Mid-week meals continue this Wednesday at 5:15 p.m. in the MFC. Costs are $12 for adults, $7 for K-12th grade, and college students as well as pre-K are guests of the church (no charge). The menu that evening will be baked spaghetti, corn, vegetable medley, salad, garlic bread & dessert. Join us!
Mission Moment 9.17.25
Janée Angel
CBF Field Personnel, Antwerp, Belgium
“He does not ask much of us, merely a thought of Him from time to time, a little act of adoration, sometimes to ask for His grace, sometimes to offer Him your sufferings, at other times to thank Him for the graces, past and present, He has bestowed on you, in the midst of your troubles to take solace in Him as often as you can. Lift up your heart to Him during your meals and in company; the least little remembrance will always be the most pleasing to Him. One need not cry out very loudly; He is nearer to us than we think.”
—Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God
As much as a life spent serving others is a blessing, over the last year we have also felt the heavy weight of this life. As we connect with others, it involves trust and vulnerability. Relationship involves risk. And in only a moment, that can all be broken.
We have experienced partnerships that have ended in pain. We have seen many walk away from a life in Christ. And we have felt the fatigue of ministry. And in the midst of all the hurt, we are sure that the Lord has us here in this place for this time. And just when we feel like we have no more to give, we see someone decide to follow Jesus. We get to walk with people longing to learn to serve the Lord. Or we meet new ministry partners willing to risk it all to work together because we whole-heartedly believe that God has called us to work in community.
And so, to answer the question of what is saving my life right now seems relatively easy to answer. My answer is prayer and worship.
A life connected to the Lord is one that is bathed in prayer. There are moments when life seems overwhelming, and I simply breathe my prayers. I inhale the love of God and exhale the hurt and pain that I feel. I breathe until I feel God’s hand on me and the stress begins to melt away.
There are other moments that I sit with our daughters and pray through the questions of the examen. For what am I thankful today? Where did I see God at work today? And where do I still need God to intervene in my life right now? All of these questions help our daughters and me to recognize how God is actively at work in and through us.
And then I worship. As a former music teacher, I often say that music is my other language (besides English, French, Dutch and Arabic). It is the language that connects me to the throne room of heaven. And I believe that worship adds light to the atmosphere. When I am tired, worship gives me energy. When I am sad, it brings healing. And when I am joyful, it fills me with thanksgiving.
My lifeline now and always is to sit in the presence of the Father. It allows me space to come with an honest heart and a pure song and find comfort and peace in the only One who can offer the lasting kind.
Pray, Practice, Ponder
Today, practice dwelling in the presence of God in a way that feels authentic to you. Perhaps through music and worship you might spend time with God, or by identifying a “breath prayer” to carry with you through your day. Or, you can use as a guide the following examen prayer questions: What am I thankful for today? Where did I see God at work today? And where do I still need God to intervene in my life right now? Take a moment to reignite and celebrate how God is actively at work in and through your life and offer gratitude to God for this divine companionship and provision.
Pray...Give...Go.
Giving the Jesus Way
United Christian Ministries is in need of cereal.
To donate items, please drop them off at UCM’s building at 191 Skyland Drive. Thank you!
1st Explorers After-School Program Recap
This past week, First Explorers focused on how to be a helping hand as part of their Leader Series. They painted kindness rocks, wrote letters for people who are in nursing homes and in the military, participated in Chapel, as well as Mission Friends, Girls in Action and Royal Ambassadors. They taste tested Honeycrisp, Gingergold, and Ambrosia apples with the majority voting for Honeycrisp as their favorite!
Sacred Choral Music
St. John’s Episcopal Choir and FBC Sanctuary Choir will join forces to present a short program of sacred choral selections on Wednesday evening, September 17, at 7:00 p.m. in our sanctuary. Our guest choir is directed by Erin McCully and will be accompanied by Ken Cabe. Each choir will sing one anthem alone, and we will sing two pieces together. The St. John’s choir will be sharing the fellowship meal with us, and we’ll have a practice at 6:30 p.m. Doors will open at 7:00 p.m. This event will be live-streamed on our website here. Please invite others to this special program.
Midweek Meals Continue
Mid-week meals continue tonight, September 10 at 5:30 p.m. in the MFC. Costs are $12 for adults, $7 for K-12th grade, and college students as well as pre-K are guests of the church (no charge). The menu tonight will be taco bar with rice and refried beans. Join us!
First Explorers After School
1st Explorers After-School Program Update
This week kicked off a new month and new theme for First Explorers: Learning to Lead. Students discussed and read books about kindness, taking responsibility, courage, and teamwork. Kaitlyn visits each Tuesday with a theme-related activity. This week, they built walls of Jericho! On Wednesday, Girls in Action, Royal Ambassadors, and Mission Friends began for the semester. Students were super-excited and enjoyed the lessons and activities.
Mission Moment 9.10.25
Bev and Woody Baker
CBF Field Personnel, Ahoskie, N.C.
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." –Proverbs 17:17
Starting a Christian Men’s Job Corps ministry at 64 is daunting. But there is no doubt the Lord is bringing about this opportunity. Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has provided the practical help needed. Through CBF’s Global Service Corps, health insurance is available and financial partners can get involved. Field personnel, Anna and LaCount Anderson, provide years of experience in poverty ministry and have been a consistent source of ministry advice. Pat Byrd and her team of women volunteers have 12 years of experience with the Roanoke Chowan Christian Women’s Job Corps. We witnessed their success and knew the program had the potential to expand and be adapted for a Men’s Corps.
Despite these assurances that God was at work, I was daunted by the energy needed to begin a new corps. This was made apparent at the site coordinator training held by the Woman’s Missionary Union. The ministry framework that WMU has designed over the years was very detailed and reassuring. The immense task of building the foundation for the Men’s Corps was laid before me. Where should I start?
It was then that the Lord sent me a friend. Rev. Roy Faison moved into the same office to begin his own chaplaincy ministry. Equipped with the gift of encouragement, Rev. Roy came alongside me to offer a listening ear, a wise observation and a timely pat on the back. He is a consistent presence and was there to assist with setting up a game plan and offering advice when asked.
But what I appreciate most about Rev. Roy is having a brother in Christ to speak words of life into the everyday. Whenever I am expressing my frustration or fear for the next challenge, Rev. Roy has a verse or two to share. We read together, discuss the meaning and the application to the situation. Inevitably, we hear from God. Through our dialogue we are encouraged or get affirmation for a way to proceed in the particular circumstances of the day.
Rev. Roy has been a life-giving friend. His dedication to scripture and unwavering belief that God’s Word holds the truth to guide us through our daily journeys has kept me grounded in Jesus, our life-saver. What a gift a brother in Christ can be in these days of stepping out in faith.
Pray, Practice, Ponder
Who in your life is a spiritual friend? Who arrived in your life at just the right moment, to offer encouragement, wisdom and Christ-like presence?
Giving the Jesus Way
United Christian Ministries is in need of cereal.
To donate items, please drop them off at UCM’s building at 191 Skyland Drive. Thank you!