The Contact Monthly Newsletter

July 2017 Volume 52, Number 7

“So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36

EVENTS AT A GLANCE

July 4, Independence Day, Church

Office Closed

July 12, WMU Salad Luncheon,

Fellowship hall11:30 A.M.

July 17, Finance Meeting, 9 A.M.

July 18, Deacons Meeting, 7 P.M.

July 23, Church Council, 2 p.m.

July 26, Covered Dish Meal, 5:45 p.m.

Church Conference, 6:30 p.m.

Complete monthly

Calendar on back.

To add an event to our

calendar, please contact the church office:

(910) 642-2139

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One of the hang-ups for atheists’ belief in God is the randomness of life and creation. To the casual observer there appears to be no rhyme or reason why things happen. Even the very idea of creation itself is shrouded in mystery to the scientific world, and the

belief in God just seems to many as an idle fairy tale religious people tell themselves to feel better about the inevitability of their own death.

The truth is, there is a great deal or randomness to this world and there are moments in our lives when things make no sense at all from a logical perspective. In the month of July, we will be exploring several of

the statements by Jesus about “The Kingdom of Heaven is like…” When Jesus speaks of the Kingdom of Heaven, it’s probably best that we perk our ears up and pay special attention.

Much of his teachings on the Kingdom of Heaven grants some validity to the randomness of this world and he actually grants a poetic flavor to the unpredictability of this world and the way it interacts with the Kingdom of Heaven. Please join us in worship throughout the month of July as we explore these sayings from Jesus in hopes that we may learn to live less “Randomly” and become more intentional in our involvement in the Kingdom of Heaven.

- Rev. Ryan Clore

Pastor’s Corner: “The Kingdom is Like . . .”

July 2

Proper 8

“Same Team”

Matthew 10:40-42

July 9 Proper 9

“Rest For Your Souls”

Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

July 16 Proper 10

“Tilling the Soil of Our Hearts”

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

July 23

Proper 11

“Shine, Christian, Shine!”

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

July 30

Proper 12

“Rich”

Matthew 13:31-33, 14:44-52

In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Ephesians 3:12

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Music in Ministry

For the summer months of July and August we will not have Wednesday Night Supper, Children’s Music Activity, Godly Play Children’s Activity. Chancel Choir will continue to meet in August at 7 p.m. for rehearsal.

Our Quarterly Church Conference Covered Dish meal will be held on July 26.

We will resume Wednesday Night Activities the Wednesday night after Labor Day (September 6).

If you are looking for keys or charger cords, stop by or call the church office. A couple of items were “located” during Vacation Bible School.

During the month of July the Chancel Choir will take a break from Wednesday night rehearsals. The choir will continue to sing in worship each Sunday.

The Children’s Choirs theme for 2017-2018 taken from Psalm 150 is All Creation Sings. We will offer a music time for ages 4 through grade 1 and grade 2 through grade 5. Details will be in the August newsletter. For now, put Wednesday, September 4 on your calendar.

Let everything that breathes praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!

Psalm 150:6

The 2017-2018 Music Ministry begins on Wednesday, September 4.

There is a choir for you! Join us this year!

Children’s Handchimes (for grades 1-5) Wednesday, 4:30 p.m.

Music Makers (for ages 4-grade 1) Wednesday, 5:00 p.m.

Young Musicians (for grades 2-5) Wednesday, 5:00 p.m.

The Chancel Choir (for Adults and Youth) Wednesday, 7:15 p.m.

Youth and Adult Handbells Sunday, 4:30 p.m.

Youth Choir (for grades 6-12) Sunday, 5:15 p.m.

Sing with Understanding (a devotional hymn study) Time tba

“I was lost, but now I’m found.” Thank you for returning my Bible and hymnal, Eddie.

