SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY

While we don’t yet know which teams will be competing on the gridiron on February 9, we do know that WE can each be a part of giving our best efforts in our own Souper Bowl Sunday that very same day!!! 

We invite you to bring in cans of soup (and other canned goods) as you come to church between now and February 9. There will be collection wagons in the Lewis Lobby on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings between now and then. These canned goods will be presented during worship as an offering to our community and will be donated to the Urban Ministries food pantry, which provides fresh produce and canned goods for our community neighbors in need. 

Thank you for being a part of this economy of giving — sharing in the abundance of what we have with those in need! If you have any questions, please contact Lynn Lingafelt.

SALT SHAKERS 2025

It is time to sign up for Salt Shakers 2025! This is a great way to know people in your church family with whom you might never spend an evening otherwise. There will be four dinner dates scattered throughout the year. These dates are not set in stone. Alternative dates can be determined by the participants of the group, and if you still can't make it on the date chosen by your group, a sub can be found. Each individual or couple that signs up will be assigned to a dinner group with three other individuals or couples, and the groups will change for every dinner. You will only host once, and don't let hosting keep you from participating — if that is not an option for you, we will easily figure that out. Please email Jessica Helms by January 31 to sign up.

PARENTAL LEAVE DETAILS

Our Minister with Community, Leah Reed is expecting her second child due in early February! She will be taking 12 weeks of leave starting whenever baby boy Reed decides to make his entrance into the world. Leah will begin working from home on Monday, February 3, but you may still get in touch with her via email or cell phone. We thought it might be helpful to list the main lay leaders, ministers, and staff who will be taking over her ministerial duties while she is away. If you do not have contact information for anyone listed, please reach out to the church office. During her maternity leave, she will be checking email sporadically, so please reach out to the following people first with specific questions or concerns that need timely answers. We are waiting with prayerful, hopeful anticipation as Leah, Chad, and Jennings prepare to become a family of four! 

White Flag - Holly Ivel & Holly Cook

Clothing Ministry - Sabrina Tyndall

Mike Morris Fellowship Fund - LaCount Anderson

Rose Window Weekly - Jennie Herrick

Social Media (Facebook & Instagram) - Michael Hood

Mass emails to the congregation - Jennie Herrick or Wayne Hager

Website - Wayne Hager

First Foundations Magazine - Jen Foster

And Also With ‘Cue - David With 

Sunday Morning Greeters - Mary Powell Rhodes

Community Ministries - Sam Carothers 

SKI TRIP • FEBRUARY 14-16

Do you love a wintery wilderness wonderland? Then come on the winter retreat with us! From February 14–16 we will be staying in the Pipestem State Park in West Virginia for our winter/ski retreat. This is a retreat open to the entire church. While the majority of folks will be skiing at Winterplace, you do not have to go skiing. If you’d like to simply explore the mountains or have a relaxing weekend away, there are many beautiful state parks full of scenic hiking trails to explore. Or you can simply get away to enjoy the company around the table, find a little mountain town to visit, enjoy the perks of the lodge, or the spa at the Pipestem lodge. Costs vary based on what you’d like to do.

If you want to sign up, follow the QR code on the flyer, or click here. If you have questions or concerns, contact Michael.

OPENING FOR FLOWERS OR PARAMENT

There is an opening on February 16 for a sponsorship of the pulpit parament or flowers. Please contact Myra Brickell with your interest.

CHECK YOUR KEY CARD

When our vendor added additional door entry pass cards to our system, some previous cards were mistakenly deleted. We do not know which cards were deleted, but if you have been issued a pass card (issued to staff and key ministry persons who need access to the church outside working hours) that no longer works, please contact Deborah Mastrodonato. Deborah will arrange for you to sign out a new card. We apologize for the inconvenience.

HOSPITALITY + COMMUNITY

LUKE 14:12-14

Dear Church Family,

At FBC, hospitality is at the heart of everything we do. We strive to create a warm and welcoming space each Sunday, where our worship is filled with love and openness. We offer meaningful activities for families, connecting the youngest to the oldest in fellowship that strengthens our bonds with one another.

And our commitment to serve extends beyond our walls.

Through ministries like And Also With ’Cue, we feed those who are hungry, offering more than just a meal but also friendship and care. Our clothing ministry ensures that everyone has the dignity of clean, warm clothing regardless of their circumstances. We are proud that Toy Joy continues to make Christmas brighter for families, and when lending a hand on Habitat for Humanity homesites, we are helping create homes and hope for those in need. And when our youth participate in mission trips and the annual CROP Walk, we are passing on this tradition to the next generation.

Your past gifts make these ministries and many others possible.

In Luke 14:12-14, Jesus teaches us the importance of inviting all to the table—especially those who cannot repay us. This call to hospitality mirrors what we aim to do at FBC. Every act of service, every welcoming hand, is a reflection of our collective commitment to follow Christ’s example and embrace all who seek Him.

This year, our stewardship campaign theme reflects these values of community and hospitality. This fall, our youth choir sang “Crowded Table” by The Highwomen on World Communion Sunday. Like the song says, we envision a church that makes space for everyone. We believe in a table where everyone is welcome, where there’s plenty of love and fellowship to go around, and where we serve our neighbors together in faith.

But we need your continued support for this vision to become a reality.

Our approved 2024-25 budget is $1,738,000. With your pledge, we can confidently move forward, ensuring we have the resources to continue serving one another and our broader community. Your generosity allows us to provide a space for worship, growth, and outreach—where all are truly welcome.

We invite you to prayerfully consider your pledge for the coming year. Every gift helps deepen the roots of our church, allowing us to grow in our ministry and impact. Please return your pledge card to the church office, or you can easily pledge online.

Thank you for being a vital part of this community. With your continued support, we can ensure that FBC Raleigh remains a place where all are invited to the table and God’s love is shared in word and deed.

With deep gratitude and hope,

FBC Raleigh Stewardship Committee

**As of January 16, we have received 120 pledges totaling $1,053,920.

THIRTY-NINERS GATHERINGS

Come join us Thursdays at 10:30am in the fellowship hall for interesting speakers, mission projects, and once a month, a program that's a little out of the ordinary. We also have an outing each month, but mostly we enjoy spending time together, learning something new and useful, and always ending with a meal.

JANUARY

23 LUNCH OUTING: Taverna Agora Greek restaurant (326 Hillsborough Street; 11:30am reservations or meet at FBC at 11:15am to ride in vans -- note change in time!)

30 What We Should Know About Our Medications: Get Your Questions Answered

(Myra Brickell, pharmacist)

CHURCH CONFERENCE DATES

Mark your calendar for the following 2025 dates for church conference:

January 29, February 26, March 26, May 28, August 27, September 24,

October 22, November 19, and December 17.