F I R S T B A P T I S T C H U R C H , R A L E I G H , N C F O U N D E D I N 1812

M A K I N G D I S C I P L E S F O R J E S U S C H R I S T I N T H E 2 1 S T C E N T U R Y

FirstFoundationsVOLUME 19 u ISSUE 13

JULY 14, 2017

Congratulations College Grads!

We celebrate these recent college graduates from our FBC family.Alex Barrett NC State B.S. in Electrical EngineeringIan Chapman NC State B.S. in Integrated Physiology and NeurobiologyZach Graves Furman University B.A. in Economics and Business AdministrationSarah Harris Sotheby’s Institute of Art in New York City Master’s in Art BusinessSarah Lingafelt Appalachian State University B.S. in Elementary EducationLibby Rounds Western Carolina University B.F.A. in Musical TheatreAlex Thompson Furman University B.A. in Business Administration

Solar Eclipse Viewing Trip

On the afternoon of Monday, August 21, it will be possible to view a full solar eclipse in parts of South Carolina. First Baptist is planning a viewing trip and you’re invited. We will leave Monday morning and return Monday evening. A full solar eclipse so close to Raleigh is a rare event so save the date and look for more details soon.

Youth Serve in NY and NC

MISSION TRIP—continued on page 3

During my time on the Middle School mission trip to Charlotte, I fed the homeless, cared for refugee children, and spent time learning the stories of women and men who have fallen on hard times, all things I had never done before.

I have always heard about how many people are homeless and how many people need help, but I have never gotten the chance to experience it. My interactions taught me so much and brought me closer to God. It was especially powerful to see how so many people I met had such a strong faith in God, no matter their living condition.

Although I sometimes struggled with feeling like I was not giving enough, especially when we served food at the Charlotte Men’s Shelter and I wanted to give the men as much food as possible so they could be full, I believe that everywhere I went over the week I was able to impact someone. Whether that meant feeding them, making them laugh, talking with them, praying with them, or simply taking a walk with them. Even though I feel like a goal for the week was to positively impact others, my experiences also had a huge impact on my own life.

I never knew that our work would bring me so close to God. Listening to people’s stories, hearing people’s prayers, seeing people laugh and talk, these things opened a whole new world to me. I was also amazed by the relationships and bonds of friendship formed between the people we served and our group. From the men at the Charlotte Rescue Mission, to the children at Project One7, I have never felt so included in my life. All the kids and people I met welcomed me. I feel like on this mission trip I was truly able to interact and connect with everyone that I met and I am so thankful I got the opportunity to go. — Abby Hinson

Appearance isn’t everything. On the New York trip, I embraced the phrase “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Each morning as my group approached a soup kitchen I would take a good look at the people waiting to be fed. Most of them wore plain clothing that was dirty and smelly. But appearance isn’t everything. My experiences in the soup kitchen floored me. I never thought that groups of very hungry, homeless, dirty, and smelly people would be the nicest people I encountered throughout the week. I certainly did not expect that the “worst” looking people would have the best

During the week of June 19 our High School and Middle School students engaged in mission action in New York City and Charlotte. These reflections from two of our students share a bit of what they experienced during the week.

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M A K I N G D I S C I P L E S F O R J E S U S C H R I S T I N T H E 2 1 S T C E N T U R Y

Fifth Sunday Vespers: A Touch

of TaizéOn Sunday, July 30, at 6:00 p.m.,

we will hold our fourth Fifth Sunday Vespers Service, a series that grew out of our visioning process. While the services have focused on a common theme of newness and growth, each service has employed distinctive forms that are new to us. The goal has been to create space for spiritual renewal and community building by stretching us in intentional ways and inviting more participation. We conclude this first year of Vespers Services with a focus on growth as a community and we do so by using forms borrowed from Taizé, a monastic community in France.

The community was formed by Brother Roger in 1940 out of a desire to provide space where people discouraged by life could seek healing and peace. Over time, it has become a much-treasured retreat center, pilgrimage desti-nation, and source of inspiration for all who seek spiritual growth, especially youth. Ecumenical in character, the Taizé community seeks reconciliation and peace wherever there is brokenness, es-pecially in the Christian communi-ty, and pursues love and justice.

The worship forms used at Taizé focus on simple settings of scripture which are read and sung, times of silence and reflection, and a good bit of repetition. The simplicity allows participants to focus on the meaning of texts, the silence creates space for reflection on the meaning, and the repetition is designed to help worshipers remember the texts and pray them throughout the day.

We will allow the Taizé forms, some of which we have used be-fore, to guide our time of worship, as we reflect upon what it means to grow as a community, how our individual growth is related to community growth, and how much we need each other to grow. We invite your participation as we continue to deepen our shared life as guided by the Spirit of Christ.

Parting Words from Daniel RayAs the end of my time at FBC

approaches, I would like to voice my thanks and appreciation to my family here at FBC. Saying goodbye is never easy, how does one condense two years of memories and experiences into a single message? It would take more than just one First Foundations to express my thanks adequately to everyone who has positively impacted me during my time here.

