Connections-November-2016

NOVEMBER 2016 | www.fbcgso.org | 336.274.3286

Commitment

SUNDAY

November 20

first baptist church greensboro

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

“…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thess. 5:18

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

December Connections Deadline: November 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 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

November 2016

3 Window Gazing – The View from Here

4 Connect with Worship

5 Connect with Children

6 Connect with Recreation Ministry

–Commitment 2016 – As We Go

–Prayers for the Nation Service –Interfaith Thanksgiving Service –Advent Schedule –Handel’s Messiah –Advent Devotional Guide –Christmas Caroling to Our Homebound –Advent Workshop –Wednesday Night Programming –Mom’s Group –Worship Folders –Save the Date –FBC Weekday School News | FBC Weekday School Soup Lunch

–CBL Ministry: 50 Years & Counting

–Upward is All in, Are You?

Connect with Youth & College –High School Fall Retreat –College Information –College Birthdays

7 Connect with Adults

–”How Can We Be the Church for You?”

Connect with Adult Sunday School Ministry

–The Covenant Class

8-9 Connect with Missions

–Joining Hands in Mission: Anti-Trafficking –Global Missions Offering –Youth for Christ –Feast of Caring –Operation Christmas Child Dedication –A Christian Assistance Fund Update

10 Connect with One Another

11 November Calendar

–New Members | Birthdays | New Babies | Bereaved –October Church Conference Summary –3rd Quarterly Report - 2016 –November Community Lunch | Church Conference

–Turkey Bowl | Upcoming Events

12 Thanksgiving at FBC 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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very Sunday at First Baptist, we share in a benediction.

We look at one another and announce God’s blessing upon one another, minister and church.

I don’t know precisely when it was, but at some point I began to repeat a similar benediction each week: “As we go, it’s so important to remember who we are. We are sons and daughters of God. We are friends and followers of Jesus Christ. And through the power of the Spirit, the love of God is at loose in the world through our very lives.”

From the Latin words bene (well) and dicere (to speak), the word “benediction” literally means to “speak well.” A benediction is a blessing, typically pronounced at the close of a worship service or gathering. But the benediction we share as a church is not so much an ending as it is a beginning.

It helps us move from inside our church to outside into the world, encouraging us to see the world as God sees it and love it as God so loves it. It moves us from the close of a service of worship to the start of a week of serving God. It reminds us who we are, what we profess, and how we seek to live. Usually a minister speaks the words, but all of us share in the repetition in our souls, our actions and the living out of the blessing of God.

I once worked with a pastor who, as my supervisor, insisted that I practice a benediction. One day he asked me to follow him into the sanctuary and he sat on the front row and said, “Stand up and show me a benediction.” I began, somewhat awkwardly, extending my forearms and holding my hands at shoulder height.

Then like an instructor to a student he stopped me abruptly and said, “No, not like that. Not a hesitant benediction. Not with your elbows bent. Extend your arms. Open your hands. You’re sending people out. It’s as important as anything you’ll do.” As a pastor – as a church – I’m not sure there’s anything we do that is any more important than to speak a benediction.

That is, I’m not sure there’s anything we do that is any more important than to send people out into the world to live as those who know Jesus Christ.

For this reason, our benediction will form the theme for our Commitment Season this November. It’s the time of year when we consider the life and ministry of our church and the gifts that each of us will commit to First Baptist Church in the next calendar year. As we consider the ministry and life of our church in the year ahead, the theme for our Commitment Season and November worship services will be “As We Go.” On November 6 – All Saints Day – we will remember who we are as “Beloved of God.” On November 13, we will consider our discipleship as “Followers of Christ.” And on November 20, Commitment Sunday, we will all pledge our commitments of finances, time and talents, committing ourselves as a church to be “Loose in the World” with the love of God.

A minister might speak the words, but we all live out the blessing. Barbara Brown Taylor, in her book An Altar in the World, reflects on the power of a benediction, and how such a blessing can come from any of us.

She writes, “All I am saying is that anyone can do this.

Anyone can bless, whether anyone has authorized you to do it or not. All I am saying is that the world needs you to do this… That we are able to bless one another at all is evidence that we have been blessed, whether we can remember when or not. That we are willing to bless one another is miracle enough to stagger the very stars.”

