Ball Club will meet Thursday, March 1, 2018 at 10:30 am for Charades and Bingo.
Bring a sandwich for lunch. Drinks will be provided.
Jennie and Sheila. 399-0623
One in the Spirit?
“We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord. We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord. And we pray that our unity will one day be restored. And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”
In the dim recesses of my mind, I can still hear my friends singing this song.
It must have been in the mid-1990s. I was a student leader in the Baptist Student Union at NC State. My role on our leadership council was to lead and direct our weekly programming events.
We called it, Monday Night Live, I believe. Yes, the name of our evening programming was shamelessly stolen. To the best of my awareness, though, no one from NBC ever called us to ‘cease and desist.’
Our hour-long program involved the following elements: a welcome, an ice-breaker, some singing, a prayer, some kind of content or guest speaker, and at least 15 minutes of announcements (yes, this sounds strikingly similar to our modern-day worship hour at church).
But our evening needed some kind of closing element that would help us to feel like the group that we were hoping to become. So, we alighted on the familiar song, “We Are One in the Spirit.” All 50 of us would circle up, hold hands and sing the song that Jesus, himself, prayed to the Father: “I ask… that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you (John 17:20-21).”
In truth, it was not a throw-away element. It was an earnest plea for unity…because our campus ministry group was a mess. And by ‘mess,’ I mean a disaster.
Oh, we were a jolly bunch (at times). We got things accomplished on campus and in the community (mostly). And we grew in our relationship with Christ (occasionally).
But my lasting recollection of my time in the BSU was that we were divided. We were an odd mix of insiders and outsiders, social misfits and intellectual snobs, attractive and repugnant. We came from different church backgrounds and brought with us a host of flashpoints and disagreements. We argued, fussed and fumed. We debated headlines, championed our points of view, and retreated into tribes that would wage social war with one another.
One thing I must give us credit for: we were resilient. We fought and made up, we argued, and we laughed at ourselves. We would vilify one another on any particular issue, but we’d still lead Bible studies together. We were becoming adults together and campus ministry was an important part of our social and emotional development.
Our ending song, then, was a plea that in the midst of our disagreements and divisions, we could still be ‘One in the Spirit.’ And truly, God answered our prayers.
In light of our current socio-political, and socio-theological realities, 1995 feels quaint.
At best, our differences are fault lines that lie quietly beneath the Church’s surface, only occasionally splintering the Body of Christ. At worst, Christians are so divided that we demonize any hint of ‘otherness’ and shade the world into right/ wrong, black/ white, good/ evil. Fundamentalism—that is, the idea that our worldview is absolutely right, and that all others should be damned—is prevalent on both the right and on the left.
For over a century, our own particular church has prided itself on being a church that eschews fundamentalism and values the fact that we are not all of the same mind. We are a faithful bunch that populates most every station on the continuum from anarchy to communism. And while our church’s tolerance for a variety of opinions and beliefs is what helps to define us as followers of Christ in the Baptist tradition, we also must concede that our way of being church is no longer normative in our day and age. The friction from the movement of tectonic plates that litter our Facebook feeds causes us to increasingly not want to have anything to do with one another.
I find a strange comfort in the reminder that none of this is particularly new in the span of human history. No, we have always been a wily, tribally-loyal mishmash of a people throughout the ages. But we shouldn’t get too comfortable knowing that we are not alone in our toxic and broken reality. History teaches us that fundamentalism (I’m right, you’re wrong!) and the inherent discord that it sows results in horrific violence, civil strife, and genocide. Much of this was done in the name of Jesus, so we’d best tread carefully.
A judicious reading of the Gospels reveals that the disciples were just as divided as my campus ministry buddies were—arguably even more so. The disciples hailed from different backgrounds. There were people who were intimately related to one another, and others who were strangers, sinners and social outcasts. Some were power-hungry. Others were vengeful and mean-spirited. There were revolutionaries and blue-collar workers. They were ambitious. They were naïve. They were liberal. They were conservative.
Upon a final analysis, the only thing holding them together was Jesus.
And even that had a limited shelf-life.
The only way for us to be One in the Spirit when our differences are many is Jesus. If Christ is at the center, and if we are all facing him, a circle will form. So long as we’re all facing Christ, we will find ourselves side by side with those we might ordinarily dismiss. This, I believe, is the only way we can experience unity in the Spirit.
To that end, consider Paul’s practical suggestions for maintaining unity in Christ during tumultuous times. Romans 12:9-21 provides us with a template for how we are to be One in Christ’s Name.
Romans 12
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, this is who God is calling us to be.
Jesus is telling us: “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid…In the same way, you must let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to our Father in heaven.”
