Janice will be out of the office this Thursday, September 12. Nancy McConnell will be filling in for her, but the office will close at 12:00 instead of 2:00 that day.
1st Explorers After-School Ministry Update
1st Explorers Has Some Openings
If you know of someone looking for after school care for their child grades K–6th grade, please let them know that there is still some space in 1st Explorers. The church van picks up children at Scotts Creek. Also, if they attend Fairview School, a school bus brings them to the church. The program runs from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day that school is operating in full session.
For more information, contact Marina Hunley-Graham.
Student Ministry Associate
First Baptist Church of Sylva is hiring a part-time position (average of 20 hours per week) for a Student Ministry Associate. This position will help guide students and their families through their unique challenges with love, encouragement and sound biblical teaching. Posting to social media focusing communications on the needs and interests of students and their families is a duty of this position. This role will also participate in Sunday worship services, personally and with students. Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or be in their final year of a degreed program. This position will require some weekend and evening work. Interested applicants should email a resume to FBCSylvaRecruit@gmail.com.
GAs/RAs/Mission Friends to Begin TODAY
Our children in 1st Explorers and the children of the church who aren’t in the after school program have a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the work of missionaries around the world and how they can be missionaries right where they are. The groups will meet on Wednesdays when school is in session from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Sandi Allen will again lead the GAs (Girls in Action) for 2nd through 5th graders. Beverly Duncan-Midgett is in her second year as Mission Friends leader for children kindergarten through 1st grade. Right now, we are without an RA leader.
RA (Royal Ambassador) Leader Needed
Job Description: Would meet with the young men in grades two to six on Wednesday afternoons from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Work on character building, missions education, teamwork. Build in fun and active play, too! Requires someone with a love for children, has lots of patience, and likes having fun. Materials are provided by WMU. Start date: September 4. Please see Gaye Buchanan for more information.
Invitation to Families & Children/Youth TONIGHT
(First Through Twelfth Grades and College)
Wednesday Evening, September 4 at 6:00 p.m.
We are looking forward to hiring a student ministry associate for our church to guide and support our children and youth. We invite you to an interactive session on Wednesday evening, September 4, at 6:00 p.m. in the MFC. The purpose of the meeting is to gain your input and feedback on what is needed/wanted in the student ministry associate role.
We are planning to serve pizza at 6:00 p.m. Please let us know if you and family members will attend so we can be sure to have enough pizza on hand. Please send an email to Nancy McConnell at mcconnell_s@icloud.com with that info. Thank you!
Mission Circle Meeting
Join us for our next Mission Circle meeting next Tuesday, September 10 at 10:30 a.m. in the Gathering Room.
Sunday School and Childcare is Available!
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.
Wednesday Night Bible Study
Regular Bible study will resume next Wednesday evening, September 11 at 6:00 p.m.
Mission Moment 9.4.24
Ellen Sechrest
CBF Director for Mission Engagement, GA
When I think of prayer, it often seems complex. But in reality, it’s simple. The ways I prayed as a child were honest and simple. As a youth, I was encouraged to pray and use a devotional guide, and I did so without fail. I was a rule follower and didn’t want to disappoint God.
My youth minister, Ty, told us once that sometimes we may not be able to pray because of a situation in our lives, but to know that someone else is praying for us when we can’t. I struggled with that because I thought I should always be able to pray. My dear youth mentor, Bill (a woman) always told us she was praying for us by name. I thought that was sweet, but not until later would I understand the importance.
My Grandma Mize was a faithful pray-er. She always signed her cards: ”With love and prayers, Grandma.” She was a poor woman of simple means, but with a great understanding of the power or prayer which made her rich.
Then came college and seminary. With so much work to do, you’d think I would have prayed all the time. But I would go for long periods of time not praying. Those were the days in the valley when I remembered that Bill, Grandma, my mother and others were praying for me when it seemed words escaped me. I finally understood why we needed others praying for us.
While serving as a church minister, I wrote a lot of prayers for worship and experiences. At times it was hard because I wanted to say the right words and would fret over them. Then I saw the movie Shadowlands, about the life of C.S Lewis. One of his quotes is, “I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God. It changes me.” I yearned for that prayer to flow out me all the time.
Now at age 58, I find myself back to my childhood way of praying. Simple conversations with God. Praying for others. Listening. It’s not the words that matter so much, it’s the time I spend with God that is life changing.
I am praying for you, my sisters and brothers.
Pray. . .Give. . .Go.