Connections-August-2018

AUGUST 2018 | www.fbcgso.org | 336.274.3286

first baptist church greensboro

Join us for sepcial worship services in August.

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Emphasizing worship, spiritual development, fellowship, and ministry to our city and our world.

Enjoy the final days of summer through worship, serving, learning, and fellowship at First Baptist.

www.fbcgso.org | 336-274-3286 1000 West Friendly Avenue Greensboro, NC 27401

( Tag your post with #fbcgso ) Also follow us on instagram: FBCGSO September Connections Deadline: August 15 Email news to rosemary@fbcgso.org or bring it to the church office.

Teresa Allen, Media Library Director teresaa@fbcgso.org / x229

Chris Cherry, Associate Pastor of Youth and Families / chris@fbcgso.org

Amy Grizzle Kane, Associate Pastor: Missions and Community / amygkane@fbcgso.org / x295 Marty Kellam, Food Services Director marty@fbcgso.org / x245

Rosemary Kellam, Operations Director rosemary@fbcgso.org / x231 Amy Kirkman, Preschool Director amy@fbcgso.org / x240

Addison Lawrimore, Ministry Support Associate addison@fbcgso.org / x288 Baker Lawrimore, Ministry Fellow baker@fbcgso.org / x239

Christina McCord, Minister to Children and Families christina@fbcgso.org / x241 Darnysha Nard, Pastoral Resident darnysha@fbcgso.org / x232

Scott North, Church Administrator scott@fbcgso.org / x226

Jo Nygard Owens, Communications Director jo@fbcgso.org / x223 Larry Putnam, Financial Assistant larry@fbcgso.org / x222 Alan Sherouse, Senior Pastor pastor@fbcgso.org / x231

Tommy Starnes, Recreation Director tstarnes@triad.rr.com / x251

August 2018

3 Window Gazing

4 August Worship Services

5 Connect with Missions

6 Connect with Adults

Tornado Relief | Community Garden Congregational Summer Reading | Oasis Friends Day Luncheon | Register for FRONT

7 Connect with the First Baptist Church Preschool

Back to School | Registration for 2018-2019

8 Connect with Staff

9 Connect with One Another

Ministry Support Associate | Communications Director Thank you from Steve Pressley Birthdays | Bereaved | New Members | Volunteers Needed

10 August Calendar Connect with Business Giving at FBC Greensboro June 2018 Financial Results

11 A Thousand Words 12 Your FBC Staff

Steve Sumerel, Associate Pastor: Congregational Life steves@fbcgso.org / x233

Doug Vancil, Associate Pastor: Music and Worship doug@fbcgso.org / x237 Terri Vancil, Assistant Pastor: Music and Worship terri@fbcgso.org / x238 Alisa Windsor, Ministry Support Associate alisa@fbcgso.org / x225

Courtney Willis, Associate Pastor of Spiritual Formation courtneywillis@fbcgso.org

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Office Hours: 9 am - 5 pm, Monday - Friday Weekends and Holidays: If you have an emergency pastoral care need when the church offices are closed, please leave a message at 338-2438 and someone will return your call.

Window Gazing by Alan Sherouse Rev. Michael Mather is one of my newest ministerial models. Among the characteristics I admire about him, the two that stand out above the others might be his shoes.

“Pastor Mike,” as Mather is known to his congregation and community, is the Pastor of Broadway United Methodist in Indianapolis. Once the largest church in the city, and the largest Methodist church in the state, Broadway dwindled in numbers and involvement over the last half of the 20th century. But in recent years, the church has sought to reorient itself. In Pastor Mike’s words,

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We decided that above all else, we would listen to our community and learn what it means to be good neighbors.

I had the chance to meet Pastor Mike this past spring, as part of a two-year program I’m participating in with the Lilly Endowment and Faith & Leadership at Duke Divinity School. He and the Broadway UMC leadership hosted our group of twenty pastors, professors and religious leaders.