Lost

and

Found

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July Members in Ministry Children’s Church

2 Grayanna Young 9 Gina Morningstar 16 Katherine Jordan Scott 23 Tricia Sanderson 30 Sherry Waters

Deacons of the Week

2 Brownie Cook / Bobby Hensley 9 Emory Worley / Merle Worley 16 Stephen Prince / David Jordan 23 Rose Langston / Kate Carter Lee 30 Emory Worley / Merle Worley

DVD Distribution

2 Peggy Walters 9 Hilda Butler 16 Rose Langston 23 Frances Price 30 Juanita Stanley Hospice Meal

21 Merle Worley

Sunday School Greeters

2 Clint & Carolyn Grainger 9 Bill & Jolene Lewis 16 Rose Langston & J.C. Hyatt 23 Jerry Wilson & Yvonne Bass

Sunday School Ministry

at Liberty

23 Ruth Believers Class

Ushers (Chairman: Joe

Hooks) 2 Ellis Jordan, David Carter, Emory Worley, Clint Grainger, Trent Young & John Norosky 9 Jerry Wilson, Travis Harrison, John Sauls, Buster Carter, Charlie Hall, & Mel Ray 16 Harry Ward, David Tedder, Emory Worley, Haywood Corbett & Edgar Tison 23 Buster Carter, Glenn Waters, David Heath, Grayson Ward & Charlie Hall 30 To Be Announced

Worship Service Greeter

Jackie Jones

Nursery

2 Genie Carter / Brenda Carter 9 Marty Ezzell / Anna Ezzell 16 Gina Morningstar 23 Gina Morningstar 30 Sandi Floyd

Offertory Pray-ers

2 Mary Jean Prince 9 Sandi Floyd 16 Haywood Corbett 23 Emory Worley 30 Sylvia Walker Offering Tellers

Pew Stocker

Charlie Duncan

Sound & Video

2 Jason Schoolcraft 9 Wil Ezzell 16 Kirby Sanderson 23 Eric Kronenwetter 30 Kirby Sanderson

Our Financial Stewardship

Worship Attendance Average: 105 Sunday School Attendance Average: 54

June 4, 2017- Attend 119 YTD

Budget Rec’d $6,523.00 Budget Needs to Date $295,321.32 Budget Needed $8,203.37 Budget Received YTD $212,708.09 Under $1,680.37 Budget Under YTD $82,613.23

_____________________________

June 11, 2017- Attend 117 YTD

Budget Rec’d $6,028.80 Budget Needs to Date $303,529.69 Budget Needed $8,203.37 Budget Received YTD $218,736.89 Under $2,174.57 Budget Under YTD $84,787.80

_____________________________

June 18, 2017- Attend 105 YTD

Budget Rec’d $6,274.00 Budget Needs to Date $311,728.06 Budget Needed $8,203.37 Budget Received YTD $225,010.89 Under $1,929.37 Budget Under YTD $86,717.17

_____________________________

June 25, 2017- Attend 96 YTD

Budget Rec’d $5,106.00 Budget Needs to Date $319,931.43 Budget Needed $8,203.37 Budget Received YTD $230,116.89 Under $3,097.37 Budget Under YTD $89,814.54

July Birthdays

2 Joanne Wall 3 Jayden Jackson 4 Juanita Tedder 7 J.C. Hyatt Blaine Littrell 8 Doris Davis Walton Dozier Megan Lynn 9 Jason Schoolcraft 12 Gayle Powell Billie Jayroe 15 Myrtle Cartrette Donna Prince

17 Tiffa Murray 18 Piper Powell 20 Barbara Long Delores Harrison Grace Mishoe 23 Hollis Salyer 24 Jim Warlick 25 Gregory Williams 27 David Fulp 28 Harrison Fowler 31 Catherine Cook Violet Mishoe

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FBC Spotlight This month’s Member Spotlight highlights Mary Alice Stanley.

We still need items donated for the yard sale! If you have items to donate, please contact the church office and Teresa will direct you to where to unload them.

Dear Women on Mission,

Thank you so much for the gift of bread and it’s message. I’m praying your new ministry and for the welcoming of new prospective members.

