We made it to May, with the Lord’s help! Thank you, Jesus! We began last month with “High Holy Week”, so our entrance to this month is kind of low key. But, that’s all right with me because in my message on Sunday, April 30th, I reminded us that “Today is the only day you and I have in our lives.” In addition, the fact that you and I are reading these words means that “our Creator has allowed you and me to occupy space in Christ’s vast creation” so that we can grasp the Christ-purpose each of us has as His followers.
This month’s 2023 FIBC Theme Focus is LET’S SHIFT TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE LORD’S “BUT” PRIORITIZING FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS! After going through so much over that past three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, family and other close loving relationships have been stressed and strained to the max, including FIBC relationships as a church family Please take some valuable time this month to prioritize your relationships at every level to make sure that they are healthy and whole. If they are not, seek the Lord and trusted confidantes (including counselors) to help you to move to healing and wholeness. Speaking of family relationships, may each mother and mother-figure in your life, including you if it applies, enjoy and experience a meaningful and magnificent MOTHER’S DAY 2023.
Keep the faith and be encouraged!
Pastor Stewart
Sunday, April 30, 2023
God be praised for the opportunity to attend the 2023 IC3 Church Growth and Development Conference last Tuesday through Thursday, April 24-26, hosted by Dr. Ralph Douglas West, Senior Pastor of the Church Without Walls in Houston, Texas.
The theme for this year was “Managing the Restart” to equip both clergy and laity to effectively lead our respective congregations and ministries out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Several of the speakers of, at least, three generations, dealt with transitions in churches in light of the multiple transitions we are experiencing in the 21st century Church, i.e., in-person to hybrid, cultural shifts which have diminished the Church’s influence, and pastoral leadership transitions. More than one presenter talked about the need to deal with grief amidst transitions, that is, grieving over what was while the new is forthcoming. One presenter reminded us, “Unattended grief festers. . . . Conflict is involved in transition.” Another presenter taught about “Retooling the Remnant”, which involves “revising and reorganizing, especially for the purpose of updating or improving.” Pastor West shared, “We preach to a culture that is chronically dissatisfied.” God is faithful. This year’s IC3 Conference spoke a kairos or God-timed Word for us as a pastor and people. And for that I am so very grateful to the Lord.
With that being said, “THANK YOU, PASTOR KAREN, FOR BEING A SERVANT LEADER IN FIBC SINCE 1994!”
In a letter Pastor Karen wrote to the Chair of the Governance Council and me earlier this month, she included the following words, “I have joy because I feel my season as a staff person at FIBC has come to a close. Please know that I have entreated the Lord through prayer and fasting regarding His leading me in this direction. God has given me release, and I am being obedient to Him. For this, I am grateful. Please know that nothing has happened that prompts my decision. I have been privileged to lead FIBC staff and ministries through transitions. Now it is time for me to make my transition as well.” Let’s pause and thank God and Pastor Karen for her outstanding leadership for nearly 30 years on the FIBC Staff!!!
This is an announcement of Pastor Karen’s retirement more than her resignation from serving the Lord through FIBC for 28 years. And we will celebrate her retirement at the appropriate time this year. Please know that her goal is to remain on the FIBC Staff until a replacement is selected for her as our first Executive Director of Ministries and she will have the opportunity of orientating that person for, at least, 30 days, to aid him or her in being successful in fulfilling their responsibilities, God-willing. I wholeheartedly support this decision of my partner in marriage and ministry. Please join both of us in praying daily for God to lead us through this strategic transition. Thank you for your love, prayers, support and faithfulness “at such a time as this.”
May 2, 7pm
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, "Watch Your Mouth," by Tony Evans 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
Breaking Bread
Wednesdays at 7 p m
Online
Season 3 of Breaking Bread with the Pastors is back
You're invited to join the discussion each night on the FIBC Streaming Platforms and ends May 24
We're addressing cultural topics, making the Biblical connection and providing the Christian response Share your thoughts and join us in prayer.
Celebrate the mother and mother-figures in your life this May We’re hosting a High Tea on Saturday, May 13 Join us for tasty teas, savory sandwiches, decadent desserts, a hat fashion show, boutique shopping, live music and more. We’re inviting all the moms, mother figures and their daughters to put on your favorite high tea attire, including hats and fascinators, and join us.
Tickets are $5 each for adults and $2.50 for young ladies, 12-years-old and under.
Doors open at 11 a.m. and the tea will begin at high noon (12 p m )
Ticket sales will close at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 2 or when we reach capacity. For more information, contact the church office or email tlewis@fibcaz.org.
We celebrate mom this May and want to see you and your entire family in worship on Mother’s Day Sunday, May 14. This year ’ s Mother’s Day Worship Services will feature special messages from our children and youth, and sons from across the congregation We’ll also have a special gift for all the mothers and mother-figures in attendance
For those wishing to celebrate the life of a mother who’s no longer with us, consider joining our special Mother’s Day A Time To Remember at 9:30 a m that same day
You’re invited to say a prayer, light a candle or speak a word about your loved one. A Time to Remember is hosted by our H.E.L.P.S. Ministry.
Experience the power of the Holy Spirit in worship on Pentecost Sunday, May 28 Bring your entire family and enjoy high praise and worship, the Preached Word and a powerful illustration of the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem, and we ’ re going to celebrate as a church family, so make plans to attend.
Our annual Memorial Day tradition continues this year with the Deacon DeWoody McClinton Memorial Day Hike on Monday, May 29. Pastor Stewart started the challenge of hiking every mountain possible in the Greater Phoenix area and we ’ re nearly complete You’re invited to join us on Memorial Day and hike with your church family.
You’ll want to stay tuned to the announcements and your email, because this year ’ s location will be announced soon
The empty grave is there to prove our Savior lives and this April He reigned, ruled and lived as part of our Holy Week worship services and events Who can forget our first ever theatrical worship experience, The Towering Cross, and all that took place this past month We are shifting to the right side of the Lord's "But" and is showing in our praise, posture and purpose
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
Various Family Life (Student Ministries) positions
Receptionist (PT)
Custodian (FT)
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
#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.
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 Pastoral Counseling - Dr Carolyn Watson Ext 2227 | cwatson@fibcaz org
