Guess what? We made it halfway through 2023, with a “reasonable portion of health and strength”. In addition, we, as a pastor and people, end Chapter 46 of our relationship on June 30, 2023.Won’t God do it! On July 1, we begin Chapter 47, hopefully a little bit wiser and more mature than this time last year God be praised for allowing us to continue to make “holy history” emanating from 1141 E. Jefferson Street in the Eastlake Park Neighborhood and encompassing the world, fulfilling our Purpose, Vision, Values and Strategy with enthusiasm, effectiveness and excellence.
Our 2023 FIBC Theme Focus for July is LET’S SHIFT TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE LORD’S “BUT” ENVISIONING BIBLICAL JUSTICE! Our definition of “Biblical Justice” around FIBC is a right relationship with God, oneself and all others. It is foundational to whom every person is because each human being is created in the image and likeness of God. However, it does not mean that we agree with each other on everything nor does it deny the reality that we may have enemies. But, most importantly, this understanding of “Biblical Justice” is built on our equality with all other human beings in spite of differences. Our enemies are no less made in God’s likeness as we are, period
Remember that we are moving to one Sunday worship services for the entire month of July, beginning on July 2nd, and our Sunday Bible Studies will begin at 8:00 a.m. We do this to give most of our staff and volunteers who serve on Sundays, at least, a little break from guiding and participating in two worship services the other eleven months of the year. Lastly, please pray for your senior pastor as I have been asked to preach for that Annual Gathering of the Baptist World Alliance in Stavanger, Norway, on Wednesday, July 5th, 8:15 a.m., which is 11:15 p.m. Tuesday, July 4th (AZT). God just keeps on opening doors for me that I did not even know were there for me, for which I am very grateful.
Keep the faith and be encouraged!
Pastor Stewart
Pastor Stewart begins his 47th year as Senior Pastor
First Sunday - The Lord's Supper
Campus Closed - 4th of July
Observance
Praise Team & Band Rehearsal
Second Sunday Project Alpha
Praise Team & Band Rehearsal
Third Sunday
Praise Team & Band Rehearsal
Fourth Sunday
Praise Team & Band Rehearsal
Disciple U New Member Class
Generations Weekend Workshops
Fifth Sunday - Generations Sunday
Back to School Bash
Intercessory Prayer
Sundays and Wednesdays
In-Person and Online
We invite you to unite with us in prayer on Sundays before worship services and Wednesdays before Bible Study.
Noon Bible Study & Prayer Wednesdays at 11:30 a m & 7 p 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, "Soul Care in African American Practice," by Barbara Peacock You can also join the discussion at 7 p m This class is held via Zoom, so you can join from anywhere Zoom ID: 602 258 1998 Passcode: 1141
Breaking Bread
Wednesdays at 7 p m
Online
Season 3 of Breaking Bread with the Pastors has come to an end, but you can continue the discussion in your own small group All you have to do is jump on
the FIBC Streaming Platforms, re-watch an episode and continue the discussion
Friday Fellowship with Pastor Stewart will take a summer break in July We invite you to take your Friday afternoons and fellowship with other members. Friday Fellowship with Pastor Stewart will return in August.
We're going to worship as ONE Church Family this July and want you and your entire familytojoinusforourSuperSizedSummerWorshipServices.
SundayBibleStudieswillbeginat8:00am
Thesanctuarydoorswillopenat8:45am
Intercessoryprayerwillbeginat9:00am
Worshipservicewillstartat9:30am
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TotheSouthinthePhoenixFireDepartmentlot
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TotheEastandWeston11thand12thstreetsandintheclosedrestaurantlotnextdoor
Our Super Sized Summer Worship Services are a great time for you to connect with members you may not see because you attend different services and a great opportunity foryoutoinvitesomeonewithyoutoworship.The90-minuteservicemeansyou'llbedone inenoughtimetoenjoyaSundaybrunch.
We want you to PRAY about who you're going to invite, then INVITE them to join you in worship, COME yourself and BRING them with you to one of our Super Sized Summer WorshipServicesthisJuly.
