July 2009
Click informer-2009-07 for pdf version of this newsletter.
FBC Informer – July 2009
Table of Contents
Pastor’s Column
Announcements
Thank You
Congratulations
Calendar
Worshipping God
Growing Together
Serving Others
“Let the Children Come to Me”
Jesus said: “Let the little children come to me . . . for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs” (Mark 10:14). These past several weeks, I had two experiences that reminded me of these words from Jesus and just how special it is to be a part of the faith development of our children.
First, I had the privilege of helping out with Vacation Bible School During VBS, it was heartwarming to see the excitement on the faces of the children and to hear them shout “Fear Not!” and sing songs with joy and abandon. I am so grateful to Crystal Cupp and Sandy East for their outstanding job in directing VBS this year. We are also so fortunate to have so many adult and youth volunteers who offered their time and talents to show our VBS campers the love of Jesus.
After our week of VBS, I then had the opportunity to chaperone five of our children to Passport Kids! camp at Eagle Eyrie Conference Center in Lynchburg, VA. The camp theme for this year is “HEROES.” Each day, we learned one characteristic of a true hero in Christ:
H – hope (1 Timothy 4:10)
E – encouragement (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
R – responsibility (Mark 2:1-12)
O – obedience (John 14:15)
The campers also learned about India and the various ministries that missionaries are undertaking in that country. On day two, campers actually made recycled paper out of old newspapers for use in a “moveable school” in India. That night, the camp was transformed into an Indian Market so that campers could learn more about India’s culture, food, sports, and religions. On the third night, everyone enjoyed a “variety show”/”superhero” ball. Our group performed a skit and a song, and that was a big hit. Every day, the kids also had a “camper’s choice” rotation, choosing among crafts, sports, drama and worship leadership, etc. It was a great experience! Our only regret was that one of our would-be campers got sick and couldn’t come with us.
Our children are a treasure to us at Farmville Baptist Church. I thank God for them and for their parents who bring them to church to learn more about God. I also thank God for all the adults in the church who lavish their love on our children by teaching Sunday School, volunteering for extended session, leading children’s church, organizing children’s activities, directing and accompanying them in choir, supporting their activities financially, and all the countless other ways that are seldom noticed. May God continue to bless our children and bless those who welcome and honor their presence in our midst!
- Michael
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Church Business Meeting, Sunday, July 19, 9:45 a.m.
There will be a Church Business Meeting on July 19 in the sanctuary. A Book of Reports will be ready for pick up on Sunday, July 12. Committee chairs are asked to turn in their reports by July 2.
Ice Cream Social
Wednesday, July 29, 6:30 p.m. in the Church Fellowship Hall
Bring your favorite ice cream.
Invite your friends!
Church Office News for July 3-10
The church office will be closed on Friday, July 3 in observance of the July 4th holiday. During the week of July 6 through 9, the church office will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as Michael and Kathy are both on vacation. The church office will also be closed on Friday, July 10.
CBF General Assembly Meeting
On June 29, Michael and family will be driving to Houston, Texas to attend the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly meeting on July 1 to 3. The theme for the assembly this year is Embrace the World: Welcome to Your Neighborhood. Participants will learn how to be the presence of Christ in today’s world, a world in which we’re all connected, a world where Christ’s compassion extends to our neighbors down the street and around the world, a world where we are changed as God changes lives through us, and a world where we can make a world of difference.
“Prayer Triplets” Have Launched!
On Sunday, May 17 and May 24, we officially launched our prayer triplets! The following individuals have covenanted to meet 10 times over the next 100 days to pray and share with each other for 100 minutes per meeting. May God bless these prayer triplets and speak to the hearts and minds of these participants.
