Adult Discipleship Opportunities for Fall and Spring

Please look at the small groups available on Wednesday night for the Spring and Fall blocks.  Contact the church office (934-9771) to sign up and to make payment for materials.  If you pay by check please indicate on the memo line the name of the small group you will be in.  If you have specific questions about the small group itself, please contact the facilitator.  The Fall block small groups begin September 6 and the Spring block small groups will start January 10. 

Experiencing God (12 Weeks- Fall and Spring Blocks)
The group will study, share and reflect upon knowing and doing the will of God.
      Cost: $15 per person                        Time/Location: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m./Conference Room
      Class Size: 12                                   Facilitators: Bill and Faye Downs

Crown Ministries Financial Concepts (12 Weeks- Fall and Spring Blocks)
A small group examining how you can honor God with your finances.  By the end ofthe ten weeks participants will be equipped to facilitate a Crown small group themselves.
      Cost: $45.00 per couple/person         Time/Location: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. / Rm. 221
      Class Size: 12                                     Facilitators: Ken Williams, Henry Wright

Worship and Renewal:  The Old, the New, and You. (12 Weeks- Fall Block Only)
What is worship?  Why do we do what we do on Sunday mornings!  How could we expand what we do?  Using resources from several authors and the web, we’ll explore these questions and participate in planning our church’s Advent worship services, the season of preparation for Christmas!

Cost: To Be Announced                             Time/Location: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. / Parlor
Class size:  12                                             Facilitators:  Kelley Garris and Bryan Harris 

Equipping Parents (8 Weeks- Spring Block Only)
Discuss and explore parenting challenges.  Investigate Biblical insights that can serve as a foundation to build innovative approaches in addressing parenting issues and concerns.
      Cost: To Be Announced                                Time/Location: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. / Parlor
      Class Size: 14                                               Facilitators: Tim & Debbie Johnson

Family Clogs & Our Heavenly Plumber (12 Weeks- Spring Block Only)
Explore the dynamics of why your family does what it does.  What insight does God’s word give us into creating and nurturing a Christian home?
Cost: To Be Announced                                Time/Location: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m./ Rm.  222
Class Size: 12                                               Facilitator: Bryan Harris

Finding Hope in a Big God (12 Weeks - Spring Block Only)

Stress, anxiety and depression steal your peace and rob you of your joy.  This group will focus on the hope and encouragement that can be found in our Heavenly Father in order to face the challenges in our lives.  We will also be researching resources that may be of help for someone dealing with these issues.
Cost: No Cost                                              Time/Location: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m./ Rm. 224
Class Size: 12                                               Facilitator: Judy Dixon

YOUTH NEWS
ORDER YOUR DVD…..Would you like a copy of the Caswell or Mission Trip DVD?  Call the church office to place your order.  The cost is $10 for Caswell and no charge for Mission Trip.

YOUTH AND PARENT MEETING – All youth and parents mark your calendar the Youth/Parent Kick-off meeting on Sunday, August 27th at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.  Please plan to attend for important information on upcoming events.

ON MISSION
Experience the Joy of Missions at Ridgecrest September 29-30.There will be great motivational speakers, workshops,wonderful music and Disaster Relief training. Call Sybil Edwards or Anesha Johnson to sign up. Let’s go and learn more about Missions

ATTENTION 3RD – 6TH GRADERS
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
September 15 – 17 trip to Camp Oak Hill.  The theme this year is “Hey God!”  On this weekend retreat we will enjoy Bible study, camp activities, worship, fun and fellowship.  The cost is $80.00.  You may pick up your registration form in the church office.  Deadline to sign up has past.  If you are interested in going please call Tommy Cook.

MEN INTERESTED IN “SALT” (Studying And Learning Together)
Three of us are still looking for men interested in Bible study at the church on Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. for the fall session.  Beginning September 11, we will begin studying the book of Acts.  On September 18, Lee Colbert will share an overview of Acts and the early church.  Join us to see how the apostles were transformed from followers to leaders.  If you are interested in joining this Bible study, please call the church office.  Someone will call you back with more information.  Hope to see you there.

BAPTIST MEN AND RA TRAINING
JBA will hold a training session for leaders of Baptist Men and RA’s.  If you are a new leader or a returning leader who would like some fresh ideas plan to attend.  Training will be held at Wilson’s Mill Baptist Church on August 31, 2006.  Free supper at 6:00 pm and training begins at 7:00 pm.  If you are interested in attending please contact Mike Ward at 934-7075 or send me an email at mward85@nc.rr.com before August 25th.

