AUGUST 2016 | www.fbcgso.org | 336.274.3286
August 28
first baptist church greensboro
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Emphasizing worship, spiritual development, fellowship, and ministry to our city and our world.
Baptism
at the Lake August 21 @ Camp Weaver
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www.fbcgso.org | 336.274.3286 1000 West Friendly Avenue Greensboro, NC 27401
September Connections Deadline: August 15 Email news to gloria@fbcgso.org or bring it to the church office. Gloria Koster, Managing Editor Administrative Assistant: Learning gloria@fbcgso.org / x288 Steve Sumerel, Supervising Editor Associate Pastor: Adult Learning steves@fbcgso.org / x233 Teresa Allen, Media Library Director teresaa@fbcgso.org / x229 Ginny Carpenter, Weekday School Director ginny@fbcgso.org / x240 Steve Cothran, Associate Pastor: Students and Family Life / stevec@fbcgso.org / x235 Jessica Hartman, Pastoral Administrator jessica@fbcgso.org / x231 Jane Anne Hayber, Administrative Assistant: Music and Worship / janeanne@fbcgso.org / x239 Marty Kellam, Food Services Director marty@fbcgso.org / x245 Rosemary Kellam, Operations Director rosemary@fbcgso.org / x225 Christina McCord, Minister to Children and Families christina@fbcgso.org / x241 Scott North, Church Administrator scott@fbcgso.org / x226 Steve Pressley, Associate Pastor stevep@fbcgso.org / x231 Kim Priddy, Associate Pastor: Missions kim@fbcgso.org / x295 Larry Putnam, Financial Assistant larry@fbcgso.org / x222 Alan Sherouse, Senior Pastor pastor@fbcgso.org / x231 Tommy Starnes, Recreation Director tstarnes@triad.rr.com / x251 John Thornton, Pastoral Resident john@fbcgso.org / x236 Doug Vancil, Associate Pastor: Music and Worship doug@fbcgso.org / x237 Terri Vancil, Assistant Pastor: Music and Worship terri@fbcgso.org / x238 2 | Connections
August 2016 3 Window Gazing – The View from Here 4 Connect with Worship
–Baptism at the Lake – August 21 –Summer Sermon Series –Back-to-School Worship Service – August 28 –Coming up in September: Explore 1st | Deacon Ordination Service | Joining Sunday
5 Connect with Children
–Kids’ Summer Fun @ FBC –A VBS Update –Family Fun Night – August 7 –Promotion Sunday – August 28 –Blessing of the Backpacks – August 28
6 - 7 Connect with Missions
–Steps to Success Kindergarten Camp –Rosewood VBS –Wheels4Hope Car Blessing –Paint the Town 2016 –Ecuador Mission Trip Reflection –Introducing Rev. Courtney Stamey, Pastoral Resident 2016-18 –FBC Community Garden Update –Other Missions Opportunities
8 - 9 Connect with Adults
–Silver Compassion –Women’s Fall Retreat –Oasis –Get in FRONT… –Friends Day Luncheon –A Visual Via Dolorosa
10 Connect with One Another
–New Members –Birthdays | Bereaved | New Babies
Connect with Business
–Quarterly Financial Update –July Church Conference Summary –August Community Lunch | Church Conference
11 August Calendar
–What’s Cooking in the FBC Kitchen… –Save the date for the Fall Kick-off
12 Connect with Youth & College –Youth Lock-In –Middle School Fall Retreat –FBC “First Families” –College Birthdays
Cover Art: “Baptism at the Lake” was illustrated by FBC staff member Gloria Koster. Her art tells the story of different generations coming together for an FBC time-honored tradition marking the end of summer. Office Hours: 9 am - 5 pm, Monday - Friday Weekends and Holidays: If you have an emergency pastoral care need when the church offices are closed, please leave a message at 338-2438 and someone will return your call.
