God granted you and me the unearned privilege to enter 2023, and for that we are most grateful. We ended 2022 on a high note with our Christmas Sunday worship service evidencing a full sanctuary as well as crossed over during our virtual New Year’s Eve Watchnight Service Then, on New Year’s Day, which fell on a Sunday this year, in spite of the chilly, rainy morning, a good number of worshipers made their way to FIBC.
Thank you, Lord!
Several praiseworthy things occurred in our New Year’s Sunday worship service in addition to the saints attending in person or virtually: a “Reunion Choir” ministered in song; Brothers Raymond Kirkendall and Greg McGlothen were honored for their 36 and 31 years of servant leadership in our Music Ministry, respectively; welcomed Dr. Maurice Terrell as our new Creative Director of Worship and Arts; thanked Pastor Joseph Green, Digi Pastor, and Sister Tolanda Coker, Database Facilitator, for their respective tenures of service on our FIBC Staff; prayed for our second son, Matthew, and his family for his appointment by Governor-elect Hobbs to become the Director of the Arizona Department of Child Safety; and yours truly introduced our 2023 FIBC Theme in Part One of a four message series.
LET’S SHIFT TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE LORD’S “BUT”! That’s our theme for this year arising from the Scriptural Foundation: Matthew 6:31-33; John 5:19-20; Luke 6:35-36; Acts 1:6-8 (CSB) Here’s a quote from my first theme message, “FIBC, the RIGHT SIDE OF THE LORD’S ‘BUT’ is where He is leading us in 2023. So, our testimonial response to naysayers and the ‘we’ve always done it this way’ folks begins with the CONTRAVENING CONJUNCTION ‘BUT’.”
Lastly, we, as a pastor and people, will host the Mid-Winter Board Meeting of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc., January 16-18, 2022, in downtown Phoenix. Certainly, pray for our success, and join us as a volunteer if you are willing and able (see info in our newsletter).
Keep the faith and be encouraged!
An Anointed New Year to FIBC Members and Friends,
Pastor Stewart
"In light of where we are as a church amidst the “anti-Christ, anti-Church” culture and the lingering COVID-19 pandemic as well as FIBC’s staff reorganization and being in transition, it is imperative that we, as a pastor and people, shift to the right side of the Lord’s contravening “BUT”.
The conjunction “BUT” can also be a testimonial response to naysayers and the “ we ’ ve never done it that way ” folks. I have been meditating on this theme for since midOctober."
Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. Mid-Winter Board Meeting January 16-19, 2023
The Pastor and People of FIBC will host the Mid-Winter Board Meeting of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. this January. We are excited about the opportunity to bring the leaders of the organization founded by Dr Martin Luther King, Jr , Dr Gardner C Taylor and others to the Valley of the Sun
As Host Pastor and Church there are several areas where you can serve. We have 10 subcommittees and we need 100 volunteers to serve on the following committees; coordination, transportation, health, hospitality, registration, sponsorship, media and public relations, pulpit search, ad sales, vendor/exhibits and local tours and excursions.
If you are interested, please call the church office so you can be connected to a subcommittee lead
Sub-Committee Leadership
Bro Lemuel Cannon
Sis. Suzanne Garrett Tate
Sis. Marion Holmes
Bro. Richard Holmes
Sis Kym Majors
Sis. Dorthea Williams
Sis. Geralyn Staten
Sis Tracy Lewis
Sis. Nancy Hooper
Sis. Lesa Shannon-Bunkley
Increase FIBC's Sunday in-person visitors, those who have visited on Sunday less than four times), by an average of 20 in-person guests, and a 10% increase in online viewers each week by December 1, 2022.
Transition 10% of FIBC's average weekly visitors to actively participating members of the church by December 1, 2022.
Pick-up our new invitation cards from the sanctuary welcome center and hope center lobby
Remember to always PICB - Pray, Invite, Come & Bring
Like, share and comment on our social media channels
When you bring a guest with you to worship, be sure to stop by the Sanctuary Welcome Center and pickup a gift!
Stop by Ms. Jessie's Place on the First Sundays. Our campus cafe is open!
First Sunday - The Lord's Supper
Music Ministry Retirement Celebration
Campus Closed
Praise Team & Band Rehearsal
Virtual Birthday Party
Friday Fellowship with Pastor Stewart Second Sunday
NBC Mid-Winter Board Meting
Praise Team & Band Rehearsal Friday Fellowship with Pastor Stewart
PMBSCAZ 1st Quarterly Board Meeting
Third Sunday - MLK Sunday
PNBC Mid-Winter Board Meeting MLK Celebration at Hance Park
Pastor Stewart Preaching at PNBC
Campus Closed
Praise Team & Band Rehearsal Friday Fellowship with Pastor Stewart Fourth Sunday - Sanctity of Life Sunday Annual Business Meeting (virtual)
Praise Team & Band Rehearsal Friday Fellowship with Pastor Stewart Generations Weekend Basketball & Dance Clinic
Virtual Disciple U New Member Class
Fifth Sunday - Generations Sunday Church-wide Tailgate Party
Installation of Pastor Roland Pierce
Keep up with all things FIBC via our monthly Talk of the Town Newsletter! Want to send the newsletter to someone? Email us at info@fibcaz.org.
