FBC Raleigh News • March 28, 2023
HOLY WEEK SERVICES
 
We have three opportunities for worship during Holy Week, the annual recognition of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection. We begin with Palm Sunday, remembering Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem that includes shouts of “Hosanna!” and the waving of palms, but which also takes place under the shadow of the cross.  We continue with a Maundy Thursday service (a name derived from the Latin mandatum which means “command” or “mandate” and refers to Jesus’ last teachings at the table, recorded in John 13) on Thursday, April 14, at 7pm in the sanctuary and on our YouTube channel. This service will include the celebration of communion. Finally, on Easter Sunday we will worship and celebrate the resurrection together in the Sanctuary. This is a week that defines our faith, one that points to the central mysteries of crucifixion and resurrection, and each part of this story is significant. Thus, we encourage you to participate in as many of the services as possible and to reflect daily on the meaning of this week for your life and the whole world. To experience Maundy Thursday and Good Friday without experiencing Easter is to miss the ultimate joy that is ours. To experience Easter without experiencing Maundy Thursday or Good Friday is to miss the cost of our salvation and to hide from our responsibility. To experience all of the events of this week is to know authentic joy – the joy that comes because love prevails over fear, hope prevails over despair, life prevails over death. Who would want to miss that?

FBC ADOPTS RALEIGH POLICE
DOWNTOWN DISTRICT
 
On March 21, FBC participated in its first event with the Raleigh Police Department's downtown district as a part of our new "Adopt-a-District" partnership. Each month, FBC will provide a simple act of appreciation for the men and women who serve our community in the downtown area. The Everette Miller Friendship class was the first to step up and support this new partnership and provided a BBQ lunch with sweet tea at the precinct on Cabarrus Street across from Red Hat Amphitheater. Class members John Hite, Clint Neal, Walter Perry, and Dan Roberts along with event coordinators Nancy and Bobby Phillips brought food and gratitude to the occasion. The team also provided details about FBC's clothing ministry, which can be a resource for officers to share with those in need. One way we can help RPD is through recruiting as they are looking for new officers —information may be found on their website.  
 
The Everette Miller Friendship class challenges all FBC classes to participate in this new FBC ministry by sponsoring a month to show appreciation for those who protect and serve our downtown community. Thank you to the team that made our first FBC Adopt-a-District event a success with BBQ and slaw purchased from our And Also With ‘Cue food truck and sweet tea from the FBC kitchen! -Walter Perry, Everette Miller Friendship class

The Thirty-Niners welcome all interested FBC members to come hear Raleigh Police Department Chief Estella Patterson at 10:30am on Thursday, March 30, in the fellowship hall. We look forward to meeting her and learning about her plans for Raleigh.
NOMINATING UPDATE

If you are looking for ways to connect or reconnect with fellow members of the FBC family, the Nominating Committee would like to suggest that being a part of one of our many church committees is a great way to get engaged! We have many different types of committees—from Hospitality to Community Outreach to Finance and so much more—that guide the work of our church as a whole. And being a part of a committee is a great way to make new connections with familiar faces at FBC. If you are interested in a particular committee, or would just like more information about how you can be involved, please email Lynn Loomis or Dolores Bailey.

LOOK FOR THE KINDNESS STONES!

Recently, the 2s and 3s Mission Friends class created "kindness stones" as a way to learn more about the many ways that we can show God's love to others in our community. These friends have specifically been practicing what it sounds like and looks like to show kindness and compassion through words and actions. The class placed their stones throughout the Lewis Building to encourage anyone who comes through the doors of FBC. Keep your eyes out as you move around the building!
REPLACING YOUR FLAT SCREEN TV?

If you are replacing a 50” or larger flat-screen smart TV that is still in working order, we would be happy to receive it at FBC as a donation. Most of our classrooms are not equipped with monitors for use with PowerPoint or to stream content from the internet. If your TV is 50” (diagonally) or larger, has full working inputs, and a remote, we will find a home for it in a classroom. We even have a dedicated volunteer TV-hanging crew (Charles Petty and Jerry Dudeck) that will mount it. If you have extra HDMI cords and/or you are removing the old wall mount, we would be happy to receive those as well. Please contact Wayne Hager, Church Administrator, before you bring your donation to the church. Thank you!
HONOR A LOVED ONE
AT EASTER

By paying tribute to a loved one this Easter, you will also support FBC mission teams. With each gift of $10 or more, a portion will be used to prepare a small display of lilies in the sanctuary on Easter and the remainder will be directed to the Day Mission Fund, supporting the efforts of various mission teams sent from our congregation. An insert in the Easter worship order will list the names of those memorialized or honored along with the donor’s name. Submit your requests here. Checks or electronic payments should be received no later than tomorrow (Wednesday, March 29). Electronic gifts may be made on the credit card kiosk or by going to the church website. Forms are also available in Sunday School boxes. Checks should be mailed to: Financial Administrator, First Baptist Church, 99 N Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27603; please write “Easter Gift” in the memo line.
AN UPDATE ON STEWARDSHIP
AND THE PROPOSED 2023 BUDGET

