HOMECOMING
Mark your calendar for Homecoming, October 14, 2007 with one service beginning at 10:30 a.m. (no early service.) We will also celebrate the 175th anniversary of First Baptist. Sunday School will begin at 9:30 a.m. We will enjoy dinner on the grounds following the 10:30 service. Pack a picnic basket with all your favorite goodies to share.

YOUTH NEWS
FBC Youth Group will meet Sunday, September 23rd at 6:15 p.m. Snack Supper followed by Bible study at 7:00 p.m. Justin Hensley, Kevin Smith, Lauren & Benjamin Daughtry, Sean, Jonathan & Jeremiah David, Taylor & Trevor Haines, Courtney Holmes, Giovanni Loia and Brittany Talton are responsible for Snack Supper.

Busch Gardens Trip is THIS Friday September 21st. We will leave at 6:00 a.m. (bring breakfast) and return around midnight.

SENIOR HIGH MISSION TRIP GUATEMALA - JULY 18-26 2008
This Mission Trip is available to senior High (9th –College). There is limited space, so sign up will have different sign up dates for different age groups. The cost for this trip is estimated to be $700 per person. 9th grade applications and deposits are due September 23. If you have any questions call Tommy.

ATTENTION: DATE CHANGE
FIFTH ANNUAL BECKY KNOTT MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
The Fifth Annual Becky Knott Memorial Golf Tournament is fast approaching. This year it will be held Friday, November 9th with tee off at 11:00 a.m. Many individuals and businesses have sponsored this event each year and we appreciate their support. If you have been a sponsor in the past and plan to sponsor again this year, please contact the church office as soon as possible. If you have not participated in past years and would like to support our youth through this event, please come by the church office and pick up a brochure. Also, please feel free to pass this information along to friends or other businesses.

HISTORY TIDBIT
On Wednesday, December 23, 1942, the day after the fire that destroyed the church, an emergency meeting was held to discuss temporary arrangements for worship and teaching programs. Many offers of space came from other churches and public and private facilities. It was decided to use the courthouse as temporary quarters. The Deacons voted to rebuild as soon as possible.

DISHES, DISHES, DISHES
If you have bought a dish to the church for a funeral or other function, please pick up your dish in the kitchen.

DISASTER RELIEF TRIP
We are planning a Disaster Relief Trip to Mississippi. We will leave on October 27 and return November 4. If you would like to go, please call Joyce Wright at 934-3547.

FRIENDS OF CHILDREN
Friends of Children Day at the Kennedy Home will be September 22. We will be leaving from the church at 7:45 a.m. and will return by 2:30 p.m. If you would like to go to lend a hand and visit the children, please call Carolyn Tharrington at 934-3749.

ARE YOU INVOLVED IN WMU?
If you are not a member of a WMU group and would like to become involved in WMU Missions, we invite you to join us, the Lois Overby Mission Group. We will meet on Tuesday, September 25 at 7:00 p.m. in the Parlor.

THANK YOU
Dear Church Family, Thank you so much for your cards, calls, visits and prayers during my hospital stay and recuperation at home. The outpouring of love and support you have showered on us has been overwhelming. It has been humbling and inspiring to see the power of prayer “up close and personal.” We have felt your prayers and the Lord’s presence. We thank the Lord for each of you, and ask for your continued prayers as we continue this journey. Love, Wallace, Jan, Elizabeth & Wallace Ashley. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12

Thanks so much for the many prayers you said for us while we were in Billings, Montana. Your phone calls, cards, food and visits were also appreciated. We are so blessed to be a part of this wonderful church fellowship. Bob and Linda Barefoot

WORLDCRAFT PARTY
WHEN: THIS SATURDAY, September 22, 2007, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Ryberg Hall at Smithfield First Baptist
WHO: Sponsored by the WMU Group at First Baptist
WHY: To give you an opportunity to purchase handicrafts as gifts for friends and family and to help the artisans to have money for medicine, food, homes and education for their families
If you have any questions, contact Anesha Johnson (934-1601) or Jo Ann Wiggs (934-8378).

FOR MEN ONLY!!
Men, join us for an hour of shopping at the World Craft Party THIS SATURDAY, September 22nd from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. in Ryberg Hall. There will be many items on display and catalogs for you to shop from. You can shop for that special someone, or get a jump on your Christmas shopping. By shopping at this special event you will help the artisans improve their quality of life.

2007 FAITH FESTIVAL - FREE YOUTH CONCERT
Seventh annual Faith Festival at the Neuse River Amphitheater on Front Street in Downtown Smithfield, on Saturday, September 29, 2007. The free concert will be held from 5:00pm till 10:00pm with National Christian recording artist, Jonah 33 performing at 8:30 PM. Foolish Things will open. Other bands include; Soulstice, Flowers for Faye, and Embracing Goodbye. Volunteers interested in helping the day of the event may contact Chris Johnson at 919-934-0887.

SYMPATHY
We express our Christian sympathy to the family of Ernestine Williams in her recent homegoing.

Mr. and Mrs. Michael N. Ward request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter

Emily June to Mr. James Britton Ashcraft

On Saturday, the sixth of October
Two thousand and seven
at four o’clock
First Baptist Church
202 South Fourth St.
Smithfield, NC

And afterwards at the Reception Church Fellowship Hall

OUR KNOWN SICK
Mary Talton (Smithfield Manor), Ruth High (Home), Sylvia Evans (JMH)

CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Cary and Jackie Bizzell on the birth of their infant daughter, Natalie Marie. The proud grandparents are Alton and Gayle Bizzell.

NEW MEMBER
We welcome into our Christian fellowship Maggie Riley who comes to us by profession of faith and believer’s baptism.

YOU CAN HELP THE KENNEDY HOME
Don’t forget you can help the Kennedy home by bringing empty toner cartridges and old cell phones to the church. Thank you for your help.

ADDITIONAL WEDNESDAY NIGHT SMALL GROUP OPTION
Brad Felts (550-6193) and Blair Maust (989-8344) will be facilitating a men’s small group based on “Seven Seasons of a Man” by Dr. Patrick Morely. Each session will involve viewing a video and group discussion. Meet in room 222 (upstairs in FH building) at 6:30 to join in. For more information contact Brad or Blair.

2007 MEN OF FAITH RALLY
Men of Faith Rally on Saturday, September 29, 2007, from 2:00 – 4:00 PM. The rally will be held at the Neuse River Amphitheatre in Downtown Smithfield located at 200 South Front Street and is free to attend. John Bramlett, former professional football player, will be the guest speaker. Bramlett, known for his reputation as the “meanest man in football”, played for the New England Patriots and went to two Pro-Bowls. For more information, please contact Kelton Hinton at 919-965-9450 or Chris Johnson at 919-934-0887.

MESSENGERS
If you would like to be a Messenger for the Baptist State Convention in Greensboro on November 12-14, please call the church office. A limited number is available and will be first come first serve.

Believer’s Baptism with the Pastor
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
Greeters: Doug & Glenda Strickland

OPPORTUNITIES OF THE WEEK

* Nursery provided