone.

Dr. Bob Holquist and Barbara Vance have been committed to this ministry for many years. Additionally, many others have joined us in singing hymns and visiting with the residents. Furthermore, you won’t be surprised to learn that on selected Sundays throughout the year, both men and women’s groups from our church also take turns in providing a worship service in our community’s other assisted living facilities. I am proud of our church’s leadership in this ministry, and I am touched by our church member’s kind and gracious presence with the elderly. In truth, these individuals have been effective teachers for me in the discipline of providing pastoral care.

Ministry to individuals in our nursing homes can be difficult. Many will characterize these visits to be sober and disheartening. They will say that the visits remind them of their parents’ or grandparents’ slow declines in the last seasons of their lives. Others will claim that they feel haunted by the reality that many of the residents’ dearest loved ones have already died. And then some of us may harbor feelings of guilt and regret for decisions made about loved ones’ extended care in the past. Who among us isn’t touched by the residents’ chronic pain, physical and mental disabilities and the hardships that accompany the loss of mobility and freedom?

In truth, we resist frequenting these assisted living facilities because the trips can feel uncomfortable. They can remind us of the fragility of life, as well as the inescapable realities of pain and suffering, loss and death. The experience of visiting a nursing home can feel alien to us and we often find ourselves counting the minutes until it’s time to leave. It is little wonder that these group homes are not littered with visitors, family members and young people.

But they should be because ministry to the elderly is one of the surest embodiments of servanthood.

The life to which we are called, namely a life of service as modeled by our Lord Jesus Christ, is hard work. First and foremost, service requires sacrifice. Whether we sacrifice time, energy or our comfort, service to others requires that we willingly give something up out of concern for someone else. When we visit and care for those in the last season of their lives, we do so with the faith that our presence, our touch, and our words matter.

Visits to our local nursing homes require patience and gentleness. Upon arriving at the facilities, our church members take their time in greeting the residents who are in various states of vitality. I am deeply moved by the way in which our church members bend down to look individuals in the eyes, or who help to straighten someone’s bib, or who comment on an elderly woman’s baby doll. Their touch brings life to the residents’ eyes. Their words evoke a sweet smile, reminiscent of the grin they may have once had when their grandchildren walked in the front door. When I see our church members visit these residents, I see Jesus’s unqualified love. When I hear our church members patiently answer a question that has been offered multiple times, I see God’s persistent and gracious presence. When I see our church members linger by the wheelchair of a person who is comatose and unresponsive, I feel the strength of the Holy Spirit turning the linoleum tile into holy ground.

These hospitable visitors provide pastoral care for no other reason than the blessing that they receive from putting someone else’s needs before their own. Service is best embodied in the humbling image of a Christ who takes on the role of a servant and washes his disciples’ feet. As followers of this Christ, this should define our identity and shape our call.

I know what service and selflessness is because of the witness of our church members’ willingness to serve. You serve because you love. You love because God first loved you. God’s love is embodied and made incarnate when you share His love with these who yearn to feel the warmth of another. I am grateful for your inconspicuous ministry and I am humbled by the way in which you allow Christ to live in you.

To myself and to the rest of us, I must reflect on the question that Martin Luther King, Jr. once asked: "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'"

We look most like God when we serve others in love. But service does more than that. The act of providing care and assistance takes the emphasis off ourselves and gives us a refreshing perspective on the world around us. For when we are focused solely on our own family’s needs, desires and agendas, we over-inflate our own anxieties and undervalue the needs and concerns of others. In short, service reorients our perspective and moves us from entitlement—or what we feel is owed to us—to loving kindness.

Thank you, First Baptist Church, for teaching me what it looks like to serve in such selfless, beautiful and Christ-like ways. May we all be inspired by the way in which you think of others before yourself.

A Note from Virginia and Frank

To My Church Family

Thank you for the texts, calls, cards, and prayers during our father’s illness and death. You love and support is very comforting.

Virginia B Milligan
Louise & Frank C. Burrell
 

1st Explorers Staff Spotlight

Get to know our 1st Explorers staff as we highlight a different staff member every week!

Meet Alexis Dills

-Where are you from?
I'm from sylva

-Where are you in school? What year are you? What's your major?
I am in my first year of college, I want to major in physical education

-When you were in Kindergarten, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was in kindergarten when I grew up I wanted to be a mechanic and work with my dad

-Now, today, what kind of a career do you want to have?
Now today I want to be a PE coach

-Favorite Bible verse or story (and why?): 
My favorite bible verse is "I can do all things through a Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 that's my favorite verse because I know I can do anything I set my mind to because God is always with me no matter what!

-"I spend a lot of my free time doing..."
"I spend a lot of my free time with my family and friends, going to church and going fishing with my papaw"

-One thing I love about living in Western North Carolina is...
One thing I love about Western North Carolina is there's so many places to go on adventures and go hiking and it's beautiful here.

