Souper Bowl of Caring
Posted on January 10th, 2012
Each Sunday in January, the youth will be collecting both canned goods and monetary donations for FACES, our local food pantry. Please drop off your contributions in the baskets at the entrances to the sanctuary.
On February 5, we will announce our total collection as part of the nationwide “Souper Bowl of Caring” effort to help feed the hungry in our community.
Tags: FACES, hunger, souper bowl
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The Gift of Love
Posted on December 22nd, 2011
Pastor’s Column published in The Informer (FBC Newsletter for January 2012)
As another Christmas comes around the corner, my heart is filled with love for Farmville Baptist Church. What a blessing it is to minister with you as your pastor! Thank you for the generous Christmas love offering that you presented to me at the Christmas dinner. But most of all, thank you for the love you’ve shown me and my family over these past six years. Thank you for your gift of love!
I came across the following from an email and thought I’d share it with you:
It’s sharing your gifts, not purchasing gifts;
It’s not wrapping presents, it’s being present
and wrapping your arms around the ones you love;
It’s not getting Christmas cards out on time,
It’s sending any card, anytime, at the right time;
It’s not having the biggest and best Christmas light display,
It’s displaying the Christ light that comes from your heart;
It’s not Santa coming down the chimney,
It’s Jesus coming down from heaven,
and giving us the gift of love.
May the love of Christ and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be yours during this Christmas season!
Yours in Christ, Michael
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Christmas Morning Worship
Posted on December 20th, 2011
On Christmas morning, December 25, the Elisabeth Class will host a Christmas breakfast from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Please RSVP the church office (392-5041) if you are planning to come to the breakfast.
After the breakfast, our Christmas Morning Worship Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary.
There will be no Sunday School classes held on Christmas morning.
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An Advent Prayer
Posted on December 1st, 2011
Pastor’s Column published in The Informer (FBC Newsletter for December 2011)
As Thanksgiving recedes into the past, once again we are coming upon the season of Advent. No sooner as the dishes are washed and the leftovers packed into the refrigerator, we are getting out the Christmas decorations for our annual house makeover. In fact, as I’m writing this column, Beth and the kids are setting up the Christmas tree, putting up the nativity scene onto our mantel, unpacking the ornaments and carefully putting them onto the tree. (And while I did help a little with the Christmas tree, writing a newsletter column is one way to get out of doing all that work!)
During this season of Advent, Christians are admonished to prepare for the coming of Jesus by slowing and quieting down our hectic and boisterous lives, by releasing our worries and concerns, and by counting the blessings in our lives instead of obsessing over the things that we lack. But I must confess, it is hard for me to slow down when our social and even church calendars fill up with events. It is easy to worry about whether end-of-the year contributions will cover our expenses at the church. I grieve for those who have lost loved ones this year, and for whom Christmas will forever be different. In the midst of all these distractions and burdens, how are we to prepare for the coming of Jesus?
Thankfully, I ran across this prayer for Henri Nouwen. This will be my prayer for myself and for you during this Advent season. May it give voice to our desire for this season, and may God hear and honor this prayer and make it a reality in our lives, not only for this Advent season, but for the year to come.
Advent Prayer
by Henri Nouwen
Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness,
send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness,
yet seeking the light. To you we say,
“Come Lord Jesus!”
Amen.
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175th Anniversary Interview Results
Posted on November 28th, 2011
During the weeks leading up to our 175th anniversary celebration, Jay Lynn, Executive Director of Creative Change Consulting, conducted interviews among all age groups within our congregation to celebrate and acknowledge what God is doing here at Farmville Baptist. (These interviews were videotaped, and portions of interviews were included in our anniversary video.) Congregants were asked a series of questions, and below are a visual depiction (called “word clouds”) of the most popular answers. In these word clouds, the bigger the words, the more often they appeared as an answer to the questions that Jay asked. Read the rest of this entry »
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Our Anniversary Year
Posted on November 3rd, 2011
Pastor’s Column, published in The Informer (FBC Newsletter for November 2011)
What a wonderful anniversary celebration we had on Sunday, October 16! It was so good to have former pastor Les Giles and his wife Joanna, former associate pastor Charles Miller and former music director Pam McDermott in our midst. We also appreciated Dennis Myers of the Southside Baptist Association, Don Campbell of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board and Jennifer Clore of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship for coming and issuing words of greeting and congratulations from their respective organizations. Many friends and former members of the church were also present for the celebration. And finally, we were honored to have several local pastors who came during our luncheon to offer well-wishes from their respective congregations.
