This Sunday is Baptist Women’s Day, a day to acknowledge the vital role that women play in the life of First Baptist.

Women were very prominent in the ministry of Jesus. They willingly gave their energies and resources in support of His work. In addition, they were there at the cross when He was crucified…even after His male disciples had scattered.

We read later in the New Testament about the outstanding work of such women as Lydia and Pricilla in the early days of the church. In Romans 16 Paul lists a host of women who labored with him in the service of Christ.

Here at First Baptist we are proud of the contributions that women are making in the life of our church. We affirm them as equal partners in the ministry to which God has called us one and all.

YOUTH NEWS
FBC Youth Group will meet Sunday, September 30th at 6:15 p.m. Snack Supper followed by Bible study at 7:00 p.m. Mallory Barnes, Zach Davis, Brenna Gilmore, Addison & Molly Grantham, Cory, Jo Jo, Keni, Tasha, Gabi & Victor Harrison, Meganne Hurt, Woody Reynolds, and Edward Woodall are responsible for Snack Supper.

YOUTH LOCK-OUT is October 19th. Cost: $25.00. Time: 10:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m. Sign up and pay by October 14. We will meet at the church and depart for Raleigh, Adventure Landing. We will return to the church by 7:00 a.m. Invite a friend. Make sure we have a 2007 Permission Form on file.

DISCIPLENOW weekend is November 16-18, 2007. Cost: $50.00 Last day to sign up and pay is Sunday, October 14.

SENIOR HIGH MISSION TRIP
All Senior High Youth who are going on the Guatemala Mission Trip should have your first deposit and application in the church office. Final applications and deposits are due by or before Sunday, October 7th.

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
A church service was held on Sunday, December 27, 1942 in the Johnston County Courthouse. At that service, $6,000 was collected for a new building fund, but due to restrictions caused by the war, rebuilding would not be possible until some time later.

SYMPATHY
We express our Christian sympathy to Bob Dixon in the recent homegoing of his father.

MESSENGERS
If you would like to be a Messenger for the Johnston Baptist Association Annual Meeting on October 22 and 23, please call the church office.

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 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.

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.

THANK YOU
Dear First Baptist, Many thanks to each of you for your prayers, visits, phone calls and cards during my recent surgery. I am blessed to be a part of a wonderful, caring church family. Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I continue to heal. Joan Plowman

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.

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

THANK YOU AND UPDATE FROM BAPTIST MEN
The following was received from Richard Brunson from the NC Baptist Men:
First of all, thank you for all that you do. It is amazing what all has been done by NC Baptist in Gulfport to help rebuild following Hurricane Katrina. So far, more that 550,000 meals have been served in Gulfport. We have also sent more than 70 tractor trailer loads of bottled water and other supplies. As of September 4, 2007, more than 155,000 volunteer days have been provided. We have also provided over 131,000 showers. We have also completed more than 2,300 recovery jobs. NC Baptist Men set a goal of rebuilding 700 homes in the Gulfport, Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina. We have a great location where we can house, feed and coordinate job assignments for up to 400 volunteers at a time. So far we have finished over 580 homes and still have 120 to go.
The NC Baptist Men will be working through January 1, 2008 and volunteers are needed. First Baptist Church has a Disaster Relief team going to Mississippi in late October (see below) if you are interested in helping.

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 JoyceWright at 934-3547.

OUR KNOWN SICK
Sylvia Evans (Wake Rehab)

Greeters: Billy Wiggs

OPPORTUNITIES OF THE WEEK

* Nursery provided