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Volume XLX, No. 8
July 25, 2013
Dr. David Elks Celebrates 5 Years at FBC
On July 1, 2013, Dr. David Elks celebrated his
fifth anniversary as pastor of our congregation.
His anniversary was acknowledged at Family
Night at Prayer on Wednesday, July 10, with a
presentation by Drina Hedgpeth, Chair of
Deacons, and Rev. Tim Little, Minister of Music
and Senior Adults.
While in conversation with the Pastor Search
Committee prior to his call, when asked about his
passion for mission and ministry, Dr. Elks shared
that he felt specifically called to connect people
to Christ and connect people to one another. This
calling has been an obvious focus in his fruitful
service during the past five years.
Dr. Elks has connected us with Christ by challenging us to deepen our faith
through fostering spiritual disciplines and ministering to the local community
and the world beyond. Through thoughtfully crafted and masterfully
delivered sermons, we have been invited to celebrate God’s holiness and
respond to God’s Spirit speaking to us. Dr. Elks has helped us explore indepth the disciplines of our faith through Companions in Christ groups and
Bible Study, and he guided us to establish a relationship with Christian
brothers and sisters in India, resulting in a mission trip and ongoing
relationship. Dr. Elks shepherded our congregation through an extensive
Visioning process, the results of which are now in implementation, as well as
a successful search for a full-time Minister to Children.
While helping us draw closer to Christ, Dr. Elks has also inspired us to draw
closer to others. During the past five years, he has encouraged our members
to get to know one another better through fellowship and through activities
such as the church-wide softball game with the Friends of Jesus Class. This
past March, Dr. Elks and First Baptist Lumberton hosted the 2013
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina General Assembly,
welcoming over 800 like-minded Baptist friends from throughout the state.
With Dr. Elks’ encouragement, we began hosting Community Café for the
hungry in our community and began seeing the opportunities for outreach
and ministry in our Early Childhood Ministry. And Dr. Elks has been our
friend and loved us well, leading us to celebrate and share the significant
moments in the life of our congregation - - - baptisms, new births,
baccalaureate, calls to ministry - - - as well as care for members of our
congregation and community experiencing loss, grief, and other crises.
Dr. Elks, as well as the Elks family - - - Sandra, Kayla, and Megan - - - are an
integral part of the life of our congregation and community, and we thank
them for saying “yes” to God’s leadership in their lives five years ago,
opening their lives and hearts to ministry among us. We congratulate Dr. Elks
on this special milestone anniversary and look forward to the next phase of
our journey together.
A couple of weeks ago I
mentioned a CBF initiative
entitled Together for Hope.
This program is a twenty year commitment
CBF has made to work in some of the
poorest counties in our country. You may
remember that a few years ago groups from
our church went to Helena, Arkansas to
participate in a Together for Hope project
and found the experience very rewarding. I
believe it is time for us to go again, only
this time I am proposing that we set our
sights on Perry County, Alabama. I have
not been to Perry County, but I have been
impressed with the people I have talked to
who are Sowing Seeds of Hope, in
conjunction with Together for Hope. This
ministry is working to help people help
themselves in meeting their educational
and housing needs.
I do not have a lot of details at this point,
but I am putting together a mission trip for
this fall to Perry County to help with a
home building project entitled “Self Help
Builds.” Tentative dates for the trip are
October 5-12. The project is, as the name
suggests, an opportunity for people to help
build their own home. We would be going
to offer a helping hand to family who is
doing their best to have a home they can
enjoy and be proud of for years to come. A
second purpose of the trip is to identify
other possible needs (such as working with
children, etc.) so we can organize another
trip next spring. I will be announcing the
details as I get them and I encourage you to
consider coming along.
I have one other reason for putting this trip
together and it speaks to the commonly
held statement that “missions begins at
home.” Missions does begin at home, but
it doesn’t stay home. In some cases it
travels so it can learn how to better serve at
home. I believe we will learn a few things
about how we can better serve our
community by going and learning from
others who are working Together for Hope.
Peace,
David
“The opposite of love is not hate,
it’s indifference.”
—Elie Wiesel
Children’s Corner
This past month, I had the pleasure of taking two of our
children to Passportkids!, a mission-based camp that I
have been affiliated with since I was in college. The
girls had a blast meeting new friends, playing games,
learning about the Bible and missions, and participating
in creative worship experiences. I also had the honor of
serving as the guest pastor for this week of camp, as the
camp pastor had to go home for health reasons. It was a
crazy and exhausting week of camp, but I think all three
of us would agree that it was a wonderful experience!