Our Father. Yes, Our Father.
Church-Wide Hike
Phenomenal weather blessed our first church hike! Make plans to join us on our next church-wide hike on Sunday, March 25.
Dust Worth Dying For
“Remember that you are from dust, and to dust you shall return.”
-Genesis 3:19
Remember.
Ash Wednesday marks the first day of our journey to the cross. We do not travel alone, and we are not leading the way. We follow in the footsteps of Jesus as he makes his way to Jerusalem. The journey will take us some 40-odd days. But when we arrive at the destination of the cross, we will see firsthand what love truly looks like.
Our faith is based on remembrance. Our communion table is etched with Jesus’s own words: “Do this in remembrance of me.” When our church gathers together, we rightly remember Christ’s words, his ministry, his miracles, his sacrifice and his love.
But we are called to remember far more than that.
We are to remember our ancestors of faith in God’s Chosen People—the nation of Israel. We are to recall their struggles. We are to remember their triumphs. We are to remember that like them, we too were once slaves in captivity. We remember God’s liberating power. We remember His promises to the patriarchs and matriarchs, the prophets and the judges. We remember that God is Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer and King.
Although this sounds like a comprehensive list of remembrances, there is but one more significant thing to recall:
“Remember. You are from dust. And to dust you shall return.”
It is a familiar trope in literature, folklore and film. The child leaves home with the well-intentioned admonition from a parent:
“Remember who you are, son. Remember your family name.”
“Don’t forget where you are from, daughter. Don’t fail to recall the people who shaped your life.”
In these moments, the listener is reminded that our identity is shaped by our past. The truth about our beginnings is the True North that will keep us focused and centered when we venture away from the familiar.
It is significant, then, that we remember who we are in the grand scheme of things. We remember the truth about ourselves so that we can be clear about where our power and redemption come from. We are the created. God is the Creator.
Lent is a season that confronts us with this truth. We are not our own gods. We cannot save ourselves. The One True God has made a promise with us and we have willfully broken the covenant through disobedience and unfaithfulness.
Remembering our sin during the season of Lent does figure prominently, but not in the way we might assume. The purpose of remembering our sin is not to flog ourselves, but to remind us of our absolute need for Jesus.
John the Evangelist says it well:
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
-1 John 1:5-10
When we remember faithfully who we are, what we’ve become, and who God is calling us to be, God provides us with the gift of perspective. When we accept the ashes and begin our pilgrimage with Christ to the cross, the way in which we see ourselves can be reoriented. We do not belong to ourselves. We belong to the One who has created us. And because of the saving love of Christ Jesus, we belong to the One who has bought and redeemed us.
We may be dust. But during Lent, we are able to remember that we are dust worth dying for.
CALLING ALL CHILDREN GRADES 1-6!
You are invited to participate in Children's Ministry Day sponsored by WMU on Saturday, February 24th. Meet at the church at 10:00 a.m. and travel by van (or carpool with your parents) to visit HomeBase on the campus of Western Carolina University. Learn about this special ministry to college students who have been in foster or children's home care. While there you'll pack some goody bags for the students, tour the building, and have pizza! You'll be back to church around 12:15.
Please register to attend by calling the church office by Thursday, February 22nd. You will need to fill out a permission slip to participate. Also, please bring any of these items that you can to help fill the goody bags: hotel-size soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, non-perishable breakfast foods (granola bars, Pop-Tarts, instant oatmeal, etc.)
Don't miss out! Have a part in missions right here in Jackson County!
CALLING ALL ADULTS!
Help our children in grades 1-6 have a meaningful Children's Ministry Day on February 24th (see preceding article). While the children are at HomeBase that day, they will be packing small bags that Director Jim Dean says are needed by the students he works with. Please bring items for Toiletry Bags -- hotel-size soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, small tissue packets, hand sanitizer, etc. Also needed are items for Breakfast Bags -- think non-perishable foods that would help start a student's day. Please bring granola or breakfast bars, fruit cups, instant oatmeal packets, Pop Tarts, trail mix, dried fruit, etc. A box will be earmarked in the Loving Kindness Room for this purpose and items should be brought by February 23rd.
Let's help make our children's hometown mission project a success!
Book Drive
Congratulations First Baptist Sylva!
You exceeded the goal of 1,000 Children’s books for McCreary, County, Kentucky.
At last count there were 1127 books and still a few coming in.....Amazing!!!
A special thanks to Linda Phelps who turned her car into The Bookmobile and delivered them to Scarlette Jasper, the contact for donations in Kentucky.
