September 18, 2014 Volume LI No. 9-c

Preparing for Sunday. . .

“I Lift Up My Soul: Service”

Matthew 25:31-44 Soul lifting is not an exclusively

personal experience. In fact, it’s not

possible to lift up one’s soul if one is

in the presence of a person in need.

The “sheep” in Jesus’ story may not

have realized they were doing

something good for themselves when

they helped the people who were sick,

impoverished or incarcerated, but by

serving their souls were richly

blessed. Service involves sacrifice, is

rarely convenient and often goes

unnoticed. Nevertheless, helping

another soul know the love of God is

one of the best ways to lift our own.

A few of our youth missionaries will

participate in the sermon this week by

telling us how their souls were lifted

this summer on the M-Fuge trip to

Mobile, Alabama.

September 27, 2014 Online registration is available through the

Inasmuch United Lumberton Facebook page, or contact the church

office, 739-4336 or daphnefletcher@fbclumbertonnc.org.

Projects include:

Assembling Kids Against Hunger Meals & Agape Shoeboxes

Sorting and Organizing at the Robeson County

Church & Community Center Food Pantry & Home Store

Painting & Yard Work (Including work at The Boys & Girls Club)

Cutting & Stacking Firewood

Building Handicap Ramps

Roofing

Distributing Food Bags at My Refuge Center

A Food Drive for Local Hunger Ministries

Hope’s Table (Preparing and serving a free meal for the hungry)

Lunch Preparation & Delivery for Insamuch Participants

"Truly, I say to you, Inasmuch as you did it to one

of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.

Matthew 25:40

Flu Shot Clinic Sunday, September 28th

8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Anyone 14 years of age or older may

get a flu shot. A variety of insurance

plans are accepted.

Fall Sermon SeriesFall Sermon Series

September 28 – Music

I Samuel 16:14-23

October 5 – Community

World Communion Sunday

Rev. Erin Collier preaching

October 12 – Simplicity

Matthew 8:18-22

October 19 – Study

Luke 2:41-52

October 26 – Sabbath

Exodus 20:8-11

November 2 – Release

Matthew 6:25-34

November 9 – Giving

Acts 4:32-37

This Week. . .

Sunday, September 21, 2014 8:45 Early Worship 9:45 Sunday School 11:00 Worship Service 4:45 Youth Bells 6:00 Youth Bible Study 7:00 Adult Bells

Monday, September 22 9:00 Staff Meeting 6:15 Finance Committee Meeting 7:30 Deacons Meeting

Wednesday, September 24 10:00 Joyful Notes Rehearsal 4:00 Young Musicians Handbells 4:45 Music Makers Choir (Grades 1-3) Young Musicians Choir (Grades 4-6) 5:15 Family Night Supper 6:00 Family Night At Prayer Music Munchkins/Mission Friends (Ages 3-K) Wednesday Night Live (Grades 1-6) Youth Doing Missions (Grades 7-12) 7:00 Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

Friday, September 26 10:00 5th Quarter

Saturday, September 27 8:00 Operation Inasmuch (Commissioning at Godwin Heights Baptist Church)

Family Night Supper Menu, September 24

Spaghetti, String Beans, Texas Toast,

Apple Pies (Sugar-free)

Missions Banquet October 8, 2014

Cherry Fellowship Hall

The meal will be served at 5:15 p.m. Service will begin at 6:00 p.m.

Our speaker will be Dr. David Crocker, Executive Director and Founder of Operation Inasmuch.

I am getting way more mileage out of Carey Nieuwhof’s

article, 9 Signs Your Church is Ready to Reach the

Unchurched, than I could have ever imagined when I first

read the article. I devoted a Wednesday night to it (with

Power Point, no less!), have referenced it in a couple of sermons and this is

my third newsletter article devoted to it. I hope these articles are

encouraging you to think about who we are as a church, our purpose and

our readiness (and willingness) to reach individuals and families who are

not participating in a church.

