FBC Raleigh News • February 21, 2023
ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE
As a Baptist congregation that follows the Christian year, we allow the Jesus story to shape our lives throughout the year and we allow a sacred calendar to shape worship. By doing so, we are borrowing from other Christian traditions, while making them our own. One tradition we have embraced for over a decade is the Ash Wednesday Service to be held tomorrow night (February 22) at 6:30pm, in the sanctuary.
 
The service includes congregational singing, prayers of confession and assurance, and a brief homily, but the central act is the imposition of ashes in the shape of a cross, as we speak these words, “From dust you have come, and to dust you will return.” These ashes (created by burning the palm fronds from last year’s Palm Sunday service) offer a sign of our mortality and penance, a confession of our frailty and need for God. Our willingness to receive them demonstrates our commitment to self-examination as well as our openness to God’s grace. Our Ash Wednesday service provides sacred space in which to begin a season of spiritual renewal called Lent. All who are comfortable doing so are invited to participate in person, but the service will be streamed as well.

A NOTE ABOUT STEWARDSHIP

FBC Family,

We need your prayerful consideration today. In order for the Finance Committee to recommend a final FY23 budget for approval to the church, 80% of the general fund revenue line item ($1,583,079) needs to be pledged by church members. The 80% mark is $1,266,463. As of 2/9/23, the church has received 158 pledges totaling $1,179,123, which is $87,340 short of the goal to approve the FY23 budget.
 
The deadline to make or increase your pledge is next Tuesday, February 28. If we have not pledged $1,266,463 by this date, budget reductions will be required. A reduced budget will likely negatively impact our various ministries and missions as well as our ability to better take care of our incredible staff. Click here or use the QR code below to go to the stewardship page on the website to make or increase your pledge. Once again, thank you for your consideration and response.  

Warm regards,
FBC Stewardship Committee
Chuck Underwood
Allison Strickland
Matt Strickland
HEIFER INTERNATIONAL DONATIONS

We have an update on our Heifer International donation! There has been an additional $890 donated! With that money, we’ll be able to purchase a heifer ($500), a water buffalo ($250), a sheep ($120) AND a flock of chicks ($20). The check has been cut with our intended gifts, and it’s on the way to Heifer International. Thank you all for your generosity!  

CBF OFFERING FOR
GLOBAL MISSIONS
WEEK OF PRAYER:
March 12–17

The official week of prayer for CBF is March 12-17, but for 1st through 5th grade GAs, it’s every week. Their prayer concerns range from sick pets, aging grandparents, and safe travels, to the war in Ukraine and the earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria, but ALWAYS, ALWAYS prayers for our CBF missionaries. In January, the girls prayed for Karen Alford who is serving in Togo, West Africa, and in February they prayed for Jade and Shelah Acker who are serving in Kampala, Uganda. It’s often hard to rein them in when their prayer concerns get off on tangents about a cat who died four years ago, but then they turn around and amaze me, like when first grader Elizabeth Yelverton said, “Oh, I’ve got a good one, we need to pray that Miss Nancy comes back safe from her trip to Romania.” As leaders we think we’re teaching them, but we are often learning much more from them. May our prayers follow the example of these young girls who are learning to pray for and care about the world around them. - Nancy Moore Phillips, WMU Director
NEW SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS
 
We are so excited to offer a new Sunday School class for young couples at FBC. If this sounds interesting to you, please join us for a “Sunday School Kickoff” on Saturday, March 4, 5–7pm, in the parlor at church and also for our first class discussion on Sunday, March 5, at 9:45am, in room 224. Both gatherings will offer food, fellowship, and exciting conversation about fostering strong community and building new connections as we grow together in our faith. We hope to see you there! For additional information, please contact Tonya and Lin Carter and/or Lou Anne and John Liverman. 

CBF GLOBAL MISSION OFFERING

We continue to collect our CBF offering through March as we seek to do our part to support our field personnel both here and around the world. All of us are experiencing increased expenses, but we know we are better able to survive the strain than most others. As the scripture says, “To whom much is given, much will be required.” Please prayerfully consider what you are able to contribute to ensure that God’s love continues through the presence of our missionaries. 