1. Mc Amoss, Sandy East, Doris Weaver
2. Peggy Cave, Beth Cheuk, Eloise Tucker
3. George Carter, Michael Cheuk, Anita Lynn
4. Mary Jo Chassey, Jim Davis, Elizabeth Whiley
5. Kathryn Copeland, Deborah Slade, Patsy Watson
6. Ken Copeland, Chuck Daniel, Ruth Patteson
7. Crystal Cupp, Farrah Schmidt, Gene Watson
8. Joyce Davis, Laurie Mills, Sarah Hobgood
9. Don Kyper, Drue Martin, Melanie Smalley
10. John Slade, Tim Trent, Cecil Yeatts
Vacation Bible School
We want to thank everyone for making Crocodile Dock Vacation Bible School a great success! We had an average of 50 children each night and we all went “down to the bayou.” Each night was a new adventure and each exciting activity taught us all something new about the Lord! A very special thanks goes out to each volunteer who made the week go smoothly and positively. Margaret Stombock set the atmosphere of our bayou adventure with a beautiful mural that got many compliments throughout the week. Anita Lynn was our bayou MC and directed each night’s festivities for the opening and closing with the help of Skeeter (better known as Carter Chassey) providing lots of laughs. Gail and Sarah Cave rocked the bayou with Music while Elizabeth and Sandy Covington ran the delicious Bayou Snack Shack next door. Kim Davis and Laurie Mills created awesome crafts while Chuck Daniel and Patti Trent transformed the parlor into a Bible Study adventure. Ken Copeland and Don Kyper made recreation on the bayou exciting and fun! Sarah Hobgood, Lindsey Davis, Charlotte Cave, Liz Chassey, Janet Moore, Peggy Cave, Anita Lynn, Erin Copeland, John Copeland, and Doris Weaver (along with other fill-ins and helpers including Kelly Dudley, Cindy Landrum, and Alesha Jackson) led our bayou crews with spirit to each adventure. Beth Cheuk and Kathryn Copeland (with Edith Ann Austin as an extra hand) did an awesome job providing memorable experiences for the preschoolers. Michael Cheuk provided laughs and memories by documenting each night’s activities with pictures in a slide show of smiles and friends. A special thank you also goes out to the Ruth Sunday School class for your donation and your prayers and support throughout the week. We know there are many unnamed individuals who donated money and decorations as well. Without each of you and your special talents and gifts, we would not have been able to touch the lives of so many children and adults!
Also, we decided to focus on a local mission to combat hunger in our area by accepting donations for FACES food distribution. We collected approximately 70 food items and $141.00 for FACES. Way to go Farmville Baptist and guests!!
Again, thank you to each and every person who gave his/her time, talents, and contributions to help with VBS. You all were truly on a mission for Christ and the mission was successfully completed! With love and support like this, we know that Farmville Baptist has nothing to fear…God is with us!! FEAR NOT! (our motto for the week)
Sincerely, Crystal Cupp and Sandy East
THANK YOU
It is a real joy to be a part of a group of fellow christians that reacted like you did upon learning of my hospitalization. I am doing great. Thank you for the outpouring of love and caring. May God continue to bless us all.
- Shirley Hartley
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Our Graduates!
Sarah Noel graduated from Longwood with a B.A. in History, and a minor in Anthropology.
Elizabeth Noel graduated from VCU with a B.A. in Asian Studies and Religious Studies.
Fuqua Middle School Awards
Congratulations to Tara Bauer on receiving the Anna McGovern Scholarship of $1,000 for having the highest academic records at Fuqua Middle School! Tara also won awards in the Science Fair, in National Physical Fitness, and a recognition from Johns Hopkins University. Tara and Lindsey Davis received the President’s Award for Academic Excellence. Lindsey and Emmalee Klein received the Presidential Physical Fitness Award. Finally, Jewel Moore won an award for 6th Grade Spelling Bee and a Keyboarding Award for the highest number of words a minute.
Cumberland Teacher of the Year
Toby Towler, who teaches fifth grade social studies at Cumberland Elementary School, was the recent recipient of the Cumberland County School Division’s 2008-2009 Teacher of the Year Award. Congratulations, Toby!
Birth Announcement
Congratulations goes out to Cecil and Phyllis Yeatts upon the arrival of their first great-grandson, Graydon Samuel Stanley, born June 9.
