Church Staff Rev. Dr. Randy C. Clipp, Senior Pastor
Rev. Jill T. Martin-Prouty, Pastor of Students Mrs. Keeley S. Tarkington, Director of Music
Ms. Terry A. McCallum, Administrative Assistant Mrs. Stephanie C. Parker, Director of Children’s Ministries
Mr. James O. Elmore, Organist Mr. Donnie R. Pollard, Custodian
Telephone: 919-553-4161 Fax: 919-553-4162 Email: [email protected] Website: www.fbcclaytonnc.org
Mrs. Wendy Huff, Director of the Child Development Center Telephone: 919-550-4018
PRESRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
PAID PERMIT NO. 14 CLAYTON, NC
First Baptist Church P.O. Box 35
Clayton, N.C. 27528-0035
RETURN SERVICE
June 24, 2020 The Outlook Vol. 44, Number 25
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Fund Report for June 16—June 22, 2020
Weekly Budget Gifts ……………………………………….. $ 9,335.00
YTD Receipts …………………………………………………… $ 382,239.81
YTD Expenses ………………………………………………….. $ 383,876.44
Over/Under Expenses ……………………………………... $ (1,636.63)
Parable Revisited: The Elder Brother
In my June 21 Father’s Day sermon, Parable of the Loving Father, I focused on the compassion that the Father demonstrates towards the prodigal son when he comes home. I believe that there is no better passage of scrip-ture which conveys the depth of God’s mercy and forgiveness towards each of us than Luke 15:11-32.
But there’s a more haunting sermon within the same parable if we shift our focus to the story of the eldest son. It occurs to me that the eldest brother is equally as lost as the youngest one. He, too, wanders from the love of the Father. As Henri Nouwen has written in Return of the Prodigal Son: A Meditation on Fathers, Brothers, and Sons:
The lostness of the elder son…is much harder to identify. After all, he did all the right things. He was obedient, dutiful, law-abiding, and hardworking…. Outwardly, the elder son was faultless. But when confronted by his father’s joy at the return of his younger brother, a dark power erupts in him and boils to the surface….
There are many elder sons and elder daughters who are lost while still at home. And it is this lostness—characterized by judgment and condemnation, anger and resentment, bitterness, and jealousy—that is so per-nicious and damaging to the human heart…. There is so much frozen anger among the people who are so con-cerned about avoiding “sin.”
I recognize the elder son in me. Often I catch myself complaining about little rejections, little impolitenesses, little negligences. Time and time again I discover within me that murmuring, whining, grumbling, lamenting, and griping that go on and on even against my will.
Jesus’ Parable of the Prodigal Son reminds us how easily we can become just like the elder brother—judgmental, grumbling, and proud. In fact, sometimes our pursuit to get things done the “right way” can become more important to us than seeking a loving relationship with God and with others. We start to value tasks over relationships.
Prayer: O God, it is easy to get lost in resentment towards others. Forgive us when we fail to hear your voice of love calling us home. Melt away our unforgiveness towards others with your own merciful love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Blessings,
Pray for our Youth as they will be leading the Youth Sunday Service this week.
Pray for John Radford to continue to improve. He is in UNC Health Hos-pital in Clayton—Room 312.
Pray for Dottie Brezeale, who will have shoulder surgery on June 30th.
Our church expresses Christian Sympathy to the Family of Cathy Price and Jenny P. Lee upon the death of Cathy’s mother (Jenny’s grandmoth-er), Ruth Honeycutt, on June 20. A graveside service was held in Salem-burg, NC, on Tuesday, June 23.
The Senior Pastor’s Pen
Once in-person Sunday services resume, we will need volunteers who can give 30 minutes of their time to help us sanitize surfaces between services. The church will provide gloves and cleaning supplies while volunteers clean the specified areas together. Contact Dr. Clipp if you are willing and would like to be a part of our Sunday Clean Team. We Need YOU!!
Tuesday Night Bible
Study
Proverbs 20-29
7:00-8:20 pm
Jiles Harrell invites ALL
church members to join him each week (June 2—30) for the continuing study on Proverbs. If you are interested, please contact Jiles at (919) 291-5047 or [email protected] and he will send you the study guide and an invitation to the Webex meeting with the access code and password.
This class has been meeting since 2005.
The FBCC Music Ministry would like to extend a special “Thank You” to
all of the musicians who have stepped up and helped out during this time
of virtual worship. Your willingness to share your musical gifts and love
for the Lord have enriched our worship greatly and we thank God for
each and everyone of you!
I am looking forward to another Wednesday Knight Live with our children this week! This weekly time is a fun opportunity for the children to see one another and have time to sing, learn and chat together. We begin with Preschool at 6:00 pm, follow with Kindergarten-2
nd Grade at 6:30 pm, and con-
clude with 3rd
-5th Grade at 7:00 pm. All activities, songs and
scripture help prepare our children for VBS week when we will armor up with God.
Stephanie Parker, Director of Children’s Ministry
Kathryn Adams*
Belle Allen
Carsyn Andrews
Linda Blackmon
Mike Blinson
Sarah Brooks
Meredith Calton
Kenneth Canady
Gwen Canady
Steve Canady
Linda Clipp
Randy Clipp
Jessica Collins
Gianna DiStefano*
Jim Elmore
Laney Ford
Thad Hardee
Ashley Jones
Jason Lee
Blake Long*
Melissa Long
Spencer Long*
Tyler Long*
Kristin McLamb
Steve Nance
Jim Nappier
Nancy Parker
Stephanie Parker
Susan Parker
Sandy Stephenson
Abbie Stutts*
Gerald Toler
Joy Tribble
Cindy Whitaker
Whitaker Grandchildren: Quinn, Wes, Luke and Hannah
* Indicates Musicians who will be sharing their gifts in
upcoming services.
