Volume LIV No. 8Volume LIV No. 8Volume LIV No. 8---ddd August 31, 2017August 31, 2017August 31, 2017

Preparing for Sunday—

“Everyday Crosses”

Matthew 16:21-28

“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”—Mt. 16:24.

You probably could have heard a pin drop among the disciples as Jesus made this statement. They did not think that

the Messiah would ever worry with a cross, but Jesus knew better. Two thousand years later, we claim to understand

what Jesus was saying, but do we know what it means to take up a cross and follow? For some, carrying a cross

means selling everything and dedicating themselves to ending world hunger or building houses for the homeless. For

most of us, however, taking up a cross is an everyday effort to live as Jesus lived right where we are. Everyday

Crosses may not be as heavy as some, but carrying one every day will make a better world.

September 16, 2017

What is Operation Inasmuch?

It is a day of missions and ministry throughout our

city and county where the church fulfills Jesus’

command of Matthew 25: Inasmuch as you did it

for the least of these my brothers, you did it for

me. . . Jesus calls us to minister to those in need.

Projects include: Visitation, Kids Against Hunger

(meal bag assembly), Backpack Kids, Friends of

Jesus Fall Festival, Wheelchair Ramp

Construction, Community Café, and Painting.

Sign up for the project of your choice! You may sign up online at the Inasmuch United

Lumberton Facebook page or pick up a form in the

church office.

Nursery care is available with advance reservation.

Children ages 6-11 may sign up for any project,

but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Baptist Women’s Luncheon September 11, 2017

11:45 a.m. in the Activity Building

Join us for a new year of Baptist Women!

At the September meeting, At the September meeting, we

will hear about the work of the Southeastern Family

Violence Center from Alice Bell.

An offering will be collected for the Backpack Kids Minis-

try. This ministry provides weekend meals for school-aged

children who are in need.

Welcome Back Wednesday

September 6

Children's Wednesday night activities resume on September 6! The schedule is as follows:

4:00 - Hand bells (4th-6th grade) 4:45 - Choirs (1st-3rd and 4th-6th grade) 5:15 - Dinner begins ($3 per child, $5 per adult...or bring your own!) 6:00 - Preschool choir/Bible (3 yr old-5 yr old) Wednesday Night Live (1st-6th grade)

The ECM and Church

Offices will be closed

on September 4th in

observance of

Labor Day.

Servants this Sunday September 3, 2017

ETC—8:45 a.m.—Becky Thompson

11:00 a.m.— Pattie Ramsaur

Welcoming—Tony & Becky Thompson, Billie Dail

Collection—Donald Kinlaw

Entrance Greeters

Children’s Building—Judy Driscoll

Walnut Street—Jim Driscoll

6th Street— Jimmy & Billie Dail

Senior Entrance—George Lawson

Security Monitor— Jerry Long

Sound— Greg Gibson

Video— Nate Cribb

You’re not alone.

Join us for the SAFE Seminar on

October 28-29!

Parents are the primary educator for their children about

sex (what you say or choose not to say matters!), and we

want to help you with that. This two day parenting seminar

helps parents prepare for some of those awkward

conversations with their children (puberty, development,

body safety, boundaries, sex, etc.)

Led by LeAnn Gardner, a social worker and ordained

minister, the seminar helps parents/guardians think through

how they want to communicate about these important and

sensitive topics with their children.

Times: Saturday, October 28 & Sunday, October 29,

12:00-4:30 p.m. both days (lunch provided)

Cost: $15 for an individual or $25 for a couple

Childcare: Included!

Registration is required and is now open! Sign up today!

I view stories of natural disasters

differently now than I did a year ago. Once

you have been through an experience you

have a deeper understanding and greater

compassion for those who are going through it now. Our

community is by no means recovered from Hurricane

Matthew, but the pictures and stories coming from

southeast Texas this week have stirred us all. The flooding

associated with Hurricane Harvey has exceeded what we

experienced with Matthew, but we know something of

what the folks in Houston and the surrounding area are

going through. We also know some about what lies ahead.

