First baptist Smithfiled NC

The following article comes to the church at the time we are preparing for the 175th anniversary of the organization of the First Baptist Church of Smithfield. The church was organized on July 14, 1832. We will be celebrating during the entire year of 2007 with history, remembrances, pictures and music. If anyone has any old papers, pictures, information or memories they wish to share please contact Jean Ashley, Thad Hardee, Frank Knott or Joanne Wiggs.

If I were to ask you as a member of the First Baptist Church of Smithfield if you recognized the name, Aunt Patsey Crocker, would you know of her role in the history of your community of faith?

I recently read a history of your congregation written by T. J. Lassiter, Jr. and was very impressed and touched by what I found. Someone has said that, “…the further you can see looking back the further you can see looking forward.”

Were it not for the faith and stubborn will of Aunt Patsey Crocker the church you know as the First Baptist Church of Smithfield would probably not exist. Following the Civil War the area of Johnston County fell on hard times and the small congregation that met once a month had largely dissolved except for Aunt Patsey Crocker. You see, Aunt Patsey continued to come once a month on the regular meeting day to sweep and clean the meeting house and pray, “…that God would yet revive the church.”

It seemed that a congregation of another persuasion was about to be organized and had an eye on this place of worship. It was not to be! “Aunt Patsey Crocker went and claimed the church building in the name of Baptists.”

Pastor’s wives can often be overlooked for their witness and commitment to their faith. Not so with the wife of Rev. Morgan in the 1920’s. Mrs. Morgan, much like my mother, a pastor’s wife, was in charge of the Royal Ambassadors. Mr. Lassiter wrote, “…her stirring appeals for world peace and renunciation of war as a way of settling international disputes still ring in the ears of those who sat at her feet in the R.A. chapter.” Were you, as a member of this body of Christ, aware of her work and contribution to your past?

Your former pastor, the Rev. Herbert Massey seemed to be an amazing man who was not afraid to combine thought with faith. Mr. Lassiter wrote of him, “He had a probing mind that made wise use of reason in religion, and he encouraged members to worship with their minds as well as their hearts.”

There is so much more in your history, in the story of those whose tears, sweat, and faithfulness reside in the brick and mortar of your current house of worship. When you come to church next Sunday, take a moment, feel the spirit of Aunt Patsey Crocker, standing with broom in hand, smiling and welcoming you.

YOUTH NEWS
FBC YOUTH will meet Sunday, October 22nd at 6:15 p.m. for Snack Supper followed by Bible Study. Sloan Stevens, Elizabeth & Wallace Ashley, Megan Bradley, Megan & Will Denning, Matthew Evans, Evan & Madison Garris, McKenzie Hicks, Chloe Ivey, Muriel Lasater, Ryan Rose and Chelsie Upton are responsible for Snack Supper. New this week Instrumental Ensemble rehearsal at 5:00 p.m. (Christmas music.)

DISCIPLENOW WEEKEND is November 17-19. Cost: $45. The theme is “One Heart” Colossians 2:2-3. Experience the joy that comes with being a member of the body of Christ. Sign-up has past. Call Tommy if you want to participate.

YOUTH WINTER RETREAT
February 9-11
Cost: $80
Where: Camp Carraway in Asheboro, NC
$25 deposit due by November 5.
Watch the Visitor for more information.

FOURTH ANNUAL
BECKY KNOTT MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
The Fourth Annual Becky Knott Memorial Golf Tournament is fast approaching. This year it will be held, Friday, November 10th 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.

YOUTH FUNDRAISER LUNCHEON
Let us do the cooking for you on Sunday, October 29th as the youth will be hosting a Fundraiser Luncheon. We will enjoy Chicken, Pasta, Green Vegetable, Bread, Tea and Dessert. Your cost is a donation to the 2007 Youth Mission Trip. Sign-up in Sunday School or call the church office.

CHURCH-WIDE OUTING
HURRICANES GAME
Let’s go to a Hurricanes Hockey Game!!! Everyone is invited to sign-up to go the RBC Center on November 9th to see the Carolina Hurricanes play the Washington Capitals. The cost is $12 per person due by October 22, which will cover your ticket and transportation. Tickets are limited and will be sold on a first come first serve basis. It will be a great time of fun and fellowship for all.

