Connections-January-2017

JANUARY 2017 | www.fbcgso.org | 336.274.3286

WE! Shelter

needs volunteers p.5

first baptist church greensboro

Emphasizing worship, spiritual development, fellowship, and ministry to our city and our world.

“…You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

(Matthew 19.19b)

As we begin 2017, let’s focus on the important part FBC Greensboro plays in our community through our ongoing commitment to missions.

Cover art by He Qui

www.fbcgso.org | 336.274.3286 1000 West Friendly Avenue Greensboro, NC 27401

January 2017 3

Window Gazing – The View from Here

4 - 5 Connect with Missions February Connections Deadline: January 15 Email news to gloria@fbcgso.org or bring it to the church office.

Rosemary Kellam, Production Editor Operations Director rosemary@fbcgso.org / x225 Gloria Koster, Managing Editor/Designer 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 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 Larry Putnam, Financial Assistant larry@fbcgso.org / x222 Alan Sherouse, Senior Pastor pastor@fbcgso.org / x231 Courtney Stamey, Pastoral Resident courtney@fbcgso.org / x223 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

–Missions @ FBC –FBC’s Christian Assistance Fund –Souper Bowl Lunch –Winter Missions Opportunities –Winter Emergency Women’s Shelter –FBC’s Christian Restoration Fund

5 Connect with FBC’s Weekday School 6 Valentine Banquet 7 Connect with Youth & College

–Youth Caroled to the FBC’s Homebound Members –College Students Need a Ride on Sundays?

–Wednesday Night Dinner –Get Involved in the Music Ministry –College Messaging

Connect with Children’s Ministry

–Upward Games Begin on January 7 –Children’s Ministry Opening

8 Connect with Adults

–Find Your Place at the Table –February 6 PrimeTime –FBC Library Books –New Wednesday Night Adult Classes

9 Connect with One Another

–New Members | Birthdays | Bereaved

10 January Calendar

–FBC’s Winter Weather Pollicy

11 Looking back at Advent – 2016 12 Connect with Business

–December Church Conference Summary –January Community Lunch/Church Conference –Committee on Committees Notification –November 2016 Financial Results –Online Giving Options

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 At some point, the shepherds had to go back to work.

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e only know the shepherds of Bethlehem for one night of their lives – from the time an angel appears to them while they watch their flocks, up until they leave the manger to tell others what they have seen and heard. I expect that the night of Jesus’ birth was as soaring a moment as any of us could ever hope to experience in the middle of our lives and work. But it was only one night. The cast of shepherds had seen angels against the sky, traveled to a starlit stable, and found their way to a baby born for the salvation of all. But the next morning they went back to tending sheep.

At First Baptist Greensboro, we have just moved through the heavenly spectacle of the season – nativity scenes, stirring music, candlelight, and the realization of Jesus’ birth. At some point adoration ends and festivity gets boxed up for another year. That’s when Christ’s people return to the daily work of living like those who have encountered a Savior. The great 20th century poet, mystic, and theologian, Howard Thurman, speaks to this in his 1973 book, The Mood of Christmas. In this collection of reflections, Thurman encourages us to continue to know the hope, love and blessing of the season of Christmas, and to incorporate it in our lives throughout the year. Among his writings is the stirring poem, “The Work of Christmas”: When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock, The work of Christmas begins: To find the lost, To heal the broken, To feed the hungry, To release the prisoner, To rebuild the nations, To bring peace among others, To make music in the heart.

Christmas does not only inspire us and reassure us. It also calls us to work. We believe First Baptist Church Greensboro has a part to play in this work, and as we look past Christmas we see much work to do: people to welcome, loved ones to care for, new members to know, new staff to recruit, Bible Study to attend, worship to plan, and so much more in the life of our congregation. This newsletter is full of plans and details on the work we share as a community of faith.

It’s fitting that Advent and Christmas begin each church year, because they remind us that everything we do can be part of the work of Christmas. All our efforts come in response to the light of Christmas Eve. There is much work to do, day by day, for our world to reflect the love born in Jesus. So many broken to be healed and lost yet to be found. So many nations broken, and people displaced. So many Herods seeking to snuff out the light, and far too many families vulnerable and on the run. In our lives as people of faith, and in our corporate life as a church, we can take on the work of Christmas.

