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
Friday Fellowship with Pastor Stewart
Fresh Start Expo
First Sunday - Harvest Sunday
Pre-Noonday Prayer
Noonday Bible Study
Evening Bible Study
Praise Team & Band Rehearsal
PMBSCAZ Annual Session
Friday Fellowship with Pastor Stewart
Second Sunday
Hoop Dreams
Veterans Day
Pre-Noonday Prayer
Noonday Bible Study
Evening Bible Study
Praise Team & Band Rehearsal
Friday Fellowship with Pastor Stewart
Young Adult Fellowship Outing
Community Shredding Event
Third Sunday
Youth Entrepreneur Marketplace
Pre-Noonday Prayer
Noonday Bible Study
Evening Bible Study
Praise Team & Band Rehearsal
Friday Fellowship with Pastor Stewart
Fourth Sunday - Thanksgiving Sund
Time to Remember
Pre-Noonday Prayer
Noonday Bible Study
Evening Bible Study
Thanksgiving Campus Closure
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.
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
In-person Bible Study will meet in The Hope Center Chapel Zoom ID: 602 258 1998 Passcode: 1141
Evening Bible Study
Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. In-Person
Our Wednesday evening series, mirrors our Noon Day Bible Study with Pastor Talley. This is your opportunity to come learn more about who we are and what we believe.
TALK OF THE TOWN
Greetings, FIBC Members and Supporters,
After taking a morning stroll on the streets of Agra, India, the home of the Taj Mahal, “Shubakanshalu,” which means, “Greetings,” in Telugu, the language of our brothers and sisters of the Calvary Baptist Church in Akividu, India Thank God, for a day of rest after a remarkable journey on our 2024 FIBC India Mission Trip.Although we left as one team on October 20, we missed our flight to Hyderabad in London due to British Airways, were separated into two groups arriv arriving in Hyderabad on different days by different routes, did not receive our checked luggage until from six to ten days after we left Phoenix, spent five days holding two worship services in the morning and night, plus doing house visits to pray with residents in Akividu and surrounding villages, greeting two of our team members who did not make to India until we arrived in New Delhi due to Indian visa issues, and making a fourteen-hour journey by land and air to Agra! The highlight of this mission trip was to share the very generous missions gift from FIBC for the new edifice of the Calvary Baptist Church under construction and dedicating the building on Sunday, October 27 God is faithful
How appropriate it is that our 2024 FIBC Theme Focus for November is THANK YOU, LORD, FOR OUR JOURNEY TOGETHER BECOMING A TITHING CHURCH TO MISSIONS! Hallelujah! One of the first emphases as the new Senior Pastor of FIBC in the late 1970s was to preach, teach and practice tithing as God’s formula for financing His Church’s mission and ministry In addition, the Lord gave me the vision of our FUND FOR MISSIONS through which we tithe to missions of our weekly tithes and offerings to support home and foreign missions, denominational work, education, The E & E Connection (Evangelism and Emancipation), especially FIBCO Family Services, Inc. and our Deacons Benevolence, plus special causes such as natural or humanmade disasters Over the last 46 years, we have given around $2,000,000 00 through our FFM, praise the Lord! And, FIBC has not missed a beat May we celebrate Harvest Sunday on November 3, and the Lord’s Harvest throughout the month?
Thank God, we have made it through our first month of 60 DAYS OF SELAH, SUMMONING AND SEEKING THE LORD’S GUIDANCE. God be praised for those who have participated in any way, especially in our Wednesday congregational praying and/or Bible studies Please view the lessons on FIBC’s YouTube page I guarantee you that those lessons are preparing FIBC for this historic senior pastoral leadership transition. See you this coming Sunday, God-willing.
Keep the faith and be encouraged!
Pastor Stewart
We begin at the close of our Generations Sunday worship service on Sunday, September 29, 2024, with Pastor John H. Talley III leading us in congregational prayer for our 60 DAYS OF SELAH, SUMMONING AND SEEKING THE LORD’S GUIDANCE. I have asked Pastor Talley to lead this season of praying and meditating for us.
We will continue with focused congregational praying on Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 6:006:30 p.m. as well as on Sundays in the Sanctuary, 7:00-7:30 a.m. and 10:30-11:00 a.m.