I live in Charlotte, but visit my mom, Mr. Bobbye Suggs from time to time. I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Love,

Gay Suggs Brown

Dear First Baptist Church,

Thank you for the new Bible I received following my graduation from Appalachian State in May. I feel blessed to have received a gift from my church family. The continued support from you all has certainly played a role in my well-being and successful completion of my undergraduate degree.

You all are in my thoughts and I hope to see you soon.

Tanner Morningstar

As you can see in the picture, Lizzy and I love to work in my flowers and yard. I grow roses and many other things and it keeps me quite busy. I am a hairdresser and am now working part-time. First Baptist has been my church since Tommy and I moved back here about 35 years ago. We have weathered some storms in our church but never wanted to leave. Our philosophy has always been that we would work through it and not let anything or any one cause us to leave. I love FBC and am so pleased to watch it grow.

I am a member of Whiteville Woman’s Civic League. We cook a lot of food for many events and the money goes back into our town in many ways. We give scholarships and help about 15 to 29 other causes.

I have a large loving family and we stay busy together. We all have moved back here. I don’t have children of my own, but I claim a lot of my family’s children and many of my friends have beautiful children they allow me to love and spoil!

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Announcements

WMU News

Ladies, you are invited to a Luncheon on Wednesday, July 12 at 11:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

There will be good food and fellowship followed by a program of scripture and inspirational music. Bring your favorite salad and join the WMU and church staff as we enjoy a refreshing summertime meal together.

2016-2017 Watchword: "I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings". (1 Cor. 9:22b-23 NIV)

Lennon Scholarship Fund

Mr. J.C. and Mrs. Lizzie Lennon established an endowment fund in First Baptist Church of Whiteville for the purpose of financially assisting college students through two scholarships.

The first scholarship is the J.C. and Lizzie Lennon Christian Ministries Scholarship, and it has been established to assist a student interested in preparing for the Christian Ministry. The second scholarship is the J.C. and Lizzie Lennon General Studies Scholarship and it has been established to assist a student in pursuing education in one of the North Carolina colleges or universities.

The qualifications are that the student must be an active member or regular participant in the activities of First Baptist Church and be accepted to attend or attending an accredited college or university.

The awarding of scholarships will be based on financial need, scholastic achievements and references.

Mr. and Mrs. Lennon’s goal was to help young followers of Christ achieve success in their life.

Applications may be obtained from the church office.

Deadline to Submit Applications to the church office is July 15, 2017.

Vacation Bible School

A very special “Thanks” goes out to Donna Prince and Karen Dawsey for all of their passion and hard work and putting together such a successful VBS all the way round. We had nearly 50 people working together to make VBS a good experience for the children. We are so thankful for everyone that had a part in making this year’s “Fruit of the Spirit” VBS a huge success!

Congratulations to Mom & Dad, Katherine and Ethan Scott, and Grandma & Grandpa, Sue and David Jordan on the arrival of River Langdon Scott, Sunday, June 19, 8 lbs. 1 oz.

We are so happy for you all!

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Ministry Opportunity

The Transportation Committee is looking for members who may be interested in plugging into a rotation for picking up folks in our community who do not have transportation to church on Sunday mornings. If you are interested in serving in this capacity, please contact our church office. Thank you in advance for your consideration of plugging in with this ministry!

Quarterly Church Conference

Our next Quarterly Church Conference is scheduled for July 26, 2017. If you are new to our Quarterly Church Conference, we meet after Wednesday Night Supper, which is a covered dish meal, to discuss the changes/activities during the last quarter. This is our opportunity to see what committees are working on and where they could use our help. If you are looking for service opportunities, this will be the perfect time to get the full overview of church activity. If you are a chair of a committee, please remember that all committee/organizational reports need to be turned in to the church office by Wednesday, July 19. Please join us to get a better view of how your church is ministering to its members and to the community.

Did You Know?

Did You Know…

The liturgical colors we share in worship are rich in meaning and significance. Briefly, the colors represent themes that are associated with each of the seasons of the liturgical year. You will see the colors present on the Bible bookmark in our sanctuary and also on the cross.