The theme this year was, “Tag! You’re It!” and it helped
the children think about evangelism in terms of a game
of tag. In the classic game of tag, once you’re tagged,
you become It and have to tag other people. In the same
way, when God “tags” us with his love, we are not to
keep it to ourselves; we are to go and “tag” other people
with that same love! The children learned Bible stories
related to the theme and how important it is to share
God’s love through our words and actions, not just with
our friends or people that look or act like us, but with
everyone.
What would it look like if we took the same approach to
living out our faith? What would our community look
like? What would the world look like? There’s only one
way to find out…
Tag! You’re it! Go share the love and hope of Christ!
Erin
The Early Childhood
Ministry Honors
Amanda Britt!
On July 21st, Amanda Britt celebrated
20 years of service in our Early
Childhood Ministry. Amanda teaches
in our 3-year-old classes and is very
patient and loving with the children.
We are excited to celebrate this milestone with Amanda
and proud to have her as part of our team. She was
presented a monetary service award.
There is a bit of truth to that. From working
with teenagers I have seen more lives turned
around from those who were hostile to our faith coming
into our group than from those who just don’t care.
Apathy, not doubt, is the ultimate challenge to faith.
I am quite aware that most of you care deeply about our
future not only as a church but also as The Church.
Knowing that, let me again challenge you to remain
active in the lives of young adults who have journeyed
through our doors and are now off at college. Last month,
I shared how much it means to our collegians to remain
connected to our church, and then shared it again on
Wednesday night in the fellowship hall. I have shared
how we need just 6-7 new people to agree to be a prayer
partner and encourager for this year’s class of incoming
freshmen. So far, the plea has been met with silence.
This month, our Sunday School Director and I discussed
the need for a young adult class aimed at mid-20s to mid30s. Young people, couples or singles, who don’t feel at
home either in our older classes or in our college aged
class need a place to call home. It would take a
tremendous amount of effort and dedication on someone’s
part to teach that class. I understand if no one feels that
call, but if you do-please let us know!
What I have a harder time understanding is when more
people don’t answer the call to pray for and encourage
college students by sending a few cards or letters. Some
of you have even sent care packages, which they love (but
isn’t a requirement). To those 12-15 of you and the
Sunday School class who already helps, thank you!
Would you please consider “adopting” one more if no one
steps up?
To everyone else, please don’t think you never get asked
to do anything. If you are reading this, I’m asking. Call,
e-mail, text, or Facebook the church office or me if you
are willing. If not, will you consider “adopting” from
another age group- homebound? Poor health? Military?
They all need love and prayers. Please care.
Doug
Youth Fall
Congratulations, Amanda!
Church Directory Portrait Sessions
Portrait Sessions will take place at First Baptist
October 1-5 & October 9-12
Your opportunity to sign up is coming soon.
Watch First Baptist News for more information.
Kick-off
August 25, 2013
at the home of
Allison Harrington
5211 Flynn Dr.
More details to come!
Often people tell me they long for a simpler
time. They long for a simpler way of life which
is more like the life they experienced when they
were children. I admit that there are times when I fall into the category of those
who would like things to be more like they were when I was a child. Most of us
have fond memories of our childhoods. Life didn’t move as quickly. There
always seemed to be plenty of help for any occasion and there was always
something good to eat at gatherings. Most people comment that there wasn’t a lot
of money but there was a lot of happiness.
Hot Topic
I recall as a child many happy evenings listening to my grandfather talk about his
childhood. Often I went to sleep hearing stories from the early 1900’s and some
that he recalled his grandparents telling him from the Civil War era. But as I grew
older, I realized that my grandfather usually ended those conversations by telling
me how great things were when he was younger.
I think part of our love for the past has to do with the fact that someone older than
us was taking care of details so that we could enjoy life. Parents, uncles, aunts,
grandparents and friends worked together to make sure that the next generation had
a better opportunity than they did.
Paul makes a statement in I Corinthians 13 regarding how his thinking changed as
he grew and matured. He said that when he became an adult that he put childish
things behind him, that he took on responsibility.
I don’t think it is a bad thing to remember our childhood fondly, or to have a
longing for a time when things were simpler. But in doing so, remember your
responsibility to the children who are a part of your life. Most of you had
committed adults who led in church so that you could learn about the love of Christ
through word and deed. So as you’re thinking about the wonderful past, also think
of ways you can help to make the present wonderful for our children. Then they
can grow up and remember how wonderful things were when they were children.
