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.
New Family-Care Program
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).
Send Us Your Prayer List Updates
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.
Mission Circle Meeting
The Ladies Mission Circle will meet
on Tuesday, February 13 at 10:30 a.m. in the
Gathering Room. Ruth McConnell will be talking with
us about Neighbors in Need. Join us!
Flowers for Sanctuary
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.
Mission Moment 1.17.24
Dewey Bland
Chaplain at the Federal Correctional Institution
Three Rivers, Texas
Joshua had Moses (Exodus 32-33) and Elisha had Elijah (1 Kings 19:16, 19-21). I am so thankful for two godly men who have mentored me in the faith and in life. Even after their “responsibilities” toward my ministry ended, they have nurtured a sweet friendship for decades now.
Dr. Mac Wallace was my clinical pastoral education supervisor during my two-year residency in the mid-1990s. From that clinical relationship, a reciprocal fondness developed and continues today. Mac, whom I refer to as my spiritual mentor, has turned 80 now and continues to lead ministers. We have shared in many Biblical and pastoral discussions since I left hospital chaplaincy. Some of our best times together have been while on the water, wetting a hook, or playing nine-ball around a billiards table. I have been so blessed and have benefited from his genuine love for me. About 10 years ago, I gifted Mac a walking stick. To be in his presence and to feel his friendship offered me a glimpse of God’s desire to walk with me and provide for my care.
Chaplain Bill Lang was my third and fifth supervisor in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Our friendship began in early 2001 in West Virginia. We were coworkers, a Southern redneck and a Boston Yankee, what a pair we made! We have laughed, cried, encouraged and challenged each other. We raised our families together and now enjoy long talks over the phone. As I continue my prison ministry and he has long retired, I am fully aware that even today Bill can relate to the struggles I encounter championing the First Amendment rights of the incarcerated. We have often remarked to each other, “We will have a special place, just inside heaven’s gates.”
These two men have allowed me to positively live out a warning by Robert Moore: “If you’re a young man and you’re not being admired by an older man, you’re being hurt.” Because of Mac and Bill, I have not been hurt. I will never hunger from not being fed by these two older men. I thank my God each time I remember them.
Called Church Conference THIS Sunday
Following Worship THIS Sunday, January 21
Items for Congregational Approval:
1. Calling of Interim Pastor to begin 02/04/24. This comes as a recommendation from the Board of Deacons and the Personnel Chair after reviewing resumes, phone conversations, checking references, listening to sermons, interviewing with Board of Deacons, and prayerful discernment.
2. Vote to proceed with nursery facelift. This comes as a recommendation from the Board of Deacons and Trustees and has already been approved by the Budget & Finance Committee. Please see more details in this Chimes notice from Jim Campbell, Trustee.
3. Alter slightly, for this year only, the calendar for Deacon Selection Process as written in the Bylaws. This request is made to avoid conducting church business on Palm Sunday and Easter.
From Linda Minor,
Deacon Chair
Royal Ambassadors Needs Leader
We are still in need of a leader for Royal Ambassadors. Please be in prayer that someone will come forward to teach these wonderful boys.
Join Us for Worship!
Join us for worship on Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary! Also join us for Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. for all ages!
The CDC recommends that you wear a mask indoors.
Maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others.
Our worship service will be streamed online at firstbaptistsylva.com.
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!