We don’t see the shepherds again after they leave Jesus’ birth scene. But we know they get back to work, and we also know that their work was never the same after that night behind the Bethlehem barn. As they leave the scene in Luke, we see them glorifying God and we hear that they left telling others what had been made known to them about this child. And all these years later, that story reaches us, because the shepherds went back to work. But not as before. They went back to work as those who had encountered Christ.

I hope it can be true of us as we take up the work of our church after Christmas. Our lives can reflect all that has been made known to us about this child.

We can work as those who have seen the Lord. Like shepheds, we can go through our lives day by day knowing that at any moment something could flash against the sky, and we could find ourselves caught up in the divine drama of God’s love born on earth.

January 2017 | 3

Connect with Missions

Missions@FBC

FBC Greensboro’s commitment to missions began in about 1850 when Elder Elias Dodson of the Baptist Home Mission Board discovered five faithful women meeting together in Greensboro, struggling to keep alive a little unorganized church. Dodson preached to the women at the old court house, which stood in the middle of Jefferson Square at Elm and Market Streets. At the Baptist State Convention that year, he reported that he had baptized ten converts. Thus began the history of missions at FBC. Listed on these facing pages is information on how you can get involved in community missions. Find more detailed information at: www.fbcgso.org/about-missions

FBC’s Christian Assistance Fund

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n illness, a layoff, or major repair can alter someone’s life in a devastating way. The Christian Assistance Fund was created to assist families in crisis. The fund provides one-time emergency assistance for rent, utilities, and medical emergencies when clients are unable to receive help from one of our partner agencies.

The Christian Assistance Fund also contributes monthly to our Weekday School’s VIA Scholarship fund providing scholarship monies for children who might otherwise be unable to afford preschool. Additionally, the fund contributes monthly to Triad Adult and Pediatric Medicine, providing medication and medical treatment to the uninsured. Please join us as we support this vital ministry at our annual Souper Bowl Lunch.

Each winter FBC also helps with these community missions opportunities…

Winter at the Y

Eat lunch and support the Christian Assistance Fund

Souper Bowl Lunch

Sunday, February 5 after Worship | Fellowship Hall

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arm your body and your soul with delicious homemade soups at our Annual Souper Bowl Lunch. The cost for lunch is your donation to the Christian Assistance Fund. All proceeds will benefit those in our community in need of financial assistance. This fund is a vital ministry for our church and our community. The Christian Assistance Fund is funded through designated giving only. Contact: Rosemary Kellam, rosemary@fbcgso.org | x225.

4 | Connections

The YWCA Greensboro Family Shelter program provides shelter, food, case management and holistic support for families experiencing homelessness. Each family develops a plan to achieve educational goals, optimal health, financial stability, pay off debts and save money to move into permanent housing. Contact Cookie Hamilton at cookie8061@aol.com | 676-7213 or Nancy Davis at davisndn@aol.com | 674-2884 for information on how you can help out.

White Flag Response On dangerously cold nights this winter, the Interactive Resource Center, YWCA and Greensboro Urban Ministry will declare White Flag emergency conditions when temperatures drop to a wind chill of 25 degrees or colder for two hours or more. Contact John Thornton - john@fbcgso.org | x236 for more information.

Connect with Missions

FBC Winter Emergency Women’s Shelter - 2017

FBC’s Christian Restoration Fund

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BC is partnering with New Jerusalem Cathedral and Greensboro Urban Ministry to sponsor the WE! Shelter which will operate at the “old Summit House” building at 2505 Fairview Street.

We will be staffing the shelter on Monday nights through March. The following help is needed: • Greeters who will work from 5-7:30 pm.

• Dinner which can be purchased or prepared by individuals or groups. Dinner should be prepared for 25 people each night. Arrive by 6:15 pm and serve dinner around 6:30 pm.

• Hospitality/Evening Help who will work from 5-7:15 or 7-9:30 pm to assist in any way needed as the ladies spend the evening doing laundry, chores, etc. Volunteers must be over 21 and female.

• No overnight help is needed.

• Breakfast bags will be needed each Monday evening. These bags should contain a protein item, some type of fruit and assorted items that transport easily. The bags can be prepared by SS classes, families, or other groups and delivered to the shelter on the evening designated or given to someone who is going to be working that evening to bring so they can be distributed on Tuesday mornings.

