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!

Interested in Being on the Team?

Jackson County Church League Volleyball

All games will be played on Monday nights at the recreation center in Cullowhee starting in September. Contact Andrew Sherling at 828.293.3053 ext. 6 or andrewsherling@jacksonnc.org for additional information. Register online at rec.jacksonnc.org before August 31.

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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!

Youth Newsletter

Click HERE to view the spring youth newsletter!

1st Explorers After-School Ministry Begins August 16

With the start of school on August 16 comes the 1st Explorers After School Ministry.  We are anticipating another great year full of enrichment activities, fun, missions education, and faith encounters through Chapel and special guests.  What a wonderful ministry this is to children who need a safe, nurturing place while their parents are at work.  

Registration is taking place right now for the program but we know that there will be a few open spaces.  If you know a family who needs this type of support, please contact Marina Graham for more information.

This program is successful because of the dedication of the Assistant Director Melanie Stokely and the staff who lead the program.  In addition, the myriad of volunteers who give of their time and energy to the children is a tremendous boost to 1st Explorers.

If you would like to contribute to this important ministry of our church, you may want to consider volunteering a couple of afternoons a month or contribute some supplies that are needed.  Check with Melanie Stokely or Marina Graham about volunteer opportunities.  Perhaps your Sunday School class would provide some snacks or sports equipment.  There are ways for you to be a part of the mission of 1st Explorers.

Here is a "Wish List" of items that would be helpful over the next couple of months:

• Sidewalk Chalk

• Balls -Footballs, basketballs, soccer, dodge ball, wiffle ball and bat

• Hula Hoops

• Checkers

• Chess Game

• Card Table

• Dry Erase Markers

• Wipes

• Cups

• Plates

• Healthy Snacks:  graham crackers, apples, applesauce, granola bars, cheese and peanut butter crackers, popcorn, etc.

  Items can be left on the cart at the back entrance to the church.  Thank you for considering ways to be of service to this ministry.

Mission Circle Resumes Fall Program

Mission Circle will start our fall programs on September 12 at 10:30 in the gathering room. All women are invited to attend.

Send Us Your Prayer List Updates

fbcsylvapray@gmail.com 

Add this email address to your contacts list on your devices so that our staff and Pastoral Care Team can learn of your prayer requests as quickly as possible. And yes, you may still contact the church office directly at 828-586-2095 to share your prayer concerns, as well.

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.

Sunday School and Childcare is Available!

Mission Moment 8.16.23

Mike and Lynn Hutchinson

 CBF Field Personnel in Togo (West Africa)

 Lord, grant to us the believing, wisdom to live with clarity among the yet unbelieving. Give us wisdom to be disciplined and morally straight in a world gone its own way. Give us wisdom to understand and explain your written word. Give us wisdom when to be bold and when to be quiet. And lastly, give us wisdom to bring all relationships to the sharp point of conversation. For I was lost and now I am found. My wages of sin was death but with Christ as my Lord I have eternal life. I was once where I see so many in my life in Togo today. Amen. We always tell our supporters that prayer is the power that opens doors for us here in Togo.