Window Gazing – The View from Here By Alan Sherouse
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y friend Rev. Elijah Zehyoue is Director of Programs and Communications for the New Baptist Covenant – an outstanding organization started in 2007 by former President Jimmy Carter to promote cooperation and covenant among Baptists across racial lines. Elijah is also a native of Baton Rouge, LA. In both these capacities, he recently returned to his home city. On Sunday of his pilgrimage to Baton Rouge, Elijah attended two church services – one at University Baptist, a predominantly white church, and the other at New Light Missionary Baptist, a predominantly black church. He went in search of hope, and among the things that he found Elijah was most struck by the fact that on that particular Sunday both churches held a baby dedication. In the midst of the crisis in that city and in our nation, those churches were committing themselves to their children with prayers, vows and the laying on of hands. Elijah reflected on this experience in an article in the Baton Rouge newspaper, The Advocate, where he asked the poignant question, “What sort of city are we dedicating our children into?” Maybe you’ve wondered the same. It’s a question on my mind as Jenny and I, and our kids, are strengthened by your prayers in awaiting the arrival of Baby Girl (who will likely arrive before you read this article!). I asked it at the recent dedication of Lydia Pate, as I walked her through the sanctuary aisles to the delight of all of you, her beaming and hopeful church family. It’s a question some of us asked as we recently met newborn Nathan Bradley Wall – the newest addition to the First Baptist family, and one of 7 babies due to families in our church in a 6 week span this summer. I wondered about our children at our recent Vacation Bible School, watching them each day sing of the light of Christ’s love. And the question struck me as a mother in our church shared that her school-aged daughter had asked recently, “Mama, what’s wrong with our world?” In his poem The Peace of Wild Things, Wendell Berry has written, “I awake in the night at the least sound for fear of what my life and my children’s lives might be.” In a climate of fear, wrenching questions, visible division and pressing violence, I can’t think of anything any more important for a church to do and be than what we see in those congregations in Baton Rouge committing themselves to their children. Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote that, “The test of the morality of a society is found in what it does for its children.” The same might be said of a church of Jesus Christ. We know well Jesus’ welcome of the children, but sometimes we forget that that the most salient characteristic of children in his first-century world was that they were extraordinarily vulnerable – some of the most vulnerable people in their society. When we
welcome the children, we demonstrate our capacity to welcome and commit ourselves to others who are vulnerable, too. When we welcome them, we are offering more than prayers and vows. We are committing ourselves to use the voices that pray for them to also proclaim the good news of Christ. We are vowing to use the hands that bless them to also work to be a place where they are safe and known as the beloved of God. And if it can happen in church, it can happen outside as well. If we take seriously this call and commitment, we might even start to see our cities – our world – transformed more and more into spaces where those who are vulnerable come to know the full welcome of God. Two weeks after the birth of our oldest son, Jack, we took him to meet his church family at Metro Baptist Church in New York. He was one of just a few children in that congregation – the second baby born that year in Metro’s own version of a “baby boom.” As we entered the sanctuary, Deacon Connie Brown received us and insisted on carrying the stroller (as he would do every Sunday from that time on). Others surrounded Jack as we came inside, touching his hands and feet. And as we walked into the sanctuary, we saw a rocking chair in the back. The chair had been purchased and put together without notice by a saint of that church, and it held a sign that said, “Welcome, Jack. We’re so glad you’re here.” These days, it might be the most important thing we can do. For as Jesus tells us, if we can welcome the children and see them as he does, then we might have a chance to welcome him and even the one who sent him.
Above: Christina, Erin Stephens (Children’s Ministry intern), and Alan visit newborn Nathan Bradley Wall one day after Bible School last month. August 2016 | 3
Connect with Worship
Baptism at the Lake Sunday, August 21 | 4 - 7 pm | Camp Weaver
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ur official end-of-summer celebration will be the annual Baptism at the Lake at Camp Weaver. We will have a potluck dinner and Lee King and Co. will provide BBQ for $2 per person. We ask everyone attending to provide side dishes or desserts to share for the meal. Beverages and paper products are provided. There is a shaded outdoor amphitheater area for seating, but you can bring a chair or blanket. The Y does allow swimming in the lake and that is always fun whether you are swimming or watching! There is a roped off beach entry area for small children. The rest of the lake is open and everyone has fun bouncing on the water trampoline or jumping off the platform onto the blob and sending a friend flying into the lake or just sliding down the water slide! Life guards will be on duty and life vests are required and provided, but if you have your own please bring it. This is a wonderful afternoon of fellowship and fun whether you are swimming in the lake or relaxing and enjoying some great conversation and fellowship culminating with our lake baptism service.
