Update from Visioning Team Work
W
ith the Covenant and Co-Missioning of the Visioning Team on
February 1st, the Team was charged, “To craft an intentional
ministry with children and their families for First Baptist Church,
by developing their own ability to dream new dreams, by defining a
clear purpose for this intentional ministry, and by ironing out a plan
for regular activities and special events. In three months’ time, the
team will report their actionable recommendations to the church so
that we might all see a clearer path upon which we may walk together
for a thriving and intentional ministry to children and their families.”
The Visioning Team prepared for its work by completing two
guided devotions: Teaching our Children with scripture reading of
Deuteronomy 6:1-9 and Matthew 22:34-40; and A New Thing with
scripture reading of Isaiah 43:18-19 and Luke 9:28-37. These two
guided devotions asked team members to consider their faith and
life experiences as well as praying for God’s guidance in the task they
have been given.
The Team has met twice since then. We began the first
afternoon with an orientation meeting to get acquainted, review the
schedule and begin the process. The team shared with each other
about their work, church experiences and what brought them to First
Baptist Danville. From their sharing we found common threads in
their stories that include being invited to attend, a sense of belonging
and a sense of calling to be part of this faith community. The team
began dreaming about how to minister to children and their families
in the areas of ministry, facilities and community. Over the next two
months the team will spend time considering each of these areas and
what next steps to take. The Team is committed to their task and the
work before them.
You can be part of the Visioning process by joining the “PLAY”
which Angela shared in the January newsletter:
• Pray – Pray for our children, our workers, our team, our consultant, future workers and for more children.
• Lavish encouragement – Lavish encouragement on team members. Lavish encouragement on adults working with children. Lavish encouragement and love on our children.
• Assist – Assist team members when they need your opinion or feedback. Assist visitors to find appropriate classes. Assist by volunteering for nursery duty. Assist by saying, “I’m here to help. What needs to be done?”
• Yell – Yell it from the rooftops – or talk about it in the grocery store or in the neighborhood – tell people far and near about the good things happening at First Baptist Church. And invite them to come with you!
Children, children everywhere
And what a noise they make….
Ask God to show you who to invite to join you at church this Sunday.
Mary Langley
Barnabas Partnership
Spire
The
First Baptist Church
of Danville
Volume 74 • No. 2
Fenruary 24, 2015
Office: 434.793.8331
Fax: 434.793.3228
www.fbcdanville.com
[email protected]
March 1, 2015
Matthew 24:42-44; 1 Timothy 4:12-16; Galatians 3:25-28
“You Do as unto Me” by Dosso
—
March 8, 2015
Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” by Ferguson
—
March 15, 2015
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22; Ephesians 2:1-10
“O, My God, Bestow Thy Tender Mercy” by Pergolesi
—
March 22, 2015
Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 5:5-10
“In Love Christ Came Among Us” by Martin
—
March 29, 2015
Mark 11:1-11; Mark 14:1-15:47
“Hosanna” by Gregor
“Even the Heavens Are Weeping” by Martin
Spire Schedule
Please have any material that you wish to be
included in the next newsletter to the church
office by noon, Monday, March 16. You may
drop it off at the office or email it to office@
fbcdanville.com. The March edition of “The
Spire” is scheduled to be mailed on Tuesday,
March 24.
John Carroll, Pastor
Angela Zimmerman, Music Min./Assoc.Pastor
Ben Wright, Dir. of Youth Ministries
Debra Purvis, Financial Assistant
Tammy Vaughan, Admin. Assistant
Sherman Ransom, Sexton
Dot Walker, Housekeeper
News from the Corner of Chestnut & Main
Pastoral Ministries
y the time that you sit down to read this article,
we will likely be a full week into the church
season of Lent—that 40 day journey from Ash
Wednesday to Easter. However, even though it may
be post-launch for our Lenten sojourn, I believe it is
worth taking some time to ponder other 40 day and
40 year journeys that we know from Scripture.
Noah, his family, and pairs of all animals
endured 40 days and 40 nights of flooding rain in the
shelter of the ark. The Hebrew people wandered in the
wilderness for 40 years in between the fearful refusal
of one generation to enter the Promised Land and the
ultimate willingness of a new generation to do so. And
Jesus spent 40 days and nights in the wilderness being
tempted between his baptism and the beginning of
his ministry.
While each of these 40 time-period journeys
arise out of very unique circumstances, there is a
common thread that runs through them. The 40 day/
year time period is one of purification. During the flood,
the world was purified of the corruption that had occurred as
humanity continually forgot its rightful place, seeking to either
be God or be like the animal world under their care. During the
years in the wilderness, a whole generation opposed to God’s
desire and direction had to be lost so that God’s people could
move forward. And during Jesus’ time in the wilderness, Jesus
had to face and overcome what would be his deepest temptations
so that he could come forth and begin his ministry to proclaim
release to the captive and good news to the poor.
