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First Connections Volume 50 Issue 4 April 2020
A Publication of First Baptist Church
408 College Street
Clinton, North Carolina 28328
Ministerial Staff
Dr. Ray Ammons, Senior Pastor
704-214-2147 [email protected]
Miss Lauren McCollister, Minister of Music and Students 443-521-9888 [email protected]
Mrs. Jean Hatch, Instrumentalist 910-592-6215 [email protected]
Support Staff Miss Paula Peters, Business Manager [email protected]
Ms. Ruth Ann Johnson, Administrative Secretary [email protected]
Mrs. Jill Faircloth, Financial Administrator
Mr. Jack Hamilton, Caretaker
Mr. Jeff Draughon, Custodian
Request Information
FIRST BAPTIST NEWS (USPS 898-960) is published
monthly by First Baptist Church, 408 College Street,
Clinton, NC, 28328. Periodical postage paid at Clinton, NC.
Postmaster: Send address changes to First Baptist Church,
408 College Street, Clinton, NC, 28328.
Our Sunday morning service is heard every Sunday at 11:00 a.m. on WCLN radio, 1170 AM. You may also hear us on StarVision cable channel 16.
Phones
Church Office: 910-592-8124
FAX: 910-592-6109
Visit Us On the Web: www.clintonfirstbaptist.org
Our church staff
Our Mission
“The purpose of First Baptist Church is to
honor God as we love and minister to all people, witness to them of our life-changing Savior, lead them into the fellowship of His church, and nurture them in Christian growth.”
spirits our community, state, national and international leaders as well as the challenges they face. In doing so, we will be the body of Christ. With care and caution, with compliance and faithful citizenship, and with kindness born of our walk with Christ, we will battle and endure this critical season. By the time we share next month’s edition, we will, hopefully, be significantly closer to ending this pandemic and its impact. In this moment it is the season of celebrating the resurrection. Let us be reminded of the words of the hymn, “He Lives,”: I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today. We are the body of the living Christ whether congregating in one place or participating remotely. We are also, accordingly, called to engage the world God loves. In sickness and in health, “He lives!”
Blessings, Ray
In a recent article for Baptist News Global, Dr. Bill Leonard of the Wake Forest University School of Divinity shared an excerpt from an essay written by Martin Luther in 1527. Luther was responding to the impact of the outbreak of the bubonic plague in Germany in the post-Reformation era. Martin Luther wrote an admonition through a sermonic essay entitled “Whether One May Flee From a Deadly Plague.” Included in his writing were these words: “I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence.
“If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me, and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me however I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely as stated above.” [Martin Luther, Luther’s Works, Vol. 43: Devotional Writings II, ed. Jaroslav Jan Pelikan, Hilton C. Oswald, and Helmut T. Lehmann, vol. 43 (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1999), 119–38.]
It would seem from that experience comes wisdom and counsel for us in during the pandemic we are enduring. We should, with neighborly, Christ-like spiritual inspiration, promote social distancing. We should also find opportunities to provide, with steadfast kindness, care and support to those most vulnerable and most affected. That same reinforcement and assistance should be prayerfully lifted for those on the front lines of the ongoing battlefield—doctors, nurses, medical experts, our pharmacists, and the research laboratory technicians. We should also keep in our prayerful
First Connections April, 2020
Memory of Kitty Flake
Given by: Florence Latimer
Lyman & Penny Horne
Linda T. Davidson
Memory of Lawrence Johnson
Given by: Henry & Gracie Moore
Memory of Edith Lee
Given by: Henry & Gracie Moore
Memory of Julia Dunlap Utley
Given by: Faye McCullen & Family
Henry & Gracie Moore
Memory of Faye S. Warren
Given by: Bobby & Faye Warren
Memory of L.E. Williamson
Given by: Henry & Gracie Moore
Memorials (Feb. 24-March 27) Please Remember in Prayer — IN THE HOSPITAL Faye McCullen, SRMC 334 OUR CHURCH FAMILY Ed Bissette, Nancy Butler, Glenda Herring, Keith Powell
OUR HOMEBOUND Joe Butler, Leslie Godwin, Terry Penny, Frances Tart, Doug Warren, Margie Woodall
NURSING HOMES Local
Lee Brown, Mary Gran 715B Frank Boyette, Southwood 401 Isabel Downing, Mary Gran 112 Mary Pope, Mary Gran 203 Juanita Rich, Mary Gran 109 R.J. Underwood, Mary Gran 211 Willie Ruth Watson, Mary Gran 704
Out of Town Edna Bass, Warsaw Nursing & Rehab, Room 10 Carla Goodwin, Cypress Point Rehab, Wilmington Vara Matthis, Wilson House Assisted Living, Wilson
EXTENDED FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Savannah Bailey (Tenna Autry’s great-niece)
Hilda Lambert (Donald Wrench’s sister)
Douglas McKee (Bobby & Glenda Bunker’s grandson-deployed)
Lloyd & Jane McGowan (Amela Sutton’s parents)
Pamela Medford
Zack Millican (Becky Todd’s nephew)
Wayne Reynolds (Ann Weeks’ son)
Earl Whaley, (Johnny Chestnutt’s brother-in-law)
Allen Wrench (Donald & Carolyn’s Wrench’s son)
Our Soup Kitchen ministry
Tim’s Gift Ministry
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First Connections April, 2020
Condolences We express deepest sympathy to:
The family of Faye Spell Warren;
Ellery Bowker and family for the death of his brother, Joe Bowker;
The family of Kitty Flake;
The family of Carole Robinson.
