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. Start date: Immediately. Please see Gaye Buchanan for more information.
Mission Moment 10.2.24
Dianne McNary
CBF OGM Advocate
About this time last year, I was packing up our belongings preparing to move back to the United States after 19 years ministering among the Roma peoples in Slovakia. There were so many conflicting emotions as we decided what to pack and what to give away. Excitement and apprehension. Happy and sad. Ready for new challenges and desire to keep doing the same old things. How do you pack up almost 20 years of your life into some boxes and bags?
I had recently gone through a period of reflection and discernment when the opportunity to return to the U.S. was presented. At first, I had no idea what I might do next. I still have a nursing license so that was an option; but it wasn’t my first choice. It was my back-up plan. I wanted to stay involved with Global Missions. Following Nell Green as the next Offering for Global Missions Advocate was just the ticket. I have always enjoyed visiting churches, sharing stories and getting to know people. This was the perfect role for me. The challenge of learning new skills and being pushed outside my comfort zone has been life-giving to me during this transition back to Arkansas.
Sharing my colleagues’ stories and promoting their ministries as I encourage congregations to give generously to the Offering for Global Missions which ensures that CBF field personnel can live out their call, expands my calling in new ways.
God is doing a new thing. Do you not perceive it? For 2024-25, the Offering for Global Missions theme is “Behold…a new thing!” based on Isaiah 43:19. Each year we set aside two weeks to pray for our CBF field personnel and the Offering for Global Missions. Join us this week, Oct 6-12, 2024 to lift up our field personnel and their ministries around the world.
I encourage you to give generously to support the Offering for Global Missions which provides salary, benefits and housing for CBF field personnel around the world.
Pray, Practice, Ponder
God of healing and justice, you have called us by name and we are your children. When rivers rage, they will not sweep over us. When we walk through fire, we will not be consumed because we are precious in your sight. We are precious and called.
We are witnesses to your grace and love. And we are called to share your love with all we meet. We are called to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God.
Open our hearts, O Lord, that we may welcome people from other places.
Open our eyes, O Lord, to see the new things that You are doing.
Open our ears, O Lord, that we may hear a word from You.
Open our hands, O Lord, that we may offer healing grace to others.
Open our minds, O Lord, to see others in a new way. Amen.
Pray. . .Give. . .Go.
1st Explorers After-School Ministry Update
It was a short week with 1st Explorers. And due to the storms, they are out of school this whole week. Enjoy the highlights in pictures below!
Women’s Fall Bible Study
Begins Monday, October 21 at 10:00 a.m.
Women’s Fall Bible Study will begin Monday, October 21 at 10:00 a.m. in the Gathering Place Room. We will be studying “Jesus In Me” by Anne Graham Lotz. Books are available in the church office.
Student Ministry Associate
First Baptist Church of Sylva is hiring a part-time position (average of 20 hours per week) for a Student Ministry Associate. This position will help guide students and their families through their unique challenges with love, encouragement and sound biblical teaching. Posting to social media focusing communications on the needs and interests of students and their families is a duty of this position. This role will also participate in Sunday worship services, personally and with students. Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or be in their final year of a degreed program. This position will require some weekend and evening work. Interested applicants should email a resume to FBCSylvaRecruit@gmail.com.
Mission Circle Meeting
Join us for our monthly Mission Circle Meeting! We will meet this Tuesday, October 8 at 10:30 a.m. in the Gathering Room. Join us!
I Want to Help Those in Need
Most of our church family has been blessed with the return of electricity and cell phone service—we are so thankful! Please call our church office if you know of someone in our church family or others in our community who are in need and we will do our best to help them personally or search for resources.
The Jackson County Emergency Management Office has put out a request for donations and a list of distribution sites as follows:
Supply donations will be received daily from 8 am to 8 pm at The Old Western Builders Building at 198 WBI Drive in Sylva.
Donation distribution will be from 2 pm to 6 pm daily at Mark Watson Park at 86 Mark Watson Park in Sylva.
Monetary donations may be made to the following non-profits during their regular business hours:
Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry at 549 Frank Allen Road in Cashiers
The Community Table at 23 Central Street in Sylva
United Christian Ministries at 191 Skyland Drive in Sylva
Please designate “Hurricane Helene Relief” on any monetary donations.
Fields of Faith
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.
Send Us Your Prayer List Updates
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.