The Encouraging Place along with First Baptist Church and the North Carolina Society of Hispanic Professionals (NCSHP) cordially invites you to “Who Is My Neighbor?” on Saturday, May 4, at 9:30am here at the church.
The morning will start off with a coffee meet-and-greet and then at 10am, there will be a panel discussion featuring representatives from various Latino countries who will share insights into their unique cultures and discuss their experiences as our neighbors. Additionally, the panelists will address common stereotypes perpetuated by the media and provide a more accurate and nuanced view of their communities.
This promises to be an informative and enlightening discussion that will foster greater understanding and appreciation of our diverse neighbors. Contact Reggie Edwards with The Encouraging Place (theencouragingplace.org or 919-649-6287) with questions.
Our regularly scheduled church conference will be held Wednesday, April 24, at 6:15pm. Please note that our prayer time will begin at 6pm, so the conference can begin on time. The Zoom link is below, as well as a call-in number for those who would rather join via phone. On Wednesday, we will vote on whether to adopt the by-law amendment presented at the February 28 church conference. Our by-laws require 50 members in attendance (in-person and Zoom) in order to transact business. Please make plans to attend so we can vote on important matters for our church.
The following documents will be referenced during the conference:
Church conference agenda
Finance chair summary report
Finance report
Draft minutes of February church conference
Trustee Recommendation for By-law Amendment
View via Zoom with this link
meeting ID: 850 6201 7518, passcode: wDefe3.
To view the speaker throughout the presentation, click the three dots
on the right portion of the screen and choose “pin this video.”
If you would prefer to call in,
use 646-558-8656, meeting ID: 850 6201 7518 Passcode: 490422.
Our annual spring music celebration program will be Wednesday, May 1, at 6:15 pm in the fellowship hall.
Every week, our hallways on Wednesday evening are resonant with music, as we gather across the generations to play, ring, and sing our weekly prayers and praises.
According to theologian, Martin Luther, after the Word of God, the gift of music is most deserving of praise for allowing us such a range of expression. And further, he added, it is best applied in the praise of God.
Opening to music awakens our senses to experience the full compass of life. Its ups and downs, its seasons of joy and sorrow, and its rhythms of exuberance and reflection. Music reminds us that we are surrounded by mystery, that we live in a wide world with many songs and sounds, and that everyone is acceptable because of who they are.
We will hear performances by our Pre-K/Kindergarten and Grade-School Choirs and our children and leaders will be recognized. We will also enjoy a performance by the Evening Bells. We hope you will make plans to join us!
Wednesday, April 24
5:15pm Meal served (FH)
5:45pm Children’s music (301/307/311)
6:15pm Church conference (FH)
6:30pm Children’s missions (PS/CS)
6:30pm Handbell rehearsal (302)
7:30pm Adult choir rehearsal (310/S)
Thursday, April 25
7am Band of Brothers (Zoom)
10:30am Thirty-Niners lunch outing (Amedeo’s Italian Restaurant)
Saturday, April 27
11am Memorial service for Janice Osborne (S)
Sunday, April 28
9am Nominating Committee meeting (CR)
9:45am Sunday School
11am FBC worship/Lynn Lingafelt preaching (S/YouTube)
11am JBC worship (226)
5pm Youth choir (choir room)
6pm Youth supper (301)
6:30pm Youth program (301/Blue Room)
Monday, April 29
Clothing ministry open
6:30pm Music Made in Heaven (302)
Tuesday, April 30
10am Staff meeting (CR)
10:45am WMU Group 2 (Springmoor)
1pm WMU Group 2 (Independence Village)
1:30pm Yoga (302)
Wednesday, May 1
5:15pm Meal served (FH)
5:45pm Children’s music (301/307/311)
6:15pm Children’s Music Celebration (FH)
7:30pm Adult choir rehearsal (310/S)
Click here for full calendar of FBC activities
The process of compiling a digital or hard copy pictorial directory for our church membership and staff is underway! The photographer is hired, days and times for photo sittings are established, volunteers to compile the contact information are ready and eager to begin their work, and a printing company has been selected.
Helen Hill Photography will be at our church, in room 224, to photograph members, ministers, and staff from Monday, April 29, to Saturday, May 11. Each sitting will take five minutes on the following days and times:
Mon, April 29 from 10-3pm
Tues., April 30 from 10-2pm
Wed., May 1 from 4-6pm
Fri, May 3 from 9:30-1:30pm
Sat, May 4 from 9:30-1pm
Mon, May 6 from 9:30-1:30pm
Tues, May 7 from 9:30-1:30pm
Wed, May 8 from 4-6pm
Thurs, May 9 from 10-1pm
Sat, May 11 from 9:30-12pm
There are three ways that you may sign up for a slot:
• Diane Ellis has the sign-up sheet and you can either text (919-610-6606) or email her to schedule a time for your sitting.