Nieuwhof’s sixth point is his most practical. He suggests a church is ready

to reach the unchurched if You have easy, obvious, strategic and helpful

steps for new people. Since this is the most practical of the signs, it is also

the easiest to assess and, in all honesty, we do not get a very good grade

here. I am interpreting this point to be a recommendation for a strategic

communication plan that presents our church’s identity and mission to the

community. This includes media pieces (print and electronic) and an

orientation-like class. I wholeheartedly agree that this is important. The

unchurched may “visit” us once or twice because they have been invited by

a friend, but it is doubtful they will agree to be a part of our Family of

Faith without knowing who we are, what we are trying to accomplish and

what we expect of one another. The staff and I will be working on this in

the weeks to come with the goal of preparing a printed resource and

perhaps a “FBC 101” seminar from which we tell our story.

The seventh “sign” on Nieuwhof’s list is a warning about assumptions.

My Dad taught me the definition of “assume” years ago and it is truest

truths I know. We end up looking (and being) foolish when we assume

something that does not pan out. Nieuwhof says a church that is reaching

the unchurched has dumped all assumptions, especially the idea that

everyone knows the basics of the Christian faith. He suggests some

unchurched people know as much about Christianity as you or I know

about Hinduism or Taoism. Our unchurched neighbors in Lumberton may

know more about the faith than folks in some areas, but the point is we

must not assume that they know the bible stories and Christian principles

we have grown up learning. We need to begin from square one and while

we can debate as to what that is, I will get us started by suggesting that our

faith begins with “God is love.”

There are two more signs on Nieuwhof’s list that I will present next week,

but as you read these, I hope you are seeing that reaching the unchurched

does not just happen. There was a day that the church could open its doors

and folks would come. They would come to worship, Sunday School,

“Training Union” and any other event the church put on. Those were good

days, but they are gone. These days, when the church opens its doors it best

be to let the faithful go out into the community to live the gospel and be the

hands and feet of Christ.

Grace and Peace,

David

2015 Flower Calendar

Contact the church office

at 793-4336 or

daphnefletcher@fbclumbertonnc.org

to place flowers in honor or in

memory of a loved one.

2015

Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25

Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22

March 1, 22, 29

April 12, 19, 26

May 3, 17, 24, 31

June 7, 14, 21, 28

July 5, 12, 19, 26

Aug. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27

Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25

Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22

Sept. 28th, Oct. 5th and Oct.12th are

still available in 2014.

“Who Is This Man?”

A 5-part Video Series By John Ortberg

Led by Dr. David Elks

Wednesday Evenings @ 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, September 24—

Session 4: “Why It’s a Small World

After All”

Wednesday Night Live Mission Project During the month of September, we would like for each child to

bring at least two “ready to eat” items such as crackers with

peanut butter & pop-top cans, one toiletry item (toothbrush,

toothpaste, deodorant, comb, etc.) and reusable water bottles. We

would encourage you to allow your child to help pick out these

items. We will be discussing why mission projects are important

in our community.

Anyone may donate! Bring items to the church office if you

would like to participate!

The Altar Flowers this Sunday are given in

loving memory of Betty W. Robinson

by her family.

Did You Know? You can give your offering to First Baptist Church by:

1. Automatic Draft—contact the church office—739-4336 for

details. Draft forms are available on our website—

www.fbclumbertonnc.org

2. Online giving—Scan the QR code on the back of the Order

of Worship

3. Place your contribution in the offering plate. (Church

issued envelopes are not required.)

4th-6th Grade Bible Study—Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m.

Beginning September 30th, we will offer a 6 week after school Bible Study for 4th-6th Graders. The study will focus on Baptist Identity, basic faith concepts and how we view those ideas as Baptists. To sign up your child contact Erin Collier at 739-4336 or erincollier@fbclumbertonnc.org.

Friday, October 10th

5:30-9:00 p.m. Free childcare for children ages birth-6th grade.

Please sign up by contacting Rev. Erin Collier at

erincollier@fbclumbertonnc.org

Upcoming Events. . .

