Passport Youth Camp 2025: Wide Open Spaces
During the week of July 14-18th, our youth had a fun week at Passport Missions in Harrisonburg, VA! We stayed at Eastern Mennonite University and enjoyed the mountain scenery of the area while we worshipped, learned, served, and played. Our theme for Passport Missions this year was Wide Open Spaces where we learned about Spaces to Welcome, to Wonder, to Act, and to Dance. In the mornings, our youth would attend Bible study with youth from other churches learning about each of these themes and how they can apply them to their daily lives. Then in the afternoons, with their Bible Study group, they served at various mission sites in the Harrisonburg community Our mission sites ranged from weed pulling at a retirement home to sorting fresh food at a food pantry to farm work to sitting around a lunch table to learn from and fellowship with veterans
Throughout the week we had lots of play and fun as we celebrated a birthday, sang and played piano in the Variety Show, danced in neon at the Dance Party, and played in the volleyball tournament Our youth also participated in worship through interpretative dance and by reading the Verse of the Day and praying At the end of our trip on the way home, we stopped at Luray Caverns to marvel and appreciate God’s beautiful creation in the Shenandoah Mountains It was a perfect ending to our week of growing in the wonder of God and God’s creation around us Thanks be to God for Passport and for Wide Open Spaces where our youth are always fully welcomed and loved
Passport is a wonderful experience. I love being able to do mission work and make an impact on my community.
I also really love being able to bond and connect with my church throughout the week.
-Ava Langlois, Graduated Senior
Children’s Bible Study Updates: Bible Basics in Action!
Our children have been busy this summer diving into God’s Word through our Bible Basics series and it shows! With songs, games, and interactive lessons, they’re learning how the Bible is organized and how each part fits into the big picture of God’s story. Right now, they’re focusing on the Old Testament memorizing the books and exploring major sections like the Torah, historical books, poetry and wisdom literature, and the prophets
The joy and focus you see in these photos say it all our kids are growing in knowledge and faith each week!
Our youngest church members are learning about God’s love through the amazing volunteers who love on them each and every week!
School’s In –Summer Vacations Out
Making a New Normal is an invitation into the bold imagination of Jesus Through five challenging and deeply relevant parables from the Gospel of Luke, Jesus doesn’t just offer new teachings he invites us to rethink the world as we know it He questions the rules we’ve inherited, the systems we’ve accepted, and the patterns we repeat without thinking.
These stories are disruptive, not because Jesus wants to divide us, but because he knows real transformation requires more than tweaks to the old ways it takes a whole new vision It takes people who are willing to see differently, live differently, and love differently In short, Jesus calls us not to return to “normal,” but to make a new one rooted in grace, equity, courage, and joy.
This series is for the tired and the searching The questioners The ones who feel out of place in a world obsessed with control, wealth, shame, and status Together, we’ll explore what it means to follow Jesus in a way that actually changes the way we live not someday, but today
Well, the kids are heading back to school and the summer fun is coming to an end as we get back into our regular school year routines Please remember to include making regular offerings towards the ministries of our church part of your routine Working together, we can accomplish much as we strive to be the people and the church God has called us to be Here is a summary of our financial picture as of the end of July
Ministry Budget
There has not been much change since last month Giving to the Ministry Budget remains behind last year’s receipts, now by about $39,000 Our total budget expenses now exceed the revenue received by $97,000. A deficit like this is not unusual during the summer months when expenses go up and gifts go on vacation It just means we need to remember that we have catching up to do to meet our obligations by the end of the year
Watering the Roots Capital Fund
Through July the fund has received $16,600 and spent $24,200 The expenditure was to replace the HVAC system in the Playroom and one of the AC units in the Blue Room. The current balance of the fund is $327,959 06 Your continued support is appreciated as we have identified nearly one million dollars of anticipated capital needs over the next decade
Benevolence Fund
August 3- Luke 12:13–21 | “In the Eyes”
August 10- Luke 12:32–40 | “Possession is the Problem”
August 17- Luke 12:49–56 | “Already Divided”
August 24- Luke 13:10–17 | “Less Work”
August 31- Luke 14:1, 7–14 | “On the Inside”
Keeping in mind that practically all our benevolence payments help folks within our church family, we continue to meet needs in a timely manner even if funds are not immediately available. We trust that gifts will eventually come in to cover the expenditures We recently repaired non-functional bathrooms for two of our members and assisted another member with out-of-town funeral expenses for a family member. Through July, the fund has received $11,900 and expended $82,700 All gifts to the Benevolence Fund are well used and most appreciated
As always, thank you for stewardship support of the work and ministries of our church Should you ever have any questions about church finances and stewardship, please feel free to contact Dennis Sacrey.
