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FBC Informer – February 2010

Table of Contents

Pastor’s Column

Announcements

• Ash Wednesday Service
• Listen to the New Testatment
• “Souper Bowl” of Caring – FACES
• FBC on Facebook

Thank You

Calendar

Worshipping God

• Worship Services
• Lenten Services
• Ash Wednesday Choir Rehearsal
• Sara Thompson to Preach
• 2010 Flower Calendar
• Children’s Choir Schedule
• Schedule for Children’s Church Workers

Growing Together

• Church Wide Pot Luck Lunch
• Stewardship Report
• Offering Envelopes Ready for Pickup
• Office Closed President’s Day
• National Geographic Bee Winners
• Read the Bible in 2010
• Sunday Morning Bible Study Continues
• Prayer List Distribution
  
• Wednesday Night Prayer Group
• Passport Camp Soup Lunch Fundraiser
• Ice Skating Party For All Ages
  
• Youth Meeting Schedule
• Youth Super Bowl Party
• Senior Adult Valentine Dinner
• New Prayer Groups Forming
  

Serving Others

• Jail Ministry
• Volunteers Needed for Holly Manor Services
  
• F.A.C.E.S.
• Food Pantry Donations
• “Reclaiming Our Lives Ministry”
  

Birthdays

PASTOR’S COLUMN

A Journey to Reclaim God’s Power to Be Christ’s Church

Over the Christmas holidays, I started reading a provocative and challenging book by Alan Hirsh called The Forgotten Ways. One of the central arguments of the book is that most modern, western Christian churches have forgotten the power that lies hidden at the very heart of God’s people, a power that propelled the Christian movement to grow from as few as 25,000 Christians in 100 A.D. to up to 20,000,000 Christians by 310 A.D.  During this time, Christianity was an illegal religion.  Christians did not have any “church buildings” or scriptures as we know them.  Nor did they have a professional form of leadership, or seeker-sensitive services, youth groups, worship bands, or seminaries.  And they actually made it hard to join the church, requiring converts to undergo a long initiation period before they were accepted into the church!

So how did the early church grow at such a phenomenal rate in the midst of these unfavorable conditions?  Hirsh argues that because of these harsh conditions, early Christians were forced to rely not on the things modern Christians usually rely on, like centralized structures, professional clergy, buildings, or programs to spread the good news.  Rather, the early Christians were forced to rely on being true to the gospel based on their passionate love of Christ, prayer, radical discipleship, and risk-taking mission.

Last Sunday, as we kicked off our prayer groups, I truly believe that these groups are our attempt to awaken that dormant potential that is in every one of us to tap into the power of the Holy Spirit. We seek God to show us how we can live out lives of radical hospitality, passionate worship, intentional faith development, risk taking mission, and extravagant generosity.

I want to invite you to participate in this exciting venture!  I’m asking you to rely less on me and more on the Holy Spirit to give you a vision for our future!   One way to do that is to join one of the following prayer groups that will be meeting in the coming weeks.  It’s not too late to join and participate!

Sunday mornings, starting Feb. 7, 9:30 to 11 am, every other Sunday.   Location: FBC office.  Facilitator: John Slade, 392-5382.

Sunday mornings, starting Jan. 31, 9:30 to 10:30 am, every other Sunday.  Location: FBC.  Facilitator: Elizabeth Whiley, 315-0160.

Sunday afternoons, starting Jan. 31, 4 to 5 pm, every other Sunday.   Location: 1100 4th Ave. Ext.  Facilitator: Doris Weaver, 392-8538.

Monday evenings, starting Jan. 25, 6 to 7 pm, every other Monday.  Location: FBC Fellowship Hall.  Facilitator: Ken Copeland, 392-4765.

Thursday evenings, starting Jan. 28, 6 to 7 pm, weekly.   Location: FBC Parlor.  Facilitator: Crystal Cupp, 392-4678.

Friday at noon, starting Feb. 5, 12 to 1 pm, weekly.   Location: FBC Parlor.  Facilitator: Michael Cheuk, 391-3616.

May God bless our journey to reclaim God’s power to be Christ’s Church!

— Journeying on, Michael

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary, immediately after our Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting.

“You’ve Got the Time” to Listen to the New Testament

The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is partnering with “Faith Comes By Hearing” audio Bible ministry in providing free MP3 CDs to members of FBC so that each family (including children) can listen to a dramatized reading of the entire New Testament during the season of Lent.

