FBC Raleigh News • March 16, 2020
ERRAND BUDDIES

This week, we have been listening carefully to updates from the CDC and the governor's office regarding social distancing during this pandemic. We have paid especially close attention to those who are in a higher risk category, including older adults and those who have serious chronic medical conditions. While we are not able to identify every individual in our congregation that may fall into those two categories (especially those with underlying medical conditions), we are going to do our best to care for those in our church family that may need to be isolated in their home for a few weeks. The ministerial staff is in the process of compiling a list of those high risk individuals, and with the assistance of the Deacons, we will be calling each person in the next few days to check in.

Do you have some extra time in your schedule over the next two weeks? We need your help! We're looking for volunteers to serve as "errand buddies" for congregants that may be limiting their social interaction. This may include grocery shopping, picking up a prescriptions, going to the dry-cleaners, etc -- anything involving someone in a high risk category being in public with a large crowd. We'll encourage each errand buddy to drop off groceries, prescriptions, etc. on the front porch, so no individual is at risk. If you are willing to be an errand buddy for someone in our congregation, please email Leah as soon as possible so we can act quickly to serve our community.
CHURCH CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
The 2020 dates for Church Conference will be as follows:
April 1 • May 20 • August 19 • September 30 • October 28 • November 18 • December 16
WEEK AT A GLANCE • MARCH 16-22, 2020
Monday, March 16
6pm ITC Board Mtg. (Remote meeting)

Tuesday, March 17
10am Staff Mtg. (CR)

Wednesday, March 18
All Wednesday night programming canceled.
Thursday, March 19
12:30pm Library Committee (Li)

Sunday March 22
Sunday School, Worship, and all other activities canceled.
BIBLE VERSES FOR DAILY USE
  • Monday, March 16: Psalm 81; Genesis 24:1-27; 2 John 1:1-13
  • Tuesday, March 17: Psalm 81; Genesis 29:1-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-4
  • Wednesday, March 18: Psalm 81; Jeremiah 2:4-13; John 7:14-31, 37-39
  • Thursday, March 19: Psalm 23; 1 Samuel 15:10-21; Ephesians 4:25-32
  • Friday, March 20: Psalm 23; 1 Samuel 15:22-31; Ephesians 5:1-9
  • Saturday, March 21: Psalm 23; 1 Samuel 15:32-34; John 1:1-9
DEACON ON CALL • MARCH 15-21
Matt Bullard (919) 605-6887
OUR CHURCH'S RESPONSE TO COVID-19

After considering all available information, the church council, church staff, and other key leaders have made the following decisions in an effort to protect the safety and well-being of all who come to our church and to do everything we can to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the larger community. Please note that this list has been updated today.

• We are suspending all Sunday morning and Wednesday night activities for two weeks (March 18, 22, 25), with continued evaluation. We will keep you up to date as those plans continue to
• The Thirty-Niners will not meet for two weeks (March 19, 26).
• The Clothing Ministry will be closed for two weeks (March 16, 23). The Winter Clearance Fair scheduled for March 28 has been canceled.
• All youth activities are cancelled for March 18, 22, and 25. High School Bible study is canceled for March 17 and 24, and the High School Retreat is canceled.
• The office will remain open with posted entrance requirements. We are asking anyone who has traveled to Level 2 and 3 countries, or believe they may have been exposed to the virus in the US in the last 14 days not to enter the building. (Level 2 - Japan; Level 3 - China, South Korea, Iran, and Italy.); instructing all who are experiencing fever, cough, and shortness of breath to call a doctor and come back to church when they are well; and requesting use of the sanitizer available at the door by all who enter the building.
• The ministerial staff is staying in communication with hospitals and nursing homes, and will heed the requests of restricted visitation as that continues to develop. The ministers will continue to be faithful in contact through phone calls, emails and text messages to support families during this time. 
• Staying financially stable during this time is of the utmost importance. Please remember that that there are many ways you can give without being physically present, including by mail and our secure online giving portal.

We ask small groups who meet to continue following the protocols previously recommended (in addition to any additional recommendations from the CDC).

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay at home when you are sick and see your primary care provider if your symptoms persist or increase.
• Cough into your elbow, sneeze into a tissue, and dispose of tissues properly.
• Wash your hands with soap and water before and after contact, eating, sneezing, and coughing, and use alcohol-based sanitizers when soap and water are not available.
• Restrict physical interaction to a fist or elbow bump, refraining from handshakes and hugs.
We also want you to know that the custodial staff has been taking extra precautions to clean and sanitize all areas of the church, placing a priority on high traffic areas, and that Lynn Lingafelt has been working with Weekday Preschool and ITC leaders to address the needs of childcare areas (these schools will make their own decisions in regard to closings).
THE SEASON OF LENT

As we enter the holy season of Lent, we invite you into 40 days of reflection, examination, and preparation. We hope these devotionals serve as a daily guide as we journey to the cross together.


