Back in the mid 80’s when I lived in Buies Creek, NC, our pastor included a written prayer as a bulletin insert. I kept it and still have it. I re-read it periodically to see if I can still pray it and mean it. It is entitled “Can You Pray This Prayer?” Those of you who were in the 8:30 worship service on February 19 heard this prayer when I concluded the sermon with it. I intended to include it in the 10:55 service also, but I must have been a little long winded and ran out of time. Several people from the early service have asked for copies of it. Evidently it was as meaningful to them as it was for me when I heard it years ago in Buies Creek, so I am printing it here. You might want to do what I did; cut it out, keep it, return to it often,

and ask, “Can I still pray this prayer and mean it? Dear God, You can change me any way You want to change me. You can take out of me whatever You want to remove. If there are some relationships with certain people that You want me to end because they are sinful, I am ready to end them. If there are some sinful pleasures of the flesh that I have become addicted to, I am ready to be released from them. If there are feelings of anger and envy and hate and lust within me, I am willing to let them go. If there are some relationships that are sour, I am willing to do whatever you want me to do to make them right. If there are attitudes that you want to change, I am willing for them to be changed. If there are some hurts that I have nursed for years, I am willing for them to be healed. If there are people I need to forgive I will forgive them. Dear God, all of my money and possessions are Yours.

You can send me wherever You want me to go, to do whatever You want me to do, to say whatever You want me to say, and to be whatever you want me to be. I will pick up whatever cross you ask me to carry. I am surrendered to Your will. Cleanse me, change me, and through Your Holy Spirit help me to be in Christ, and for Christ to be in me. Dear God, please fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Amen. Challenging, isn’t it? It should be. Following Christ, really following Christ, is a challenge and a daily decision. But as challenging and scary as the next step in obedience to God’s Spirit can be, we know that it is always best for us to yield to His Lordship in our lives. Praying this prayer, and meaning it, will keep us in His fold, following Him who will never leave us or forsake us. Happy praying! Phillip Dr. Phillip Reynolds, Senior Pastor

March 4 - 8:30 and 10:55am For The Living of These Days - Dealing with Crises Dr. Phillip Reynolds

March 11 - 8:30 and 10:55am For The Living of These Days - Dealing with Decisions Dr. Phillip Reynolds

March 18 - 8:30 and 10:55am For The Living of These Days - Dealing with Delay Dr. Phillip Reynolds

March 25 - 8:30 and 10:55am For The Living of These Days - Dealing with Limitations Dr. Phillip Reynolds

Wednesdays 6pm

Partners in the Gospel: A Study of Paul’s Letter to the Philippians Dr. Phillip Reynolds

SENIOR ADULTS Lazy5 Ranch Friday, March 16

Picnic Lunch at the Ranch (included) Take a ride through the park!

Cost: $7.50 per person Leave bus lot at 10:30am

Arrive back approx. 4:00pm Sign up with payment

in the office by March 12th.

THE NEW MEMBER OF OUR TEAM Please welcome Amanda Holland to our administrative staff. Amanda came on board to serve as the Assis-tant to the Minister of Education and Dis-cipleship on January 30th. Amanda brings a wealth of experience and gifts that will serve this church well. She has quickly become a great addition to the team. Amanda is currently pursuing the Master of Business Administration through Gardner-Webb University.

HOLY WEEK SERVICES Wednesday, April 4 Family Fellowship Meal

4:45pm in the Fellowship Hall Holy Week Family Communion Service

6:00pm in the Sanctuary

Sunday, April 8 Resurrection Sunday

Celebrating the Risen Christ 8:30 and 10:55am

MUSICAL NOTES The North Carolina Baptist Singers and

Orchestra at FBC It has been quite a while since the North Carolina Baptist Singers and Orchestra has performed in the western part of the state. On Monday, March 5, First Baptist will be hosting this group of over 100 Baptist musicians from across our state. They gather together only six times a year to rehearse all day and give a worship concert in the evening. The prelude begins at 6:45pm. The concert begins at 7:00pm and lasts about seventy-five minutes. These musicians travel at their own expense and give of their own personal time to make music together to the glory of God. Joining the Singers during the concert will be members from four area Baptist church choirs and our own children's choirs. This will be a glorious evening of musical worship. You will not want to miss it! In fact, bring your friends and neighbors to this great outreach opportunity. Arrive early as we anticipate a packed house. The sanctuary doors will open at 5:30pm.

