Issuu

AUGUST 2026, VOL 50 NO. 8

First Missionary Baptist Church

The Communicator

G.R.O.W

IN THIS ISSUE Member Highlights

TE A NO HE MT FRO TOR A P S

ORDER OF A NOTE FROM SERVICE PASTOR WILLIAMS Page 2 Page 3

YOUNG ADULT SPOTLIGHT Page 5

MEMBER UPCOMING HIGHLIGHTS EVENTS Page 8 Pages 10-11

Order of Service “Life in the Community” Video Presentation Congregational Song Praise** “How Great is Our God” Scripture Reading & Invocation “Great is our Lord and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.” — Psalm 147:5 Musical Selection Inspirational Voices of Praise Recognition of Visitors & Fellowship Period** Pastoral Highlights Worship Through Giving & The Prayer of Thanksgiving Musical Selection Inspirational Voices of Praise The Proclamation of the Gospel Carlos D. Williams, Senior Pastor Invitation to Christian Discipleship* The Final Blessing* *Please stand | **Worshipers may enter

From the Pastor's Pen

Greetings FMBC Family!

witnessing, and discipling. This initiative should serve as a catalyst and encouragement to continually and faithfully share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

As we enter the fall season, we have a busy stretch of events and initiatives, and I am excited to experience all of them with you. Our vision teams have been formed and have commenced their meetings. We have officially launched our evangelistic initiative, Who’s Your One! This will be two months of intentional praying,

Our fall revival this year will feature a noon bible lecture each day as well as the evening worship service. We welcome this year’s speakers Reverend Keith Shoulders, Jr. and Reverend Arthur Jackson, III to FMBC. It is going to be three days of life-changing teaching, Christ-exalting preaching, and soul-stirring singing. You don’t want to miss these powerful days of worship and empowerment. We will close the month of August with the celebration of our 146th Homecoming & Church Anniversary. The weekend In the Service of the Lord, will be filled with reflective thought, fun, fellowship, and sacred worship. I am Dr. Carlos D. Williams, Senior especially excited for the Pastor unveiling of our legacy room,

pray that each of you are continuing to G.R.O.W. in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. I am striving daily on your behalf to ensure that you have every resource needed to reach your full potential in God. Our theme of G.R.O.W. has many parts and while we may not be able to accomplish every tenet, I believe we will still be able to realize the differences that God has made in our assembly.

which will be a permanent space for the preservation of our history. There are many other things going on behind the scenes that you do not see, but I assure you that the leadership along with the staff are all working hard daily to advance the church for the glory of God. As we journey through the second half of this calendar year, I have already started looking toward 2027 and am praying for the direction of our church. A new multi-year theme will be introduced, but until then, it is my prayer that we will continue to G.R.O.W. together. Thanks to each of you for your continued prayers and support.

"I'VE GOT A STORY TO TELL" - ST. MARK 5:18-20 4

Young Adult

Spotlight

By Minister Jo Anita Miley

connection to the broader faith community for those who can no longer physically attend services. Hill makes a point to spend extra time with First Missionary members who reside at Regency Health Care and emphasizes how their seeing a familiar face from their church family there can really brighten their day.

vangelism and witnessing in nursing care facilities can be both meaningful and practical, focusing on spiritual care, community, and personal connection rather than highpressure conversion. Believers can bring the love of God and the light of the Gospel into what can sometimes be spiritually isolating environments. In 2025, Brother Matthew Hill saw firsthand how this works when he decided to join his friend, Richard Stainbrook, for a visit to Regency Health Care & Rehab Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Stainbrook often visited the facility as part of his personal ministry, so he tagged along to find out what the visits were about. Hill said he was hooked after that first visit. They were able to uplift residents by sharing the Word of God. What he enjoyed most about the fellowship was the way interacting with the residents there made him feel. A year later, he continues to make weekly visits to the Regency to share an hour-long Bible lesson with residents there. Hill stresses how visits to nursing facilities are vital to a church because they combat isolation and fulfill a biblical mandate to care for societies vulnerable. These outreach opportunities provide essential emotional support, spiritual encouragement and a tangible

Hills’ goal is to create a welcoming worship environment during the weekly fellowship. He uses the following format as a model for what things should be done during a visit to a nursing home or rehab facility: •

Offer prayer and explain the power of prayer in a way they can understand.

•

Highlight God’s love and character through Scripture and personal example. Engages residents through conversation and storytelling. Interject scripture into everyday topics—e.g., discussing suffering, heaven, or current events with biblical perspective.

•

Share personal testimonies of how Christ has transformed your life. Ask open-ended questions about their hopes, fears, or beliefs, and listen attentively. Address spiritual questions—e.g., “What will heaven be like?”—with Scripture-based answers.

•

Use simple, familiar hymns and worship songs with clear lyrics to help residents connect and feel included.