HOUSEHOLD CLOSET NEEDS
The Household Closet is BARE!  We need all items: sheets, dishes, flatware, pots and pans, bath and kitchen towels, blankets…….any household items in good repair will be appreciated.  You may drop off you items in the area beside and in front of the elevator.  Please label them for the Household Closet.   Thank you, Dianne Shirley

ON MISSION
We will have a Disaster Relief Trip leaving on October 28th. If you would like to devote a week to helping others please contact the church office or Joyce Wright at 934-3547.

OUR KNOWN SICK
Louise Hovey (Home), Wylie Mitchiner (Johnston Memorial)

JBA MISSION FESTIVAL
Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 9, 2006 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. for the JBA Family Missions Festival at Community Park on Booker Dairy Road.  There will be mission and ministry booths, food, clowns, puppets, balloons and much more. FBC Soup Kitchen and NC Baptist Children Homes will have a special booth.  This event is sponsored by the Baptist Women and Baptist Men of the Johnston Baptist Association.

HELP THE CHILDREN
The Friends of Children will have a workday Saturday, September 16th at Kennedy Home where they will do cleaning, minor repairs and wrap up with a lunch and meeting.  If you would like to go help and visit with these children, please call Carolyn Tharrington at 934-3749 or the church office.

WELCOME TO WORSHIP
Welcome to Worship is a four week class offered for our First Graders.  This will be held during the 10:55 worship service September 10, 17, 24 and October 1.  These classes will help our First Graders to find ways to worship God, learn about baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and give them some helpful tools they can use as they join us in worship.  Children will go back to their Sunday School classroom after the Children’s Sermon and stay there until you pick them up after worship.  Look for more information in the mail.

SYMPATHY
We express our Christian sympathy to Nell Howell in the recent homegoing of her husband, Rudy Howell.

We express our Christian sympathy to Keith Johnson in the recent homegoing of his mother, Polly Johnson.

COMMUNITY PRAYER WALK
Please join us Sunday, August 27th at the Smithfield Community Park for a Prayer Walk to pray for our students, teachers, staff and schools.   Meet at 5:00 p.m. at the large picnic area at Community Park by SSS.  See ya there.

OUR CHILDREN NEED TEACHERS!!!
Teachers are needed for Sunday School in our Preschool and Children’s Departments.  Please call the church office if you would be willing to share your time on Sunday mornings with our children and teach them God’s word.

NEW ADDRESS
New address and phone number for Tommy Cook:  310 E. Church St., Smithfield, NC  27577  989-0033

WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY
The Wednesday Afternoon Bible Study will resume September 13 at 2:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.  If you are interested in attending, please call Sybil Edwards at 934-4972 to sign up.

THANK YOU
Words again fail me when I attempt to properly thank our wonderful First Baptist members for the love and concern shown Ralph and me during my long hospital stays. 

Our great pastor Lee Colbert, amid his busy schedule, visited almost every day during my JMH hospital stay.  He was always cheerful and inspired me with prayers.  He also visited me in WakeMed Rehab which was such a pleasant surprise.  My newly-made friends were glad to see him and were highly impressed with our young pastor, as he spoke prayerfully with them also.

So many of you sent encouraging and beautiful cards, which warmed my heart.  Many visited me at JMH with smiles, pretty cards, flowers, goodies, sweet remembrances, and always with prayers.  Several grandmothers and mothers brought their little ones to visit, bringing joy to me with their precious hugs. 

Thanks for taking care of Ralph with such good food while I was away.  He could not wait to call me each time you came. 

On my second day in WakeMed Rehab, during my only confinement to bed because of a heart problem, I was surprised with a visit from a Sunday School teacher and her husband.   They brought 30 beautiful greeting cards made by the young children in her Department and this really picked me up.  The next evening after reading every one of them, Suzanne and Gary came by and placed those cards all around my room.  What joy these lovely cards brought everyone!

I had a pleasant surprise when my son, Tim, brought me home the first time to find the new ramp at my back door porch, which Mr. Bill Perry, Mr. A. J. Ball, and Mr. Roy Williams had built while I was away.  My special thanks to them and to Mrs. Joyce Wright who arranged the project.  This is perfect for Ralph and me now that both of us use a walker.

Thanks for all the food you have brought since I arrived home.  You are wonderful cooks.  I have also been amazed at the visits by the little children….their sweet hugs were like medicine to me  How great is our Lord and you dear parents who have given me and other ladies the great opportunity to work with your children in Sunday School.  Thank you!  With Love and Thanksgiving to all,  Golda T. Pittman and family

FROM THE PULPIT

Sunday Morning                      Sermon by the Pastor

Greeters:  Doug & Glenda Strickland

OPPORTUNITIES OF THE WEEK

* Nursery provided