Purple is the color we use during the seasons of Advent and Lent. During the Advent season the color purple represents a time of hope, expectation and preparation for the coming of Christ. It is the color of royalty. Today, the color Blue, also representing royalty, has become a popular alternate color to differentiate Advent from the Lenten season.

During the season of Lent the color of purple represents penitence, repentance and renewal, all associated with Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness as he prayed and fasted to prepare for his earthly ministry.

White, a celebratory color, symbolizes purity, holiness, virtue, light and life. It also represents respect and reverence. White is displayed during the high Holy Days of Christmas and Easter. It is also the color used for baptism, marriage,

dedications, and ordination of ministers. It is used for funerals as a symbol of the resurrection.

Red is the color that symbolizes fire and blood. It is used on the days when we celebrate the passion of Jesus, Passion (Palm) Sunday and Good Friday.

On Palm Sunday the color red is used to represent the anticipation of the crucifixion of Christ. Red may be substituted on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday to represent the pain, suffering and death of Christ. The color black may be substituted on Good Friday.

Red is also the color of fire and symbolizes the presence of God. It is the color used on the Day of Pentecost representing the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Green is the color of living things and God’s creation. It refers to our growth in Christ, as well as the growth of God’s Spirit within us. Green is used to represent the longest liturgical season after Pentecost. The color green also represents the season of Epiphany.

Knowing the significance of why we use colors in our services gives direction to the way we prepare our hearts to worship and serve. Look for the meaning in other symbols you see in our services, and if you have a question about something you don’t understand or something you would like us to discuss in the “Did You Know” section, we encourage you to contact the church office.

(adapted from www.crivoice.org/symbols/colorsmeaning.html, www.saintgabriels.org/seasons-and-colors.html, The Services of the Christian Year, Volume V, Star

Song Publishing Group, Nashville, TN, 1994.

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July 2017

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

We will not have Wednesday Night Supper,

Children’s Music Activity, Godly Play Children’s Program,

Prayer Meeting, Bible Study, or Chancel Choir during July.

2 9:45 Sunday School 10:30 Chancel Choir Warmup 11:00 Morning Worship & Children’s Worship

3 10:00 Staff Meeting

4:00 - 6:00 Knit Wits

(Knitting Ministry)

4

Independence Day

5

6

7 8

9 9:45 Sunday School 10:30 Chancel Choir Warmup 11:00 Morning Worship & Children’s Worship

10 10:00 Staff Meeting 4:00 - 6:00 Knit Wits

(Knitting Ministry)

11

12 11:30 WMU Salad Luncheon

13 10:00 Peer Learning Group for Pastor

14 12:00 Hospice Meals Served

15

16 9:45 Sunday School 10:30 Chancel Choir Warmup 11:00 Morning Worship & Children’s Worship

17

9:00 Finance CMTE Meeting 10:00 Staff Meeting 4:00 - 6:00 Knit Wits (Knitting Ministry)

18 7:00 Deacons Meeting

19

20

21

22

23 9:45 Sunday School Ruth Believers Class at Liberty Commons

10:30 Chancel Choir Warmup 11:00 Morning Worship & Children’s Worship 2:00 Church Council

24

10:00 Staff Meeting

4:00 - 6:00 Knit Wits

(Knitting Ministry)

25

26 5:45 Covered Dish Meal 6:30 Church Conference

27 28 29

30 9:45 Sunday School 10:30 Chancel Choir Warmup 11:00 Morning Worship & Children’s Worship

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FBC contact Information: Phone - 910-642-2139, Email - fbcoffice@embarqmail.com, Web - www.fbcwhiteville.com

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Sunday Morning Worship www.wtxy1540.com, Audio Streaming Live………at 11:00 a.m.

Scroll to the “Click to Listen Live” link

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Permit #88

Whiteville, NC 28472

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

First Baptist Church

412 North Madison Street

Whiteville, NC 28472-3298