Dawnings Begins Next Wednesday, September 20

Our first of four congregational meetings will be Wednesday, September 20th beginning at 6:00 PM in the Mission and Fellowship Center. A blessing for our potluck meal together will be at 5:30 PM. 

Childcare will be provided for children up through the fifth grade in our nursery. Youth are encouraged to be a part of our congregational meeting in the MFC alongside adults. 

Dawnings is a narrative-based approach for personal and congregational visioning and discernment. Our four congregational meetings this fall will help us determine together who God is calling us to be and what God is calling us to do. Our entire church's participation in this process is critical to our determining what our future will look like. 

"This is what God says,

  the God who builds a road right through the ocean,

  who carves a path through pounding waves,

The God who summons horses and chariots and armies—

  they lie down and then can’t get up;

  they’re snuffed out like so many candles:

“Forget about what’s happened;

  don’t keep going over old history.

Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.

  It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?" Isaiah 43:16-19

Brian Foreman, the Coordinator of Congregational Ministries for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, comments that "These last two lines of scripture are both encouragement and command. The former encourages us to remember that God is still in control. The latter reminds us of our responsibility to notice and join God in doing something brand new."

"Dawnings is a congregational resource that helps you accomplish both of these things. By leaning into a spiritual discernment process through listening and responding to stories, your congregation will open itself to its place in God's sacred story for the community."

"Congregational postures of prayer and curiosity cultivate a sense of calling, not just for the congregation, before individuals as well. What better way to "be alert, be present," and to be a part of the "something brand new" God is doing!"

Hymns: A Great Source of Faith and Conviction

Have you been curious about the origin of the hymns we sing  during our worship?  Each week we have three to five songs spaced appropriately throughout the service.  They are selected with several considerations.  Often, they are connected to the Old or New Testament reading or lesson.  Special seasons, such as Advent or Lent, or events such as the Lord's Supper call for particular themes, or sometimes, specific songs. Care is taken to select hymns which are familiar to most, and I am proud to say that our congregation delivers a strong presentation of the songs, week by week.

Last Sunday, we sang "My Jesus, I Love Thee," text by William Featherston, and musical setting by Adoniram Gordon.  Featherston wrote those words at the age of 16!  Likely, this hymn followed his conversion to Christianity, and it first appeared in a British hymnal in 1864.  It is based on 1John 4:19, "We love Him because He first loved us."

One of my favorite "prayer for connection" hymns is "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah."  These words of assurance were penned by William Williams in 1745, and the music was written by John Hughes.  It is based of Isaiah 43:2, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.  When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you."  Williams had completed medical school and was about to begin a career as a physician.  However, a moving conversion experience caused him to change directions, and he became an itinerant preacher for over 40 years.  He preached the gospel to many very large crowds, but now, is principally remembered for having written over 800 hymns.  "Guide Me. . ." is a strong message of connection to the Savior.  It has several stanzas that are not typically included in hymnals.  One that contains a statement of hope, which all Christians share, is the following:

        Musing on my habitation, musing on my heav'nly home;
Fills my soul with holy longings:  Come, my Jesus, quickly come.
Vanity is all I see; Lord, I long to be with Thee.

These are but two examples of rich words from people of faith.  The hymnal is such a source of inspiration, hope, love, faith, and praise.  I am thankful for the efforts of those who have devoted creative efforts which hold such deep meaning for those who sing the words and the music.  (My thanks to Robert J. Morgan, author of THEN SINGS MY SOUL.)

– Bob Holquist

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 began Monday, September 11. Each session will continue on Mondays through October at 7:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church Sylva, rear entrance.

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. 

First Baptist Church of Sylva, 669 West Main Street, Sylva, NC, 28779, United States828-586-2095fbcsylva@gmail.com

First Baptist Church of Sylva

669 West Main Street | Sylva, NC 28779
828-586-2095

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