We will be teaching a special Wednesday Bible Study series on Leadership Transitions in the Bible, beginning on Wednesday, October 2 through Wednesday, November 27, 2024, 12:00-1:00 p.m. and 6:30-7:30 p.m.
October 2 – Lesson on our 60 DAYS Theme Scriptural Foundation
October 9 – Lesson on Noah from Genesis 6-9
October 16 – Lesson on Abraham from Genesis 12
October 23 – Lesson on Joseph from Genesis 50
October 30 – Lesson on Moses and Joshua from Deuteronomy 34
November 6 – Lesson on Deborah from Judges 4
November 13 Lesson on John the Baptist from Mark 1
November 20 – Lesson on Jesus Christ’s Departure Preparation from John 14
November 27 – Lesson from Paul on Thanksgiving from I Corinthians 1
Please join us daily in praying and meditating during our 60 DAYS OF SELAH, SUMMONING AND SEEKING THE LORD’S GUIDANCE and our Scriptural Foundation.
If you can, please join us on Sundays in the Sanctuary for focused congregational praying, 7:00-7:30 a.m. or 10:30-11:00 a.m., or Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. in person or virtually, or 6:00-6:30 p.m., in person. You are also welcome to join us in our special Wednesday Bible Study series on Leadership Transitions on Wednesdays, 12:00-1:00 p.m., in person or virtually, or 6:30-7:30 p.m., in person.
God is going to speak to the pastor and people of FIBC in a special, strategic way during our 60 DAYS OF SELAH, SUMMONING AND SEEKING THE LORD’S GUIDANCE.
Keep the faith and be encouraged!
Pastor Stewart
Purpose—To spend 60 DAYS engaging in the following prayerful and meditative actions:
Selah – Taking time to pause
Psalm 24:3-6 3Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? 4The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. 5They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior. 6Such is the generation of those who seek him, who see your face, God of Jacob. Selah
Summoning – Recalling the pastor and people relationship over the past 47+ years
Psalm 90:1-2 1Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. 2Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
II Corinthians 4:1 1Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.
Ephesians 4:11-13 11So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Seeking – Praying to the Lord for guidance during our season of senior pastoral leadership transition
Proverbs 3:5-6 6Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Matthew 7:7-8 7Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Hitting the Highlights Hitting the Highlights
THIS MONTH'S ACTIVITIES THIS MONTH'S ACTIVITIES
Harvest Sunday
It is time to bring your full harvest to the altar Our annual Harvest Sunday is coming up on November 3 and we invite you to unite with us in supporting the Legacy Endowment Fund by bringing a gift of support to the financial sustainability of the church. The Legacy Endowment Fund provides scholarships to deserving students, support our on-going efforts in the Greater Phoenix area and beyond and provide for future growth.
On Harvest Sunday, November 3 consider making your contribution to the Legacy Endowment Fund More information can be found at fibcaz org/stewardship
Hoop Dreams Basketball Clinic
Young Adult Fellowship Outing
The next young adult fellowship opportunity takes place on Friday, November 15. We're going to enjoy great food, fun and fellowship at Pop Stroke in Glendale. This amazing location offers an 18-hole mini golf course, a full-service kitchen, ice cream parlor, gaming and more, owned by Tiger Woods
The cost is $30 for adults and $18 for children, 18-yearsold and under You'll pay on your own Let us know you're attending, children are welcome The deadline to sign-up is 11:59 p m (PST) on Wednesday, November 13 at fibcaz org/yafellowship
PMBSCAZ Annual Session
Are you interested in learning basketball fundamentals? Join us for Hoop Dreams It’s free and open to all young people, ages 6 to 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in The Hope Center Gym.
Sunday, November 10
Sunday, December 8
The Paradise Missionary Baptist State Convention of Arizona, Inc will hold its Annual Session November 7-9 at Grace Temple Baptist Church in Tucson With activities and services taking place each night, we will travel down to Tucson as a church family to participate Look for registration information and travel details in the coming days
Hitting the Highlights Hitting the Highlights
THIS MONTH'S ACTIVITIES THIS MONTH'S ACTIVITIES
Shredding Event
FIBC in partnership with AARP Arizona will h Community Shredding Event on Satu November 16. You’re invited to bring up to 10 per vehicle, or until our trucks are full, for free an document destruction and shredding, all for free
In addition to dropping off your items for shred we also ask that you make a donation to FIBCO F Services for their Thanksgiving Boxes Drive. perishable items that can be used to ma wonderful Thanksgiving meal for a family in nee welcomed.