To bless – to send forth – might be as important as anything we do, as a church and as individuals. So as we go, in this season and in the year ahead, don’t hesitate. Let us open our hands and extend our arms with boldness and hope, believing that the love of God is known through our very lives, and through the life of First Baptist Church Greensboro.

Commitment 2016 – As We Go

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ovember is Commitment Season, as we consider our stewardship to God through the life of First Baptist Church Greensboro.

We ask that all members of our church pledge their commitments by filling out a 2017 Commitment Card.

Commitment Cards will arrive this month by mail and also be available at the church. You can return these cards in worship on Commitment Sunday, November 20. You can also send them to the church by mail, or fill out an online Commitment Card at a forthcoming link.

As 1 Peter 4:10 reminds us, part of our calling as individuals and as a church is to be “good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” In the New Testament world, a steward cared for a household, managing resources that had been entrusted to them.

There is so much evidence of God’s grace and gifts in this season at First Baptist Church, and we have an ambitious and hopeful year planned and budgeted. We ask every member of First Baptist to think and pray about what God has entrusted to you and how you will pledge your financial resources and committed service As We Go forward to love and serve God. November 2016 | 3

Connect with Worship

Prayers for the Nation

Sunday, November 6 | 6 pm | Sanctuary Music by Sanctuary and Youth Choirs Prayers led by lay members of the congregation.

FBC’s Sanctuary Choir will present

Handel’s Messiah Sunday, December 18

First Baptist will be hosting this year’s

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service Tuesday, November 22 | 7 pm in the Sanctuary

We will join along with our neighboring faith communities to celebrate and hear Thanksgivings from our various traditions. Our offering this year will go to benefit the Interactive Resource Center.

ADVENT 2016 NOVEMBER 27 | ADVENT I

DECEMBER 11 | ADVENT III

• The Lord’s Supper • Global Missions Offering

• Youth Sunday at Advent • Afternoon Caroling to the Homebound • Wednesday Spontaneous Nativity

Peace

DECEMBER 4 | ADVENT II

Hope

• Children’s Sunday at Advent • Evening Concert by NC A&T University Choir

4 | Connections

Love

DECEMBER 18 | ADVENT IV

Joy

• Handel’s Messiah

Messiah begins with a text from Isaiah 40.

“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.” The Sanctuary Choir will be preparing Handel’s Messiah in November and December and anyone interested in singing should join us for rehearsals beginning Wednesday, November 2. Rehearsals are Sundays at 7 pm and/or Wednesday’s at 7:15 pm. Please contact Doug - doug@fbcgso.org - x237 or Terri Vancil terri@fbcgso.org - x238 with any questions.

2016 Advent Devotional Guide

Distribution of the Advent Devotional guide will begin on Sunday, November 20. This booklet was written by members of our congregation. It is our hope that this devotional guide will bring the meaning of the Advent season to your home. Please find time to settle down and focus each day of Advent on the sacred and humble story of God’s extraordinary gift of grace to us.

Christmas Caroling to Our Homebound

Sunday, December 11, 3 - 5 pm Save the date for an annual FBC event that means so much to FBC’s homebound members who might otherwise feel forgotten this Advent season. More information will follow in the December issue of “Connections.”

Connect with Children

Advent Workshop Sunday, November 20 | 5-7 pm

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s we enter the season of Advent and WAIT and PREPARE for the birth of Christ, we will help children and their families learn about the importance of this special season. We will have dinner and then move to the Children’s Wing for the Advent Workshop. We will have eight stations of hands-on activities and interactive prayer experiences for you and your children. It’s going to be a MEANINGFUL time to help your family prepare for the season. Cost is $5 per person. Optional childcare will be provided for infants 2 and under.

Sign-up today: bit.ly/FBCAdventworkshop

Wednesday Night Programming for Kids | 6-7:15 pm

Our children are enjoying 30 minutes of both music and missions on Wednesday evenings.

During the month of November, we will be learning about the mission work of field personnel serving in Haiti. Ask your children about what they learn each week!

Moms’ Group | Mondays from 9:30-11 am

Room 319 (Childcare Provided) If you are a mom of a child in 5th grade and younger, join us on Monday mornings as we grow, learn, and nurture one another in an inviting community. Moms’ Group, led by Rev. Courtney Willis, will meet November 7, 14 and 28. Invite a friend and join us!

