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.
Flowers for Sanctuary
If you would like to provide flowers in the sanctuary for Sunday morning services, please contact Gwen Messer at 828-506-8370, or Janice in the church office to be placed on the calendar.
Hurray for Our Nursery Workers of the Week!
We appreciate Melanie and Izzy Joiner working in the church nursery on Sunday. Everyone had fun!
On January 28, Beth and Lucie Moore will serve in the nursery. Thank you!
A new schedule for nursery workers will be sent out in the next few days. If you would like to help in the nursery and haven't been on the schedule, please contact Cheryl Beck.
There is still room on the schedule to serve “the least of these”
on Sunday mornings. It is a blessing to see their smiles and enthusiasm as you spend
time with our infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
Please contact Cheryl Beck (cabeck@ncsu.edu) if you would like to help.
Ladies' Winter Bible Study
The Ladies Winter Bible Study will continue on Monday, January 22 at 10:00 a.m. in the Gathering Room. You will enjoy Beth Moore’s study of Philippians: The Surpassing Value of Knowing Christ. Books are still available in the church office for $15. Please plan to join us!
Attention Youth! Passport News!
July 15-19 is the date for you to attend PASSPORT at Greensboro College. Are you going? Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to make new friends, play, fellowship, and learn more about your place in God’s world. It promises to be an exciting and challenging adventure.
To secure your place at PASSPORT, please make a deposit of $150.00 at the church office by January 29th. (The total cost is still to be determined) Spaces are limited and you don’t want to miss out!
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!
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.
Mission Moment 1.24.24
Jade and Shelah Acker
CBF Field Personnel, Uganda
The two people who have had the most profound influence on my life, personally, spiritually and professionally, are my parents, Dorothy and Jerry Hubbard. For 30 years, my parents served as missionaries in Zambia. Now, they continue to serve God and others in their community in Alabaster, Alabama. For as long as I can remember, my parents would wake up early in the morning to read the Bible and pray. To this day, they still meet each morning for a focused and intentional prayer time. They have an extensive prayer list and take prayer more seriously than anyone I know. My dad reads through the Bible twice a year in a different version and spends hours studying and preparing for his weekly Sunday school class. My mom reflects the love, compassion, gentleness and wisdom of Jesus as she ministers to those around her. I consistently hear stories from people about how they have been impacted by my parents. I don’t take this for granted. They raised me in a home where I never doubted that I was loved by God or that God had a purpose for my life. Now, as I serve on the mission field, I realize more and more how much my faith and my ministry calling were developed by my parents. I also feel empowered and encouraged to know that they are specifically praying for me, my family and our ministry every single morning—and yes, they also pray through CBF’s Prayers of the People guide each year! I’m so thankful to God for my parents and the legacy they have passed on to me.
—Shelah Acker
My secret ambition in life has always been to one day look back to the place from which I have come and to have a mindset like Job. So far, I’ve experienced a lot of trials in my short life, and thankfully I’ve had many people to guide me. I met Mr. Chad on my first day of physical education at my new school last year. Mr. Chad was my PE teacher, and although he was in his 30’s, had experienced more than most people in their entire lifetime. Mr. Chad suffered from multiple issues like early arthritis, ADHD, OCD, bipolar disorder and extreme depression. There has never been a day when Mr. Chad didn’t feel physical pain in his body. Like Job, Mr. Chad continued to trust in God no matter his circumstances. He also mentored those around him and said that his pain was worth it to teach younger minds about what trusting in God can do.
Job experienced unbearable pain in his life. He suffered through a life of torment, but he managed to stay strong and put his hope and trust in God. As my family serves God here in Uganda and walks through our struggles, it is sometimes easy to forget that suffering gives us an opportunity to lean on God and trust in God. Many people around the world are suffering physically, spiritually and mentally. We have the opportunity to do the same as Mr. Chad—even when we ourselves are suffering. We can offer hope and help to others and teach them to lean on God.
—Anna-Grace Acker (17-year-old daughter of Jade and Shelah Acker)
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.
Bacon, Eggs, Biscuits, and Gravy, Grits and More!
Men, bring your appetite to the next Men’s Breakfast on Saturday, February 3, at 8:00 a.m., in the Mission and Fellowship Center. You’ll enjoy a delicious meal and have fun and fellowship with other men of the church. Be there!