•

Following the aforementioned guidelines, Hill prepares a short, relatable devotional message (1015 minutes) that address faith, hope, and perseverance in everyday

life that he shares during the fellowship. He uses familiar Bible passages (e.g. Psalms, Gospels) that residents may know by memory and ends with an interactive prayer time and testimonial moment where residents share personal needs, fostering a sense of belonging. Hills said he thinks consistent, respectful visits help residents recognize “church” and feel valued. Having these conversations with other believers are particularly important because nursing home residents don’t typically have the regular spiritual fellowship that other members experience on the Lords Day. While nursing homes may meet physical needs, they aren’t always conducive to spiritual nurture. Hill expresses a desire to grow this fellowship and interact as part of a team where other volunteers and church members can rotate roles to keep visits fresh. He’d also like to incorporate some practical ministry ideas like having In-room visits for those unable to attend worship, communion brought to Christian residents who cannot attend church, and include visits to other nursing care facilities around the community. His key tip for those who are interested in serving at a nursing care facility: “Reaching out to persons in nursing homes and rehab facilities fulfills a biblical mandate to care for the vulnerable and provide essential spiritual nourishment (James 1:27). By bringing fellowship and prayer directly to those who are homebound, we provide a touchable reminder that aging and disabled individuals remain valued, visible members of our faith community.”

SPOTLIGHT ON JULIUS R. SCRUGGS CDCA By Minister Jo Anita Miley

Having a fruitful school year is possible with preparation

ith the end of summer, many families are preparing for the school year.

Head of School and Director of First Missionary’s Julius R. Scruggs Child Development Center and Academy, Sister Denine Matthews, has become somewhat of an expert regarding preparing for a school year. She has performed multiple roles to support children, such as: teacher, reading specialist, assistant principal, principal, and school turnaround specialist for Huntsville City Schools. Matthews retired from the Huntsville City Schools in 2025 with 30 years of service; she is also a parent with decades of school years under her belt. Matthews shared that she is eager to provide faith-based education and childcare at JRS CDCA. She highlighted teachers’ summer professional development, facility upgrades, a new math curriculum, and an expanded emphasis on science, technology, and foreign languages. This year’s theme, “Rooted in Christ, Growing in Excellence,” reflects the Academy’s commitment to academic and spiritual growth. There are also new faces at JRS CDCA. Assistant Head of School, Stephanie Silvey, came on board July 1. Silvey emphasizes that working with/helping teachers and children are her passion. She’s been in the education field for more than 17 years and has served in schools as a teacher, reading specialist, and mentor to teachers. Matthews and Silvey both have advice for parents, teachers, principals, counselors and administrators for the upcoming school year.

Silvey encourages parents to create daily moments for meaningful conversation by asking children about their thoughts, fears, and excitement. Consistent, face-toface engagement helps children feel seen, supported, and emotionally secure. Matthews emphasizes that preparing for a successful school year begins with a strong partnership between parents and teachers, built on open communication and a shared commitment to each child’s success. He also encourages families to nurture their children spiritually by speaking God’s Word over them daily. JRS CDCA will host a parenting meeting for enrolled families—watch for details about the upcoming Open House—and parents are encouraged to pray and declare scriptures such as Philippians 4:13, Psalm 139:14, Ephesians 2:10, Isaiah 40:31, and Jeremiah 29:11 over their children. As for the summer coming to a close, Matthews and Silvey both shared some tips on how families can be proactive before school starts: • Make sure you’re prepared with doctors’ visits and school records. This is a requirement for enrollment and all before and after school programs, as well as sports programs. • Sign up early for before and after school programs, if necessary. Talk with your child about your expectations (if they will be home alone, make sure they know how to secure the house and have a list of emergency numbers available in a specific area). • Re-establish a routine with earlier bedtime and wake-up times. It

• • takes time to recover from a fun summer schedule. • Discuss school year expectations with the entire family. Go over the school calendar and synchronize it with your family calendar. • Familiarize yourself (and your child) with school policies and guidelines. Visit the school and talk with administrators if you have questions. Keep a copy of the school handbook for future reference. • Sort through last year’s school uniforms and school supplies and make it an activity and shop for school uniforms and school supplies together. • Create a clean and organized study space, backpack station, and a place for school papers. • And remember, each school year is a new school year. Every child should be offered a fresh start and given the benefit of a doubt. We all need the grace to grow! The JRS CDCA is currently enrolling 2.5-year-old thru fifth grade students for the upcoming school year. The school office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during the school year. After school care dance and chess club programs are available. Classes begin Aug. 5. Parents can enroll their children online at https://www.scruggsacademy. org. or call 256-852-6673.

LUNCH PROVIDED ON WEDNESDAY ONLY!

FIRST MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 3509 BLUE SPRING ROAD, NW | HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA 35810 Carlos D. Williams, Senior Pastor