Sign up here to provide goodies and beverages on Sunday mornings after worship.
When we are hospitable, our congregation can become a church on the sidewalk after worship while munching on a cookie or sipping fruit punch. Click here and find a Sunday to host our Hospitality Table!
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.
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.
-This past Sunday morning, our sanctuary radiated the presence of the Kingdom of God. Instead of partaking in communion as individuals, receiving the bread and the cup, we came together around round-top tables where we could serve one another. And because we were all sharing at the table together, our intergenerational gatherings allowed us to see one another, hear one another, and serve one another. Thank you, First Baptist, for sharing communion in a new way!
- Above 5,000 feet on the Parkway, the fall colors are beginning to paint a breathtaking tapestry in the sky. We invite you to seize a moment this week or weekend, elevate your perspective, and let the mountain air rejuvenate your soul.
-Our second congregational meeting for our Dawnings discernment process is Wednesday, October 4th. At this gathering, we will come together around tables to share stories about our beloved church. Just as we opened our hearts in our initial meeting, we will now explore the church we cherish. Your presence is indispensable as we collectively contemplate two pivotal questions: Who is God calling us to become, and what divine purpose is God calling us to fulfill?
-Next week promises two extraordinary events within our church family. On Thursday morning, October 12th, we will host the kick-off and breakfast for Hands on Jackson. This is the day when our community will assemble in our Mission and Fellowship Center before embarking on dozens of mission projects to serve our friends and neighbors. Then, on the following Sunday, we will celebrate Homecoming with an alumni choir, commemorating Dr. Holquist’s remarkable 40 years of dedicated service. Moreover, we eagerly anticipate a message from our former pastor, Rev. Ed Beddingfield, of Memorial Baptist Church in Buies Creek. And let’s not forget the unforgettable potluck feast that awaits us after the service. It’s time to dust off those blenders and preheat those ovens, ladies and gentlemen!
-Our book study on Phyllis Tickle’s book, The Great Emergence: How Christianity Is Changing and Why, resumes on Wednesday evening, October 11th. We’ll be discussing Part 2, which looks more closely at what it looks like to be a part of a tradition that continues to reform. Seriously, y’all. Come out and scratch your head with us.
- The Atlanta Braves embark on their post-season journey this Saturday with a challenging five-game series against the winner of the Phillies-Marlins matchup. Having dominated the regular season, the Braves now face the daunting task of proving their mettle. I humbly request your prayers for patience, my nerves, and my attitude in the days (perhaps weeks!) to come, regardless of the outcome on the field. While it may sound like jest, my family, who watches the games with me, can attest to the seriousness of the situation.
-The First Baptist Church of Sylva has countless reasons to love and celebrate. We invite you to be present with us as we gather around the table to serve, listen, share, and embrace the joy of being church.
You are invited to United Christian Ministries' Annual Meeting on Saturday, October 7 at 10:00 a.m. at Sylva First United Methodist Church. This short 45-minute meeting is your opportunity to hear about the past year at UCM, to give us feedback, and to make suggestions for improvement. Our staff and board will provide an update on how UCM is helping "the least of these." Light refreshments will be served.
As a part of this annual meeting, we ask that you prayerfully consider choosing someone from your congregation or staff as a candidate for UCM's Board of Directors. You are invited to send your candidate to this meeting. Even if you do not have a candidate, please come to the meeting!
All of us at United Christian Ministries are truly grateful for your support. We could not do the important work of helping those in crisis without you.
When people ask me about my journey to become a chaplain, I always think back to Lola Joaquina Pada, a cherished member of our church in Southern Philippines. Lola is a Filipino term for “grandmother.” While I was not related to her by blood, we called her Lola Pada out of respect and love. She also happened to be my parents’ Ninang (“godmother” in Filipino) at their wedding.
As a young girl of about six-years-old, I used to play on our church playground across from the SBC-owned hospital. I often saw Lola Pada dressed modestly and neatly, carrying a Bible and going into the hospital. Curious, I asked my mother about her and learned that she was a volunteer chaplain who visited patients and their families, offering comfort, prayer and sometimes even singing with them. That was the first time I had heard the word “chaplain.”
I was captivated by Lola Pada’s dedication and compassion and I would sometimes watch her minister to the patients and their families. Her example left a lasting impression on my heart, and I knew I wanted to follow in her footsteps, bringing comfort and compassion to those in need.
I forgot about Lola Pada until I attended seminary and considered what type of ministry to pursue. I reflected on my childhood memories of Lola Pada and the impact she had on my life. I believe without her knowing, she planted a seed in my heart to follow a calling in chaplaincy.
I sometimes wonder if Lola Pada had been a man, would I have shown the same level of interest and curiosity. I’m not sure. But I’m grateful I had the opportunity to witness her dedication and love for those she served. She empowered me to pursue my calling. She made it possible for me to be the chaplain I was meant to be. I hope I can be a positive example for other girls and women, just as Lola Pada was for me. I want to model what it means to be a woman of faith with a calling and a purpose. To all the “Lola Padas” in the world, thank you for your dedication and for inspiring others to follow in your footsteps.
Pray. . .Give. . .Go.
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Maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others.
Our worship service will be streamed online at firstbaptistsylva.com.
Sunday, November 12
Canton First Baptist Church
5:00 p.m. Meal | 6:00 p.m. Worship
We will have our annual Fall Gathering on November 12 at Canton First Baptist Church. Following a fellowship meal, we will worship together as we remember the influence of saints around us and those who have gone on before us. Reverend Doctor Guy Sayles will be our proclaimer, and congregants will have an opportunity to light a candle prior to the worship service in memory of friends and loved ones. Child care will be provided.
Cost is $20 per person (12 and under eat free.) The meal is provided by WNC Baptist Campus Ministries (grilled chicken or pork chop, salad bar, potato bar, bread, and dessert.)
Click here to register now! Or register and pay in person. To register by phone and pay in person, please call 828-667-4541 (M – Th, 9 am – 3 pm).
We will be taking an offering that evening in memory of Rev. Dr. Tommy Bratton, to be given to CareNet Counseling in Marion, NC. If you would like to donate online now to that offering, click here.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter, softened
8- ounce package cream cheese, softened
3 cups sugar
6 large eggs
3 cups cake flour, sifted twice
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease and heavily flour a 10-inch Bundt pan.
Cream the butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer until well combined. Add the sugar. Mix for 7 minutes, until fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each until blended. Gradually add the flour, beating after each addition, until all is added and combined. Add the salt, vanilla, and almond extract.
Pour into the prepared pan. Hit the pan gently on the counter about five times to help settle the batter and remove any air pockets. Bake for about 1 1/2 hours. The cake is done when it pulls away from the sides of the pan and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan until the pan is cool to the touch. Invert the cake onto a wire rack and let cool completely before serving. Serves 12.
–Provided by-Autumn Burnes
Paula Deen Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Click here to download a printable version.
--Provided by Autumn Burnes
Join us Wednesday, October 11 at 6:00 PM as we continue our discussion of 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, 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).