first connections lauren mccollister, minister of music and director of children’s ministry...
TRANSCRIPT
First Connections Volume 48 Issue 2 February 2018
A Publication of First Baptist Church
408 College Street
Clinton, North Carolina 28328
Pastor’s Notes
Ministerial Staff
Dr. Ray Ammons Senior Pastor 704-214-2147 [email protected]
Mr. Daniel Elliott Minister to Students and Families 865-809-4839 [email protected]
Miss Lauren McCollister, Minister of Music and Director of Children’s Ministry 443-521-9888
Support Staff Miss Paula Peters, Business Manager [email protected]
Ms. Ruth Ann Johnson, Administrative Secretary [email protected]
Mr. Bill Dunlap, Finance Administrator
Mr. Jack Hamilton, Caretaker
Mr. Jeff Draughon, Custodian
Miss Angela Ruggles, Media-Library Director
Request Information
FIRST BAPTIST NEWS (USPS 898-960) is published
monthly by First Baptist Church, 408 College Street,
Clinton, NC, 28328. Periodical postage paid at Clinton, NC.
Postmaster: Send address changes to First Baptist Church,
408 College Street, Clinton, NC, 28328.
Our Sunday morning service is heard every Sunday at 11:00 a.m. on WCLN radio, 1170 AM. You may also hear us on StarVision cable channel 16.
Phones
Church Office: 910-592-8124
FAX: 910-592-6109
Visit Us On the Web:
www.clintonfirstbaptist.org
Our church staff
Our Mission
“The purpose of First
Baptist Church is to
honor God as we love and minister to all
people, witness to them of our life-changing
Savior, lead them into the fellowship of His
church, and nurture them in Christian
growth.”
The first ten years of my professional life was spent teaching high school math and coaching football and baseball. One of the best coaches I ever worked with during my coaching career was Clyde Parrish. He was known, not only for his successful leadership in high school athletics, but for his dry wit, tall tales, and comedic “wisdom.” He once gave me some “advice.” While attending the annual N. C. Coaches Clinic, we left together as a staff to go to dinner. Coach Parrish instructed me, “Ray, keep your eyes open as you go down this hallway.” Curiously I asked, “Why?” “Because,” he responded, “you will look pretty silly walking down the hall with your eyes closed.” As we all shared a good laugh, I responded, “I’ll try to remember that.” I try to keep that in mind, as well, when I am driving and praying. Even though we practice prayer with bowed heads and eyes shut and even though there are many times when I pray as I travel, I keep my eyes open. This makes for good devotion and a safer highway. Whether traveling, teaching, typing, taking care of daily tasks, or taking real time for Christian reflection we can be prayerful without physically bowing our heads and closing our eyes. It simply, yet significantly, requires we be fully aware of the moment-by-moment presence of the living God. He offers to us the resources of His love, wisdom, and strength throughout each day. We just need to call on the Lord and claim his promised closeness. The need for dedicated prayer with humble, physical genuflection is vital and essential. There may be, however, those times when we are traversing a hallway of life and need the assurance of our communion with God. Consider the joy of knowing we can talk with God at any moment, in any context of any day. He will be there and in his eyes and in his heart we will never look “silly.”
Blessings, Ray
Lenten Lunches Begin Ash Wednesday, February 14 First United Methodist Church
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent, 40 days prior to Easter (Sundays are not included in the count). The annual Lenten Lunches will begin on Wednesday, February 14, at 12:00 noon. Cost for lunch this year is $5.
2018 Lenten Lunch Speakers Schedule
Feb. 14 Rev. T.R. Miller, First United Methodist Church Feb. 21 Dr. Ray Ammons, First Baptist Church Feb. 28 Dr. Gary Threatt, Grove Park Baptist Church March 7 Rev. Ken Turner, Sharon PH Church March 14 Rev. Tony Calhoun, Grace United Methodist Church March 21 Rev. Daniel Cenci, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church March 28 Rev. Thaddeus Godwin, Lisbon Street Baptist Church
Sunday, February 4, 2018
Don’t let football be the only thing on your mind this Sunday. Be sure to donate ONE can of soup and ONE dollar in Sunday morning worship. All proceeds will be used locally to fight hunger.
