Summer Guide | Summer 2022

A SUMMER SEASON OF WORSHIP, SUNDAYS, JUNE 12-SEPTEMBER 4 During the weeks that align with Pastor Alan’s sabbatical, “sabbath” will be reflected in our corporate gatherings. Guest preachers will join pastoral staff ministers in proclaiming God’s word for us, and we will hear with fresh ears and open minds. Congregational singing will be emphasized, as our musical ensembles take a break from rehearsals. We’ll ask members to request their most loved hymns. First Baptist’s vocal and instrumental soloists will share their talents each week, and lay members of the congregation will offer prayers, faith stories, and scripture reading. During this season when vacation and travel increase, we are excited to seeing you at worship with your congregation when you are in town.

GUEST PREACHERS | We have a wonderful line up of guest preachers this summer.

June 12 | Rev. Buck Cochran June 19 | Guest: Rev. Seth Hix June 26 | Rev. Courtney Willis July 3 | Guest: Rev. Eric Porterfield July 10 | Guest: Gil McGregor July 17 | Amelia Britt July 24 | Rev. Chris Cherry July 31 | Guest: Rev. Courtney Stamey August 7 | Guest: Rev. Lesley-Ann Tommey August 14 | Rev. Amy Starr Russell August 21 | Guest: Rev. Lee Canipe August 28 | Guest: Rev. Sam Harrell September 4 | Rev. Courtney Willis BOOK OF THE MONTH READING & GATHERING Join Courtney in reading a book each month of the summer. You can choose one that interests you, or read all three! We will gather as a group to discuss that month’s book, or you can set up a time with Courtney to talk about what you read. Please contact Courtney if you need a copy of the book. Otherwise, they can each be found at Scuppernong Books or can be ordered online.

JUNE Reclaiming Rest: The Promise of Sabbath, Solitude, and Stillness in a Restless World by Kate Rademacher Gathering: Thursday, June 30 at 7 pm at the Adirondack chairs

JULY

Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life by Richard Rohr | Gathering: Thursday, July 21 at 7 pm at the Adirondack chairs AUGUST Grateful: The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks by Diana Butler Bass | Gathering: Thursday, August 25 at 7 pm at the Adirondack chairs.

2 | Summer Guide

JUNE 1 | PRAYER & MEDITATION (NOON) 5 | PENTECOST SUNDAY CHILDREN’S MINISTER CALL SUNDAY

Pentecost Sunday, the “birthday” of the church, will be observed in a festive way, including special music by the Sanctuary choir and guest musicians Clark and Karen Sorrells of Asheville, a special song by children, ages kindergarten through 5th grade, candidate for Associate Pastor of Children and Families will be introduced, and the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated, followed by a reception on the front lawn.

CHILDREN MINISTRY SUMMER KICK-OFF EVENT (4-6 PM) 6 | YOUTH MEET TO EAT (NOON) PRESCHOOL SUMMER DAYS BEGIN 7 | MERGE LUNCH & ICE CREAM (NOON-2 PM) 8 | PRAYER & MEDITATION (NOON) 12 | CHURCH CONFERENCE 12-18 | YOUTH MISSION TRIP 15 | PRAYER & MEDITATION (NOON) 15-18 | KIDS PASSPORT CAMP 21 | YOUTH GRASSHOPPERS GAME 22 | BBQ & BRASS

BBQ on the lawn at 6 p.m. ($10 per plate, no reservations) | The King’s Brass at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary. The concert is open to the public. A free-will offering will be received. Tim Zimmerman and The King’s Brass present hymn classics with a contemporary flair. The King’s Brass features three trumpets, three trombones, a tuba, percussion and keyboards. These instruments blend together to create a time of innovative worship that will be enjoyed by all generations.

PRAYER & MEDITATION (NOON) FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT (7 PM) 25 | YOUTH MISSIONS DAY 26 | 50 YEAR MEMBER LUNCH

We will recognize those who have been members of First Baptist for 50 successive years (and more!). Those members will be receiving an invite with details about the lunch.

YOUTH GAME NIGHT

29 | PRAYER & MEDITATION (NOON) 30 | BOOK OF THE MONTH GATHERING (7 PM)

( June Book - Reclaiming Rest: The Promise of Sabbath, Solitude, and Stillness in a Restless World by Kate Rademacher.)

More information on church-wide events can be found on our website, fbcgso.org.

Youth event details can be found at fbcgso.org/youth on the Summer Calendar.