• The sign-up sheet will be available in the lobby before and after Wednesday activities and after worship on Sundays.
• Click this link for the sign-up genius online.
Church directories are no longer complimentary. For the first time, our church will be charged for the photo sittings and for the printing. To offset the cost, we are asking that each family unit pay $10 for the sitting. Please be prepared to pay that when you arrive for your sitting. You may pay cash, by check made out to the church, or by using the kiosk in the church office. Please plan to arrive a few minutes before your scheduled time in order to confirm your contact information and pay for the sitting.
Once the photos are all taken, the directory will be compiled by Diane Ellis, with the help of Myra Brickell, Carolyn Dickens, and Dennis Ellis. It will then go to Metro Productions for printing. We estimate having the digital directory ready by June 10 and hope to have the hard copies no later than June 24.
You may purchase a high-resolution digital copy of your family photo directly from the photographer. An image of an individual is $25; of a couple, $40; of a family of 3, $50; and of more than 3, $15 additional per person.
The cover of our directory will be the image of our banner on the outside of our building. Our goal is 100% participation for photos. Our purpose is to build community within and among our membership. Direct any questions to Diane Ellis.
Wednesday, April 24: Psalm 95; Micah 7:8-20; Mark 14:26-31
Thursday, April 25: Psalm 22:25-31; Amos 8:1-7; Acts 8:1b-8
Friday, April 26: Psalm 22:25-31; Amos 8:11-13; Acts 8:9-25
Saturday, April 27: Psalm 22:25-31; Amos 9:7-15; Mark 4:30-32
Sunday, April 28: Acts 8:26-40; Psalm 22:25-31; 1 John 4:7-21; John 15:1-8
Monday, April 29: Psalm 80; Isaiah 5:1-7; Galatians 5:16-26
Tuesday, April 30: Psalm 80; Isaiah 32:9-20; James 3:17-18
After many years, we have a new phone system in place! The new system includes an automated attendant, and you must dial an extension to speak to a person.
To contact a minister or staff person directly, you may enter their extension number at any time or press 9 for a spoken directory. Extensions for all of our staff can be found on our website.
General extension list:
Weather cancellations – 1
The Infant Toddler Center – 2
Weekday Preschool – 3
For a list of current prayer concerns – 4
To leave a non-confidential prayer request – 6
For information about financial assistance through the Fellowship Fund – 7
A spoken directory – 9
Our church librarians are starting a new initiative to keep the congregation better informed about opportunities available in the library. Periodically, we plan to highlight a book or series we believe readers will find important, helpful, and entertaining. We will include books from all areas of the library collection. Our first selection is Kristin Hannah’s current #1 best-seller, The Women.
In this book, set in the Vietnam War era, Kristin Hannah writes about war from a woman’s experience and perspective. The main character is Frankie McGrath, a young nurse from a wealthy California family. When she volunteers for the Army Nurse Corps, she is sent immediately to a field hospital in Vietnam where she experiences all the horrors of war. She often fears she can not continue but soldiers on providing unbelievable service to her country. On the softer side, she develops relationships that will remain vibrant for the rest of her life. When the war ends, she returns home to an angry country and is greeted by all the negative responses that Vietnam veterans experienced. She is often told there were no women in Vietnam even though she knew over 10,000 women had served in the war.
The Women is one of the best books I have read in years, Kristin Hannah has painted such vivid images I felt I was actually there. She said she wanted to prove to the world that “women can be heroes too” and she has done that without question. While The Women is often emotionally draining, it is an important book that is well worth reading.
—Joe Webb
We are thrilled to announce the long-awaited debut of the new sound system in our sanctuary this Sunday, April 14! After years of waiting, we can finally offer our community what we hope will be an unparalleled audio experience during our worship services. Gone are the days of popping wireless mics, unheard benedictions, and screeching feedback. Our new sound system has been carefully crafted to deliver the highest-quality audio possible for our historic sanctuary. As with every new system, there will be a bit of a learning curve, so we ask for your patience as our sound team learns the ins and outs of this new technology! We are especially grateful for our Ad Hoc committee that has guided this planning process including Alan Taylor, Dennis Ellis, Charles Petty, Carolyn Dickens, Royce Willmschen, Maria Childrey, Hollis Yelverton, and Jesse Vogel. We hope to see you on Sunday!