To volunteer: www.fbcgso.org/about-missions Info: Geneva Metzger - geneva.metzger@outlook.com | 288-1877 or Catherine Scott-Little - CatherineScottLittle@gmail.com | 404-5684.

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or the past two months, John Thornton and the Christian Assistance Fund Committee have overseen the formation and implementation of the Christian Restoration Fund. This particular fund is aimed at helping individuals transition out of poverty and into secure, long-term income by providing for financial needs in the interim. Getting out of poverty and securing a job requires a myriad of supports: a stable community, supportive friends, and habits to handle stress and disappointment. However, even with those in place, financial barriers often stand in the way of people seeking employment. If someone’s housing is unstable, it makes getting the right amount of sleep necessary or maintaining proper hygiene for work a challenge. It is nearly impossible to get and hold a job in a city like Greensboro without properly working transportation. This in turn requires insurance, a driver’s license in good-standing, and money for gas and maintenance. If someone has children, n childcare becomes essential to showing The Christian up to work on time and working hours Restoration that the children do not attend school. fund is aimed d The goal of the Christian a t helping Restoration fund is to work closely with individuals individuals in situations such as these transition ou ut to develop a plan for them to exit poverty, assess the financial obstacles of po p ve v rt rty… y standing in the way, and provide the funding necessary for them to overcome those obstacles on their way to secure employment. While the Christian Assistance Fund serves one-time, small emergency needs, the CRF is designed to work with individuals over a period of time and provide the indispensable financial stability necessary for people in poverty getting to a more secure financial place.

Already this fund has helped a man in need with a car, insurance, and his driver’s license. This allowed him to begin full-time employment welding.

Connect with FBC’s Weekday School

Weekday School News by Ginny Carpenter

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he Weekday School recently held its annual Via Scholarship Soup Lunch. Many thanks to all the Board members who made soups, recruited church cooks to make soup, and contributed their time and efforts to make our lunch a success. We are grateful to all who participated and who gave to support our scholarship fund. We collected a little over $4,000 which is amazing! Thank you for your help in meeting our scholarship obligations.

We say a special thanks to Gloria Koster who designed our beautiful soup lunch flyers that you can still find around the church. This is important because, though we did a great job with our lunch, we are still about $1,500 away from what we will need to meet our scholarship obligations through May. If you know of anyone who might be interested in contributing to the Via Scholarship fund, please make sure they get a flyer.

Registration for 2016-17 begins in January. Church members may register beginning January 3; current preschool families may register beginning January 9, and open registration begins January 16. Our current year runs through May, so this registration is for next fall.

January 2017 | 5

Mardis Gras 2017 Valentine Banquet Youth Missions Fundraiser Friday, February 10 | 6:30 pm | Fellowship Hall Ticket cost: $15/person. Tickets are on sale Sundays in the Atrium and Wednesday nights in the Fellowship Hall. Ticket sales run January 8 through February 5. Childcare is available with your reservations only (infants-5th grade), cost is $5/child. Please feed your child before the event. School-aged children will come into the Fellowship Hall for the entertainment part of the banquet.

This wonderful churchwide fellowship provides an entertaining evening for everyone, but most importantly the proceeds will help our youth share God’s love on their mission trip this summer!

Photos from 2016’s Valentine Banquet…

6 | Connections

Connect with Youth & College College Students Need a Ride on Sundays?

Meet in the small parking lot off of Gray Drive, between the Student Health Center and Phillips-Hawkins dorm (across the street from MooreStrong, near the Zippy Car parking spaces). Look for a car with the FBC name on the side. Pick-up is at 10:15 am for the worship service.

Wednesday Night Dinner: Join with our partnering church, FBC

Greensboro Wednesday nights for FREE dinner (5:30 pm - 6:15 pm) in their Fellowship Hall - 1000 West Friendly Avenue.

You must make reservations for your meal: Due Tuesday at 12 noon: online at www.fbcgso.org/calendarevents or 274-3286, x245 More info: CBSF Collegiate Minister, Adam Horton - adam.horton@cbfnc.org www.fbcgso.org/college

Get Involved in the Music Ministry: Join the choir, play in the Instrumental Ensemble or ring Handbells. Contact Doug or Terri Vancil if you want to find your place in FBCs Music Ministry.

