1st Explorers After-School Ministry Update

Melanie Stokely, On-Site Coordinator for After School reports that they had another fun week.  Cheryl Beck shared the story of Samuel and Eli with the children at Chapel on Monday, kicking off a series of stories about children in the Bible.  1st Explorers enjoyed watching a Superbook Bible story about Noah and the Ark.

Emily Taylor always brings her “A game” on Tuesdays with the children participating in fun science experiments and activities.  

The children had a great time during their first official RAs and GAs meetings on Wednesday.  As you can see by the smiles on their faces, the counselors have as much fun as the students!

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Left: Damon Knenek watches intently as Emily Taylor leads a science experiment; Middle:  Declan Morris and counselors Donnie, Andrew, and Olivia had fun with an indoor game during one of the hottest days of the year;  Right: Staff member Jan Snotherly takes a break with Emsley, Sloane, Adalyn, and Olivia. 

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.

NEW Bible Study to Begin Monday, September 25

A Bible Study will begin Monday September 25 in the Gathering Room.  Janet Ford will lead a study based on the book Praying Backwards by Bryan Chapell.  Books ($15) are available in the church office. Plan to come and learn different ways to pray.

News From Children’s Sunday School

On a recent Sunday (standing) Virgil, Bristol, Lexi, teacher Gaye Buchanan, (sitting)Liam, Truman, and Abby pose for a photo during Sunday School.

Sunday School for children in grades 1-5 is held on the second floor overlooking the playground, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. each Sunday.  We appreciate Gaye Buchanan who has been teaching the class for several years now.  The children have been learning about the books of the Bible and Old Testament stories, as well as playing games and being creative with Play-Doh.  Lucie Moore moved up to the Youth Department the first Sunday in September.  We miss her!

A substitute teacher for this age group is needed.  Would you be willing to serve in this capacity?  If so, please see Cheryl Beck for more details.   

Eight-Week Life Coaching Sessions

Life can be difficult, and challenges present themselves regularly. In the coming weeks of September and October an eight (8) session course will be offered to address the major concerns facing each of us. These will include financial, health, spiritual, personal, social, and retirement planning. Each week a topic of interest in one of these areas will be presented, discussed, and questioned. Attendees will be challenged to address these issues in order to improve their lives and those around them.  

The course is free and open to all adults. The first session will begin Monday, September 11 at 7:00 PM at First Baptist Church Sylva, rear entrance. Each session will continue on Mondays through October.

The program will be lead by Homer and Marilyn Royals. Both have extensive experience and real life training in each of these areas. Please join us each Monday evening as we provide you with answers to the challenges of this world. If you would like more information contact Homer or Marilyn at 828-293-7786 or cell- 813-469-1400. 

Mission Moment 9.6.23

Shelah and Jade Acker 

 CBF Field Personnel in Kampala, Uganda

 Here in Uganda, people often pray out loud simultaneously, like a symphony. At our church we sing a song that is called “Hear our Prayer” and a person prays in a different language in between the singing of a chorus for God to hear our prayer. Because we are a very international community, we recently sang prayers in many languages, praying for Syria, Afghanistan, Uganda, Yemen, Ukraine, East Africa, etc. It felt very powerful because of how much unrest there is currently in the world.

At our refugee ministry here in Kampala, Refuge and Hope, we always start out the year with a prayer walk around the premises. Our staff break into groups and pray in all the different classrooms, offices and work sites. John Peter is the staff member who has served at Refuge and Hope the longest and he regularly prayer walks the property every morning. We pray that each person who walks through the doors at the Center of Hope and in all the other offices of Refuge and Hope will feel something different—that they will encounter God and that they will feel safe and know the hope of Jesus. We often ask students what they enjoy about coming to the Center of Hope and most say that they feel something different when they are here. God is moving and answering prayers!

Pray. Give. Go.

Adult Book Study to Begin in September

Join us on Wednesday, September 13 at 6:00 PM as we discuss Phyllis Tickle's book, The Great Emergence: How Christianity Is Changing & Why. 

"Rooted in the observation that massive transitions in the church happen about every 500 years, Phyllis Tickle shows readers that we live in such a time right now. She compares the Great Emergence to other "Greats" in the history of Christianity, including the Great Transformation (when God walked among us), the time of Gregory the Great, the Great Schism, and the Great Reformation. 

Combining history, a look at the causes of social upheaval, and current events, The Great Emergence shows readers what the Great Emergence in church and culture is, how it came to be, and where it is going. Anyone who is interested in the future of the church in America, no matter what their personal affiliation, will find this book a fascinating exploration."

If you are a student of history and have a heart for the future of our church, obtain a copy of this thoughtful and faithful book and dive in! You can order it on Amazon here.

Wednesday, September 13 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Gathering Place Room
-Please come to our discussion having read Part 1. 

Wednesday, October 11 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Gathering Place Room
-Please come to our discussion having read Part 2.

Wednesday, November 15 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Gathering Place Room
-Please come to our discussion having completed the book (through Part 3). 

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!

Mission Circle Resumes Fall Program

The Ladies Mission Circle will meet Tuesday, September 12 at 10:30 a.m.
in the Gathering Room. Beverly Duncan-Midgett will lead a
round table discussion concerning Mental Health. All ladies are encouraged
to attend as we continue to support needs in our community.

Pecan Chewies

Ingredients
1 cup butter (melted)
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
3 teaspoons vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease 9”x13” pan.  Cream together melted butter, sugars, vanilla, then eggs, one at a time.  In another bowl, sift dry ingredients together (except pecans), then mix with creamed ingredients just until mixed together.  Fold in pecans.  Pour into pan and bake 30-35 minutes.  Cool before slicing. 

– Provided by Rebecca Middleton

Pecan Chewies

Click here to download a printable version.

--Provided by Rebecca Middleton