What to Bring: Side Dishes/Desserts, $2 for BBQ and money for leftover BBQ, lawn chair/blankets/bug spray, swimsuit/towel if you want to swim, and a life jacket if you have one–but Camp Weaver provides them too!
Directions to Camp Weaver: Lee Street east until it ends, turn right onto Youngs Mill Road, make a left onto Mill Point Road and the camp is 3/4 mile on the right on Tapawingo Trail. Follow signs to lake.
Summer Sermon Series
Explore 1st
10:30 am in the Sanctuary
Sunday, September 11
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n sermons this summer, we will hear again the parables, listening for the ways Jesus repurposes ordinary things to make known the work of God, and remembering all the ways Christ does the same in our everyday lives.
Back-to-School Worship Service
Sunday, August 28 | 10:30 am | Sanctuary We will have a special time in worship to bring school supplies forward for a donation to our partner schools of Bessemer Elementary School and Hope Academy.
Following Worship 12 noon | Café Includes Lunch Come learn more about FBC. Info: Jessica Hartman - jessica@ Sunday, September 11 fbcgso.org | x231
Deacon Ordination Service September 11 | 6 pm | Sanctuary
Join us as we ordain our new incoming Deacons in a special service of blessing and prayer.
Joining Sunday
September 18 | 10:30 am Worship If you are involved but not yet members, you may want to consider joining FBC as part of a larger group. Meet Alan or one of the pastors on the front middle pew during the Hymn of response. We hope that a Joining Sunday provides the opportunity to make church membership a natural progression and relieve some of the pressure of finding the “perfect moment.” 4 | Connections
Connect with Children
Kids’ Summer Fun @ FBC Last month some of the families came out for a morning of cooling off at Keeley Park Sprayground. Flat Jesus has also been busy this summer! Don’t forget to take your Flat Jesus wherever you go this summer and share your pictures using #flatjesusfbc.
FBC Family Night at Hamilton Lakes Pool August 7 (Su) | 4 - 8 pm Join us as FBC families and their children enjoy some fun at the pool. The cost is $5 per person and this covers admission and pizza. Sign up at www.fbcgso.org/children
August 28 is a big Sunday for Kids! Promotion Sunday | 9:15 am
On Promotion Sunday FBC kids will go to their NEW Sunday School classes for the school year.
Blessing of the Backpacks 10:30 during Worship
We invite ALL children to bring their backpacks for a special blessing before beginning a new school year. Also, bring school supplies to donate to our partner schools – Bessemer Elementary School and Hope Academy.