I was so impressed by the passion and insights of these leaders. I was immediately aware of Pastor Mike’s ease with people and comfortable style, but during one of our breaks I saw him kneeling down to speak to one of our group members eye-to-eye and that’s when I noticed his worn running shoes, one of which had a sizeable hole in the sole.

A transplant to Indianapolis, and to Broadway’s neighborhood, early in his tenure Pastor Mike began the practice of starting each day by walking miles in the neighborhood. Most days, I learned, he would walk at least three miles, stopping along the way to speak to neighbors, listen to their stories, and hear their hopes for the life of their community.

This practice became so core to the ministry of the church that in 2004 Broadway hired community leader De’Amon Harges to be the church’s “roving listener” - a position that is just as it sounds. Harges’ job is to walk the neighborhood, block by block, spending time with neighbors to understand the talents and gifts already present in the community.

Mike and De’amon’s approach to ministry recalls the work of Mark Gornick, who when starting a church in the Sandtown neighborhood of Baltimore said that the most important aspect of his work was spending several

Pastor Mike Mathes and De’Amon Harges walk the neighborhood around their Indianapolis church learning the stories of their neighbors. These stories impact the ministry of Broadway UMC.

years “living in the neighborhood,” meeting the people, learning the stories and values, and finding how the work of the church fit within the larger life of the community.

The work of knowing and loving our neighbors is essential to our church, too. As I think of those newer to our congregation - especially those gifted ministers and staff that have come to join us most recently - most essential in their early days is the work of “living in the neighborhood,” walking amidst the people of our church and our community, learning the gifts that already exist.

This is the work to which Jesus called the disciples, as well. In Matthew 10, Jesus sends the disciples out to “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons” logging mile after mile while proclaiming that the kingdom was not far off, but near to them. Jesus’ first command in the commissioning is to “Go.” It’s the word that describes the incarnation itself, as Jesus left comfort and power at the right hand of God. “The word became flesh,” the Gospel of John describes, “and lived among us.” Or, in The Message adaptation of this well known passage, “The word… moved into the neighborhood.” It’s the work to which all of us are called as followers of Jesus Christ, who came and lived among us.

We are called and commissioned to walk the neighborhood, logging miles, hearing stories, learning gifts, and proclaiming the kingdom that is near.

If we want to know how well we’re doing, we might just check the soles of our shoes.

August 2018 | 3

Connect with worship

Worship with Us in August Sunday, August 5 | 9 am

Connect with Missions

Tornado Relief and Update Ongoing donations are still needed

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Outdoor Worship

Join us for this beautiful time of worship on the First Baptist Church lawn. An outdoor potluck brunch will follow the service at 10 am.

Sunday, August 12 | 10:30 am summer staff lead worship

We have appreciated the ministry work of our summer staff for the previous couple months, and we look forward to their leadership in worship on August 12.

ebuilding structures and lives financially, physically and emotionally after a natural disaster is a long and slow process forward.

Thank you for your continued concern for our neighbors impacted by the April 15 tornado here in Greensboro.

New Light Missionary Baptist Church continues to collect and distribute items individually to those in need and impacted. You may bring requested items to the FBC Atrium and we will deliver them to New Light Missionary Baptist for further distribution. Additionally, helping homeowners with rebuilding work in partnership with Community Housing Solutions and Habitat for Humanity will begin soon! Contact Amy Grizzle Kane (amygkane@fbcgso.org/ (336) 274-3286) for more details on how you can help rebuild.

Items still requested: • paper towels • cleaning supplies: gloves, sponges, mops/brooms, pinesol, etc.

• laundry and dish detergent • garbage bags • soap • body wash • toilet paper • new in package underwear for men (undershirts as well) and women—larger sizes especially appreciated

Sunday August 19 | 4-6 pm

baptism & bbq at the lake | Camp Weaver Baptism at the Lake is an extended period of time to engage in conversations that last more than a few minutes. It is a time when we enjoy catching up on the families of our church. We come together to enjoy barbecue, special dishes brought by everyone, and family stories which flow as freely as the iced tea and lemonade. Baptism at the Lake however, is more than the food, more than the recreation, more than the ritual or a social event. It is what God intended fellowship to be; the celebration of our commonality and our deep and abiding love and appreciation for one another.