We will have a special presentation about this audio Bible ministry during our worship service on February 7 and 14, in which we will distribute the free CDs.  Toward the end of Lent, we will collect an offering to support this ministry.

Visit the website: FaithComesByHearing.com for more information about the “Faith Comes By Hearing” audio Bible ministry.

“Souper Bowl” of Caring

Our youth will collect a monetary donation to FACES, our local food pantry, at the end of our worship service on Sunday, February 7.  Please come to worship with a little extra cash on hand to support this cause!

FBC is on Facebook

Farmville Baptist has a page on Facebook now!  Log onto your Facebook.com account and become a fan of “Farmville Baptist Church, Farmville, VA” by visiting this link:

http://facebook.com/pages/Farmville-VA/Farmville-Baptist-Church-Farmville-VA/113830845613

THANK YOU

We wish to extend our deep appreciation to the members of Farmville Baptist Church who sent food, flowers, cards and telephone calls through Buck’s illness and death.  The beautiful wreath and wonderful luncheon were such symbols of your love and support for us.  Thank you for your ourpouring of love and caring.  Your kindness and thoughtfulness helped to sustain us during this difficult time.  May God bless and keep each of you.

Goldie, Wayne & Wanda

* * * * *

Thank you for including prayers for my recovery and well-being following a series of falls that I suffered recently.

Ed Garnett

* * * * *

The family of Susan Barr acknowledges with grateful appreciation your kind expression of sympathy.

* * * * *

Dear friends in Christ,

I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation for your thoughts of kindness and prayers during this time of my life.

In God’s Love, Kristy Carter

* * * * *

On behalf of Reclaiming our Lives Ministries I would like to thank you and your congregation for allowing our ministry to provide programs in your fellowship hall.  I am truly grateful for your giving heart to be a blessing to our ministry and God’s people.  I look forward to the great things we will do together in 2010 as we partner to bring healing and wholeness to youth, individuals and families in our community.  May God continue to bless and keep you in His perfect peace.

Sincerely,  Minister Pamela LaRue

* * * * *

Beth and I want to thank the deacons for collecting such a generous love offering for our family during the Christmas season.  We are so blessed to be in this caring and thoughtful congregation.  Thank you for allowing me to be your pastor and I eagerly look forward to what God has in store for us in the year 2010!

Love,  Michael and Beth Cheuk

CALENDAR

January 31………………. Children’s Choir Sings, 11 am

…………………………….. Young Adult SS Mtg., 9:45 am

February 2……………… “Reclaiming Our Lives” Ministries, 6 pm

February 6……………… “Reclaiming Our Lives” Ministries, 4 pm

February 7……………… Holly Manor Service/Median Adults, 10 a.m.

…………………………….. Souper Bowl Camp Fundraiser, 12 pm

February 8……………… Mission & Outreach Committee Mtg., 5:45 pm

February 13……………. “Reclaiming Our Lives” Ministries, 12 to 2 pm

…………………………….. Seniors’ Valentine Dinner, 5 pm

February 14……………. Church Council Mtg., 8:30 am

…………………………….. Holly Manor Service/Youth Class, 10 am

February 15……………. President’s Day — Office Closed

…………………………….. Newsletter Articles Due

February 17……………. ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE, 6:30 pm

February 20……………. FACES Food Distribution, 7:30 am

…………………………….. Emmaus Team Mtg., 10 am

February 21……………. Holly Manor Service/Elisabeth Class, 10 am

…………………………….. Churchwide Potluck Lunch after Worship, 12 pm

February 24……………. Lenten Service/FUMC, 12 pm

February 27……………. Children’s Ice Skating, 11:45 am

February 28……………. Holly Manor Service/Ruth Class, 10 am

WORSHIPPING GOD

Farmville Baptist Worship Services in February

2/7/10        “Being the Church: Sent for Mission” – Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13)

2/14/10      “Being the Church: Unveiled for Glory” – 2 Cor. 3:12-4:2  Transfiguration & Communion Sunday

2/17/10      ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE – 6:30 p.m.  Sanctuary

2/21/10      “Believing and Confessing Christ” – Romans 10:8b-13

2/28/10      Sara Thompson to preach for Women in Ministry Sunday

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 Lenten services and luncheons.

