February 2009
FBC Informer – February 2009
Table of Contents
Pastor’s Column
Announcements
Thank You
Calendar
Worshipping God
Growing Together
Serving Others
“Spiritual Transformation Journey” Update
After worship on Sunday, January 11, close to thirty people attended our “spiritual transformation journey” meeting with Bill Moore. At the meeting, Bill shared with the group what the journey was all about: a process that fosters a transformation of our lifestyles so that we as individuals and as a church will walk closer with Christ and live into the preferred future that God has for us. It is a future that includes a deeper walk of faith and a closer sense of belonging among our members so that we can better be the presence of Christ here in Farmville.
Bill briefly told us how this journey begins. After the church formally decides to embark on this journey, the congregation will choose among our membership seven spiritually mature individuals who are positive and passionate about the church. This group will form a leadership team that will work closely with me in this journey. During the next 16 months, this leadership team will go on three retreats (joining leadership teams from three other churches) to receive training and coaching on how to lead our congregation into a season of prayer, a season of congregational discernment of God’s vision and call, and a season of writing down the “future story” of Farmville Baptist based on the collective input of all members who participate in this journey.
We have scheduled a called church business meeting on February 15 to vote formally to undertake this journey. I pray that you will support this endeavor. I’m excited about what God has in store for us!
In another matter, Amanda Johnston resigned from her position on January 7. Let us keep Amanda and John in our thoughts and prayers as they go through a challenging time of transition and change. I want to thank them both for their service and ministry to Farmville Baptist, and I wish God’s blessings upon them as they seek God’s direction and call for their lives in the weeks and months to come.
Yours in Christ, Michael
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Letter of Resignation from Rev. Amanda Johnston
January 7, 2009
Dear Members of Farmville Baptist Church,
I have resigned from my position as Associate Pastor of Farmville Baptist Church. This has been a time of great growth and ministry opportunities for me. However, after much prayerful consideration, I find that it is time for me to pursue other opportunities in the ministry.
I pray that God will bless this congregation as you endeavor to serve our Lord Jesus Christ within the community and beyond.
Blessings, Amanda Johnston
IMPORTANT MESSAGE about The Informer!
Starting next month, we will stop mailing The Informer, our church’s newsletter, to everyone on our newsletter mailing list. Instead, we will send out a monthly email with a link to the section of our website that contains the newsletter. If you want to receive that electronic notification, please email the church office (office [at] farmvillebaptist.org) your preferred email address. If you do not have internet access, or if you would like to continue receiving the newsletter by postal mail, please inform the church office (434 392-5041).
We are trying this method of delivering our newsletter as a way to save on the cost of paper, printing and postage. Thank you for your understanding and patience as we transition to this new system.
“Souper Bowl” of Caring – Sunday, Feb. 1
Our youth will collect a monetary donation to FACES, our local food pantry, immediately after the worship service on Sunday, Feb. 1. Please come to worship prepared to support this cause!
Called Church Business Meeting, Sun., Feb. 15, 9:45 a.m.
The church will vote to begin the “Spiritual Transformation Journey” and to approve recommendations from the Nominating Committee.
Ash Wednesday Service
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs forty days before Easter (excluding Sundays). Ash Wednesday gets its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of the faithful as a sign of repentance and as a reminder of our mortality.
This year, we will have our Ash Wednesday service on Wednesday, February 25 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, immediately after our Wednesday Night Soup Supper. We invite you all to this worship service on February 25.
Decision for Christ and Baptism
On Sunday, January 25, Caitlin Daly came forward at the end of the service to request membership by believer’s baptism. Caitlin lives at 100-F Poplar Forest Rd., 23901, and she will be baptized on March 1.
In Memoriam
Nellie Baker Johnson – October 19, 1919 to January 14, 2009
THANK YOU
John and I would like to thank the youth, their parents, and all the other individuals who gave a love offering to us this Christmas. Your generous gifts touched us both deeply. You have brought light into our lives.
John and Amanda Johnston
*******
Thank you dear church members for cards, phone calls, prayers, and loving thoughts for our family during Mell’s illness and death.
Bless you all, Catherine & Janet Estes
*******
I would like to thank the Farmville Baptist Church family for the prayers, and cards after my accident. I am better because of prayer and the Grace of God. Please continue to pray. I am about 75% well. Thanks.
Billy Sanderson
CALENDAR
Upcoming Church Events
February 1
Souper Bowl Fundraiser Soup Lunch, 12 noon
February 2
Music & Worship Committee Mtg., 5:30 p.m.
February 5
Children’s Committee, 5:30 p.m.
February 14
Seniors’ Valentine Dinner, 5:00 p.m.
February 15
Called Church Business Mtg., 9:45 a.m.
February 16
Newsletter Articles Due
Church Office Closed; Preschool Closed
February 21
Lion’s Club Youth Competition
February 25
Ash Wednesday Service, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday Night Activities Resume
February 28
Children’s Bowling, 1:00 p.m.
SAVE THESE DATES for Vacation Bible School!
