Mission Moment 6.21.23
Greg and Sue Smith
CBF Field Personnel in Fredericksburg, VA
God of grace, God of mercy, God of peace, hear our prayer!
Gracious God, whose presence accompanies all who suffer and mourn, we grieve for those this day who are running from danger to find safety in strange lands. You, oh God, who walked closely with Abraham’s family as they journeyed to their new home Canaan, and with Ruth and Naomi as they sadly returned to Israel when death struck their family in Moab, and with Joseph and Mary in their search to protect their Little Child in Egypt, we know and trust that today you accompany each Ukrainian woman, man and child seeking shelter from the bombs of an unjust war; that today you stand with each desperate, pleading migrant waiting anxiously and fearfully at an international border hoping someone will hear their cry and open the door; that today you embrace and welcome all who seek life in the middle of the stench and horror of death.
Merciful God, watch over and strengthen each person both near and far who is forced to abandon their home, who weeps for their families and friends left behind, who risks their lives and health as they flee, who faces violence and abuse, who feels agonizing hunger for lack of food on the way, and who fears what they may find when they come to the end of the road. Call out your people to greet and welcome them all along the way, to offer food and shelter and a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name. Grant energy and resources to the organizations, governments, churches, international aid agencies, and each individual who are giving their time, money and skills in an effort to meet needs and alleviate suffering.
Peace-filled God, we groan from within our souls, pleading for a cessation of violence and destruction and war; for an end to government corruption that sows the seeds of gang violence and dishonest police; for a healing of your creation that allows poor farmers to work their land and feed their families. By your Spirit in the name of Christ Jesus who reigns in peace, grant that we might be a means of peace in our communities, our countries and our world. Fill the whole world with your peace. Come Lord Jesus!
God of grace, God of mercy, God peace, hear our prayer!
Pray. . .Give. . .Go.
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Youth Newsletter
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Flowers for Sanctuary
If you would like to provide flowers in the sanctuary for Sunday morning services, please contact Gwen Messer at 828-506-8370, or Janice in the church office to be placed on the calendar.
VBS Was Great!
"Daniel's Adventures", the theme of this year's Vacation Bible School, allowed the participants a glimpse into ancient Babylon. The Bible stories, games, music, and crafts were based on Daniel's and his friends' trials while being held captive in a strange land. The week-long event was held at Bridge Park in coordination with 6 other churches. Around 70 children and youth attended this year.
While the younger children were learning about God being with us in every circumstance, the youth performed hands-on service for a variety of groups including Home Base, the Community Garden, and the Community Table.
It was a wonderful week. Thank you to the folks from FBC who helped make it a success: Andrew Beck, Beverly Midgett, Melanie Stokely, Sandi Allen, Harold Messer, Arlin Middleton, Guy Hall, Cliff Kolk, John Dills, Jeff Mathis, Cheryl Beck, and Carol Cloer.
Left: A Thankfulness Charade game during Bible Study time with Daniel allowed the participants to express their thanks for God's many gifts.
Right: Children surround the "lion" outside Daniel's tent at VBS.
Jimmie Stewart aka “Blower Man” Honored
During a recent Church Garden Work Day, Charlie White presented Jimmie Stewart a special T-shirt honoring all of the work Jimmie does weekly to make sure our grounds look good!
Early on, Jimmie started bringing his blower to the church gardens to clear off the debris in the front and back. We so so appreciate all he has done and continues doing to do!!!
Mission Moment 6.14.23
Jessica Hearne
CBF Field Personnel in Danville, VA
It’s a typical Sunday afternoon, and people are starting to arrive for Grace and Main’s evening prayer. The kitchen is buzzing with folks pouring coffee and chit-chatting, catching up with friends after a long week. Meanwhile, in the chapel (which is actually just folding chairs set up in the living room), a small sign reminds those who are entering to “please observe silence” to allow folks to “prepare their hearts and minds for worship.” Contemplative and silent prayer have been a part of our community since we started meeting together in 2009; but the desire to quiet ourselves and listen for the voice of God often outstrips our ability to do so. In spite of the sign, some community members still need to be reminded that conversations should be taken to other parts of the house.
During the course of the prayer service, we will sing together some of our favorite hymns or spiritual songs. We will read sayings from the Communion of Saints, or the Desert Fathers, or maybe both. Then, before and after our reading of the scripture passage for the evening, we will sing a Taize chorus to help us prepare to listen for God’s voice:
“The Kingdom of God is justice and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Come, Lord, and open in us the gates of your kingdom.”