Worship Folders for Kids | We love having

children in worship and know that it can be difficult to sit still for an entire service! In an effort to engage the children in worship and provide them with activities that correlate with the sermon, we have worship folders at the entrances of the Sanctuary for children through 5th grade. Please return the folders to the baskets at the conclusion of the service.

Save the Date: • December 4 (Su): Children’s Advent Service/ Children’s Choirs singing • December 14 (W): Breakfast for Dinner and Spontaneous Nativity

FBC Weekday School News by Ginny Carpenter

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all means that it’s time to re-link your Harris Teeter card to give free cash to our school. The school number is 8564. You may link your card at the store, on line, or by giving your number to anyone at the preschool. You can link your card to multiple groups and we will still receive credit for your purchases. Thank you for supporting our Via Scholarship fund.

Our fall Consignment Sale was held in September and is the main source of our scholarship money. For various reasons, our sale profits have declined over the past year, and our Weekday Board is investigating new ways to raise funds for our families in need.

We will count on donations from our Soup Lunch and pray for other sources of funding so that we can help our families who are in need through the winter and spring. We praise God for the support of FBC in our efforts to help our families.

Thank you for your prayers, your service, and your dedication to supporting our preschool. We are so blessed to be in this church and to be able to serve our families. Martin Luther said, “Everything that is done in this world is done by HOPE” and our children give us that HOPE. God bless you all for the love and guidance that you provide and for the opportunities that we have to be a part of this HOPE! Please consider joining us at our Weekday School Soup Lunch!

FBC Weekday School Soup Lunch Sunday, December 11 12 noon | Fellowship Hall Benefits the Via Scholarship Fund

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elicious homemade soups, bread, and cookies will be available after worship for a donation. Instead of going out to eat after church, come share a meal with us at our Soup Lunch. Your donations will help us meet the obligations that we have taken on – in faith – to support our families.

November 2016 | 5

Connect with Recreation Ministry

CBL Ministry: 50 Years & Counting by Steve Cothran From out in the hallway Cothran pulls up and drains a 3-pointer! And the crowd goes wild!!!

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ine. Maybe there was no crowd going wild…but the paper towel shot from the hallway swishing into my trash can is true. Some of us at FBC only dream of playing hoops, others actually do it. I am not talking about our Upward Ministry that brings over 700 people into the FBC gym on Saturday mornings. I am talking about CBL…the Church Basketball League ministry of FBC that has been around for over 50 years.

Teams from churches, from Young Life, and even synagogues and their fans, friends, and families…500 per week…have filled the gym on Thursday and Friday nights for games that are fun and challenging. Those numbers are like Easter Sunday every week during basketball season. Yes, they are the doors to the gym, the people are in shorts and sweat pants, and sometimes they don’t exactly say “Hallelujah” when they disagree with the referees. But our gym was built over 50 years ago to reach out to people just like that…God’s children who otherwise might never step foot onto this property. But they came. And they played. And they prayed.

God only knows what seeds may have been planted and are growing even now. Idealistic? Maybe. But ask CBL and Upward Director Tommy Starnes why he feels called to that ministry, and he will tell you about playing basketball as a kid at Providence Baptist Church in Charlotte. Many thanks to Tommy Starnes and his crew for countless hours of administrating this league and making sure everything runs smoothly on a weekly basis!

Upward is ALL in, are you?

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pward volunteers are a crucial part of the Upward ministry. This year we are in desperate need of some folks who can lend their talents as a REFEREE. A couple of hours on Saturday mornings is all we ask. A referee is a great facilitator for the game and integral to the sportsmanship values we are teaching these kids.

Please consider coming to a clinic and refereeing this year. Also needed for the Upward ministry this season: • Upward Evaluations: We need several volunteers to meet, greet, size uniforms, and score evaluation nights.

• Scholarship Opportunities: An important part of the Upward ministry is providing scholarships to those who, otherwise, could not afford to participate. For $75, consider sponsoring a child for cheerleading or basketball.

• We Need Volunteers: You are a much needed part of this ministry whether you are praying or coaching or just coming to watch the games. Your support is an integral part of Upward’s success!