So, with the acknowledgement that I will never have all the words to express my gratitude, I would first like to thank FBC as a whole. As I’ve said before, this is the first church where I’ve felt comfortable and encouraged to bring my whole self into ministry. Having both worked in, and attended, churches where I had to conceal certain passions or aspects of my identity, I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to enter a church where I could be my full self. When I think of FBC as a whole, I always think of greeting you as you leave on the mornings I am a liturgist. In those moments, I am doing more than shaking hands. I am touching the hands of God, the saints and disciples who make this church what it is. Thank you for letting me join you on your journey of faith, even if it was only for a short while.

I would also like to thank the ministerial, administrative, facilities staff, and volunteers of FBC. The ways that each of you uniquely contribute to the ministry of FBC is truly amazing. It is apparent that God has immensely blessed each of you with unique gifts and abilities that creatively contribute to the life of this church. From Rodney

and Jimmy’s greetings and smiles in the halls, to Jodi’s continual patience with me when I lost receipts, to yes, even weekly staff meetings, I grew in ways I never expected and experienced the rich and powerful beauty of all the forms of church ministry.

Finally, to the youth. I cannot tell you what an honor and privilege it has been to work with you. You have changed my life for the better and I will always be thankful for my time with you. My time at FBC has been filled with times of immense laughter and joy, but also times of personal struggle and pain. But no matter what I was going through in life, I had one constant thing that I knew I could rely on, and that was you. You are truly a light of God that illumines this church and its ministry. You inspire me and everyone else to be better, to work harder, and to love others fiercely. I will always cherish my time with you, from weekly Bible studies, to mission trips and retreats, and even buying Cookout milkshakes after losing bets to you. I have learned much from you and am certain I will continue to feel your presence and influence on my life no matter where I find myself.

Again, words will never be able to express adequately my thanks to everyone at FBC, but I hope these are an acceptable start. Thank you for your love and support. As I begin this journey of my life, I will carry my experiences with you as cherished gifts, always remembering and being thankful for my FBC family.

— Daniel Ray

Contribution Envelope Order Request

To reduce expenses and save our environment, we are adjusting our boxed offering envelope order for 2018. Wayne Hager asks that you contact him (whager@fbcraleigh.org or 919-832-4485, ext. 207) if: 1) You no longer need boxed envelopes because you are or will use online giving in 2018; 2) You only need special offering envelopes (Heck-Jones, NC Missions, CBF Global Missions, Mike Morris Fellowship Fund) because

you have set up an auto draft or give online for the general offering; 3) You use only one envelope per month for the general offering and would welcome a packet with 12 monthly general offering envelopes plus the mission offering envelopes.

Thank you for your consideration as we seek to reduce expenses and help in a little way to save our environment. n

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M A K I N G D I S C I P L E S F O R J E S U S C H R I S T I N T H E 2 1 S T C E N T U R Y

Week at a GlanceSunday, July 16 9:45 am Sunday School 11:00 am Worship Service/S Japanese Worship/227 12:15 pm Personnel Committee/CR 5:30 pm Youth Group/Blue RoomTuesday, July 18 10:00 am Ministerial Staff Meeting/CR 6:00 pm Theology on Tap/Raleigh TimesWednesday, July 19 10:00 am Clothing Ministry HS Bible Study/Blue Room 5:45 pm ITC Board/108 Thursday, July 20 11:00 am Library Committee/L 1:00 pm Clothing MinistrySunday, July 23 9:45 am Sunday School 11:00 am Worship Service/S Japanese Worship/227 5:30 pm Youth GroupTuesday, July 25 10:00 am Ministerial Staff Meeting/CR 6:00 pm Theology on Tap/Raleigh TimesWednesday, July 26 10:00 am Clothing Ministry HS Bible Study/Blue RoomThursday, July 27 11:00 am Library Committee/L 1:00 pm Clothing MinistrySunday, July 30 9:45 am Sunday School 11:00 am Worship Service/S Japanese Worship/227 6:00 pm Fifth Sunday Vespers/S Senior trip to Gatlinburg (return 8/6)Tuesday, August 1 10:00 am Ministerial Staff Meeting/CR 6:00 pm Theology on Tap/Raleigh TimesWednesday, August 2 10:00 am Clothing Ministry HS Bible Study/Blue Room 7:00 pm Sanctuary Choir/310Thursday, August 3 11:00 am Library Committee/L 1:00 pm Clothing MinistrySunday, August 6 9:45 am Sunday School 11:00 am Worship Service/S Japanese Worship/227 5:30 pm Youth Group/Blue Room

manners and the most profound voices filled with nothing but praise and thanks. Their appearance was starkly juxtaposed with the way they carried themselves because again, appearance isn’t everything.

My experiences made me reflect on attending a downtown church. We all pass people similar to the ones I served in the kitchens and pantries of New York on the way in or out of church. Yet, I act different on a mission trip than when I’m walking into church. I don’t go out of my way to offer food or money to the homeless people looking through the dumpsters outside of FBC. I never walk up to them and attempt to ask them how they are or offer to help them. But why? If appearance isn’t everything, what is stopping me from going up to the people in need in my hometown? What makes those people different from the ones I served this past week in NYC? My gut tells me there’s no difference, but my gut also tells me that approaching them is too difficult and inconvenient. That is a very challenging part of my faith and it makes me uncomfortable and vulnerable, which is just plain hard.

