Connections-May-2018

may 2018 | www.fbcgso.org | 336.274.3286

Lunch on the Grounds Sunday, May 27

first baptist church greensboro

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

Spring

has arrived at First Baptist

(finally!)

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

( Tag your post with #fbcgso.org ) June Connections Deadline: May 15 Email news to gloria@fbcgso.org or bring it to the church office.

Gloria Koster, Managing Editor/Designer Administrative Assistant: Learning gloria@fbcgso.org / x288 Rosemary Kellam, Production Editor Operations Director rosemary@fbcgso.org / x231 Teresa Allen, Media Library Director teresaa@fbcgso.org / x229

Jane Anne Hayber, Administrative Assistant: Music and Worship / janeanne@fbcgso.org / x239

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

3 Window Gazing

4 Connect with the First Baptist Church Preschool –Muffins with Mom | We’re Moving Up! –Registration for 2018-2019

5 Connect with Children & Youth

– Godspell Jr. | VBS | Worship in the Arts –Missions & Music Open House Night

6-7 Connect with Adults

–Wednesday Nights this Spring | Explore 1st –Reynolda House Day Trip | 50-Year Member Luncheon –11th Annual Memorial Day Columbarium Observance –May 7 PrimeTime | FRONT

7 Connect with Senior Adults

8 Connect with Missions

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

8 Connect with Business

Steve Pressley, Associate Pastor stevep@fbcgso.org / x232

9 Connect with One Another

Amy Kirkman, Preschool Director amy@fbcgso.org / x240

Christina McCord, Minister to Children and Families christina@fbcgso.org / x241 Darnysha Nard, Pastoral Resident darnysha@fbcgso.org / x236

Sarah Parker, Interim Youth Minister sarah@fbcgso.org / x235

Larry Putnam, Financial Assistant larry@fbcgso.org / x222 Alan Sherouse, Senior Pastor pastor@fbcgso.org / x231

Courtney Stamey, Pastoral Resident courtney@fbcgso.org / x223

Tommy Starnes, Recreation Director tstarnes@triad.rr.com / x251 Steve Sumerel, Associate Pastor: Congregational Life steves@fbcgso.org / x233

–FBC’s Senior Adult Council offers the “Chapel Collage” –FBC Missions Day Memories

–March 2018 Financial Results –Join FBC’s Team of Those Who Greet & Answer the Phone –New Members | New Babies | Birthdays | Bereaved

10 May Calendar

–Graduate Recognition

11 A Thousand Words…

12 Lunch on the Grounds – Sunday, May 27

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 2 | Connections

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

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n recent years, First Baptist Greensboro has claimed our unique opportunity to serve as a “teaching church,” especially through our Pastoral Residency and Internship programs. This identity is formed and strengthened through our relationship to area seminaries and divinity schools, which is one reason I’m excited for us to be a part of a new initiative at one of our partner schools and my alma mater, the Wake Forest University School of Divinity. In late March, I was honored to help Wake Divinity launch the beginning of some exciting new programming for Baptist students, which we’re calling the “Baptist Commons.”

Wake Divinity is one of a number of institutions that developed following shifts in Baptist life and Baptist theological education in the 1980s and 1990s. Our church saw the result of these shifts up close, as changes at nearby Southeastern Seminary led to an uncomfortable environment for moderate and progressive students and professors, culminating in the eventual resignation of Dr. Randall Lolley, who would ultimately come to serve as our pastor from 1990-96. Amidst the shifts towards fundamentalism in the denomination and its seminaries, a number of schools developed to provide alternatives for the theological education of Baptist ministers. Their number includes many schools with whom we continue to partner today through our annual Missions giving.