In-Person and Online
This first Tuesday prayer service is an opportunity for you to join with others in our congregation and beyond and bring your concerns to the altar.
You're welcome to join us in-person in The Hope Center Chapel or online via Zoom for this hourlong prayer service.
Zoom ID: 602 258 1998, Passcode: 1141
Noon Bible Study & Prayer Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m. Online
Each Wednesday you're invited to grab your lunch and Bible and join us for prayer and Bible Study in the middle of the day
Congregational prayer begins at 11:30 a.m., followed by Bible Study at noon. We're studying from the book, "Play with Fire," and you don't want to miss these hot topic discussions. This class is held via Zoom, so you can join from anywhere
Zoom ID: 602 258 1998 Passcode: 1141
Season 3 of Breaking Bread with the Pastors will premiere in February, but don't worry, you can still enjoy the discussion All you have to do is watch on demand
Visit our YouTube channel for access to all the episodes and start your own discussion group and keep the conversation going
On MLK Sunday 2023 we will celebrate the life, legacy and service of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr And there’s no better way for you to jump start your MLK community service opportunities then by being in worship service on MLK Sunday FIBC has a longstanding history of service in the Greater Phoenix area and worship to start your week of service is a wonderful way to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr
We invite you and your entire family to worship with us on Sunday, Jan. 15 at 7:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. live and on the FIBC streaming platforms.
Our first Generations Sunday of the new year is this January we want to see every generation in worship and celebrating the new year with us With worship services at 7:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., live, in-person and on the FIBC streaming platforms, there is something for the entire family as part of our first Generations Sunday Our children and youth will lead in worship, sing songs of praise, dance and more In addition, we ’ re going to jump start the Super Bowl festivities with a church-wide tailgating fellowship following service
Our first Generations Sunday of the new year is sure to be one you don’t want to miss
FIBC will return to table at the MLK Celebration at Hance Park on Jan. 16. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic we ’ ve been unable to hold our evangelism outreach event as part of the celebration. You can share information about our congregation, what we do and who we are, or pray with those who stop by, hand out Bibles or just be a smiling face in the crowd
If you ’ re interested in volunteering, call the church office or signup in the FIBC APP.
Revival is Coming!
Revival is coming and we are excited to welcome two amazing Preachers of the Gospel to FIBC this February. On Wednesday, Feb. 1, join us as we welcome Dr. E.L. Branch, Pastor Emeritus of Third New Hope Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan The Chicago native served as Senior Pastor of Third New Hope for 42 years before retiring in 2019, taking the Pastor Emeritus role.
Then on Wednesday, Feb. 8 we are excited to welcome The Reverend Kenneth C. Curry, Jr., Senior Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, Yorba Linda, California Pastor Curry is a longtime friend of FIBC and joined Friendship Baptist first as Youth Minister, then Executive Minister and finally Senior Pastor upon the retirement of Bishop James D Carrington after 48 years of service.
In addition to being our Revivalists, both Dr. Branch and Pastor Curry will meet with FIBC leaders for candid and courageous conversations on church transition and succession
Our first Generations Weekend of the new year is this January and we want you to save the date and get ready for two days of jam packed action, energy and excitement as our young people take over the FIBC campus On Saturday, Jan. 28 we ’ re going to hold dance and basketball clinics for children of all ages Then on Sunday, Jan. 29 get ready as our young people takeover worship in their own way, complete with singing, praise dance and more. Every generation matters to God and we want to see every generation represented in worship that Sunday
In addition to activities on Saturday we ’ re getting a jump start on our Super Bowl party plans and hosting a tailgating fellowship following worship. Break out your favorite sports attire and join us for this great fellowship opportunity
On Sunday, Jan. 22 we will celebrate Sanctity of Life Sunday. In 1984, then President Ronald Regan issued a proclamation designating the third Sunday of January a National Sanctity of Human Life Day, paving the way for churches across the nation to bring awareness to the desire to protect human life
We invite you to join us in worship at 7:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. live, in-person and on the FIBC streaming platforms for Sanctity of Life Sunday
Our Annual Church Business Meeting will take place on Sunday, Jan. 22. This year ’ s meeting will be held virtually, beginning at 3 p.m. in the FIBC Zoom. We invite you to join us for this important annual gathering where we discuss our progress made in 2022, reports from ministry leaders, the Governance Council, the 2023 church budget and more Make plans to join us for our Annual Church Business Meeting on Sunday, Jan. 22 at 3 p.m.
Zoom ID: 602 258 1998 Passcode: 1141
FIBC has partnered with Arc Health to offer preventative health services to our members and wider community We are one of 33 churches around the country who are piloting this preventative health program, creating a new healthcare opportunity in our community.