Shared experience grows deeper compassion, but what

does deeper compassion do?

There is no question that we need to do something to help

Texas. Once again, I realize that many of our Lumberton

neighbors need help. I assure you that we continue to

offer assistance as we are able. Still, we need to do

something to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey. One

of you (a FBCL church member) called me early this

week and mentioned that Lumberton, Texas is a few miles

east of Houston. He asked if we could connect with them

somehow. I think this is a fabulous idea and I have made

an initial attempt to contact First Baptist Church of

Lumberton, Texas. At the time of this writing, I have not

received a response, but I will continue to reach out to the

church and inquire of their condition and how we might

be able to help.

I believe that we have two valuable resources to offer

those affected by the storm at this time. First, we must

pray. We must pray for their safety and a hasty resolution

to the flooding. We will pray for the leadership and

recovery workers as they work tirelessly to restore order.

We must also pray for the residents of the affected

communities. You remember how “anxious” we all were

last year in the days following the flood. Let’s pray for

peaceful minds and patient hearts as folks live into a “new

normal.”

Our second resource is our financial gifts. In my

experience from last year, money was the best means in

which we were helped and able to help. The loads of

diapers, cleaning supplies, hygiene items, etc. were useful,

but the money we received was the most valuable

resource. The folks in Texas will know what they need

better than we, so a monetary gift is the best way for us to

help.

I will let you know once I make contact with FBCL,

Texas or another church or agency through whom we can

send our donations. Until then, pray for our friends in

Texas. We know what they are going through right now

and we know that need our prayers.

Peace,

David

This Week . . . Sunday, September 3

8:45 a.m. Worship Service 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship Service

Monday, September 4—Labor Day

ECM & Church Offices Closed

Tuesday, September 5 7:00 a.m. Men’s Prayer Circle

Wednesday, September 6— Welcome Back Wednesday!

4:00 p.m. Young Musicians Bells (Grades 4-6) 4:45 p.m. Music Makers Choir (Grades 1-3) Young Musicians Choir (Grades 4-6) 5:15 p.m. Family Night Supper: Baked Chicken/Hot Dogs 6:00 p.m. Family Night at Prayer Youth Doing Missions (Grades 7-12) Wednesday Night Live (Grades 1-6) Music Munchkins/ Mission Friends (Ages 3-K) 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

For the Record Budgeted 2017 .................... $685,000.00

Weekly Need (2017) .............. $12,924.53

Received August 27, 2017...... $16,582.98

Need to date ........................ $452,358.49

Received to date .................. $435,913.82

Over (Under) Budget .......... ($16,444.67)

Sunday School Attendance —190

Coming up. . .

Sept. 10— 7th Grade Welcoming (Youth Bible Study)

Sept. 11— Baptist Women’s Luncheon

Sept. 14— Fun & Fellowship

Sept. 16— Operation Inasmuch

Community Café

Sept. 17— Baptismal Service (11:00 a.m.)

Sept. 17-19— Budget Preparation Sessions

Sept. 18— Lunch & Learn

Finance Committee & Deacons Meetings

Oct. 1— Deacon Election

World Communion Sunday

Oct. 2— Baptist Women’s Luncheon

Oct. 6-8— Youth Leadership Retreat

Oct. 10— Youth Committee Meeting

Oct. 12— Fun & Fellowship

Oct. 15— Friends of Jesus Sunday

Oct. 16— Finance Committee & Deacons Meetings

Oct. 21— Community Café hosted by the Susan Welsh

Sunday School Class

Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Packing Day

Oct. 25— Trunk or Treat

Oct. 28-29— SAFE Seminar

Oct. 29— Sanctuary Choir “Bring A Friend” Sunday

Nov. 6— Baptist Women’s Luncheon

Nov. 7— Senior Adults to Alabama Christmas Show

Nov. 17— Youth Barbecue Plate Sale

Nov. 18— Community Café hosted by The Rupert Collins

Sunday School Class

Senior Adult Biltmore

Estate Asheville Trip

Nov. 30th—Dec. 1st

Cost $300.00—5 spaces available!

