Starting Sept. 26, each household is eligible to request four tests at COVIDTests.gov that will be shipped directly to your home address (or PO Box). Public health officials have confirmed that these tests are capable of detecting the latest coronavirus variants circulating and causing infections. (Excerpted from AARP newsletter)
October Birthdays
Happy Birthday, FBC Family!
Mary Anne Roos (Oct. 4)
Judy Seago (Oct. 5)
Karen Monteith (Oct. 8)
Jimmy Hunter (Oct. 16)
Wanda Jones (Oct. 16)
Betty Blanton (Oct. 19)
Jay Coward (Oct. 19)
Charlie White (Oct. 19)
Anne Sellers (Oct. 22)
Janelle Messer (Oct. 27)
Ginger Fullbright (Oct. 29)
Happy Birthday! We love you and hope you have a great birthday!
Did we miss your birthday? Please let us know by emailing us at fbcsylva@gmail.com!
Sunday School and Childcare is Available!
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.
Art Exhibition to Be on Display Soon
Be sure to check out the children’s art work on the bulletin board outside the Children’s Sunday School room on second floor after October 6.
Hands on Jackson
Hands On Jackson will be on Thursday, October 10. We had very good participation last year and are hoping to do as well—or even better—this year! Please contact Team Leader Harold Messer at 828-506-2344 and leave a message if you are willing to volunteer your time to do some landscaping or general clean-up for neighbors in our community. You may also call the church office at 828-586-2095, and Janice can take your information. Thank you!
1st Explorers After-School Ministry Update
It was “Art and Game Week” at 1st Explorers last week. The children worked on art pieces for the “God’s Wonderful World” exhibition that will be on the second floor of the church. Afterwards, they played games like Scattergories, Uno, and Spot. Kayla Hartman, assistant director, related that a week like this one helps the counselors bond more with the children.
The 1st Explorers are starting to catch on to the “caught being good coins” (a discipline/guidance tool) and looking for ways to earn them!
The week ended with Christmas play practice with Marina Hunley-Graham.
Zucchini Tomato Casserole
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups grated Cheddar cheese
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
salt and pepper to taste
2 medium zucchinis, thinly sliced
5 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
After slicing tomatoes, lay them on a paper towel to drain away some moisture.
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
3/4 cup fine bread crumbs
Instructions
1. Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly butter a 9x9-inch pan.
2. Combine Cheddar, Parmesan, garlic, oregano, and basil in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
3. Arrange 1/2 of the zucchini slices in the prepared pan. Sprinkle 1/4 of the cheese and herb mixture on top.
4. Arrange 1/2 of the tomatoes and top with another 1/4 of the cheese mixture. Repeat layers.
5. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions; cook and stir until soft and translucent. Stir in bread crumbs; cook until they have absorbed the butter.
6. Sprinkle on top of casserole.
7. Cover loosely with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake until the top is crusty and vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.
8. Serve and enjoy!
– Provided by Jennie Hunter
Zucchini Tomato Casserole
Click here to download a printable version.
-Provided by Jennie hunter
Giving the Jesus Way
United Christian Ministries is in need of: shampoo (prefer 2-in-1 shampoo & conditioner), body wash, deodorant, toothpaste, child diapers (all sizes), cereal, spaghetti sauce and spaghetti noodles. To donate items, please drop them off at UCM’s building at 191 Skyland Drive. Thank you!
Joe's Window 9.25.24
by Joe Yelton
Interim Pastor
This edition of Chime is posting on September 25. Yep, three months ‘til Christmas day. Arguments abound as to when it’s appropriate to put up the tree, decorate the yard, and begin playing Christmas music. I’m an early bird, and proud of it.
However, there is one piece of the coming Advent and Christmas calendar that isn’t too early to consider. It has to do with purchasing gifts. Data bankers tell us that the average American family spends about $3,200 each year on Christmas gifts. That sounds awfully high to me.
I want to extend a challenge to each of us inside the First Baptist family. I extend it now because in just a few weeks, it’ll be too late to renegotiate our spending (much of our gift buying is done by December 1 st ). Here’s the challenge: give a gift to our church in December which is above and beyond your usual monthly giving ... a gift that is equal to the amount of money you plan to spend on the person in your life receiving your most expensive gift.
For instance, if you make purchases for your spouse, child, friend, etc. totaling $400, in December, after making your typical monthly gifts to the church, write an additional check to the church for an equal amount. End of the year giving could substantially invigorate the bottom line of this church we love so much IF, enough of us actually participate in this challenge.
It goes without saying that this effort is between you and your God. You’ve now been given about 13 weeks to consider taking this goal upon yourself. I didn’t clear this article with anyone so, if I’ve overstepped protocol, it was not my intention. My hope is two-fold: first, give us time to better think through our upcoming holiday spending and, secondly, make a gift to the birthday boy of Christmas, Jesus, that could genuinely impact our congregational ability to move boldly forward.
Thanks for hearing me out.