Dear Church,
We would like to express our thanks to you for your calls, prayers and cards. The love and care shown by our pastoral care team was greatly appreciated. A special thanks to Reverend Dr. Jeff for supporting us when it was most needed. His wonderful words and prayers were very comforting during this time of great sorrow. Please accept our deepest gratitude.
–Louise and Frank Burrell
I have always connected with nature and creation. Several years ago, I moved from road running to trail running in the woods. During the pandemic, my refuge became weekend hikes and trail running in the jungles of Malaysia. Walking prayer became where I found rejuvenation of mind, body and soul. “Forest bathing,” or as the Japanese call it, Shinrinyoku, has proven to be beneficial physiologically, psychologically and spiritually. It reduces stress and builds up the immune system as one inhales the microbes present in the forest and as one absorbs the sights and sounds of nature along the way. Combining physical exertion, nature and the spiritual elements, each step and each breath become a prayer of connection with creation, with God, and with my inner being. As I run, the sun’s first rays filter through the jungle canopy. The forest floor is bathed with golden streams of light. Monkey troops send out audible alerts from the treetops as I pass below. The screech of a sea eagle pierces the sky above. The sun’s rays of light activate a cacophony of alluring song birds as the dawn’s katydid songs fade. I love being out in nature. Nature’s healing power is amplified in the dawn hour.
Often, when I start my hike, my mind is filled with thoughts, tasks, responsibilities, or emotions layered deep. On particularly stressful days, I may feel the tension in my chest. With each step I climb, with each breath, I inhale rejuvenating oxygen while absorbing the serenity of the jungle. Starting at sea level, my hikes always begin with an uphill climb. How long does it take for my mind to slow down, for the thoughts to dissipate? Twenty minutes, maybe 45 on a stressful day. But inevitably, at some point, a shift occurs. Usually, the change is so subtle that I am not even aware there was a switch. By the time I turn around and start my journey back, my mind has shifted, my spirit has lifted. The stress and strain of life has evaporated in the dawn mist. I breathe in. I breathe out. As I make my way downhill, with a quickening pace and the agility of a trail runner, euphoria and joy fill my soul. I feel alive, firing on all cylinders!
I can never recall a time at the end of a hike or run when I didn’t feel better than when I began. Never have I thought I wasted an hour while out in nature. Why? Because that is where I find God. It is where I connect with creation and myself. God met Moses on a mountain top. God met David in the Judean hills while he shepherded sheep. Jesus was known to withdraw from the crowds and go up on a hill to pray. I meet God in profound ways, surrounded by creation on jungle trails, as my prayers harmonize with my movement and my breath.
Pray...Give...Go.
The CDC recommends that you wear a mask indoors.
Maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others.
Our worship service will be streamed online at firstbaptistsylva.com.
Girls in Action and Royal Ambassadors will meet during After School on Wednesday, February 15 on the third floor.
Each week we include a recipe in the Church Chimes and we hope that you are enjoying reading and trying them. You can add your favorite recipes to the Chimes by sending them to Cheryl Beck at cabeck@ncsu.edu. This is an ongoing WMU project.
Thanks for participating!
FBC’s Ash Wednesday service will be held on Wednesday, February 22 at 5:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.
A funeral service for Ruth Crawford will be held this Friday, February 17, at 2:00 p.m. in the First Baptist Church sanctuary.
Family and friends will receive visitors beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the church. A graveside ceremony will follow the service at Fairview Memorial Gardens in Sylva.
There will be a drop-in bridal shower for Hannah Doolittle, granddaughter of Frank & Rachel Wilkie, on Sunday, March 5 in the Gathering Room from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Bringing a favorite recipe instead of a card has been requested.
Join us in worship THIS Sunday, February 19, for worship and the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.
Ingredients
3 pounds potatoes
4 ounces bacon (diced)
3/4 cup chopped onion
2 15 ounce cans creamed corn
1 15 ounce can whole canned corn (optional)
1 12 ounce can evaporated milk
3/4 cup Half and Half
1/4 cup margarine
8 ounce package mild cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Place potatoes in a large pot with water just to cover; bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer until just tender about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, cook bacon over medium heat in a skillet with onion until crisp. When potatoes are tender, stir in bacon mixture, creamed corn, evaporated milk, Half and Half, margarine, cheese, and salt and pepper. Heat 10 minutes, until cheese and margarine are melted and mixture is thoroughly heated.
–Provided by Judy Wilkey
Corn Chowder
Click here to download a printable version.
Provided by Judy Wilkey