First Connections February, 2018
Memory of Catherine Bissette Memory of Sumner Eakes Given by: Blossom Harris
Memory of Louise Honrine Given by: Gurley H. Quinn
Memory of Erwin (Bill) Lee Given by: Dennis & Beverly Best
Sandra Sanders Jerry & Ann Merritt
Bill & Sue Miller Frank & Ann Boyette
Donald & Annell Starling Bill & Alta Starling
Tommy & Linda Combs Bill & Kay Frazier
Sara Pope J.A. & Debra Reeves
Memory of Thurston Little Given by: Florence Latimer
Jerry & Ann Merritt Bill & Alta Starling
Tart & Sue Lee Tommy & Linda Combs
Bill & Kay Frazier Joyce Williams
Memory of Jesse Marshburn
Given by: Frankie Marshburn Ostroff
Memory of Marsha Jackson Powell
Given by: Ann Matthis
Memory of Lois Wright Given by: Jerry & Ann Merritt
Dennis & Beverly Best Bill & Sue Miller
Memory of Donald Pridgen
Memory of Buck McCullen
Memory of Gene Twisdale
Given by: Carlton & Pat Albritton
Memory of Erwin (Bill) Lee
Memory of Thurston Little
Memory of Carol Raynor
Memory of Hubert Weeks
Given by: Jane Kaleel
Memory of Jean Townsend
Memory of Jesse Marshburn
Memory of Bobby Leon Clifton
Memory of Lina Howard
Memory of Sumner Eakes
Memory of Catherine Bissette
Memory of Martha Carberry
Memory of Bill Jones, Sr.
Memory of Estel Simmons
Memory of Rose Kaleel Bissette
Memorials (Dec. 27-Jan. 28) Please Remember in Prayer — Our Church Family Bobby & Glenda Bunker, Sam McCullen, Faye S. Warren
Our Homebound Joe Butler, John Daly, Marianna Dawkins, Willa Dean House, Jane Kaleel, Vara Matthis, Terry Penny, Juanita Rich, Frances Tart, Margie Woodall
Nursing Home and Skilled Care Margaret Boykin, Mary Gran 502 Carla Goodwin, Mary Gran 415 Doris Lewis, Mary Gran 411 R.J. Underwood, Mary Gran 211 Lesley Godwin, Southwood 110 Nancy Kitchin, Southwood 408
Ruby Nunnery, Harnett Woods Dunn
Extended Church Family & Friends
Glenda Barber (Gina Hamilton’s mother)
Merle Brown (Lee Brown’s uncle)
Todd Daane (Becky Todd’s nephew)
Tommy & Ann Glover
Emily Godwin
Ina Ruth Jones (Lisa Johnson’s mother)
Cheryl Kennedy (Cathy Ammons’ sister)
Lloyd & Jane McGowan (Amela Sutton’s parents)
Zack Millican (Becky Todd’s great-nephew)
Our Soup Kitchen ministry
Tim’s Gift Ministry
Kay Turner, Sue Singleton, Shelter of Love in Cambodia.
David & Heather Webb (City on a Hill Ministry)
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First Connections February, 2018
Condolences The pastor and church family express deepest sympathy to the family of Thurston Little.