Our Vacation Bible School will take place June 14-18, 6 to 8 p.m. Our theme this year is “Crocodile Dock.” If you can help, please contact VBS Director Crystal Cupp, 392-4678, cryscupp [at] aol.com.
WORSHIPPING GOD
February Worship Services
February 1
“The Power of Jesus’ Teaching” – Mark 1:21-28
February 8
“By All Means, Share the Gospel” – 1 Corinthians 9:16-23
February 15
“Walk the Talk, Run the Race” – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
February 22
“The Mysterious Glory of God” – Transfiguration Sunday, Mark 9:2-9
February 25
Ash Wednesday Service – 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall
Sunday Schedule for Children’s Church Workers
February 1
Toddlers/Cribs:…….. Sandy & Matt Covington
Toddlers:………….. Lucille Holman
Children’s Worship:…. Carter Family
February 8
Toddlers/Cribs:…….. B. A. & Emmalee Klein
Toddlers:………….. Lucille Holman
Children’s Worship:…. Volunteers Needed
February 15
Toddlers/Cribs:……… Volunteer Needed
Toddlers:…………… Lucille Holman
Children’s Missions:…. Edith Ann & Katherine Austin
February 22
Toddlers/Cribs:……… David Schmidt
Toddlers:…………… Lucille Holman
Children’s Worship:….. Farrah Schmidt
We need volunteers to serve both as regularly scheduled and as substitute workers to care for our young children during the Sunday worship service. Substitute workers will be called on only as needed; they will not be put on a regular schedule. Please contact Tammy Dunning (392-4990 or tammy [at] farmvillebaptist.org) to sign up.
Jeaninne Milne to Preach on February 8
Jeannine Milne, a member of Farmville Baptist and a graduate student at Longwood University, will be our preacher on Sunday, February 8. Jeaninne recently has been sensing a call to attend seminary to prepare for congregational ministry. We invite you to attend this service to hear about Jeaninne’s journey and to support her in her call!
Ash Wednesday Service, February 25, 6:30 p.m.
On Wednesday Feb. 25, at 6:30 p.m., we will have our Ash Wednesday service in the Fellowship Hall. During the service, ashes from palms used last year for Palm Sunday will be imposed on our foreheads as a way to acknowledge our sin and our need for God’s salvation.
Community-Wide Wednesday Noon Lenten Services
The Farmville Area Ministerial Association invites you to attend their community-wide Wednesday Lenten Services at 12 noon followed by a free soup lunch at 12:30 p.m. The following is a schedule of churches hosting these services.
Wed., March 4 – Farmville Presbyterian
Wed., March 11 – Farmville United Methodist
Wed., March 18 – Beulah African Methodist Episcopal
Wed., March 25 – Johns Memorial Episcopal
Wed., April 1 – St. Theresa Catholic
Good Friday Service, April 10 – Farmville Baptist
Read the Bible Through in 2009
We encourage our members to read the Bible through in 2009! A reading schedule for the Bible is available either through download or in the church office. The schedule may be viewed and downloaded at http://www.arcamax.com/ttb-yr.html.
GROWING TOGETHER
2008 Year-End Stewardship Report
Our year-end report shows a total income of $225,015.80 for the year 2008. On the expense side, our church spent $261,783.15. Our expense budget was $282,603. While we operated well under budget on our spending, we still had a deficit of about $36,000. A partial explanation for this can be explained by the loss of some faithful givers who passed away last year, and by the economic downturn in our region.
While the deficit is certainly a concern, we were still able to operate last year because Farmville Baptist is a very strong church financially. We have total liquid assets of $90,493.27 showing on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2008. However, we cannot continue to dip into our assets. We need to maintain and even grow our balance sheet so that we can secure the future needs of the church and our service to Christ.
While we are encouraged with the financial health of the church, it is very important that all of our members and faithful attendees maintain their giving and fulfill their pledges which were made last September. 2009 will be an exciting year as we experience growth in many areas of our church with visitors coming, new members joining, and college students worshipping and serving in many ways. We truly are blessed as God has been good to us all. May we return to God a generous share of what we have received through his Grace and Love.
Your Servant in Christ,
Chuck Daniel, Stewardship Chair
Help Needed With Our Children & Youth Ministries
During this time of ministerial staff transition, the Children and Youth Committees would appreciate anyone who would like to help plan, organize and lead children and youth events in the coming months. If you can help with our children, please contact Tammy Dunning (392-4990, tammy.dunning [at] gmail.com). Please contact Sandy Covington (392-1034, scovington [at] kinex.net) if you can help with our youth. Thank you very much!
Children’s Bowling Event, Feb. 28, 1:00 p.m.
Our children and their parents are invited to go bowling at Main St. Lanes (2006 S. Main St., 392-9916) on Saturday, Feb. 28. Meet at the bowling alley at 1 p.m., and bowl for one hour for $6. Shoe rental is included in the price. In order to qualify for this group rate, you must RSVP by Saturday, February 14, with Tammy Dunning (392-4990, tammy.dunning [at] gmail.com).
