January 5, 2017 Volume LIV, No. 1

Wouldn’t it be nice if, with the turning of a new year, everything could be made new and we could have

a fresh start without the problems of 2016? Wouldn’t it be nice if, when a friend from out of town asks

if Lumberton has recovered from the flood, you could say “oh yes, all the homes have been restored

and everyone has a safe, warm place to live and all the businesses are thriving!” Wouldn’t it be nice?

Yes, it would, but reality is we have a long way to go before we will be able to say that Lumberton has recovered

from Hurricane Matthew. A ride through the devastated neighborhoods proves that what was destroyed in moments

takes months to repair. Progress is being made, but there is a long road ahead of us.

One of the lessons we can learn from the flood experience is that we all have something to offer in the recovery

effort. You may not be able to do the manual labor or construction work, but you can do something to make life

easier for our neighbors in distress. This is true of individuals and churches. At this time in our church’s life, we do

not have an abundance of people with the spiritual gift of “craftsmanship” so we have not done as much as some

churches in the demolition and repair work. We are doing our part though in other ways. We have collected and

distributed a large amount of baby and hygiene items, offered financial assistance through referrals from Social

Services, expanded our annual Children’s Christmas part and provided meals at the monthly Community Café.

Moving forward, a significant service our church is

providing will be our Grant Program. In the weeks

following the flood we receive numerous financial

donations from family members and friends outside of

our community who wanted to help flood victims

directly. Our Hurricane Matthew Disaster Relief

Committee (HMDRC) has established guidelines for

grants to be awarded to individuals and families who

have been impacted by the flood. The grants range

from $500.00 to $2,000.00 and are paid directly to a

third party (i.e. a contractor, building products or

furniture store, etc.). Applicants need to submit cost

estimates or prices for materials with their application.

Applications are available in the church office and

anyone from Robeson County who was impacted by the

flood can apply. The HMDRC reviews each

application and either approves, declines (hasn’t

happened yet) or asks the applicant for additional

information.

I want you to know about the Grant Program so you

can inform any of your neighbors, coworkers or friends

who may qualify and who need help. If you have any

questions or would like an application, please contact

me. We want to get the resources we have to the people

in need as soon as possible.

Be Still,

David

Deacon Ordination Service

January 8, 2017 at 6:00 p.m.

A reception will follow in

Cherry Fellowship Hall.

Communion Sunday

January 8, 2017

8:45 a.m. &

11:00 a.m. Services

Preparing for Sunday. . .

“Proof of Identity” Isaiah 42:1-9, Matthew 3: 13-17

In the books of Isaiah, there are a handful passages

known as “servant songs” that describe a person or

persons who God will use to bring justice to the

world. We will read one of these passages this

Sunday.

Since identifying these “servant songs” scholars

have tried to identify who the servant actually is. Is

it the people of Israel, a certain king (Cyrus) or is it

Jesus? The answer is “yes.” All three are servants

sent by God to bring justice and hope. Of the

possibilities, however, Jesus stands out as the

fullest expression of the servant, but how do we

know this? Where does Jesus prove he is the

servant… at his baptism, in his teachings, or in the

miracles he gave. Perhaps it is at the table as he

serves the bread and cup to his disciples. The

answer, once again, is “yes.” Jesus proves his

identity in all of these, and in accepting his call to

follow, we reveal our identity as God’s servants.

New years bring new challenges and

sometimes willingness to change. We

strive to expand some areas of our lives

as we simply others. The danger in this is

when our commitments are shuffled

around and become what amounts to a

shell game.

New interests and convictions stimulate the mind and

drive us. They consume our time. Sometimes we

need a spark to get going. There is nothing wrong

with that.

There is something deeply wrong however with not

finishing what we have already committed to. People

are depending on you to finish what you start. So

before beginning a journey, always count the cost.

If you have obligations you agreed to, please meet

those. There is no shame in not succeeding if you

give it your all. It is also much better to say no than

agree to do something and quit.

On a more optimistic note, if God calls you to a task,

feel confident you can do it! Other people and

unfortunate events may make you feel inadequate.

Hang in there! Have a productive and successful

2017.

Peace,

Doug

Baptist Women’s Luncheon January 9th at 11:45 a.m.

FBC Activity Building

Rev. Bonnie Reedy will speak about her work with

Southeastern Hospice. Our offering will go to buy

snacks for Hospice patients.

Children’s Sunday February 19, 2017

The altar flowers on January 1 were given in memory of Charlie Bennett.

Happy Birthday, Gene, and your sunshine, Vivian.

Youth Super Youth Super

Bowl PartyBowl Party February 5th @ 6:00 p.m. February 5th @ 6:00 p.m.