$50.00 deposit needed to reserve

your space.

September 14, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.

In Cherry Fellowship Hall

Opera Composer, Mary Carol Warwick, will join us and lunch

will be served. Bring a friend!

&

September 18th at noon

Cherry Fellowship Hall

Topic: Emergency

Preparedness

Speaker: Stephanie Chavis

Bring a covered dish!

CHURCH STAFF Contact us at 739Contact us at 739Contact us at 739---4336 or daphnefletcher@fbclumbertonnc.org 4336 or daphnefletcher@fbclumbertonnc.org 4336 or daphnefletcher@fbclumbertonnc.org www.fbclumbertonnc.orgwww.fbclumbertonnc.orgwww.fbclumbertonnc.org

Mrs. Nancy Bass Mrs. Nancy Bass Mrs. Nancy Bass ———Financial Coordinator Financial Coordinator Financial Coordinator

Rev. Erin CollierRev. Erin CollierRev. Erin Collier———Minister to ChildrenMinister to ChildrenMinister to Children

Dr. David ElksDr. David ElksDr. David Elks———PastorPastorPastor

Mrs. Daphne Fletcher Mrs. Daphne Fletcher Mrs. Daphne Fletcher ——— Administrative AssistantAdministrative AssistantAdministrative Assistant

Ms. Dorothy HuntMs. Dorothy HuntMs. Dorothy Hunt———Building SuperintendentBuilding SuperintendentBuilding Superintendent

Rev. Tim LittleRev. Tim LittleRev. Tim Little———Minister of MusicMinister of MusicMinister of Music

Mrs. Kandace RamseyMrs. Kandace RamseyMrs. Kandace Ramsey———Administrative AssistantAdministrative AssistantAdministrative Assistant

Rev. Doug ReedyRev. Doug ReedyRev. Doug Reedy———Minister of YouthMinister of YouthMinister of Youth

Person of the Week

Rosa Britt

990 Wesley Ridge Apts. —Apt. F2

Wesley Pines Rd.

Lumberton, NC 28358

Send a card, letter, or other remembrance

to our special person this week.

Family Night Supper Menus September 2017

September 6—

Red Ticket: Baked Chicken, Scalloped

Potatoes, String Beans, Rolls, Salad,

Sugar-free Apple Pie

Blue Ticket: Hot Dogs, Chips, Fruit

September 13—

Red Ticket: Hamburger Steak, Mashed

Potatoes with Gravy, String Beans, Rolls,

Salad, Fruit Pies

Blue Ticket: Pizza, Chips, Fruit

September 20—

Spaghetti, String Beans, Toast, Salad,

Sugar-free Cookies

September 27—

Red Ticket: Barbecue, French Fries, Baked

Beans, Hushpuppies, Salad, Sugar-free

Chocolate Cake

Blue Ticket: Chicken Nuggets, French

Fries, Fruit

2017 Sept. 3 Oct. 1, 8 Nov. 26

2018 Jan. 7, 14, 21 Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25 March 11, 18, 25 April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 May 6, 13, 20, 27 June 3, 10, 17, 24

July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Aug. 19, 26 Sept. 2, 9, 23, 30 Oct. 7, 14, 21 Nov. 4, 11, 18, 25

Flower Calendar Contact the church office at 739-4336 or daphnefletcher@fbclumbertonnc.org to place flowers in honor or in memory of a loved one.

Our Early Childhood Ministry has immediate openings

for 2s, 3s, and 4-year-olds. Contact the office for

registration information—739-4336!

Please join us for our Shoebox Packing Day

on October 21st! Boxes will be available for

pick-up in the church office in late September.

Please Do Not Include the following in your shoeboxes:

Candy; toothpaste; used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy

guns, knives, or military figures; chocolate or food; seeds; fruit rolls or other

fruit snacks; drink mixes (powdered or liquid); liquids or lotions; medications

or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol

cans.