New to our church family: As you see these NEW MEMBERS around FBC, be sure to welcome them to our family.

Andrew Meade Awaiting Baptism

WELCOMING TEAM The Welcome Committee is in need of volunteers! The committee is looking for volunteer's of all ages to welcome and invite guests as well as church members to Sunday worship services and Bible study. If you feel an interest in joining our "Welcoming Team", you will not only be helping First Baptist Church of Hickory, but also you will be sharing the Glory of our Heavenly Father. Please contact Amiee Stockton at 828-413-1054 or by email, astockton73@gmail.com.

Tommy & Peggy Nash Joined 2-19-12

Nathan & Adair Bowman Nathan is Awaiting Baptism &

Adair joined 2-19-12

I want to thank everyone (all 125 of you!) that gave me your "Sticky Faith" sticky note a few Sundays ago. You've taken the first step in partnering with our student ministry to help insure that our students’ faith will stick after they graduate. Over the next few months you will begin to hear more about this process and the many different areas that you can

contribute. On behalf of our students, their parents, and their future, we want to thank you again. If you want to purchase the Sticky Faith book, please visit the student ministry web page. FBC.cc/students - Chris Gillespie

CALLING ALL RACERS! RA Race - Wednesday, March 7, at 6:00pm in the fellowship hall.

Coming this summer... "Under Construction!" Preschool and Children's Day-Camp. Saturday, June 30, 10:00am - 3:00pm

VBS - 2012 OFFICIAL DATE July 23-27, 2:30 - 5:30pm This year's VBS will involve the children in a music camp experience that features Bible learning, crafts, recreation, worship, and lots of music! The week will end with a finale performance on Friday night for all!

EASTER EGG HUNT

Saturday, March 31, 11:00am-2:00pm At Brown-Penn

(behind Ridgeview Library) Volunteers needed to help grill hotdogs,

hide eggs, and be present with our CityKids children.

See Christy Greene to volunteer.

A Thursday off from school allowed our CityKids to attend our first "Love Fun" event on February 9th at the Brown-Penn Recreation Center. Through fun games, music and crafts the children heard and learned about the love Jesus has for each of them! Thanks to the loving volunteers, the children and

families are also learning they are loved by First Baptist Church too. - Christy Greene

APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE Scholarship Applications are available in

the church office and are due back to the office April 8th .

REFUGE STUDENT MINISTRY GOLF TOURNAMENT FUNDRAISER

Monday, May 7, 2012 Catawba Country Club

Cost: $55.00 per player

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 339 Second Avenue, Northwest Hickory, North Carolina 28601

Volume 12, Issue 3 Published Monthly by First Baptist Church, Hickory, NC

Return Service Requested Phone: (828) 328-2031 Fax: (828) 328-4789 Email: info@fbc.cc Website: www.fbc.cc

Phillip Reynolds, Senior Pastor Chris Gillespie, Minister to Students Rendell Hipps, Minister of Education and Discipleship Jerry Rodgers, Minister to Senior Adults and Church Administration Jim Davidson, Interim Minister of Worship Florence Jowers, Organist Staff email: (last name)@fbc.cc

Non-Profit U.S. Postage

PAID Permit # 85

GRADUATION -2012 Graduation time is quickly approaching. If you have a child graduating this year from high school OR college, please call Helen in the office at 328-2031. Please give FULL name, date of graduation, the degree and school. This information is needed by May 1. We will have a special recognition time during the service on Sunday, June 3.

CBFNC 2012 General Assembly

March 23-24 Trinity Baptist Church - Raleigh

CCM FOOD PANTRY March is our month to help stock the CCM Food Pantry. The following are their most urgent needs: beef stew and canned soups; canned pasta dinners; spaghetti noodles, macaroni and lasagna noodles, pasta sauces; bread and cake mixes, oatmeal, cereal, grits, Pop Tarts, granola bars and other instant breakfast foods; canned tuna, chicken, Treet and Spam; canned green beans, peas and corn; pork and beans; baked beans; canned pinto and kidney beans; black eye peas; dry beans or peas; dry soup mixes; applesauce; canned fruit; macaroni and cheese; rice; peanut butter, canned sweet potatoes; saltine crackers and powdered milk. Please bring your non-perishable food donations to the collection boxes in the lobbies next to the church office and fellowship hall, or take them directly to CCM. Thank you for your compassion and generosity.