• Questions/Information? Contact Tommy Starnes, FBC Upward/CBL Director: tstarnes@triad.rr.com 274-3289 - www.fbcgso.org/children

Connect with Youth & College

High School Fall Retreat Nov. 11-13 Camp Rockmont Black Mountain, NC

$95/person covers food, lodging, t-shirt. Sign-up by October 27. Register now: www.fbcgso.org/youth

College Lunch on Sunday, November 20 following Worship

Transportation will be provided for those needing a ride back to campus.

Fridin Mihindou | November 10

FBC College Students home for Thanksgiving?

Amber Haith | November 10

Join us for breakfast Sunday, November 27 in room 108 at 8 am as you reconnect with old friends.

College Students Need a Ride on Sundays? College

students meet in the small parking lot off of Gray Drive, in between the Student Health Center and Phillips-Hawkins dorm (across the street from Moore-Strong, 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.

6 | Connections

College Birthdays 137 Greenbriar Road, Apt. G, Greensboro, NC 27405 fridin.mihindou.nc@gmail.com 110 Seneca Road, Greensboro, NC 27406 ambernicolehaith@gmail.com

Mitchell Lewis | NC State | November 22 36 Bagwell Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27607 mtlewis2@ncsu.edu

Sam Messick | NC State | November 26 16904 Sullivan Hall, Raleigh, NC 27607 shmessick@gmail.com

Connect with Adults

“How Can We Be the Church for You?” by Lauren Shriver Starting in January, pastoral resident, John Thornton, began leading a weekly time of Bible study and community in his living room with nine of our younger adults. What he envisioned as a six week “experiment” has continued on for nine months and has become the central place of belonging for many of the 22-35 year olds in our congregation.

Below, Lauren Shriver reflects on her experience in this small group and what it means for the church body.

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ow can we be the church for you?” Our group of young adults has been asking this question of each other recently, and I believe it sums up the purpose and intention of our small group so well. As a group of nine, we have met on Monday nights for a little over a year now. We host each other, moving from house to house, and for us, this …I am grateful for this format has provided a relaxed atmosphere that also meshes with our group and their work as weekly schedules as working professionals. I have found that carving the church in my life . out two hours on Monday nights has been my most consistent option, and with a group of other chronically busy people whose schedules are constantly changing, I think the respite we find in our evening meetings is so valuable in itself. Having a core group of people who are dedicated to each other and to meeting weekly has shown me what the church looks like; the type of relationship and friendship that can flourish with this commitment and consistency is Christ-like.

When asked individually about how our group could “be the church for you,” so many of us answered with “let’s just keep doing this.” Under John’s leadership over the last year, we have studied the Bible together, discussed current issues facing the church and society, and learned about each other as we shared our own stories for the group. I am so encouraged and energized by getting to learn about the church and by being the church with these people. First Baptist has the highest attendance of any church I have ever worshipped with regularly.

I was drawn to this congregation by the apparent genuineness and desire for community seen in Sunday morning worship services. It can be so easy to get lost in a church this size, both literally and figuratively, but I think it’s all about finding a niche to plug into and be involved with. I’m not only thankful for the cohesiveness felt on Sunday mornings in the church at large, but also for my small group, where we dwell together as living examples of the church. This is the type of community Jesus brought about in his life and I am grateful for this group and their work as the church in my life.

Connect with Adult Sunday School Ministry

The Covenant Class by Scott Culclasure

reading the Bible, members are invited to consider points of view different from their own and to approach Scripture he Covenant Class was organized with church with the renewed sense of wonder that God’s word members coming from a variety of different requires for it to speak to us.

Sunday school classes, giving the new class an

The Covenant Class is about more than the study of intergenerational nature that it still maintains. From working Scripture, however, as members also seek to pursue lives couples with young children to the retired individuals, one of faith. Class gatherings always include the sharing of joys of the strengths of the class is the variety of life experiences and sorrows and prayer. And, because its members are brought to the study of Scripture. involved in many other church activities, opportunities to

Our covenant is to take seriously minister outside the class abound. the call to be diligent in our study of …one of the strengths of the Most regularly, class members Scripture. Class lessons are drawn volunteer quarterly to prepare and class is the variety of life from the Bible, with the “Nurturing serve a meal at Grace Community experiences brought to the Church, one of First Baptist Church’s Faith” curriculum developed

by Baptists Today providing an ministry partners. In fact, among study of Scripture . introduction to a close reading the many mission opportunities of Scripture text. Round table discussion allows the class afforded by First Baptist, it is not surprising to see a member to consider both what the text meant to its first hearers of the Covenant Class participating. and to consider how its lessons might shape our lives as

The Covenant Class is open to fresh faces and Christian disciples. Instead of insisting on a single way of outlooks and looks forward to welcoming new members!