That leads us to the second commonality of each of these
sojourns, the purification happens so that new life might be
given or discovered on the other side of it all. God makes a
new covenant with Noah and humanity begins to flourish again
under the sign of the rainbow. The Hebrew people finally enter
the land that had been promised to their ancestors. And Jesus
brings life to the hurting and the oppressed through his teaching
and miracles and ministry.
This is the model for our own Lenten journeys. This isn’t
simply a time to give up chocolate, TV, or coffee, this is an
opportunity to intentionally surrender ourselves to God so
that we might be purified of those things that prevent us from
experiencing life abundant and free. It is an opportunity to
purposefully walk alongside Jesus as he sets his face toward
Jerusalem, surrendering himself to the will of God, journeying
into the heart of human darkness and sin and taking up the
cross until he bursts forth by the power of God in the glory of
resurrection life, new creation.
May our Lenten journeys lead us to new life abundant and
free, even as they take us through the valley of surrender and
purification for the sake of our Lord and his Kingdom. Amen.
[email protected] • Cell Phone – 336.880.3576
I
like snow. I waited and
watched for the snow to begin all day yesterday. When it
did start I watched out of the office window enjoying the snow filling the air. I also noticed the snow
gathering on the window sill. Those were the tiniest little
flakes I think I have ever seen. I was very worried that
those little flakes wouldn’t amount to much, but, to my
delight, we have over three inches of the white stuff on
our deck.
I was so amazed at the smallness of the snowflakes
that I was inspired to write my newsletter article about
snow. I expected it to be all about how those insignificant bits of snow could work together to make a white
blanket for the ground and how we could work together
to do more than any of us could do by ourselves. That
truth holds. We should work together to accomplish
amazing things!
This morning I found a comfy seat by the window,
turned on the computer, and prepared to write. I looked out the
window expecting to see pristine snow beautifully covering the
ground. I was too late. The neighborhood kids had already been
enjoying the snow. You could tell. There was the packed down,
smooth area on the sidewalk, just the width of the sled. There
were the many footprints at the sledding adventure waiting area.
Some scooped out places look just the right size for snow ball material. No pristine, untrampled snow scene for me.
All those footprints made me think. These children are
playing and having fun. Their intent was not to leave an impression in the snow. But they did.
Just as their playing had an impact and left a mark in the
snow, our actions also leave a mark. I haven’t thought about it in
a while, but every step I take, whether I intend it to or not, makes
an impression. The places I go, the words I speak, the attitudes I
exhibit, all leave their mark.
I wish I could impart wisdom that would let us all know
how to leave only wonderful, positive marks in the world, but I
can’t. Some days, I wish there was a way to go through the day and
erase the marks I made, but there isn’t. I will use the footprints in
the snow today to help me to be mindful of the marks I leave. My
prayer is that the footprints I leave will mark the path to God.
Music Ministries
B
[email protected]
Cell Phone – 336.212.3213
Staff ANNIVERSARies
We are fortunate to be able to celebrate Debra Purvis’ 12
years of service to our church. She began work here on
March 5, 2003. Be sure to thank her for her wonderful and
faithful service. We are all grateful to have her!
Page 2
News from the Corner of Chestnut & Main
D
Youth Ministries
uring June of my senior year of high school, I attended
a week long summer camp with my Youth group from
College Park Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, NC. We
spent Monday through Friday at a small private conference
center at a beach in South Carolina. The week was composed of
small group Bible studies, large group worship services, personal
quite time, and fellowship opportunities. This type of camp had
been a regular part of my summers during senior high and I
hadn’t anticipated that summer to be much different from years
past. However, that summer, my Youth Pastor, Raymond, came to
me privately after one evening’s worship service and asked me if I
would be interested in leading the evening devotional the following
night. I still don’t know what compelled me to do so, but I agreed.
I had grown up in the church, was the grandson of a respected
preacher and dedicated pastor, had gone to many different camps
and on various mission trips, I was even the president of my high
school Christian club, but I had yet to ever really speak about my
faith openly and thoughtfully and surely not in front of a group. Up until
that point I hadn’t been given an opportunity.
The following night, I found myself sitting, Bible in hand, on a small,
black barstool in front of sixty or so of my peers and the handful of adult
chaperones present. I begin briefly talking about what the Bible meant to
me before reading and giving my reflection on Psalm 40; a passage I found
particularly meaningful at the time. After, Raymond came up to me and
said, “That was really good. You have a gift. Keep it up.” That opportunity
and affirmation planted a seed that has and is continuing to grow into the
minister I currently understand myself to be.
