FBC Raleigh News • February 28, 2023
AN UPDATE ON STEWARDSHIP

We are grateful for the faithful response to our stewardship request last week. As of 2/23/23 (?), the church has received 164 pledges totaling $1,244,493, which is still $21,970 short of the goal to approve the FY23 budget ($1,266,463), but less than half the amount we were short last week. With this amount pledged, adjustments to the 2023 budget will still be required, but they will be less challenging, thanks to your generosity. You may click here or use the QR code below to go to the stewardship page on the website to make or increase your pledge. The deadline is TODAY.
 

Warm regards,
FBC Stewardship Committee
Chuck Underwood
Allison Strickland
Matt Strickland
CBF EXECUTIVE COORDINATOR PAUL BAXLEY TO PREACH THIS SUNDAY
 
We are delighted to welcome to the pulpit this Sunday, March 5, the Reverend Dr. Paul Baxley, Executive Coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Paul became CBF’s fourth leader in 2019 after having served as pastor of two churches (FBC, Henderson, NC 2004–2010 and FBC, Athens, GA 2010–2019), having been on the staff at the Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA, and having served in other ministerial staff roles. He is a graduate of Wake Forest University, Duke Divinity School, and BTSR.
 
Paul came to his current position with significant leadership experience in every part of CBF life. He is a gifted pastoral leader with keen theological insight who believes in the future of the church even in these challenging times. As a native of Winston-Salem, he has deep roots in North Carolina and has been a friend, colleague, and pastor to members of our church and staff. We are delighted that Paul is leading CBF at this critical time and welcome him to our pulpit.
 
RA CAR RACE

Under the outstanding leadership of our RA leaders Chase Helms, Daniel Rohrbaugh, and Wade Sasser, our RAs raced their pinewood derby cars that they had spent the last month sanding, painting, and detailing. 
 
The boys each got four races, and that set the stage for the finals — a best-of-three showdown! In layman’s terms, each car had multiple opportunities to zoom down the track to cheering fans! Fellow racers congratulated and consoled one another with encouraging hand-slaps and fist-pumps after races that were decided by mere fractions of a second!    
 
Since missions is the cornerstone of RAs, each boy’s “ticket” to race was an individual mission project, each of which has been displayed on the walls of the fellowship hall as a testament to their heart for missions, over and beyond their enthusiasm for racing. Come to the fellowship hall next time you’re at church and check them out!  
 
Each of their cars will also be on display for the next two weeks in the Lewis Lobby, on the lower level of shelves in the large wooden cabinet.      
Trophies were awarded for fastest car and outstanding paint job. Third-grader Jackson Bissette, was awarded the 2023 trophy for Outstanding Paint Job, and first-grader Asher Helms was awarded the 2023 trophy for fastest car. 
Find time to congratulate each of our RAs for their outstanding participation and mission projects!
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, 5:30–7:30pm, 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 MISSIONS 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. - Nancy Moore Phillips, WMU President
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
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 March 6. 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

Audio Only
               +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 863 8046 2213
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):
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.
March 22: pancakes with grits and sausage.
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 28: Psalm 32; Genesis 4:1-16; Hebrews 4:14-5:10
  • Wednesday, March 1: Psalm 32; Exodus 34:1-9, 27-28; Matthew 18:10-14
  • Thursday, March 2: Psalm 121; Isaiah 51:1-3; 2 Timothy 1:3-7
  • Friday, March 3: Psalm 121; Micah 7:18-20; Romans 3:21-31
  • Saturday, March 4: Psalm 121; Isaiah 51:4-8; Luke 7:1-10
  • Sunday, March 5: Genesis 12:1-4a; Psalm 121; Romans 4:1-5, 13-17;  John 3:1-17 or Matthew 17:1-9
  • Monday, March 6: Psalm 128; Numbers 21:4-9; Hebrews 3:1-6
  • Tuesday, March 7: Psalm 128; Isaiah 65:17-25; Romans 4:6-13
DEACON ON CALL
February 26–March 4 • Anne Bullard (919-673-7284)
WEEK AT A GLANCE • March 1–8
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)

Thursday, March 2
7am Band of Brothers (Zoom)
10:30am Thirty-Niners (FH)

Friday, March 3–Sunday, March 5
Middle school retreat to Camp Caraway

Saturday, March 4
5:30pm New Sunday School class kick-off (parlor)

Sunday, March 5
9:45am Sunday School
11am Worship/Paul Baxley preaching (S/YouTube)
11am JBC worship (226)
5pm Youth choir (choir room)
6pm Youth supper (301)
6:30pm Youth program (Blue Room)
Monday, March 6
10am Clothing ministry open to USCRI groups only
6:30pm High School Bible study (Wade home)
6:30pm Music Made in Heaven rehearsal (302)

Tuesday, March 7
10am Staff meeting (CR)
10:45am WMU Group 2 (Springmoor)
1pm WMU Group 2 (Independence Village)
7pm Properties Committee meeting (Zoom)

Wednesday, March 8
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! March 1–3

LUNCH:
Wednesday–Friday at church, 11am–1:15pm
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 23, 2023:
Current Week Revenue: $21,620.39
Month-to-Date Revenue: $116,677.01
Year-to-Date Revenue: $260,200.73
Month-to-Date Expenses: $81,940.42
Year-to-Date Expenses: $198,593.74
Global Missions: $6,834.00

To facilitate your giving to FBC, use the QR codes below to link to the website
for our main electronic giving, VANCO Faith, and the page that lists
all our e-giving options and instructions.        
Use this QR code to e-give
to FBC on line.
Use this QR code to e-give through
Paypal and other options.
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 Tuesday'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 Jennie Herrick. Email Jennie here.