As First Baptist Greensboro and other churches like us were considering whether or not to support new schools, and with them a new model of theological education, I’m told that one of the pillars of our church, Fred Williams, posed a question to fellow congregants: “If we don’t support this Divinity School at Wake Forest, where do you think our future pastors are going to come from?”These days, we can delight at Fred’s wisdom as we look back and see how in the last five years alone, eight of First Baptist’s pastors, residents and interns have come from Wake Divinity. In addition to me, our church has been shaped by the gifts of Kim Priddy (Associate Pastor for Missions, 2014-2016), Patrick Cardwell (Intern, 2014-2016, ordained in 2015), Anna Holladay (Intern, Spring 2015), Courtney Stamey (Pastoral Resident, 2016-2018), Kaylee Godfrey (Intern, Summer 2017), Darnysha Nard (Pastoral Resident, 2017-2019) and Sarah Parker (Interim Youth Minister, 2017-2018). By supporting the Divinity School, not only was our congregation able to envision its impact on a church like First Baptist Greensboro, even more we could see that a school like Wake Divinity forms in its students a particular kind of Baptist identity that our church and our world needs.

The Baptist Commons has been started to ensure that the Baptist identity formed in graduates of the Divinity School over its early history will continue to be nurtured in the next season of the Divinity School’s life. It’s a time of transition at Wake Div, as this year Dr. Gail O’Day will step down as Dean, while Founding Dean, Dr. Bill Leonard, will retire from active teaching. Amidst such shifts, we can be encouraged to see Baptist identity and the formation of Baptist ministers remaining a priority for the school.

As I tell people, Wake Forest University School of Divinity is not a Baptist school, but it is a great place to be Baptist.

The school itself is founded on commitments to “justice, reconciliation and compassion,” and these are precisely the commitments that characterize its particular expression of what it means to be Baptist. The Baptist Commons will serve as a hub for Baptist related programming for students, alumni and friends of the Divinity School. I am excited to be a part of its founding, and to serve alongside a dear friend, Rev. Emily Hull McGee - Pastor of First Baptist Church on Fifth in Winston-Salem - as the coordinators of the Commons in its early days. We envision a program that will compliment the other fine aspects of the school, while providing support for students, connection for alumni, and continuing education for churches and friends in the area. In other words, we want to ensure that what was envisioned by Fred Williams - and all of those who have invested in Wake Divinity as a unique setting for theological education - will remain true: that Wake can be a school from which pastors emerge. After all, “justice, reconciliation and compassion” are not only core to Wake Forest University School of Divinity, but also some of the best of what “Baptist” can mean.

I look forward to sharing more of the work of the Baptist Commons with our congregation, and hope my part in it will be an extension of what our “teaching congregation” has contributed for so many years to the education and formation of Baptist ministers.

More about the Baptist Commons: (divinity.wfu.edu/continuing-education-and-programs/the-baptist-commons/)

Above photos: Scenes from the launch of the Baptist Commons at Wake Divinity.

May 2018 | 3

Connect with first baptist church preschool

May Brings Exciting Times to the Preschool!

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e are ending our school year this month with many happy activities. We will host “Muffins for Mom” on May 10 at 9 am and our “Moving Up” ceremony and lunch for our PreK students and families is on May 25 at 11 am. May 25 is also the last day of Preschool for all of our students.

Our doors will remain open into June, however, as we host “Summer Days” for children ages 6 weeks through age 5. Summer Days is a time of fun and enrichment. We will get messy with arts and crafts, sensory play, and lots of outdoor play. We will learn about gardening and animals. There is so much fun to be had! Summer Days will run from May 29 through June 13.

Please remember that registration for the 2018-2019 school year is open. We are filling up quickly so contact us soon to reserve your spot!