The anniversary celebration could not have taken place without the investment of time, talents and work of many church volunteers. While I won’t be able to name every single person who helped out, I want to thank these folks: Peggy Cave, Nancy Vick, Becky Kelly and Ceile Dunlap for our history booklet. Jay Lynn & Thea Cheuk for assisting in the video, and for all who agreed to be interviewed. Jim Davis, Kevin Dunn and others who helped clean our building. Sandy Yeatts, Mary Jo Chassey, Peggy Cave, Anita Lynn and Mc Amoss and all our choirs for their wonderful music during our worship service. Gene Watson and the Stewardship Committee for sending out invitation letters to our members, former members and out-of-town friends of Farmville Baptist. Cindy Cave and the publicity taskforce for designing our banner and T-shirts, and for publicizing our celebration in local media outlets. Penny Huskey, Joyce Davis, George Carter and others from the Social Committee for planning and organizing the breakfast and the wonderful luncheon, for decorating the fellowship hall, getting the pumpkins and putting up the tents. For everyone who brought food to the pot-luck luncheon and cleaned up after the celebration. And finally, for Lucille Holman, for taking care of our children in the nursery these last twenty-eight years! For a recap and pictures of our anniversary celebration, please visit this page.
While we had a wonderful day on October 16, I would like for us to continue to celebrate our 175th anniversary throughout this year! To that end, we will invite former pastors and staff members to return sometime this year to visit the church. Rev. Chet Smith, who pastored FBC from 1976-1980, will be our guest preacher Sunday November 10. Chet is currently serving as Interim Pastor of Tar Wallet Baptist Church in Cumberland, and I’m looking forward to his preaching ministry with us that day.
Let us also use our anniversary year to look toward our future. Jay Lynn will continue to interview the congregation to help us discern our vision and mission. You will hear more about this in the coming months. Let us continue to thank God for Farmville Baptist as we celebrate this anniversary year to worship God, grow together and serve others into the future!
Michael
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175th Anniversary Recap
Posted on October 21st, 2011
On Sunday, October 16, 2011, Farmville Baptist Church celebrated it’s 175th Anniversary.
The morning began with a fellowship breakfast in the Fellowship Hall.
Then we had a wonderful anniversary celebration service at 11 a.m. The sanctuary was filled almost to capacity (click on picture to download a bigger version).
The service was filled with special music. The Sanctuary and Children’s Choirs sang “We Are the Children of Promise.” Lori Davis returned to sing the solo “The King of Love My Shepherd Is.” Peggy Cave (Founder and Choir Director, 1971-1979) directed our bell choir during the Offertory. And Pam McDermott (Former Music Director, 1999-2002) directed our Sanctuary Choir in singing “O Breath of God” as our Choral Benediction.
Pastor Michael Cheuk preached a sermon titled “Raising Our Ebenezer” (click here to listen to the sermon).
Special guests in attendance included:
Rev. Les Giles (former Pastor, 1970-1975) and his wife Joanne.
Rev. Charles Miller (former Associate Pastor, 1986-1988)
Evelyn McCluney, (former Office Manager, 1986-2007)
Pam McDermott (former Music Director, 1999-2002)
Dennis Myers, representing the Southside Baptist Association
Rev. Don Campbell, representing the Virginia Baptist Mission Board
Jennifer Clore, representing the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, national and state
After the service, the congregation enjoyed a pot-luck luncheon organized by Penny Huskey and our Social Committee. The food over overflowing and Linda Saxtan decorated an amazing Farmville Baptist cake. Everyone had a great time eating in the Fellowship Hall and outside under a couple of tents. The weather could not have been better . . . sunny and in the mid 70′s.
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Thank You! . . . You’re Welcome!
Posted on October 2nd, 2011
Pastor’s Column, published in The Informer (FBC Newsletter for October 2011)
As our 175th anniversary rapidly approaches, there’s an excitement in the air. Like a family that is preparing to host a big party, many members of Farmville Baptist have worked and are working hard to ensure that October 16 will be a special and meaningful day.