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Henry Moore Michael Chestnutt Robbie Montgomery Kim Warren Ricky Taylor Sheila Lewis Nicholas Jackson Cameron Fardy Savannah Matthews Donald Starling George Raynor Rex Little Jeff Warren
Paxton Hudson Logan Tart Barbara Dixon Annell Starling Juanita Rich Ruby Johnson Gage Jackson Johnny Kaleel Cheryl Norris Vernon Clifton Jeanne Hobbs Lake Montgomery Louise Warren
Lynn Underwood Tony Fallert Debbie Raynor Jeana Grace Bowker Hannah Murphy Frank Boyette Bill Nance Paula Peters Anna Edwards Emma Kate Adkins Gloria Lockerman Bobby Warren Wanda Nashwinter
Craig Richardson Lynn Butler
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April Birthday Wishes
April Greeter Schedule
5 Ricky & Tenna Autry
12 Pat Craig & Volunteer
19 Tart & Sue Lee
26 Jeanne Hobbs & Louise Warren
April Nursery Schedule
5 Joel & Annette Starling 12 Ashley & Robbie Montgomery 19 Alta Starling & Cheryl Norris 26 Lesley & Byron Reeves, Beverly Best
If you are unable to be in the nursery on your Sunday, please arrange to trade with someone on the list. Also, please update the church office with those changes. Thanks!
Monetary Committee for April
6 Ruth Roderick, Norma Jean Jackson, Bonnie Matthews
13 Teresa Underwood, Kay Richardson, Mary Ann Hobbs
20 Ann Merritt, Tenna Autry,
27 Linda Combs, Fred Cumbo, David Jones
If you are unable to count on your designated day, please find
someone to switch with. The alternates are: Cheryl Norris,
Charles Gainey and Al Roderick.
April Meals on Wheels Schedule
Monday’s Wednesday's
1 Michelle Simmons 6 Joyce Lippard 8 Jerry & Jean Hatch 13 Pat & Dempsey Craig 15 Michelle Simmons 20 Linda Combs & 22 Jerry & Jean Hatch Bonnie Matthews 27 Kay Richardson 29 Michelle Simmons If you are unable to serve on your assigned date, please exchange dates with someone else or call 592-5604.
Sunday Worship Schedule 9:45 am Sunday School for all ages 11:00 am Morning Worship 5:30 pm Youth Fellowship
Food Pantry
We are collecting Canned Corn and Blackeye Peas for the Food Pantry through Monday, April 20.
After that date, we will be collecting Macaroni and Cheese.
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New Arrival Erica and Marcus Page are pleased to announce the birth of their daughter, Ryleigh Catherine Page, on March 3, 2020. She weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces and was 21 inches long. Grandparents in our church are Ricky and Tenna Autry, and great-grandfather is W.A. Autry.
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News from your: Missions Development Council
OPERATION INASMUCH Project Day May 2, 2020
Our church family will be engaged in helping our
community through Operation Inasmuch mission
projects on Saturday, May 2. We will gather in the
Fellowship Hall that morning for prayer and
instructions before proceeding to the work sites.
Andrew Underwood is the contact person. Be in
prayer for our work and your willingness to serve, and
let him know on which project you would like to work.
First Connections April, 2020
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First Connections April, 2020
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J.A.M. Weekend (Jesus and Me) Senior Happenings On Monday, March 2, we visited some homebound members — Margaret Williamson, Lou Royal, Gladys and Leslie Godwin, Florence Latimer, and Sam and Betsy McCullen. Linda Combs and I shared a moving devotion about heaven and seeing God face to face. What a great day that will be! We prayed with each one before leaving. Where two or more are gathered Jesus is in the midst of our fellowship guiding us. Everyone seemed to enjoy having us come to visit.