Please contact Amy Kirkman at amy@fbcgso.org to set up a tour or call (336) 274.3286, x240. You may also message us on our Facebook page: @firstbaptistgreensboropreschool

4 | Connections

Connect with children & Youth

Godspell Jr. Presented by Middle School Choir Assisted by Older Children’s Choir

•Saturday, May 5 | Chapel | 7 pm •Sunday, May 6 | Chapel Two performances: 2 pm and 4:30 pm

Our Middle School Choir and Children’s Choir will present this classic by Stephen Schwartz. Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew, Godspell Jr. draws from various theatrical traditions such as clowning, pantomime, charades, acrobatics and vaudeville. Come be a part of this unique reflection on the life of Jesus, with a message of kindness, tolerance, and love. Free tickets are available Wednesday nights, Sunday Worship, and in the church office.

...engaging young artists in a life of Christian worship

July 30 - August 3 | 9 am - 1 pm

Two tracks of study based on grade completed in 2017/18: •Grades 1-4 (expanded to include 1st graders) •Grades 5-7 Registration Fee: $30 through June 1; $40 after June 1.

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t first baptist VBS, children (ages 4 through 5th grade) will venture onto an uncharted island where kids survive and thrive. Kids will be anchored in the truth that Jesus carries them through life’s storms. Each day at Shipwrecked VBS, kids will travel through fieldtested rotations that reinforce relevant Bible Points and immerse kids in new adventures.

Children who have completed 4th and 5th grades will be doing mission projects on-site and in the community from 9:30 - 11:30 am. They will be joining the larger group for opening and closing celebrations. Cost is $20 per child with a $50/family max. This includes activities, daily snacks, a T-shirt, and Thursday evening dinner and celebration. CD of program music available for $5 each.

Sign-up online at www.fbcgso.org/children - for more info contact Christina McCord - christina@fbcgso.org | x241.

ampers will enjoy music of all styles as they develop their voices individually and discover the joy of singing and making music in community. Our daily worship is enriched through our experiences in choral music, drama, visual arts, instruments (guitar, drums, handbells) and sacred dance. Guest Worship Leader and Choral Director is Taylor Vancil. Taylor is Minister of Music at First Baptist Church, Mt. Holly, NC and is the son of Doug and Terri Vancil.

Registration Open for Worship in the Arts 2018: Register at www.fbcgso.org/music (Children’s section).

More information: Terri Vancil – terri@fbcgso.org | x238. Special rates are available for students of Bessemer Elementary and Hope Academy – email Terri for details.

Missions & Music Open House Night Wednesday, May 23

Ks/Gr1: 6:15-6:45 pm | 3s/4s: 6:45-7:15 pm Parents are invited to join in the fun of music and missions as the children sing and share what they’ve learned this year.

May 2018 | 5

Connect with adults

Wednesday nights this Spring (6:15-7:10 pm) Chapel Bible Study: “Acts: The early church hears the gospel” (102) Led by Dr. Steve Pressley through June 27.

“Balance: Living with Life’s Demands”

(108-C) Led by Rev. Courtney Willis through May 23. “As we try to keep up with all the things we need and want to accomplish, it’s easy to lose touch with what’s truly meaningful in our lives. This study will explore how Christians can find balanced living while serving, loving, and spending time with God.”

This trip to Reynolda House Museum of Art includes lunch at Graylyn Estate.

$49 per person: includes museum admission, buffet lunch at Graylyn Estate, and round-trip transportation from FBC. Sign-up for this day trip at www.fbcgso.org/prime-time-trips-2018/ or contact Dolly Chesson - swchesson1@gmail.com or Cliff Lowery - lowerycc@aol.com | (336) 210-6923. Leave FBC at 9:30 am and return at 5 pm.

On Sunday, May 6 we will honor our 50-Year Members…

FBC is fortunate to have so many of you who have chosen to make FBC your church home. If you know someone who is a 50-year member, please thank them for their commitment to First Baptist Church!

Wednesday, May 16 | 6 - 7:15 pm

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xplore First is for visitors, non-members who are actively participating in the life of FBC, and new members wanting to learn more about our community of faith. You will learn some FBC history, our Baptist beliefs and have the opportunity for conversation with Alan Sherouse, pastor, along with pastoral staff and leaders.