March 1st is Youth Sunday at First Baptist. This morning’s worship
service has been designed, created, and will be delivered by the Youth of our
church. In addition to leading prayers, reciting scripture, and performing
musical selections, three of the students will be presenting short scripture
reflections that they have crafted themselves. Each chose a topic from his
or her life that enthuses them. They then, with minimal guidance, found
a partner text that in someway echoes the chosen topic. From there each
student used the material gathered to construct a reflection that speaks truth
to all hearers present. I invite you to attend this special worship experience
on the first Sunday in March. After, go up to a Youth member and let them
know your thoughts on the service. God knows what seeds you may sow.
DEACON “ON-CALL” LIST: march
Elizabeth Compton (Home) 434.799.0865
Karen Harris
(Home) 434.792.1792
John Holshouser
Ray Robinson
(Home) 434.685.3778
(Cell) 434.228.3350
(Cell) 434.489.4046
(Cell) 434.316.3129
(Cell) 434.250.9015
First Reflections:
GOD’S PERFECT PEACE
M
y good friend, Paul Greer, underwent triple-by-pass
surgery a couple of years ago. He told me he prayed
with the doctors before surgery and when he came out from
the anesthesia he felt God’s perfect peace. Although he was
in the hospital for nineteen days, he was at peace and knew
he was in God’s hands and on God’s timeline.
I was diagnosed with low grade non-invasive bladder
cancer in 2007. After elevation to high grade non-invasive
and many different treatments in 2012, I was back to low
grade non-invasive. I was satisfied to stay there despite my
doctor’s recommendation to remove the bladder.
Another good friend, Gary Roach, was diagnosed with
bladder cancer after I was. I saw the opportunity to encourage him, however he informed me his cancer had become
invasive. A while later, he and his wife called Sandra to wish
her a happy birthday, and shared the information that he was
going into the hospital on the 28th of that month for an operation that only gave him a 30% chance of survival.
Before I called him back to offer words of encouragement, he called me on a Tuesday night and convinced me I
was making the wrong decision in not removing the bladder.
On Wednesday, Gary died of a massive heart attack. I believe
the Lord had him to call me to make the right decision, and
then took him to our heavenly home in order that he would
not have to suffer the indignity of having a surgery he could
not survive. Needless to say, I called the doctor to tell him I
had changed my mind and the operation was scheduled.
I prayed and still pray for God’s perfect peace to help
me get through the battles I have been waging. When you
ask me how I am doing and I say great, wonderful, or any
other adjective I may use, I know it is true. I am in God’s
hands and on his timeline, so all is GREAT! I truly experience God’s perfect peace.
Sincerely,
Tom Warren
lThank You l
Dear Friends,
Your thoughtfulness and care for us when we
were both hospitalized and recovering at home were
sincerely appreciated. Your prayers, phone calls and
cards helped us through another difficult time. Thank
you so much.
Thanks, too, to John for coming to see us in the
hospital. Not many wanted to brave that environment.
We are so blessed to have friends like you.
Sincerely,
Betty and Stokes Daniels
Page 3
Sharing the Love & Life of Christ
Sanctuary Flowers
——————————————

S u nda y N urs e ry M i ni s t ries
March 1
March 1 – Sunday School/Worship: Mollie Duren
March 8 – Sunday School/Worship: John & Karen Holshouser
March 15 – Sunday School/ Worship: Heather & Hannah Vipperman
March 22 – Sunday School/ Worship: Karen Tuck
March 29 – Sunday School/ Worship: Jane Gilbert
March 8
————— W e d n e s d a y N i g h t S u p p e r —————
March 15
March 4
Cook: Dot Walker
Host: Jimmy Flippen
Serve/Clean: Covenant and
Roundtable classes
March 18
Cook: Dot Walker
Hostess: Suzanne Inlow
Serve/Clean: Philathea Class
and Leadership Council
March 11
Cook: Dot Walker
Hostess: Karen Harris
Serve/Clean: Friendship Class
March 25
Cook: Dot Walker
Hostess: Carolyn Stinson
Serve/Clean: New Beginnings
Class and Deacons
The sanctuary flowers are given in loving memory of Laura
Lassiter by Dr. Max Lassiter and family.
The sanctuary flowers are given to the glory of God in honor
of Elijah Davis’ 9th birthday on March 8 by his grandparents,
Kathy and George Davis.
This date is available to place flowers in the sanctuary. Please
contact Eleanor Crumley at 836.0905 if interested.
March 22
The sanctuary flowers are given in loving memory of Jean Meyer
by Dr. John Meyer and family.
March 29
This date is available to place flowers in the sanctuary. Please
contact Eleanor Crumley at 836.0905 if interested.
From the Missions Committee
O
ur Annual Missions Offering is well underway. At the
time of this writing, we have no early totals to report,
but you will see the progress every Sunday at Worship as
the candles are lit on the altar. To recap briefly, the theme
this year is “Seeds of Today, Hope for Tomorrow.” Our
generosity to this offering will provide hope and resources
for our mission partners and the people they serve.