Youth “No Holds Barred” Meetings
Feb. 1 – Super Bowl Party, 6 p.m., at the Whileys, 204 Georgia St.
Feb. 8 – 6 to 7 p.m., at FBC
Feb. 15 – 6 to 7 p.m., at FBC
Feb. 22 – 6 to 7 p.m. at the Cheuks, 1685 Dodd St., 391-3616
Youth Super Bowl Party, 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.
All youth are invited to attend a Super Bowl Party on Feb. 1, 6:00 to 9:30 p.m., at the home of Jordan and Elizabeth Whiley, 204 Georgia St., 315-0160. Please bring snacks and drinks! Parents, please pick up your youth at 9:30 p.m. even if the game is not over. Thank you!
Children and Youth Passport Camps
The dates for Passport Kids! camp will be June 20-23, 2009 at Eagle Eyrie. Without fundraising, the cost of the camp is $230, and the camp is open to students who have completed grades 3 through 6.
The dates for our youth’s Passport camp will be July 19-24, 2009 at Wingate University, NC. Without fundraising, the camp costs $325, and is open to youth who have completed grades 6 through 12.
If you have already signed up and/or have paid your deposit, please contact the church office so that we can mail you more information. We can also accommodate a few more campers for both camps, so if you haven’t signed up yet, please contact the church office ASAP!
Senior Adult Valentine Dinner – Saturday, Feb. 14
On Saturday, February 14, at 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, all senior adults are invited to Farmville Baptist Church’s annual Valentine’s Dinner. Please RSVP with the church office by Wed., February 11.
Wednesday Night Dinner Resumes, February 25
COST: Adults & Children 12 and older – $5.00; Children 3 through 11 – $2.00; Children 2 & under – free. Family limit: $14.00.
February 25 – Brunswick Stew, Bread. Children’s menu: Same
Here is our Wednesday Night schedule for February 25:
5:45 to 6:30 Wednesday Night Supper
6:30 to 7:30 ASH WEDNESDAY Service
7:30 to 8:30 Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
Our full Wednesday night schedule will resume, March 4.
Lenten Bible Study Begins March 4, at 6:30 p.m.
During the season of Lent, Michael will lead a Wednesday night study called Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate. This eight-session study will begin on March 4 and will cover topics like unthankfulness, anxiety, pride, judgmentalism and jealousy. Participants are asked to contact the church office to purchase the required discussion guide for $9. The book can also be purchased for $11.
SERVING OTHERS
“Soup Lunch” Youth & Children’s Camp Fundraiser
On Sunday, February 1, we will have a “Soup Lunch” after worship. This will be a fundraiser to help our children and youth attend Passport camp this summer. Soup and bread will be served. We ask that you donate what you would normally spend for a lunch out at a restaurant to this cause. RSVP with the church office 392-5041 for the lunch by Friday, Jan. 30.
Volunteers Needed for February Services at Holly Manor
During the month of February, Farmville Baptist Church will be leading a worship service consisting of hymn singing, prayer and a short devotion each Sunday at Holly Manor from 10:00 to 10:35 a.m. We need volunteers to sign up to go with the following Sunday School classes that will be organizing and leading the worship services.
February 1
Elisabeth Class: contact Peggy Cave (392-4422)
February 8
Youth Class: contact Chuck Daniel (392-3488)
February 15
Median Adults: contact Ken Copeland (392-4765)
February 22
Ruth Class: contact Doris Weaver (392-8538)
Deacon Ministry Teams
Information about the following Deacon Ministry Teams is posted on our Deacon Ministry Teams bulletin board on the main floor of the church. If you’d like to join one or more of these teams, please contact team leaders for more information regarding each ministry team.
Senior Adult Ministry: led by Jack Davis and Bobby Huskey
Bereavement Ministry: led by Kathryn Copeland and Joyce Davis
Casserole Ministry: led by George Carter
Homebound Ministry: led by Drue Martin and Jack Davis
Guests and New Members Team: led by Chuck Daniel
The Jail Ministry Team invites you . . .
On the first Sunday of each month from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., a small team visits the Piedmont Regional Jail to lead the female inmates in a time of singing, devotion and prayer. It has often been said that we receive as much blessing as (or possibly more blessing than) the ladies to whom we are ministering. It requires no specialized talents, just an open and flexible spirit. Please contact Anita Lynn, 391-3751, for more information and to participate.
BIRTHDAYS
February 1
Fran Hill
February 3
Bob Agee IV
Carter Chassey
February 5
Howard Ferguson
February 6
Sandy Yeatts
February 9
Abby Glascock
February 10
Ceile Dunlap
February 11
Alesha Jackson
John Powers
Charles Rosser
February 13
Victoria Wilson
February 14
Carol Noel
February 21
Tricia Wingo
February 23
Phyllis Yeatts
February 24
Terri Wilson
February 25
Lenwood Jackson
February 27
Emily Agee
February 28
Aileen Crowder