BLOOD DRIVE FBC Blood Drive will be held Sunday, March 25, from 12:30 – 5:00pm in the Fellowship Hall. Look for sign ups in Bible Study boxes or call the church office at 328-2031.

SEW SPECIAL 3 March 10th 8:30-11:30am in the Fellowship Hall

For more information contact Dacia Jones.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER ECUMENICAL WORSHIP Mark your calendar for the annual World Community Day ecumenical worship service at First Presbyterian Church on Friday, March 2, at 7:00pm. This service is prepared by over 12 area churches. Childcare will be provided. Refreshments will be served following service. For more information, please call Carole Marmorato at 828-256-8956.

MINISTER ON CALL

March 3 Chris Gillespie on call (320-2741)

March 10 Phillip Reynolds on call (455-8678)

March 17 Rendell Hipps on call (228-8639)

March 24 Chris Gillespie on call (320-2741)

March 31 Phillip Reynolds on call (455-8678)

Extended Session and Children’s Church

March 4

8:20: Babies & Ones—Glenda Foster Twos thru Fours—Susan Tallent 10:40: Babies & Ones— Fran Ballengee & Steve Jones Toddlers thru Twos— Dacia Jones & Kara Wittenberg Three’s and Fours— Evelyn Terry & Johnnie Melton Coordinator: Ruth Ann Carreira Children’s Worship: Children In Service

March 11 8:20: Babies & Ones—Wachter Class Twos thru Fours—Wachter Class 10:40: Babies & Ones— Wachter Class Toddlers thru Twos— Wachter Class Three’s and Fours— Wachter Class Coordinator: Sandra Moody Children’s Worship: Libby Teague & Mindy Sherrill

March 18

8:20: Babies & Ones—Esther Weathers Twos thru Fours— Sonya Brown 10:40: Babies & Ones— Kim Buchanan & Judi Tucker Toddlers thru Twos— Lee Bogle & Woody Tucker Three’s and Fours— Brian Bogle Coordinator: Carol Ann Keller Children’s Worship: Thomas & Charity Hand

March 25

8:20: Babies & Ones—Rebecca Tanner Twos thru Fours—Chris Tanner 10:40: Babies & Ones— Dee Warren & Elizabeth Sledge Toddlers thru Twos— Sam Mabery & Angela Lawrence Three’s and Fours— Tom Warren & Jewell Mabery Coordinator: Mechele McCormack Children’s Worship: Ken & Robin Parish

DEACONS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 10-16 Chris Tanner, Coordinator 324-4373 Bernie Whitmer 328-9191 Peter Ballhaussen 326-9233 Brenda Bost 294-0585 DEACONS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 17-23 Dee Blackwell, Coordinator 294-3522 Ruth Ann Carreira 256-5616 David Eggers 325-0533 Wink Gaines 874-0158 Tom Guthrie, Coordinator 256-8266 Ken Parish 324-2932 Greg Watson 294-1670 Gary Woods 327-3172

DEACONS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 24-30 C A R E March 4 - Hinson, Epperson & Melton/Bost Classes March 11- Allen & Foster Classes March 18 - Wachter Class March 25- Blackwell/Woolf & Powers Classes

Doug Frei, Coordinator 294-1428 Alan Bennett 326-9187 Mark Knuckles 328-2476 David Moore 327-4349

DEACONS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 3-9

Our Special Members This Month

Mrs. Jewel Brooks Lutheran Home #707, 1265 21st Street, NE Hickory, NC 28601

Mrs. Nancy Dean Abernethy Laurels, 249 Leonard Avenue, Newton, NC 28658

Please keep these special members in your prayers. Send a card or visit them this week.

In Christian Love & Sympathy to… Morris Greene upon the death of his grandson, Adam Greene, on 1-27-12.