Doug Vancil - doug@fbcgso.org | x237 Terri Vancil - terri@fbcgso.org | 238

Above: Youth caroled to FBC’s homebound members on Sunday, December 18.

College Messaging: Receive important information Via TEXT: text@collegegso to 81010 Via EMAIL: send an email to collegegso@mail.remind.com

Connect with Children’s Ministry

Upward games begin Saturday, January 7

by Tommy Starnes

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very year for nine years I’ve had several people come up to me in church and say “I wish I could help you coach or referee but I’m just not ABLE anymore.” I’ve always been shy about asking for donations or money because I never wanted to take away from our church budget. Recently we have had the privilege of sponsoring several kids from Hope Academy. I realize if we didn’t have that sponsorship donation, those kids wouldn’t get the awesome opportunity to work with the ABLE bodied great set of coaches that give of their time to support this ministry. Whether physically, mentally, or financially….

We are all ABLE. So thank you for your willingness to ENABLE! For more info: Tommy Starnes, Upward Director - tstarnes@triad.rr.com | x251.

Children’s Ministry Opening: First Baptist Children’s Ministry is seeking an assistant in 2017 to support our growing ministry with an average of 10 hrs./week. Those interested can inquire with Christina McCord by January 15 - christina@fbcgso.org | x241.

January 2017 | 7

Connect with Adults

On Wednesday nights at FBC, find your place at the table

by Courtney Stamey

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he New Year brings with it so much excitement and expectation.

Both of these adjectives propel us to New Year’s resolutions and reengaging in places that dropped off our plates somewhere between March and September. This year, we invite you to something exciting and with much expectation…Wednesday Night Activities.

While this is a staple of our congregational life, beginning January 4, we will kick off a new menu, new classes, and new look. You may begin to see a piece of artwork (pictured here), designed for Wednesday nights in your inboxes and around your church.

This artwork expresses that we want everyone in our congregation to find their place at the tables of Wednesday Night. If you are a first time attender, we are preparing for you and excited for all that you will bring. If you are unable to stay for some of the programming we want you present for as much as you are able. If you are a regular attender, we would encourage you to extend hospitality and invitation to those that will be attending for the first time. Our excitement and expectation this New Year begins with you, on January 4 in the Fellowship Hall beginning at 5:30 pm.

PrimeTime February 6:

FBC’s Pastoral Residency Program Learn more about the Pastoral Residency program which gives participants experience in both congregational and community ministry while they participate in the pastoral ministry and leadership of the church. Bible Study will feature “What Jesus Said about Life” taught by Steve Pressley.

PrimeTime at FBC includes: 9 am: Ceramics, Gym 9:30 am: Prayer Shawl Knitting, 108-A; 11 am: Bible Study, 101 12 noon: Lunch, 108 - Cost: $6/person Reservation deadline: Thursday, February 2 Sign up for lunch online: www.fbcgso.org/seniors or contact Marty Kellam: marty@fbcgso.org | x245

Check-out these books in the FBC library: MAIN LIBRARY • A Baxter Family Christmas by Karen Kingsbury • Ruth & Esther by Kandy Queen-Sutherland • Small Victories: Spotting Improbable Moments of Grace by Anne Lamott • This Was A Man by Jeffrey Archer • The Christmas Sky by Franklyn Branley • Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double Down by Jeff Kinney CHILDREN’S LIBRARY • The Digestive System by Helen Frost • Seaweed Soup by Stuart Murphy • Bridget Fidget and the Most Perfect Pet by Joe Berger • Buster by Denise Fleming 8 | Connections

Art by Rachel Seigel-Berele

Wednesday night adult classes for January and February include: • Chapel Bible Study, led by Dr. Pressley, will explore one of Paul’s most personal letters thru the study, “2 Corinthians: Letters to a Problem-Church.” The study, among other things, will explore Paul’s tender love for what is deemed a “problem church.” The Chapel Bible study will conclude at Easter.

• Rev. Courtney Willis will begin a new study as her class will follow The Sticky Faith Guide for Your Family by Dr. Kara E. Powell. The book explores the idea that parents are one of the primary influences on their child’s faith, and that parents can help a healthy, energetic faith stick with them well into adulthood. This book will serve as our guide for talking about positive, practical ways to actively encourage the spiritual growth of our children.

