Joe's Window 9.25.24

by Joe Yelton
Interim Pastor

This edition of Chime is posting on September 25. Yep, three months ‘til Christmas day. Arguments abound as to when it’s appropriate to put up the tree, decorate the yard, and begin playing Christmas music. I’m an early bird, and proud of it. 

However, there is one piece of the coming Advent and Christmas calendar that isn’t too early to consider. It has to do with purchasing gifts. Data bankers tell us that the average American family spends about $3,200 each year on Christmas gifts. That sounds awfully high to me. 

I want to extend a challenge to each of us inside the First Baptist family. I extend it now because in just a few weeks, it’ll be too late to renegotiate our spending (much of our gift buying is done by December 1 st ). Here’s the challenge: give a gift to our church in December which is above and beyond your usual monthly giving ... a gift that is equal to the amount of money you plan to spend on the person in your life receiving your most expensive gift. 

For instance, if you make purchases for your spouse, child, friend, etc. totaling $400, in December, after making your typical monthly gifts to the church, write an additional check to the church for an equal amount. End of the year giving could substantially invigorate the bottom line of this church we love so much IF, enough of us actually participate in this challenge. 

It goes without saying that this effort is between you and your God. You’ve now been given about 13 weeks to consider taking this goal upon yourself. I didn’t clear this article with anyone so, if I’ve overstepped protocol, it was not my intention. My hope is two-fold: first, give us time to better think through our upcoming holiday spending and, secondly, make a gift to the birthday boy of Christmas, Jesus, that could genuinely impact our congregational ability to move boldly forward.

Thanks for hearing me out.

Church Homecoming

First Baptist Church will observe homecoming on Sunday, October 13. Dr. Joe Yelton, interim pastor, will bring the message at the 10:30 a.m. service.  

A covered dish meal will follow the service in the Mission and Fellowship Center. The church will provide the chicken, and members are asked to bring a covered dish to share with those in attendance.  All past and present church members as well as friends of the church are invited to attend.

Mission Moment 9.25.24

Paul Byrd

Program Director, Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center, Mercer University School of Medicine, Cumming, Ga.

Two years ago, I stepped away from chaplaincy and into a new role helping ministers and healthcare providers create collaborations to improve health disparities in rural communities. While it is important work, I have missed the connection to the sacred space of direct ministry. As I struggled to find perspective, I had an experience that has helped me connect to the vitality of this new context. 

Late last year, while attending a health fair that we organized with one of the faith/health collaborations that our program helped to resource, my wife, Terri, and I visited the church where blood donations were being received and where Terri would make a blood donation. The American Red Cross was set up in a beautiful worship space with high ceilings and stained-glass windows. A piano and lectern on the chancel and an altar front and center. The patient exam tables for donating blood were placed among the chairs where the congregation would normally sit. Worship music flowed from a small speaker and filled the room. It was beautiful, peaceful and calming. 

As we talked with the nurse, a song began to play and I began to sing along:

“I need you, you need me,
We’re all a part of God’s body. 
Stand with me, agree with me. 
We’re all a part of God’s body.”
To our delight, Terri’s nurse joined in:
“It is God’s will that every need be supplied.
You are important to me, I need you to survive.”

 Here in rural Georgia where there is so much health disparity and where race and religion can often divide, we found ourselves in a profoundly holy moment. A young African-American nurse and two older white people in a predominantly white church singing to one another about how we can prayerfully pledge to care for one another spiritually and tangibly.

“I pray for you, you pray for me. 
I love you, I need you to survive. 
I won’t harm you with words from my mouth. 
I love you, I need you to survive.”  

As Terri began her donation, something happened. Her normally upbeat voice got quiet, the color left her face, and her hand became clammy. She whispered, “I don’t feel good...I think I’m going to faint.” 

Before I could even think, the nurse calmly and quickly jumped to Terri’s aid. Her head was lowered, her feet raised, cold wet towels were placed on her head and neck. Her caregiver spoke gently, reassuring her. After a few frightening minutes, she was back. Her color and speech returned to normal. She was able to complete her donation. 

However, in those few, fragile moments, we were invited into the sacred space of personally understanding the impact of ministry in this new context and doing the holy work of bringing people together to save lives. 

Now, when I find myself at my office desk or as I sit in meetings about building collaborations and begin missing the holy moments, I stop and hum that lovely chorus. I’m taken back to that sacred space and inspired to lean into the difference that this new role can make. 

Pray, Practice, Ponder
On your phone or computer, find Hezekiah Walker’s song, “I Need You to Survive” (It can be found on YouTube or through most music apps.) As you listen, let the lyrics wash over you. Prayerfully notice what word or phrase stands out for you today. Consider sharing this line with a friend or, in the style of Lectio Divina, take this word or phrase to God in prayer, pondering what God is speaking to you through it. 

Pray. . .Give. . .Go.

Fields of Faith

Wednesday Night Bible Study

Join us for our Wednesday evening Bible study!  After enjoying last week’s potluck dinner together,  we will resume our Bible study time TONIGHT, September 25 at 6:00 p.m. in the MFC. There will be no meal. Join us!

Sunday School and Childcare is Available!

Send Us Your Prayer List Updates

fbcsylvapray@gmail.com 

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.

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!

Our worship service will be streamed online at firstbaptistsylva.com.

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.  Please see Gaye Buchanan for more information. 

Preschoolers Through 5th Graders' Art Exhibition: God’s Wonderful World

Parents of  children in this age group: Using the theme "God's Wonderful World," please work with your little one to draw, paint, or craft something that we can display on a bulletin board at church through October.  They could use handprints or footprints, recycled materials, natural materials (leaves, etc.), or any other ideas you have.  All who participate will be recognized.  Please check with Cheryl Beck for more details.