Grab your “valentine” and join us for an evening of good food and fellowship at our annual

VALENTINE BANQUET

Sponsored by our Baptist Men.
We will enjoy Pork Tenderloin, Mashed Potatoes, String Beans, Garden Fresh Salad, Cheesecake Cookie Cups, Tea/Coffee

Childcare begins at 5:30.
Banquet begins at 6:00.

YOUTH NEWS
FBC Youth Group will NOT meet Sunday, February 8th due to the Valentine Banquet.

Youth Lock-OUT THIS FRIDAY, February 6 -- Meet at the church @ 9:30 p.m. – back at the church at 7 a.m. Cost: $30. Events include Midnight Bowling, Gym Games with Inflatables, Movie, and breakfast at Zach’s. Call the church office if you want to go.

2009 FBC Smithfield All Youth Mission Trip, Brunswick, GA - July 19-25, 2009 - The 2009 Mission Trip to Brunswick, GA is special, because it will be an exclusive Mission Trip for the Youth of FBC. The expectations for all participants who wish to join the FBC Youth mission trip for the summer of 2009 are as follows: 15 HOURS OF COMMUNITY MISSIONS, FUNDRAISER PARTICIAPTION (Parents and Youth), PRE-PROJECT STUDY (a 6 week study starting Feb. 20) PAYMENT - Cost $100 – $50 due in NOW and balance due April 26.

FUNDRAISER LUNCHEON
Make plans to join us immediately after church on Sunday, February 22 for the Youth Fundraiser Luncheon. The cost is a donation to the 2009 Mission Trip to Brunswick, Georgia. The menu is Italian Chicken, Hash Brown Casserole, Green Beans, Rolls, Dessert and Beverage.

“RUNNING THE RAPIDS”
Attention parents: “Running the Rapids” is a six session study for guiding teenagers through the turbulent waters of adolescence. The study will be led by Lee Colbert on Sunday nights beginning February 15th from 6:50 – 8:00 p.m.

URENT… THE GA’S NEED YOUR HELP!
The GA’s are collecting tooth brushes and tooth paste for their Children’s Ministry Day project in February. They need 105 of each to put in the backpacks. Currently they are very short and urgently need your support. If you could help them meet their goal so they can share these items with children in the Backpack Ministry, please bring your donations to the storage room in the church office by or before Monday, February 9.

SUMMER COLLEGE STUDENT MINISTRY INTERN
First Baptist Church is accepting resumes for a Summer Ministry Intern who will work with the Youth ministry and some of the children’s summer programming. Applicants must have completed their second year of college, have a sense of calling toward full time Christian Ministry, and be an active participant in at least one Christian organization at college. Interested students should forward their resume by mail, with a letter of interest and three references to First Baptist Church, 202 S. Fourth Street, Smithfield, NC 27577 attention Tommy Cook, or by email to tommy@fbcsmithfield.org by February 27, 2009.

OUR KNOWN SICK
Kenneth Banks (Home), Mary Aker (Home), Bill Jordan (Western Wake), Suzanne Carter (Home)

PRIMETIMERS’ WINTER/SPRING OUTINGS
Tuesday Feb. 17 (Note Date Change!)—Southern Supreme Fruitcake Company, Bear Creek and lunch at Mrs. Lacy’s Magnolia House, Sanford. Depart 8:30 a.m., go to showroom at factory to look and shop, return to Sanford for lunch (order from menu). Sign up by Monday, Feb. 9. Transportation cost to be paid day of trip approximately $8 (more or less depending on how many go)

Tuesday April 21—Cape Fear Riverboats lunch cruise, Wilmington. Depart 9 a.m. have lunch and tour 12-1:30, visit Cotton Exchange and other shopping areas, return home by late afternoon. Lunch/tour cost (includes service and tax) is $24, pay when signing up by April 3. Transportation cost to be paid day of trip approximately $8 (more or less depending on how many go)

BAPTIST CHILDREN’S HOMES
ANNUAL FOOD DRIVE
The annual food drive for the Baptist Children’s Homes will be April 13th and 14th at JCC. We will collect paper products again this year. So start collecting. Watch the Visitor for more information on dates you can begin dropping off supplies at the church office storage room. If you would like to make a monetary donation Harold and Carolyn Tharrington will shop for supplies for you. Also, don’t forget our ongoing collection of old cell phones and ink cartridges.

