FBC Raleigh News • April 7, 2020
FIRST FOUNDATIONS

Issue five of the First Foundations magazine is officially here! In this publication, we hear from different writers reflecting on the theme of Sanctuary. We all find sacred space in different places, and we hope you enjoy reading these reflections from our community.

We recognize that most of you get your copy of the magazine when you are at church. Since the church is closed to the public during this time of physical distancing, we have printed more copies of the magazine than usual with the hopes of getting more out in the mail. This week, we have mailed copies to our homebound members, our members without the internet, and our 2019 magazine mailing list. A second mailing will happen early next week, and we would love to send one to your home! If you would like to receive a copy in the mail, simply fill out this Google form by Friday, April 10 . Please note: if you were on the 2019 magazine mailing list, you do not need to fill out this form.

A special thank you to all of our contributors: Jen Foster, Timothy Brock, Leah Reed, Matt Bullard, Anne Bullard, Carolyn Dickens, Sam Carothers, and Catherine Carter. Another huge word of thanks to our amazing editing team that pours so much heart and detail into every publication: Jen Foster, Anne Bullard, and Pam Powell.

CHURCH CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
The 2020 dates for Church Conference will be as follows:
May 20 • August 19 • September 30 • October 28 • November 18 • December 16
WEEK AT A GLANCE • APRIL 7-14
All regularly scheduled programming is canceled.
BIBLE VERSES FOR DAILY USE
  • Tuesday, April 7: Isaiah 49:1-7, Psalm 71:1-14, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, John 12:20-36
  • Wednesday, April 8: Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 70, Hebrews 12:1-3, John 13:21-32
  • Thursday, April 9: Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14, Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35
  • Friday, April 10: Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Psalm 22, Hebrews 10:16-26, John 18:1-19:42
  • Saturday, April 11: Job 14:1-14, Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16, 1 Peter 4:1-8, Matthew 27:57-66.
  • Sunday, April 12: Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24, Colossians 3:1-4, John 20:1-18.
  • Monday, April 13: Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21; Colossians 3:5-11
DEACON ON CALL • APRIL 5-11
Allison Strickland (919) 274-3589
JOURNEY TO THE CROSS

Join us for a worship-at-home experience focused on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Our Journey to the Cross home edition will be available for download on our website and via email tomorrow. This is a series of several scenes from the final week of Jesus’ life as written in the gospel of John. We hope that you will be able to spend some time pondering these scripture passages, hymn texts, and reflection questions as you remember Jesus and his disciples and their own approach to the cross.
 
Journey to the Cross consists of several parts. The first is a worship booklet, available for download, that includes these texts and questions. The booklet also guides you through opportunities to set up scenes with tactile worship experiences, something we have done in our sanctuary in the past but you can also do at home. If you are not able to gather the items needed for these scenes or if you prefer something a little different, we will also have a video on our YouTube channel that will guide you through these scriptures along with art and music. Finally, there will be a children's guide with all the scenes to accompany the booklet. In addition to posting this on the website, the video, booklet, and children's guide will be emailed tomorrow .
 
However you choose to worship on Thursday or Friday, we hope that you will be able to take some time to consider the sacrifice that Jesus made as we continue to look forward to the joy and hope of Easter.
FELLOWSHIP FUND UPDATE

Each month, we make in-person appointments to meet the emergency financial needs of our neighbors. Even during this time of physical distancing, we are continuing to make those appointments. With the loss of employment for thousands in our community, this is needed now more than ever. For the health and safety of all our guests, Leah has shifted intake to over-the-phone appointments. This past Sunday was the first Sunday of the month, and your gifts are still needed for this offering. You may either make a contribution online , or by mailing your check to the church. We are deeply grateful for your continued financial support for this fund that provides tangible help to our community.
WE WANT TO SEE YOU!

In an effort to help us feel connected, we want to gather pictures of our church family. We miss seeing your faces and would love to check in with you through photos!
Show us pictures of:
• Ways you're maintaining your sanity (or not!) while being cooped up in the house.
• Ways you're being the Church and showing the love of Christ.
• New practices you've taken on during the last two weeks -- nature walks, watching worship on your patio, yoga, family board games, etc.
• Ways you're slowing down during this time of social distancing.