March 7, 2012 Curry Chicken and Coconut Rice Grilled Pineapple Peas and Mushrooms Salad Bar Rolls and Dessert March 14, 2012 Corned Beef and Cabbage Parsley Potatoes and Carrots Shamrock Fruit Salad Salad Bar Texas Toast and Dessert March 21, 2012 Italian Cheese Stuffed Pork Chops with Grilled Polenta Squares & Roasted Grapes Green Beans Cooked Apples Salad Bar Rolls and Dessert March 28, 2012 Potato Crusted Cod Smashed Potatoes Heart of Palm Salad Salad Bar Cheddar Bay Biscuits and Dessert Each week we will offer as an additional choice to the listed menu the following: Cheese and Pepperoni Pizzas Chicken Nuggets, and Tatar Tots

In Memoriam: Forest Gaines February 4, 2012

Joe Dabney February 9, 2012

TRANSPORTATION HELP/ Driver Needed: The Melodears are in need of a driver Thursdays from 9:45 - 11:30am. No CDL required. If interested, please call Jerry Rodgers in the office 828-328-2031.

Intercessory Prayer Ministry Mrs. Lee Benson 322-5086

A Thank You…. notes have been received from the family of Joe Stogner and CCM. These notes have been placed on the bulletin board across from the Chapel.

STAYING IN TOUCH… In our ongoing efforts to keep our church database current, we would like to request that each church member and regular attendee submit current e-mail addresses to the church office.

Thursday, March 1, 2012 10:00am Melodears 7:00pm Gospel Choir to Pinecrest 7:00pm Coffee Chat Women’s

Group (Gray Activities Building)

Friday, March 2, 2012 Saturday, March 3, 2012 Chris Gillespie on call (320-2741) Rent-A-Kid 8:00am-12:00pm Sunday, March 4, 2012 8:30am Worship 9:30am First Sunday Fellowship 9:15am Media Center Opens 9:45am Bible Study 10:55am Worship 4:00pm CARE 4:00pm Adult Handbells (301) 5:00pm Youth Choir 5:00pm Pastoral Advisory Mtg

(105) 5:00pm ChristLIFE - 4 Perspectives

of Jesus (260) 5:30pm 8:30 Worship Team

Rehearsal (FH) Monday, March 5, 2012 10:00am Pearce Group (CCR-179) 6:45pm NC Baptist Singers

(Sanctuary) Tuesday, March 6, 2012 9:30am ChristLIFE The Resolution

for Women (189) 9:30am Staff Mtg (CR-105) 10:30am Clergy Staff Mtg (CR-105) 1:00pm Ladies Knitting Group

(179) 1:00pm Maintenance, Kitchen &

CDC Staff (CR-105) 6:00pm CDC Committee Mtg Wednesday, March 7, 2012 12:00pm Community Lenten Service

and Luncheon

4:45pm Family Dinner (FH) 5:00pm Media Center Open 6:00pm RA Race (FH) 6:30pm Middle School Bible Study

(Room 265) 6:30pm High School Bible Study

(Room 363) 7:00pm Sanctuary Choir (Music) Thursday, March 8, 2012 10:00am Melodears 6:00pm Music Search Committee

Meeting (105) 7:00pm Poe Group (179) Friday, March 9, 2012 Saturday, March 10, 2012 Phillip Reynolds on call (455-8678) 8:30am Sew Special 3 Sunday, March 11, 2012 Daylight Savings Time Spring Forward 8:30am Worship 9:00am Children’s Church (167) 9:15am Media Center Opens 9:45am Bible Study 10:55am Worship 11:30am Children’s Church (189) 12:00pm Preschool/Children’s

Lunch/Mtg (105) 4:00pm Adult Handbells 5:00pm CARE 5:00pm Youth Choir 5:00pm ChristLIFE - 4 Perspectives

of Jesus (260) 5:30pm 8:30 Worship Team

Rehearsal (FH) Monday, March 12, 2012 10:30am Williams Group (179) Tuesday, March 13, 2012 8:30am Men’s Prayer Breakfast

(179) 9:30am Staff Mtg (CR-105) 10:30am Clergy Staff Mtg (CR-105) 1:00pm Ladies Knitting Group