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November 2016 | 7

Connect with Missions

Joining Hands in Mission: Anti-Trafficking

by Cindy Ring Ruble, Anti-Trafficking Advocate for Women and Children, CBF

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When you give to the CBF Offering for Global Missions, you participate in every rescue I make …

he came to Malaysia to work and help her family back in her home country, but it had now been seven years and she had never been paid.

She had never been able to send any money back home. Locked in her employer’s house, she could see no way out. She was so tired. She worked 18 hours a day, seven days a week. She never had a day off, even when she was sick. Her employers took her cell phone so she could not call her family and hear her children’s voices. She was always hungry as they never gave her enough to eat and they counted every slice of bread and piece of fruit so she could not take more without risking a beating. She was desperate to escape.

My husband, Eddy, and I have served with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) in Malaysia and Indonesia for 18 years. Eddy works in disaster relief and development and education empowerment. I work to prevent child sexual abuse and to aid and empower the survivors of human trafficking. In the six years I have worked to help trafficking survivors, I could put ditto marks on many of the human trafficking cases I have handled. The lures of the perpetrators are many and varied, but frequently the lure is the promise of a good job with good wages, wages that would allow them to put their children through school and help their families put food on the table. They do not know that when they hand over their passports, they hand over their freedom. The promises usually disappear at the airport upon arrival. Some trafficking victims do not survive the cruelty of their traffickers.

I have enjoyed being able to participate in worship, Wednesday night dinners, Bible Studies and Sunday School at FBC-GSO. I would love to share with you more of the stories of the trafficked women and children we have been able to help because of the partnership you have with us through the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. When you give to the CBF Offering for Global Missions, you participate in every rescue I make, every case I work on, every repatriation of a trafficking survivor back to her home country. The stories can be heart wrenching, but the women and children we help are hopeful and filled with gratitude for the help they receive. They are strong and resilient.

Invite me in to your Sunday School class, mission group, or youth group and I will share with you more of their stories, their hopes and dreams, and the ways that together we can and do work towards a more just world. I would be glad to facilitate seminars on stopping human trafficking or preventing child sexual abuse. Eddy could speak on disaster relief and education as empowerment. We will be stateside through the end of December 2016 and hope to dialogue with you as much as our calendars allow. You can reach us at cruble@cbf.net or eruble@cbf.net. Thank you for partnering with us!

Global Missions Offering

by Martha Robison-Spangler BF missionaries serve in more than 30 countries around the globe, bearing witness to Jesus Christ in a lost and chaotic world. Our annual Global Missions offering is the primary means of support for these, making it possible for them to bear witness through long term presence in the world’s most forgotten and forsaken places.

Through our missionaries, we share love, hope, and physical assistance with the world’s most needy people.

Our missionaries are the presence of Christ in the countries and situations God has called them to. Our offerings and prayers make this possible.

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8 | Connections

Hurricane Matthew devastated Haiti, a country still struggling to rebuild after a terrible earthquake in 2010.

CBF field personnel, Jenny Jenkins, is there immediately engaged in saving lives and offering love and hope.

War, famine, and poverty have driven more than six million people to seek refuge and opportunity in Europe and this migration of helpless people has overwhelmed many communities trying to help them. CBF field personnel Chaouke and Maha Boulos in Lebanon, Matt and Michele Norman in Spain, a couple in Turkey, the Aldapes in Spain, two couples in France, and others in Belgium and Italy are there with the refugees providing help, encouragement, God’s love.

In Southeastern Kentucky poverty holds many people in bondage.

Field personnel Scarlette Jasper lives and works among the people of a 10 county region, offering hope for a better life. She is focused on fighting rural poverty. She works with a variety of nonprofit organizations to offer opportunities for financial counseling, home ownership, nutrition education, and ways to combat the debt trap of predatory lending.

When we give to the Global Missions offering we share in the ministries of these missionaries at home and around the world. Let’s commit ourselves to praying for our missionaries and for the people to whom they minister that together we can be the presence of Christ in our world.