FIBCO Thanksgiving Drive
We invite you to support a family in nee November by donating items to FIBCO Family S Inc for community Thanksgiving Food Boxe items you donate will be used to make Thank meal kits for the families served by our non-prof
Suggested items include: cranberry sauce, mac cheese, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, onions, mushroom sauce, dinner rolls, green corn, wild rice, yams and other Thanksgivingitems You can drop your donations off during b hours and on Sundays
Time to Remember
Thanksgiving Closure
THE FIBC HELPS Ministry will hold a Time To Remember on Thanksgiving Sunday, November 24. This is your opportunity to celebrate the life of a loved one who’s no longer with us. You are welcome to join in-person in The Hope Center Gym or online, say a prayer, light or candle or just sit and listen beginning at 9:30 a m
The Thanksgiving Holiday means our campus will be closed from Thursday, November 28 through Monday, December 2. Sunday Worship Services and Bible Studies will take place at their regularly scheduled times on December 1. The campus will open to normal business hours on Tuesday, December 3.
Let’ s Party with our Community Let’ s Party with our Community
PASTOR’S CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD PASTOR’S CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Our annual Christmas tradition is ramping up for an exciting December Pastor’s Christmas Party for the Neighborhood will take place on Friday, December 13 and we are ready to start welcoming Santa’s Helpers with planning and event logistics. If you ’ re willing to support a family in need by donating, let us know. We’re also looking for volunteers to support at the event as well as entertainment groups
This year we ’ re supporting our own FIBC families and those from the community group AfroScouts. This youth development group is part of the Black Alliance and Social Empowerment cooperative. BASE Arizona was founded to positively impact the African American community.
There are several ways you can support Pastor's Christmas Party for the Neighborhood Make a financial contribution and let Santa’s Helpers shop for you. Be on the lookout for envelopes or contact Sister Michelle Urquhart. Shop on your own for gifts (under $40) and bring them unwrapped by Friday, Dec. 6. No clothing items please Volunteer to hand out gifts at our drive through event
For families wishing to participate, please note the following: Registration will open on Nov. 10 and close on Nov. 30, or until capacity is reached. Once you complete the form, you will receive a confirmation of your acceptance. You must attend the event on Dec 13 in order to receive the gifts
For more information on Pastor’s Christmas Party for the Neighborhood visit fibcaz.org/christmasparty.
Congregational Notes Congregational Notes
STAY CONNECTED WITH OUR CONGREGATION STAY CONNECTED WITH OUR CONGREGATION
It is with profound gratitude that I express my appreciation to everyone for my FIBC 30th Employment Anniversary Celebration which not only lasted one day but also extended for several months
I never would have expected to receive the bountiful outpouring of gifts, cards, words of appreciation, encouragement and love that were extended to me from so many.
To those who planned, participated, and acknowledged the celebration in any way, thank you so much for making this milestone in my life an unforgettable experience!
Blessings,
Nancy Hooper Church Administrator and Church Clerk
R R ecapping October ecapping October
MINISTRY IN MOTION MINISTRY IN MOTION
October highlighted everything we love about our church family From Men’s Sunday to Trunk or Treat and everything in between, we supported all aspects of our congregation Did you miss the Balloon Release for Pregnancy Loss Commemoration? Did you get to see the informative content released as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month? And how about a mission trip to India! So much took place this month and we praise God for all that was done!
Recapping Octobe Recapping October r
MINISTRY IN MOTION MINISTRY IN MOTION
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.
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 - 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 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
Executive Director of Ministries - The Rev John Talley, III Ext 2214 | jtalley@fibcaz org
Pastor of Congregational Care - The Rev Sharmal Cannon Ext 2228 | scannon@fibcaz org
Pastor of Family Life - The Rev Thomas Claiborn, IV Ext 2206 | tclaiborn@fibcaz org
Pastor of Outreach and Justice - Dr Donta’ McGilvery Ext 2207 | dmcgilvery@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