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Glenda Herring Lyman Horne Ruth Ann Parker Byron Reeves Nancy Butler Terri Gainey Oliver Brooks Stafford Linda Wright Ruth Roderick Langdon Foley Britt Starling Bill Dunlap Jeff Nethercutt Henry Moore IV
Cathy Ammons Bill Johnson Gracie Moore Jerry Merritt Lew Starling Ronald Jackson Ellery Bowker Sydney Simmons Jodi Hall Notre Yarborough Steve Lamb Kelsey Jones Bevan Matthews Doug Warren
Steve Foley Beth Beasley
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February Birthdays
February Greeter Schedule
4 Donald & Carolyn Wrench
11 Bill & Alta Starling
18 George & Debbie Raynor
25 Fred & Judy Cumbo
February Nursery Schedule Feb. 4 Georganne Carlton & Lynn Underwood Feb. 11 Kaitlin & Jeremy Adkins, Jenna Grace Bowker Feb. 18 Erika Starling & Cheryl Norris Feb. 25 Lesley & Byron Reeves, Taylor Spell
If you are unable to be in the nursery on your Sunday, please arrange to trade with someone on the list. Also, please update the church office with those changes. Thanks!
A/V Assignment for February Jerry Merritt
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Monetary Committee for February
5 Linda Combs, Fred Cumbo, David Jones
12 Ruth Roderick, Notre Yarborough, Bonnie Matthews
20 Teresa Underwood, Kay Richardson, Mary Ann Hobbs
26 Ann Merritt, Tenna Autry
If you are unable to count on your designated day, please find
someone to switch with. The alternates are Bill Miller.
February Meals on Wheels Schedule
Monday’s Wednesday's
5 Gracie Moore & 7 Jerry Hatch & Joyce Lippard Donald Wrench 12 Pat & Dempsey Craig 14 Volunteer Needed 19 Linda Combs & 21 Volunteers Needed Bonnie Matthews 26 Kay Richardson 28 Volunteers Needed
If you are unable to serve on your assigned date, please exchange dates with someone else or call 592-5604.
Senior Adult Activities
Visits to Homebound is the 1st Monday of the month at 10:00 a.m.
Nursing Home Visitation is the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m.
Other Activities are announced as planned. Please join us!
Sunday Worship Schedule 9:00 am Library Open (11:00 am closed) 9:45 am Sunday School for all ages 11:00 am Morning Worship 5:30 pm Youth Fellowship
Food Pantry for February
During February, we are collecting Soup and Crackers for the Food Pantry. Items must be brought to the church by Monday, February 19, 2018.
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Expressions of Appreciation Dear First Baptist Family,
We would like to thank each of you for the nice food box at Christmas, and for your many acts of kindness throughout the year. You are greatly appreciated.
Love in Christ, Notre Yarborough and Terry Penny
Thank you so much for your generous contribution to the Community Resource Council for the inmates’ Christmas dinner. This enabled us to feed 475 inmates at Sampson Correctional on December 21, 2017. The CRC Board of Volunteers Chick Gancer, President
First Connections February, 2018
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First Connections February, 2018
JOY Club
Christmas Party
The JOY club (Senior Adults) had their annual New Year’s Lunch in the Fellowship Hall on Monday, January 1. The food and fellowship were wonderful. It was great seeing all our friends again after the busy Christmas season. Faye B. Warren welcomed and thanked everyone who helped in any way. It was good to have Bobby Warren back to make his yummy corn sticks. Al Roderick presented a program based on the book of John and talked about New Year’s resolutions. Dr. Ray Ammons thanked Faye and the crew for a wonderful meal, then closed with prayer. Plates were sent to all our homebound members.
Precious Gems
The “Precious Gems” met on Tuesday, January 16. Judy Cumbo presented a moving devotional about how precious we are in God’s sight. We truly are his “gems”. Penny Lockerman led everyone in our chair exercises. It was good to flex those muscles again, no pain, no gain! We than enjoyed playing bingo—everyone is a winner. We than went to Ted’s Steakhouse for a nice lunch. It was so good to get back into the swing of things. Remember: never be so busy that you steal the joy that only God can give you.
If you would like to be included in any of our events, call Faye B. Warren, Linda Combs or Ruth Ann
Upcoming Senior Adult Events
Sunday, February 4
Senior Adult Council meeting, 4:00 p.m.
Monday, February 5
We will visit our homebound on the second Monday this month. We will meet at the church at 10:00 a.m.
