Regular Bible study will begin tonight, September 11 at 6:00 p.m.
Gotta Flute, Trombone, Trumpet...?
The band program at Scotts Creek School is really growing, and they are in desperate need of band instruments. If you or someone you know has a flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, snare drum, or bell set and are willing to donate them, please contact Brooke Dills.
Hurray for Our Nursery Workers of the Week!
It was another busy day in the nursery on Sunday, but Janelle and Cody Messer handled it beautifully.
Thank you for your willingness to be part of the nursery ministry!
Childcare will be provided during the luncheon meeting on September 15.
We have a few vacancies in the nursery schedule if anyone could help out. It would be appreciated!
Mission Moment 9.11.24
Reginald A Bradley
Staff Chaplain, San Francisco VA Health System, CA
When I think about prayer, I reflect on my youth and my desire for change whenever challenges occurred. The youngest sibling of three, I did not understand the tears as they flowed from my mother’s eyes, when we sat on the third-row pew in church. Now, I realize she desired change from stumbling blocks and mountains that tormented her life, apparently ones larger than herself. Her life of prayer resonated with me and is now a vital part of my life and spiritual practices. I’m privileged and confident to know my relationship with God is secure. Even in “stillness” and the “meanwhile” period as I wait for God to answer, I have assurance that God knows what is best for me and is always seeking to restore peace and harmony in my life as I strive to serve others.
As a chaplain in the clinical setting, prayer, meditation and songs of praise are often used as interventions to restore peace, a sense of self-worth, as well as hope when life circumstances become difficult for care recipients, often waging war against the mind, body and Spirit. These inevitable and unusual circumstances often cause spiritual distress. Through prayer and continuous removal of unwanted mountains in my life, I’m reminded that God is the ultimate Comforter and desires peace, joy and love to pour into the lives of others.
Believers are charged to spread such comfort to others; “God comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (2 Cor. 1:4). Prayer is the channel to not only acknowledge the supremacy of God, but also to invoke God’s grace, mercy and loving-kindness in our lives and in the lives of others. One surrenders as a willing vessel to promote divine change. The great danger, however, is not that we shall believe in prayer too much, but that we so often believe too little, harboring unforgiveness for self or perhaps others, or that our mustard seed faith is weightless and non-measurable for petition before God.
I can identify with Peter as it pertains to human nature, because doubt has a way of slithering into one’s heart-felt prayers to God. The foundational scripture (Mark 11:24, 25) gives Peter and the masses today knowledge, wisdom and insight about faith, prayer and forgiveness. Peter’s curiosity allowed a teaching moment for Jesus. Jesus has a way of using His creation and things familiar to humankind, so that a broader concept and/or lesson is revealed. In this lesson, a fig tree is emphasized. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi look! The tree you cursed has withered!”
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go throw yourself into the sea’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.” This passage reminds us in our prayers/petitions before God, that it is all right in continuity to hold God’s hand; but we must be mindful to release the prayers, to believe in God’s infinite abilities, and to trust the process, as well as the outcome. Have faith in God!
Changed Office Hours THIS Thursday
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.