Connect with Missions

Youth for Christ by Aaron Stokes

my name and invite me to Cru that I went to the next weekly meeting and did not stop until I graduated! y freshman year of college was a lonely one.

At Youth For Christ we work with 11-19 year-olds I had few friends, and even fewer that were in the public schools and urban neighborhoods of encouraging me to follow God. I was feeling Guilford County. We simply would not be able to do the all too familiar pull between my faith and the what we do without the hundreds of volunteers that temptation to follow the crowd, when God suddenly work with us each week to reach teens for Christ. intervened. I was warming up to play a We have learned that it is often these pickup basketball game one day when volunteers that God most powerfully a member of the team we were about uses in student’s lives. People who are to play walked up to our team and willing to be “doers of the word, and not introduced himself and asked each of hearers only…” (James 1:22). It is usually us our name. While I thought that was the consistent, faithful ministry of our a little odd for a pickup game against volunteers over time that God uses most Would you total strangers, I didn’t think much about often to change lives. John Newton put consider today it. The next day however as my friend it this way: “God works powerfully, but and I were walking to the cafeteria I saw how God may use for the most part gently and gradually.” that same guy – his name was Shane Would you consider today how God you to minister?

– walking towards us. Shane walked may use you to minister? I can testify right up to us and introduced himself that sometimes all it takes to change again and called us each by our name. He went on someone’s life is to remember their name! to share that he was with Campus Crusade for Christ

For more information or to get involved: and invited us to come sometime and visit. I was so contact Tom Sears at tsearsjr@mac.com dumbfounded that he took the time to remember

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Greensboro Urban Ministry’s 25th Annual

Feast of Caring Thursday, November 17

5 - 7 PM | FBC Fellowship Hall

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t the Feast of Caring, your minimum $25 donation to Greensboro Urban Ministry helps to provide food, shelter and rehousing assistance to men, women and families and allows you to choose to receive a pottery bowl, crafted by an N.C. potter, or five Honor Cards, by artist Bill Mangum.

New this Year: Feast of Caring Express!

Join us for this drop-in lunchtime event from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm on Nov. 17, at FBC. A $15 donation enters you into a raffle for beautiful N.C. pottery created by regional artisans – and you will also receive an exclusive, signed Friendly Santa print created by N.C.’s artist Bill Mangum. You can purchase your ticket at the event – or, purchase tickets in advance online to save time on the day of the event: www.greensborourbanministry.org – just show your emailed confirmation and you’re right in the door.

Operation Christmas Child Dedication Sunday | November 13

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id you know that Operation Christmas Child is about more that filling your shoeboxes with coloring books, toys, and toothbrushes? Your gifts enable Samaritan’s Purse to share the Good News of God’s greatest gift – His Son, Jesus Christ – with boys and girls who need to know how much Jesus loves them. Start packing your shoeboxes and with each box, include $7 to pay shipping (checks payable to Samaritan’s Purse). If you do not have time to shop and would like help with a shoebox, we have volunteers who will shop for you! Just bring a check for $27 (made out to FBC with OCC in the memo).

Mark your calendars for our churchwide “Dedication Day” on Sunday, November 13. Bring your shoeboxes to the Atrium before Sunday School and Worship and plan to join us for the dedication prayer in the Atrium immediately following Worship.

Questions: Operation Christmas Child coordinator, Carolyn Clontz - jwcqclontz@gmail.com | 288-3216.

A Christian Assitance Fund Update

by Rosemary Kellam and Kim Priddy

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ur Christian Assistance Fund is a powerful way for us to help folks. We wanted to give an update on the work it did in September. We were able to help a total of 12 families!

We assisted 12 families with rent, energy, gas, and medical bills.

The Christian Assistance Fund is critically low and we are currently unable to assist any families. We would like to encourage you to use the special offering envelope and consider giving to this fund.

November 2016 | 9

Connect with One Another Responding to the Invitation

November Birthdays

(No FBC birthdays November 5)

Bud and Lori Taylor with daughters: Lorin, Mallie, and Jamie (October 2) By Letter

Courtney Stamey

(October 9) By Letter Welcome New Babies!