Every generation matters to God and we ’ re celebrating this July with Generations weekend, July 29 & 30. There is something for everyone and this event is jam packed with activities, service, fellowship and fun. This month’s theme is “Do the Right Thing,” based on Isaiah 1:17, “ learn to do right; see justice Defend the oppressed Take up the cause of fatherless; please the case of the widow”
Join us on Saturday, July 29 for our Generations Workshops, complete with basketball, praise dance and music sessions. Meet us in The Hope Center Gym from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and enjoy these workshops, plus lunch, prizes and giveaways Registration for the Generations Workshops is $15 per person and includes your swag bag, tee, lunch and more.
Then on Sunday, July 30 we ’ re worshipping as one church family as part of our SuperSized Summer Worship Services We want to see you and your entire family in worship at 9:30 a m as our children and youth lead during services
Following services, we ’ re hosting our annual Back to School Bash in partnership with FIBCO Family Services, Inc. beginning at 12 p.m. Meet us in The Hope Center Gym for music, food, games, free backpacks and other giveaways, as well as free haircuts and hair styles as well as hair care supplies for attendees, while supplies last Registration is not required to attend the Back to School Bash
We want to show our appreciation to the FIBC and FIBCO Family Services, Inc. volunteers so we ’ re having a celebration. You’re invited to join us on Sunday, July 2 at 11:30 a.m. in The Hope Center Gym for a special Volunteer Appreciation Celebration. We’re looking for all our ministry members and supporters to come out and be celebrated. Whether you worked before the pandemic, during the pandemic or are just starting out, this is our opportunity to celebrate you. To let us know you ’ re coming, all you have to do is register and tell us if you ’ re a FIBC or FIBCO volunteer and where you serve, that’s it!
We want to remind you that the campus will be closed on Tuesday, July 4 in observance of the 4th of July holiday Normal business operations will resume on Wednesday, July 5. Please make any necessary calendar updates and call the church office if you have any questions
If you ’ ve recently joined FIBC or want to know more about our church, then join us for this month’s Disciple U New Member Class on Saturday, July 29. This is your opportunity to learn more about who we are, what we believe and why we believe it. The all-in-one class begins at 10 a.m. and is open to all. If you have any questions, contact Pastor Sharmal Cannon in the church office
Zoom ID: 602 258 1998
Passcode: 1141
You’re invited to help shape the FIBC membership We’re looking for a few good people to serve on our Membership Taskforce. Earlier this year, we held town hall gatherings to talk about how we define members and our membership strategy Now we ’ re ready to form the taskforce that will help guide those decisions.
This special group is open to all members, online and in-person and will help craft our membership strategy, benefits and definitions If you ’ re interested in serving, contact Pastor Karen in the church office.
Quality Food by providing free meal options to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.
Clothing distribution by providing clothing to those in need.
Affordable housing by offering safe and affordable housing to low-income individuals through a partnership with HUD
African Immigrant and Refugee Support by providing resources and support to African immigrants and refugees.
Health and Healthcare by addressing healthcare disparities and improving access to care.
IIampleasetoreportthatFIBCOFamilyServices,Inc.iscontinuingto ampleasetoreportthatFIBCOFamilyServices,Inc.iscontinuingto iimpactlivesinthegreaterPhoenixarea. mpactlivesinthegreaterPhoenixarea.
IInthefirstquarterofthefiscalyear,FIBCOserved1,432clientswith nthefirstquarterofthefiscalyear,FIBCOserved1,432clientswith ffoodboxes,provided1,822lunches,andserved811clientswith oodboxes,provided1,822lunches,andserved811clientswith clothing. clothing.
Duringthesecondhalfofthefiscalyear,FIBCOisscheduledto Duringthesecondhalfofthefiscalyear,FIBCOisscheduledto provideover2,000foodboxesto11differentPhoenixHousing provideover2,000foodboxesto11differentPhoenixHousing Developments Developments.
ThankyouforyourcontinuedsupportofFIBCOFamilyServices,Inc. ThankyouforyourcontinuedsupportofFIBCOFamilyServices,Inc.