What to Bring: Side Dishes/Desserts (enough to share) • $2 for BBQ and money to purchase leftover BBQ • Lawn Chairs/ Blankets • Bug Spray/Sunscreen • Swimsuit/Towel (for swimming) • Life jacket– Camp Weaver also provides them • Friends and neighbors

Directions to Camp Weaver: Take East Lee Street until it ends, turn right onto Young’s Mill Road, and make a left onto Mill Point Road. The camp is 3/4 of a mile on the right on Tapawingo Trail. Follow signs to the lake.

Sunday, August 26 | 10:30 am promotion sunday

The Community Garden at FBC

150 pounds of food have already been donated

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ogether with our Westerwood neighbors, FBC has grown a beautiful and plentiful garden this summer!

The Community Garden has already provided over 150 pounds of healthy, nutritious produce to needy families through our partnership with Share the Harvest. It takes a team of volunteers to keep our garden growing and we welcome helpers to harvest vegetables, water the garden and take produce to Share the Harvest pick up locations at the IRC or First Lutheran Church. You may also bring produce from your own gardens to share as well. Volunteer on our Sign Up Genius tinyurl.com/FBCgardensignup or contact Amy Grizzle Kane at (336) 274-3286 or Janice Newsom at (336) 908 -7760.

All children are invited to bring their backpacks for a blessing during worship. Blessing buttons will be handed out for children to attach to their backpacks. We will also bless our teachers for their work in the coming year. At 9:15 am, during the Sunday school hour, children will move up to their new classrooms.

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August 2018 | 5

Connect with adults

Congregational Summer Book Read Continues!

All FBC adults are encouraged to use the remaining weeks of August to read An Altar in the World by Barbara Brown Taylor. The summer is a great time to slow down, pay attention to the world around us, and notice where God is present in our daily lives. This book invites us to do just that through engaging in our faith every day, outside the walls of the church.

As you read the book, ask others around you about what they think about the book and how they are experiencing God this summer. On Wednesday night, September 5, we will gather as a congregation to discuss the ideas in the book and how we might grow individually and collectively through this shared reading.

Connect with first baptist church preschool

Friends Day Luncheon to Celebrate Our Homebound Members

Tuesday, september 11 at 11:30 am | Fellowship hall

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he Friends Day lunch is given in honor of our homebound members. Homebound members and friends will share tables, lunch, and conversation.

A brief, inspirational program will follow. Deacons will arrange transportation, and drivers are appreciated. If you would like to help with transportation and hosting a homebound member, please contact Steve Sumerel at steves@fbcgso.org | x233 – he will assist in coordinating with a deacon. All those attending (including Deacons and hosts) should RSVP to Steve Sumerel at steves@ fbcgso.org by September 6. The event is free for all who attend.

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asis is FBC’s adult summer Sunday School option. In the desert, an oasis is a place of rest and replenishment. It is our hope that Oasis will be just that over the summer. We will be offering Oasis until August 19 each week in the Chapel. Individual classes may meet at 9:15 am to have prayer, and count noses before joining Oasis at 9:30 am. Courtney Willis will teach in August.

If your class plans to attend Oasis, please contact Steve Sumerel so that we can be sure to have adequate seating: steves@fbcgso.org | x233.

Registration Open for FRONT

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lthough FRONT was originally developed to prepare Sunday School teachers to enter the classroom, it has truly grown into more. The three month curriculum which begins in September is designed to offer each participant a foundation in four major areas of study; Old Testament, New Testament, Church History, and Christian Theology. This course not only prepares a student to teach in our Sunday School program, but it has also encouraged the spiritual formation of many of our members who simply wanted to “dig a little deeper.”

The faculty for FRONT this fall will include, Rev. Alan Sherouse, Dr. Jason Myers, Dr. Scott Culclasure, and Dr. Steve Sumerel.

For information about FRONT, contact Steve Sumerel at steves@fbcgso.org | x233.

