FINDING FUN WHEN

THE SLOPES ARE CLOSED . . .

This weekend FBC Raleigh went on the annual churchwide, intergenerational ski trip. Twenty-one folks packed up . . . many in the van, some driving separately, ready for some fun on the slopes. Unfortunately, Saturday was a rainy mess. The FBC crew decided to give it their best effort and brave the conditions as long as the slopes were open . . . then BOOM! Out of nowhere, the power went out and the ski lifts shut down. In an instant, many thought the trip was over. However, I am so happy that we all persevered! We enjoyed lunch at the lodge before heading back to the cabins at Pipestem. The youth took advantage of the heated indoor pool as well as playing games and hanging out! Adults delighted in a little relaxation and time to catch up with friends, many of whom they hadn’t seen in a while. We basked in a wonderful fire made out of “green” wood that shouldn’t burn, but Dan made it happen. Dinner was amazing and we found we have some great cooks amongst us who can doctor up any jarred spaghetti sauce to taste gourmet! We all were able to gather together in one cabin for a fun “progressive dinner." The main course was in one cabin, s'mores in another! I know I enjoyed seeing all ages interact as well as being with a group of folks who might not normally get to spend time with one another, all of them making the best of what many might have said was a bust! What I learned is that perhaps the most wonderful part about the ski trip isn’t about the skiing at all, and I can’t wait to sign up next year.  - Crystal Bacon

SALT SHAKERS 2024

It is time to sign up for Salt Shakers 2024! This is a great way to get to know people in your church family with whom you might never spend an evening otherwise. There will be four dinner dates scattered throughout the year. These dates are not set in stone; alternative dates can be determined by the participants of the group, and if you still can't make it on the date chosen by your group, a sub can be found. Each individual or couple that signs up will be assigned to a dinner group with three other individuals or couples, and the groups will change for every dinner. You will only host once, and don't let hosting keep you from participating — if that is not an option for you, we will easily figure that out. Please email Jessica Helms by January 17 to sign up.

NEW CHECK-IN FOR WEDNESDAY NIGHTS

Beginning January 10, every person eating Wednesday night supper must check-in with our volunteer collection team before getting their meal. Even if you have pre-paid online, please check-in with our volunteer. We recognize that many of you do this every week, but many do not. This is just an attempt to streamline our process and make sure every person is checked off the reservation list. A volunteer will be stationed in the Lewis Lobby with the Wednesday night supper reservation list. You may reserve your spot at this link on the website or by calling the church office. The volunteer will check-in your family and collect payment for the meal - we accept cash, checks, or credit cards.

Please note the slight increase in the cost of our Wednesday night suppers listed below. It has been several years since we have adjusted our prices, so we appreciate your flexibility as we attempt to keep up with the rising cost of all things!

Ages 0-3: Free

Ages 4-12: $4

Adults (over 12): $8

Family cap (over 3 people): $24

The menus for upcoming Wednesday night suppers are as follows (all meals come with salad and bread):

January 10 — Korean BBQ; non-meat option: vegetarian BBQ; kids: meatballs.

January 17 — seafood pot pie; non-meat option: vegan pot pie; kids: fish sticks.

January 24 — taco night; non-meat option: vegan tacos; kids: tacos.

January 31 — pork tenderloin, sweet potatoes & veggies; non-meat option: vegetarian meatballs; kids: mac-n-cheese.

MLK DAY HABITAT KICK-OFF

The Habitat for Humanity Downtown Church Coalition is kicking off its annual build on MLK Day, January 15. There are two different shifts - 8:15-3:30pm, and another shift from 10:45-2:30pm. The building is taking place at Old Poole Place, located at 4419 Dedication Drive. We hope you'll make plans to join with other downtown churches to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy by working for housing justice in our community. To register, please visit Habitat's website! For questions, email Leah.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

FOR ALL AGES

Our intergenerational VBS will be Sunday, July 28 – Thursday, August 1 from 5–8pm (which includes an optional supper). There will be self-contained classes for babies through rising kindergarteners, and for rising 1^st graders through adults, we’ll have age-grouped Bible study followed by the ever-popular craft, recreation, and music electives! 

It’s never too early to let Lynn know if you can help teach and/or if you have ideas of fun and engaging elective ideas! Teaching opportunities include:



• self-contained preschool classes
• Gradeschool Bible study
• craft and recreation electives

We hope you can join us! It’s a great time of intergenerational fun and learning!  

NATIONAL DAY OF RACIAL HEALING

This Saturday, January 13, YMCA of the Triangle, The Encouraging Place, and the Triangle MLK Committee will co-host a local interactive conference for the Kellogg Foundation’s National Day of Racial Healing.

The event is open to the community, and we'll be hosted in our Fellowship Hall. The morning will feature a continental breakfast, speakers, and small group breakout sessions. This will be an opportunity to bring all people together in their common humanity and inspire collective action to create a more just and equitable world.

• 8 – 9am | Check-in, continental breakfast and networking
• 9 – 10am | Welcome and speakers 
• 10 – 11am | Small group breakout sessions
• 11:15am – Noon | Group topic presentations, next steps and closing remarks

Event page: ymcatriangle.org/events/ndrh

Register here: ymca.fyi/ndrh-register

CHURCHWIDE RETREAT

SAVE THE DATE

Mark your calendars and save the date for our churchwide retreat, April 19–21, 2024! We're headed back to the Blue Ridge Assembly in beautiful Black Mountain, and we hope your family will make plans to join us. More details about signing up, the theme, and all the specifics coming in January!

INCLEMENT WEATHER

Cancellation information about scheduled activities will be noted on a recorded greeting obtained by calling he office at 919-832-4485. Information will also be supplied to WRAL-TV (1st Baptist, Salisbury St), WTVD-TV (First Baptist Church-Salisbury St) and posted on our home page and on social media (Facebook, and Instagram).

Due to the threat of damaging storms, our church office will be closing early today, January 9 at 3pm.

 CENTERPOINT

THIS WEEK

On January 10, the program will be led by Ann Rollins, executive director of the Poe Center for Health Education, who will discuss their work in health-science education. 

 Adult Wednesday Night Schedule:

5:15–6:15pm - Supper line is open

6:15–6:30pm - Prayer time and announcements

6:30–7:15pm - Adult program

 Children's Wednesday Night Schedule:

5:15–5:45pm - Supper line is open

5:40pm - Blessing and dismissal

5:45–6:30pm - Pre-K/K music/Elementary Choir missions

6:30–7:15pm - Pre-K/K missions/Elementary Choir music

A NOTE OF THANKS

To: Ministers, supportive friends, and all family of First Baptist Church

Since my heart attack and stroke awareness in the first week of November 2023, I am very grateful to report that your prayers and gracious acts of love and support have permitted me to receive a very positive report in my recent cardiomyopathy appointment on December 28.

I am very thankful for God's divine intervention. In addition, I am confident that my loving church family, as they do for all others, will continue with additional prayer support. Such will continue to inspire me and assist me to stay in good health and benefit from continued worship and service, as able, in my beloved faith and church.

Sincere love and gratitude,

Joan (Joann) A. Cooper