November Birthdays
Abby Fisher (Nov. 5)
Russell Midgett (Nov. 9)
John Stiles (Nov. 11)
Sally Campbell (Nov. 11)
Leo James (Nov. 11)
Chris Moore (Nov. 13)
Ellen Mathis (Nov. 14)
Renee Coward (Nov. 15)
Sabrena Davis (Nov. 16)
Judy Henderson (Nov. 16)
John Nelson (Nov. 17)
E.P. Stillwell (Nov. 17)
Sharon Vanderburg (Nov. 18)
Summer Burnes (Nov. 19)
Zeb Mathis (Nov. 25)
Arlin Middleton (Nov. 26)
Jeff Mathis (Nov. 28)
Gene Middleton (Nov. 28)
Mary Lou Millwood (Nov. 28)
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.
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!
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!
The CDC recommends that you wear a mask indoors.
Maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others.
Our worship service will be streamed online at firstbaptistsylva.com.
Pumpkin Carving Contest
Pumpkin carvers should bring their jack-o-lanterns to the church on Halloween for Treat Street. Be sure to have them on-display on the steps of the church to be judged by 5:30 PM. A winner will be announced at 6 PM. The winning jack-o-lantern will be taking their carving-family out for ice cream!
Sincere Gratitude
I have been, and I remain, blessed to serve as Minister of Music at the First Baptist Church of Sylva. Somehow, saying "Thanks" seems way to "simple," or "understated" to express my appreciation for the Homecoming Celebration of my Forty-year tenure as your staff member. So many people devoted so much expertise, time, and effort seeing to detail that made the day such a happy occasion for me.
Of course, it was my joy to be able to conduct a choir with such a great sound, doing wonderful selections of anthem literature of various styles. We all had a good time preparing the music, and it made us "feel younger," as we all were younger when so many contributed to music ministry here. Several have said that we need to "do it again." I reaped great joy from my connection to them during the whole experience. Our church provided the event that brought us together. Thank you.
The naming of the choir room was certainly a surprise to me, and a touching tribute--greatly appreciated. Your money gift was generous, and I thank all of you for your contributions. I promise to use it for "fun!"
Finally, to all the people who decorated the MFC so appropriately and beautifully, your efforts were greatly appreciated, and drew the attention of our former choir members at the wonderful meal. To Jeff and the other staff members, I thank you for all that you did to make this a service centered around great scriptures set to music. Ed Beddingfield, I was touched by your message, and so pleased that you were able to be here for this observance. To Tonja and the kitchen staff, my sincere thanks for your excellent work in having a wonderful meal served to a huge crowd.
There must be many who deserve thanks who I have not mentioned--if you are such a person, please forgive, but know that I am grateful for all that was done.
With love and appreciation,
Bob Holquist
Sunday School and Childcare is Available!
Circle Meeting – November 14
The next Missions Circle Meeting will be on Tuesday, November 14 at 10:30 a.m. in the Gathering Room. We are receiving numerous requests from nonprofit groups for help. We will be discussing those needs. Anyone who is not a member is very welcome to join.
All Saints’ Day
Join us for a service of worship and remembrance
during our All Saints' Day service
on Sunday, November 5.