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FRONT Schedule

Mondays | FBC 102 Sept. 10 | 6-7:30 pm Sept. 17 | 6-7:30 pm Oct. 1 | 6-7:30 pm Oct. 8 | 5:30-7 pm Oct. 15 | 6-7:30 pm Oct. 22 | 6-7:30 pm Nov. 5 | 5:30-7pm Nov. 12 | 6-7:30pm Nov. 19 | 6-7:30 pm Dec. 3 | 5:30-7 pm Dec. 10 | 6-7:30pm

Old Testament: Jason Myers Old Testament: Jason Myers Old Testament: Jason Myers New Testament: Alan Sherouse New Testament: Alan Sherouse New Testament: Alan Sherouse Church History: Scott Culclasure Church History: Scott Culclasure Church History: Scott Culclasure Theology: Steve Sumerel Theology: Steve Sumerel

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t’s almost time for school to start again! The teachers are due back on August 27 to start preparing for the year! As always, we are gearing up for an eventful year! Please follow us on Facebook at First Baptist Church Greensboro Preschool to see what we are up to as the year progresses.

Mrs. Teague took this beautiful picture of the sunflowers that her PreK students planted in the fall. They bloomed all summer and brightened the paths of many who walked past our preschool playground. Look closely and you can see the steeple in the background. This picture is a reminder to me, as a church member and as the preschool director, that First Baptist Church is a place for everyone.

I have the privilege of working with the very youngest people in the building, but also have had the honor of building relationships with some long-time members. My hope is that further intergenerational relationships can be built between the preschool and church members. Each group has something unique and holy to offer the other. Our students will be planting more sunflowers this fall as well as working in the community garden.

Please don’t hesitate to stop by and get your hands dirty with them any day of the week, to visit with them and with me, and to experience the joy of walking down the preschool halls when they are filled with songs and laughter.

If you have a child aged 6 weeks through 4 years old, or would like to refer someone who does, please email amy@fbcgso.org or call the preschool at (336) 274.3286, x 240 to set up a tour. We do have a waiting list for some classrooms, but there is still room in several age groups.

Please contact Amy Kirkman at amy@fbcgso. org to set up a tour or call (336) 274.3286, x 240.

You may also message us on our Facebook page: @firstbaptistgreensboropreschool

REGISTER

TODAY August 2018 | 7

Connect with Staff

Addison Lawrimore | Ministry support associate We are delighted to transition Addison Lawrimore’s role on the First Baptist staff in August. She served as the Children’s Ministry Assistant since the fall of 2017, and her work in that ministry has been invaluable. Before coming to First Baptist, Addison served as the Special Projects Assistant in the Communications and Creative Services department of the UNC Carolina Union and as Intern with the Cooperative Baptist Student Fellowship group at UNCG. Addison received her BA from UNC, and was an accomplished leader in her music fraternity. Addison is married to First Baptist’s Ministry Fellow, Baker Lawrimore.

Jo Nygard Owens | Communications director Jo comes to First Baptist with more than 10 years experience in strategic church communications, content management, and graphic design. She has been working on a contract basis with us since November 2017. Prior to her work at First Baptist, Jo served as Associate Pastor at Guilford Park Presbyterian Church, and Communications Director at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.

Jo received her BA from the University of Georgia and earned her MDiv from Columbia Theological Seminary. She and her husband BJ have two children–Amelia (8) and Graham (5).

Dear members of First Baptist Church, I would like to thank you sincerely for all that you did to celebrate my retirement and quarter-century of service alongside you! The invitation to preach a farewell sermon blessed me abundantly, as did the beautiful music and morning worship.

Your delightful afternoon reception, along with the hugs and well-wishes of friends old and new, from near and far, was deeply satisfying to our entire family. The many personal, handwritten notes are “keepers,” and they will encourage us for all time to come.

Catherine and I humbly thank you for every expression of your generosity. How very kind and thoughtful of you to honor her 8 | Connections

with the beautiful bracelet! And we very much appreciated the Love Gift.