Participants are encouraged to purchase this book to read along, but it is not a requirement for class attendance.

• Rev. John Thornton will teach a class, in January, entitled “Scriptural Responses to Poverty.”

This course will address the question, “What is Poverty?” And it will challenge participants to contemplate what our personal, communal, and societal responses are.

• Rev. Courtney Stamey will teach a class, in February, on exploring spiritual practices.

Participants will learn about spiritual practices such the labyrinth, lectio divina, contemplative prayer and more. This class is aimed at deepening spirituality and trying out new practices.

Connect with One Another

Responding to the Invitation

January Birthdays (No FBC birthdays January 1, 12, 22)

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Bob and Brittany Chovanec (December 4) By Statement with Calvin and Harper

Carter Bland

(December 11) By Letter

Henry Flannagan David Rowe Anna Bland Gracie Ellis, Billy Hedgpeth, Esther Mathews, Grant Petitt, Norma Tutterow 6. Carolyn Gilliland, Hannah Griffin, Clifton Rainey 7. Laura Wall 8. Kate Messick 9. Daniel Perry, Betty Sharp 10. Danny Barlow 11. Mary Delany, Gertrude Royal 13. Liza Lewis, Lynn Tutterow, Joe Wooten 14. Nancy Cothran, Suzanne Walke 15. Caroline Austin, Elise Berkley, Frances Bolen 16. Phyllis Anderson, Drew Cornett, Aaron Holmes, Grayson Smith 17. Jim Plyler, Tom Smith 18. Phyllis Conway, Henry Ellis, Dale Singley 19. Joshua Knight, Dick Oberholtzer 20. John Hardy, Kathryn Hewitt, Trisha Hooper 21. Lee Blakely, Elizabeth Bolton, Anna Cushman, Linda Denmark, Lydia Lewis, Laura Lomax, Noah Woodell 23. Randy Bowers, Donna Miller, Lynda Grace Moore, Becky Starnes 24. Sally Alexander, Carolyn Ellis, RuthAnn Hardy, Sara Pannell 25. Betty Campbell, Sam Johnson 26. Anita Philpott, Pat Wilson 27. Ed Morrah, Marie Sumerel, Mark Yaun 28. Margaret Lafevers 29. Rick Riddleberger, Jim Skidmore 30. Tony Petitt 31. Launi Evenson, Tom Petty, Amy Smith, Ceil Sue

College Birthdays Lori Harris

(December 11) Rededication

Daniel Perry | January 9

2934 Shady View Drive, High Point, NC 27265 flyboydvp2@gmail.com

Lydia Lewis | January 21

69 East 14th Avenue, Apt. 2B, Columbus, OH 43201 lewis.1776@buckeyemail.osu.edu

RuthAnn Hardy | January 24

Tyler Hall Room 105, ECU, Greenville, NC 27858-4353 hardyr15@students.ecu.edu

Bereaved Ryan and Kamron Moody

(December 18) By Statement with Ellis, Win, and Ford

• Loved ones of Dot Patterson, on November 25 • Carl Myatt in the loss of his sister, Rev. Charlene Childers, on November 26 • Loved ones of Carrie Copeland, cousin of Laura Wall • Carolyn Ellis in the loss of her husband, Jim Ellis, on December 18 January 2017 | 9

Regular Weekly Schedule Sunday AM @FBC

• • •

January@FBC • •Adults • •All Ages • •Children • •Seniors 108, 5:30 pm (serving begins at 5 pm) •Missions 7, 14, 21, 28 (Sa): Upward Games.

Gym/Cafe, 8:45 am 2 pm • •Weekday 8 (Su): Youth Parent Council Meeting.

216, 8:15 am School • 8 (Su): StepUp Ministry Clothing Collection.

Atrium, 9 am Worship • • •Youth •8 (Su): Finance Committee. 108-C, 4:30 pm 9 (M): Deacon’s Meeting.

102, 7 pm • •10 (Tu): WMU Group 3. 102, 9:30 am •10 (Tu): WMU Group 4. 204, 10:30 am •10 (M): Personnel Committee. 216, 7 pm •11 (W): Missions Committee. 108-C, 5:30 pm •15 (Su): Community Lunch followed by Church Conference. 108, 11:45 am •16 (M): FBC church offices closed for Martin Luther, King Jr. Day. •18 (W): Building & Grounds Committee. 216, 5:30 pm •31 (Tu): Grace Meal Prep. Kitchen, 5 pm 3 (Tu): Grace Meal Prep. Kitchen, 5 pm 3 (Tu): WMU Group 2. 102, 7 pm 4 (W): Grace Meal Pick-Up. Kitchen, 5 pm 4, 11, 18, 25 (W): Fellowship Meal/Free for College.

