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!
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!
We will be taking Christmas decorations down on Friday, January 5. Please meet in the sanctuary by 9:00 a.m. if you are available to help.
Slow is not my forte. Nor is “letting.” I want to make things happen; maybe it’s impatience, maybe control, mix in a little pride—probably all of the above; it’s this human nature of ours. But somewhere along the way on this faith journey of mine, and particularly on this road to saying “yes” to a life in ministry overseas, I got introduced to these two men, these Christian contemplatives whom I’d never heard of before; but I’m certain I wouldn’t be here now if it weren’t for their work and writings and the Holy Spirit. They are Thomas Keating, a Trappist monk, and Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a Jesuit priest.
Unlike many in Baptist circles, I grew up with spiritual practices such as lectio divina and with theologians like Bonhoeffer, Buechner and Nouwen. I knew a broader view of Christianity and the spiritual life than many of my peers; but prayer was still always an active thing. It came from my initiative to write or speak or think my desires and requests, petitions and thanksgivings, praise and adoration, anger, fear and doubt.
And then, in college and grad school and seminary, I was exposed to these new voices who said, “sit still and listen.” Just be with God, and here’s how you can do that. Make the time to sit long enough to let the clutter clear—the dizzying slew of daily life; then see what’s underneath; pay attention to what rises. Listen to what the Spirit is saying to you and notice how it changes you. Notice how you slow down, even as the world continues to race. Notice how you become a person of peace, of compassion. Notice the courage that appears, seemingly without explanation. It was in the practice of centering prayer that I first learned to slow down, or at least how to try.
And then, in that season of wrestling, of not wanting to wait, of not understanding God’s timing, I came across these words from Chardin. They were the exact words I needed then, and they’re ones I continue to return to as the temptation and the desire to lean on my own strength, to make my own way, rise. It’s a constant struggle and the words and wisdom of these spiritual guides who’ve gone before me is the tether I need to take a deep breath, a prayer itself, to let go, to lose my grip on control, to trust that God is good, that God is who God says He is, that God will guide me even when we’re not moving as fast as I’d like or think we should be or we’re not going in the obvious direction I think we should be going. Trust in the slow work of God. I love the underlying assumption in this line…trust that God is at work, even if you don’t see it. The implication is that, of course, God is working. Thanks be to God.
Pray...Give...Go.
We are initiating the Family-Care program which is similar to the Deacon-Care program we had for years. This time the program will use volunteer church members along with some deacons.
In the next month you will be receiving the name of the person who has volunteered to be your family care person. This person will connect with you and work in close liaison with you and your family. You can contact this person in a time of crisis, in a time of joy, when church concerns or questions arise, or just to talk.
If you would like to volunteer to be a member-care person, please contact Jennie Hunter (828 399-0623 jnnhunter@aol.com) or Ann Melton (828 421-7689 meltonann@att.net).
from Linda Minor, Chair of Deacons
Dear Church Family,
As we continue in our transition to a new pastor, we are entering the time where we will worship through five weeks of “pulpit supply.” We have published the names and dates in previous Chimes and encourage you to support these guest pastors by attending Sunday morning services (see schedule below). There will be no Wednesday evening meals/programs during this time of pulpit supply. Choir practice will continue as regularly scheduled.
1/7/24
Dr. Rev. Dr. Steve Harmon
1/14/24
Dr. Rev. Joe Yelton
1/21/24
Rev. Doug Murray
1/28/24
Dr. Rev. John Tagliarini
The process of discerning and calling a new pastor will be an exciting opportunity in the life of First Baptist Church. By following the best practices as shared by CBF-NC, the search process will create opportunities for reflection, creativity and growth. As we plan together, we will explore new ways of reaching others for Christ. Please be on the lookout for invitations to participate.
Immediately upcoming activities are listed below:
1. Calling an Interim Pastor (anticipated to be announced on January 21)
2. Deacon selection process for the upcoming Church year (anticipated to begin mid-January)
3. Church leadership selection team (anticipated to begin mid-February)
4. Pastor search committee formation (anticipated to begin late January)
As a congregation, we believe in prayer. Please join me in praying every day—
• To seek wisdom and guidance
• To have open hearts and open minds
• To listen for the direction of the Holy Spirit
• To practice patience with one another as we are all different
• To not hurry through the process for it will take time;
• To be strong so that we can persevere to the end and then beyond.
In His name,
Linda Minor
Chair, Board of Deacons
“For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
The Rev. Dr. Steven Harmon was referred to us by Andy Hale with CBFNC.
He lives in Shelby, NC with his wife Theresa and son Timothy. His son is a senior in high school. His wife serves as minister for children and their families at St. John’s Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC.
Steve is currently a professor of historical theology at Gardner-Webb University’s School of Divinity in Boiling Springs, NC. In addition, he serves as a part-time pastor for Sunshine Church in Bostic, NC. Steve has a history of service as interim pastor at various NC churches.
Steve was educated in Texas. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Howard Payne University followed by a Master of Divinity and Ph.D. in theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Steve is also an avid researcher contributing to numerous books and articles. As well, he is an author in his own right having several books published. He has also served on the Baptist World Alliance Commission on Doctrine and Christian Unity since 2000.
We are honored and excited to welcome Steve to our pulpit Sunday.
The Pen Pal Project, in its 4th year, will begin soon. This is an opportunity for the adults in our congregation to connect with the children from our church and from 1st Explorers After School Ministry by corresponding through letter writing. The children are always excited to receive a letter and their replies to their pen pals helps with their literacy and writing skills.
Cheryl Beck will be contacting folks soon about participating. In the meantime, please let her know if you are interested.
Passport Camps offers a daily devotional resource that is easy to access and use. The devotionals can be used by the entire family or individuals. Check them out at passportcamps.org/kids and download 365 Daily Devotions on an app on your phone.
With a recommendation from the Trustees, the Deacons during their November meeting approved upgrades for the church nursery, and the Budget & Finance Committee has allocated funds for the project. The nursery carpet is dirty, stained, and the carpet is bubbled in places, creating a tripping hazard. The recommended replacement flooring is Coretec, which is the same type of flooring we currently have in the Gathering Place. In addition to new flooring, some of our church members will give the nursery a fresh coat of paint. The overall estimated cost of the project is $12,000. In accordance with the Church By-Laws, any expenditure over $10,000 requires approval by the church membership. Therefore, a vote on the Nursery Facelift Project will take place following the worship service on Sunday, January 21. Any questions related to the proposed project should be directed to Linda Minor, Chair of Deacons or one of the three Trustees: John Dills, Arlin Middleton, Jim Campbell.