OPERATION INASMUCH
EVAN ALMIGHTY CAN HELP WITH OIAM…CAN YOU?
For the first three Wednesday nights in April everyone is encouraged to attend an OIAM Bible study led by Bryan Harris. Scripture, group activities/discussion and clips from the movie “Evan Almighty” will play a part. What part will you play in Operation Inasmuch on Saturday, April 19? Let’s come together to build excitement and commitment for reaching out to our community in Christ’s name.

Operation InAsMuch Needs
We will be assisting the Cancer Center in collecting NEW medium sized stuffed animals and clean wigs, hats and head scarves for cancer patients. If you can help with any of these items, please bring them to the church office. Coordinator: Mary Ann Bradshaw – 934-7115

Shower for Teen Mothers needs new or gently used baby items. Make a donation or we can shop for you. Drop your donations at the church office or contact Susan Culbreth 965-9141.

Twin Comforters and Curtains will be collected for Day by Day home (10 for females, 10 for males). For dimensions of curtains and information contact Leah Thorndyke at 934-9325. You may leave your donations at the church office.

Outreach to Austin Manor – The G.A.’s will be collecting sugar free snacks, recycled or new magazines, Bible verse cards, etc. for the residents of Austin Manor. If you can donate any of these items, please bring them to the church office. Coordinator: Angela Dotson – 550-1973

Plants to Homebound Persons - Do you know of someone who is homebound that could use a reminder of how much they are appreciated? If you do, please contact Carolyn Tharrington (934.3749) and share their name and contact information with her. She and her team of volunteers will deliver a potted plant to decorate their home on OIAM Saturday. Please have your names submitted to Carolyn by Sunday, April 13th.

PRAYER CORNER FOR OPERATION INASMUCH
The book of Nehemiah is a wonderful lesson in team work. Nehemiah led the Israelites, who survived the exile and returned to Jerusalem, to rebuild the wall around the town. All of the families joined together, each having their own assignment, and rebuilt the Jerusalem wall. Nehemiah was a praying man and that is evident throughout the book (Nehemiah 1:4, 6, 2:4.)
God gave them success in rebuilding the wall.

As we join together as a First Baptist of Smithfield team to make a difference in our community for Christ, let us continue to bathe this project in prayer. Bill Downs said it well in his Invitation to Prayer for OIAM:

“The principle which I am proposing for OIAM is none other than the principle for success in any area of life. Seek to know God’s will; submit to that will; join Him in His work; and give Him the praise for whatever the outcome!”

YOUTH GROUP
FBC Youth Group will meet this Sunday, April 6th at 6:15 p.m. for Snack Supper followed by Bible Study at 7:00 p.m. Claire & Annie Watson, Madison Garris, Henry Johnson, Madison Parker, Hope Rabil, and Rob & Luke Williams are responsible for Snack Supper.

BEACH RETREAT INFO
Middle School Beach Retreat is THIS WEEKEND April 4 - 6. Meet at the church by 4:00 p.m. (or as soon as possible after school) to load the trailer and depart for Ocean Isle. We will return by mid afternoon Sunday. Make sure you have a 2008 Permission Form on file.

CASWELL
If you have not signed up for Caswell and want to go, please sign up and pay your deposit of $125 by or before next Wednesday, April 9. We have to confirm numbers.

YOUTH YARD SALE
It’s time to spring clean and donate all those unwanted items to the Youth Yard Sale. New and used items accepted (no clothing or computers.) We will have a trailer available THIS FRIDAY, April 4. You are welcome to bring items anytime the office is open. If you will need help getting your items in the trailer, please call ahead and make sure someone is available to help you.

OUR KNOWN SICK
Jackson Wood (Home), Margaret Banks (Home), Bill Downs (JMH), Wallace Ashley (Home)

PASTOR’S CLASS OUTING
There will be an outing for Pastor’s Class participants on Monday, April 7. We will be going to the Ice House in Garner leaving church at 8:30 a.m. The cost is $6 per person: a letter has been mailed to all participants. We will be eating lunch at McDonald’s on the way back (you will need money for this.) Back at the church by 1:15 p.m.

SYMPATHY
We express our Christian sympathy to the family of Melba Woodruff in her recent homegoing.
We express our Christian sympathy to Roy Baker in the recent homegoing of his sister.
We express our Christian sympathy to Jean High in the recent homegoing of her sister.