Wed., February 24………………………… Farmville United Methodist

Wed., March 3……………………………… First Baptist

Wed., March 10……………………………. St. Theresa Catholic

Wed., March 17……………………………. Farmville Presbyterian

Wed., March 24……………………………. Johns Memorial Episcopal

Good Friday Service, April 2 ………….. Farmville Baptist

Ash Wednesday Choir Rehearsal Schedule

Normally, our Sanctuary Choir rehearses on Wednesday nights at 6:30 to 7:30 pm, followed by our Bell Choir, from 7:30 to 8:30 pm.  But on Wednesday, February 17, our Sanctuary Choir will rehearse after the Ash Wednesday service (around 7:15 pm) and the Bell Choir will not meet.

Sara Thompson to Preach, February 28

On February 28, Sara Thompson, one of our student interns, will preach in our Sunday morning service Feb, 28 in honor of Baptist Women in Ministry’s Month of Preaching.  Sara is a junior at Longwood University, majoring in English with a minor in French.  Sara ministers with our children and college students.

2010 Calendar for Flowers in Sunday Worship

The 2010 Flower Calendar is on the bulletin board across from the Sunday School office.  Please sign up for the coming year to put flowers in the church in memory/honor of a loved one.

Children’s Choir Rehearsal

Our Children’s Choir will begin rehearsing on the second and fourth Sunday evening of every month, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.  Children first through fifth grade are invited to participate.  Gail Cave will serve as the director for the choir.  The choir will meet on October 11, but on October 25, the children are invited to attend the Halloween Hayride from 3:30 to 5.30 p.m. at 952 Lockett Rd.

Sunday Schedule for Children’s Church Workers

February 7

Toddlers/Cribs:…………… Sandy & Matt Covington

Toddlers:…………………… Lucille Holman

Children’s Worship:…….. Carter family & Kevin Dunn

February 14

Toddlers/Cribs:…………… College Student & Erin Copeland

Toddlers:…………………… Lucille Holman

Children’s Worship:…….. Doris Weaver & Thea Cheuk

February 21

Toddlers/Cribs:…………… Charlotte Cave & Lindsey Davis

Toddlers:…………………… Lucille Holman

Children’s Missions:…….. Edith Ann & Katherine Austin

February 28

Toddlers/Cribs:…………… Chuck & Debbie Daniel

Toddlers:…………………… Lucille Holman

Children’s Worship:…….. Beth Cheuk & Tyler Mills

GROWING TOGETHER

Church-wide Pot-Luck after Worship

After the worship service on February 21, all are invited to a Fellowship Pot-Luck luncheon in the Fellowship Hall.  Bring a favorite dish to share!

Stewardship Report

Budget Needs through 12/31…………………………………….. $255,633.50

Budget Disbursements through 12/31………………………….. $213,547.93

Budget Receipts through 12/31………………………………….. $214,189.73

Offering Envelopes Available for Pick-Up

The offering envelopes for 2010 are available for pick-up on the pew in the hallway outside the church office.  Please pick up your box of envelopes to help us with our mailing costs.  And thank you for using your offering envelopes, which really helps Kathy in recording your contributions!

Office Closed for President’s Day

The office will be closed February 15 in observance of President’s Day.

Congratulations, National Geographic Bee Winners!

Three FBC youth won first place in the Prince Edward County Middle School National Geographic Bee.  Thea Cheuk won first for 6th grade, Russell Chassey won first for 7th grade and Sarah Dunning won first for 8th grade!  Congratulations to these three for their accomplishments!

Read the Bible Through in 2010

We encourage our members to read the Bible through in 2010!  A reading schedule for the Bible is available in this newsletter, in the church  office, or at http://www.arcamax.com/ttb-yr.html.

“Beatitudes” Sunday Morning Bible Study Continues

In February, Michael is continuing his Bible study series on the “Beatitude” from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, taken from Matthew 5:3-10.  Each Sunday, Michael will focus on one of the “blessed.”  Anyone currently not attending a Sunday School class is cordially invited to this study that will meet in the Fellowship Hall from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m., January 10 to February 28.

Prayer List Distribution

The church office will be sending a weekly email with our full Prayer Concerns list to church members.  The list, along with a supply of prayer cards, will also be printed out for our adult Sunday School classes so they may either send cards or add individuals to the list.  If you wish to add someone, please email or call the church office, 392-5041.  Please include the person’s name, mailing address and the reason for them being put on the list.  Also provide updates on that person’s progress.  If there is not an update for an individual after a four-week period, we will remove that person from the list.

Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting

Join us for our Wednesday night prayer meeting for adults in the Fellowship Hall, from 6 to 6:30 p.m.  Peggy Cave will lead a brief scriptural meditation followed by updates on those who are on our prayer list.