How deeply meaningful to me personally was the commissioning and presentation of a handcrafted Chapel lectern to honor my love of Bible teaching. We also cherish your gift of a plaque commemorating our time among you. It will have a place of honor in our home, as will the exquisite, framed textile art-piece presenting a Jewish interpretation of Psalm 23.

Beyond all of this, thank you, thank you for our 25-plus years of service among you! It has indeed been the very best chapter of our lives. We love you and will never forget you! I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you . . .

(Philippians 1.3).

Connect with one another

August Birthdays

(No FBC birthdays August 14 or 26) 1. Lindsey Kalish 2. Ruth Weston, Wilma Fortune, Sherwood Chesson, Eleanor Patterson, Carol Putnam 3. Daniel Terrell, Eloise Curlee, Lawrence Pike, Berkley Willis 4. Suzanne Rohrbaugh, Brian Smith, Amy Overman Stephens, Cassie Starnes 5. Debbie Huneycutt 6. Max McCracken 7. Laurie Ann White 8. Karl Lewis, George David Stone 9. Terri Battle, Phyllis Parkerson, Daniel Kennedy 10. John Carleton Hardy 11. Cary Root, Martin Waitherero 12. Sue Weddle, Blake Absher, Doug Childs 13. Marietta Noel, Jim Frost, Wright Johnson 15. Warren Bass, Penny Rowe, Keith Burroughs, Betsy Absher Nagpal

1 6. Geneva Metzger, Bill Simmons 17. David Rafferty, Betty Case, Jean Bundy, Robert Godfrey, Joanna Sample 18. David Crews, Kip Blakely, Avery Payne 19. Evelyn Polk, June McNeil, Dale Caldwell, Marie Delgado 20. Paul Brady, Ranville Hathcock, Cookie Hamilton, David Gilliland, Jenny Sherouse 21. Adair Suggs 22. Dorothy Collins, Eddie Wooten, Kim Bolton, Patrick Cashwell 23. Jo Anne Thompson, Miriam Boroughs

2 3. Elizabeth Anne Gibson 24. Lorna Lanning, Becky Parham, Joshua Reynolds 25. Martha Chandler, Dale Kelly, Martha Robison-Spangler, Samuel Lones, Alex Wells 27. Willie Pitts, Dorothy Norris, Parrish Clodfelter, Rita Harrell, Margaret Raines 28. Robin Young 29. Jeanette Mitchell, Judy Ryan, Shelley Garrett, Caleb Rainey, Lauren Elizabeth Worsley 30. Kathy Sample, Ruth Caraker 31. Nancy Davis, Adair Garner

Bereaved

• Jean Lane in the death of her niece, Martha Leonard, d. 7/2 • Esther Mathews in the death of her husband, John Mathews, d. 7/4 • Randy Lewis in the death of his father, Rev. Richard Lewis, d. 7/12 • Warren Bass in the death of his grandson-in-law, Shawn Huston, d. 7/12

Please notify Rosemary Kellam if you would like to receive email notification of member deaths and memorials along with the Deacons – rosemary@fbcgso.org | x231

Responding to the Invitation

Front desk help needed Two additional helpers are needed at the front desk to answer the phone, unlock the door, and greet our visitors.

Kelsi Clausen ( July 1)

Chris and Tory Cherry ( July 1)

The time slots available are Mondays from 9 am-1 pm and Fridays from 12-5 pm. Contact Rosemary Kellam at rosemary@ fbcgso.org | x231.

Steve and Catherine Pressley

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August @FBC

1-3 (W-F): Worship in the Arts. Sanctuary, 9 am 1 (W): Grace Meal Pick-Up & Serve. Kitchen, 5 pm 2 (Th): Parking Lot Repairs. Tate Entrance & Guilford Lot, 8 am 3 (F): WITA Concert & Reception. Sanctuary, 1 pm 5 (Su): Outdoor Worship & Brunch. Front Lawn, 9 am 6,13, 20, 27 (M): Monday Night College Meeting. 7 pm 7 (Tu): Grace Meal Preparation. Kitchen, 5 pm 8 (W): Grace Meal Pick-Up & Serve. Kitchen, 5 pm 12 (Su): StepUp Ministry Clothing Collection. Atrium, 9 am 14 (Tu): WMU Group 3. 102, 9:30 14 (Tu): WMU Group 4. Joy Classroom, 10:30 am 14-15 (Tu-W): FBC Staff Retreat. Off-site.