During the next few weeks, email Deborah your pictures (in their original size) and we'll put together a PowerPoint to send out around Easter. Hopefully, this will provide familiar faces of our faith community continuing to be the Church as we find new routines and remote ways to serve.  
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED

In light of the state-wide "stay at home" order, we have closed the church office for the immediate future. We regret any inconvenience this causes, but we feel like this is another small thing we can do as a church to embrace the requests of community leaders to help limit the spread of COVID-19. We will monitor the answering machine and respond to messages quickly, and we encourage you to contact any of the ministers if you have a pressing need. We have linked each of the ministerial staff's emails below, so please do not hesitate to reach out with concerns. Chris Chapman , Mary Alice Seals , Trey Davis , Lynn Lingafelt , and Leah Reed .
WAYS TO GIVE

There are several different ways in which you can continue to support the church financially during this time of social distancing. We know many people are facing their own financial challenges right now and have been very generous already, but a number of people have asked how they could support the church while we are unable to gather together physically. Wayne Hager has provided the following answers to this question.

• We continue to receive mail daily. Any gifts mailed to the church will be processed and deposited as soon as possible.
• We will continue to debit bank accounts through auto drafts as we have been instructed by donors.
• If you have set up a recurring donation through one of our electronic options, those donations will continue without interruption unless YOU make a change.
• If you wish to begin electronic giving, please go to this link where each of our options is explained.
• If you are considering a stock gift, please visit this link for instructions. 

If you have any financial or giving-option questions, please email Wayne Hager.
WORSHIP FROM HOME

For the past few weeks, we have invited you to join us at 11am on Sundays for a live stream worship service from our sanctuary. We hope this time of worship brings you an assurance of God's presence and a sense of peace from the comfort of your home.


We want to answer some of the frequently asked questions we are getting as we all learn this new digital worship experience together!

LIVE STREAM FAQs:

Help! I'm not getting the email link to the order of worship and the live stream!
If you are NOT receiving the weekly worship order and link via email, please email Leah. Also, make sure to check your junk/spam folder. We have found that many email servers send Constant Contact (our email provider) communications straight to the spam folder.

Where can I find the link to the worship order and live stream?
The worship order and live stream will always be posted on our website.

Where can I find the YouTube link for the service?
Upcoming and previous services may be accessed on the YouTube Channel named  First Baptist Church Raleigh on Salisbury Street.   Be sure to subscribe to our channel and it will automatically update when you go online to YouTube or use your device app.
Copy this YouTube link into your device browser and save it as a “favorite” for easy access. On your Smart TV, or any device with apps, locate your YouTube app and search for our channel and the Rose Window graphic.

I can't open my worship order and watch the live stream at the same time!
 We suggest you watch the live stream on one device and view the worship order on another device. If you have a printer, you can also print it so you're not juggling two devices. The worship order for the last service will remain in the PDF reader until one for the next service is opened.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES

Community is in short supply during these uncertain times. We're all longing to reach out, finding ways we can "be" the Church when we're not able to be physically present with one another. We are updating new needs every week and will continue to list them below as an opportunity for you to connect with our downtown Raleigh community.

• Take lunch to the Helen Wright Center - And Also With 'Cue is going to begin offering weekly bagged lunches to the residents of the Helen Wright Center. If you are able to help deliver those lunches, please email Leah.

• NC Restaurant Workers Relief Fund - This is a non-profit partnership between the Frankie Lemmon School, the Developmental Center, and the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association. With thousands of our downtown neighbors losing employment due to restaurant closures, the NC Restaurant Workers Relief Fund provides immediate financial assistance to cooks, servers, dishwashers, housekeepers, and others that are suffering financially during this time of unemployment. For more information on how to donate, visit their website.

If you have other community outreach opportunities, please email Leah.
AMONG OUR FAMILY

Congratulations to Kelly Lewis Gill and Josh Gill on the April 5 birth of their daughter, Sophie Adelaide Gill. Cards may be sent to Kelly and Josh at 3407 Brushy Mountain Street,
Cary, NC 27519, and grandparents Mary Jane and Keith Lewis at 4725 Rembert Drive, Raleigh, NC 27612.

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

A WORD OF THANKS
"Losing both of your children within a two-week period is horrible. Without First Baptist Church family and friends I never would have survived. They were there for me from the beginning with prayers, notes, flowers, food, etc. It has been very difficult, but neither of my children suffered or lingered. I have wonderful memories. Friends, family, and First Baptist Church continue to hold me in their arms along with God. I was holding Penny's hand when she died and I told her to give Jimmy and Daddy a big hug and I would be with them soon. Thank you so much, First Baptist Church." - Peggy Frisbie
THE RECORD WE WROTE
Week of March 31, 2020
Current Week Revenue: $23,533.00
Month-to-Date Revenue: $141,249.75
Year-to-Date Revenue: $474,553.74 
Month-to-Date Expenses: $111,352.99
Year-to-Date Expenses: $356,493.27
CBF Global Missions: $14,578.82
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.