FOCUS ON WMU WEEK
February 17-23, 2008 is “Focus on WMU” week at Smithfield First Baptist. It has been chosen as a special week of prayer and offering (Heck-Jones) for our Woman’s Missionary Union of North Carolina. The offering goal is $1.2 million. The goal at our church is $5,000.00.

The theme for the week, “WMU our heritage, our heart, and our hope,” emphasizes three areas that have contributed to the unique ministry of 120 years as the life line for missions and missionaries.

Our heritage – has consistently and unceasingly been the prayer support for missions and missionaries and the primary missions education organization for all ages. WMU has made a difference in the world as they have “stirred” the larger body of believers to “go and tell.”

Our heart – is to love God and to share that love with the world.

Our hope – is God pulls us into the future. Our hope allows us to affirm the reality of the abundant life in Christ that is available for all. Our hope allows us to stand with those in pain and to hold them until they are able to feel the love of God for themselves. Our hope allows us to work even when we see no results. Our hope begins and ends with God.

Women in our church are living the call and sharing their love for Christ as they reach out to help our Christian brothers and sister in the community, state and nation.

When you receive your 2008 Heck-Jones offering envelope, please give generously to help support the WMU of North Carolina.

Your loyal support for the women at First Baptist is deeply appreciated. May God bless you as you continue to help us with our missionary projects.

Mary Ashe, a member of the WMU Executive Board, will talk about WMU this Sunday, February 17 at the 10:55 a.m. service. Ruby Fulbright, Executive Director-Treasurer, will be at our church on March 15, 2008 to talk about WMU.

YOUTH NEWS
FBC Youth will meet Sunday, February 18th IN RYBERG HALL at 6:15 p.m. for Snack Supper followed by Bible Study at 7:00 p.m. Brooks & Morgan Hester, Regan & Morgan Gatlin, Fronia Knott, D.J. Langdon, Caroline Tobin and Emily Wood are responsible for Snack Supper.

YOUTH LUNCHEON
Mark your calendar for Sunday, March 2 and join us for the Youth Fundraiser Luncheon immediately following morning worship. The cost will be a donation to the 2008 Youth Mission Trips. The menu will be Baked spaghetti, Salad, French Bread, Dessert, Tea and Coffee. Sign up in Sunday School or call the church office.

WE NEED PEANUT BUTTER
The Backpack Program is collecting 18 oz jars of creamy peanut butter. We need around 92 jars. If you can help, please drop your donations at the church office.

AUCTION TO BENEFIT THE YOUTH MISSION TRIPS!!!
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23rd
We’re looking forward to a great event for the church and our youth! We need items such as: Antiques, Professional Services, Cakes and Pies, Vacation Home Weekends, Gift Certificates, Homemade Quilts/Afghans, Sports Tickets, New Electronics, etc. Questions? See Art Andrews, Margie Crumley, or Tommy Cook. See insert for all items donated as of Tuesday, February 12.

ATTENTION MEN
The Men’s Bible Study will begin a new study in the New Testament book of Hebrews. The class will begin Monday February 25th at 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Room. If you are interested in attending, please call the church office or Steve Adkins at 965-3782.

JOURNEY TO THE CROSS SIGN-UPS
Sign up to participate as an actor or behind the scenes support for Journey to the Cross March 16 and 17. Sign ups sheets are on the bulletin board behind the Sanctuary. Many different talents are needed including donations for refreshments. Sign up by February 17.

OUR KNOWN SICK
Annie Lee Creech (JMH), Shirley Prevette (Home), Richard Watts (JMH), Jim Talton (Wake), Richard Archer (Home)

SOUP KITCHEN TIDBIT
From January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007 our Soup Kitchen served a total of 10,258 meals. What a blessing. If you would like to volunteer to help with this ministry, please contact Anesha Johnson at 934-1601.

EASTER WEEKEND OUTING FOR PRIMETIMERS AND OTHERS
Saturday March 22 a bus will leave church at 2 p.m. to attend “Kingdom of Light,” a free musical drama produced by Northwood Temple Church in Fayetteville. The program begins at 3:30 p.m. Afterward the group will go to Golden Corral, near the church, for a “dutch” supper. Everyone will be asked to contribute $3 toward gas for the bus (pay that day) Call the church office to sign up.