We are grateful for the faithful response to the final stewardship pledge request. As of March 12, the church had received 166 pledges totaling $1,251,182.97. Based on those pledges, and input from the church staff and church councils and committees, the Finance Committee revised the 2023 budget. The total proposed budget is now $1,585,497, which is a reduction of $22,852  from what was originally proposed. We thank all those who participated in revising our proposed budget. As per our process, the revised proposed budget was presented to the deacons for their endorsement at their meeting on Sunday, March 26. The church conference to vote on the proposed budget is this Wednesday, March 29. Again, thanks for your tremendous response to the stewardship campaign.
 
Warm regards,
Sam Ewell, Chair of Finance Committee
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 on Sundays at 9:45am in room 224. Our weekly 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!

Also, we'd like to soften up our surroundings in our new classroom, so if you are downsizing and have a couch or upholstered chairs you’d like to donate, please let us know.

For additional information about the class or to donate furniture, please contact Tonya and Lin Carter and/or Lou Anne and John Liverman. 



MARCH MISSION PROJECT

Many of you have followed closely the work of CBF Field Personnel, Mina and Genady Podgaisky in Ukraine. As the war in Ukraine has moved into its thirteenth month, the FBC family has been asked to help provide needed items for individuals living in the difficulties of a place they continue to call home.

The following items will be transported into Ukraine:
  • new dark socks (not white) for both sexes and all ages
  • multivitamins for all ages
  • new AA and AAA batteries
  • any type of over-the-counter painkillers

You may put your donations in the marker drawer in the Lewis Lobby cabinet anytime before the end of the month. If you have questions, please contact Cara Lynn Vogel.
CHURCH CONFERENCE TOMORROW NIGHT

Our regularly scheduled Church Conference will be held Wednesday, March 29, 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.
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 29: pizza; non-meat option: veggie pizza.
April 5: Holy Week – no Wednesday night activities.
April 12: hamburger steak and gravy with rice, fried apples, and mixed veggies; non-meat option: non-meat patty; kids: hamburgers.
April 19: chicken fried rice with egg drop soup and Asian vegetables; non-meat option: mock chicken fried rice; kids: spring rolls.
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
  • Wednesday, March 29: Psalm 143; Jeremiah 32:1-9, 36-41; Matthew 22:23-33
  • Thursday, March 30: Psalm 31:9-16; 1 Samuel 16:11-13; Philippians 1:1-11
  • Friday, March 31: Psalm 31:9-16; Job 13:13-19; Philippians 1:21-30
  • Saturday, April 1: Psalm 31:9-16; Lamentations 3:55-66; Mark 10:32-34
  • Sunday, April 2: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29; Matthew 21:1-11 and Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; Philippians 2:5-11; Matthew 26:14-27:66 or Matthew 27:11-54
  • Monday, April 3: Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 36:5-11; Hebrews 9:11-15; John 12:1-11
  • Tuesday, April 4: Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 71:1-14; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; John 12:20-36
DEACON ON CALL
March 26–April 1 • Eddie Sasser (919-605-5772)
WEEK AT A GLANCE • March 22–29
Wednesday, March 29
5:15pm Meal served (FH)
5:45pm Children's music (301,307,311)
6:15pm Church conference (FH/Zoom)
6:30pm Children's missions (PS/CS)
6:30pm Handbell rehearsal (302)
7:30pm Adult choir rehearsal (310/S)

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

Saturday, April 1
10am Easter egg hunt (front law of Capitol building)

Sunday, April 2 Palm Sunday
9:45am Sunday School
11am Worship (S/YouTube)
11am JBC worship (226)
Monday, April 3
10am Clothing ministry open for USCRI groups only
6:30pm High School Bible study (Wade home)
6:30pm Music Made in Heaven rehearsal (302)

Tuesday, April 4
10am Staff meeting (CR)
10:45am WMU Group 2 (Springmoor)
1pm WMU Group 2 (Independence Village)
7pm Properties Committee meeting (Zoom)

Wednesday, April 5
No Centerpoint/Wednesday night activities
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 29–31

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 March 23, 2023:
Current Week Revenue: $9,154.41
Month-to-Date Revenue: $96,649.13
Year-to-Date Revenue: $401,199.98
Month-to-Date Expenses: $82,352.08
Year-to-Date Expenses: $328,013.11
Global Missions: $22,729.00

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.
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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.