There were so many books some were left behind and those will be delivered later March/mid April. The collection box is still in the Loving Kindness Room, so please keep donating books for 3 - 17 year olds.....they will surely be Blessed.
Gratefully,
Charlie and Diane White
Sarah Beddingfield's Memorial Service Recording
We invite you to join us for a showing of the recording of Sarah Beddingfield's memorial service in our Gathering Place. It will be shown on Wednesday, February 21st at 4 PM. The service lasts about 90 minutes.
Take a Hike
Join us for a hike on Sunday afternoon, February 18th! Enjoy God’s creation and the gift of fellowship as we hike in our beautiful mountains. Everyone is invited to join us on the path.
The hike will last no more than 90 minutes and will have gentle terrain and little elevation gain. A water bottle, snack, hiking stick and weather-appropriate clothing are all that you might need. We will meet in the church parking lot at 3:00 PM and will return no later than 6:00 PM.
In keeping with our theme of Path: Walking Humbly With Our God, we will be taking a monthly hike together throughout the year. If you have questions, contact Jeff.
The Light Grows and We Are Called to Go Deeper
February is the shortest month of the year. And that’s a good thing, because it tends to be a rough few weeks.
Not to belabor the point, but February is not the brightest of seasons. Our weather teeters between dismal and abysmal most days. Winter has outlived its charm. A rampant cold and flu season has made us suspicious of one another, and we’re reluctant to venture out more than we have to. St. Valentine’s Day can be bitter sweet, and the life and vitality of spring seems far away.
If that were not enough, February begins the church’s season of Lent. Although its name—from Latin—hints at the lengthening of days because of added sunlight, it is typically experienced as a Holy season of somber contemplation on Jesus’s 40 days in the wilderness. It is a time when we declare our humanity while we are reminded of the ancient, sacred words: “Remember that you are from dust, and to dust you shall return.” We are mindful of our true nature as we walk in solidarity with Christ to the Cross. Jesus is the Way through suffering, to death and ultimately to resurrection. Ash Wednesday, on February 14th, begins this journey.
I doubt that I am alone when I state that this feels cumbersome and heavy.
The season of Lent—that is, the 6-week period of preparation for Christ’s Passion and the Resurrection at Easter—was the church’s first ‘holiday.’ To early Christians, this period was more important than the other ‘markers’ of the faith because it demanded a penitent heart, and a willingness to walk humbly with God.
While the sleet and freezing rain poured down on our mountains this past Sunday, Kelly read from Psalm 51 in worship. Verse 17 captures well the purpose of Lent:
The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Yes, in order for God to “create in us a clean heart and to put a new and right spirit within us,” we must come to God without guile and with transparency.
Even though the timing of this season of preparation for the cross compounds the darkness and shadow that we experience in late winter, a greater communion with God does not require solemnity and sorrow at all times. Instead of throwing ourselves into the grey, angst-filled corridors of repentance to experience God’s presence, we can envision that God wants to use these coming weeks as a time where our relationship with Him can be deepened. By allowing ourselves to be stilled like a ripple-free pond in a glen, God can reach deep within our souls to fill us with the strength of his presence and to truly be our God.
While disciplines of sacrifice, fasting and abstinence are hallmarks of Lent, consider the following life-giving ways to deepen your relationship with God during the next weeks:
1.) Attend worship even when you are inclined to remain in the sanctuary of your home. As a people of the resurrection, Sunday will always be a feast day—that is, a day of celebration. Join your church family as we worship together with praise and thanksgiving on our lips and in our hearts. Being with your church family will do your soul some good.
2.) Get outside in nature. Admire the power of God’s creation in the swollen rivers and gushing waterfalls. See the life that God grants creation in the rich evergreens. Notice how they are vibrant, even in the dark of winter.
3.) Practice kindness to a stranger. Buy the coffee of the person behind you in line. Return someone’s grocery cart for them. Volunteer at the animal shelter and thank the staff. Give notes of encouragement for those who work in healthcare.
4.) Choose to have a prayer time each day that is not connected with meal or bedtime. Pray with your eyes open, or while listening to music. Pray that God grants you a clean heart while you wash your hands.
5.) Read a passage of scripture each week and allow your imagination to embody what you’re processing by sketching, painting or molding your response to it.
6.) Call, write or text an old friend or family member that you haven’t had contact with in a long time.
7.) Go for a brisk walk and feel the life that God has given you swell and pulse, and be thankful.
Walking humbly with God during the season of Lent does not have to be a dark, sorrowful experience. For each step of the way points toward wholeness, health, redemption and joy. Lent can be the time when God’s joy is extended like the lengthening of the day and fuels our hope for what lies ahead.
The light grows and we are called to go deeper.