A VBS UPDATE…
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hat a spirit-filled week we had during Cavequest Vacation Bible School last month! First Baptist children’s ministry shared the Light of Christ with 115 children as they participated in singing, games, bible quest, cinema, and imagination station. The children learned that Jesus is the LIGHT of the world and that we can find hope, courage, direction, and power from Jesus. Our 4th and 5th graders participated in mission projects at the Interactive Resource Center, BackPack Beginnings, and Kidspath/Beacon Place. A HUGE thank you to the 70 volunteers who made it a meaningful week for everyone. Thanks to everyone who made VBS a success! August 2016 | 5
Connect with Missions
Steps to Success Kindergarten Camp @ Bessemer Elementary
August 8-11 & 15-18 | 9 am - 1 pm
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tarting school can be a significant transition and challenge. The Steps to Success camp provides Kindergartners with experience and necessary skills to be successful in the beginning of their academic career. FBC is assisting Bessemer Elementary School in hosting its 3rd annual twoweek preparatory camp for incoming kindergarten students. Come and be a kid again by volunteering. Help is needed with breakfast, lunch, music, art, library, PE, reading and centers. On August 18 FBC is hosting a Community Dinner as we close out this year’s camp experience with parents and staff. We need volunteers for the Community Dinner to help set up, visit with guests, provide food and large side dishes to share, and stay to clean up. We hope you can help out and celebrate another successful Kindergarten Camp! High Schoolers participating in this opportunity can earn up to 32 Service Learning degree hours. To volunteer or ask questions, contact Kim Priddy kim@fbcgso.org | x295. To sign up to volunteer: bit.ly/bessemer-camp-2016
Other Missions Opportunities… BackPack Beginnings: Volunteers are needed on Fridays this summer to distribute food to children at Brightwood, Jones, Peck, and Wiley Elementary Schools. To sign up: www.backpackbeginnings.org SMOD donations needed for Rosewood: We are collecting SMOD (Standard Mode Of Dress) clothing for Middle School students in the Rosewood Community. For more info: www.fbcgso.org/about-missions or contact Kim Priddy at kim@fbcgso.org | x295. YWCA Family Shelter is open ALL summer. You can help by: • Preparing & serving dinner. • Collecting money to purchase & serve ready-to-eat meals. • Donating items: cleaning & paper supplies, cereal, juice, coffee, sugar & creamer, iced tea or lemonade mix, etc. • Volunteering to work with and entertain the children. Questions: Cookie Hamilton at 676-7213 or Nancy Davis at hamanddave581@gmail.com 6 | Connections
Wednesday August 10 5:30 pm Rosewood is a culturally diverse neighborhood in East Greensboro and the Bible school is held in Rosewood Neighborhood Park. Volunteers are needed to tell Bible stories, provide snacks, and help with crafts, games, and music. Directions: Wendover Ave. East to Summit Ave. North. Right on Meadow Street. Rosewood Park is on the left. To volunteer, contact: Kim Priddy kim@fbcgso.org | x295 or Steve Cothran stevec@fbcgso.org | x235.
FBC will host a Wheels4Hope car blessing on Sunday, August 21 FBC partnered with Wheels4Hope last fall and we will do this again in the Atrium following Worship on August 21. Wheels4Hope is a non-profit, faith-based car donation program with a mission is to provide affordable, reliable transportation to economicallyvulnerable families and individuals referred by partner agencies. Wheels4Hope exists through contributions from donors, volunteers, congregations, and partner businesses who understand that reliable transportation is vital for self-sufficiency – a requirement for stable employment, the care of children, and the pursuit of education. Learn more about them at www.wheels4hope.org
Community Housing Solutions
Paint the Town 2016
September 17 (Sa) | 8 am - 4 pm Paint the Town is an annual event to preserve affordable housing in Guilford County. Community Housing Solultions (CHS) partners with local businesses, corporations, and faith organizations to do exterior repairs, painting, and landscaping for one neighborhood in a single day. To sign up or for more info: Kim Priddy - kim@fbcgso.org | x295.
Connect with Missions
Ecuador Mission Trip Reflection
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By Laura Lomax
hanks to First Baptist for helping to support our medical mission trip to Ecuador, under the auspices of E3 – a church planting and sustaining organization. David Chism (who was once on staff at FBC) and wife Melissa, and their capable daughters Kara and Hannah led the trip; a total of around 40 team members from Birmingham, AL, Wilmington, NC, Gainesville, FL, and Greensboro served eight different locations in and around Puyo, Ecuador, which is in the Amazon rainforest. A total of 2,500 patients were served in medical and eye clinics, where I worked, and Phil’s water filter team also equipped about 100 families with water filters, to provide life changing clean water to them… a resource we take for granted here, but which is not available in much of the world. Our clinic settings were as varied as a dirt floor underneath a house on stilts, to an open air basketball court, to a church building. We saw everyone from infants in arms to the very elderly. The young people on our team played hours of soccer and did crafts with the children who showed up at the clinic. In addition to medical and eye care, many Ecuadorians who were touched by the accompanying evangelism that the teams carried out made life-altering decisions to follow Jesus, and pastors in the area were equipped to follow up with those people who made decisions to help disciple them in the villages where they serve. The Chisms have an ongoing relationship with pastors in this area of the rainforest—in fact, it is the same area from which Hannah Chism was adopted, and we were able to meet some of Hannah’s birth family while we were there. It was amazing to see the Holy Spirit at work during our week in Ecuador. If any groups or classes would like to hear more about this, we are happy to come talk to you.
