Believe it or not, it is time to start planning for next summer’s Passportkids! Sylva FBC children grades 3–6 will be at Montreat College, June 30–July 3 for a week of learning, fun, Bible study, and more.
Please register to attend by letting Cheryl Beck know as soon as possible. Space is limited. A $100.00 deposit is due by November 12. The total cost for camp is still to be determined.
by Cheryl Beck
The Bible is full of stories about groups of people — the Israelites, the prophets, the disciples, to name a few. But, have you ever stopped to think about another important group — the children of the Bible?
For several weeks on Mondays, our Chapel theme at 1st Explorers After School Ministry has centered around stories of children and young people in the Bible. Here are some of the children/youth we've talked about:
Samuel — of course we had to talk about Samuel because God's calling to him was one of our son Andrew's favorite stories when he was a child! The little Servant Girl and Naaman — although we don't know her name, her courage in speaking up and her helpfulness led to her master being cured by God's servant Elisha. The children decided to give her a name! David — as a faithful shepherd for his father's sheep and as a slayer of a giant, his childhood made for an interesting lesson. Moses — the baby in the bulrushes and his mother's and sister's protection of the child who would grow up to lead his people out of Egypt sparked some thought-provoking discussion. Daniel — captured by Babylonians as a teenager, Daniel's courage and unwavering devotion to God would make today's graphic novels fade in comparison. The 1st Explorers paid close attention to the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego. The children whose parents brought them to see Jesus — although his disciples tried to send them away, we talked about how Jesus rebuked his friends and greeted the children with open arms.
Through these stories, the 1st Explorers have learned some valuable lessons:
1. That in God's Kingdom, children matter.
2. No matter how young you are, God has a place and a plan for you.
3. Regardless of the circumstances you are faced with, God is always with you.
4. Each of us, no matter how young or old, can make a difference in this world.
5. We can be strong and courageous.
6. God has placed people in our lives who can help us discern his plans for our lives (like Eli with Samuel).
How these stories fit together to tell the "Big Picture" of what the Bible is telling us is key.
The thread that runs through them is the goodness of God and his faithfulness to his promise.
Most of us grew up with these stories but some of our children may have heard them for the first time in Chapel at 1st Explorers. We remember hearing these in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. I remember my mama reading to me and my brothers from a big, illustrated Bible story book at nighttime before we went to sleep. Some children don't have these experiences. That's why I'm so thankful for the Chapel time.
As parents and grandparents, we have a wonderful opportunity and responsibility to share these and other stories of the Bible with our children and grandchildren. We can help them become more knowledgeable about God's Word by bringing them to church and VBS. We can read to them. I am grateful for the Children's Library at Sylva FBC which has a wealth of Bible story books and biographies of people in the Bible. Many of these books find their way to Chapel. You may want to check some out for use at home.
And, a good place to start is sharing some of the stories of children in the Bible. On the horizon in our series at 1st Explorers are the story of the young boy with 5 loaves and 2 fishes, Mary, Josiah, Timothy, and Jesus. We'll be incorporating drama and some props to make the stories come alive.
Hey! Does anyone have a bushel basket I can borrow?
Congratulations to our two jack-o’-lantern carving winners!
Our grand prize went to Janet Ford and her Halloween cat design.
And 2nd place went to Brooke Dills and her ghost pumpkin.
They will both be receiving gift certificates to Jack the Dipper ice cream!
United Christian Ministries is in need of pasta sauce, ramen, pancake syrup, applesauce (6-pack individual cups), and laundry detergent. To donate items, please drop them off at UCM’s building at 191 Skyland Drive. Thank you!
Join us for our All Saints’ Day service THIS Sunday, November 5. This will be a time of worship and remembrance, dedicated to remembering those we have lost. You’ll be invited to light a candle in memory of a loved one who has died
The first Tuesday of every month at 11:30 in the Mission and Fellowship Center of First Baptist Church you are invited to Dining for Jackson, to dine with a wonderful group of compassionate caring individuals who are working to support the amazing non-profits of Jackson County. Come and bring a covered dish and give what you would pay if you ate at a restaurant for lunch.
Each month a different non-profit will be featured and those attending will learn more about that organization – their goals and methods to reach those in great need in our community.
The non-profits shown in alphabetical order are: AWAKE, Center for Domestic Peace, Circles of Jackson, Equinox Ranch, Full Spectrum Farm, Habitat for Humanity, Hands on Jackson, Meals on Wheels, Rolling start, the Community Table, and United Christian Ministry.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all the folks who came in September and October. The fellowship was wonderful and the food great. But what was really special was that we were able to give United Christian Ministry well over a thousand dollars and the Center for Domestic Peace almost a thousand.