Passport Camp Soup Lunch Fundraiser, February 7

On Sunday, February 7, we will have a fundraiser luncheon 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, February 5.

Ice Skating Party for ALL Ages, February 27

The Children’s Committee is sponsoring an ice-skating party – but there is no age limit and no child required! We’ll depart at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27 from the church parking lot.  The skating session is 1-3 p.m. at LaHaye Ice Center in Lynchburg.  After skating, we’ll head to Cici’s Pizza for an early dinner.  Skating fees:  $5/person to skate and $3/person for skate rental;  Pizza Buffet: approximately $5/person.  Feel free to meet us at the skating rink if you don’t wish to caravan.  If you want to go but will need a ride, please RSVP to Patti Trent (pftrent@embarqmail.com)

Youth Schedule For February

February 7……… Super Bowl Party—Whileys, 6 to 9:30 pm

February 14……. No Holds Barred @ FBC, 6:00 p.m.

February 21……. No Holds Barred @ Lindsey Davis, 8660 Five Forks Road, Pamplin, 223-4413, 6:00 p.m.

February 28……. No Holds Barred @ FBC, 6:00 p.m.

Youth Super Bowl Party, February 7, 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.

All youth are invited to attend a Super Bowl Party on Feb. 7, 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!

Senior Adult Valentine Dinner, Saturday, Feb. 13

On Saturday, February 13, 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 10.

New Prayer Groups to Form

We are beginning to start new prayer groups as part of our Spiritual Transformation Journey!  Past participants in our prayer triplets and any other persons who would like to join a group consisting of 4-6 members are invited to join a group.  Each member is required to purchase a prayer and devotional book called Cultivating Fruitfulness for $7.  If you are interested in participating in a prayer group, please contact Michael Cheuk or the church office (392-5041) to sign up.

Here are the tentative meeting times of some of the prayer groups:

Sunday mornings, starting Feb. 7, 9:30 to 11 am, every other Sunday.  Location: FBC office.  Facilitator: John Slade, 392-5382.

Sunday mornings, starting Jan. 31, 9:30 to 10:30 am, every other Sunday.  Location: FBC.  Facilitator: Elizabeth Whiley, 315-0160.

Sunday afternoons, starting Jan. 31, 4 to 5 pm, every other Sunday.  Location: 1100 4th Ave. Ext.  Facilitator: Doris Weaver, 392-8538.

Monday evenings, starting Jan. 25, 6 to 7 pm, every other Monday.  Location: FBC Fellowship Hall.  Facilitator: Ken Copeland, 392-4765.

Thursday evenings, starting Jan. 28, 6 to 7 pm, weekly.  Location: FBC Parlor.  Facilitator: Crystal Cupp, 392-4678.

Friday at noon, starting Feb. 5, 12 to 1 pm, weekly.  Location: FBC Parlor.  Facilitator: Michael Cheuk, 391-3616.

SERVING OTHERS

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.  Please contact Anita Lynn, 391-3751, for more information and to participate.

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.

Feb. 7 ……………… Median Adults: contact Ken Copeland (392-4765)

Feb. 14 ……………. Youth Class: contact Chuck Daniel (392-3488)

Feb. 21 ……………. Elisabeth Class: contact Clinton Vick (392-8359)

Feb. 28 ……………. Ruth Class: contact Doris Weaver (392-8538)

FACES Food Distribution, February 20

On Saturday, February 20, 7:30 to 11 a.m., Farmville Baptist Church will be volunteering at FACES, our local food pantry.  Youth, adults, and families with children are invited to serve our community.  Meet at the church at 7:20 a.m. and walk over to FACES together, or go at 9:30 a.m. to be the “second shift.” FACES is located at 416 N. South Street.

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.  In 2009, we provided twenty-eight local families with fifty-seven bags of food.  Donations can be left outside the pantry door in the basement.

“Reclaiming Our Lives Ministry” Meetings

“Reclaiming Our Lives Ministries” is a ministry headed by Minister Pamela LaRue to empower youth and adults to walk in their God-given purpose through biblical instruction, spiritual enrichment programs, and relational and practical life skills development.  In 2010, this ministry will use our fellowship hall three times a month.  Contact Minister LaRue (223-7815) if you would like to participate in this ministry.

BIRTHDAYS

February 1

Fran Hill

February 3

Bob Agee, IV

Carter Chassey

February 5

Howard Ferguson

February 6

Suzanne Towler

Sandy Yeatts

February 9

Abby Glascock

February 10

Ceile Dunlap

Sara Thompson

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