Introducing
Rev. Courtney Finocchiaro Stamey 2016-2018 Pastoral Resident, in partnership with Peacehaven Community Farm Education: Wake
Forest University School of Divinity (MDiv ’15) Gardner-Webb University (Religion and Public Relations).
Experience: Ordained by First Baptist
Church of High Point in November 2014. Served as Chaplain Resident at Cone Health in Greensboro.
Background: Courtney is originally from
DeLand, Florida. Courtney’s spouse, Michael Stamey, currently serves as the Minister to Students and Media at FBC High Point. In her free time Courtney enjoys playing disc golf, cooking, and being outdoors.
Pastoral Residency: Two-year Residency begins in September 2016. This unique residency will provide an immersive experience in congregational ministry and a community ministry focus with Peacehaven Community Farm. Courtney will split her time between both ministries.
The work of God extends beyond the church bells of Sunday morning to the inaudible seedling sprouting. This residency excites me because it seems to reflect the real trajectory of the people of God, spread beyond the church walls.” —Rev. Courtney Stamey
FBC Community Garden Update…
We are HARVESTING!
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hank you to all those who have helped in the garden with your hands and hearts. We have been donating food each week to the Fresh Food Initiative at BackPack Beginnings and the IRC. Our tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, squash, etc. – have reached homes in need. We are looking forward to picking our corn and beans soon! To learn more about our garden or volunteer, go to www.fbcgso.org/about-missions and click-on the “Community Garden” button. August 2016 | 7
Connect with Adults
Coming Soon: Life Compass and Silver Compassion Opportunities By Dr. George Fuller, Director of Silver Compassion
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ugust 2016 - 2017 could be the best year of your life and you can have more confidence about your future than ever. This fall we are going to talk about how to Live Wisely and how to develop a Life Compass Plan that will help you Thrive. Living Wisely will be a series of sessions/conversations on Wednesday nights in October led by Alan Sherouse and me. We will learn to share the wisdom that is found in the First Half of Life and in the Second Half of Life. On Sunday, August 7 I will have a conversation after worship with some young adults who are seeking to Thrive in the First Half of Life. We will begin to discover how the knowledge, goals, and wisdom of young adults can enter into dialogue with those who have spent many years in the university of life and seeking God’s vision for the world we share. On Monday, August 15 we will have two classes available to everyone in room 102. • Session I (3 - 4:30 pm) The Spirituality of Aging | Come learn some shared wisdom from our Christian tradition about aging and the role of elders. We will also look at what we are learning about the aging brain and how we can all utilize the gift of aging to enrich our own lives as well as the lives of others. Did you know that the brains of older adults are actually built for wisdom? We will also look ahead to the Living Wisely sessions in the fall so we can glean as much as possible from the rich souls of First Baptist who did not get off the boat yesterday. • Session II (6:30 - 8 pm) The Life Compass and How to Thrive Together | We will look at the major components of Life Compass for those who have not been exposed in the past or those who want to have a refresher. The Life Compass is a powerful tool for getting on the same page with people with whom you share your life. As we approach the Living Wisely sessions we will be discovering how to better share life and mission with those who are in a different generation. The younger you discover how to share life well the better. It is good to have a wider range of years in your tribe as well as a variety of perspectives. The Life Compass provides a quick path to sharing life and mission. Bring your people with you! Plan to Thrive! –George
Save the Date! October 21-23 at Ocean Isle Beach
WOMEN’S 3 Annual FALL RETREAT rd
This will be an intergenerational time for women to rest, relax, grow in spirit and and have their spirits renewed. Courtney Jones Willis is returning to be our retreat leader. The cost is $125/ person ($75 deposit and $50 due Sept 1). Space is limited so go ahead and sign up!