Peggy Cave, Nancy Vick, Becky Kelly and Ceile Dunlap have completed our history booklet.
By the time you read this, all of our Pictorial Directory portraits will have been taken by Daniel and Melissa McLemore of High Bridge Photography.
Jay Lynn, Executive Director of Creative Change Consulting, is completing the first round of video interviews to identify our strengths and gifts.
Jim Davis, Kevin Dunn and others have volunteered their time to clean our building.
Sandy Yeatts, Mary Jo Chassey, Peggy Cave, Anita Lynn and Mc Amoss are preparing wonderful music for our worship service.
Gene Watson and the Stewardship Committee have sent out invitation letters to our members, former members and out-of-town friends of Farmville Baptist.
Cindy Cave and the publicity taskforce designed our banner and T-shirts, and will publicize our celebration in local media outlets.
Penny Huskey and the Social Committee are organizing a luncheon that would make a die-hard Baptist proud!
To all of these people and many more unnamed, I want to say a hearty “Thank You!” for their contributions to our anniversary celebration.
In addition to the “Thank You’s,” let us also say, “You’re welcome!”
We welcome Jane Schirmer, who joined the church on September 18.
We welcome Matt Fuller, who is coming on board as our youth ministry intern.
We welcome the comments of those who participated in the interviews.
We welcome former pastors and staff members like Dr. Jason Thrower and his family; Rev. Leslie H. Giles and his wife Joanne; Pam McDermott and her family, and Rev. Charles K. Miller and Evelyn McCluney.
We welcome former members and out-of-town friends.
We welcome pastors of local churches who will come to our luncheon to express their congratulations and well-wishes.
We welcome the opportunity to embrace our history and reconnect with those who played a very important part in the life of Farmville Baptist.
But most of all, we welcome the Spirit of God, whose presence will be felt in a mighty way, and whose power will lead us forward in the months and years to come!
Let the celebration begin! Michael
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Adopt-a-Student Dinner
Posted on September 25th, 2011
Over eighty people attended our adopt-a-student dinner this evening, as over thirty students were adopted by members of Farmville Baptist. Everyone enjoyed a wide variety of food provided by the families. Many thanks to Patsy Watson and the College Committee for organizing this fun-filled event!
Fore more pictures . . . Read the rest of this entry »
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Remembering . . . Celebrating . . . Dreaming
Posted on September 2nd, 2011
Pastor’s Column, published in The Informer (FBC Newsletter for September 2011)
Our 175th Anniversary Celebration is a month and a half away, and preparations for this momentous occasion in the life of our church are well underway! I am so grateful for the many members who are working diligently to ensure that October 16 is a special day. As we approach this important milestone, it is a wonderful opportunity for us as a church to remember the past, to celebrate the present, and to dream about the future.
One way that we are remembering the past is the publication of a history booklet that will serve as an addendum to the history book that was published for our sesquicentennial in 1986. Many thanks to Peggy Cave, Becky Kelly, Nancy Vick, and Ceile Dunlap for their work on this booklet!
Another way that we will be remembering the past and celebrating the present is through a series of interviews that Jay Lynn will facilitate among various groups within the church. In these videotaped interviews, participants will be asked these questions pertaining to our past:
1) What brought you to FBC?
2) What were your initial impressions? What made you decide to stay?
3) Share a personal story about FBC that is especially meaningful to you.
Also, the following questions will be asked pertaining to our present:
4) What three words would you use to describe FBC to an outsider?
5) What three words would describe the things that are important to us?
6) What are some things/ministries we do well at FBC? What resources are we blessed with as a church?
I hope you’ll begin to consider these questions as a way to identify the ways that God has worked and is working in the life of Farmville Baptist. I encourage you to participate in these interviews so that your thoughts, responses and stories will be recorded for posterity. Portions of these interviews will be shown at our reunion luncheon after worship on October 16.
Finally, our anniversary shouldn’t just be about our past or the present. Ideally, it will also launch us into the future. Therefore, we will celebrate 2012 as our “175th Anniversary Year” in which special events will be planned for us to dream, discern and discover the future that God has for us. It will be a great year, and I hope that you’ll be a part of this exciting journey!
Blessings, Michael
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