17 (F): Meals on Wheels. Peace United Church of Christ, 9:30 am 18 (S): Rising 6th Grade Mini Retreat.

18 (S): Piedmont International Fellowship Picnic. 3:30 pm 19 (Su): Baptism & BBQ at the Lake. Camp Weaver, 4 pm 27 (M): Preschool Teacher Training. Fellowship Hall, 8 am 27 (M): Committee Night. 101, 102, 108C, Fellowship Hall, 6 pm 28 (Tu): Senior Adult Council. 216, 2 pm 29 (W): Youth Group. 301, 6:15 pm

A Thousand Words…

A picture tells a story just as well as, if not better than, a thousand written words.

Enjoy these pictures that tell stories from our FBC family. Share your photos: #fbcgso on Facebook or Instagram.

Regular Weekly Schedule Sunday AM @ FBC Bible Study | 9:15 am Worship | 10:30 am

Connect with business

Giving at FBC Greensboro Why We Give: Giving financially is a chance for us to honor God with the resources and provisions that God has

provided for us. When we practice generous giving, we strengthen our relationship with Christ. As we learn to grow in our trust and faith in Christ, it is important to trust in Christ’s provision. As people of faith, we give faithfully and generously out of grateful hearts, because God has given to us faithfully and generously.

How to Give: We pass an offering plate during the worship service. Most members give their offerings to the church by putting a check in an envelope and placing the envelope in the offering plate as it is passed on Sunday mornings. Others who cannot attend on particular Sundays mail their checks to the church. Others use their online banking and set up one time or automatic payments that are sent to the church through their bank. Still others set up their online giving through the church website. We also have mobile giving through the Church Life app or through Tithe.ly. You can download either app for use on almost any device. If you have questions, contact Scott North at the church office – scott@ fbcgso.org | x226.

June 2018 Financial Results

Year-to-Date Budget Receipts/Distributions

Actual Budget Last Year Receipts $808,813 $825,000 $758,313 Disbursements (Net of program income) $906,824 $911,183 $838,679 Net Deficit $ (98,011) $ (86,183) $ (80,366) 10 | Connections

August 2018 | 11

First Baptist Church Greensboro

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

1000 West Friendly Avenue Greensboro, NC 27401 www.fbcgso.org

US POSTAGE PAID GREENSBORO, NC NO. 179

Your First Baptist Staff Ministerial staff

Administrative staff

Chris Cherry – Associate Pastor – Youth & Families Amy Grizzle Kane – Associate Pastor – Missions & Community Christina McCord – Minister to Children & Families Alan Sherouse – Senior Pastor Steve Sumerel – Associate Pastor – Congregational Life Courtney Willis – Associate Pastor – Spiritual Formation Doug Vancil – Associate Pastor – Music & Worship Terri Vancil – Assistant Pastor – Music & Worship

Theresa Allen – Media Library Director Rosemary Kellam – Operations Director Amy Kirkman – Weekday Preschool Director Addison Lawrimore – Ministry Support Associate Scott North – Church Administrator Jo Nygard Owens – Communications Director Larry Putnam – Financial Assistant Tommy Starnes – Upward / CBL Director Alisa Windsor – Ministry Support Associate

Residents

Building staff

Baker Lawrimore – Ministry Fellow Darnysha Nard – Pastoral Resident

Bobby Billinger – Custodial Services Rashidah Cathey – Custodial Services Theo Farrar – Assistant Kitchen/Food Services Maxine Gladney – Custodial Services Marty Kellam – Food Services Director Dan Lee – Custodial Services Marion Smith – Facilities Supervisor Tyrone Smith – Custodial Services