Join us for our special services during the season of Lent: 
• April 5  - Palm Sunday Worship Service, 11am
• April 9  - Maundy Thursday Service, 7pm 
• April 12  - Easter Worship Service, 11am
CBFNC ANNUAL GATHERING

The CBFNC Annual Gathering originally scheduled for March 20 has been canceled due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic. For their full cancellation statement and more information regarding refunds for those who have already registered, please visit their website.
WHAT COLOR IS
IN YOUR WALLET?
 
It’s ACC tournament time! We will be pulling for our favorite teams as they fight for the title of champion and a spot in the NCAA tournament. Outside the Fellowship Hall, in the Lewis Lobby, the youth are having an “easy” fundraiser. You will see red and blue envelopes that might emphasize a famous past player or a famous year, as well as some white envelopes with which you can make a donation in honor of your favorite team (whose colors may or may not be red or blue!). In the end, your money will go to support our youth and missions, so really, all colors are a winning colors! Since our services and activities for Sunday & Wednesday have been suspended for two weeks, we are extending this fundraiser until Sunday, March 29.

HONOR A LOVED ONE
AT EASTER

By paying tribute to a loved one this Easter you will also support FBC mission teams. With each gift of $10 or more, a portion will be used to prepare a small display of lilies in the sanctuary on Easter and the remainder will be directed to the Day Mission Fund, supporting the efforts of various mission teams sent from our congregation. An insert in the Easter worship order will list the names of those memorialized or honored along with the donor’s name.  Submit your request  HERE. Checks or electronic payments should be received no later than  Wednesday, April 1 . Forms are also available in Sunday School boxes. Checks should be mailed to: Financial Administrator, First Baptist Church, 99 N Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27603; please write “Easter Gift” in the memo line.
AAWC IS HITTING THE ROAD

Beginning April 7 , we will be taking the AAWC truck on the road! We'll be partnering with different non-profits in our community, getting connected with our neighbors in a new way. We need your help volunteering at these different sites! We will set up some tables and chairs, serve bbq sandwiches, and make friends with whomever shows up. It's simple, and there's absolutely no agenda other than getting to know our neighbors, and possibly helping to connect people to resources available in our community. We are going to be traveling every Tuesday after the truck closes from the lunch shift, so this will be an ongoing opportunity for serving in our community. At most of these locations, we will be serving between 3-4pm, so shifts are a shorter time commitment. We will post the monthly schedule in the sign-up link, and in this publication. Visit the links below to learn more about these non-profits, and the work that they do in our community!

April 7 • Haven House, 600 W Cabarrus Street
April 14 • Urban Ministries , 1390 Capital Boulevard
April 21 • CASA , 624 W Jones Street 
April 28 • Pullen Memorial Baptist Church , 1801 Hillsborough Street

If you enjoy connecting and meeting new people, we would love to have you join us on a Tuesday afternoon. Sign-up to serve here!
For more information, or questions about our community partners program, email Leah.
MARCH MISSION PROJECT

This month we will support "Feed the Pack," a food pantry at NC State that provides food for students, faculty, and staff. 14% (4750) of their students are cutting portion sizes, skipping meals, and going hungry. The pantry opened in 2012 and has collected over 137,650 pounds of food, serving close to 10,000 people since they opened. It's open five days a week and folks can shop once a week. While they accept most any non perishable items, we will concentrate on these needed breakfast items:

Cereal
Oatmeal
Pop Tarts
Granola

You may place your donations in the marked drawer in the Lewis Building cabinet anytime in March. Also, thank you for your donations of cleaning supplies for Interact - they are greatly appreciated. - Anne Cooke
UPDATE ON CLOTHING MINISTRY LUNCH SPONSORS

Thanks to your generous support of the Clothing Ministry Monday lunches, we only have a few unclaimed dates for the rest of the year! We are grateful for the Everette Miller Friendship class for their support of last week's lunch. The following dates are still available for sponsorship:

September 14
October 5
November 2
December 7

Email Leah to reserve your date!
THE RECORD WE WROTE
Week of March 9, 2020
Current Week Revenue: $ 27,127.93
Month-to-Date Revenue: $ 58,621.20
Year-to-Date Revenue: $ 391,685.19
Month-to-Date Expenses: $ 58,373.48
Year-to-Date Expenses: $ 303,513.76
CBF Global Missions: $ 12,218.82
SUBMIT A ROSE WINDOW WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENT

Do you have an announcement that you would like to include in the Rose Window Weekly ? All information must be submitted by Thursday at noon, to be included in the following Monday's edition. Just fill out the Google form in the link below, and we'll make sure to include it in next week's publication.


For any questions concerning the Rose Window Weekly , contact Leah Reed. Email Leah here.