(179) 1:00pm Maintenance, Kitchen &

CDC Staff (CR-105) 5:30pm Missions Council (179) Wednesday, March 14, 2012 4:45pm Family Dinner (FH) 5:00pm Media Center Open 5:20pm Children’s Handbells (301) 6:00pm Music Makers 6:00pm Young Musicians (229) 6:00pm Music Friends I (137) 6:00pm Music Friends II 6:00pm Prayer & Bible Study (FH) 6:00pm ChristLIFE Revelation (207) 6:30pm Refuge small groups 6:30pm Mission Friends I & II (140) 6:50pm RA’s (158) 6:50pm GA’s (233) 7:00pm Sanctuary Choir (Music) Thursday, March 15, 2012 10:00am Melodears 7:00pm Coffee Chat Women’s

Group (Gray Activities Building)

Friday, March 16, 2012 10:30am Sr. Adults to Lazy5 Ranch 6:30pm Friendship Class Soup

Supper (FH) Saturday, March 17, 2012 Rendell Hipps on call (228-8639) Sunday, March 18, 2012 8:30am Worship 9:00am Children’s Church (167) 9:15am Media Center Opens 9:45am Bible Study 10:55am Worship 11:30am Children’s Church (189) 12:00pm Newcomer Luncheon (Fh) 4:00pm Adult Handbells 5:00pm CARE 5:00pm Youth Choir 5:00pm ChristLIFE - 4 Perspectives

of Jesus (260)

Weekly calendar updates will be located at the Welcome Centers on Sunday Mornings.

5:30pm 8:30 Worship Team Rehearsal (FH)

Monday, March 19, 2012 5:45pm Baptist Men Supper/Mtg

(FH) Tuesday, March 20, 2012 9:30am Samantha Dolls (158) 9:30am Staff Mtg (CR-105) 10:30am Clergy Staff Mtg (CR-105) 1:00pm Ladies Knitting Group

(179) 1:00pm Maintenance, Kitchen &

CDC Staff (CR-105) Wednesday, March 21, 2012 4:45pm Family Dinner (FH) 5:00pm Media Center Open 5:20pm Children’s Handbells (301) 6:00pm Music Makers 6:00pm Young Musicians (229) 6:00pm Music Friends I (137) 6:00pm Music Friends II 6:00pm Prayer & Bible Study (FH) 6:00pm ChristLIFE Revelation (207) 6:30pm Refuge small groups 6:30pm Mission Friends I & II (140) 6:50pm RA’s (158) 6:50pm GA’s (233) 7:00pm Sanctuary Choir (Music) Thursday, March 22, 2012 10:00am Melodears Friday, March 23, 2012 CBF General Assembly in Raleigh Saturday, March 24, 2012 Chris Gillespie on call (320-2741) CBF General Assembly in Raleigh Sunday, March 25, 2012 8:30am Worship 9:00am Children’s Church (167) 9:15am Media Center Opens 9:45am Bible Study 9:45am Journey 201 (228) 10:55am Worship 11:30am Children’s Church (189) 12:30pm Bloodmobile (FH) 5:00pm CARE 5:00pm Youth Choir 5:00pm ChristLIFE - 4 Perspectives

of Jesus (260) 5:30pm 8:30 Worship Team

Rehearsal (FH) Monday, March 26, 2012 6:00pm Deacons’ Supper (FH) 6:40pm Deacons’ Meeting (FH) Tuesday, March 27, 2012 9:30am Staff Mtg (CR-105) 10:30am Clergy Staff Mtg (CR-105) 1:00pm Ladies Knitting Group

(179) 1:00pm Maintenance, Kitchen &

CDC Staff (CR-105) Wednesday, March 28, 2012 4:45pm Family Dinner (FH) 5:00pm Media Center Open 5:15pm Youth Drama Team (258) 5:20pm Children’s Handbells (301) 5:30pm Youth Ministry Council

(265) 6:00pm Music Makers 6:00pm Young Musicians (229) 6:00pm Music Friends I (137) 6:00pm Music Friends II 6:00pm Prayer & Bible Study (FH) 6:30pm Refuge small groups 6:30pm Mission Friends I & II (140) 6:50pm RA’s (158) 6:50pm GA’s (233) 7:00pm Sanctuary Choir (Music) Thursday, March 29, 2012 10:00am Melodears 6:00pm Gospel Choir Friday, March 30, 2012 5:00pm GA Sleepover Saturday, March 31, 2012 Phillip Reynolds on call (455-8678) 11:00am CITYKids Easter

Celebration (Brown-Penn)