September 28—Flu Shot Clinic

September 30—4th-6th Grade Bible Study Begins

October 2—Senior Adult Activities Afternoon

October 3-4—Youth Leadership Retreat (11th & 12th Graders)

October 5—World Communion Sunday

Deacon Election Sunday

October 8—Missions Banquet, David Crocker, Speaker

October 9—Fun & Fellowship

October 10—Date Night

October 13—Special Called Deacons Meeting

October 18—Community Café hosted by the Youth

October 20—Finance & Deacons Meetings

October 22—Quarterly Church Conference

October 26—2015 Budget Presentation

October 29—Trunk or Treat

November 2—Daylight Saving Time Ends

Budget Vote

Cake Bake-off

November 3-5-Week of Prayer for

CBF Missions & Ministry Offering

November 3—Baptist Women’s

CHURCH STAFF

Contact us at 739Contact us at 739Contact us at 739---4336 or daphnefletcher@fbclumbertonnc.org 4336 or daphnefletcher@fbclumbertonnc.org 4336 or daphnefletcher@fbclumbertonnc.org

www.fbclumbertonnc.orgwww.fbclumbertonnc.orgwww.fbclumbertonnc.org

Mrs. Nancy Bass Mrs. Nancy Bass Mrs. Nancy Bass ———Financial Coordinator Financial Coordinator Financial Coordinator

Rev. Erin CollierRev. Erin CollierRev. Erin Collier———Minister to ChildrenMinister to ChildrenMinister to Children

Dr. David ElksDr. David ElksDr. David Elks———PastorPastorPastor

Mrs. Daphne Fletcher Mrs. Daphne Fletcher Mrs. Daphne Fletcher ——— Church SecretaryChurch SecretaryChurch Secretary

Mrs. Kandace GreenMrs. Kandace GreenMrs. Kandace Green———ReceptionistReceptionistReceptionist

Ms. Dorothy HuntMs. Dorothy HuntMs. Dorothy Hunt———Building SuperintendentBuilding SuperintendentBuilding Superintendent

Rev. Tim LittleRev. Tim LittleRev. Tim Little———Minister of Music & Worship/Senior AdultsMinister of Music & Worship/Senior AdultsMinister of Music & Worship/Senior Adults

Rev. Doug ReedyRev. Doug ReedyRev. Doug Reedy———Minister of YouthMinister of YouthMinister of Youth

For the Record

Budgeted 2014 ...................... $835,000.00 Needed per week ................... $16,057.69 Received 9/14/14 ..................... $19,508.00 Yearly need to date .............. $594,134.53 Received to date ................... $514,893.23 Over (Under) Budget ............ ($79,241.30)

NC Missions Offering Goal ...... $2450.00 Received to date .......................... $125.00

Sunday School Attendance— 257

Servants this Sunday, September 21, 2014Servants this Sunday, September 21, 2014

ETCETC——8:458:45—— Libby Devine, Dena & Jeff BollesLibby Devine, Dena & Jeff Bolles 11:00 a.m.11:00 a.m.—— Brenda Weathington, Amy Gibson, & Sandra ElksBrenda Weathington, Amy Gibson, & Sandra Elks WelcomingWelcoming——Ann & Everett Davis, Laura NanceAnn & Everett Davis, Laura Nance CollectionCollection——Donald Kinlaw & Billy WilsonDonald Kinlaw & Billy Wilson

Entrance GreetersEntrance Greeters Children’s BuildingChildren’s Building—— James & Lois JohnsonJames & Lois Johnson Walnut StreetWalnut Street—— Joe & Katie ButlerJoe & Katie Butler 6th Street6th Street—— Randy RustRandy Rust Senior EntranceSenior Entrance—— Jim DriscollJim Driscoll

Security MonitorSecurity Monitor—— Everett DavisEverett Davis

TV/VideoTV/Video—— Nate Cribb Nate Cribb SoundSound—— Ross DriscollRoss Driscoll

Person of the Week

Lula Williams Wesley Pines Room N-144

1000 Wesley Pines Rd. Lumberton, NC 28358

Send a card, letter, or other remembrance

to our special person this week.

Christin Oliver is collecting old eyeglasses for our local Lion’s Club for recycling.

A collection box is located in the church office.

Youth Barbecue Plate SaleYouth Barbecue Plate SaleYouth Barbecue Plate Sale

November 21, 2014November 21, 2014November 21, 2014

Tickets are available now!Tickets are available now!Tickets are available now!

You can purchase your tickets You can purchase your tickets You can purchase your tickets

($7.00 each) from any ($7.00 each) from any ($7.00 each) from any

First Baptist Youth. First Baptist Youth. First Baptist Youth.