FBC Raleigh News • May 23, 2023
A WORD FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

We are pleased to report that our record of giving in the first quarter was very strong. The average monthly revenue to the general budget for the first three months of 2023 was a little more than $148,000. Dividing our annual budget of $1,585,497 into 12 equal monthly installments results in monthly installments of $132,124.75. We are grateful for the dedication of so many faithful contributors who give systematically to the financial support of the programs and ministries of First Baptist Church.

Our record of giving was not nearly as strong in April. Total revenue for April was $100,184.08. Our expenses were increased in April due to the payment of our first quarter missions payments totaling almost $23,000. In addition, adjustments to salaries retroactive to January 1 were made at a cost of approximately $8,000. This reflects the 4% across the board increase for all employees approved by the adoption of the final 2023 budget at the March 29 church conference. Thus, our revenue in excess of expenses for 2023 through April 30 has been reduced to slightly less than $12,000.   
    
As we approach the summer months, many of our members take vacations and are away from church more frequently than during other times of the year. However, the church’s expenses continue at a steady rate. In 2023, there are a variety of methods for paying one’s financial commitment, even when you may not be physically present at church. Being mindful of this, we encourage all of our members to resolve to keep your financial commitment current. Working together, we can do much to further the Lord’s work through the programs and ministries of First Baptist Church.

Sam Ewell
Chair, Finance Committee
INFORMATION NEEDED FROM COLLEGE GRADS

Class of 2023, 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 Deborah 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 THIS Friday, May 26.

CAN YOU DONATE A TV?

The Japanese Baptist Church of Raleigh (part of our FBC ministry) is in need of a working 50” or larger flat-screen smart TV. In addition, we have some of our FBC classrooms that could benefit from a mounted TV. If you are replacing a flat screen TV (50” diagonally or larger that has full working inputs and a remote) we will find a home for it. Please contact Wayne Hager, Church Administrator, before you bring your donation to the church. Thank you!

MAY MISSION PROJECT

For years FBC members have been working in Honduras with Sharefish to provide preschool and elementary education in El Carrizo. The director of the preschool there has partnered with our Weekday Preschool by visiting and shadowing teachers.


In May we are collecting items for their preschool program, such as:
  • Crayons (chubby)
  • Pencils (chubby)
  • Construction paper
  • Glue sticks
  • Coloring pencils
  • Safety scissors

Place your donations in the drawer marked for Honduras donations in the Lewis lobby any time during the month of May. Please contact Cara Lynn Vogel if you have questions.

IT'S ALMOST TIME FOR
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL!

It’s time to register for Vacation Bible School! It’s in the morning this year — Monday, July 17–Friday, July 21, from 9am–12 noon, and it’s for rising three-year-olds through rising 6th graders!  Friends and neighbors are welcome too! Click here to download the registration form. Complete it and send it back to Lynn by Wednesday, June 7.

Our theme is Changemakers Lab, where we’ll learn about the transforming love of God through Christ and discover and share creative ways to make a difference in the world! We’ll look at five Bible stories that explore examples of people who experienced and brought about change in the world around them — people who provide a model for asking hard questions, working together to solve problems, reaching across differences, caring for all people, and imagining a new world.   
 
Contact Lynn with any questions!  

LET'S PLAY BALL!

Our very own church league softball team is hard at work, and they're ready for you to see them play! Made up of 19 folks, the team plays games until early June at the Millbrook Exchange park on field #2, located at 1905 Spring Forest Road. The games are either at 6:45pm or 7:45pm, depending on the day. We hope you'll make plans to go out and support our team!

CHURCH CONFERENCE TOMORROW NIGHT

Our regularly scheduled Church Conference will be held Wednesday, May 24, 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.

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.
GET READY FOR THE END-OF-YEAR PICNIC!

Save the date! Wednesday, May 31 is our annual Pullen Park picnic! We hope you will join us as we celebrate the last day of our Centerpoint gatherings with wonderful food, fellowship time, and the second annual team scavenger hunt for those who wish to participate. The picnic will be held from 5:30–8pm at shelter 4 (520 Ash Avenue) at Pullen Park.

While all are welcome, we ask that you please make a reservation ahead of time via the church website or by calling Deborah Mastrodonato (919-832-4485). These reservations are greatly appreciated, as they let us know how much food needs to be prepared for the evening. This is one of the most fun one-night events for the whole family that our church does. Don’t miss out on the beautiful May weather, the legendary cookout, joyous friendship, and a chance to take home a trophy! We hope to see you there on May 31! 

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 menu for this Wednesday night's supper is: sweet BBQ chicken with roasted potatoes and corn; non-meat option: mock chicken; kids: nuggets (all meals come with salad and bread).
2023 CHURCH CONFERENCE DATES

Mark your calendar for the following 2023 dates for church conference:
May 24, August 30, September 27,
October 25, November 15, and December 13

BIBLE VERSES FOR DAILY USE
  • Wednesday, May 24: Psalm 99; 1 Kings 8:54-65; John 3:31-36
  • Thursday, May 25: Psalm 33:12-22; Exodus 19:1-9a; Acts 2:1-11
  • Friday, May 26: Psalm 33:12-22; Exodus 19:16-25; Romans 8:14-17
  • Saturday, May 27: Psalm 33:12-22; Exodus 20:1-21; Matthew 5:1-12
  • Sunday, May 28: Acts 2:1-21 or Numbers 11:24-30; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 or Acts 2:1-21; John 20:19-23 or John 7:37-39
  • Monday, May 29: Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; Joel 2:18-29; Romans 8:18-24
  • Tuesday, May 30: Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; Ezekiel 39:7-8, 21-29; Romans 8:26-27
DEACON ON CALL
May 21–27 • Mary Powell Rhodes (919-818-6482 m or 919-469-3649 h)
WEEK AT A GLANCE • May 24–31
Wednesday, May 24
11:30 Preschool graduation (FH)
5:15pm Meal served (FH)
6:15pm Church conference (FH/Zoom)
7:30pm Adult choir rehearsal (310/S)

Thursday, May 25
7am Band of Brothers (Zoom)
10:30am Thirty-Niners (FH)

Sunday, May 28
9:45am Sunday School
11am Worship (S/YouTube)
11am JBC worship (226)
6pm Youth supper (301)
6:30pm Youth program (Blue Room)
Monday, May 29
Memorial Day — Church office and clothing ministry closed

Tuesday, May 30
10am Staff meeting (CR)
10:45am WMU Group 2 (Springmoor)
1pm WMU Group 2 (Independence Village)

Wednesday, May 31
5:30pm End-of-year picnic (Shelter 4 at Pullen Park)
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,
May 24–26!

LUNCH:
Wednesday - Candle Science Company Durham
Thursday - Easttowne Medical, Chapel Hill (11-2pm)

DINNER:
Thursday—Sunset Ridge South, Holly Springs (4:30-7pm)
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 May 18, 2023:
Current Week Revenue: $11,573.83
Month-to-Date Revenue: $60,726.69
Year-to-Date Revenue: $605,876.89
Month-to-Date Expenses: $62,892.60
Year-to-Date Expenses: $596,211.23

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.