Davidson Ford Moody

Born: October 12 Parents: Ryan and Kamron Moody

Kyler Emmanuel Holmes

Adopted August 15 Parents: Aaron and Emily Holmes

1. Shirley Brown, Lucy Culbreth, CJ Tillotson, Ellis Vaughan 2. Emily Holmes, Bonnie Morrah, Jack Steelman 3. Keeley Duckworth, Debbie Garner, Jennifer Lewis, Lila Turner 4. Teena Hauselman, Hubert Johnson, Fred Lewis, Jason McCord, Heather Power, Helen Vaughan 6. Angela Peeler 7. Danny Edwards 8. Bobby Stutts 9. Parker Hall 10. Amber Haith, Jacob Knight, Fridin Mihindou, Grant Terrell, Dave Worsley 11. Martha Cox, Matthew Kennedy, Glorine Luper, Bill Miller 12. Carolyn Clontz, Bob Curlee, Ada Noel Harris, Roxana Johnson, Evan Raines, Ginny Smith 13. Mitchell Bradford, Harold Messick, Declan Stephens 14. Daryl Barber, Maxine Crews, David English, Reba House 15. Doris Edmonds, Monica Vaughan 16. Ken Brannon 17. Kendall Gooding, Rebecca Little 18. Elaine McRae 19. Michaela Stutts 20. Adam Hardy, Dillon Peeler, Melanie Rodgers, Betty Sessoms 21. John Thompson 22. Mitchell Lewis

23. Jack Echerd, David Newsom, Lori Wood 24. Juanita Hendrix, Kay Mills, Dot Rierson, Shelly Worsley 25. Megan Barlow, Hazel Fisher, Doug Vancil 26. Louise Burroughs, Connie Carter, Jake Isom, Sam Messick 27. Jeff Bennett, Jim Greene, Anna Hartis, Izzy Hayes, Shepard Hayes, Jan Hensley, Barbara Russell, Jamie Taylor 28. Fred Brown, Sandy Gilliland, Kelly Stephens 29. Graeme Bolton 30. Megan Kesler, Kelsey Peeler, Mallie Taylor

Bereaved

• Friends of Judy Hester, on September 19 • Ann Pember in the loss of her friend and former FBC member Ned Gardner, on October 2 • Loved ones of Peggy Cheek, on October 5 • Loved ones of Treva Mabe, on October 7 • Bob Eagle and Elizabeth Eagle in the loss of wife and mother, Zylpha Eagle, on October 11 • Karl Lewis in the loss of his niece, Nina Kaye Stimpson • Esther Mathews in the loss of her sister-in-law Mary Bagwell, on October 18 • Loved ones of Martha Talley, on October 23

Connect with Business October Church Conference Summary

The monthly Church Conference took place on Sunday, October 9, 2016 in the Fellowship Hall. The church voted to receive ten new members.

Community Lunch followed

by Church Conference

Sunday, November 13 after Worship Cost is $6 per person and $20 family maximum. NO reservation is needed.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20…

Joining Sunday & Commitment Sunday 10:30 am | Sanctuary 10 | Connections

Receipts & Distributions - 9 Months Ended

Receipts Disbursements Net Surplus (Deficit)

9/30/16 Budget 9/30/15 $ 1,225,438 $ 1,226,408 $ 1,182,814 $ 1,302,537 $ 1,328,583 $ 1,301,675 $( 77,099) $( 102,175) $ (118,861)

November@ FBC

•1 (Tu): Upward Evaluations. Gym/Café, 6 pm •1 (Tu): Grace Meal Prep. Kitchen, 5 pm •1 (Tu): WMU Group 2. 102, 7 pm •2 (W): Grace Meal Pick-Up. Kitchen, 5 pm (W): Fellowship Meal/Free for College. 108, 5:30 pm (serving begins at 5 pm) •2,2,9,9 30 (W): Living Wisely. 108-C, 6:15 pm • 3 (Th): Upward Evaluations. Gym/Café, 6 pm • 6 (Su): Youth Parent Council Meeting. 216, 8:15 am •6 (Su): All Saints’ Sunday.

•Adults Sanctuary, 10:30 am • 6 (Su): Finance Committee.

