The Children Caring and Reaching Elderly (C.A.R.E.) Team is invited to meet at church at 3:15 p.m., on Tuesday, October 24 to visit some of our church’s shut-ins. We will return to the church by 5:15 p.m. Please try to come!
NEW Bible Study to Continue THIS Monday, October 23
A Bible Study will continue THIS Monday, October 9 at 10:00 a.m. in the Gathering Room. Janet Ford will lead a study based on the book Praying Backwards by Bryan Chapell. Books ($15) are available in the church office. Plan to come and learn different ways to pray.
Giving the Jesus Way
United Christian Ministries is in need of pasta sauce, ramen, pancake syrup, applesauce (6-pack individual cups), and laundry detergent. To donate items, please drop them off at UCM’s building at 191 Skyland Drive. Thank you!
Mission Moment 10.18.23
Cindy Ruble
CBF Field Personnel, Malaysia
“Who do you want to be and how are you going to get there?” my spirituality professor, Dr. Glenn Hinson, asked.
It is a simple question with a complex answer. “I want 10 pages,” he said. Ten pages?!
That simple question has reverberated throughout my life. “Who do you want to be and how are you going to get there?”
The “how” is always the same—with intentionality.
Growing spiritually takes intentionality
It doesn’t just happen
It requires self-reflection
Self-examination
Raw honesty
Commitment to grow and become more
To mirror more each day the One we follow
Day by day
Moment by moment
I remember Dr. Hinson’s reading Scripture and a student asking what version of the Bible he was reading. He smiled and said his own. He was reading in Greek and translating it as he read. Dr. Hinson was always intentional in his spirituality, intentional in his scholarship. He modeled a life of faith and nurtured spiritual formation in all his students. We were expected to think, to draw deeply from scripture, to ask questions, to reflect, to journal.
I loved Dr. Hinson’s classes. They resonated. I remember reading the book Prayers by Michel Quoist in Dr. Hinson’s class. Dr. Hinson asked us to read one of Quoist’s prayers each day and then journal one of our own. I still have my journal. It is sitting beside me on my sofa in Malaysia as I write this. I learned to journal prayers about all of life. My favorite way of praying is journaling prayers about ordinary life. Reflecting is good for the soul. It helps me to grow. It also helps me to see when God has answered my prayers because sometimes I miss God’s answers.
Dr. Hinson used to start every spirituality class with 10 minutes of silence. Awkward at first; but oh, how I grew to love it! It calms the soul. I didn’t grow up in a church tradition that taught or nurtured meditation. Yet Psalm 46:10 tells us to “be still and know that I am God.” I now regularly meditate. Meditation is stillness. Meditation is intentional silence that leaves space for God. Joshua 1:8 instructs us to meditate on the book of law day and night, so that we may be careful to do everything written in it and then we will be prosperous and successful. Psalm 1:2 tells us that the person who meditates on the law of God is like a tree planted by streams of water and that that person will prosper. It has been 30 years since I was in Dr. Hinson’s class and I still hear his voice in my life. He still guides me. Thank you, Dr. Hinson!
Pray. . .Give. . .Go.
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.
WNCBF Fall Gathering
Sunday, November 12
Canton First Baptist Church
5:00 p.m. Meal | 6:00 p.m. Worship
We will have our annual Fall Gathering on November 12 at Canton First Baptist Church. Following a fellowship meal, we will worship together as we remember the influence of saints around us and those who have gone on before us. Reverend Doctor Guy Sayles will be our proclaimer, and congregants will have an opportunity to light a candle prior to the worship service in memory of friends and loved ones. Child care will be provided.
Cost is $20 per person (12 and under eat free.) The meal is provided by WNC Baptist Campus Ministries (grilled chicken or pork chop, salad bar, potato bar, bread, and dessert.)
Click here to register now! Or register and pay in person. To register by phone and pay in person, please call 828-667-4541 (M – Th, 9 am – 3 pm).
We will be taking an offering that evening in memory of Rev. Dr. Tommy Bratton, to be given to CareNet Counseling in Marion, NC. If you would like to donate online now to that offering, click here.
We Need Candy for Our Treat Street Event!
We are in need of candy for our Treat Street event on Halloween. Help us prepare for the annual event that reaches our neighbors! Candy can be dropped off in our Loving Kindness Center.
WMU Leadership Team Meeting
After discussion, the Leadership Team voted to meet every other month. The next meeting will be November 14 at 9:45 a.m. in the Table room. That will make it easier for Mission Circle members to meet following the Leadership Team meeting.
Bowling and Lunch Youth Event THIS Sunday
ATTENTION First Baptist Church Sylva Youth (6th grade - Seniors)... Please join us this Sunday for an afternoon of BOWLING and PIZZA at the UltraStar Multi-tainment center in Cherokee, NC!!!
Meet us in the back parking area following THIS Sunday's service. We will depart by 12:00 p.m. with plans to return to the Church no later than 3:15pm. Pizza Lunch and Bowling costs will be covered for you - bring spending money for extras i.e. snacks and games and feel encouraged to invite a friend!
In an effort to plan accordingly, please contact Rob Stokely (828.507.2783) if your Youth plans to attend. Please reach out if you have any questions. We very much look forward to connecting with your Youth this Sunday.
Next Men’s Breakfast is Saturday, Nov. 4
Men and boys, guests and friends, join us as we gather for some good food and fellowship at our next Men’s Breakfast on Saturday, November 4.