Bible Study - 9:15 am Worship - 10:30 am Guest Reception - 11:45 am, 209

Sunday PM @FBC

•Youth Bells - 4 pm, 319-D/Sanctuary •Youth Choir - 5 pm, 311 •Adult Bells - 6 pm •Youth Discipleship - 6:20 pm, 301 •Sanctuary Choir - 7 pm, 311 Wednesdays@FBC Fellowship Meal Reservations

•Reservations due Mon. 12 noon

Cancellations due Tues. 12 noon.

Meal reservation? Online at www.fbcgso.org/calendarevents OR Marty Kellam – x245 or marty@fbcgso.org

•Kids’ Programming - 6 pm •Adult Classes - 6:15 pm • Youth Forum - 6:15 pm • Sanctuary Choir - 7:15 pm, 311

FBC’s Winter Weather Policy

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hat you need to know: In all cases, we encourage our church members to use their best judgment and exercise caution when deciding whether or not to travel to church during winter weather. Any decision to change our normal schedule is made by the Pastor in consultation with other ministers and church leaders. When considering change, we utilize the following guidelines. If no change is posted, the schedule will continue as normal.

Sunday Morning – Given the centrality of our corporate worship, we hardly ever close, and only in cases of the most severe weather. Any change to the church schedule will be posted on the church website, the church Facebook page, and to local news by 7 am on Sunday morning.

Wednesdays and Weekdays – We rarely close, and do not directly follow the Guilford County Schools schedule. Any change to the schedule will be posted to the church website and local news by noon by Wednesday whenever possible.

10 | Connections

Wednesday Night Weekly Activities Whether you are a first time attender or a lifetime participant we invite you to find your place at the table.

It is at the table where we have community. We want you here; your place at the table is waiting.

Meals: 5:30 pm - 6:15 pm Classes: 6:15 - 7 pm 1/4: Pasta Night 1/11: Loaded Baked Potato 1/18: Soup/Salad/Sandwich 1/25: Breakfast for Dinner Weekly Children’s Extras: Yogurt, Fresh Fruits & Veggies, Hummus, Etc. Reservations are encouraged for meals

Looking back at Advent – 2016

January 2017 | 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 Business December Church Conference Summary

Online Giving Options

The monthly Church Conference took place on Sunday, December 11, 2016 in the Fellowship Hall. The budget for the year 2017 was approved. A copy of the budget is available in the church office. Also, the church voted to receive two new members.

Online Billpay: An easy and effective way to give online is by using your bank’s online billpay system. Simply follow your bank’s instructions to set up FBC as a new payee. Most banks do not charge a fee for this service.

Community Lunch followed by Church Conference Sunday, January 15 after Worship

Cost is $6/person and $20/family maximum. NO reservation is needed. A brief church conference will follow lunch to allow the membership to hear about the latest from our Deacons and committees bringing motions forward.

The Committee on Committees wishes to notify members of FBC that the following nominees will be considered at the next Church Conference scheduled for Sunday, January 15.

Becky Starnes to fill the unexpired term of Amy Knight on the Diaconate.

James Crowder to fill the unexpired term of Sylvia Ledford on the Christian Assistance Fund Committee.

November 2016 Financial Results Year-to-Date Budget Receipts/Distributions

Receipts Disbursements Differential

Actual $1,472,852 $1,567,515 $ (94,663)

Budget $1,511,762 $1,619,207 $ (107,445)

Last Year $1,439,627 $1,582,875 $ (141,373)

Church Website: At the top of the home page of fbcgso.org, you can click on the word, “Give”. To give a one-time or recurring gift, FBC members use their email address and password to login. Guests may give online donations by creating a guest member log-in.

Mobile Giving: Anyone can download the Tithe.ly giving app on an iPhone or Android device. After installing and setting up the app, just search for First Baptist Church Greensboro and follow the instructions! In the future we will have additional mobile giving options.