Mission Moment to 6.19.24

Elket Rodríguez
CBF Field Personnel, U.S.–Mexico Border

If there is a biblical character whose story with which I identify, it is Simon Peter. Passionate, impulsive, impatient, brave and yet cowardly at the same time. Deeply human and yet profoundly spiritual. When he seems lost, he is found. Confused, but convinced. Simply, perfectly imperfect. 

Peter was Jesus’ artwork for us to see and enjoy the effects of the planting and the sowing of the word and the power of the Holy Spirit. Peter’s shortcomings were always compensated for by the precious power of God’s grace. Like me, Peter knows that when all the anxiety and the noise dissipate, there is only one place to find satisfaction. We can either go to “the place” or “the place” can pursue us with steadfast love—like Peter experienced when Jesus appeared to him on a beach. When all is said and done, Peter and I remember that only Jesus has the words of eternal life. 

Two Summer Picnics

Two summer picnics have been scheduled. The first one will be Sunday, July 21 at East LaPorte Park from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. The next one will be Sunday, August 25 at Deep Creek Pavilion from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Please plan to attend one or both of these events for fellowship and family fun!

Mission Moment 5.12.24

Lavonia Winford
Active Duty Air Force Chaplain; Installation Chaplain; Pituffik Space Base, Greenland

This piece is a reflection on the influence and power of women, most notably, Eve as an Ezer*—a helper; women in the genealogy of Jesus as listed in Matthew [Tamar (Matthew 1:3); Rahab (1:5); Ruth (1:5); and the wife of Uriah the Hittite (1:6)]; and the unnamed women who influenced countless generations of prophets. The power of a woman’s influence is reflected in this tribute and poem of thanksgiving to the women who influenced my life. 

To: My Momma, Momma Green (adopted grandmother), Granny (maternal grandmother), Cousin Elsie (paternal matriarch), Granny Scott (family friend), Miz Granny (elder I met along the way), and all the women who have poured into me along the journey. At the time of this writing, all of these listed, except for my mom, reside in my great cloud of witnesses.

Thank you from a mother-ed child.

El Shaddai, another name for God, means the breasted one, the nurturer. How grateful I am for every breast that has nurtured me.

You held me in your arms physically and figuratively, rocking and sheltering me from a world designed to harm me (or to not let me be me). Your words and ways to live by have nurtured and sustained my soul. Your love fed my heart and paved the way to make me whole. You are still my help in the time of the storm, the soft space I run to when I fall, the strong force that pushes and prods me along, the hard (stern) face that allows me to do no harm. Healer, helper, friend, a momma, this girl’s deepest friend.

Thank you for loving me the best way you knew how, for giving me the best parts of you, the parts flawed, time-tested and true. The parts of your heart given to me; the help as I struggle in learning how to be. Perfection did not know your name, yet in your love I perfectly remain.

The God in you built up the God in me. You hold me up when I falter and fumble; you help me to navigate paths (this journey or world) full of danger. Healer, helper, friend, a momma, this girl’s deepest friend.

I lean into your grace as I run my race thankful that a part of you is reflected in my face. Though all of your life was NOT wonderful, because of you I am a wonder to behold. A mother-ed child.

Thank you, from a mother-ed child. Healer, lover, friend, a momma, this girl’s deepest friend.

Pray…Give…Go.

Cinnamon Roll Bundt Cake

Ingredients
1 white cake mix
2 boxes instant vanilla pudding mix
1/2 c oil
1 1/4 c water
4 eggs
4 Tbs cinnamon (divided)
1 cup brown sugar

Glaze
3 cups powdered sugar
3-4 Tbs milk

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350. Grease pan. Combine mix, puddings, water, oil, eggs, and 2 Tbs cinnamon and mix well. Pour half of the mixture into greased pan. Combine brown sugar and 2 Tbs cinnamon and sprinkle over mixture. cover with remaining batter. Bake 40-45 minand let cool for 10 minutes before taking out of the pan. After cake cools, pour glaze on top.