CALENDAR
July 1-3……………………….. Michael – CBF General Assembly, Houston, TX
July 4-July 18……………….. Michael on Vacation
July 5………………………….. Ken Copeland to preach
………………………………….. No Holds Barred, 6 pm
July 3………………………….. Office Closed-Observance of July 4 Holiday
July 6-July 10……………… Kathy on Vacation
July 7………………………….. Missions & Outreach Committee Meeting, 5:45 pm
July 8-11……………………… Uni-Diversity Youth Camp
July 11………………………… Youth Hiking Trip to Mt. Pleasant, 8:00 am
July 11-14……………………. Uni-Diversity Mission Project
July 12………………………… Vic Ramsey to preach
July 13………………………… Stewardship Committee Meeting, 5:30 pm
………………………………….. Youth Camp Orientation Meeting, 6 pm
July 19-24……………………. Passport Youth Camp/Wingate Univ., Wingate, NC
July 19………………………… Laity Sunday
………………………………….. Church Business Meeting, 9:45 am
July 20………………………… Newsletter Articles Due
July 26………………………… No Holds Barred, 6 pm, Caves
July 29………………………… Ice Cream Social, 6:30 pm, Fellowship Hall
WORSHIPPING GOD
Worship Services in July
7/5 “Traveling Light” - Mark 6:1-13, Ken Copeland
7/12 “A Journey with Jesus: Evangelism with Integrity” - Mark 1:16-20, Rev. Vic Ramsey
7/19 Laity Sunday
7/26 “God’s Abundant Presence” – John 6:1-21
Summer Sanctuary Choir Schedule
During the months of June, July and August, the Sanctuary Choir will rehearse on Wednesday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Childcare is provided. We invite anyone who would like to sing to join the choir during these months!
We Welcome Reverend Vic Ramsey
We welcome Rev. Vic Ramsey to our pulpit on Sunday, July 12. Rev. Ramsey is the pastor of Moyock Baptist Church, Moyock, NC, and his church’s youth group is participating in the Uni-Diversity Missions Project here in Farmville on July 11-14.
Summer Sanctuary Choir Schedule
During the months of June, July and August, the Sanctuary Choir will rehearse on Wednesday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Childcare is provided. We invite anyone who would like to sing to join the choir during these months!
Sunday Schedule for Children’s Church Workers
July 5
Toddlers/Cribs:……………… Katrina Dunn
Toddlers:……………………… Lucille Holman
Children’s Worship:……….. Patti Trent
July 12
Toddlers/Cribs:……………… Karen & Allison Newman
Toddlers:……………………… Lucille Holman
Children’s Worship:……….. Lisa Tharpe
July 19
Toddlers/Cribs:……………… Carrie Browning
Toddlers:……………………… Lucille Holman
Children’s Missions:……….. Edith Ann & Katherine Austin
July 26
Toddlers/Cribs:……………… Elizabeth Whiley
Toddlers:……………………… Lucille Holman
Children’s Worship:……….. Beth Cheuk
GROWING TOGETHER
Stewardship Report
Budget Needs through June 25………………………………. $124,265.42
Budget Disbursements through June 25…………………… $ 98,527.97
Budget Receipts through June 25………………………….. . $ 96,919.29
Youth Meetings & Activities
July 11-14 Uni-Diversity Missions Project
July 12 Youth Camp Final Orientation Mtg., 6 p.m. @ FBC
July 18 FACES Food Distribution, 7:45 a.m.
July 26 Youth Camp Celebration Party, 6 p.m. @ Caves, 1415 Sheppards Road, 392-1744
Youth Hiking Trip, July 11
Rick Chassey will be leading our youth on a hike up Mt. Pleasant on Saturday, July 11. The group will leave FBC at 8:00 a.m., and will return home around 5 p.m.
Everyone will need to pack a lunch, at least one quart of water, sunscreen, bug repellent and a windbreaker/rain jacket in case of a thunderstorm. Bringing a little bit of toilet paper and hand sanitizer is also advisable. Good, broken-in shoes are necessary–either hiking boots or running shoes. NO flipflops, sandals, Keds type sneakers, etc.
RSVP with Rick Chassey (223-7481) if you plan to go on the hike.
Update: Here’s a report with pictures of the hike.
Passport Youth Camp Orientation Meeting, July 12
On Sunday, July 12 at 6:00 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall, there will be a final orientation/information meeting for all Passport youth campers. All medical release forms and final payments are due on that date.
