Thank you to Autumn Burnes, Cheryl Beck, and Andrew Beck for being available for the nursery last Sunday. We appreciate you.
On July 23, Vanessa Bryson and David McDonald will be in the nursery. Thank you!
There is still room on the schedule to serve “the least of these”
on Sunday mornings. It is a blessing to see their smiles and enthusiasm as you spend
time with our infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
Please contact Cheryl Beck (cabeck@ncsu.edu) if you would like to help.
The Preschool Reading Program "Down on the Farm" completed its second week with a visit from Minda Daugthry from NC Cooperative Extension. Minda, the Extension Horticulture Agent, helped the children plant sunflower seeds in recyclable containers. The seeds were donated by the Jackson County Beekeepers Association. Ellen Mathis read a story about seed planting, there was a fruit and vegetable scavenger hunt, vegetable tasting party, and the children put together their own garden book. Lots of fun and it continues for the next two Mondays.
Monday Daughtry (left) with NC Cooperative Extension takes a break with the children after planting seeds in the Preschool Reading Program.
Strider and Brooke Drum work together on their sunflower project.
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.
Serving among refugees, I have learned so many things about prayer practices from other cultures and traditions. For some, scripted prayers are the norm, while others prefer spontaneous prayer. Some prayer practices I’ve witnessed are quiet and reverent, while other practices are more demonstrative, with movement or words. One beautiful prayer practice I’ve seen from my Muslim neighbors is the practice of receiving blessing.
Often, I have the privilege of closing my visits with each family in a spoken prayer of blessing for them. I try to use very simple language so they are able to follow along with limited English skills. But I know that even if they can’t fully understand my words, they can still feel the spirit and power of the prayer, because they show me through their body language.
When I begin to pray, they open their hands, palms facing up, and extend their hands toward me. I have learned this is a sign of submission to God.
When I finish my spoken prayer, they often smile, and there is a deep sense of peace that settles into the space. Then, they bring their open palms up to their forehead, and slowly move their hands down the front of their face and torso. It is a symbol of their receiving the blessing I have offered, absorbing God’s mercy and grace.
It is a simple movement, but it communicates so much:
“I feel and receive your prayer for me.”
“I surrender to God’s movement between us.”
“I am grateful for your visit.”
“Thank you.”
It is a powerful, and holy moment. And through it, I have come to realize that prayer is a place where we meet one another, beyond language barriers and cultural differences. Prayer is a place where God’s spirit stirs in us, even beyond words. Prayer becomes a universal language.
PRAY . . . GIVE . . . GO . . .
United Christian Ministries is in need of pasta sauce, ramen, pancake syrup, applesauce (6-pack individual cups), and laundry detergent. To donate items, please drop them off at UCM’s building at 191 Skyland Drive. Thank you!
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!
Ladies! The Women’s Missionary Union regional Annual Meeting will be held on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at Lighthouse Baptist Church on Hwy 441 S from 9-12. The cost is $15. The meetings are very interesting and since it is being held 4 miles from our church, it would wonderful for us to go. We will have wonderful speakers and it would be an excellent way to meet other WMU members in our county and Western NC. Hope you can attend! If you need help with your reservation, please call Gaye at 828-506-3270. To make your reservation yourself, send an email to assistlbc@frontier.com.
Men and boys, guests and friends, join us as we gather for some good food and fellowship at our next Men’s Breakfast on Saturday, July 29.
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.
I want to send a special THANK YOU! to Arlin Middleton and his crew for all the work they did for me at my house. My insurance company was requiring me to have most of this work done in order for my home owners insurance to be in compliance. These guys did a wonderful job helping to get this done. In addition to Arlin the following men helped with this project: Dennis Wilkie, Frank Wilkey, Guy Hall, Scott McConnell, John Dills, and Bob Holquist.
Also thanks to Linda Minor for providing lunch on one of the work days and special thanks to my dear friend Nancy McConnell for getting this started and seeing it through. Without her help it would have never happened. Plus she made arrangements for someone to haul off all the junk that was left after the work was done.
Also thanks to those who helped whose names I do not know but your part in this project was just as important. The people of First Baptist Church never fail to assist when needed whatever the need may be and I am so grateful for each and everyone of you from the bottom of my heart.
–Betty Blanton