The The The The Announcer Announcer Announcer Announcer First Baptist Church First Baptist Church First Baptist Church First Baptist Church—Mount Airy, North Carolina 27030 Mount Airy, North Carolina 27030 Mount Airy, North Carolina 27030 Mount Airy, North Carolina 27030 Phone: Phone: Phone: Phone: 336-786-5185, Fax: Fax: Fax: Fax: 336-789-3982, Website: Website: Website: Website: www.fbcmountairy.org Volume 56 March 29, 2018 Number 13 The View from the Rafters The View from the Rafters The View from the Rafters The View from the Rafters Michael Card offers insight into what it means to be a follower and disciple of Jesus Christ. He writes: There sits Simon, foolish and wise. Proudly he’s tending his nets. Jesus calls and the boats drift away. And all that he owns he forgets. But more than the nets he abandoned that day, he found that his pride was soon fading away. It’s hard to imagine the freedom we find from the things we leave behind. The sightless beggar; pleading each day, catching the coins in his robe. At finding Jesus he threw it away and joyfully followed his Lord. But more than the robe that he left by the way, the darkness that dwelt in his heart went away. It’s hard to imagine the freedom we find from the things we leave behind. Matthew was mindful of taking the tax and pressing the people to pay. At hearing the call, he responded in faith and followed the Light and the Way. And leaving the people so puzzled, he found that the greed in his heart was no longer around. It’s hard to imagine the freedom we find from the things we leave behind. Have you ever noticed that almost everyone in the New Testament who encounters and then fol- lows Jesus, “leaves something behind” for His sake? James and John left a thriving fishing business with their father. Zacchaeus, first left the path he was on for a higher view, and then left his former ways choosing generosity over greed. The woman at the well left her water jar to go and tell her neighbors of her encounter with the “living water” Christ. The woman who suffered from bleeding left a long line of doctors behind. The woman with the alabaster jar left behind an empty container after pouring-out her worshipful adoration on the Lord. And then there’s Lazarus, perhaps most miraculous of all, who left be- hind his grave clothes and the stench of death to follow freely the giver of life. Almost to a person, every follower of Jesus Christ left something behind. “Imagine the freedom we find from the things we leave behind!” What is it that God is calling you to leave behind? What constrains you, binds you, or holds you captive? What struggle do you have that keeps you from the freedom found in Christ alone? If I could urge you to do one thing in this life, then this is my encouragement: “follow Jesus” and see if this does not make all the difference in the world. Joy for the Journey, Jay Remember to Pick Up Easter Lilies If you ordered an Easter lily, please remember to pick it up after worship service this Sunday, April 1. Monday, April 2 Church Office Closed Wednesday, April 4 No Evening Activities
Transcript
The The The The AnnouncerAnnouncerAnnouncerAnnouncer First Baptist ChurchFirst Baptist ChurchFirst Baptist ChurchFirst Baptist Church————Mount Airy, North Carolina 27030Mount Airy, North Carolina 27030Mount Airy, North Carolina 27030Mount Airy, North Carolina 27030
The View from the Rafters The View from the Rafters The View from the Rafters The View from the Rafters
Michael Card offers insight into what it means to be a follower and disciple of Jesus Christ. He writes:
There sits Simon, foolish and wise. Proudly he’s tending his nets. Jesus calls and the boats
drift away. And all that he owns he forgets. But more than the nets he abandoned that day, he found that his pride was soon fading away. It’s hard to imagine the freedom we find from the
things we leave behind. The sightless beggar; pleading each day, catching the coins in his robe. At finding Jesus he
threw it away and joyfully followed his Lord. But more than the robe that he left by the way, the
darkness that dwelt in his heart went away. It’s hard to imagine the freedom we find from the things we leave behind.
Matthew was mindful of taking the tax and pressing the people to pay. At hearing the call, he responded in faith and followed the Light and the Way. And leaving the people so puzzled, he found that the greed in his heart was no longer around. It’s hard to imagine the freedom we find
from the things we leave behind.