Passport Youth Camp, July 12-24
On July 19-24, Carter & Liz Chassey, Matt Covington, John Copeland, Sarah & Charlotte Cave, Lindsey Davis, Kati Ellett, Carter Gantt, Allison Newman, Whitney Southall, and Tabitha Tatum will be attending Passport Choices Youth Camp at Wingate University, in Wingate, NC. Please pray for them and for their chaperones, Jordan Whiley, Kim Davis and Julie Gaines, as they travel and attend the camp.
Wednesday Night Activities
We will take a break from our Wednesday Night Activities during the months of June, July and August.
Kings Dominion Coupons
We have King Dominion coupons good for a $15 discount off the Regular General Admission Ticket that is valid on any public operating day in 2009. Good for six admissions. If interested, come to the office to pick up a coupon.
Women’s Divorce/Separation Support Group
Several women from our congregation who have experienced divorce or separation are meeting every other Saturday morning to support one another. If you are interested in joining this group, please contact Michael Cheuk.
FARMVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH PRESCHOOL
Our morning preschool program for children ages 2 ½ – 5 years old is currently accepting applications for the positions of:
Director of Preschool (Part time)
2-Day Teacher (Part time)
We are seeking individuals with the following qualifications:
1. Faithful Christian
2. Four-year degree in Early Childhood Education or comparable experience
3. Strengths: nurturing and encouraging young children
4. Director would need excellent administrative and communication skills
Interested persons should submit a resume including three (3) references to:
Farmville Baptist Church
Attention: Chair, Preschool Advisory Committee
132 North Main Street
Farmville, VA 23901
For more information, please call 434-392-5041, or visit:
http://www.farmvillebaptist.org/preschool/.
SERVING OTHERS
Food Pantry Donations
Our emergency food pantry is running low. We especially need peanut butter, jelly, crackers, cereal, canned vegetables, soups, canned meats, any kind of non-refrigerated microwaveable meals. Since, May 11, we have provided six local families with twelve bags of food. Donations can be left outside the pantry door in the basement.
Help with FACES Food Distribution, July 18
On Saturday July 18, volunteers of all ages are needed at FACES from 8 to 10 a.m. to help with food distribution. Meet at the church at 7:45 a.m. and walk over to FACES located at 314 N. South St.
Local Missions Project, July 11-14
On July 11-14, over sixty Baptist youth from North and South Carolina will be in Farmville to engage in mission service projects in our community. We are looking for youth and adult volunteers to join this group in assisting in their projects. Specifically, here are some things you can do to participate:
- Adults and youth are encouraged to sign up to work on a service project, including painting our basement hallway and helping to stabilize the parsonage at Beulah AME church on 115 S. Main St.
- Help provide or assist with serving lunches to work crews.
- Suggest other project ideas that exist in our town.
For more information or to volunteer, please contact Penny Huskey (392-1050, pvhuskey1[at]embarqmail.com). Sign up sheets for lunch items will be posted on the Missions Bulletin Board.
MEALS ON WHEELS
Meals on Wheels is in need of volunteers to deliver meals during the summer. If you are interested contact Hoke Currie (392-8797) to serve as a substitute driver.
The Jail Ministry Team invites you . . .
On the first Sunday of each month at 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. This ministry requires no specialized talents, just an open and flexible spirit. Please contact Anita Lynn, 391-3751, for more information and to participate.
Help in the Ministries of the Church
We need church members to do the ministry of FBC. Please contact the church office (392-5041) if you’d like to serve on a committee.
http://www.farmvillebaptist.org/2009/04/serving-at-farmville-baptist/
BIRTHDAYS
July 4
Covington, Elizabeth
Womack, Estelle
July 5
Swanberg, Ann
July 6
Huskey, Marjorie
July 7
Lonvick, Ed
July 9
Harris, John
July 15
Southall, Janett
July 16
Druen, Phyllis
Mills, William
July 17
Schmidt, Hannah-Gray
July 21
Lynn, Samuel
Rickman, Shirley
July 22
Cave, Mark
July 25
Schmidt, Farrah
July 27
Rosser, Virginia
July 28
Davis, Lindsey
July 29
Cheuk, Wesley
July 31
Wilkerson, Mary