-One thing I want to do before graduating is...
-One thing I want to do before graduating is lead at least one person in the direction of knowing Jesus.

1st Explorers Newsletter

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http://eepurl.com/b4h7nr

Needed in Times of Trouble: People of (Good) Faith

The flood waters that are still receding in Texas continue to bear witness to one of the most devastating natural disasters in our nation’s history. The scope of such a life-altering event is difficult to take in.

How does one make sense of 30 trillion gallons of rainfall?

Some have tried to help us appreciate the depth of sorrow that the flooding rains have wrought. For example, analysts and scientists have told us that it would take over a week for the Mississippi river to flow directly into Houston, Texas to match the total amount of rainfall that has flooded the Houston region.

It’s still hard to grasp, isn’t it?

Also drowning in the flood waters is good theology--that is, the things we say about God. God has taken quite the beating in the public’s eye this last week. Pastors, atheists, ministers and politicians alike have all said any range of things about God’s role in the flooding rains. One particularly notable minister said that the flooding rains fell among people who God knew could handle the devastation. Others have suggested that the suffering is a direct result of disobedience—whether morally or because of a failure to address climate change, or town planning in flood prone areas. Regardless of the complexion of these statements and social media fodder, the overarching message is clear: God is somehow responsible for the flood.

Although it shouldn’t have to be said, these responses make cheap an almighty God. Even though it is human nature to try and make meaning of meaningless tragedies, we must be careful not to say things about God which dishonor Him and hurt others.

Luke 13 describes a scene with which we can identify. Jesus is asked to confirm or deny God’s role in the deaths of eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell. The question before Jesus was if they somehow deserved their fate or were being punished for their wickedness.

“No, I tell you,” Jesus reports.

What role does God play in the disasters we witness, live through and can assuredly anticipate in the future?

Many of us are familiar with Fred Roger’s statement about tragedy and suffering. He said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

As life, history and the record of God’s relationship with us in the Bible teach us, we live in a dark and cruel world. Horrendous and dreadful things happen with unsettling regularity at all times, all over the globe. Altogether, we have proclaimed God either the author of the pain and suffering we witness, or a victim like us. And yet, even though we know that suffering is an inescapable reality in our world, God has vowed not to destroy or condemn us wholesale, but is committed rather to save us through the gift of His Son, Jesus. The world and its inhabitants, as dark and cruel as can be imagined, are still worthy of God’s redemption. And just as it’s true that we can’t appreciate how much rain has fallen in Texas, how can we truly grasp the depth and breadth of God’s desire to save us?

Yes, I am disturbed by the suffering that I see in the pictures and hear about in people’s stories. But, I can also tell you that I see hope. Hope is evident in the creative, dynamic and majestic ways that people rushed to help those in need. Everyday individuals risked life and limb to rescue people they might not have ordinarily seen or valued in their day-to-day lives. People of different races and ethnicities searched side by side for flood victims who might be trapped inside their homes or cars. Men, women and children helped one another in grief and in despair because it was something that they could do to make things better.

As faithful followers of Jesus, we will forever wrestle with the meaning of our lives and the reality of suffering between the day of Christ’s resurrection and the Great Day of Our Lord’s Redemption. But one thing should be clear to us: God calls us to be a people who helps.

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

This is what we do when people hurt. We help.
This is what we do when people are left for dead. We help.
This is what we do when people have no food, no water, no shelter. We help, we help, we help.

We do not allow ourselves to be paralyzed by bad theology, cynicism or despair. We cannot, for we don’t have time. We are commanded to help.

And help, we shall. Already, our church is asking how we can help. Already, many of our church members are planning a mission trip to help. Already, we are asking how we can be a part of God’s redemptive work to bring healing and wholeness, peace and love.

If anything, we followers of Jesus should be known for our willingness to help. It’s a good rule of thumb for most every problem and challenge our community and nation faces. Above all, whatever the presenting cause or issue, people of (good) faith should help.

For when we do, I believe, we’ll find ourselves alongside a God who is helping, too.

DMIN 101: What the Pastor is Reading

Jeff has begun his Doctorate of Ministry program at Campbell University Divinity School this fall and has begun to stuff his backpack with required readings. His first class is entitled, Theological Reflection in Context. Pick out a book or two to read alongside him and join in the conversation!