More information:
Kim Priddykim@fbcgso.org or Laura Cashwelllauracashwell@yahoo.com
8 | Connections
Take a Break Sundays this Summer at Oasis
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oin Oasis for a week, a month, or the whole summer. Oasis is an on-going Sunday School class which meets through August 28 and affords Sunday School teachers the chance to catch their breath while their class attends Oasis. All classes will have the opportunity to meet, have prayer, count noses and all the other tasks that define individual classes before joining Oasis at 9:30 in room 102. Most of the classes will be taught by Steve Sumerel and will use the Formations material. Contact Steve Sumerel for more information steves@fbcgso.org | x233.
Connect with Adults
Friends Day Luncheon to Celebrate Our Homebound Members Tuesday, September 27 | 11:30 am | Fellowship Hall
I Get in FRONT…
Mondays September 19 - November 7 7:00 - 8:30 pm
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ny journey requires planning and preparation. Our journey of faith is no exception. FRONT is an eight week course of study designed to give participants an in-depth understanding of the essentials of any faith journey: Old Testament, New Testament, Church History, and Christian Theology. FRONT was launched in 2011, and this fall we are offering the original curriculum for those who desire to receive this rich experience in learning. The cost is only $50 which includes textbooks and other materials. Registration is required so please sign up today. Contact Steve Sumerel for more information on FRONT or to sign up – steves@fbcgso.org | x233 or sign up for FRONT online at www.fbcgso.org/adults FRONT is back.
t’s time to honor our homebound members with our annual Friends Day luncheon, 11:30 am, September 27 in the Fellowship Hall! As in past years, lunch will be served by FBC ministers and staff. Homebound members and friends will share tables, lunch and conversation. A brief, inspirational program–including a special greeting from the Pastor–will follow. This year our church deacons have agreed to invite our homebound fellow members, and deacons will also be working to arrange transportation. Other members who are interested in transporting and hosting a homebound member should contact Steve Pressley - stevep@fbcgso.org | x232 - and he will assist in coordinating with a deacon. Deacons and others who are hosting should RSVP Marty Kellam - marty@fbcgso.org | x245 - by Friday, September 23. The event is free for all homebound members, and also for those who transport them and share lunch with them. These include deacons, other church members who host, and any family members or caregivers who assist with transportation.
Summer Wednesdays Will Conclude on July 27 with A Visual Via Dolorosa
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he final Wednesday Bible Study for Summer 2016 will be a reprise of our March 16 Lenten service, which focused upon the fifth of The Seven Last Words of Jesus: “I Thirst.” Employing photographic images captured during Steve Pressley’s study and pilgrimage experiences in the Holy Land, the presentation will highlight biblical themes of water and thirst. In so doing, it will trace the life and ministry of Jesus from his encounter with the Woman at the Well, to his decision to leave the sparkling waters of Lake Galilee for the desert hills of Judea, to his final week in the City of Jerusalem, where he walked the Via Dolorosa and experienced crucifixion and resurrection. A Visual Via Dolorosa will be screened in the Fellowship Hall (Room 108) at 6 pm, July 27, following our Wednesday supper. Make supper reservations and come enjoy!