CHILD SAFETY POLICY: IT’S COMING!
Do you work with preschoolers, children or youth in any of our church programs? Soon we will all learn about a new safety policy being put together by a team of church staff and volunteer workers. Everyone will be asked to provide information, learn some new ways of doing things, and work together to insure that our children and youth are safe at all times. Watch the Visitor and listen at worship and Wednesday evenings for more information.

HAVE YOU BORROWED?
Have you borrowed the church punch cups? If you have and forgot to bring them back, please return them to the church office as soon as possible.

SUNDAY SCHOOL PE (Purposeful Equipping)
If you serve in a teaching capacity within our Sunday School ministry please meet in the Fellowship Hall from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. on February 24 as we examine various elements of that ministry and build an outline for teacher equipping.

REGION 4 DISASTER RELIEF TRAINING
Training for our Region is just around the corner on March 28-29th. Our training will take place in Wake County this year. Training includes one choice of ministry classes, (1) t-shirt, (1) hat, (3) meals, and a new badge all for $35.00. You may register by printing a registration form at http://www.ncmissions.org/BPWC/Documents/dr%20registration%20brochure%202008.pdf and mail the form and check to NCBM. If your badge is from 2005 forward, you may get re-certified for a cost of $20.00 by doing the same process and are only required to be there on Saturday. Remember that high profile/security disasters require that you must be certified in Disaster Relief to respond. Please call or email me if you have any questions. Please consider signing up today! Lin Honeycutt
NCBM Region4 Recovery Coordinator Region4@bellsouth.net www.ncmissions.org

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 April 4, 2008. Applications received after this date will not be considered.

NEW MEMBERS
We welcome into our Christian fellowship Annie Paul who comes to us by letter from Parkside Baptist Church in North Charleston, South Carolina.

We welcome into our Christian fellowship Chloe Ivey who comes to us by profession of faith and believer’s baptism.

We welcome into our Christian fellowship Mataya Grimes who comes to us by profession of faith and believer’s baptism.

We welcome into our Christian fellowship Tonia Puckett who comes to us by profession of faith and believer’s baptism.

We welcome into our Christian fellowship Caroline Carter who comes to us by profession of faith and believer’s baptism.

We welcome into our Christian fellowship Tyler Tant who comes to us by profession of faith and believer’s baptism.

We welcome into our Christian fellowship Caroline Johnson who comes to us by profession of faith and believer’s baptism.

SHOWER FOR TEEN MOTHERS
The OIAM Teen Baby Shower is Sat., April 19th. We have been given 22 names of girls from JCS for the shower. These girls are a part of a program with DSS that teaches them several things. Through the program the girls are given loving support that they may not get from home. They are taught how to take care of their babies. They go around to county schools talking with other students about how hard it is to be a teen parent. Each of these girls are in need financially and emotionally. I’ve listed some of the things that we need to collect. We’ll take new or gently used. If you would like to make a donation and let us do the shopping we’ll be happy to. Donations can be dropped off at the church office or contact Susan Culbreth 965-9141. Items needed: Children’s Bibles, Boxes of Diapers sz.1&2, Baby wipes, Bottles, Nipple refills, Bibs, Pacifiers, Blankets, Socks, Baby clothes sz.0-3, 3-6, 6-9, Maternity Clothes, Any and all gently used cribs, strollers, car seats, etc., Ladies Deodorant, Lotions, Feminine hygiene products, Shampoo, Conditioner, Soaps

RAFFLE TICKETS
Relay for Life is selling Raffle Tickets. We have been blessed to have Jackie Jones, along with some other church members, make a quilt out of Relay T-Shirts. The tickets are $1.00 each or six for $5.00. If you would like tickets, call Mary Ball at 934-6382 or Carolyn Jones at 934-7742 or 631-5617.

LUMINARIES/SPONSORSHIPS
Please consider buying luminaries in memory or in honor of someone you know and/or love who has fought the cancer battle. Also, sponsorships can be purchased for different amounts. This allows the name of your business or some personal message to appear on the Relay T-shirts. Please contact Carolyn Jones at 934-7742 for more information.

M & M MEETING
M & M’s will meet this Thursday, February 14th at 6:30 at the home of Nancy Watts, 826 S. Second Street. Hope to see you there.

OPPORTUNITIES OF THE WEEK

* Nursery provided