MEMORIALS / HONORS
Month of July
In Memory Of
Ministry Memorial Fund –for James Brooks, given by Bill & Marla Tignor for Robert Bruce, given by Paul & Cassie Stephens Organ Restoration Fund – for Edith Houghton, given by Jim & Ann McGlone; The Sanctuary Choir of FBC for Shirley Onderdonk, given by Gail Hylton; Jim & Ann McGlone; Virginia Powell; Vicki & Jerry Silver; Marian Wiltshire; The Sanctuary Choir of FBC for Christine Ryder, given by The Sanctuary Choir of FBC Music Ministry – for Shirley Onderdonk, given by Sam & Laura Smart Watering the Roots Capital Fund – for Mike Carneal, given by Jim & Ann McGlone Benevolence Fund – for Craig Bennett on his birthday, July 5, given by Gail Hylton for Edith Houghton, given by Marian Wiltshire for Patty Hrin, given by Gail Hylton; John & Margaret Ingram; Sandi Stein; Van & Tammy Snellings for Katia Simmons, given by Marian Wiltshire
In Honor Of Organ Restoration Fund – for Darla Burton, on her retirement, given by Jim & Ann McGlone for Chris & Cathy
Hospitality Fund – for Mary Bourne, Susan Graham, Brenda Haun, Laura Pryce, Sandi
, given by Gail
& Betty
, given by Van & Tammy Snellings
Ryder
Hylton
Stein, Donna Updike
White
Upcoming Events
Children & Youth Families Fred Nats Game
Friday, August 15 , 7:05 th
Celebrate making it through the first week of school with a fun outing to see the Fred Nats play! All children and youth families are invited to join us for a Friday night Fred Nats game. We will enjoy some baseball and fireworks together on the field after the game. Buy your tickets for our section by scanning the QR code up until the game time Contact Beth (beth@fxbgbaptist org) or Stephanie (stephanie@fxbgbaptist org) for more details
Blessing of the Backpacks
Sunday, August 17th
All children and youth are welcome to join us for a blessing over their school year during the 11 am worship service on August 17th Bring your backpack with you as we will pray for a safe, fun, and abundant school year together in worship
Young Adult Sunset Series
Monday, August 18th, 7-8:30 pm
All young adults (college students included) are invited to our last Sunset Series for the summer! Join us at the Pastor David Haun's house from 7 to 8:30 pm for dinner, conversation, and a short devotional. More details & signup can be found by scanning the QR code. Please sign up by Thursday, August 14th so we can plan for dinner. Contact Beth Bailey with any questions at beth@fxbgbaptist org
Family Retreat
August 22nd-24th
Join us for a weekend full of laughter, connection, worship, and meaningful time together at Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center as we explore the theme of "Home." Think games, campfires, singing, and fellowship with our church family This retreat is for all children and youth and their families The cost is $375 per family, reach out to Beth, Stephanie, or Erin with questions
Mom’s Meetup
Wednesday, August27th, 6:30pm
Moms are invited to meet up for dinner and conversation! This gathering is meant to be a time of fellowship and support for moms with children birth-college so that we might support each other in the joys and challenges that come with parenthood We will meet at Agave at 6:30pm If you are interested in joining the fun, please email Erin.
Post-Grad Young Adult Ice Cream Social
Wednesday, August 27th, 7-8 pm
All post-grad aged young adults (22ish-early 30s) are invited to an Ice Cream Social at Blue Cow Ice Cream Co. in downtown FXBG! Join Beth from 7-8 pm for some ice cream and to hang out Beth will cover your ice cream! Contact Beth Bailey for more details at beth@fxbgbaptist org
Youth Fall Kickoff
Sunday, September 7th, 12:30-2 pm
All youth and their families are invited to enjoy lunch, games, and an overview of the fall youth schedule in the Fellowship Hall after worship on Sept 7th! Parents can sign consent forms, ask questions, and sign up to bring dinner for Sunday Night Youth Please sign up by Sept 1 at the QR code or at the link in the weekly youth email. Contact Beth Bailey at beth@fxbgbaptist.org with any questions. st
Overnight Trip to Williamsburg
Tuesday, September 23 -Wednesday, September 24 rd th
Join us for a trip to Williamsburg where we will tour the art museum and visit Colonial Williamsburg all while enjoying delicious food and fellowship! Scan the QR code for more information
Lunch at Graves Mountain Lodge
Wednesday, October 22nd
Join us for a trip to Graves Mountain Lodge to enjoy some fried chicken and fellowship!