On Monday, March 9, we visited our nursing home residents. Phyllis McKee, Linda Combs and I had a wonderful time seeing each one and sharing Jesus’ love and prayers. Everyone is doing well and would like for you to visit them when the time is right.
All of our activities and trips have been canceled until the Corona virus passes by. It’s sad that we don’t have the opportunity to attend church on Sunday, but we can listen on the radio or on cable tv. Maybe God is speaking to each of us and saying, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) Sometimes we all get too busy and forget to know Him and honor Him as we should.
Love in Christ, Faye B. Warren, Sr. Adult Director
Upcoming Senior Adult Events Sunday, April 5
Senior Adult Council, 3:00 p.m.
Monday, April 6
Homebound Visitation: Leave church at 10:00 am
Tuesday, April 14
Nursing Home visitation at Mary Gran and Southwood, We will leave the church at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 21
“Precious Gems” will meet at 10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
First Baptist hosted the Lenten Luncheon at First United Methodist Church on Wednesday, March 4.
Dr. Ray Ammons delivered the devotional at the Lenten Lunch on
March 4.
Our FBC volunteers have been delivering hot, nutritious meals to our homebound on Wednesday evenings. This is just one
example—meat loaf, potatoes and gravy, butterbeans, carrots, and baked apples.
First Connections April, 2020
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BREAD BASKET PROJECT
“I was hungry . . . you gave me food.” Matthew 25:35
Collecting for April: Canned Corn and Blackeye Peas
Please place your items in the containers located outside the church office and the sanctuary foyers. We will deliver to the food pantry on Tuesday, April
21, so please have them here before that date.
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
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Online Giving
REMINDER: You may give your tithe online through the church website—www.clintonfirstbaptist.org. Be sure to designate where you want your missions portion to go by writing in the Comment section.
You may also mail your offerings to the church at 408 College Street, Clinton, NC 28328.
We deeply appreciate your faithfulness in giving during these trying times.
BRICKS Campaign Update Bldg. Fund Cash Balance .............. (1,161,155.27)
Disbursements ............................... 2,678,668.37
Outstanding Pledges ..................... 273,373.80
First Connections April, 2020
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Wednesday Schedule 5:30pm Wednesday Night Supper 6:00pm Pastor’s Bible Study Youth Bible Study (Grades 6-12) Children’s Choir (K-5) Half-Notes Choir (Toddlers-Pre-K) 6:30 pm Children in Action (K-5) Mission Friends (Toddlers-Pre-K) 7:00 pm Adult Choir Rehearsal
Sunday Schedule 9:45am Sunday School 11:00am Morning Worship in the Sanctuary 5:00 p.m. Youth Creative Ministry 5:30pm Youth (Grade 6-12) Bible Study/Fellowship
April 2020
10:00am Nursing Home Visitation
4:00pm Deadline for
May Newsletter
“Precious Gems” 10:00am
Fellowship Hall 14P Bus Reserved
Deadline for Food Pantry
Items
1:00pm Haitian Worship, Chapel
Our Family Ministry Center is nearing completion.
1:00pm Haitian Worship, Chapel 7:00 pm Church
Council
8:15 am Men’s Breakfast
1:00pm Haitian Worship, Chapel
3:00pm Sr. Adult Council
7:00 pm Deacons Mtg.
8:00pm AA, Social Hall
Al-Anon
8:00pm AA, Social Hall
Al-Anon
8:00pm AA, Social Hall
Al-Anon
8:00pm AA, Social Hall
Al-Anon
6:30 am Sunrise Service
1:00pm Haitian Worship, Chapel
10:00am Homebound
Visitation
EASTER SUNDAY
PALM SUNDAY
Maundy Thursday
Service, 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary
Good Friday Church Office
Closed
Church Calendar and Events
At the time the church calendar was printed, it was uncertain which events would take place during April due to ongoing Corona virus restrictions. While we are hopeful that our regular schedule can soon be resumed, there is a possibility of some events being canceled or postponed to a later date. The church office will get the word out about any schedule changes as quickly as possible.
Thank You
To our dear friends at First Baptist:
Thank you for your prayers and for the meals you have brought us during my illness. You are special people and we love you.
Glenda and Rufus Herring
Lexie Sawvel shared her singing talent on
Sunday, March 8.
Jeana Grace Bowker recently went on a
mission trip to Costa Rico.
