It isn't too early to start making plans for next year's Passport experiences. In fact, the church has to register by October 1! If you are interested in attending Passportkids (completed grade 3 through 6th grade) or Passport Youth (7th through 12th grades), please let Cheryl Beck know by September 25.
Wednesday Night Bible Study to Resume Next Week!
Join us for our Wednesday evening Bible study! After enjoying last week’s potluck dinner together, we will resume our Bible study time this Wednesday, September 25 at 6:00 p.m. in the MFC. There will be no meal. Join us!
Mission Moment 9.18.24
Delores Stimpson
Global Service Corps, North Carolina
We all have the freedom to make plans for our life. We may be thinking about college, families and careers; but we must also have faith and trust in God that our steps will be established according to the plan that God made for us before we were formed in our mother’s womb. When we follow God, we will find our purpose. God instructs us in the path we should follow; but we often desire to control our lives, predicting the outcome. God directs us according to God’s plan and watches to make sure we stay on the right path.
I developed the plan that I thought was right for me. What I learned early in my career is that God was executing God’s plan. While I enjoyed my work and career, my joy was in forming intense relationships with others that were very fulfilling. My spiritual life was intertwined closely with my work life and I needed both every day! Demonstrating care and compassion for others, growing relationships, mentoring, encouraging others offering support and praying for and with others, is much more than a job. A job is also a mission and working for God gives more joy and comfort than ever imagined!
After leaving the workplace, I asked God, “What next?” I became restless, but I prayed and waited. God led me to Welcome House Ministry, then to manage the Welcome House ministry across the Research Triangle, North Carolina Region, and now to volunteer as a CBF Global Services Corps Post-Career Field Representative.
I will follow God and the purpose God designed for me.
Join Us for Worship!
JOIN US FOR WORSHIP ON SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:30 A.M.
IN THE SANCTUARY! ALSO JOIN US FOR
SUNDAY SCHOOL AT 9:30 A.M. FOR ALL AGES!
Our worship service will be streamed online at firstbaptistsylva.com.
Gotta Flute, Trombone, Trumpet...?
The band program at Scotts Creek School is really growing, and they are in desperate need of band instruments. If you or someone you know has a flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, snare drum, or bell set and are willing to donate them, please contact Brooke Dills.
RA (Royal Ambassador) Leader Needed
Job Description: Would meet with the young men in grades two to six on Wednesday afternoons from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Work on character building, missions education, teamwork. Build in fun and active play, too! Requires someone with a love for children, has lots of patience, and likes having fun. Materials are provided by WMU. Please see Gaye Buchanan for more information.
Pumpkin Pie
With all the pumpkin spice products making a return in the last few days,
it isn’t too early to start thinking about pumpkin pie!
Ingredients
1 (6 serving size) package vanilla instant pudding and pie filling mix
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
13 ounces evaporated milk
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 cup canned pumpkin
Whipped topping
1 9-inch baked pie shell
Instructions
Combine pie filling mix, sugar, cinnamon, milk, egg, and pumpkin in saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a full bubbling boil. Remove from heat. Cool 5 minutes, stirring twice. Pour into shell and chill 4 hours. Garnish with whipped topping, if desired.
– Provided byBarbara Vance
Pumpkin Pie
Click here to download a printable version.
-Provided by Barbara Vance
Join Us for Worship!
JOIN US FOR WORSHIP ON SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:30 A.M.
IN THE SANCTUARY! ALSO JOIN US FOR
SUNDAY SCHOOL AT 9:30 A.M. FOR ALL AGES!
Our worship service will be streamed online at firstbaptistsylva.com.
Sunday School and Childcare is Available!
Joe's Window 9.11.24
By Dr. Joe Yelton
Interim Pastor
I
t’s happening even as my fingers dance on the keyboard. The morning and evening air is cool, the leaves are no longer vibrantly green (some are even colorful), and the sense that autumn is here is freeing. It is a splendid time of year. We’ve shared winter (I came to you February 1), spring and summer. And now, we embark on the fall foliage journey when all around us, mountains turn into a palate of bursting color.
Many of us are old enough now to understand that the seasons of nature are mimicked in our very beings. We once were young and filled with spit and vinegar. Now, we find ourselves puzzled that everything is moving so swiftly. Once we had ambition and fresh ideas only to find them replaced with aches and pains.
Isn’t it refreshing though, to discover that slowing down isn’t threatening. Yes, it sounds ominous, but it isn’t. “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will fly upon wings like eagles; they will run and not be tired; they will walk and not be weary.” (Isaiah 40:31)
In fact, who would argue that forest leaves are at their most striking beauty as the end of their journey approaches. Green becomes red and yellow, peach and orange. Drabness becomes brilliance.
More than a few have remarked in my presence, “our church is mainly older folks.” I say, celebrate that. Use these days when our flames are brighter than ever before to become light in the paths of searchers. Embrace these days when we are moving less swiftly, allowing us to enjoy the beauty we once were too busy to notice. Prove to those younger than our “average congregant” (there’s nothing average about any of you) that they are needed more than ever and we are wiser and more available to assist them, than ever.
First Baptist Sylva has a very bright future. However, with all things futuristic, we must have a sure foundation. We do! Thanks be to God.
– Joe