Greek Orthodox icon of Jesus and St. Photina– the Woman at the Well August 2016 | 9
Connect with One Another
August Birthdays (No FBC Birthdays August 7, 26)
1. Lindsey Kalish 2. Sherwood Chesson, Wilma Fortune, Eleanor Patterson, Carol Putnam 3. Eloise Curlee, Larry Pike, Daniel Terrell 4. Amy Overman, Suzanne Rohrbaugh, Brian Smith, Cassie Starnes 5. Debbie Huneycutt, Suzanne Jordan 6. Martha Talley 8. Karl Lewis 9. Terri Battle, Dan Kennedy, Phyllis Parkerson 10. John Hardy 11. Cary Root, Martin Waitherero 12. Blake Absher, Doug Childs, Sue Weddle 13. Jim Frost, Marietta Noel 14. Earlean Price 15. Warren Bass, Keith Burroughs, Betsy Nagpal, Penny Rowe 16. Frank Benditz, Geneva Metzger, Bill Simmons 17. Jean Bundy, Betty Case, Bob Godfrey, Joanna Sample 18. Kip Blakely, David Crews, Avery Payne 19. Dale Caldwell, Evelyn Polk
20. Paul Brady, David Gilliland, Randi Hathcock, Cookie Hamilton, Hal Koger, Elmer Puryear, Jenny Sherouse 21. Bill Sessoms, Adair Suggs 22. Kim Bolton, Dot Collins, Patrick Cashwell, Eddie Wooten 23. Miriam Boroughs, Elizabeth Gibson, David Page, Jo Anne Thompson, Betty Whisenant 24. Delmas Bearden, Lorna Lanning, Becky Parham, Mary Pearce, Joshua Reynolds 25. Martha Chandler, Amy Knight, Samuel Lones, Brent Priddy, Martha Robison-Spangler, Alex Wells 27. Parrish Clodfelter, Rita Harrell, Dot Norris, Willie Pitts, Margaret Raines 28. Rob Young 29. Jeanette Mitchell, Caleb Rainey, Judy Ryan, Lauren Worsley 30. Kathy Sample 31. Larry Burroughs, Nancy Davis, Adair Garner
Responding to the Invitation
Cary Root
Recommitment (July 17) Welcome New Babies!
Sophronia “Sophy” Marie Gould Born: June 28 Parents: Meganne and Jason Gould
Nathan Bradley Wall Born: July 11 Parents: Laura and Brad Wall
Bereaved
• Martha Robison-Spangler in the loss of her sister, Allie Howard, on June 26 • Sue Miller in the loss of her mother, and Cynthia Townes in the loss of her grandmother, Ruth Williamson, on June 30 • Al Snider in the death of his nephew, Greg Carroll, on July 2 • Loved ones of Dan McCormick, on July 18
Connect with Business July Church Conference Summary The monthly Church Conference took place on Sunday, July 17, 2016 in the Fellowship Hall. Church Moderator, Hazel Fisher presided. The following motion was presented by Shannon Childs, Finance Committee Chair and approved by the congregation. Motion: On behalf of the Missions Committee, Endowment Trust Committee, Finance Committee and Deacons, I move that an amount of up to $2,000 be approved to assist the Ruble family during their furlough stay in Greensboro, funds to come from the Missions Endowment Account.
Community Lunch | Church Conference Sunday,
August 14 Following Worship
Cost is $6 per person and $20 family maximum. NO reservation is needed. Mark your calendar to participate in this important process of the church. 10 | Connections
Receipts & Distributions - 6 Months Ended 6/30/16 Budget Receipts $ 798,837 Budget Dispursements $ 860,493 Net Deficit $( 61,656)
Budget $ 839,998 $ 879,755 $( 39,757)
6/30/15 $ 848,516 $ 834,196 $ 14,320
What’s Cooking in the FBC Kitchen…
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Regular Weekly Schedule:
Sunday Mornings
•Bible Study 9:15 am •Worship 10:30 am •Guest Reception 11:45 am, 209 There will be no Wednesday night meals/activities in August.