Have you ever noticed that almost everyone in the New Testament who encounters and then fol-
lows Jesus, “leaves something behind” for His sake? James and John left a thriving fishing business with their father. Zacchaeus, first left the path he was on for a higher view, and then left his former ways choosing generosity over greed. The woman at the well left her water jar to go and tell her neighbors of
her encounter with the “living water” Christ. The woman who suffered from bleeding left a long line of doctors behind. The woman with the alabaster jar left behind an empty container after pouring-out her
worshipful adoration on the Lord. And then there’s Lazarus, perhaps most miraculous of all, who left be-hind his grave clothes and the stench of death to follow freely the giver of life. Almost to a person, every follower of Jesus Christ left something behind.
“Imagine the freedom we find from the things we leave behind!” What is it that God is calling you to leave behind? What constrains you, binds you, or holds you captive? What struggle do you have that
keeps you from the freedom found in Christ alone? If I could urge you to do one thing in this life, then this is my encouragement: “follow Jesus” and see if this does not make all the difference in the world.
This Sunday, April 1 is Easter, and I hope you’ll make very effort to be present
for
Sunday School at 9:45am and Worship at 11:00am.
There will be no further youth activities in the afternoon.
We will resume regular Sunday afternoon youth activities on April 8.
Here’s what’s happening for YOUth for the next couple of months, in addition to
our regular Sunday activities – plan now to join us!
Friday - Sunday, April 13-15 - Youth Spring Retreat @ Fort CaswellYouth Spring Retreat @ Fort CaswellYouth Spring Retreat @ Fort CaswellYouth Spring Retreat @ Fort Caswell
Saturday, April 28 – Mt Airy High School Prom BreakfastMt Airy High School Prom BreakfastMt Airy High School Prom BreakfastMt Airy High School Prom Breakfast
Sunday, May 20 – Youth Sunday and After Church Luncheon Meal Youth Sunday and After Church Luncheon Meal Youth Sunday and After Church Luncheon Meal Youth Sunday and After Church Luncheon Meal
(Be thinking about what service/item you will offer for the silent auction)
Sunday, June 3 – High SchoolHigh SchoolHigh SchoolHigh School Graduate and Family Breakfast and Graduate and Family Breakfast and Graduate and Family Breakfast and Graduate and Family Breakfast and
RecognitionRecognitionRecognitionRecognition
Keep an eye out for more youth events to come for the summer months!
A Note From the Personnel Committee
It has been our custom around this time of year to place a suggestion box in the breeze way to give every member of the congregation the opportuni-
ty to submit suggestions or concerns to the Person-nel Committee. We will leave the suggestion box out for about six weeks. Please let this be an oppor-tunity to not only voice suggestions or concerns but
also to offer positive feedback and encourage-ment to any and all members of our ministerial and office staff. We are blessed to have a wonderful staff who work very hard to make our church, our
worship, and our ministry the very best it can be as we all serve the Lord together. The scripture en-courages us to be generous in supporting and up-
lifting our coworkers in the ministry of the church.
Holy Week Activities
April 1: Easter Worship– 11:00am
Children’s processional with flowers to
decorate the cross. Special music
includes Granite City Ringers, Brass
Ensemble, and Chancel Choir. Please
bring flowers (single stems so they will fit through
the small holes of the wire, about 4-6 six inches
long) from home that the children can use to
decorate the cross on Easter Sunday.
Random photos from the
Youth Skating Trip
on Sunday, March 11th.
The Week Ahead
SUNDAY, April 1 Easter Sunday
9:00am Prayer Time-Prayer Room
9:15am Coffee Fellowship-Fireside Room
9:45am Sunday School
11:00am **The Church at Worship & Praise No Evening Activities MONDAY, April 2
Office Closed
TUESDAY, April 3
7:00am Baptist Men’s Breakfast– Olympia WEDNESDAY, April 4
No Wednesday Evening Activities THURSDAY, April 5
5:30pm Feeding Friends Meal
7:00pm *Boy Scouts—Scout Hut SUNDAY, April 8
9:00am Prayer Time-Prayer Room
9:15am Coffee Fellowship-Fireside Room
9:45am Sunday School
11:00am **The Church at Worship & Praise
4:00pm Children’s Handbells
4:45pm Youth Choir
4:00pm Griefshare Class
5:30pm Granite City Ringers
5:45pm Youth Supper
6:00pm Youth Group Family Time
*Community Ministry **Hearing Assists / Valet Parking
available upon request. Wheelchair spaces are
available in the sanctuary for the convenience of
those who need to stay in their chairs.
