TALK OF THE TOWN
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
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
CALENDAR OF EVENTS CALENDAR OF EVENTS PRAYER & BIBLE STUDY PRAYER & BIBLE STUDY
First Sunday - One Service Sunday Community Communion Worship Service
Pre-Noonday Prayer
Memorable Messages with Impact with Pastor Stewart
Praise Team & Band Rehearsal
Friday Fellowship with Pastor Stewart
Second Sunday - CYYA Sunday
Pre-Noonday Prayer
Memorable Messages with Impact with Pastor Stewart Trial Sermons
Praise Team & Band Rehearsal
Friday Fellowship with Pastor Stewart
Third Sunday - Father’s Day
Time to Remember
Pre-Noonday Prayer
Memorable Messages with Impact with Pastor Stewart
Juneteenth Observance Office Closed
Friday Fellowship with Pastor Stewart
Fourth Sunday
Pre-Noonday Prayer
Noonday Bible Study
Praise
Pastoral
& Band
Intercessory Prayer
Sundays and Wednesdays
In-Person & 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 In-Person & 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
In-person Bible Study will meet in The Hope Center Chapel Zoom ID: 602 258 1998 Passcode: 1141
The FIBC Deacons Ministry is looking for young people who want to learn more about becoming a Junior Deacon. Learn more about the opportunities to learn and serve by contacting Deacons Anthony Dorbin, Tim Lash, any ministry member or call the office for more information.
TALK OF THE TOWN
Greetings,FIBCMembersandSupporters, Godisfaithful.
The Lord kept his Word to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3, and He has evidenced a similar “Command, Promise and Blessing” to me since I journeyed to FIBC and the Valley of the Sun to begin pastoring you on July 1, 1977 So, here we are 48 years later about to complete one of the mostamazingjourneysthatapastorandpeoplecouldhave.ButGod!To our Creator and Sustainer goes all the praise for how he has confirmed Hisordainedrelationshipbetweenusoverandoveragain!Muchobliged, Lord!
The focus on our 2025 FIBC Theme for June is: OUR SPIRITUAL ASSIGNMENT—PASSING THE LORD’S BATON GENERATIONALLY AS A PASTOR AND PEOPLE. And sho’ nuff, over the next 30 days THE LORD’S BATON will pass from my hands. My beloved brothers and sisters, what a privilege it has been to be in this relay with you longer than any other pastor in the 120year, holy history of this church! Nearly five decades and the Lord is still blessing us. Who would have ever thought that there would be a Coffeyville, Kansas-New York City-Phoenix, Arizona connection that was initiated by Dr. Bobby Joe Saucer of Union Theological Seminary who recommended me as a pastoral candidate in late 1976 to FIBC?
Allow me to thank God, the 48th Pastoral Anniversary and Retirement Celebration Committee, our Deacons Ministry, Governance Council, FIBC Staff and you for the monthlong celebration that will take place beginning May 31, 2025. We will walk down memory lane as we prepare to say, “Goodbye,” to a loving and lasting relationship that God put together and kept together “through many dangers toils and snares.” Therefore, I write these final monthly pastoral comments to you with love, gratitude and humility promising to continue to pray for you every day of my life after June 30, 2025.
Keep the faith and be encouraged!
Pastor Stewart
Hitting the Highlights Hitting the Highlights
Children, Youth and Young Adult Sunday
While we ’ re celebrating Pastor Stewart all month long, we ’ re also going to celebrate our children, youth and young adults this June Join us on June 8 for our annual CYYA Sunday This year ’ s theme is all about homecoming and the opportunity for you to invite former members of FIBC back for FIBCU!
With dynamic preaching and teaching from our guest preachers, to celebrating the second decade of Pastor Stewart’s tenure as Senior Pastor, we are ready for high praise, worship and exciting guest appearances. Meet us at 7:30 or 11 a.m. and get ready for Homecoming FIBCU!
Father’s Day Sunday
There’s nothing more special on Father’s Day then celebrating with dad in worship on Father’s Day and we want to invite you and your entire family to do just that on Sunday, June 15. That’s when we ’ re going to celebrate all our fathers and father-figures. We’ll have a special gift for all the dads following worship.
Join us for worship at 7:30 a.m. or 11 a.m., hear a special Father’s Day message, enjoy high, praise, worship and fellowship
We invite you to connect with the ministry on Sunday, June 15 at 9:30 a.m., in-person and via Zoom Youarewelcometolightacandle,sayaprayer,tellastory,orjustsitquietlyandlisten
Hitting the Highlights Hitting the Highlights
THIS MONTH'S ACTIVITIES THIS MONTH'S ACTIVITIES
Juneteenth Office Closure
The federal holiday, Juneteenth, will take pl Thursday, June 19 and our campus will be cl observance of the holiday
If you have a ministry meeting or rehearsal sch please contact the office to reschedule campus operations will resume on Friday, June 2
Special Choir Rehearsals and Ministry Opportunities
Calling All Singers Come join the 48th Anniver Retirement Celebration Choir! We are inviting all and inactive choir members to be part of our Anniversary and Retirement Choir in honor of Stewart’s 48th Anniversary and Retire Celebration.
All month long, the choir will minister during 7:3 worship There will also be a special Reunion Ch June 8 and a special Father’s Day Men’s Cho June 15. Here’s a look at the rehearsal schedule:
Thursdays – June 5, 12 and 26 at 6:30 p m
Saturdays – June 7, 14 and 28 at 10 a m
Let’s all come together to lift our voices and make a joyful noise unto the Lord as we honor Pastor Stewart in this momentous season of celebration!