Saturday, February 10
Senior Adult Valentines Banquet at 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Cost is $3 at the door.
Tuesday, February 13 Nursing Home visitation at Mary Gran and Southwood, We will leave the church at 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, February 20 “Precious Gems” at 10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We will have lunch somewhere close by. Wednesday, February 21 First Baptist will host the Lenten Lunch at 12:00 noon at First United Methodist Church.
Senior Happenings 4
FBC to Host Lifeline Screenings
Life Line Screening, a leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings, will be in our community on Monday, March 19, 2018 at First Baptist Church. Ultrasound screenings to Identify risk factors for Cardiovascular disease include; Carotid Artery (plaque buildup-a leading cause of stroke), Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (an enlargement or weak area in the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body), Peripheral Arterial Disease (hardening of the arteries in the legs), a Heart Rhythm Screening (an EKG to detect Atrial Fibrillation-irregular heartbeat) and an Osteoporosis Risk Assessment for men and women. Being proactive about your health by knowing your risks helps you and your doctor address problems early.
Register online TODAY at www.lifelinescreening.com/communitycircle and receive your “Community Circle”
discount and your Preferred Appointment
Men’s Breakfast February 11
First Baptist will host the next Men’s Breakfast on Sunday, February 11, at 8:15 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. All men and boys are invited to attend. If you have not attended before, this is a good opportunity to do so. Mark your calendars!
Valentines Supper Saturday, February 10
5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall Cost: $3 per person at the door
Sign up outside the church office! Entertainment will be provided by Justin and Kristen Spell.
RISE UP — REACH OUT Saturday, February 24
Sampson County Expo Center Praise-Worship-Music-Speakers-Food
1:30-Youth Registration 2-3:30-Youth Home Missions 2-4:00-Come meet Missionaries and enjoy
activities 4-5:00-Celebration Hour (Band and Speakers) 5-6:00-Mission Hour 6-7:00-Praise and Worship Hour
Speakers include: Dwayne Dunning, Russ Emanuel, Sue Fann, Tyler Jernigan and MORE!
Food Court from 3:00—6:00: Hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pizza, fries, sweets and drinks! (priced individually) Proceeds go to Love of Christ Ministry. This is a free event. All are welcome. Come and experience HIS love.
Spring Bible Study There will be a six-week Bible study offered in April and May based on Beth Moore’s newest book, The Quest. This study will be a quest of faith to deepen your intimacy with God. We cannot grow as Christ followers if we are not in God’s Word. Make plans to attend and GROW!
Everyone enjoyed a church wide New Year’s Lunch on Monday, January 1.
Attention Youth! We will be participating in the Rise Up-Reach Out event on Saturday, February 24. We will arrive at 1:30 for registration, and then each youth is free to choose which mission group they would like to participate in. The mission projects will be based either in the expo center, or out at the nursing homes. This will be a great event, so please put this date on your calendar.
Nursing Home residents enjoy visits from their First Baptist family.
Ruth Ann and Mabel Parker shared their musical talents on Sunday, January 21.
A new sound system was recently installed in our Sanctuary.