Grace Notes
Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
I really missed hearing the “hosannas” and seeing the
procession of palms Sunday. I am, however, still saying and will continue saying “Blessed is He who comes in the name of
the Lord.”
Blessed is He who comes to show us how completely
we are loved, at our best and at our worst. Blessed is He who comes to heal division. Blessed is He who comes to stand with us in our suffering and in our joys. Blessed is He who
comes to validate our worth as human beings. Blessed is He who comes to teach us that humility is the characteristic most likely to help us love the Lord with all our heart, soul,
mind and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves. Blessed is He who comes to show us a kingdom that is not limited to
the time after we die, but is here, now, and among us.
Blessed are we, that He came in the name of the
Lord! Our words for Sunday will be “The Lord is risen indeed!”
He is risen and He still comes!
Sing to Lord!
Linda Focus on Friends Helping Seniors
MINISTERING TO THE NEEDS OF THE SENIOR
ADULTS OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
Minor Repairs - This team works
with the Baptist Men and or
FBC youth to do occasional
home care and odd job re-
quests made by seniors. Fees are not
assessed for labor but materials for ramps,
supplies or tools may be necessary.
March is our month for emphasis on giving!
Total Given to Date: $655:00
Happy Birthday, Linda Denney!
March 31
Jim and Joy McGehee and Shirley Brinkley
enjoying Sunday morning fellowship and the new
furniture in the breezeway..
It’s A Boy!
Congratulations to Bob and Janice Demcio on the birth of their grandson, Wilson Hunter Cox, born on March 21. Parents are Amy and Josh Cox. Wilson has three older brothers, Brady, Holden, and Yosef.
VBS Dates have been set!
June 25-29, 9:00-11:30am
More information coming soon!
Statistics Date: 3-25-18
Sunday School Attendance 0
Worship Attendance 0
Tithes and Offerings This Week
Weekly Needs $10,683.00
Budget Offering $925.00
Weekly Deficit ($9,758.00)
Designations (summarized below) $2,287.50
Total Offering $3,212.50
Tithes and Offerings Year To Date
Yearly Needs $107,513.00
Budget Offering $96,922.51
YTD Deficit ($31,273.49)
Designations $29,205.99
Total Offering $126,128.50
Weekly Designations
Building Fund 0
Organ Fund Pledge $45.00
Designated Missions $195.00
Miscellaneous $2,047.50
Wednesday Night Meal 0
Building Fund Bal to Date $24,087.58
Organ Fund Bal to Date $35,292.48
The Announcer (USPS 597 840) is published weekly, except
Thanksgiving and Christmas, by First Baptist Church, 714 N.
Main St., Mount Airy, NC 27030-3797. Periodical postage is
paid at Mount Airy, NC 27030-9998. POSTMASTER: Send
address changes to First Baptist Church, 714 N. Main St. Mt. Airy, NC 27030-3797. PH: 336-786-5185; Fax 336-789-3982
Caring & Sharing in Our Church Family
Write a note, make a telephone call,
or pay a visit to Sympathy
Dick and Nancy Belton, Bill and Jeanette Belton, and
Carolyn Bonahue in the death of their mother,
Irene “Rene” Belton Hospital
Andy Hennis-Forsyth College
Matthew Dowell
Gateway Room 265
East Carolina University
1000 East 5th Street
Greenville, NC 27858
Home or Retirement
Betty McNeil
205 Boyce Sink Ct
Thomasville, NC 27360
Jim & Carole Dowell
627 N Wilson Rd
Lowgap, NC 27024
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to serve for Friends Feeding
Friends on the 4th Thursday of each month from 5:15pm-6:30pm.
Ministry for Sunday: Rev. Jay Meadows ; Scripture:
John 20:1-18 ; Sunday School Greeters: Bob & Janice Demcio ; Deacon Greeters: Steve Dowell & Nancy Pyles ; Babies: Lucas & Mary Kate Brewer ; Toddlers:
Maggie Nicholson & TBA ; Preschoolers: John &
Candice Kerley ; Kid’s Korner: None ; Children’s
Sermon : None ; Sound: Wes Parker, TBA
Spring Break: April 2-April 6
No Wednesday Meal or Evening Activities
April Birthdays April Birthdays April Birthdays April Birthdays
