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.
Royal Ambassadors Needs Leader
We are still in need of a leader for Royal Ambassadors. Please be in prayer that someone will come forward to teach these wonderful boys.
New Family-Care Program
We are initiating the Family-Care program which is similar to the Deacon-Care program we had for years. This time the program will use volunteer church members along with some deacons.
In the next month you will be receiving the name of the person who has volunteered to be your family care person. This person will connect with you and work in close liaison with you and your family. You can contact this person in a time of crisis, in a time of joy, when church concerns or questions arise, or just to talk.
If you would like to volunteer to be a member-care person, please contact Jennie Hunter (828 399-0623 jnnhunter@aol.com) or Ann Melton (828 421-7689 meltonann@att.net).
Passportkids: Spaces Available
This year's Passportkids will be held on June 30-July 3 at Montreat College. Children who have completed 3rd through 6th grades — this PASSPORT is for you! We still have some spaces available if you know of anyone who is interested in going.
For those who have paid a deposit already, another installment of $75.00 is due by January 29th. Please give your deposit to Janice in the church office by that day.
If you haven’t already told her, please let Cheryl Beck know as soon as possible if you are going.
Mission Circle Meeting
The Ladies Mission Circle will meet again
on Tuesday, February 13 at 10:30 a.m.
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.
Pen Pals Set to Begin Soon
The Pen Pal Project, in its 4th year, will begin soon. This is an opportunity for the adults in our congregation to connect with the children from our church and from 1st Explorers After School Ministry by corresponding through letter writing. The children are always excited to receive a letter and their replies to their pen pals helps with their literacy and writing skills.
Cheryl Beck will be contacting folks soon about participating. In the meantime, please let her know if you are interested.
Called Church Conference
Following Worship on Sunday, January 21
Items for Congregational Approval:
1. Calling of Interim Pastor to begin 02/04/24. This comes as a recommendation from the Board of Deacons and the Personnel Chair after reviewing resumes, phone conversations, checking references, listening to sermons, interviewing with Board of Deacons, and prayerful discernment.
2. Vote to proceed with nursery facelift. This comes as a recommendation from the Board of Deacons and Trustees and has already been approved by the Budget & Finance Committee. Please see more details in this Chimes notice from Jim Campbell, Trustee.
3. Alter slightly, for this year only, the calendar for Deacon Selection Process as written in the Bylaws. This request is made to avoid conducting church business on Palm Sunday and Easter.
From Linda Minor,
Deacon Chair
This Sunday’s Guest Preacher
We will welcome The Rev. Dr. Joe Yelton to First Baptist this Sunday, January 14! Dr. Yelton comes to us with a wealth of experience, and we are delighted to have him with us.
Dr. Yelton previously served McGill Baptist Church in Concord, NC (3 years as minister of youth); Drakes Branch Baptist Church in Drakes Branch, VA (6.5 years as senior pastor); Cullowhee Baptist Church in Cullowhee, NC (10.8 years as senior pastor); Hominy Baptist Church in Candler, NC (25 years as senior pastor, currently retired); and First Baptist Church, Rutherfordton in Rutherfordton, NC (13 mos as interim; ended in November). He also volunteers 5-6 hours/week at the Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministries as the “Shepherding Pastor.”
Dr. Yelton attended Asheville High School, Western Carolina University, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary 1980 (M.Div./RE) and Drew University (D.Min. Graduate of Distinction).