Joining this program means you will receive a personalized care plan that will cover the next 5 years After you sign-up you will receive information on how to access our on-campus health pod where you can meet with medical professionals and receive your annual wellness check-up. There is no co-pay or deductible.
It is not a physical exam
It is a one-on-one discussion with health care professionals about your goals and concerns.
It is an opportunity to review or create a wellness plan. It is a free service to maximize your wellness.
You must have had Medicare Part B coverage for more than 12 months, and not had a Medicare Initial Physical Exam or Annual Wellness Visit within the last year.
If other services are provided or lab work is ordered during the visit, those will be billed at the normal rate.
Your AWV is still free.
We are in the sign-up phase of this initiative You can sign-up by calling the church office
Each month we present and highlight medical issues and education in the African American community.
These monthly medical minutes, posted on the third Sunday of each month and in partnership with Mayo Clinic, seek to provide information and resources on topics that matter in our community.
This December at FIBC we preserved love, peace and Christ through activities and programs that spoke to the Christmas season and reason why it matters most to Christians From community blessings at Pastor's Christmas Party for the Neighborhood to Christmas Sunday worship as one family, FIBC was truly blessed this December
stries are continuing to make the transition ife on the FIBC campus and that means we ore volunteer support. We want you to find e in ministry and serve, and trust and believe, plenty of room for you to use your gifts and
need of volunteers for ministries like the Security (Ministry of Protection), Multi-Media dent Ministries But there are other places you e Please take the next step by calling the ffice or emailing to let us know you're ready to ministry
As our ministries return to campus, we're also hiring some much needed staff positions. We recently reorganized our staff positions and we are accepting applications for the following positions: Visit our website for information on how to apply
#didyouknow FIBC has a YouTube Channel? Did you know you can watch our services and Bible Studies live from your smart device, including a tv, on YouTube?
Don't forget, we’ve moved all our streaming to YouTube. You can enjoy worship services, bible studies and other special events and programs, streamed direct to a television or any smart device.
to Give
er worshiping in person or online, you have the unity to give generously through tithes and g. Your generous support of FIBC goes a long n helping us fulfill our mission, vision and se.
o Give:
Mail or In-Person (1141 E Jefferson St , Phoenix, 85034) shAPP using the tag $FIBCAZ line at fibcaz org and click on "Give" Text to Give using the number 480-568-3880
As part of your giving, consider making a contribution to the FIBC Legacy Endowment Established to cultivate life-long support of our mission and ministries, this is a key component of our stewardship ministry and vital in ensuring the perpetuity of FIBC.
There are several ways you can contribute to the endowment. For more information visit our website or call the church office.
#didyouknow FIBC has several social media channels for yo to like, share, follow and enjoy?
You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Start liking and sharing our online content, and ge ready because we're launching on new platforms like TikTok. Search FIBC Phoenix or First Institutional Baptist Church and find us on your favorite social media platforms today.
First Institutional Baptist Church, 1141 East Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85034 Telephone 602-258-1998 Fax: 602-256-2957 Website: www.fibcaz.org Email: info@fibcaz.org
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday-Friday 8:00 a m - 5:00 p m
FIBCO FAMILY SERVICES, INC ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday-Friday 9:00 a m -3:00 p m
WORSHIP AND BIBLE STUDY TIMES:
Sunday Worship: 7:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Children & Youth Worship: 9:00 a.m. Sunday Bible Studies: 9:30 a m African Worship Service: 9:30 a m
Wednesday Afternoon Prayer and Bible Study: 11:30 a m & 12:00 p m (noon) Wednesday Evening Prayer and Bible Study: 6:30 p m & 7:00 p m
Senior Pastor - Dr Warren H Stewart, Sr
Executive Director of Ministries - Dr Karen E Stewart Ext 2211 | kstewart@fibcaz org
Executive Director of Operations - Bro. Deangelo D. Hall Ext. 2205 | dhall@fibcaz.org
Pastor of Family Life - The Rev April Hawkins Ext 2206 | ahawkins@fibcaz org
Pastor of Congregational Care - The Rev Sharmal Cannon Ext 2228 | scannon@fibcaz org
Pastor of Outreach and Justice - Dr Donta’ McGilvery Ext 2207 | dmcgilvery@fibcaz org
Creative Director of Worship and Arts - Dr. Maurice Terrell mterrell@fibcaz.org
Creative Director of Virtual and Multi-Media - Bro Maarcus Hall Ext 2208 | mhall@fibcaz org
Minister of Music - Sis Brenda G Hankins Ext 2353 | bhankins@fibcaz org
Minister of Pastoral Counseling - Dr Carolyn Watson Ext 2227 | cwatson@fibcaz org
FIBCO Family Services, Inc. - Sister Chiquita Taylor Ext. 2226 | chiquita.taylor@fibco.org