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For the second year, we are proud to open the doors to the Cooling Center. For the second year, we are proud to open the doors to the Cooling Center. Now named the Harrison-Thompson Cooling Center, those who need a safe Now named the Harrison-Thompson Cooling Center, those who need a safe space to cool off can drop-in The Hope Center Gym every Tuesday, space to cool off can drop-in The Hope Center Gym every Tuesday, WednesdayandFridayfrom12p.m.to6p.m. WednesdayandFridayfrom12p.m.to6p.m.
Everysummer,Mrs.ThelmaHarrisonlaunchedapersonalcampaigntodonate Everysummer,Mrs.ThelmaHarrisonlaunchedapersonalcampaigntodonate casesofwatertoFIBCO,andwasapersuasiveadvocateforotherstodothe casesofwatertoFIBCO,andwasapersuasiveadvocateforotherstodothe ssame.Lastyear,Mrs.BirdieThompsonadvocatedfortheCoolingCenterand ame.Lastyear,Mrs.BirdieThompsonadvocatedfortheCoolingCenterand donated the funds that kick started the campaign. We also provide water, donated the funds that kick started the campaign. We also provide water, baggedlunchesandotherresourcestothosewhostopby. baggedlunchesandotherresourcestothosewhostopby.
We are thankful for our partners at the Arizona Faith Network and Arene
We are thankful for our partners at the Arizona Faith Network and Arene Rushdanfortheadditionalsupport. Rushdanfortheadditionalsupport.
FIBCO Family Services, Inc. focuses on five primary program areas:
Akilah Stewart Akilah Stewart
Thank you to everyone who supported our activities and services in June. From our annual Festival of Health to the opening of our summer cooling station, our volunteers have been busy supporting the greater Phoenix community.
We're excited to partner with FIBC Student
We're excited to partner with FIBC Student MinistriesfortheBacktoSchoolBash! MinistriesfortheBacktoSchoolBash!
Join us on Sunday, July 30 beginning at 12 p.m.,
Join us on Sunday, July 30 beginning at 12 p.m., iinTheHopeCenterGymformusic,food,games, nTheHopeCenterGymformusic,food,games, free backpacks and other giveaways, as well as free backpacks and other giveaways, as well as free haircuts and hair styles as well as hair care free haircuts and hair styles as well as hair care supplies for attendees, while supplies last. Our supplies for attendees, while supplies last. Our Back to School Bash is free and open to all, so Back to School Bash is free and open to all, so bring your friends and family. Registration is not bring your friends and family. Registration is not rrequiredtoattendtheBacktoSchoolBash. equiredtoattendtheBacktoSchoolBash.
If you're interested in volunteering, contact If you're interested in volunteering, contact AkilahStewartorPastorAprilHawkins. AkilahStewartorPastorAprilHawkins.
Did you know FIBCO Family Services takes our
Did you know FIBCO Family Services takes our food distribution program to the streets? That's food distribution program to the streets? That's right, we offer mobile food distribution in the right, we offer mobile food distribution in the communitiesthatneedthemostsupport. communitiesthatneedthemostsupport.
This July there will be five (5) mobile food
This July there will be five (5) mobile food distributionsacrossthegreaterPhoenixarea.Be distributionsacrossthegreaterPhoenixarea.Be sure to follow our social media channels for sure to follow our social media channels for llocations,daysandtimes. ocations,daysandtimes.
And remember, we're always looking for a few
And remember, we're always looking for a few goodvolunteerstosupportourfoodandclothing goodvolunteerstosupportourfoodandclothing distribution program on Tuesdays, Wednesdays distribution program on Tuesdays, Wednesdays andFridaysfrom9a.m.to12:30p.m.,evenifit's andFridaysfrom9a.m.to12:30p.m.,evenifit's jjustforanhour. ustforanhour.
Our Jubilant June marked the halfway point of 2023 and key celebrations and milestones From the annual Children, Youth & Young Adult Sunday to R N Nesby Scholarship Convocation, our Minister of Music, Sister Brenda Hankins, celebrating 53 years of service and FIBCO Family Services, Inc Health Fair, June was filled with celebrations, with even more to come as we start the second half of 2023
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 Pastoral Counseling - Dr Carolyn Watson Ext 2227 | cwatson@fibcaz org