Now silence.
Or, as we say in Grace and Main, “as close as we can get.” Because it turns out that silence is not a discipline for the faint-hearted. It is in silence that we can hear the voice of God; but the things God is saying are not always easy to hear. I find myself looking for distractions to keep God at bay: blowing my nose, rereading the scripture passage, fussing with my daughter. Often, I am not alone in this: Someone else in the room will start shuffling their feet, or fishing in their pockets, and paying attention to them provides another welcome distraction for me,
But even when we don’t achieve silence, the voice of God comes through as we move into our next form of contemplation: interpreting the scripture together. Anyone in the room is welcome to share what they have heard in the silence. Usually it is a word or phrase that caught someone’s attention and is speaking to their experience, and one person’s sharing can lead to others offering insight into that word or phrase or idea. Sometimes, the connection to the day’s reading is tangential at best, as a brother or sister feels moved to testimony or confession, and God speaks to us through that person’s sharing as well. And while what is said may not be relevant to the discussion, it is always important, and so we listen.
We may not be very good at being silent but, as Thomas Merton says, “I believe that my desire to please You does in fact please You.” While our desire to listen is sometimes greater than our ability, the desire to hear God does, in fact, help us to hear God as we practice silence “as close as we can get.”
PRAY . . . GIVE . . . GO . . .
Head in the Clouds
If you drove by First Baptist on Wednesday, June 7th, you would have seen a spectacle on the playground. Around 60 children and adults were enjoying “Wonderful Water Day”, the culmination of the Pen Pal Project and the 1st Explorers After School semester. What fun we had!
After meeting their adult pen pals and hearing some brief thoughts about friendship from Reverend Mathis, it was “off to the races”!
There were water relays, squirt gun shooting contests, a fishing booth, pick up ducks game, bean bag toss, super bubbles, and water balloons. Oh, the water balloons! Many of the children were soaked by the end of the afternoon and even some of the adults got wet. In addition, there was an under the sea photo op and a visit from the Kona Ice Truck. It was an exciting afternoon.
“Wonderful Water Day” would not have been possible without the hard work of Melanie Stokely, Andrew Beck, and the 1st Explorers staff, and the Pen Pal volunteers who hosted the various events. Thank you.
This was the third year for the Pen Pal Project and celebration at Sylva FBC. Born out of the isolation of COVID 19, it was meant as a way to foster cross-generational friendships between the children of 1st Explorers and other children of the church and adults in our congregation. It has blossomed into more than this. The letters exchanged have been sources of support and encouragement for the children. The words penned by the adults have been affirming for some young folks who struggle with low self-esteem, family issues, and the day-to-day on-again, off-again friendships of elementary school-aged children. As they ripped open their letters, you could see the excitement in their eyes that someone cared enough to write to them.
In addition, the Pen Pal Project has promoted the age old art of letter writing. Although their attempts are often rudimentary, the children are learning to converse via pen and paper and learning how to address an envelope. It doesn’t sound like a big deal but it is.
On a larger scale, Pen Pals has connected adults and older teens of First Baptist with 1st Explorers, the children of the church, and their families. The church pen pals are a part of the children’s ministry efforts. They are a shining example of love in action—a mission of our church. Here’s a roll call of these wonderful folks:
Linda Minor
Linda Stewart
Judy Seago
Marina Graham
Ann Melton
Barb Holquist
Beverly Midget
Jennie Hunter
Millie Proctor
Nancy McConnell
Teresa Deitz Manring
Cindy Kolb
Tonya Lloyd
Rebecca Middleton
Will Bentley
Cliff Kolb
Andrew Beck
Arlin Middleton
John Dills
Sandi Allen
Cheryl Beck
Linda Phelps
Judy Henderson
Glenda Dills
Gaye Buchanan
Diane White
Othello Crawford
Mary Lou Millwood
David McDonald
Tom Graham
Bob Holquist
Carey Phillips
Zeb Mathis
Scott McConnell
Chris Moore
Rob Stokely
Jimmie Stewart
Morgan Hunley
Carroll Buchanan
Charlie Whitea
We hope to continue our Pen Pal Program next school year. After all, who doesn't love to receive a letter from someone who cares!
A Blast from the Past!
February 24, 2004
Left to right before departing FBC: Peggy Revis, Muriel Smith, Doris Clemmons, Lucille Bryson, Elizabth Brown, Sam Beck, Davis Beck, Marie Leatherwood, Mary Ann Frye, Gary Frye (Driver)