Summer 2022 | 3

J U LY 7 | YOUTH MEET TO EAT (NOON) 8 | CHURCH-WIDE GRASSHOPPERS GAME

All ages welcome! Buy tickets for you, your family, and friends for First Baptist Greensboro night at the ballpark. Tickets are $12 each and can be purchased at fbcgso.org/summer-baseball

11-14 | VBS (9 AM - NOON)

There are still some spots left for Summer 2022 VBS! Children 4 years old through completed 5th grade are invited to participate. Childcare is provided for the children of volunteers (infant – 3 years). Cost is $20 per child with a $50 family max. This includes activities, daily snacks, a T-shirt, and Thursday evening dinner and celebration. If you are an adult who would like to volunteer to help with VBS, please email lindsay@fbcgso.org. Signup at: fbcgso.org/vbs-2022

17-24 | ALL STATE BAPTIST YOUTH CHOIR

Final Concert at First Baptist Greensboro on June 24 at 6 pm

18-23 | YOUTH PASSPORT CAMP

21 | BOOK OF THE MONTH GATHERING (7 PM)

( July Book - Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life by Richard Rohr)

26 | YOUTH GRASSHOPPERS GAME

FBC KIDS KEELEY PARK SPRAYGROUND (5:30-7 PM)

AUGUST 1 - 5 | WORSHIP IN THE ARTS CAMP (9 AM - 1 PM)

Campers will enjoy music of many styles as they develop their voices individually and discover the joy of singing and making music in community. The daily worship time is enriched through experiences in choral music, drama, visual arts, instruments (guitar, drums, handbells, Orff ) and sacred dance. Classes are taught by church staff and professionals in the surrounding Greensboro area. Campers will bring a bag lunch and water bottle from home. Our guest conductor is Vincent Oakes, Artistic Director of the Chattanooga Boys Choir.

Closing concert is on August 5, 1-2pm and all are invited to attend. Cost to attend WITA is $50. Sign-up at: fbcgso.org/wita-2022

7 | YOUTH GAME NIGHT

9 | FBC KIDS GRASSHOPPERS GAME (6:30 PM) 14 | LUNCH ON THE LAWN 16 | YOUTH CAROWINDS DAY 18 | MERGE WELCOME PARTY AT SKYWILD (9 AM) 22 | YOUTH MEET TO EAT (NOON) 25 | BOOK OF THE MONTH GATHERING (7 PM)

(August Book - The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks by Diane Butler Bass)

27 | 6TH GRADE RETREAT

28 | BACK TO SCHOOL SUNDAY SAVE SEPTEMBER DATES! 7 - MIDWEEK BEGINS | 11 - CHURCH 4 | Summer Guide

SUMMER INTERNS AMELIA BRITT | PASTORAL INTERN Amelia Britt grew up in Savannah, GA and graduated from Mercer University in 2018 with a B. A. in Religion. After graduation, she worked as a volunteer coordinator at a local hospice and completed a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at Memorial Hospital. She is now at Wake Forest University working towards a dual Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Counseling with plans to graduate in the spring of 2024. After graduation, Amelia hopes to be able to work as both a therapist and as a minister in a local congregation. In the past year she has served as an intern for Baptist Women in Ministry of North Carolina as well as a member of the worship team for Wake Divinity.

“I am so excited to work with First Baptist Greensboro this summer not only to grow professionally, but also to experience the beautiful new ways that God is at work in this community. Discerning a call to congregational ministry has been so challenging and exciting, and I am incredibly thankful to this congregation for opening its arms as I come into all that God has called me to be. Blessings to you all as we begin this sacred journey together!”

GRACE WALL | YOUTH INTERN Grace recently completed her junior year at UNCG majoring in Human Development and Family Studies with minors in Psychology and African American Diaspora Studies. She has been attending FBC since 2019 and has gotten involved with FBC’s music ministry, including work with the Youth Choir. She is excited to get more involved this summer through the Youth Internship, and is particularly looking forward to engaging with the youth socially, intellectually, and spiritually on the Mission Trip to Birmingham, Alabama. Grace will serve as the Summer Youth Intern for 10 weeks and will be involved in events, relationship building, and visioning for the future. She will be a great addition to our ministry staff this summer.

“I’m excited to bond with the youth spiritually, intellectually, and emotionally this Summer. There are a lot of great things planned and I’m really looking forward to learning with and from the youth!

Summer 2022 | 5

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY TRANSITION We are so grateful for the magnificent leadership of Autumn Culbreth as our interim Children’s Director as she has helped to support, sustain, and enliven our children’s ministry over the last nine months. Autumn’s final Sunday in that position will be Sunday, June 5. While she will remain the director of our preschool, and an active church member, it is time for her to have a well-deserved break as we usher in a new season of our children’s ministry. Don’t forget to extend a word of gratitude to Autumn!