We also explore what we share in common with other congregations and those things which set us apart. It is our hope that this class will give you the information needed to move into a Sunday School and to become church members. For questions or to RSVP, contact Alisa Windsor: alisa@fbcgso.org 6 | Connections

11th Annual Memorial Day Columbarium Observance on Sunday, May 27

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ccording to our annual tradition, we will join together for a brief service at 9 am. This leaves ample time to begin the day remembering the devotion and sacrifice of those who have served our country, and then proceed to Sunday School classes. Those attending the service will arrive and depart to the sound of patriotic music. Chairs will be available as needed.

Connect with adults may 7 primetime presents:

“Patriotic Celebration”

Come see a special presentation by Mike Nelson of the Guilford Courthouse Drum & Fife Corp: “Music and the American Revolution”. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Steve Pressley. The menu will be Theo’s Fried Chicken & Fixins.

may 7 PrimeTime Bible Study will examine 2 Peter 3:

But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells (v. 13), taught by Dr. Steve Pressley.

PrimeTime includes: 9 am: Ceramics, Gym 11 am: Bible Study, 101 | 12 noon: Lunch, 108 – Cost: $6/person – Lunch Reservation Deadline: May 3 to Marty Kellam at marty@fbcgso.org or (336) 274-3286, ext. 245.

If you have thought about teaching, then FRONT is for you. If you want to experience a more in-depth study of the Bible, church history, and theology — FRONT is for you. FRONT will meet Mondays, September 10 - December 11 from 6-7:30 pm. FRONT is designed to fully equip participants to be effective Bible study teachers in our education programs.

Each session will include discussions of assigned readings from college level texts. To learn more about FRONT, please contact Steve Sumerel at steves@fbcgso.org | x233.

Connect with senior adults

Purchase Copies of the “Chapel Collage” …photos of the pre-renovation Chapel

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he FBC Chapel has been masterfully renovated and returned to service with Holy Week events and funerals already demonstrating the expanded opportunities that the Chapel will continue to provide as we begin the next 66 years of sacred services. The Senior Adult Council is pleased to announce the offering of the “Chapel Collage” – scenes photographed

by Charles Hartis and grouped in a collage setting. The Chapel Collage is being offered during May for $15, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting activities, including scholarships for trips.

To make your purchase, contact Charles Hartis - chartis@aol.com | (336) 549-5073 or Cliff Lowery - lowerycc@aol.com | (336) 2106923 or fill out the coupon on the right.

Complete this form, include your check for the payment, (made out to FBC Greensboro with “Chapel Collage” on the memo line), and bring or send to the church office by May 31.

Name:_________________________ Address: ____________________________ Email: ______________________________ Telephone: ( )_________________ I am ordering ____ copy/ies of the Chapel Collage. My total payment is $____.

May 2018 | 7

Connect with Missions

FBC’s Missions Day…

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hank you to all who were able to help on Missions Day, Saturday, April 21. Together we were able to share with and care for schools and families impacted by the tornado.

Together we supported the continued work of our missions partners BackPack Beginnings, Habitat for Humanity, and Hope Academy. We helped ready our Community Garden to help produce food and flowers to give back to our neighbors and we remembered and loved those in our church family who are homebound so they know they are not forgotten.

Thank you for being a church family that gives and works to share God’s love in big and small ways every day!

Connect with business

Giving at FBC Greensboro

March 2018 Financial Results

Year-to-Date Budget Receipts/Distributions iving financially lets us honor God with the

Actual Budget Last Year resources and provisions that He has provided for us.

Receipts $468,505

$445,000 $388,297 Practicing generous giving strengthens our relationship with Disbursements $481,377 $477,813 $404,223 Christ. As we learn to grow in our trust and faith in Christ, Net Surplus (Deficit) $ (12,872) $ (32,813) $ (15,926) it is important to trust in His provision…we give faithfully and generously out of grateful hearts. If you have giving questions, contact Scott North – scott@fbcgso.org | x226. You can also learn more about giving at www.fbcgso.org/give – you will find both traditional and online giving options.

