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
National Day of Prayer
Praise Team & Band Rehearsal
Friday Fellowship with Pastor Stewart
Pastoral Retirement Volunteer Meeting
First Sunday - Lord’s Supper
Pre-Noonday Prayer
Noonday Bible Study
Praise Team & Band Rehearsal
Friday Fellowship with Pastor Stewart
Second Sunday - Mother’s Day
Time to Remember
Pre-Noonday Prayer
Noonday Bible Study
Praise Team & Band Rehearsal
Friday Fellowship with Pastor Stewart
Family Life Workshop
Third Sunday
R.N. Nesby Scholarship Convocation
Pre-Noonday Prayer
Noonday Bible Study
Praise Team & Band Rehearsal
Friday Fellowship with Pastor Stewart
PMBSCAZ Motivational Workshop
Fourth Sunday
McClinton Memorial Day Hike
Campus Closed - Memorial Day Observance
Pre-Noonday Prayer
Noonday Bible Study
& 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
FIBCO Family Services, Inc. Annual Report
It is with excitement and appreciation that FIBCO Family Services, Inc. shares some 2024 impact highlights as part of its Annual Report.
For more information on FIBCO Family Services, Inc and its programming, visit fibco org View the 2024 Annual Report
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, FIBC Members and Supporters,
Let me begin these Pastoral Comments for this monthly newsletter like I have never begun one of the newsletters before in my 48 years of pastoring. As I write these words, I am at a place where I have never been in the nearly five decades of serving as your Senior Pastor.
On Monday morning, April 28 before I caught a plane to Houston for the IC3 Issachar Church Growth and Development Conference, a FIBC mother asked me to meet her and the hospital chaplain in her son’s room as he would be told that he would have a life-altering surgery due to an infection he acquired. I had to join his mother in explaining to him that to save his life he had to have the surgery. The next day I received a call from his mother that the surgery was far more life-altering than expected, with another life-altering surgery forthcoming. On Tuesday afternoon, April 29 , I received a text that one of our longtime members who welcomed me to FIBC in 1977 was in so much pain that she requested to be taken off life-saving measures to go Home to be with the Lord Later that same afternoon, I received a call from one of our young adult members who comes to FIBC every Sunday, had a baby shower on Saturday, April 27 , confirmed this past Sunday that her baby was coming early and that I would be blessing her new baby on June 8 .In the call, she informed me that her infant son had separated from the placenta in her eighth month of pregnancy and died.
The focus for our 2025 FIBC Theme for May is: OUR SPIRITUAL ASSIGNMENT—PASSING THE LORD’S BATONGENERATIONALLYTHROUGHLOVINGANDNURTURINGRELATIONSHIPS. God be praised for therelationshipsinaScripturally-guided,Spirit-anointed,Christianfellowshipthattransformchurch members into family members. I thank God that my love, care and compassion for FIBC’s members havebeenaprivilegetheLordhasaffordedmeoverthelast48years Morethanthat,you,membersof FIBC, continue to nurture and sustain sincere and sympathetic relationships with members and their lovedonesthroughdifficultseasonsinthelivesofourbrothersandsisters.Maythepastorandpeople ofFIBCnevereverstopmodelingourlovingandliberatingLordJesusChristinourrelationshipstoone anotheraswellasothers,ingoodtimesandespeciallyintoughtimes.
Please pray for the members and their loved ones who I mentioned above as they navigate life happening in incredibly challenging ways And if you have time, remember your Senior Pastor in prayer too.
Keepthefaithandbeencouraged!
Hitting the Highlights Hitting the Highlights
THIS MONTH'S ACTIVITIES THIS MONTH'S ACTIVITIES
National Day of Prayer
FIBC will unite with Christians across the nation on Thursday, May 1 for National Day of Prayer and you are welcome to join the FIBC Prayer Minister as we answer the call to pray for our nation and world
This year's national theme is, "Pour Out to the God of Hope and be Filled," based on Romans 15:13
The FIBC Prayer Ministry will hold a special gathering via Zoom beginning at 12 p.m.
Zoom ID: 6022581998
Zoom Passcode: 1141 Day
Time to Remember
nothing more special on Mother’s Day then ng with mom in worship on Mother’s Day and to invite you and your entire family to do just Sunday, May 11. That’s when we ’ re going to all the mothers and mother-figures in our ll also have a special gift for all the mothers her-figures in worship.
or worship at 7:30 a.m. or 11 a.m., hear a Mother’s Day message, enjoy high praise, nd fellowship
Our HELPS Ministry also holds A Time To Remember four times a year at Mother's Day, Father's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas, as a way to let you honor the life of a loved one no longer with us
We invite you to connect with the ministry on Sunday, May 11 at 9:30 a.m., in-person and via Zoom for this special gathering You are welcome to light a candle, say a prayer, tell a story, or just sit quietly and listen
Hitting the Highlights Hitting the Highlights
THIS MONTH'S ACTIVITIES THIS MONTH'S ACTIVITIES
Family Life Workshop
The FIBC D.R.E.A.M. Zone invites you and the en family to the annual Family Life Workshop Saturday, May 17. Join us for workshops, pa discussions and activities aimed at addressing crit issues with our families, communities and more
Registration is free and open to all We're also look for community resources and presenters to serve vendors. Visit fibcaz.org/familylifeworkshop or con Pastor Tommie in the office for more information.