•All Ages 108-C, 4:30 pm • •Children (Su): Prayers for the Nation Service. Sanctuary, 6 pm •67 (M): •Seniors PrimeTime. 9 am - Lunch • •Missions •7 (M): FRONT. 101, 5:30-7 pm •Weekday •7 (M): Deacon’s Meeting. 102, 7 pm School •8 (Tu): WMU Group 3. 102, 9:30 am •Worship •8 (Tu): WMU Group 4. 204, 10:30 am •Youth •9 (W): Missions Committee. 108-C, 5:30 pm (F-Su): High School Fall Retreat. Camp Rockmont •11-13 •13 (Su): StepUp Ministry Clothing Collection. Atrium, 9 am (Su): Operation Christmas Child Dedication. Atrium, following Worship •13 13 Community Lunch followed by Church Conference. 108, 11:45 am • 16 (Su): (W): Building & Grounds Committee. 216, 5:30 pm • 16 (W): Churchwide Dinner. 108, 6 pm •17 (Th): Feast of CaringThanksgiving Express.

108, am; Feast of Caring Dinner. 108, 5 pm • 18 (F): Happy Hearts Thanksgiving 11:30 Dinner. 108, 6 pm • (Su): Commitment Sunday. Sanctuary, 10:30 am •20 (Su): Joining Sunday. Sanctuary, 10:30 am •20 (Su): College Lunch. Café, 12 noon •20 20 Annual Turkey Bowl. FBC Front Lawn, 2 pm • 20 (Su): (Su): Advent Workshop. Children’s Wing, 5 pm • 22 (Tu): Senior Adult Council. 216, 2 pm • •22 (Tu): Personnel Committee. 216, 7 pm (Tu): Interfaith Thanksgiving Service. Sanctuary, 7 pm •22 (Th-F): FBC church offices closed for Thanksgiving holiday.

•24-25 (Su): College Breakfast. 108, 8 am •27 (Su): 1 Sunday of Advent. Sanctuary, 10:30 am •27 28 • (M): Upward Practice. Gym/Café, 5:15 pm •29 (Tu): Upward Practice. Gym/Café, 5:15 pm st

Regular Weekly Schedule

• • •

Sunday AM @FBC

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

Meal Reservations • Fellowship 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

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

Fellowship Meals

Wednesday: 5:30-6:15 pm (Serving begins at 5 pm)

2: Chicken Portofino, Orzo Pasta Broccoli Spears Kids: Chicken Nuggets 9: Country Style Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans Kids: Mini Burger 16: Churchwide Thanksgiving Dinner (Standing reservations

are not valid for this meal – see back page for more info)

30: Lasagna, Side Salad, Garlic Bread | Kids: ½ portion Lasagna

Coming up…

• There will be no Wednesday night activities on Nov. 23.

VS

Sunday, Nov. 20 at 2 pm

FBC GREENSBORO FRONT LAWN

• Don’t forget: Turn your clocks back one hour when you go to bed Saturday night, November 5.

• PrimeTime November 7: “Historic Renovation at Old Salem and Beyond by Tom Sears” •

•

•

PrimeTime Bible Study will feature “What Jesus Said about God” 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 - $6/person Sign up for lunch online: www.fbcgso.org/seniors or contact Marty Kellam: marty@fbcgso.org | x245 Reservation deadline: Nov. 3

• American Music Jubilee Christmas Show Day Trip •

Rudy Theatre, Selma, NC | December 15 | $89/person Payment due by Nov. 15. Sign-up online: www.fbcgso.org/trips November 2016 | 11

First Baptist Church Greensboro 1000 West Friendly Avenue Greensboro, NC 27401

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID GREENSBORO, NC

www.fbcgso.org

NO. 179

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever… Psalm 107.1

Annual Thanksgiving Dinner Wednesday, November 16 | 6 pm | 108

Enjoy a delicious traditional meal of turkey, ham, cranberry sauce, dressing, rolls, green beans, sweet potato souffle, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and beverages. Reservations ARE NEEDED! The reservation deadline is Sunday, November 13. All “standing” Wednesday night reservations are not valid for the Thanksgiving dinner.

To RSVP: online at www.fbcgso.org/calendarevents OR Marty Kellam: marty@fbcgso.org | x245.

Childcare will be available for children 5 years and younger during the brief service that follows dinner. Please make your childcare reservations when making your dinner reservations.

Happy Hearts Thanksgiving Dinner Friday, November 18 | 6 pm | 108

Happy Hearts celebrates with family and group home friends for a delicious turkey dinner with this annual Thanksgiving tradition.