Our goal for the offering is $12,000, which will mean
$2,000 each for God’s Storehouse, Grace & Main Fellowship,
House of Hope, Good News Jail and Prison Ministry, Lude
Labieville (Haitian student at Averett), and Marc & Kim
Wyatt, CBF Field Personnel in the Raleigh area. We will
once again have the “change pots” out, so feel free to empty
your change purse or get rid of some old dollar bills for this
more than worthy cause.
You have already heard from Joshua Hearne and Mark
and Kim Wyatt. Join us for the next two Wednesday night
suppers and hear from representatives of the other four
Mission Partners.
Thanks in advance for your help in making our goal
for the 2015 FBC Missions Offering.
Kathy Davis, Chair
FBC Missions Committee
The Breakfast Club Schedule
First Sunday: Second Sunday: Third Sunday: Fourth Sunday: Fifth Sunday: Ed and Jane Pratt, Rodney Reese, Bill Rigney
Mollie Duren, Virginia Garmon,
John/Janice Gilstrap, Bruce Hopson,
Mark Mills, Dave Slayton
Jane Gilbert, Randy Richardson,
Rodney Reese, Karen Tuck, Sherry Turner
Harold Brinkley, Jimmy Flippen,
Neda Haymore, Sherry Turner
Jimmy Flippen, Virginia Garmon,
Neda Haymore, Jim Livingston
Men’s Prayer Breakfast
O
n the first Tuesday, March 3, and the third Tuesday, March
17, the men of the church are invited to a Bible study and
prayer time held in the parlor at 7:30 a.m. You may bring your
own breakfast or order a biscuit from Biscuitville through the
church office prior to Tuesday. Coffee and juice are provided. John
Carroll will be our devotional leader. Join us before going to your
other activities of the day to pray for our church, our members,
our city, and our country. Mark your calendar for MPB on the 1st
and 3rd Tuesday each month.
Our Stewardship
Year-to-Date Revenue (January 31, 2015) $31,516.50
Year-to-Date Expenses $34,408.16
Revenue Received (Under) Expenses
($ 2,891.66)
Page 4
Non-profit
Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Danville, VA 24541
PERMIT NO. 78
First Events
Special Events____________________
Sunday, March 1
11:45 a.m.............................. Youth Luncheon
5:30 p.m............................... Habitat for Humanity
Duo Amabile Concert (at FBC)
Tuesday, March 3
7:30 a.m................................ Men’s Prayer Breakfast
(in parlor)
871 Main Street
Danville, VA 24541
Return Service Requested
Saturday, March 7
9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m............ Community Garden Prep Day
Tuesday, March 10
7:00 p.m............................... Leadership Council Meeting
Wednesday, March 11
10:30 a.m.............................. Library Committee Meeting
6:30-8:30 p.m....................... Children’s Visioning
Team Meeting
Friday, March 13
7:00-10:00 p.m.................... Youth Game Tournament
Monday, March 16
12:00 p.m............................. Spire Information Due
(for April)
Tuesday, March 17
7:30 a.m................................ Men’s Prayer Breakfast
(in parlor)
7:00 p.m............................... Deacons’ Meeting
Wednesday, March 18
11:00 a.m.............................. Staff Meeting
Sunday, March 22
4:00-6:00 p.m....................... Children’s Visioning
Team Meeting
Sunday, March 29
3:00-8:00 p.m....................... Youth Easter Party
(meet at FBC)
4:00-6:00 p.m....................... Children’s Visioning
Team Meeting
Monday, March 30
12:00 p.m............................. Holy Week Service
at First Presbyterian Church
Tuesday, March 31
12:00 p.m............................. Holy Week Service
at First Presbyterian Church
Regular Weekly Events
(unless contradicted
by special events)
Sundays
7:00-7:30 a.m. ......... Breakfast Club
9:15 a.m.................... Prayer Time
9:30-10:20 a.m......... Sunday School
10:30-11:30 a.m....... Worship 4:00-6:00 p.m........... Youth Group
Mondays
7:00 p.m......................Starmont Swing Band
Tuesdays
3:30 – 5:00 p.m..........Tutoring
5:30 – 7:00 p.m..........Handbells
7:00 p.m......................Boy Scouts
Wednesdays
5:30-6:00 p.m..............Supper is served
5:30-7:00 p.m..............Childcare (infants to 4 years old)
6:00-6:40 p.m.............Faith Steps/Children’s Music
6:00-7:00 p.m.............Youth Group
6:15 p.m......................Bible Study
6:40-7:15 p.m.............Preschool Music/Faith Builders
7:15 p.m......................Church Choir
Thursdays
3:30 – 5:00 p.m..........Tutoring
Ministers Contact Information
John Carroll • [email protected] • (336) 880.3576
Angela Zimmerman • [email protected] • (336) 212.3213