The Pastor Theologian: Resurrecting An Ancient Vision by Gerald Hiestand and Todd Wilson

Servant of All: Status, Ambition, and the Way of Jesus by Craig C. Hill

Scripture and Discernment: Decision Making in the Church by Luke Timothy Johnson

Resurrecting Excellence: Shaping Faithful Christian Ministry by Gregory L. Jones and Kevin R. Armstrong

The Great Spiritual Migration: How the World’s Largest Religion is Seeking A Better Way to be Church by Brian McLaren

Baby Shower for Emily Stephens

Baby Shower for Emily Stephens baby boy
September 10, 2:00 to 3:30
The Gathering Room
Granddaughter of Jim and Jennie Hunter
Daughter of Matt Hunter
Registered at Babies R Us

Parents Night Out

Parents Night Out will be on September 8th, 5:30 - 9:00
During Parents Night Out, children will make breakfast for dinner and will make sand bottle art. 

Sign up for Parents Night Out here: http://firstbaptistsylva.com/giving

1E Staff Appreciation

I’m most grateful for the wonderful and dedicated staff that we have who serve our students and their families in numerous ways each day. Our college student staff come prepared each day to share God's love with our 1st Explorers. Over the next few weeks, we will be highlighting a different staff member each week so that you might get to know them better. I invite you to stop by during Wee Explorers or After School and get to know our staff!

- Kelly

First Days

Last week, for the first time in 16 years, I became a student once again. I have begun my work toward a Doctorate of Ministry at Campbell University Divinity School. Although I didn’t have any First Day of School jitters last Thursday, it did occur to me that I hadn’t done this in some time.
 
I remember my first day of elementary school. I was unsure and uneasy. My mother took a picture of me clutching my small, red backpack and a paper grocery bag (school supplies, maybe?). I was nervous, but my mother seemed to think I could handle it. She watched me from the screen door as I climbed onto the school bus. I suppose I survived that first day.
 
I remember my first day of middle school. I was terrified. Everything was new and different and fraught with danger—new school bus, new school, new classmates, new lunch room, new routine, new, new, new. I’m not sure that I survived that first day.
 
I remember my first day of high school. I was exhilarated. We had moved from Atlanta to Asheville and I had already attended band camp the week before. I had shortened my name from Jeffrey to Jeff. I had stepped out of my awkward middle school years and felt confident in the person that I was becoming. Everything was new and I thought it was delicious.
 
I remember my first day of college. I was befuddled. My first class was a mile from my dormitory and I hadn’t planned effectively. I dressed too formally and was shedding clothes by noon. I knew no one in my classes and I was anxious that everyone would recognize that I was an in-over-my-head freshman. Still, it was a new world and I could eat all the tacos I wanted for supper that evening.
 
I remember my first day of seminary. I didn’t know how they did school in New Jersey. Orientation had been helpful and my classmates were proving to be fellow pilgrims. But still, I wasn’t sure I could cut it. I recall hyperventilating throughout the day as my syllabi revealed the expectation that I read a book a week a class in a schedule where I was taking five classes. If memory serves correct, I ate ice cream that first night of class on Mercer Street in Princeton. Because I could.
 
Last Thursday, many of these first impressions from First Days came roaring back to me. But this go-round, there were new observations to be made. Like, how young the college students looked. Or, how the faculty didn’t seem so intimidating or other-worldly as they had in years gone by. I was able to park my car far closer to the classroom than I ever had, and one of the university’s young employees even called me, ‘sir.’ But just as it had been for my other ‘Firsts,’ I was exhilarated to be in a classroom, learning, listening, sharing and reflecting. I suppose that I survived that first day, too.

Life is full of First Days and we shouldn’t take them lightly. There are first days of school, first days on the new job, first days of retirement. We have first dates, first kisses and first days of marriage. We suffer through first-losses, first days after being fired, and first days of treatment. There are first days of recovery, first days of knowing that you’re pregnant, and first days after a storm.
 
No wonder we take photos of our children on the first day of school! The photos become markers for us to remember and to recall what it was like in that very moment. The snapshots that we take on those first days help us to have a point of reference when we look back to see how much we have grown. First days are like Opening Day in baseball. The first day of baseball inaugurates the beginning of a long season of unknowns. Who knows what might happen? Anything’s possible.
 
The Israelites were nervous, too, that First Day. For an entire generation they had been wandering without a home in the wilderness. But that was about to end. Under Joshua’s leadership the people had arrived at the banks of the Jordan river. Stepping into the water, the people found themselves at a bus stop on the way to a new reality. Joshua would then kneel down on one knee, and would encourage them by telling them that God’s presence—in their case, the Ark of the Covenant—would go before them and that they didn’t have to be afraid of what lay ahead. And just as our cameras today freeze time, the river that the Israelites stepped into stopped flowing and they could cross over the dry riverbed into their Promised Land. When they had all crossed over on that First Day, God directed the people to build a monument of stones in the middle of the river to help them remember what God had done for them. It not only served as a witness to God’s provision for them in their past, it was also intended to be a lasting monument of God’s faithfulness for future generations.
 
For you see, First Days are important. They herald new seasons and hint at great accomplishments and pending growth. And none of that, and nothing, is possible apart from God.