We look forward to Sunday, March 5, when Dr. Paul Baxley, CBF Executive Coordinator, will be preaching for us in worship.
Nancy Moore Phillips, WMU President 
CBFNC ANNUAL GATHERING

The psalmist writes, “How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity” (Psalm 133:1). Admittedly, we do not always get along with our sisters and brothers. We can easily give in to taking sides and endless arguing but we continue to do the work of cooperation and kingdom-building. This idea, this theology of cooperation is what guides our Annual Gathering in 2023 as we explore together in a variety of ways our theme of Living Together.

We look forward to gathering together with Cooperative Baptists from across North Carolina at the CBFNC Annual Gathering on Thursday and Friday, March 23–24, at Ardmore Baptist Church in Winston-Salem! This year's event will be an in-person gathering with both general sessions live-streamed online. We hope you will make plans to join us for two days of connecting, worshiping and learning together. Click here to begin registration to attend in-person. (There is no registration required for online viewing of the live-streamed sessions.)
 
Leadership Forum will be offered on Thursday morning. This is a professional/spiritual development event. NEW THIS YEAR: there is a separate registration for Leadership Forum. If you wish to attend the Leadership Forum and Annual Gathering, you will need to register for BOTH. Click here to register for Leadership Forum.
Nancy Moore Phillips, Denominational Relations
REGISTRATION FOR THE CHURCHWIDE RETREAT

We are looking forward to our churchwide intergenerational spring retreat moving to a new location this year, in the beautiful North Carolina mountains! Mark your calendars now for April 14–16 at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain, NC! 
 
As in years past, we’ll enjoy small groups, worship, individual prayer time, free time, meals together, and a myriad of craft and recreation electives from which to choose!  We have reserved the entire Blue Ridge Center for the weekend. Each room in Blue Ridge Center is equipped with air conditioning, telephones, two queen beds, and private baths – hotel-style accommodations. The building has fifty rooms, housing a total of 200 people. We have handicapped-accessible rooms available and elevator access to all floors. The dining hall is located in this building, as well as all of our meeting spaces that we’ll be using for worship, small groups, and electives.

Youth may attend without their parents as long as we have individuals who are dedicated to helping chaperone during free times and transitions. Children 3 and under are free! 
 
The cost of the weekend for all adults, ages 12 and up (two nights lodging + four meals + supplies) will be:  

  • Single room - $290/adult
  • Two per room - $160/adult
  • Three per room - $120/adult
  • Four per room - $95/adult

The cost of the weekend for children, ages 4 to 11 (two nights lodging + four meals + supplies) will be:
  • Two per room - $125/child
  • Three per room - $80/child
  • Four per room - $60/child
  • Family cap = $450
 
Our time together will begin after supper on Friday and will end after worship on Sunday morning. Space is limited, so please register by emailing Leah Reed with the total number of adults and children in your family, indicating your sleeping preferences. Payment in full is due no later than February 26. Single rooms will be assigned on a first-come/first-served basis. We will operate under the most current CDC and NC COVID guidelines. With current realities, we would require vaccination or a negative COVID for all participants, but we will finalize these plans closer to the retreat.

When you register with Leah, she’ll confirm your total amount owed, which can be paid via check to FBC (put "Churchwide Retreat" in the memo line), or by the following links: PayPal, Online Giving, and Vanco.
 
Since we know that not everyone will be able to attend, we will also have Sunday School and worship in our sanctuary on Sunday, April 16. For any other questions, please email Leah.
CENTERPOINT FOR MARCH

On March 1 and 8, we will explore the spiritual practice of “visio divina,” (sacred seeing) by using images from the art and architecture of First Baptist’s historic sanctuary as guides for reflection and prayer. This program coincides with the observance of Lent, a season of reflection and repentance, and with the anniversary of the founding of First Baptist Church on March 8, 1812. 

On March 15 and 22, we will explore ways to reaffirm and strengthen our church’s long-standing support for an inclusive ministry by participating in the Month of Advocacy for Women in Ministry sponsored by the national Baptist Women in Ministry organization. On March 15, Dr. Ka’thy Gore Chappell, executive director of Baptist Women in Ministry of North Carolina, will lead a program on support for women in ministry among Baptists in our state. On March 22, Dr. Lynn Brinkley, associate director of the national Baptist Women in Ministry organization, will lead a program on efforts to support Baptist women in ministry across the United States.  

If you are not able to join us in person, we encourage you to join us virtually. We will begin at 6:15pm with a prayer time, and our program will follow.