First Connections February, 2018
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Memorials (continued)
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
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4:30 pm Youth Council
7:00 pm Church Council
1:00 pm Haitian Worship, Chapel
ASH WEDNESDAY
First Connections February, 2018
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Wednesday Worship Schedule 5:00 pm Library Open (7:30 pm closed) 5:15 pm Family Supper 6:00 pm Pastor’s Bible Study Youth Bible Study (Grades 6-12) Children’s Choir (K-5) Half-Notes Choir (Toddlers-Pre-K) 6:30 pm Children in Action (K-5) Mission Friends (Toddlers-Pre-K) 7:00 pm Adult Choir Practice
Soup Kitchen, 4:00-6:00 pm
Sunday Schedule 9:00 am Library Open (until 11:00 am) 9:45 am Sunday School 11:00 am Morning Worship in the Sanctuary 5:30 pm Youth Bible Study & Snack Supper
February 2018
AA 8:00 pm, Social Hall
Al-Anon
Deadline for Food Pantry
Items
10:00 am Homebound
Visitation
1:00 pm Haitian Worship, Chapel
6:00 pm Children’s Talent Showcase
AA 8:00 pm, Social
Hall Al-Anon
10:00 am History Committee in the
Library
AA 8:00 pm, Social
Hall Al-Anon
“Precious Gems”, 10:00 am in the Fellowship Hall
1:00 pm Haitian Worship, Chapel 2:00 pm Shower
4:00 pm Sr. Adult Council
5:30 pm Children’s Council
6:00 pm Youth Super Bowl Party
Lenten Lunch 12 noon, FUMC
Soup Kitchen, 4:00-6:00 pm
AA 8:00 pm, Social
Hall Al-Anon
8:15 am Men’s Breakfast at FBC 1:00 pm Haitian Worship, Chapel
7:00 pm Deacon’s Meeting
10:00 am Nursing Home
Visitation
Soup Kitchen, 4:00-6:00 pm
Soup Kitchen, 4:00-6:00 pm
Sr. Adult Valentines
Banquet, 5 pm
Monetary Committee,
9:00 am
Welcome New Members We would like to extend a warm welcome to the church family to Lyman and Penny Latimer Horne, who joined on Sunday, January 7.
J.A.M. (Jesus and Me) Weekend
FBC Host Lenten Lunch
12 noon at FUMC
Lenten Lunch 12 noon, FUMC
1:30 Youth to “Rise Up, Reach
Out” Conference,
Sampson Expo Center
Scout Sunday
David Wilkerson by Gary Wilkerson
The Color of Grace by Bethany Haley Williams
In the Grip of Grace by Max Lucado
The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines
The Insanity of God by Nik Ripken
The Insanity of Obedience by Nik Ripken
What’s NEW In the Church Library
Music Notes for FBC Kids Children’s Choir and Half Notes SAVE THE DATES.
The children will sing during worship on February 25, March 25, April 29 and May 20. Choirs will continue to meet on Wednesdays, during the school year, from 6:00 until 6:30 p.m. Children are also encouraged to sign up to participate in the “How Great Thou Art” Talent Showcase on Sunday, February 25, at 6:00 p.m.
We’re excited about making a joyful noise with you in 2018!
Blessings,
Mrs. Margo and Mrs. Lindsay
You are cordially invited to a Wedding Shower honoring
Charlie Powell and Megan Carlton Sunday, February 4, 2018
from 2:00 until 4:00 in the afternoon in the Social Hall at
First Baptist Church 408 College Street, Clinton, NC
J.A.M. Weekend Calling ALL 3rd, 4th, and
5th Graders!! Grab your sleeping bag, pillow
and more because it’s time for a
weekend of Fun Galore!
February 9, it’s a Friday, so don’t miss out! We begin at 6:00 p.m., so come see what it’s about! Jesus is Lord, we know this is true, so bring a friend, we hope that you do. Faith, Food, Fellowship, Fun—You’ll have to come see,
because the time has come for Jesus and Me (JAM
Weekend)
Deadline for
March
Newsletter
Memory of Wade Woodall
Memory of Zelma Thomasson
Memory of Ernestine Lamm
Memory of Carol Raynor
Memory of Frances Merritt
Memory of Hubert Weeks
Memory of Nell Williamson
Memory of Bill Tart
Memory of Zelma Butler
Memory of Ronnie King
Memory of Sue Montgomery
Memory of Gene Mercer
Memory of Linda Jackson McLamb
Memory of Elenor King
Memory of Vicki B. Bass
Memory of Mike Bass
Memory of Ruth Strickland
Memory of Steve King
Given by: Pat & Dempsey Craig
Memory of Zelma Thomasson
Memory of Carol Raynor
Memory of Julia Sutton
Memory of Frances Merritt
Memory of Hubert Weeks
Memory of Zelma Butler
Given by: Bobby & Carole Robinson