One More Week for Preschool Reading Program

Ellen Mathis helped Jacob Penland, Siler Messer, And Addy Penland "gather eggs" at the July 31 "Down on the Farm."

Children in the "Down on the Farm" Preschool Reading Program enjoyed two stories about chickens and ducks, made barnyard animal puppets, sang "Old MacDonald" and enjoyed a fruity snack at the July 31st session.  A highlight was "gathering eggs" on the playground.  A big "thank you" to Ellen Mathis for helping with the preschoolers over the summer.

The last meeting will be Monday, August 7, at 10:00 a.m.

Children’s Pool Party Was Fun, Fun, Fun!

Thank you to Jeff, Melanie, Izzy, Truman, and Bohdi Joiner for hosting a pool party for the children of the church on July 30th.  What a great way to cool off on a hot day!

Truman and Liam kept the party going with their lively aquatic activities.

Emma was swimming with the crocodiles at the Children’s Pool Party on July 30.

Youth Newsletter

Click HERE to view the spring youth newsletter!

Day of Caring Snapshots

Thank you to the children who came for the Day of Caring.  We made a visit to the Hermitage to see the great grandmother of Truman Joiner, traveled to the homes of Oleta Haskett and Peggy Revis where we delivered a sweet treat and flowers, and watered flowers at Betty Blanton's.  The young visitors enjoyed a pizza lunch, ice cream, and a frozen T-shirt contest also.  It was a full day but very meaningful.  We hope to do this again so if you know of someone who would enjoy a visit from the children of the church, please let Cheryl Beck know.

  Lucie and Truman had a good visit with Mrs. Oleta Haskett who shared stories about her mission trips to Brazil and Kentucky.

Truman Joiner and Lucie Moore water the flowers at Betty Blanton’s home.

Join Us for Worship!

Join us for worship on Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary! Also join us for Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. for all ages!

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.

Women’s Missionary Union Regional Annual Meeting

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.

Recipes Appreciated!

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!

Save the Date! Homecoming 2023 Is Sunday, October 15

We are thrilled to announce a very special Homecoming celebration as we honor Dr. Bob Holquist for his remarkable 40 years of dedicated service as our Minister of Music. This momentous occasion calls for a grand reunion, and we are calling all FBC Choir alumni to join us in this joyous event.

On Homecoming Sunday, we will gather on October 15 in worship to celebrate Dr. Holquist's incredible contributions to our church and community. Prepare your vocal cords, as all former FBC Choir members are invited to return and raise their voices during the 10:30 AM worship service. Let us fill the sanctuary with the harmonious sounds of praise and gratitude!

In addition to the exciting reunion of our FBC Choir, we are honored to welcome former FBC pastor, Rev. Ed Beddingfield to fill our pulpit. Presently serving as the pastor of Memorial Baptist Church in Buies Creek, NC, Rev. Beddingfield will grace our service with his leadership. 

After the worship service, we will continue the festivities with a feast for the ages in the Mission and Fellowship Center. It will be a time of fellowship, laughter, and reunion. This is an opportunity not to be missed as we commemorate Dr. Holquist's extraordinary tenure and the impact he has made on our church family.

Please help us spread the word about Homecoming 2023. In particular, share this announcement with any FBC Choir alumni or former members of our congregation who may not be aware of this special Homecoming celebration. Let's come together to make this day truly spectacular!

Save the date, mark your calendars, and join us on October 15 for a day filled with reunion, celebration, and gratitude. We look forward to seeing you there!

Mission Moment 8.2.23

Suzie

CBF Field Personnel in Thailand

 In these days of worldwide groaning, so much uncertainty, isolation and suffering, what great comfort and peace comes by knowing these two truths: Jesus is alive, and he intercedes for us!

He has received authority and is our perfect high priest. He sits at the right hand of God, pleading for us. He knows every heart cry. He knows what is best for us and for the people we seek to serve. Where the enemy accuses us before God, Jesus lives to intercede for us. What blessed assurance! 

We can pray God’s word into any heartache, broken life or world crisis.

As a linguist and translator, it is exciting to me that in praying God’s word, we are speaking God’s language. God’s word is a window into God’s heart for us. It transforms our thinking as we pray. We don’t need to waste time “figuring it out,” with a formula or “magic incantation.” We can come to scripture and pray from there. I have learned to pray God’s word in my international church community, consisting of 75 nations and representing more than denominations. What a beautiful gift, to pray God’s word with the body of Christ!

During a particularly difficult season of sorrow, I have prayed God’s word in the middle of the night. I pray God’s word for my adult children in different time zones across the ocean. I have prayed God’s word for my Thai and Bisu loved ones whose hearts are hardened to the Good News. I have prayed God’s word as I confess my sins, fears and sorrows to the Father. I have prayed God’s word as I ask for God’s provision, God’s peace, God’s direction. I have prayed God’s word when I question what God is doing in my life and in this world. And I pray God’s word for the spiritual protection and breakthroughs each day.

When we don’t have words, when we are up at 2 a.m. worrying, when the weight of the world’s sorrow seems like too much, when confusion blurs the thought processes…we can pray God’s word with beautiful assurance. When we don’t know what or how to pray through something or for someone in a crisis, we can pray God’s heart for them from God’s word.

Pray. . .Give. . .Go.

WMU Leadership Team Meeting

Leadership team meeting Monday, August 14 at 10:30 am in the Table Room.