First Baptist Church will observe homecoming on Sunday, October 13. Dr. Joe Yelton, interim pastor, will bring the message at the 10:30 a.m. service.
A covered dish meal will follow the service in the Mission and Fellowship Center. The church will provide the chicken, and members are asked to bring a covered dish to share with those in attendance. All past and present church members as well as friends of the church are invited to attend.
Two years ago, I stepped away from chaplaincy and into a new role helping ministers and healthcare providers create collaborations to improve health disparities in rural communities. While it is important work, I have missed the connection to the sacred space of direct ministry. As I struggled to find perspective, I had an experience that has helped me connect to the vitality of this new context.
Late last year, while attending a health fair that we organized with one of the faith/health collaborations that our program helped to resource, my wife, Terri, and I visited the church where blood donations were being received and where Terri would make a blood donation. The American Red Cross was set up in a beautiful worship space with high ceilings and stained-glass windows. A piano and lectern on the chancel and an altar front and center. The patient exam tables for donating blood were placed among the chairs where the congregation would normally sit. Worship music flowed from a small speaker and filled the room. It was beautiful, peaceful and calming.
As we talked with the nurse, a song began to play and I began to sing along:
“I need you, you need me,
We’re all a part of God’s body.
Stand with me, agree with me.
We’re all a part of God’s body.”
To our delight, Terri’s nurse joined in:
“It is God’s will that every need be supplied.
You are important to me, I need you to survive.”
Here in rural Georgia where there is so much health disparity and where race and religion can often divide, we found ourselves in a profoundly holy moment. A young African-American nurse and two older white people in a predominantly white church singing to one another about how we can prayerfully pledge to care for one another spiritually and tangibly.
“I pray for you, you pray for me.
I love you, I need you to survive.
I won’t harm you with words from my mouth.
I love you, I need you to survive.”
As Terri began her donation, something happened. Her normally upbeat voice got quiet, the color left her face, and her hand became clammy. She whispered, “I don’t feel good...I think I’m going to faint.”
Before I could even think, the nurse calmly and quickly jumped to Terri’s aid. Her head was lowered, her feet raised, cold wet towels were placed on her head and neck. Her caregiver spoke gently, reassuring her. After a few frightening minutes, she was back. Her color and speech returned to normal. She was able to complete her donation.
However, in those few, fragile moments, we were invited into the sacred space of personally understanding the impact of ministry in this new context and doing the holy work of bringing people together to save lives.
Now, when I find myself at my office desk or as I sit in meetings about building collaborations and begin missing the holy moments, I stop and hum that lovely chorus. I’m taken back to that sacred space and inspired to lean into the difference that this new role can make.
Pray, Practice, Ponder
On your phone or computer, find Hezekiah Walker’s song, “I Need You to Survive” (It can be found on YouTube or through most music apps.) As you listen, let the lyrics wash over you. Prayerfully notice what word or phrase stands out for you today. Consider sharing this line with a friend or, in the style of Lectio Divina, take this word or phrase to God in prayer, pondering what God is speaking to you through it.
Pray. . .Give. . .Go.
Join us for our Wednesday evening Bible study! After enjoying last week’s potluck dinner together, we will resume our Bible study time TONIGHT, September 25 at 6:00 p.m. in the MFC. There will be no meal. Join us!
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.
Our worship service will be streamed online at firstbaptistsylva.com.
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.
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.
Please let Cheryl Beck know no later than September 27 if you want to attend either of these great camps. The date and locations will be determined as soon as we get a count of those going.
Don’t delay! Call today!