– Provided by Amy Cook

Cinnamon Roll Bundt Cake

Click here to download a printable version.

-Provided by Amy Cook

New Church Safety Team

The Deacons of our Church support the idea of establishing a safety team to address any emergencies that we may be faced with in the future. I have been in touch with our local Sheriff’s Department and they are willing to help establish and train a Safety Team for our church. The first step is to see who would be interested in being part of this team. There are many different needs to be filled to establish such a team. Thus many different skill sets will be needed. If you are interested in being part of the very first Safety Team established at Sylva First and are willing to participate in the required training please contact me at jddills1@gmail.com or by phone at 828-506-3815. 

Thank you,
John Dills

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.

Giving the Jesus Way

United Christian Ministries is in need of: shampoo (prefer 2-in-1 shampoo & conditioner), body wash, deodorant, toothpaste, child diapers (all sizes), cereal, spaghetti sauce and spaghetti noodles. To donate items, please drop them off at UCM’s building at 191 Skyland Drive. Thank you!

Joe's Window

By Dr. Joe Yelton

Interim Pastor

Much of the joy we experience is unadulterated. It is completely positive, overwhelmingly euphoric, and it leaves nothing but a smile-making memory. Every now and again though, wonderful moments get marred by the unanticipated, unwelcomed arrival of something dark. 

As I write, my granddaughter Sophia today becomes one-month old. She is beautiful and growing. She is blessed to be in a home in which she is adored by her mom and dad ... a home that is already tuned-in to the importance of teaching her about Jesus. She will grow up being defended, encouraged, disciplined, celebrated and best of all, loved. 

But today, one month to the day since Sophia’s birth, her mother, my daughter Rosemary, has learned that an ultrasound on her neck revealed something abnormal. Rosemary is strong and fearless, almost. 

She is a well-educated Social Worker who works with the homeless of New York City. No fear! Rosemary goes into the jail/prison at Riker’s Island. No fear! On Saturdays she goes into Hell’s Kitchen handing out backpacks to the street-people, laden with foods, water, a small blanket, and more. No fear! However, a small, sore-to-the-touch place on the side of Rosemary’s neck ... something about the size of a pencil eraser brings waves of terror. Why? Normally, Rosemary would be stronger than most, waiting to hear from the biopsy next week before forming fears and dreads. What changed? Sophia! That tiny infant pushed Rosemary into places she’d never been ... terrifying places. Every good parent understands that kind of holy fear. 

Generally, she handles it respectfully and courageously. However, when those “reality waves” come crashing in on her, she and husband Kevin (he’s amazing), nearly buckle. Her faith is immense but that doesn’t chase away the clamor in her soul as she now waits a week for a biopsy that may reveal... anything. Of course, we are hopeful that simpler explanations are at work. Of course we are asking God to step up. And of course, we are trembling. 

It occurs to me, maybe this is how our God feels so very often when we go through something hard, something dangerous. All of us want to step in and make the terrifying experiences go away. We can’t. But we can be faithful, no matter what the outcome. We can witness to the presence of God as we traverse harsh trails. We can pray, not that “my will be done,” but that God be given free-reign to work out God’s perfect purpose in times like these. 

My daughter has taught me so much about Jesus, sacrifice, joy, and remembering the “least of these.” We are asking for your prayers, but not at those with no hope. NO MATTER WHAT, our hope is overflowing ... our hope is Jesus.

VBS—Thank You's

CAMP FIRELIGHT was a successful VBS experience for around 65 children and youth, May 28-31. First Baptist members played a big role in this joint effort with Sylva Presbyterian, FUMC, and St. John's Episcopal Church.  

Thank you to:  

• Harold Messer and his team—Arlin Middleton, John Dills, Scott McConnell, Guy Hall—for setting up tables and tents and taking them down each day.

• Gaye Buchanan, Nancy McConnell, and Andrew Beck for serving as group leaders.

• Betty Blanton for assisting with the storytelling by the campfire led by Cheryl Beck.

• Glenda Dills for helping with registration.

• Janelle Messer for being a "floater."

We appreciate all of you!

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!