OUR KNOWN SICK
Ione Wilder (JMH), Golda Pittman (Wake), Carolyn Tharrington (Wake Rehab), Jacob Bradshaw (Home), Becky Blackmon (Home), Grace Blackmon (Home), Jean Grice (Wake), Ruth Burnette (Home)

MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
We will have a Disaster Relief Team leaving on October 28th for Gulfport, Mississippi. Please be in prayer for this group as they prepare to travel and help those devastated by Hurricane Katrina. There is still room for more to join the team. Contact Joyce Wright at 934-3547 as soon as possible

Four Oaks Baptist Church is organizing a group of men to go to Honduras. Their mission is to build a house for a lady and her children. The house she is living in presently is made of sticks and mud. Please pray and listen for God’s call to go and serve. If you are interested please contact Linwood Byrd at 202-9300 (mobile) or call the Four Oaks Baptist Church. The dates are January 17-25, 2007. There are four slots available.

MUSIC NOTES
JBA Festival of Praise is at our church on Sunday evening November 5 at 7 p.m. Many Baptist churches from our association will be participating with choirs, praise bands, and more. Our own Sanctuary Choir and Baptist Blend will sing as well. Everyone is welcome to attend!

Journey to Bethlehem is coming! Mark your calendars for Dec. 17 and 18, Sunday and Monday evenings, for “Journey to Bethlehem,” our church’s ten-scene outdoor Christmas drama. You can volunteer to help by being a scene builder, prop gatherer, actor, tour guide, refreshment maker, and more. Watch for opportunities to get involved through your Sunday School class or on the church bulletin board.

The NC Baptist Singers are coming! Monday, January 29, 2007 this large group of Baptist Church musicians will play and sing a worship concert at our church starting 6:45 p.m. Plan to
attend!

HIGH ATTENDANCE SUNDAY
High Attendance Sunday will be Sunday, November 5. Make plans to attend Sunday School for High Attendance Sunday. Contact your friends in Sunday School and let’s strive for the highest attendance ever!

The Web Team is looking for someone to join our group who is interested in proof reading. If grammar is your strength and you would like to have an impact on the Church Website, please call Judy Williams at 934-0261 or email webmaster@fbcsmithfield.org.

Recipe Connection: If you are interested in the recipe for a dish you enjoyed at our Homecoming lunch, send an email to webmaster@fbcsmithfield.org and we will try to locate the cook and get permission to post it on the Church Website.

Has your Sunday School class set a date for your Christmas Party? Would you like to have it on the Church Online Calendar? Email us at webmaster@fbcsmithfield.org or call Judy Williams at 934-0261.

If you have additions and/or updates for the website calendar please send to webmaster@fbcsmithfield.org

DOLPHINS FOR CHRIST
All South Smithfield Elementary School Children are invited to Dolphins for Christ. They meet each Wednesday morning at South Smithfield Elementary School in Mrs. Sandra Edwards Room (Room No. 30) at 7:50 a.m. They will enjoy fellowship, games, songs and bible verses. What a great way for your child to begin their day.

PRIMETIMERS DAY TRIPS SCHEDULED
Join us for a day trip to see “Monet in Normandy.” This special exhibit of impressionist painter Claude Monet at the NC Museum of Art on Monday, November 6. We will leave the church at 8:30 a.m. and return by early to mid afternoon. After a morning visit to the museum we will eat lunch at the Clarion Hotel (top of tower, excellent view of Raleigh) and after lunch visit briefly the “new Fayetteville Street”. Cost: $25 (includes ticket to exhibit, lunch buffet, drink, gratuity and travel). Sign up and pay in church office by October 23.

Join us for an evening Holiday outing to see “The Nutcracker” at the Carolina Ballet, in Raleigh, on Thursday, December 21 at 7:30 p.m. We will leave the church at 6:00 p.m. The cost is $25 (outer circle tickets, seats face stage at back of auditorium, lower balcony.) We must have 20 persons to get this group rate. Call the church office to sign up no later than October 23rd.

CLOTHES CLOSET UPDATE
Thank you for your generous donation of clothing that has helped many people have clothes to wear. Due to limited storage space, we only need winters clothes until February. God bless you! Also, we would appreciate no donations after 12:01 p.m. on Friday. Faye Hardee and Jo Ann Wiggs.