Trial Sermons
Pastor Stewart’s final Licentiate’s Class as Senior Pastor of FIBC will hold Trial Sermons on Wednesday, June 11 at 7 p.m. This final class is special because it has just one candidate, Brother Matthew Stewart Join us in-person and on the FIBC Streaming Platforms as we hear Pastor Stewart’s son bring his trial sermon as his father’s final licentiate.
MEN’S CORNER
Connect with the FIBC Men’s Ministry
A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO PASTOR STEWART
As he is concluding 48 years as our Senior Pastor, The Men’s Ministry felt that it was appropriate to honor and recognize the person who started it all, our Senior Pastor, Dr. Warren H. Stewart Sr.
In June 1982 a young and energetic Pastor Warren H. Stewart, Sr. led eighteen men and an eight-year-old boy in laying the groundwork for the Men’s Movement, which would eventually become the Men’s Ministry at the First Institutional Baptist Church.
The Men’s Movement functioned under that name throughout the 1980’s. In 1992 Pastor Stewart decided to combine the Men’s Movement with the Men of Presence (male ushers) and the Men of Praise (male chorus) to form the Men’s Ministry. This decision proved significant to the development of the ministry, as it brought together under one umbrella a vast majority of the active men in the church. The Junior Laymen Ministry, which focused on the Christian development of youth and young adult males, also became a part of the Men’s Ministry umbrella.
MEN’S CORNER
Connect with the FIBC Men’s Ministry
There was a second decision that pushed the ministry forward. Jesse Spencer, one of the most active men of the Ministry, suggested that the Ministry should become active in outreach ministries. This, he explained, would tap into a man’s natural desire to be productive. This emphasis on productivity propelled the ministry to become a mainstay of the church and the community.
The first outreach effort was to the homeless. Over time, that effort grew into a weekly event in the church fellowship hall. Our next outreach was to the prisons. This ministry started with three men going to the prison once a month. Over time, it grew to 24 men providing ministry on a weekly basis at two facilities.
Under Pastor Stewart’s leadership, the FIBC model for men’s ministry has spread across the country, and many churches have adopted certain aspects of the model into their ministry. Pastor Stewart has been recognized across the country for promoting the active engagement and involvement of men in all aspects of ministry at FIBC.
CONNECT WITH THE MEN’S MINISTRY
We want to see every man involved and engaged with the Men’s Ministry. In addition to the Sunday Bible Study class there are also monthly meetings and fellowship gatherings throughout the year, along with Men’s Month and Sunday, held in October.
2025 Theme: “No Man Left Behind”
Vision Statement: “Drawing, Developing, Disciplining and Deploying Men for the Cause of Christ”
Vision Scripture: “Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach.” – Mark 3:13-14
Upcoming Ministry Engagement Opportunities in 2025
Men’s Fellowship Breakfast - Saturday, July 12, Golden Corral, Goodyear Men’s Retreat - tentatively scheduled for August 29-31, Emmanuel Pines, Prescott
Men’s Fishing Fellowship - Saturday, October 11
Men’s Sunday - Sunday, October 12
Church Center
Stay up-to-date with everything happening in the Men’s Ministry! Join the Men’s Ministry Group in the FIBC APP today. Download instructions at fibcaz.org and search “Men’s Ministry” in groups. Call the church office if you need connecting support.
Medical Moments Medical Moments
HEALTH AND WELLNESS CORNER HEALTH AND WELLNESS CORNER
PRESENTED
PRESENTED
BY
BY
THE FIBC HELPS MINISTRY & MAYO CLINIC
THE FIBC HELPS MINISTRY & MAYO CLINIC
On the third Sunday of each month we share medical information in partnership with Mayo Clinic highlighting medical issues and education in the African American community
On the fourth Sunday of each month the FIBC HELPS Ministry shares a Mental Health Moment, aimed at providing resources, tools and information about healthrelated challenges within our congregation and the African American community as a whole Click below to watch the presentation
Advanced Directives
with Chaplain Brenda Griffin Collins
Stay in t he Know Stay in t he Know
VOLUNTEER | SERVE | GIVE | SHARE VOLUNTEER | SERVE | GIVE | SHARE
ers Needed
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
Open Staff Positions
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:
Various Family Life (Student Ministries) 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.
Stay in t he Know Stay in t he Know
VOLUNTEER | SERVE | GIVE | SHARE
VOLUNTEER | SERVE | GIVE | SHARE
Ways to Give
Whether worshiping in person or online, you have the opportunity to give generously through tithes and offering. Your generous support of FIBC goes a long way in helping us fulfill our mission, vision and purpose.
Ways to Give:
U.S. Mail or In-Person (1141 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, AZ 85034)
CashAPP using the tag $FIBCAZ
Online at fibcaz.org and click on "Give"
Text to Give using the number 480-568-3880
Legacy Giving
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.
er Contact Information Update
information up to date with the office? Do we have your mailing address, email and telephone number? As we e to enter a time of transition, we need you to verify update your contact information
bcaz org for information on how you can affirm your ership or call the office
TALK OF THE TOWN
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
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 -4:00 p m
FIBCO FAMILY SERVICES, INC ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 10:30 a m -12:30 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 Pre-Noonday Prayer and Bible Study: 11:30 a.m. & 12:00 p.m. (noon)
Wednesday Evening Bible Study: 7:00 p m
Senior Pastor - Dr Warren H Stewart, Sr
Executive Director of Operations - Bro Deangelo D Hall Ext 2205 | dhall@fibcaz org
Pastor of Family Life - The Rev Thomas Claiborn, IV Ext 2206 | tclaiborn@fibcaz org
Pastor of Congregational Care and Outreach - The Rev Jordan Hampton Ext 2228 | jhampton@fibcaz org
Acting Director of Worship - The Rev Kendall Washington kwashington@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
FIBCO Family Services, Inc. Executive Director - Akilah Stewart akilah stewart@fibco org