FBC Raleigh News • January 30, 2024 | |
|
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 Wednesday, February 14, 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.
| |
|
SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY
While the 49ers and the Chiefs give it their all on the gridiron on February 11, won’t you join us in giving our best efforts in our own Souper Bowl Sunday?
We invite you to bring in cans of soup (and other canned goods) as you come to church between now and February 11. There will be collection wagons in the Lewis Lobby on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings between now and then. These canned goods will be donated to Urban Ministries Food Pantry which provides fresh produce and canned goods for families in need throughout our community.
| |
|
NABPR ANNUAL MEETING
On May 22-25, FBC will host three national organizations holding their annual meeting. We last hosted this meeting in May 2019. Over 200 participants will be at FBC from the National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion, the Baptist History and Heritage Society, and the Association of Ministry Guidance Professionals. The joint meeting will include plenary sessions, smaller group sessions, lunches, and dinners. Some of the meetings will be open to FBC members as the host facility and we will let you know about that shortly. But first, we have some volunteer opportunities for our FBC family:
- Volunteers are needed to help with quick room changes to accommodate the meeting schedule, assisting our facilities staff.
- Meal servers are needed to assist the food service staff before, during, and after meals.
- We will provide snack/beverage stations all during the meeting, so volunteers are needed to help refresh the stations all during the event.
- Greeters are needed to welcome our guests and provide directions from 2–7:30pm on Monday, 8am–6pm on Tuesday, and 8am–noon on Wednesday.
FBC received rave reviews five years ago because of the volunteers who served our guests. If you are wiling to help with any of these opportunities, please contact Wayne Hager, who is serving as the FBC space coordinator for the meetings. Email Wayne here!
| | |
|
WEEKDAY PRESCHOOL
NOW ENROLLING!
Weekday Preschool is currently enrolling for the 2024-2025 school year. Our classes are 9:30am-1:30pm each day with lunch and snacks provided, and we have up to five day options in all our classes. Click here for more information!
| | |
|
THEOLOGY ON TAP'S FEBRUARY GATHERING
You're invited to join Theology on Tap for their February gathering at Clouds Brewing (126 N. West Street) on Thursday, February 15, at 6pm. Join in for discussion, connection, and a good beverage!
| |
|
IT'S BACK!
SHROVE TUESDAY
PANCAKE SUPPER
After five years of pandemic craziness, we are inviting everyone to join us for our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper r on Tuesday, February 13, at 5pm. We will gather around the supper table to enjoy a meal of pancakes, sausage, grits, and beverages, all prepared by Troy Dye. Beat the Valentine's Day rush and eat with your church family a day early!
Tickets will be sold through Wednesday, February 7, in the Lewis Lobby on Sunday and Wednesday. You may also reserve tickets online HERE. Tickets must be purchased by February 9, either by check, cash, credit card through the credit card kiosk or online via PayPal or VANCO; select "Shrove Tuesday" option. The cost is $6 for 13+, $4 for ages 4–12, free under 4, and a family max of $20. We will have music and mask-making, along with other entertainment. More info to follow in the coming weeks.
| |
|
CHURCHWIDE RETREAT REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
We are looking forward to our churchwide intergenerational spring retreat again this year in the beautiful North Carolina mountains. Mark your calendar now for April 19–21 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! This year we have reserved the Blue Ridge Center and Asheville Hall located next door. Each room is equipped with air conditioning, telephones, two beds, and private baths — hotel-style accommodations. We have handicapped-accessible rooms available in both buildings and elevator access to all floors. The dining hall is located inside the Blue Ridge Center, as well as all of our meeting spaces that we’ll be using for worship, small groups, and electives. Youth can attend without their parents as long as we have individuals who are dedicated to chaperoning during free times and transitions. Our time together will begin after supper on Friday and will end after worship on Sunday morning.
Listed below is the cost of the weekend for all adults ages 12 and up. Children three and under are free! Two nights lodging + four meals + supplies will be:
- Single room - $310/adult
- Two per room - $180/adult
- Three per room - $140/adult
- Four per room - $125/adult
-
Two per room - $145/child (ages 4–11)
-
Three per room - $100/child (ages 4–11)
-
Four per room - $80/child (ages 4–11)
- Family cap = $470
This year, a non-refundable deposit of $100 (per registration/family) will secure your spot. The deposit may be paid by cash, check (memo: churchwide retreat), or online. Register by visiting our website. After you have registered and paid your deposit, Leah will follow up with you via email with the amount owed. Payment in full is due no later than March 3. Single rooms will be assigned on a first-come/first-served basis.
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 21. More information coming soon about our theme, schedule details, and elective options! For questions about registration, please email Leah.
|  | |
|
MICHAEL HOOD ON FAMILY LEAVE
As Michael and Sara Hood welcome Callum into their lives, Michael will be on family leave until Ash Wednesday (February 14). He has worked out leadership responsibilities for the youth and college ministries in this time with the details being shared within those systems. The chaperones who help with Sunday nights will lead the programming for these weeks, a rotation of guest leaders will be responsible for youth programming on Wednesday nights, Sunday School teachers will continue to teach, and Rebecca Sasser and Charles Gale will continue to lead the Thursday night studies.
We celebrate with and pray for Michael and Sara in this time of many adjustments and much joy. We are grateful for the personnel committee’s work about six years ago in developing policies for family medical leave for up to six weeks, covering numerous potential needs, including the birth of a child. It is just one of many examples of how First Baptist Church pursues health as a community and seeks to care for all our members, including our staff.
| | |
|
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 1st 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!
| |
|
STEWARDSHIP UPDATE — GIVING GENEROUSLY WITH GRATITUDE
We are delighted to report that, as of January 25, we have received 145 pledges totaling $1,189,450 for the 2024 budget. We like to have 80% of the proposed budget pledged which means our goal is $1,306,063.20 (80% of the General Fund target of $1,632,579). This leaves us $116,613.20 short of the 80% goal, but we know we have not heard from a number of our members yet, and we are ahead of where we were this time last year.
