United Christian Ministries is in need of: shampoo (prefer 2-in-1 shampoo & conditioner), body wash, deodorant, toothpaste, child diapers (all sizes), cereal, spaghetti sauce and spaghetti noodles. To donate items, please drop them off at UCM’s building at 191 Skyland Drive. Thank you!
Joe's Window
By Dr. Joe Yelton
Interim Pastor
President Jimmy Carter said, “We will never end war by killing each other’s children.” With ample examples pointing to this truth, I’ll skip the geopolitical wrangling that distracts us from the global atrocities, each day claiming more young lives. Ukraine, Nigeria, Israel and Gaza, serve to remind us that in spite of our social/industrial sophistication, even today we are largely bound to primitive ideas of how we settle conflicts. In each of those instances, children are dying by the thousands. Jimmy Carter got it right.
The Jesus message regarding peace and the pursuit of meaning is so simplistic that, many of us tend to write it off as philosophical well-wishing. Jesus pointed out that Kingdom thinking is so basic that even a child can do it. So, why is “treating others as we’d have them treat us,” seemingly so distant, so unattainable? My take on it is this: we’ve been hoodwinked. We’ve been fed the idea that loving first and best is a sign of weakness. In reality, it is the ultimate show of strength.
Jesus refusing to argue with His accusers ... STRENGTH. Jesus turning the cheek to His abusers ... STRENGTH. When we refuse to participate in worldwide calamity in which the innocent suffer, that is a true show of STRENGTH. And more personally, when we are kind to unkind people, when we make room for that person who shot past everyone, ignoring the signage directing all to merge left, when we reach out to the one experiencing grief or ridicule, becoming their friend when friends are scarce ... STRENGTH!
It’s the Jesus way that will transform weapons into ploughshares. Most any other way will continue producing grieving parents, broken spouses, angry friends, and even a divided nation. As we become less and give Jesus room to become more, we are at our best ... PERIOD!
Cottage Cheese Salad
Ingredients
1 small cottage cheese
1 can mandarin oranges, drained
1 small can crushed pineapple, drained
1 small orange jello
1/2 cup nuts, chopped
1 8-ounce Cool Whip
Instructions
Put cottage cheese, mandarin oranges, and crushed pineapple in a bowl. Sprinkle jello over ingredients and mix well. Add nuts and fold in Cool Whip.
Chill before serving.
– Provided by Barb Holquist
Cottage Cheese Salad
Click here to download a printable version.
-Provided by Barb Holquist
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.
Bible Study
TONIGHT, May 8 at 6:00 p.m.
Please join us this Wednesday, May 8 in the MFC at 6:00 p.m. for Bible study, and choir practice will follow at 7:00 p.m. Dr. Yelton will lead us in Bible study. There will not be a meal this week.
Vacation Bible School
Click here or on the above image to access the referenced website.
Sunday School and Childcare is Available!
Take Note of the Accompanying. . .
There is so much going on in the next month. We hope that you will download and print out the attached list of events so you can be sure not to miss all of the fun!
Ladies' Bible Study
Please join us for the continuation of the Ladies Spring Bible Study on Monday, May 13, at 10:00 a.m. in the Gathering Room. We are studying the Book of Esther. This study has video sessions led by Beth Moore. Study books are available in the Church office but are not required to do the study.