YMCA PRAYER BREAKFAST
Everyone is invited to the 8th Annual YMCA Prayer Breakfast. It will be Thursday, April 10th from 6:45 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Guest speaker is Jerry Narron, former professional baseball player and manager.

BABY DEDICATIONS
Baby Dedications will be Mother’s Day, May 11th. If you have had a baby since last May and would like to have your baby dedicated, please call the church office.

MISSION UPDATE
The Honduras Mission Trip was truly a blessing. Our team ministered to 1,302 people in the Medical Clinic. Your contributions made this happen! God bless all of you for your generosity. Anesha Johnson

HERE ARE A FEW WAYS TO HELP

Relay for Life
Luminaries/Sponsorships - Don’t forget to buy your luminaries in memory or in honor of someone. Please contact Carolyn Jones at 934-7742 for more information.

Raffle Tickets – Don’t forget to buy your Raffle Ticket for the Relay for Life Quilt. Call Mary Ball at 934-6382 or Carolyn Jones at 934-7742 or 631-5617.

Baptist Children’s Homes Annual Food and Supply Drive
Don’t forget the Annual Food and Supplies Drive on April 28 and 29. This year the JBA will donate paper products, cleaning supplies, and laundry detergent. Bring your donations to the church office or if you or your class would like to donate money, the Tharringtons will be happy to purchase these supplies for you.

Keep that Peanut Butter Coming!
We are still collecting 18 oz. jars of peanut butter for the Backpack Program. Please drop your donations at the church office.

CONGRATULATIONS SCOUTS
Boy Scout Troop 77 is proud to announce that four of our Scouts have advanced to rank of Eagle Scout. They are Bryan Eatmon, Derrick Barefoot, John Booker III, and Connor Newsome.

YOU ARE INVITED

You are cordially invited to an Eagle Scout Court of Honor for John McArtan Booker III And Connor Harris Newsome

Presented by
Boy Scouts of America, Troop 77
Sunday, April 6, 2008
3:00 p.m.
First Baptist Church
202 S. Fourth St., Smithfield, NC

Reception following Ceremony in Fellowship Hall

PLEASE JOIN US

The children and grandchildren of Jean and Wallace Ashley request the pleasure of your company at a reception in honor of their 50th Wedding Anniversary on Sunday, the thirteenth of April three o’clock until five o’clock in the afternoon

The Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church
202 South Fourth Street
Smithfield, North Carolina
No gifts please

MISSIONS COMMITTEE MEETING
The Mission Committee will meet this Sunday, April 6th at 5:00 p.m in the Conference Room.

CONGRATUALTIONS
Congratulations to Sean and Robin Reed on the arrival of their infant daughter Zoe Moira Tempest Reed. The proud grandparents are Kenneth and Margaret Banks.

THANK YOU
My Gold Award project is now complete, and I would like to thank all who contributed. I feel blessed to have such a generous church family. The shelter now holds a special place in my heart, and I would like to continue to help on a quarterly basis. I will be listing the needs of the shelter in the Visitor. Anyone who would like to help may contact me at 934-5628. Needs for this quarter include pillows and paper products such as paper towels, napkins and toilet paper. Thanks again! Mallory Barnes

MUSIC NOTES
Our Minister of Music is attending Polyphony: The Holiness of Beauty, a conference for church musicians at First Baptist Asheville, April 3-5. Sponsored by the NC Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

PRIMETIMERS’ NEWS: NEW EVENTS PLANNED BY COUNCIL
Watch your mail for more details.
April 30—Rehearsals begin for “Faith of Our Fathers”
May 20—NC State Arboretum
June 10—Evening meal at K&S Cafeteria, Goldsboro
July 2—Noon Patriotic Cookout Lunch, at church
July 25—Day mission project, Habitat Re-Store, Clayton
August 12—Raleigh, IMAX theatre, lunch
September 5—Dinner Theatre at Northwood Temple, Fayetteville

LAW ENFORCEMENT BANQUET
The Law Enforcement Banquet will be held at First Baptist on Tuesday, April 8.

PASSPORT FOR KIDS
It’s not too late. Come join us at Camp Passport June 11 – 14. We have room for 5 more girls and 3 more boys. Cost: $185.00. Sign up in the church office with a $30 deposit.

OPPORTUNITIES OF THE WEEK

* Nursery provided