We are grateful for those who have pledged, and we ask for the prayerful consideration of those who have not. You can find a pledge form in the church office, or just click here to go to the form on our website.
| |
|
CHURCH CONFERENCE TOMORROW
Our regularly scheduled church conference will be held Wednesday, January 31, at 6:15pm. Please note that our prayer time will begin at 6pm, so the conference can begin on time. The Zoom link is below, as well as a call-in number for those who would rather join via phone. Our by-laws require 50 members in attendance (in-person and Zoom) in order to transact business. Please make plans to attend so we can vote on important matters for our church.
The following documents will be referenced during the conference:
Church conference agenda
Finance chair summary report
Finance report
Draft minutes of December church conference
View via Zoom with this link,
meeting ID: 850 6201 7518, passcode: wDefe3.
To view the speaker throughout the presentation, click the three dots
on the right portion of the screen and choose "pin this video."
If you would prefer to call in,
use 646-558-8656, meeting ID: 850 6201 7518 Passcode: 490422.
| |
NEW CHECK-IN FOR WEDNESDAY NIGHTS
Please note that 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 31 — pork tenderloin, sweet potatoes & veggies; non-meat option: vegetarian meatballs; kids: mac-n-cheese.
February 7 — Mexican casserole; non-meat option: vegan Mexican casserole; kids: taquitos
February 14 — sloppy Joe, corn, green beans; non-meat option: vegan sloppy Joe; kids: sloppy Joe
February 21 — chicken Marsala, broccoli, mashed potatoes; non-meat option: mock chicken Marsala; kids: chicken nuggets
February 28 — vegetable pasta with cream sauce, spinach and mushroom; kids: buttered noodles
| |
|
CHURCH CONFERENCE DATES
Mark your calendar for the following dates for church conference in 2024: January 31, February 28, April 24, May 22, August 28, September 25, October 23, November 20, and December 18.
| |
|
BIBLE VERSES FOR DAILY USE
-
Wednesday, January 31: Psalm 35:1-10; Jeremiah 29:1-14; Mark 5:1-20
-
Thursday, February 1: Psalm 147:1-11, 20c; Proverbs 12:10-21; Galatians 5:2-15
-
Friday, February 2: Psalm 147:1-11, 20c; Job 36:1-23; 1 Corinthians 9:1-16
-
Saturday, February 3: Psalm 147:1-11, 20c; Isaiah 46:1-13; Matthew 12:9-14
-
Sunday, February 4: Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-11, 20c; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39
-
Monday, February 5: Psalm 102:12-28; 2 Kings 4:8-17, 32-37; Acts 14:1-7
-
Tuesday, February 6: Psalm 102:12-28; 2 Kings 8:1-6; Acts 15:36-41
| |
|
DEACON ON CALL
January 28–February 3 • Anthony Petty (919-604-5417 m or 919-554-4310 h)
| |
WEEK AT A GLANCE • January 31–February 7 | |
|
Wednesday, January 31
5:15pm Meal served (FH)
5:45pm Children's music (301/307/311)
6:15pm Church conference (FH)
6:30pm Children's missions (PS/CS)
6:30pm Handbell rehearsal (302)
7:30pm Adult choir rehearsal (S/310)
Thursday, February 1
7am Band of Brothers (Zoom)
10:30am Thirty-Niners (FH)
Friday, February 2
8pm Youth boys basketball (at Trinity Baptist)
Sunday, February 4
9:45am Sunday School
11am FBC worship/communion (S/YouTube)
11am JBC worship (226)
1:30pm Youth girls' basketball (at Trinity Baptist)
5pm Youth choir (choir room)
6pm Youth supper (FH)
6:30pm Youth program (FH/Blue Room)
| |  |
|
Monday, February 5
10am Clothing ministry open
6:30pm Music Made in Heaven (302)
Tuesday, February 6
10am Staff meeting (CR)
10:45am WMU Group 2 (Springmoor)
1pm WMU Group 2 (Independence Village)
1:30pm Yoga (302)
6pm Properties Committee meeting (CR/Zoom)
Wednesday, February 7
5:15pm Meal served (FH)
5:45pm Children's music (301/307/311)
6:15pm Centerpoint (FH)
6:30pm Children's missions (PS/CS)
6:30pm Handbell rehearsal (302)
7:30pm Adult choir rehearsal (S/310)
| | |
|
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!
LUNCH:
Wednesday–Friday — church parking lot, 11am–1:15pm(ish)
| |
|
AMONG OUR FAMILY
A link to the entire prayer list may be found below.
Please use your church directory for mailing addresses.
Prayer List • January 30
| | |
|
|
THE RECORD WE WROTE
As of January 25:
Current Week Revenue: $101,441.22
Month-to-Date Revenue: $133,430.24
Year-to-Date Revenue: $133,430.24
Month-to-Date Expenses: $85,028.66
Year-to-Date Expenses: $85,028.66
Global Missions: $10,195.00
| |
|
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.
| |
|
SUBMIT A ROSE WINDOW WEEKLY ARTICLE
Do you have an article 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.
SUBMIT AN ARTICLE HERE!
| |
A link to the current and archived editions of the
Rose Window Weekly is available on the website.
| |
First Baptist Church Raleigh| (919) 832-4485 | 99 N Salisbury St, Raleigh NC 27603
| | | | |