R.N. Nesby Scholarship Convocation
It’s time to celebrate the class of 2025 and th Nesby Scholarship recipients We invite you to j on Sunday, May 18 at 9:30 a.m. in the Sanctu our annual celebration
The R N Nesby Scholarship Ministry will highligh year ’ s honorees and the incredible work this m does through academic support for students ages
McClinton Memorial Day Hike
It’s time to lace up your hiking boots and join us for the annual Deacon DeWoody McClinton Memorial Day Hike on Monday, May 26.
Named in honor of the late FIBC Deacon, Brother McClinton hiked every mountain in the Greater Phoenix area as a “seasoned saint” and in his honor, Pastor Stewart has been following suit We invite you to meet Pastor Stewart on Memorial Day for what will be his final hike as Senior Pastor of FIBC We’ll announce the location in the coming days
MEN’S CORNER
Connect with the FIBC Men’s Ministry
MEN’S SPOTLIGHT
This month we want to acknowledge Brother Monte Adams. Brother Adams grew up in FIBC and wants to pay it forward by supporting the next generation through his work with the FIBC D.R.E.A.M. Zone for children and youth. He is a Sunday School teacher, supports Pastor Claiborn and is supporting the Men’s Ministry through outreach efforts at ASU, GCU and UArizona.
GET READY FOR NEW WAYS TO 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. We want to see every man connected and engaged in Men’s Ministry life at FIBC.
Men’s Ministry Engagement Opportunities in 2025
Men’s Retreat (TBA)
Men’s Fishing Fellowship (October)
Men’s Sunday (October)
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.
MEN’S CORNER
Connect with the FIBC Men’s Ministry
A SPECIAL MOTHER’S DAY MESSAGE
In case you didn’t know, Mother’s Day is on May 11th. It is the day where we take time to celebrate all Mothers and Mother-figures. If you haven’t made your dinner reservations, you still have time, but you better hurry, reservations are going fast! I finally got smart and made my reservations for my wife back in March. It is also the day that will see a bump in church attendance with the “CME” crowd. I certainly hope you know what CME means. �� It would be nice if we could get people to attend church more often, not just on special days. In 2024, church attendance in the U.S. continued a trend of decline, and church membership has fallen below 50% for the first time in 80 years. I can go on and cite many other reasons why people are not going to church anymore, but May 11th, just like every Sunday represents an opportunity to offer Christ to anyone looking for a brand-new life. In the world that we live in today, we need God more than ever. To quote Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and he will make your paths straight.”
If your Mom is still alive, cherish this moment and give her a great big hug. As for me, I lost my Mother in 2015. There are many things that I miss about her. Sunday dinners were the best. Sometimes when I’m driving, I can just hear her from the passenger seat saying things like “Slow down”, and “Why are we in a hurry?” Or how about this: “Jesus take the wheel”. s are you’ve heard the same thing.
I also had a Mother-figure. Adele James was the church clerk. Adele was someone that kept me in check. She kept after me to join the Men of Presence (MOP) usher group. In fact, she went so far as to contact the MOP President and have him contact me. I am so grateful that she pushed me to join the MOP. After Ms. Adele passed, there was no funeral service. Adele felt that no one loved her, but she was wrong! I appreciate that Pastor Stewart dedicated a Sunday sermon to eulogize Ms. Adele. Thank You Adele for all you did for me!
So, I finish like I started. Mother’s Day is May 11th. Do not miss this opportunity to let your Mom, your wife, and anyone else know how much you love them. You never know when it’ll be the last time you say it.
Emory Dickerson, Men’s Ministry
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
Dealing with Grief
with Chaplain Brenda Griffin Collins
Community Events Community Events
UPCOMING MINISTRY & OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
UPCOMING MINISTRY & OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
Ubuntu Cultural Immersion
STEAM Youth Summer Camp
June 3 to June 27, 2025 Tuesday through Friday, 8 a m to 3 (early drop-off and late pickup available)
This four-week camp is designed to celebrate the spirit of Ubuntu "I am because we are" by nurturing your child’s sense of identity, belonging, and purpose.
Camp Tuition
$520 per student for the full 4-week program ($130 / Week)
$200 discount ($50 discount per week) for each additional sibling registered in the same household
Community Events Community Events
UPCOMING MINISTRY & OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
UPCOMING MINISTRY & OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
R R ecapping April ecapping April
CELEBRATIONS POWERED BY THE RESURRECTION CELEBRATIONS POWERED BY THE RESURRECTION
Like April showers, melodies from Heaven rained down on FIBC and our celebrations as a Pastor and People From a spirit-filled Holy Week, kicking off on Palm Sunday and climaxing on Resurrection Sunday, to a powerful celebration of our Minister of Music and Sister Brenda Hankins 55 years of servant leadership, God showered His blessings on FIBC and we are continuing to live in the overflow!
Recapping Apri Recapping Aprill
CELEBRATIONS POWERED BY THE RESURRECTION CELEBRATIONS POWERED BY THE RESURRECTION
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