1st Explorers After-School Ministry Update

"First Responders Week" was the theme for after school March 18-22. Two EMTs visited on Monday with a rescue vehicle. One of the paramedics was former staff member Jan, whom the children were very excited to see. This visit was followed by the arrival of an ambulance and paramedics. Alex Wittekind even got to take a ride on the stretcher.

The children delivered goody bags to the Sylva Police Department in appreciation for their work in keeping the community safe.

Generation Kids came on Thursday and talked about "if you have a pulse, you have a purpose." They told stories and played games with the kids. Pen Pal letters were also written during the week.

1st Explorers will not meet this week because of Spring Break.

Joe's Window

By Dr. Joe Yelton
Interim Pastor

I suspect that most of us live cautiously with an uncomfortable truth…Easter is simply not as much fun as Christmas. For the four or five weeks preceding Christmas, we party, carol, purchase, decorate and generally, act nicer than usual. Easter…well, we show up Easter morning to sanctuaries a bit fuller than usual but beyond that, not much. Why is that? Most believers would agree that the climactic event in human history was, is, and forever will be the resurrection of our Lord, the Christ. Why then does Easter, for many of us, get second billing to Christmas? 

The quick answer may be: we love births, whether Bethlehem births or Sylva births. Deaths, particularly bloody, painful deaths, even deaths followed by resurrection, are hard to party, carol, purchase, decorate and act nicer around.

Maybe, just maybe, we are missing an essential point: Jesus coming to us in the form of Bethlehem’s baby was as much an act of contrition by God (leaving heaven’s glory for humanity’s indignity) as was Jesus dragging His broken body to the top of Golgotha’s pinnacle to be crucified. 

I will always feel giddier about births than deaths, even deaths followed by resurrection. But what I FEEL isn’t the point. What I know, what I have experienced, what has transitioned me from what I was into a “new creation” is the point. 

“What can wash away my sin, nothing but the blood of Jesus.” Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow night, Maundy Thursday, as we prepare to join with Jesus in retelling the story of that first Holy Communion. Then, walk slowly on Good Friday, remembering that as Jesus looked down from the cross, He saw your face and mine. Then gather this Sunday, as we declare to any willing to hear, “He is risen, He is risen indeed.” It the greatest truth…ever!

WMU Bible Study

The Ladies Spring Bible Study will continue on Monday, April 1, at 10:00 a.m. in the Gathering Room.  This is a study of the Book of Esther. The Old Testament story of Esther is a profile in courage and contains many modern parallels for today’s overloaded and stressed woman. Esther, while a queen, lived as an outsider in a hostile environment. Women will learn strong lessons of faith, providence, and hope to equip them to live courageously “for such a time as this.” This study will have video sessions led by Beth Moore. Study books are available in the Church office but are not required to do the study.

Church Office Closed

The church office will be closed on Monday, April 1, in observance of the Easter holiday. We will reopen on Tuesday, April 2, at 9:00 a.m.

Maundy Thursday Service With Communion

Unimaginably, Holy Week is upon us. A significant scheduling difference involves Wednesday and Thursday of next week. On Wednesday, March 27, there will be NO evening activities at church, including choir rehearsal. 

On Thursday, March 28 at 6:00 p.m., we will gather in the sanctuary for a brief time of worship, as we commemorate our Lord’s inaugural communion. As you know, Maundy Thursday is the catalyst for Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Glorious Easter.

On Maundy Thursday, we’ll observe the Lord’s table through intinction. If coming forward presents a barrier to participation, the elements can easily be brought to you.

At approximately 6:45 p.m., the service will conclude and choir rehearsal will follow.

Yard Sale! Yard Sale! Yard Sale!

Just like everything else, the price of Passport has gone up this year! The children who are planning to attend from our church hope to defray some of the expense of this wonderful camp by hosting a yard sale in early May. 

As you do your spring cleaning over the next few weeks, look through your house to see what you could contribute to make the yard sale a success. You may bring your items to the Sunday School room beside the choir room, beginning Wednesday, April 10. If you need help transporting items, please let Cheryl Beck know and we can arrange to have items picked up at your home. The date of the yard sale will be announced soon. Thanking you in advance for your contributions!

Mission Moment 3.27.24

Kirk and Suzie 

CBF field personnel, Southeast Asia 

These words were penned not by a saint of old, but by a young man who has come to be an incredible blessing to us. We first met Som almost 25 years ago, when we moved into a bamboo and thatch house across the street from his place in a village in the mountains of Southeast Asia. He was in high school then, and shyly came to our house to ask for help on his English homework—which turned out to be translating some heavy metal songs that contained many words we felt should not be translated!  

Som had a rough childhood. His father often fell into alcohol-fueled rages, beating his mother mercilessly before abandoning the family. The trauma of that and other abuse sometimes left his mother in a listless state, unable to care for herself or her son. By age seven, Som was doing the cooking and other domestic chores. Free public school in Som’s area only went through grade nine, but a CBF-connected Korean church in Houston made it possible for Som and several of his friends to continue their studies at an agricultural junior college and then university. On the weekends and during school breaks, Som and this group of friends began working with us to produce literacy materials in the local language and translate the New Testament and portions of the Old Testament.  

Working on the translation team for over 10 years gave Som the opportunity to become deeply acquainted with Scripture and the person of Jesus. Yet he could not quite come to a place of personal faith—saying that he would believe if only he could experience a miracle. When the New Testament was published, he went on to other employment. Several years later, Som called us on the phone, his voice full of excitement. The night before he had experienced something that felt more real than any ordinary dream. He saw a white bird coming down upon him and felt an overwhelming sense of peace and love. He woke with the sense that he had encountered Jesus. He felt that the miracle he had been praying for had indeed happened—not a miracle of healing or seeing water turned into wine, but a miracle of a changed heart. He asked to be baptized. 

Som, fearful of the social consequences that he knew would follow, asked that we not tell other villagers about his decision to follow Christ. But as time passed, villagers noticed a change—and Som felt emboldened to be open about his faith. Now, almost weekly, Som posts about his faith on Facebook. He even wrote a short book to share with friends, narrating his life from the early days of emotional trauma and poverty to the new life and hope he has found in Christ. His observations about Scripture and walking with Jesus are profound and inspiring to us. 

Sunday School and Childcare is Available!

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.

Easter Egg Hunt

Children up to age 12 are invited to participate in an Easter egg hunt on Sunday, March 31, following worship service. Please bring an Easter basket for each child participating. 

A hospitality table will be provided for all by Beth & Chris Moore and Nancy & Scott McConnell.