Keeley Tarkington, Director of Music
What does the Bible say about Sunday School?
Matthew 18:5 ESV
“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me”
Video Conferencing Sunday School
Congratulations to the Salt Sunday School with a total attendance of 31, including four visitors. They get the prize (if there was one) for the long-distance members Sunday School attendance. Wayne & Carol Sedei were connected on Zoom from Pennsylvania.
Class Participation Teachers
Basic 20 + 3 Visitors Rhonda Mooneyham & James Faggart Bible Academy 9 John Paschal & David Whitaker Discipleship 18 Jake Parker, Sandy Stephenson & Dionne Fortner Hope 14 Lowell Harris & Joe Nelson John Talton 7 Andy Pleasant & Stewart McLeod O’Neil 10 David Earp, Fred Smith & Curtis Moore Salt 27 + 4 Visitors Phil Crane, Al Cassel & Stephen Nance Youth 7 Jill Martin-Prouty Choir 6 Robert Little & Steve Canady
Coronavirus: Anywhere children and adults gather together can become a “force” for the spread of illness, including the coronavirus. Chuches and Sunday School are no exception, especially considering the number of older and “at-risk” members who share our church facilities and come in direct contact with each other. Moving forward, Sunday School and Church Service will have to become more pro-active to protect the health of our members, visitors and staff, When we finally get this crisis behind us, we need to apply its lessons to the future.
Have a safe, blessed and healthy week. Hope you can join us next Sunday for Sunday School.
John Bagley Sunday School Director
(919) 971-1513 [email protected]
Although this year has thrown us for a loop, we will still be having Youth Sunday this Sunday, June 28
th. Be sure to join us for a virtual service led by
several of our youth. This will not only be the first year for a virtual service, but it will also be the first year that our entire service is led completely by the youth. Our youth will lead us in prayer, music, scripture reading, and you guessed it, even the sermon! Tune in to hear a message about Unchartered Territories and how our Senior Youth have navigated the “unchartered territories” of their lives thus far. We look forward to worship-ping with you on Sunday!
-Jill
DEACON OF THE WEEK—June 28-July 5
Ronald Mooneyham (919) 422-0097 [email protected]
SUMMER SENIOR ADULT WEDNESDAY MORNING
VIDEO BIBLE STUDY
June—August
10 Week Study
9:30 am
We had 29 participants at our first session on June 17th. It’s NOT too late to join us for the New Senior Adult Wednesday Morning Video Based Zoom Bible Study Series led by Rev. Stephen Nance. What’s So Amazing About Grace, written by Phillip Yancey. If interested, please contact Phil Crane at (919) 795-7899.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE GIFTS TO THE SENIOR ADULT FUND
“In Memory of”
Joyce T. Barbour by Joyce Canady Margaret Wall by John & Dolores Bagley
“In Honor of”
John & Dolores Bagley’s Anniversary by Joyce Canady
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE GIFTS TO THE ORGAN FUND
“In Memory of”
Joyce T. Barbour by Ronald Crowder & Debbie Ragland Joyce T. Barbour by Paul & Bronna Greer
Margo Samuel by Paul & Bronna Greer Beth Sayer by Paul & Bronna Greer
Margo Samuel by Andy & Gloria Pleasant Joyce T. Barbour by Andy & Gloria Pleasant
Joyce T. Barbour by Jim & Helen Ellerbe Margo Samuel by Jim & Helen Ellerbe
Joyce Barbour by Jo Ann Hardee Patsy Lowe by Jo Ann Hardee
Iredell Batten by Jo Ann Hardee Margo Samuel by Jason & Jenny Lee
“In Honor of”
Duba & Bucky Coats by Paul & Bronna Greer
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE GIFTS TO THE BUILDING FUND
“In Memory of”
Buck Lee by Laney Johnson Margo Samuel by John & Dolores Bagley
Margaret Wall by Lexene Lee
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE GIFT TO THE YOUTH MISSION FUND
“In Memory of”
Chuck Turlington by Andy Gloria Pleasant Margo Samuel by Chris & Diane Pearce
Margo Samuel by Belle Allen
“In Honor of”
Heidi Wood by Keitland & Austin Medlin
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE GIFTS TO THE GENERAL FUND
“In Memory of”
Joyce T. Barbour by Joyce Nixon Margo Samuel by Joyce Nixon
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE GIFT TO THE BACKPACK BUDDIES FUND
“In Honor of”
Ben & Sharon Clifton by Joe & Linda Hester
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE GIFTS TO THE MISSION PROJECTS/TRIPS FUND
“In Memory of”
Margaret Wall by Belle Allen
Thank You! First Baptist Church,
Thank you for the hot dogs, water,
Chips, cookie, fruit cups and even
the napkin and spoon!!
Thank you for the smiles and friendly faces,
for just being you in love in Jesus name.
Beverly Grier
Zoom Church Council Meeting
Sunday, June 28th at 6:00 pm
Our Church Council will meet via Zoom this
Sunday, June 28th to review our congregational
Regathering Surveys and discuss the possibility
of resuming in-person worship services on July
12th. Pray for our leaders as they make
decisions which will glorify God and insure the
safety of our entire church family.
Regathering Survey Reminder
On June 16 every church family should have received an email that included a brief congregational survey for every household to complete. The survey will help the Church Council to plan for resuming Sunday worship services. If you have not already submitted your completed survey, please do so today, Wed., June 24th. Hard copies of the survey were mailed to households who do not have email addresses.
June 28th