These non-profits are our heroes as they work tirelessly to help those in need in our county. In September we learned how United Christian Ministry provides food, and help with rent, water bills, and power bills, as well as gas for the car.
In October, Wes Myers with the Center for Domestic Peace gave a wonderful presentation to help us understand about their 24/7 Safeline (828-586-1237), their work with rape crisis victims, labor trafficking and sex trafficking victims, their emergency shelter, the court advocacy program, counseling referrals, and prevention and education programs for middle school and high school students as well as their work at Western Carolina University. We were told the importance of listening to folks and encouraging them to contact the Center if they are experiencing problems in their life.
Our world is changing and becoming more complicated and with that comes new problems but also new opportunities to help those around us.
At our next meeting on November 7, we will have a presentation by Dawn Neatherly, the Director of Circles of Jackson County and Rachel Byrd, the Client Services Coordinator. We will learn about the work they do and how we can be of help to them in the future. Circles works to help those who are striving to leave the poverty that is holding them back and help them to find good jobs and safe housing.
Generational poverty is prevalent in our county and we desperately want to help those folks to break the chains that are keeping them from living a better life.
So please consider joining us on November 7 or any first Tuesday of any month. If you are a pastor or business person, please come have lunch with us (don’t worry about bringing a covered dish) and hear the guest speaker for that day. We are right in town on Main Street. We are close enough for you to come during your lunch break and help us work to keep these non-profits working to meet the needs of so many in our county.
November is the month in which we give thinks for all our blessings. It is also a great time to give thanks for all the folks that volunteer their time and those who give so generously financially to keep these non-profits going.
I believe that Dining for Jackson is part of an overall purpose that God is working out in this community and its people. I truly feel that God has called Dining for Jackson to support these non-profits and to help others understand just what they do.
So, at lunch time on November 7, remember us and come join us for lunch. You will be blessed.
As I think about the spiritual guides that I have been blessed with in my life, the most spiritual person I have ever known was my mother-in-love, Janet Jasper. As a child, we moved a lot. I did not have a strong family or spiritual foundation. I attended various types of churches throughout my childhood as we traveled throughout the country. We worshiped with Baptists of all types, Methodists, Lutherans, those of the Apostolic Faith, Pentecostals, etc. At other times, we did not attend church at all.
After visiting Kentucky to care for my siblings after my mother had cancer surgery, I met my future husband, Brian. I not only fell in love with him, but also with his mother. Janet was the most beautiful person, inside and out. She truly lived out her faith. She was involved in her home church for more than 45 years, teaching Sunday school, Vacation Bible School and participating in other ministries of the church. More importantly, she lived out her faith at home.
She was a Christian mother and homemaker and the spiritual leader of the family. I can’t tell you how many Bibles she had worn out through reading and studying the Word. Janet had a spiritual practice of writing down important scriptures and journaling prayer requests and praises on index cards. Often as part of this spiritual practice she would tear up these cards and burn them as an offering to the Lord on her little grill outside. Her morning Bible study and prayer time were conducted at her kitchen table.
This was her “prayer room.” She suffered from chronic back pain and had to apply heat on her back every morning to be able to move throughout the day; this was done while sitting at the table with her Bible and coffee. Janet modeled spirituality in all aspects of her life; her life itself was a spiritual practice. She was loving, kind, humble, generous, compassionate and non-judgmental. There is no end to the fruits of the Spirit that describe this saint.
Janet has gone home to be with the Lord; but it was not before impacting my life as well as the lives of her children, grandchildren and everyone who was fortunate enough to know her. Janet was my “mom” and mentor and her presence mattered in my life for over 35 years and impacted me tremendously. I strive to be like “Gran” in my personal life as well as in ministry. Her life had ups and downs like all our lives. She always modeled her faith and praised God and sought wisdom through prayer no matter the circumstances, including her last days with us. I was humbled and blessed to be with her during those days. I hope that when my time comes to join the Lord, I can keep my sense of humor and especially my faith as she did. She is loved and missed daily.
Pray...Give...Go.
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups noodles
1 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup onion
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 can mushroom soup
3/4 cup milk
1 - 9 1/4 ounce can tuna
Grated cheese
Instructions
Cook noodles. Cook celery and onions in butter; stir in flour, soup, and milk. Cook until thick and bubbly. Stir in tuna and noodles. Spoon into casserole dish. Top with cheese. Bake 375 degrees F. for 25 minutes.
–Provided by Judy Wilkey
Tuna Casserole
Click here to download a printable version.
--Provided by Judy Wilkey
