Dorris Beck would like to extend a heartfelt “thank you” for all the cards and prayers she received while being in Macon Valley Nursing Center for rehab. She is back at home now.
1st Explorers After-School Ministry Update
Kayla Hartman, After School Assistant Director, reports that with all the rainy days last week, the staff kept the kids busy with group games like Four Corners and Statues. The children had a blast with these old games.
In Chapel this week, the children learned about the widow who gave all she had, having and practicing self-control, and the story of Shadrach, Mesach, and Abednego and the fiery furnace.
This was the first whole week for 1st Explorers since Christmas!
Below:
Left: Hunter and Damon enjoy building unique creations.
Middlet: Phoebe adds another piece to the puzzle on the table provided by WMU.
Right: Staff member Olivia works with a small group at the play dough table.
Mission Circle Meeting
The Ladies Mission Circle will meet
on Tuesday, February 13 at 10:30 a.m. in the
Gathering Room. Ruth McConnell will be talking with
us about Neighbors in Need. Join us!
Dining for Jackson Working to Support AWAKE
I hope you will join Dining for Jackson County on Tuesday, February 6, at 11:30 a.m. in the Mission and Fellowship Center of Sylva First Baptist Church. Please come and be a part of helping so many children in our county who are abused. Isn’t that the goal of all of us – to make a difference in the lives of the vulnerable and the abused? Well, here is a way to do just that. I believe we are called to be a channel of helpfulness for others.
This non-profit needs our help! AWAKE, along with dozens of other Children’s Advocacy Centers is about to lose up to 40% of their VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) funding which is one of their main sources of aid! Sadly, this decrease in funding is affecting all the CACs (Children’s Advocacy Centers) across the state!
AWAKE - Adults Working and Advocating for Kid’s Empowerment—was established in 1993 with the mission to coordinate and advocate services for abused children in Jackson County and offers a safe place for those who have been abused to receive services. This organization coordinates services for these victims and provides a child friendly environment where the child and their families receive services and support.
The AWAKE staff provides free training, programs and presentations to schools, clubs and civic groups to help community members recognize signs of abuse and understand the importance of reporting it. Interested parties just need to call AWAKE at 828-586-3574 and ask to speak to Crystal Jones, the Executive Director, if you would like for your organization or staff to receive training on child abuse. You may also reach her at CJones@awakecacenter.org.
So, I hope you will join us Tuesday, February 6. Bring a covered dish and let’s fellowship together as we work to help those in need.
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!
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.
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.
WMU Leadership Team Meeting
Join the Leadership Team for its meeting on
Tuesday, February 13, at 9:45 a.m.,
before Mission Circle.
Mission Moment 1.31.24
Annette Ellard
CBF Field Personnel, Kentucky
As I have considered the many spiritual guides who have influenced me throughout my life, I have been most struck by the common thread of that influence—love. Love truly is the be-all and end-all. Without it, we are nothing. With it, we have everything.
When I was seven-years-old, my Sunday school teacher gave me a sticker. It said, “GOD LOVES YOU. I LOVE YOU.” It was so special to me, I stuck it inside the front of the Bible my grandparents had given me for Christmas. How amazing it was to know God loves me. That teacher never knew the profound influence that sticker had on me then and even now.
When I was 11, after my daddy died, my mother joined the army and I went to live with my grandparents while she was in training. During that time, Mama was given a New Testament with the bold-print title “GOD IS LOVE.” Mama let me have it after she finished her training, and the translation which is in common English became my primary Bible for reading in my early teens. The cover emphasized that Scripture passage from 1 John 4, and I thought deeply about how important it was—so important the publisher had used it to title the whole New Testament. Of course, that publisher never knew the profound influence that tattered paperback had on me then and even now.
In my early 20s, while in a seminary class on the classics of Christian devotion, I read The Practice of the Presence of God, the writings of Brother Lawrence, a 17th century French Carmelite friar. After a childhood of poverty and an early adulthood of war that left him permanently lame, Brother Lawrence entered the priory as a lay brother and spent the rest of his life working first in the kitchen and later by repairing sandals. In all that I encountered in that seminary course, it is one statement by Brother Lawrence that has stuck with me ever since: “I flip my little egg in the frying pan for the love of God.” The thought that everything we do in life should be for the love of God was at once astoundingly simple and relentlessly demanding. Such a humble man as Brother Lawrence surely never imagined that, more than 300 years after his death, his writings would have such lasting influence on a 20th century seminarian and then and missionary even now.
Finally, in my later 20s, when I was struggling with several decisions, I sought the help of a trusted counselor. Realizing I was paralyzed by the fear of making the wrong choice, she suggested that I stop trying to determine what was “the right thing” or “the wrong thing” and instead choose “the loving thing.” I only saw her a couple of times after that meeting, so she never knew how much she helped me with those decisions then or how her wisdom has guided much of my decision-making for more than half my life, even until now.
Now, 17 years into our ministry among refugees from Burma, Steve and I hope that love is the essence of all we do. And we pray that those we serve will come to know that we love them and that God loves them. We pray that they will know that God is love, fully shown among us in Jesus. We pray that we will not grow weary, even in doing the seemingly small but necessary things, if we do them for the love of God. And we pray that the love with which our work is done will be evident to those we serve so that they will love God more.
Keeping Connected
By Kaitlyn Cabaniss
Communications Intern
In the digital age, effective communication plays a vital role in bridging the gap between a church’s physical building and its community. As a communication major, I am learning the value of being well-informed and having multiple avenues to stream communication. Part of my time here at First Baptist Sylva will include a summary of our church communications. This will keep everyone connected and give an updated view of all the ways you can connect with the church.
The best place to start when looking for church information is the church website (http://firstbaptistsylva.com/). The website serves as a hub for important church news, a place to give your offering, staff introductions, and pages for children and youth ministry. It is also another way to access the sermon podcast and see the most recent church bulletin. The church website also provides a platform for visitors to learn more about the church’s beliefs, ministries, and connect with its community.
Every Monday, the church sends out an email containing the sermon podcast and video from the previous Sunday. This allows interested parties of the church to catch up on the sermon in case they were unable to attend the service. There are also a few important reminders and the church office hours for the week.
On Wednesdays, our newsletter (Church Chimes) is sent out. This email includes an article, activity announcements and service requests, as well as important information relating to the church community, offering and attendance totals, recipes, and our prayer list. If requested, the Church Chimes can also be mailed to individuals who are unable to access email.
On Fridays, the church sends out an email reminder for the upcoming Sunday service. It also contains any additional reminders for important service information or weekend events.
On social media, First Baptist Sylva can be found on YouTube and Facebook. The YouTube channel houses each Sunday service livestream so anyone can go back and watch a favorite service. The Facebook page is another way members or potential guests can see relevant church information and see the church’s address, phone number, and email.
Lastly, the online church directory is a great way to see and keep track of all church members. The church directory can be accessed through the website “Instant Church Directory” or downloaded as an app on your mobile phone. The directory includes church member’s addresses, phone numbers, and emails as well as birthdays and church committees. It’s a great way to stay connected to your fellow church family.
First Baptist Sylva has many ways for members and guests to stay informed and stay connected. Make sure you are staying plugged into all the wonderful things going on in the life of the church. If you have questions or want assistance with accessing any of these, please contact our church office.