But more importantly, they can grow in the love of Christ to be the people that God
intends for them to be.
Tim
“WATER U Doing?” Music Day Camp
August 5-9, 2013
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Music, Bible Stories, Crafts Games, and
Mission Projects for children in 1st-6th Grade
(completed). Cost: $55!—includes all activities,
lunches, snacks and a t-shirt!
“Water” you waiting for?
Come by the church office to sign-up!
WELCOME BACK WEDNESDAY!
Family Night Supper Menus
August 2013
August 7
Spaghetti, String Beans,
Texas Toast, Salad,
Pumpkin or Lemon Pie (Sugar-free)
August 14
Barbecue Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes,
Fried Okra, Rolls,
Brownies (Sugar-free)
August 21
Hamburger Steak, Rice & Gravy,
Butter Beans, Biscuits, Salad,
Apple Pie (Sugar-free)
August 28
Barbecue, Slaw, French Fries,
Baked Beans, Hushpuppies,
Salad, Cherry Pie (Sugar-free)
Baptist Women’s
Luncheon—August 5
11:45 a.m.
in the Activity Building
Our speaker will be Ray
Cockrell, from the Boys & Girls
Home at Lake Waccamaw, NC
The Glen Flora Group will
meet at 11:00 a.m.
Memorial Gifts
June 9-July 21, 2013
The Music Memorial Fund
In memory of Dewey Blanton given by:
Frances Cameron
The General Fund Memorial
In memory of Dewey Blanton given by:
Bob & Minnie Chewning
In honor of Sam Kinlaw given by:
Bobbie Britt & Bill Chism
August 28, 2013
in Cherry Fellowship Hall at 6:00 p.m.
Registration & Orientation for Handbells,
Children’s Choirs & Wednesday Night Live!
In memory of Paul Willoughby given
by: Mary H. Britt
In memory of Dr. John Cave given by:
Mary H. Britt
First Baptist Church of Lumberton, NC
P O Box 938
Lumberton, NC 28359 - 0938
(910) 739-4336
The FIRST BAPTIST NEWS (UPS 192-260)
published monthly by First Baptist Church,
602 N. Walnut Street, Lumberton, NC 28358
Periodical Postage Paid at Lumberton, NC
Welcome New Member!
Preparing for Sunday…Colossians 2:6-19
“Live Christ”
In our reading of Colossians over the past weeks we have noticed the reverence
Paul had for Christ. Paul was convinced, as are we, that Jesus was the image of
the invisible God in whom we can put our full trust. Paul was confident of
Christ and, as we will see in in this Sunday’s passage, he was also confident in
us, the church. Paul reminds us that we have come to fullness in him (Christ)
and are able to be bold witnesses of God’s redeeming love for all people. We
are therefore, not just living our lives. We are to Live Christ.
Save the Date! Operation: Inasmuch—September 28th!
STUFF THE BUS!
Ivey Wilkerson
Baptized: July 21, 2013
Help Communities in Schools provide school supplies for Robeson County students.
Collection Is Going on Now! Look for the Stuff the Bus Box in Cherry Fellowship Hall.
Items needed include:
For the Record 7/21/13
Needed per week ................... $16,480.77
Received 7/21/13....................... $8,610.38
Yearly need to date ...............$477,942.33
Received to date ........................$440,958.28
Over (Under) Budget.............($36,984.05)
Sunday School Attendance—203
CHURCH STAFF
Mrs. Nancy Bass —Financial Coordinator
Rev. Erin Collier—Minister to Children
Mrs. Wendy Doeller—Receptionist/Educational
Secretary
Dr. David Elks—Pastor
Mrs. Daphne Fletcher — Church Secretary
Ms. Dorothy Hunt—Building Superintendent
Rev. Tim Little—Minister of Music & Worship/
Senior Adults
Rev. Doug Reedy—Minister of Youth
Contact us at 739-4336 or
daphnefletcher@fbclumbertonnc.org
www.fbclumbertonnc.org
Notebook Paper
Composition Books
Pens
Pencils
Scissors
Colored Pencils
Glue
Kleenex
Disinfecting Wipes
Crayons
Erasers
Pencil Packs
Clear or Mesh Backpacks
Tax Deductible Donations will also be accepted at
Communities in Schools, 2006 N. Pine St., Lumberton.
Aug. 13—Painting Party—Noon to 5:00 p.m.
We’ll travel to Fayetteville and learn how to
paint a picture (and bring it home!)
$30 per child (includes lunch). Must sign up
with Erin (10 child minimum).