Add this email address to your contacts list on your devices so that our staff and Pastoral Care Team can learn of your prayer requests as quickly as possible. And yes, you may still contact the church office directly at 828-586-2095 to share your prayer concerns, as well.
Church Potluck TONIGHT
Join together for a “Welcome Back” potluck meal TONIGHT, Wednesday, September 18 at 6:00 p.m..
Can You Help?
The 1st Explorers After School Ministry is in need of someone who could work at the back door on Monday afternoons from 2:55 to 5:30 p.m. each week. This volunteer greets children and checks them in as they embark from the bus and church van. They greet parents picking up the children and check them out as they leave. If 2 or 3 people wanted to come together to take turns working on Mondays, that would also work. Having someone at the back door allows the staff to provide their full attention to the children in their care. It is also a meaningful ministry as the volunteer is a friendly face for FBC and comes to recognize the 1st Explorers and their families. Please let Marina Hunley-Graham or Kayla Hartman know if you are willing to help.
Also, the program is in need of paper plates, plastic utensils, and Clorox wipes. If you would like to donate any of these items, please place them on the cart at the back door.
Thank you for being part of this vital ministry of our church!
Preschoolers Through 5th Graders' Art Exhibition: God’s Wonderful World
Parents of children in this age group: Using the theme "God's Wonderful World," please work with your little one to draw, paint, or craft something that we can display on a bulletin board at church through October. They could use handprints or footprints, recycled materials, natural materials (leaves, etc.), or any other ideas you have. All who participate will be recognized. Please check with Cheryl Beck for more details.
Crispix Mix with Cheez-It Snack Crackers
Make a batch of this delicious snack mix to eat while watching
your favorite college football team this fall.
Ingredients
5 cups Kellogg’s Crispix cereal
5 cups Cheez-It Original Crackers
2 teaspoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon onion salt
Instructions
In a 13 x 9 x2-inch baking pan combine Kellogg’s Crispix cereal and Cheez-It crackers. Set aside.
Stir together remaining ingredients. Drizzle over cereal mixture. Stir until evenly coated.
Bake at 250 degrees F. for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread on paper towels. Cool completely. Store in airtight container.
Microwave Directions:
In a large microwave safe bowl combine Kellogg’s Crispix cereal and Cheez-It crackers. Set aside.
Stir together remaining ingredients. Drizzle over cereal mixture. Stir until evenly coated.
Microwave at high for 4 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Spread on paper towels. Cool completely. Store in airtight container. Makes 18 servings.
– Provided by Janice Trull
Crispix Mix with Cheez-It Snack Crackers
Click here to download a printable version.
-Provided by Janice Trull
Flowers for Sanctuary
If you would like to provide flowers in the sanctuary for Sunday morning services, please contact Gwen Messer at 828-506-8370, or Janice in the church office to be placed on the calendar.
1st Explorers After-School Ministry Update
1st Explorers finished up their Fruits of the Spirit series with gentleness, faithfulness, and self control. The story of the woman caught in betraying her husband demonstrated how Jesus showed extreme gentleness. Joseph's story in the Old Testament showed faithfulness to God through all the hardships he endured. Curtis Collins with the Health Department finished off the series with a discussion on self control.
On Thursday, Cheryl Beck gave the children a tour of the sanctuary and the various elements of worship. They particularly enjoyed seeing the story of Jesus on the stained glass windows. Mrs. Beck invited the kids and their families to attend Sunday School and worship at FBC.
On Friday, Marina Hunley-Graham led play practice for the Christmas performance. Many of the kids were excited to add their talents to the show with three of the girls spending the rest of the day choreographing a dance for it.
Thanks for the snacks church members have been providing. One of our favorite recipes so far has been a yogurt parfait in an ice cream sugar cone!
1st Explorers Has Some Openings
If you know of someone looking for after school care for their child grades K–6th grade, please let them know that there is still some space in 1st Explorers. The church van picks up children at Scotts Creek. Also, if they attend Fairview School, a school bus brings them to the church. The program runs from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day that school is operating in full session.
For more information, contact Marina Hunley-Graham.
Joe's Window 9.18.24
By Dr. Joe Yelton
Interim Pastor
Last week I spoke of the bursting colors autumn brings. Already, we are moving through fall toward Advent. These four months take a good-bit of planning but the rewards of being together are more than worth it. Just take a look:
Our Autumn Welcome Back Potluck is TONIGHT, September 18.
World Communion Day will be observed Sunday, October 6.
Our annual Homecoming Day is October 13.
We’ll observe All Saints Day November 3.
Our Shared Community Thanksgiving gathering and service (along with Sylva First Presbyterian and Sylva First United Methodist) happens Sunday, November 24.
Sunday, December 1 is the First Sunday in Advent, followed by so many wonderful opportunities for worship, friendship and joy.
For most Christian congregations, the four months ahead are delightful, filled with anticipation. Unlike sporting events and concerts where tickets must be purchased in advance, we rejoice that those choosing to participate in worship/fellowship do so without expending resources (yes, we are grateful for your tithes, but those matters are between you and God). There are no ticket booths at our doors. The moment you enter the space being utilized for worship or gathering, your very presence brings smiles. Why? Because we know that you have choices and with intention, you’ve chosen to come alongside other believers, here. Yes, your presence is a gift, and it is assuredly not taken for granted.
With that in mind, allow me to close with a challenge: what if, with the same attitude and zeal, we chose to invite others to join us for these Autumn opportunities. I suspect some would come once, be grateful, and move on. But there is a very real possibility that some, upon discovering you, would choose to come alongside you regularly. After all, didn’t you, at some point in the past have a first visit to First Baptist, Sylva? Boy, that would be something ... it really would.
– Joe
Sunday School and Childcare is Available!
Hurray for Our Nursery Workers of the Week!
It was a tag team day in the nursery with several people working together to provide
care for the five children in the nursery. Thank you to Carrie Nelson, Sarah Davis,
and Cheryl Beck for working during Sunday school and worship.
Sandi and Lexi Allen provided care during the Conversations luncheon.
Thank you for volunteering at the last minute!
On September 22, Beth and Lucie Moore will be in charge of the nursery.
We appreciate all those who give of their timeto make the nursery a safe and loving space.