MUSIC NOTES
Valentine Banquet Entertainment: A large ensemble of members of the Johnston County Chorale, which meets for rehearsal in our church, will bring the entertainment at our annual Valentine Banquet on Feb. 8.

SAVE THE DATE!
Mark your calendar for OPERATION INASMUCH, March 28. Watch the Visitor for more information in the coming weeks.

TEEN MOM SHOWER FOR OIAM
I've started collecting items for this year's OIAM Teen Shower. If you have any new or used baby items that you would like to donate please contact me! We will need high chairs, cribs, pack-n-plays, exersaucers, cloths, baby wipes, diapers, baby wash, bibs, bottles, burp clothes, and any of the many other items that are helpful with little ones. Last year we had about 23 girls at the shower and I expect just as many this year. Donations can also be directed to the fund! Thanks for your help! Susan Culbreth 965-9141

MITCHINER SCHOLARSHIP
The Johnston Baptist Association Woman’s Missionary Union Mitchiner Scholarship is accepting applications from seniors (boys or girls) in the Baptist churches in the Johnston Association. Applications are available in the church office and need to be completed and received in the Johnston Baptist Association office by March 16, 2009. Applications received after this date will not be considered.

SHOW US YOUR HOPE!
Hello church family. It’s time again to begin our campaign for the 2009 Relay for Life. For those of you who do not know, Relay for Life is the signature activity of the American Cancer Society, focused on raising money for research in order to find a cure for this horrible disease. It is a life-changing event, bringing together millions of people with the same goals:
•To celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer and won.
• To remember loved ones lost to cancer.
• To fight back, because we desperately want to put an end to this disease.
This year’s event will be held on May 29 and 30 on the back campus of Johnston Community College. We want all of our church family to come out and support us in our efforts to do away with the suffering that this disease causes. There are many ways you can help us in our campaign. Below are just a few.
• Be a sponsor – Either personally or your business can purchase a sponsorship.
• Purchase luminaries in memory or in honor of someone affected by cancer.
• Purchase a purple ribbon for your mailbox or lamp post.
• Purchase a relay “bear.”
• Purchase a raffle ticket.
We will be doing many different fund raising events. Please pray about this worthy cause and give as the Lord leads you. You can contact me at 934-7742 or 631-5617 for more information. Thank you for caring. God Bless each of you. Carolyn Jones

MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
The North Carolina Mission Conference is March 20 – 21 at Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte. The topic is “The Power of One” with keynote speaker Franklin Graham. If you would like to attend, you need to register and reserve hotel lodging ASAP! You may register online at www.ncmissions.org or pick up a registration form and hotel information in the church office.

Plans are in motion for a Medical Mission Trip to Honduras June 6. Non-medical volunteers are needed as well as nurses, pharmacists and doctors. If you are interested please call Anesha Johnson at 934-1601

HANDBELL ARTIST IN CONCERT
Make plans to join us Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary for a solo handbell concert by Christine Anderson. This worship concert will feature traditional sacred, praise and worship, and secular. Ms. Anderson is world renowned concert artist who has worked for Schulmerich and Malmark handbells, arranged music for solo ringing, and led handbell conferences nationwide. No charge for admission, a love offering will be taken.

FROM THE PULPIT

Greeters: Robert and Ruby Holt

OPPORTUNITIES OF THE WEEK

* Childcare provided

2009
General Fund:
Budget needs per week: $16,462.33
Received as of 02/01/09 $22,562.58
Budget needs Year to Date $82,311.65
Received Year to Date $73,635.05

Building Fund:
Received 02/01/09 $820.00