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Join FBC’s Team of Those Who Greet and Answer the Phone

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e would love to add a few more people to this team of folks who greet those who come to our doors and call in on the phones for a few hours a week. Currently, we have needs to fill on the following days and times: Tuesdays: 1 pm - 5 pm | Wednesdays: 1 pm - 5 pm | Fridays: 1 pm - 5 pm If you are interested in helping out in this way, contact Rosemary Kellam - rosemary@fbcgso.org | x231.

8 | Connections

Connect with one another

Responding to the Invitation

Alex Porter (April 1)

May Birthdays

Berkley Willis (April 1)

(No FBC birthdays May 4, 7, 12, 29) 1. J. C. Blowe, Brittany Chovanec, Stephen Porter 2. Sharon Barlow, Pam Chambers, Jacy Leonard, Dawn Pegram 3. Austin Dean, Gracie Troxler 5. Margaret Eckelmann, Jessica Hondros, Zach Isom, Susan Suggs, David Wood 6. Grace Flannagan, Seth Vaughan 8. Jim Hardy 9. Carolyn Jones, Parker Stall, Bennett Wood 10. Griffin Kesler, Becky Livengood, Thomas Wong 11. Brandon Hill, Ruth Primm, Meg Rudd, Laura Tutterow 13. Hulda Arant, Gwen Koontz, Isabel Rollins 14. Jake Leonard, Julia Lyle, Jane Messick 15. Alison Barnes, Emily Bennett, Gerrad Biffle 16. Jean Canter 17. Christy Moore 18. Sean Kane, Kelly Kennedy, Jake McCord, Bryce Starnes 19. Isabelle Eller, Sadie Eller 20. Ted Hand, Marilyn Honeycutt, Mary Nichols, Clay Young 21. Shannon Childs, Gary Cole, Braden Hall, Joe McLean 22. Madelyn Biffle, Bud Hardin 23. Elle Bryson, Lane Hayes, Richard Noel, Caroline Parham, John Suggs, Carolyn Whicker 24. Ray Alexander, Susan Burnette, Trey Howerton, Benjamin Stone 25. Neal Persinger 26. Wendy Stafford, Perrin White 27. Toni Lewis 28. Robert Hall, Clare Johnson, Clarence Stone 30. Gracen Blake, John Mathews, Ellie Rider 31. Joe Norman

Deborah Kayombo (April 15)

College Birthdays

• Austin Dean | May 3 | 8191 Portage Road, Browns Summit, NC 27214 | aussiesmum@gmail.com • Laura Tutterow | May 11 | 6203 New Bailey Trail, Greensboro, NC 27455 • Kelly Kennedy | May 18 | 3600 Gramercy Road, Greensboro, NC 27410-9148 | kellykennedy161@gmail.com • Bryce Starnes | May 18 | 6714 Forsythia Drive, Greensboro, NC 27410 • Clay Young | May 20 | 3212 Greenhollow Drive, Greensboro, NC 27410-2128 | clayyoung2x@gmail.com • Madelyn Biffle | May 22 | 8 Pepperwood Circle, Greensboro, NC 27410 | bifflemadelyn@gmail.com • Gracen Blake | May 30 | 1722 Hobbs Road, Greensboro, NC 27410 | Gracenablake@gmail.com

Welcome New Babies: • Clara Louise Vance | Born: April 7 Parents: Lauren and Michael Vance • Jameson O’Neal Barmer | Born: April 18 Parents: Corey and Erica Barmer Grandparents: Richie and Lori Barmer FBC Great-grandparents: Danny and Kathy Edwards FBC Great-great-grandparents: Cecil and Becky Livengood

