NEW PHOTOGRAPHER AND PHOTO SCHEDULE

The work on our new 2024 First Baptist Church membership directory is well underway! Those involved in the process are energized and enthusiastic about taking new pictures, updating contact information, and, most of all, enjoying the fellowship and community that comes from interacting with one another as we compile this new, printed record of our wonderful congregation! As with any project or journey, there are twists and turns that can redirect the original path. The first twist in this project is that we changed photographers just thirteen hours before the first photo sitting! This change blossomed into a wonderful blessing! We are now being photographed by one of our own members—Bob Talley. Bob’s skill, expertise, enthusiasm, and lighthearted spirit bring fun and enjoyment to an activity that many people do not enjoy. One church member left Monday’s sitting saying, “That wasn’t painful at all!”

New Photo Schedule • With our new photographer, the times for photo sittings have been modified and expanded! Bob has graciously agreed to use his available lunch hours, evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays to accommodate everyone’s schedules. This new schedule will also extend further into the month of May in hopes that everyone who wants a new picture will have the opportunity to get one! Even though some appointments remain the same, it is likely that if you previously signed up for a specific day and time, you might need to reschedule

There are three ways that you may sign up for a slot:

• Diane Ellis has the sign-up sheet and you can either text (919-610-6606) or email her to schedule a time for your sitting. 

• The sign-up sheet will be available in the lobby before and after Wednesday activities and after worship on Sundays. 

• Use the Sign-up Genius online.



Sittings will be scheduled every 5 or 10 minutes. Hopefully, you will find a time that works for you! If you have any scheduling issues, email or text Diane Ellis with any questions or concerns.  

New Photo Schedule:

Using Other Pictures • If you want to use your picture from a previous directory, that is certainly an option. You also might want to send in your own picture. Both of these options are fine; please let Diane know.

Thank You!  We so appreciate your understanding and flexibility with the new schedule and your help in making the 2024 FBC Directory as complete and up-to-date as it can possibly be! You are an important part of our church.

INFORMATION NEEDED FROM COLLEGE GRADS

Class of 2024, congratulations! We want to recognize your accomplishments and celebrate these milestones alongside each of you. If you are graduating from college, we would like to have the following information for our church's publications.

Please email Jennie with the following information:

• Graduate's name

• College

• Degree

• Your relationship to the graduate, and any family connections within our church.



All responses are needed by Friday, May 24.



2024 SPRING MUSIC CELEBRATION

The 2024 Spring Music Celebration is tonight’s Centerpoint program at 6:15pm in the fellowship hall.

We will hear music from our three children’s choir groups and from our Evening Bells handbell choir, all of whom are dedicated and ably led by this wonderful group of volunteers: Anna Anderson, Myra Brickell, Maria Childrey, Diane Ellis, Ginger Graves, Lynn Loomis, Rhonda Lowe, Becky Mercer, Sarah Catherine Rhodes, Kimberly Taylor, Hollis Yelverton, and Wyatt Yelverton.

Music reminds us that we are surrounded by mystery, that we live in a wide world with many songs and sounds, and that everyone is acceptable because of who they are.

We hope you will make plans to join us!

"WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?" PANEL DISCUSSION

The Encouraging Place along with First Baptist Church and the North Carolina Society of Hispanic Professionals (NCSHP) cordially invites you to “Who Is My Neighbor?” on Saturday, May 4, at 9:30am here at the church.

The morning will start off with a coffee meet-and-greet and then at 10am, there will be a panel discussion featuring representatives from various Latino countries who will share insights into their unique cultures and discuss their experiences as our neighbors. Additionally, the panelists will address common stereotypes perpetuated by the media and provide a more accurate and nuanced view of their communities.

This promises to be an informative and enlightening discussion that will foster greater understanding and appreciation of our diverse neighbors. Contact Reggie Edwards with The Encouraging Place (theencouragingplace.org or 919-649-6287) with questions.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPERS

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.

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):

May 1 — pasta primavera; kids: macaroni and cheese.

May 8 — Mediterranean Night: lamb and rice with lentils, tzatziki, and chickpeas; non-meat option: rice with lentils; kids: fish sticks.

May 15 — BBQ chicken with baked potato and corn; non-meat option: mock chicken; kids: nuggets.

May 22 — sweet and sour meatballs with rice and broccoli; non-meat option: veggie meatballs; kids: buttered noodles.

May 29 — End-of-year picnic at Pullen

A NOTE OF THANKS

Thank you to the members, staff, and ministers for their cards, thoughts, and prayers following my recent thyroid surgery. I am further blessed by the benign results received. 

Love and blessings to you all.

Kitty Goolsby