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 863 8046 2213
Passcode: 7MBzJ9

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Passcode: 579342
WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPERS
 
We invite you to join us for a mid-week fellowship meal Wednesdays at 5:15pm. Reserve your spot at this link to the page on the church website or by calling the church office.

The menus for upcoming Wednesday night suppers are as follows (all meals come with salad and bread):
February 22: vegetable pasta with cream sauce, spinach, and mushrooms; kids: buttered noodles.
March 1: smothered chicken with red potatoes and mixed veggies; non-meat option: mock smothered chicken; kids: chicken nuggets.
March 8: pasta (ziti or spaghetti) with Normandy vegetables; non-meat option: veggie pasta; kids: macaroni.
March 15: meatballs with rice and green beans; non-meat option: veggie meatballs; kids: meatballs.
2023 CHURCH CONFERENCE DATES

Mark your calendar for the following 2023 dates for Church Conference:
March 29, May 24, August 30, September 27,
October 25, November 15, and December 13

BIBLE VERSES FOR DAILY USE
  • Tuesday, February 21: Psalm 78:17-20, 52-55; 1 Kings 19:9-18; Romans 11:1-6
  • Wednesday, February 22: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 or Isaiah 58:1-12; Psalm 51:1-17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
  • Thursday, February 23: Psalm 51; Jonah 3:1-10; Romans 1:1-7
  • Friday, February 24: Psalm 51; Jonah 4:1-11; Romans 1:8-17
  • Saturday, February 25: Psalm 51; Isaiah 58:1-12; Matthew 18:1-7
  • Sunday, February 26: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Psalm 32; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11
  • Monday, February 27: Psalm 32; 1 Kings 19:1-8; Hebrews 2:10-18
DEACON ON CALL
February 19–25 • Debbie Willmschen (m: 919-244-4121 or h: 919-844-9161)
WEEK AT A GLANCE • February 22–March 1
Wednesday, February 22
5:15pm Meal served (FH)
5:45pm Children's music (301,307,311)
6:30pm Ash Wednesday service (FH/Zoom)
6:30pm Preschool missions (PS/CS)
7:30pm Adult choir rehearsal (310/S)

Thursday, February 23
7am Band of Brothers (Zoom)
10:30am Thirty-Niners (FH)
6pm Wedding rehearsal (S)

Friday, February 24
5pm Wedding (S)

Saturday, February 25
1pm Memorial service for Lou Lolley (S)
2pm Reception for memorial service (Lewis Lobby)

Sunday, February 26
9:45am Sunday School
11am Worship (S/YouTube)
11am JBC worship (226)
12pm RA car race (FH)
3pm Thirty-Niners outing (Theatre in the Park)
5pm Youth choir (choir room)
6pm Youth supper (301)
6:30pm Youth program (Blue Room)
Monday, February 27
10am Clothing ministry open
6:30pm High School Bible study (Wade home)
6:30pm Music Made in Heaven rehearsal (302)

Tuesday, February 28
10am Staff meeting (CR)
10:45am WMU Group 2 (Springmoor)
1pm WMU Group 2 (Independence Village)

Wednesday, March 1
5:15pm Meal served (FH)
5:45pm Children's music (301,307,311)
6:15pm Centerpoint (FH/Zoom)
6:30pm Children's missions (PS/CS)
6:30pm Handbell rehearsal (302)
7:30pm Adult choir rehearsal (310/S)
AAWC'S WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Each week, we post And Also With 'Cue's weekly schedule here in Rose Window Weekly as well as on our Facebook page to let you know our lunch schedule and if there will be outside events on the weekend for you to attend.

Come eat with us this week! February 22–24

LUNCH:
Wednesday and Thursday at church, 11am–1:15pm

DINNER:
Wednesday - Triangle Curling Center Durham, 7–9pm
Friday - Oak Hall Pool Parking Lot (Holly Springs) 5–7:30pm
AMONG OUR FAMILY

A link to the entire prayer list may be found below.
Please use your church directory for mailing addresses.

THE RECORD WE WROTE
As of February 16:
Current Week Revenue: $63,009.80
Month-to-Date Revenue: $95,056.62
Year-to-Date Revenue: $238,580.34
Month-to-Date Expenses: $71,735.37
Year-to-Date Expenses: $188,388.69
Global Missions: $6,834.00

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