Moving forward, I hope that God will give me the courage to interact with the needy people that I’m surrounded by but often avoid. I also pray that God will give me the confidence and guidance not only to approach those people, but genuinely interact with them and offer a helping hand. I truly want to be able to not “judge a book by its cover,” because I just might find that outside appearances don’t always match up with the character that’s on the inside. — Caleb Petty

MISSION TRIP—continued from page 1

During the last week of June, 70 children, 8 youth helpers, and 20 teachers enjoyed a week of Bible School as they searched for God’s fingerprints in the world around them – in Jesus, in others, in their community, in the world, and in themselves. It was a great week as friends from church, weekday preschool, neighbors, and Family Promise gathered each morning for Bible study, crafts, music, snacks, and recreation. How fortunate we are to have the committed leadership to make this happen each summer!

To keep up with prayer concerns during the summer months, check out the Members Only page at www.fbcraleigh.org.

To register for this service, follow the instructions and stay up to

date on the church family.

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Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDRaleigh, NC

Permit No. 1056

First Baptist Church99 North Salisbury StreetRaleigh, NC 27603

Church office: 919-832-4485Facsimile: 919-832-6726E-mail: firstbaptist@fbcraleigh.orgWeb site: www.fbcraleigh.orgFacebook: First Baptist Church Raleigh

Ministers All members of the churchDenise Arnold Pastor’s Administrative AssistantLin Carter Christian Education/OutreachChristopher Chapman Pastor Trey Davis Youth/CollegeJ. Daniel Day Pastor EmeritusJulie Gilbert Food ServicesWayne Hager Church AdministratorDonna G. Jolly OrganistLynn Lingafelt ChildrenDeborah Mastrodonato Staff Administrative AssistantRodney Mobley Lead CustodianDaniel Ray Youth/CollegeMary Alice Seals Music/Senior AdultsJimmy Thompson CustodianS

TA

FF

Bible Verses for Daily UseFrom Reflections Adult Devotional Guide, Smyth & Helwys

Fri 7/14 – Psalm 44:1-8Sat 7/15 – Psalm 44:9-26Sun 7/16 – Ephesians 1:1-6Mon 7/17 – Ephesians 1:7-11Tue 7/18 – Ephesians 1:12-14 Wed 7/19 – John 14:25-27Th 7/20 – Ephesians 1:15-23Fri 7/21 – Ephesians 2:1-4Sat 7/22 – Ephesians 2:5-10Sun 7/23 – Ephesians 2:11-13Mon 7/24 – Ephesians 2:14-16

Tues 7/25 – Ephesians 2:17-22 Wed 7/26 – Matthew 28:16-20Th 7/27 – Ephesians 3:14-19Fri 7/28 – Ephesians 3:20-21Sat 7/29 – Psalm 47Sun 7/30 – Ephesians 4:1-6Mon 7/31 – Ephesians 4:7-1Tues 8/1 – Ephesians 4:11-16Wed 8/2 – Ephesians 4:17-32Th 8/3 – Ephesians 5:1-14 Fri 8/4 – Ephesians 5:15-21

The Record We Wrote

Sunday, July 2, 2017

Current Week Revenue $14,773.21

Month-to-Date Revenue $14,773.21

Year-to-Date Revenue $713,480.21

Month-to-Date Expenses (as of 7/3/17) $3,084.59

Year-to-Date Expenses $706,463.24

Heck-Jones Offering $9,214.00

Deacon on CallJuly 16-22

Laura Anne Vick

July 23-29Tom Childrey

July 30–August 5Tyson Graves

Return Service Requested

Gifts ReceivedWe gratefully acknowledge these

gifts received in June 2017.

Capital Repair & Replacement FundIn Honor of: Lou & Don Kline’s 60th

AnniversaryChurch Maintenance Endowment

In Memory of: Jack Moore

Clothing Ministry FundIn Honor of: Lou & Don Kline’s 60th

AnniversaryLibrary Fund

In Honor of: Lou & Don Kline’s 60th

AnniversaryMike Morris Fellowship Fund

In Memory of: Agnes B. Perry

Among Our Family Sympathy to John Hite, on the July 1

death of his brother, Thomas R. Hite of Hampton VA.

Words of ThanksDear friends,

Thank you for the many ways you have supported and sustained us in the most terrible time. While we are still numb to much of what was once “normal,” we feel the tender care as you walk this journey with us and we know that we are indeed blessed.

— Dorothy, John Lewie and Elaine Holley

We greatly appreciate all the people who made possible the celebration of our 60th Anniversary on June 17. Although it was a thrill for us to reconnect with many people from our other associations and experiences through the decades, the warmest expressions were from our many friends right here at First Baptist. We thank all those who honored us with their attendance and congratulatory messages.

— Lou and Don Kline

Thank you for your prayers, cards and concern for my husband and mother’s recent surgeries. I am thankful for FBC, not only as my workplace but also as my extended church family.

— Denise Arnold