•2 (Tu): Grace Meal Prep. Kitchen, 5 pm •Adults 3 (W): Grace Meal Pick-Up. Kitchen, 5 pm • •All Ages 7 (Su): Family Fun Night. Hamilton Lakes Pool, 4 pm • •Children 7 (Su): Finance Committee. 108-C, 4:30 pm • •Seniors 8 (M): Deacon’s Meeting. 102, 7 pm • •Missions 8-11 & 15-18 (M-Th): Steps to Success Kindergarten Camp. • •Weekday Bessemer Elementary. School 10 (W): Rosewood VBS. Rosewood Park, 5:30 pm Worship • • •10 (W): Missions Committee. 108-C, 5:30 pm •Youth 14 (Su): StepUp Ministry Clothing Collection. Atrium, 9 am • (Su): Community Lunch followed by Church Conference. 108, 11:45 am •14 15 • (M): Silver Compassion Sessions. 102, 3-4:30 pm, 6:30-8 pm •17 (W): Building & Grounds Committee. 216, 5:30 pm •18 (Th): Steps to Success Kindergarten Camp Celebration Dinner. Bessemer Elementary, 5:30 pm 21 (Su): Baptism at the Lake. Camp Weaver, 4 pm •23 (Tu): Senior Adult Council. 216, 2 pm • 23 (Tu): Personnel Committee. 216, 7 pm • 26 (F): Youth Lock-In. 9 pm - 7 am • 28 (Su): Blessing of Backpacks and Promotion Sunday. ••
Wednesday, September 7 5- 7 pm | FBC Front Lawn
• Theo’s Famous Fried Chicken • Potluck dishes and desserts to share • Lawn Chairs/Blankets
gain this past year our kitchen staff has prepared over 12,000 meals. And again this year I would be remiss if I failed to say thank you to Theo, AND our other part time staff and kitchen volunteers. In the past year we have lost some familiar faces from our kitchen volunteers but have some new faces as well. They work selflessly behind the scenes to make my job easier. This year the kitchen will be closed again for the month of August for our annual cleaning. We will resume our Wednesday night meals on September 7 with our Fall Kick-Off dinner on the grounds. Theo will provide his famous fried chicken while our church members and guests bring their favorite entrees, side dishes and desserts. We ask that you make a reservation for this meal as well so we will have an idea of how much chicken to prepare. Our first meal back in the Fellowship Hall will be the following week on September 14. Don’t forget…NEW standing or one time reservations need to be made again prior to September 7. I am asking again this year that you please be mindful of your reservations status. Be aware that your reservation is due no later than noon on Tuesday and your cancellation no later than noon on Wednesday. Help us to save on our food costs which continue to increase annually. I will continue to be in charge of taking your meal reservations via our website, email, Connection Cards or by phone for ALL meals. This will include Wednesday evenings, PrimeTime, the annual Thanksgiving meal and any other that may require a reservation. My email address is Marty@fbcgso.org. My phone is 274-3286, x245. See you in September! Sincerely, Chef K August 2016 | 11
First Baptist Church Greensboro
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
1000 West Friendly Avenue Greensboro, NC 27401
US POSTAGE PAID GREENSBORO, NC
www.fbcgso.org
NO. 179
Connect with Youth & College “First Families” care for our FBC College kids and we need YOU!
FUN! Youth Lock-In | Friday, August 26 Join us from 9 pm - 7 am! Trampoline park, movies, food, and fun. $15/person. More details to come!
Middle School Fall Retreat September 23 - 25 | Camp Caraway Middle School youth will discover a deeper walk with God. $95/person covers food, lodging, t-shirt. Sign-up by September 13. Register now: www.fbcgso.org/youth
We had 15 youth graduate from high school this year and they are headed off to college soon. First Families is a program of our College Ministry that connects our college students with a FBC member or family sponsor. Your responsibility as part of First Families is to stay in contact with your student during the school year with e-mails, phone calls, cards, and maybe a small gift on his or her birthday. If you are interested in our “First Families” program, contact Thom Little at sllfthom@aol.com or Catherine Little at catherinescottlittle@gmail.com or 856-0623 as soon as possible. The Littles serve as co-chairs of the College Ministry Team.
College Birthdays Lindsey Kalish | August 1 | Meredith College 950 Barney Road, High Point, NC 27265 lekalish@email.meredith.edu
Avery Payne | August 18 | NC State
8191 Portage Road, Browns Summit, NC 27214 aussiesmum@gmail.com
Caleb Rainey | August 29 | NC Central 2209 Lannigan Drive, Greensboro, NC 27406 elias | 12@hotmail.com