Each household is eligible to request four tests at COVIDTests.gov that will be shipped directly to your home address (or PO Box). Public health officials have confirmed that these tests are capable of detecting the latest coronavirus variants circulating and causing infections. (Excerpted from AARP newsletter)
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!
Men’s Breakfast
Saturday, November 2 at 8:00 a.m.
Please join us on Friday, November 1 at 10:00 a.m. to set up for the Men’s Breakfast. Then please join us for the Men’s Breakfast on Saturday morning, November 2, at 8:00. All ages are welcome!
Mission Moment 10.16.24
Brooke and Mike
CBF Field Personnel, Indonesia
My family used to be farmers. We lived on both sides of the Missouri River’s banks in Kansas and Missouri. My great grandfather is known for building the wooden bridge over the creek. The road in front of his land bears his name. As a child, doing things with my grandmother usually meant a visit to the farm, to plant, to reap or simply to chase or be chased by the chickens and the goats.
My grandmother eventually migrated South with the rest of the family. She sold the farm, and the county rebuilt the bridge. On that old parcel of land, there’s no trace of our family besides a name on a street sign.
We moved to Indonesia 10 years ago. As we discern God’s calling for the next 10 years of life and ministry, I’ve wondered if our work here is done and what trace will be left by our life and work in this country if called to serve elsewhere.
An accounting of the fruit God is bearing in this land brings us life and helps us to know that wherever we may find ourselves in the years ahead, we leave a significant trace of our presence.
Nearly a decade ago, I preached under a tarp in a jungle clearing. There was hope for a church in that place, but not much else. Last year, we returned to that village to install solar lighting on the church built in that clearing years later.
Illness precluded us from participating in a project in a rural village. Our team went forward. A year later, the church had doubled in size and one of the teenagers had given their life to ministry.
People of little to no faith have found faith in our community. Those of faith have found a sense of calling to live out their faith. Some have devoted their lives to serving Christ here and abroad.
An honorific, granted by years of study and research, has opened unimagined doors for dialogue. We have broken fasts, prayed over and mourned with people from a myriad of faith traditions.
The schools and communities where we have served or where our children are educated, we will leave for the better.
People have known us by our fruits, fruits that will bear seeds and more fruit in their time.
—Mike
Pray, Prayer, Ponder
Heavenly Father, may the legacies we leave behind us, whether it is moving from one place to another, or from this life to the next, be an ever-present lingering of the Gospel truth and love proclaimed in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Pray...Give...Go.
WMU News 10.9.24
Mission Circle
Mission Circle is working hard in connection with Creation Alliance to get supplies to people who are cut off from the rest of the state due to Hurricane Helene. Our concentrated effort is Mitchell County, NC. They need your prayers.
GA News
The GAs are going strong thanks to their leader, Sandi Allen. We have a smaller group this year, but the enthusiasm is still there!
RAs
We still do not have a permanent leader, but After-School employees Andrew and Nick are doing a great job! Open your heart to God and these wonderful boys who need love and a father figure in their lives.
Mission Friends
Mission Friends is learning so much and having fun under the direction of Beverly Duncan Midgett. They are a joy!
Acteens
Acteens are meeting once a month under the direction of Carrie Nelson. When we get a youth leader, I am hopeful we can combine youth and Acteens!
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: Immediately. Please see Gaye Buchanan for more information.
Children’s Art on Display
Check out the art exhibit on second floor outside the children’s Sunday school room. The theme is “God’s Wonderful World.”
If your child hasn’t completed a picture for the display, it isn’t too late! They can finish it up and give it to Cheryl Beck to be added to the display.
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.
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!
A Way You Can Help
Sarah Ogletree Ritter, former youth intern at FBC Sylva who now works for Creation Care Alliance of WNC, has been in contact with Gaye Buchanan, WMU director. Sarah lives and works in Mitchell County, which is one of the hardest hit counties in WNC from Helene.
Immediate needs at this time:
small propane tanks (grill size)
mailboxes
work gloves
towels
wash cloths
to-go food containers
chicken feed
Visa gift cards
queen & king sheet sets
paper towels & toilet paper are still a need, but not as much right now.
Also, if anyone has a camper or RV to donate, three brothers are in need of one for housing, which would probably be their home from now on.
Please bring your donations to the Mission and Fellowship Center, and WMU members will deliver them to her parents. Thank you!
If you would like to help directly with hurricane relief in the Asheville area...
To volunteer for food, water, and supply distribution, you can go to BelovedAsheville, located at 32 Old Charlotte Highway, in Asheville. The website is www.belovedasheville.com/donate.