At the home of At the home of

Tim & Robin Little Tim & Robin Little

510 W. 25th St.510 W. 25th St.

Family Night Supper Menus January 2017

January 11—Red Ticket: Barbecued Chicken, Baked Potatoes, String Beans, Rolls, Salad, Chocolate Cake Blue Ticket: Pizza, Chips, Fruit January 18—Red Ticket: Hamburger Steak, Rice & Gravy, String Beans, Rolls, Salad, Peach Pies (Sugar-free) Blue Ticket:—Pizza, Chips Fruit January 25—Red Ticket: Barbecue, French Fries, Hushpuppies, Baked Beans, Salad, Banana Pudding Blue Ticket: Hot Dogs, French Fries, Fruit

Quarterly Church Conference Wednesday, January 25, 2017 During Family Night at Prayer

Fun & Fellowship January 12, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.

FBC Activity Building

Cennovia Little will present a

program of music.

Bring a sandwich and a friend!

M-Fuge 2017

A mandatory parent meeting will be held January 22nd.

Paperwork is due on January 22nd!

A $100 deposit will be due by January 25th.

See Doug Reedy if you have questions.

Senior Adults Spring Trip—Norfolk, VA

April 27-28, 2017

The trip will include sailing on the Amercian Rover, the Virginia

International Tattoo and a tour of the Naval Base. Accommodations at

LaQuinta Inn, Norfolk. Meals at Freemason Abby and The Virginia

Diner in Waverly, NC. Travel by chartered bus. Total cost: $250 for

double occupancy. Stop by the church office to sign up!

Kiwanis Pancake Festival—January 20-21, 2017

Supper—Friday, January 20, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Breakfast—Saturday, January 21, 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

At the Bill Sapp Center

Tickets are $7.00 each.

Contact Tim Little for more information.

First Baptist Church of Lumberton, NC

606 N. Walnut Street

Lumberton, NC 28358

(910) 739-4336

The FIRST BAPTIST NEWS (USPS 192-260)

published monthly by First Baptist Church,

606 N. Walnut Street, Lumberton, NC 28358

Periodical Postage Paid at Lumberton, NC

CHURCH STAFF

Contact us at 739Contact us at 739Contact us at 739---4336 or 4336 or 4336 or daphnefletcher@fbclumbertonnc.org daphnefletcher@fbclumbertonnc.org daphnefletcher@fbclumbertonnc.org www.fbclumbertonnc.orgwww.fbclumbertonnc.orgwww.fbclumbertonnc.org

Mrs. Nancy Bass Mrs. Nancy Bass Mrs. Nancy Bass ———Financial Coordinator Financial Coordinator Financial Coordinator

Rev. Erin CollierRev. Erin CollierRev. Erin Collier———Minister to ChildrenMinister to ChildrenMinister to Children

Dr. David ElksDr. David ElksDr. David Elks———PastorPastorPastor

Mrs. Daphne Fletcher Mrs. Daphne Fletcher Mrs. Daphne Fletcher ——— Administrative AssistantAdministrative AssistantAdministrative Assistant

Ms. Dorothy HuntMs. Dorothy HuntMs. Dorothy Hunt———Building SuperintendentBuilding SuperintendentBuilding Superintendent

Rev. Tim LittleRev. Tim LittleRev. Tim Little———Minister of MusicMinister of MusicMinister of Music

Mrs. Kandace RamseyMrs. Kandace RamseyMrs. Kandace Ramsey———Administrative AssistantAdministrative AssistantAdministrative Assistant

Rev. Doug ReedyRev. Doug ReedyRev. Doug Reedy———Minister of YouthMinister of YouthMinister of Youth

Community Café Volunteers Needed!

Groups are needed to host our Community Café on the 3rd Saturday

each month. Host groups provide a meal, devotion and fellowship for

Community Café guests. Dates are available August-December.

If your Sunday School Class, Mission Group, etc. would like to host

please contact the church office (739-4336 or

daphnefletcher@fbclumbertonnc.org).

2017 Jan. 15 Feb. 19, 26 March 19, 26 April 9, 23 30 May 7, 14, 21 June 4, 11, 18, 25

July 2, 9, 16, 30 Aug. 6, 20 Sept. 3, 10, 24 Oct. 1, 8, 15 Nov. 5, 19, 26

Flower Calendar Contact the church office at 739-4336 or daphnefletcher@fbclumbertonnc.org to place flowers in honor or in memory of a loved one.

Coming up. . .

January 13-16—Youth Ski Trip

January 16—Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Robeson County Schools

Closed

January 21—Community Café hosted by

Asbury United Methodist Church

January 22—Mandatory M-Fuge Parent

Meeting

January 23—Finance Committee &

Deacons Meetings

January 25—Quarterly Church Conference

M-Fuge Deposit and Paperwork Due

February 5—Youth Super Bowl Party

February 6—Baptist Women’s Luncheon

February 9—Fun & Fellowship

February 11—Valentine Banquet

February 12—Youth Week Officers Meeting

February 14—Valentine’s Day

February 19—Children’s Sunday

February 20—Finance Committee &

Deacons Meetings

March 1—Ash Wednesday

March 6—Baptist Women’s Luncheon

March 7—Youth Committee Meeting

March 9—Fun & Fellowship

March 12—Daylight Saving Time Begins