Bereaved

• Darlene Biffle in the loss of her step-mother, Kathy Dixon • Charles Hartis in the loss of his sister, Joyce Jaynes, on April 8 • The family of Earlean Price, on April 8 • The family of Marshall Johnson, on April 18 • Lisa Rose in the loss of her father • The family of Ann Ashcraft 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 May 2018 | 9

Regular Weekly Schedule

Sunday AM @FBC

nBible Study | 9:15 am nWorship | 10:30 am nCollege Lunch/Bible Study | 12 noon, Café

Sunday PM @FBC

nYouth Choir | 5 pm, 311 nAdult Bells | 6 pm nYouth Discipleship | 6:20 pm, 301 nSanctuary Choir | 7 pm, 311

Wednesdays@FBC

nFellowship Meal Reservations Reservations due Mon. 12 noon. Cancellations due Tues. 12 noon. Meal reservation? Online at www.fbcgso.org/calendarevents OR Marty Kellam – x245 or marty@fbcgso.org nKids’ Programming | 6 pm nAdult Classes | 6:15 pm nYouth Forum | 6:15 pm nSanctuary Choir - 7:15 pm, 311

Wednesday Night Weekly Activities Meals: 5:30 pm - 6:15 pm Classes: 6:15 - 7:10 pm May 2: Pasta May 9: Chicken Portofino May 16: Breakfast May 23: Fried Fish | May 30: Ham Weekly Children’s Extras: Yogurt, Fresh Fruits & Veggies, Etc. Reservations are encouraged for meals.

Graduate Recognition

n1 (Tu): Grace Meal Preparation. Kitchen, 5 pm n1 (Tu): WMU Group 2. 102, 7 pm n2 (W): Grace Meal Pick-Up & Serve. Kitchen, 5 pm n2, 9, 16, 23, 30 (W): Fellowship Meal/Free for College.

108, 5:30 pm (serving begins at 5 pm) n2, 9, 16, 23 (W): Balance: Living with Life’s Demands. 108-C, 6:15 pm n2, 9, 16, 23, 30 (W): Chapel Bible Study. 102, 6:15 pm n5 (Sa): Godspell Jr. Chapel, 7 pm n6 (Su): 50-Year Member Luncheon. 108, 12 noon n6, 13, 20, 27 (Su): College Lunch/Bible Study. Café, 12 noon n6 (Su): Godspell Jr. Chapel, 2 pm n6 (Su): Godspell Jr. Chapel, 4:30 pm n7 (M): PrimeTime. 9 am - Lunch n7 (M): Deacons Meeting. 102, 7 pm n8 (Tu): WMU Group 3. 102, 9:30 am n13 (Su): StepUp Ministry Clothing Collection. Atrium, 9 am n16 (W): Explore 1st. 6 pm n18 (F): Mobile Meals. Peace United Church of Christ, 9:30 am n20 (Su): Community Lunch followed by Church Conference. 12 noon, 108 n22 (Tu): Senior Adult Council. 216, 2 pm n23 (W): Music & Missions Open House Night. 6:15 pm n27 (Su): Memorial Day Columbarium Observance. 9 am n27 (Su): Lunch on the Grounds. 12 noon n28 (M): Church offices are closed. n31 (Th): PrimeTime Reynolda House Trip.

Key: nAdults nAll Ages nChildren nCollege nSeniors nMissions nWeekday School nWorship nYouth

FBC wants to include your graduates in our June issue of Connections. Please send the following to gloria@fbcgso.org by May 15.

High School Graduates: Send your graduate’s name, high school and a digital copy of their senior photo.

College/Graduate School Graduates: Send your graduate’s name, school, and degree information.

10 | Connections

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.

From the Lenten season and Holy Week activities…to our youth having the opportunity to spend recreational time with FBC’s new Associate Pastor of Youth & Families, Rev. Chris Cherry…to sharing together in fellowship at our community lunch, FBC members have enjoyed the beginning of Spring.

May 2018 | 11

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

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID GREENSBORO, NC NO. 179