Throughout the summer months, our own Lindsay Worsley will fill in the space as interim children’s ministry coordinator. We are so thankful for the lifelong devotion that Lindsay has given to First Baptist, and excited to experience her giftedness in working with children. Lindsay’s work will begin on June 5, and she will serve in this capacity through August 30, partnering with our new Associate Minister to Children and Families to plan and get the new school year off to a great start!

Finally, we are excited for a new season in our children’s ministry, as we extend an invitation to call Amy Starr Russell as our next Associate Minister to Children and Families. Her call Sunday will be Sunday, June 5, and pending an affirmative vote, she will begin her work on our church staff on Monday, July 18. This is an exciting time for the children and families of our church, and we know you will want to extend words of welcome as Amy joins the FBC staff and commits to walking alongside and guiding our children and families.

PRESCHOOL STORIES In 1952, First Baptist Weekday Preschool opened its doors on Wednesday, September 3. Originally, it was a Kindergarten that was led by our first director, Miss Dorothy Cox. From First Baptist News, dated August 31, 1952 “This is a new venture for our church.

The kindergarten will be a part of the total education program of the church.”

This Fall, we will celebrate 70 years of serving families all over Greensboro. Over the next school year, we want to highlight and feature stories from our 70 years. Did you attend First Baptist Preschool? Were you a teacher at First Baptist Preschool? Do you have a First Baptist Preschool story to share? We’d love to hear any and all memories to help us celebrate our amazing legacy. Simply get in touch by contacting Autumn Culbreth (autumn@fbcgso.org) to share your memory of our wonderful preschool.

Our original playground was on the Guilford Avenue side of our campus, where the back parking lot and part of our gym are located today.

6 | Summer Guide

S U M M E R S A B BAT I C A L Senior Pastor Alan Sherouse is away for a Summer Sabbatical, May 17 through September 6. Inspired by the biblical theme of “sabbath,” sabbaticals are provided by First Baptist Greensboro to members of our pastoral staff in recognition of years of service and for the purposes of the rest and renewal that enable long term excellence and health in leadership.

In addition to rest and fun with his family, Alan is spending time throughout the sabbatical exploring the relationship between Church and City. The centerpiece of this exploration is the Sherouse Family’s 8-week experience ( June 13-August 8) traveling throughout Europe. Alan and Jenny, with the 4 Sherouse children — Jack (12), Della (10), Warner (7) and Bea (5) — are traveling to locales such as London, Rome, Florence, and Paris, enjoying one another, experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and giving Alan opportunity to explore churches that are providing models of innovative ministry, financial sustainability and creative facility usage in some of Europe’s most influential cities.

The expenses of the Sherouse Family’s travel are covered by the Lilly Endowment. After Alan’s application in April 2020, First Baptist was one of 140 U.S. congregations selected to receive a grant through Lilly’s annual Clergy Renewal Program, which is intended to provide “an opportunity for pastors to step away briefly from daily parish life and to engage in a period of renewal and reflection.”

While away, Alan has made plans to be informed in the event of a death (to make personal contact), a pastoral care crisis, or an unanticipated leadership emergency, but will not be active in the regular pastoral care and leadership of the church for this period.

The active life and ministry of our church continues this summer through the leadership of our Deacons, Lay Leaders and Pastoral Staff. In particular, Associate Pastor Courtney Willis is serving as lead in Pastoral Care and Staff Team Coordination and preaching monthly. First Baptist will also welcome outstanding guest preachers from among our friends and partners.

It is the expectation that this extended period of sabbatical will result in renewed focus and energy for our congregation and our Senior Pastor, as Alan’s return will coincide with initiation of a period of planning for the hopeful future ahead.

Alan writes, “Serving as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Greensboro is one of the great gifts of my life. I feel called to a long and imaginative tenure at First Baptist.

A sabbatical is a tool toward that end, and I intend to return with fresh energy and perspective for the life and ministry we share moving forward. Beyond professional renewal, however, more than anything I am grateful for how this sabbatical will impact our family. I view a sabbatical primarily as a gift to them and as a tool for Jenny and me to use to tell our children how much the church loves us, values us, and wants us to take care of one another amidst the important work we share. Thank you for modeling this for us all. We love you, we will miss you, and we will be so grateful to reunite with you in the fall!”

Additional Information at fbcgso.org/sabbatical.

Summer 2022 | 7

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

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

MISSION OPPORTUNITIES

Summer is a great time to work in the FBC Community Garden. Our team is always in need of people to help water the beds in the garden. Be on the lookout for other opportunities to help in the garden this summer. If you are interested, contact Janice Newsom (dukenewsom@ aol.com).

Also in the works, we’ll need help with refugee resettlement this summer. We will advertise the needs for the families once we have them. If you would like to be a part of these efforts as they arise, please contact Buck Cochran (buck@fbcgso.org)