The congregation is invited to a drop-in “Celebration of Service” on Sunday, March 1, in the Fellowship Hall. This will be a time of informal greeting and expressions of gratitude to Paul Lane for his nearly 18 years of service as our Pastor. The event begins at 2:00 pm. This event is part of the church’s response to Paul’s announcement that he will leave our pastorate on May 31.  A love offering will be given to him in late May, and the fund is now open for donations.  Make checks payable to First Baptist Church but denoted for “Pastor Gift.”

A “hands-on” creative worship experience is being planned for Ash Wednesday, Feb 26 at 6:45 pm. Held in the Fellowship Hall after a simple meal, participants will move from station to station to follow simple suggestions for reflection and personal prayer.  We encourage all adults to participate as we make ourselves available to God for examination and growth throughout the season of Lent.

Our Senior Adults Potluck Luncheon will take place on Thursday, Feb 20 at 11:30 am.  Jan and Shirley Levy will present the program after the meal, recounting experiences and stories from their medical missions work in Afghanistan and several countries throughout Africa. Please call or email the church office to reserve your seat.

The congregation and public are invited to gather in our sanctuary to celebrate the life of Vada Boyd, a dear friend, mentor, and partner in education to many in the New River Valley.

The annual Christmas Banquet for our senior adults will take place in the Fellowship Hall on Friday, December 13 at 6:00 pm. Dr Matt Cataldi and Rev Todd Millsaps will provide a program of seasonal music, and Rev Sarah Morris will bring a devotional. The dinner will be catered by Church Hostess Cindy Smith. The cost is $15 per person. Reservations are required and are due by Sunday, December 8. Please use the tear-off form on the Sunday bulletin.

Our Senior Adults will be visiting the RU Planetarium on Friday, November 15th to see a show called “Exoplanets”.  There will also be a tour of the nighttime sky and some flying around the solar system, which makes it a really fun time all around.  After the show we will travel to Sal’s Restaurant for lunch together in their private dining room reserved just for us. Meet in the church sanctuary at 10:30am so we can travel by bus to the Planetarium. Please let the church office know you plan to attend.

Robert Morris, Director of The Shelter, will bring the sermon in Morning Worship on Sunday, November 10. We would like to help re-stock the kitchens on all four levels of The Shelter, as well as have additional food to provide for their food pantry that serves any college student in need.

Please bring your gifts of food on Nov 10 and place them in the wooden box in the foyer of the Education Building.  Popular foods among college students include anything that requires little to no preparation, including microwavable meals, ramen noodles, mac ‘n cheese cups, soups, peanut butter, and jelly.

We will again serve dinner to the hungry of our community on Saturday, November 9, 2:00 – 5:00 pm.  The ministry has recently grown to where 70 or so attend, and 140 meals are eaten there and/or sent home with customers.  We can use your help in the following ways: setting up, serving meals, cleaning up, or providing a homemade dessert to share.  Please complete the volunteer form on the right hand side of the Sunday bulletin, and join us for a fulfilling day as we build new friendships! For more information, contact Kathy Lester. 

Our senior adults will travel to the Blue Ridge Parkway during October, in hopes of catching the turning of the leaves near fall’s peak. The group will meet at church on Thursday, October 17 at 10:00 am. They will travel to Mabry Mill to eat lunch and then on to Meadows of Dan to visit the shops and candy store.  Please sign up to go by Monday, October 14. Consider inviting friends to go, as this is a great opportunity to reach out to others.

Our friends at First Baptist Church on Rock Road have invited us to join them for a Harvest Day Pot Luck Lunch on Sunday, Oct 13 at 12:30 pm. The dress is old-fashioned or casual. The meat will be furnished by the church. Optionally, an afternoon worship service will be held in the Sanctuary at 2:00 pm sponsored by the Women’s Bible Study there. 

Sewing for Souls will meet Thursday, Sept 26 to finish pencil cases for Head Start children and fill them with goodies.  If there is time, the group will begin a new project. The group meets on the 2ndand 4thThursday of each month, 10:00 to 2:00, but you can come and leave as you wish.  If you have a portable machine, please bring it along with scissors and sewing notions.  Bring your lunch, a drink and a friend. Contact Mary Hawkins if you have questions.

The senior adults will travel to Pulaski to enjoy lunch at the popular Al’s on First restaurant in the recently renovated Jackson Park Inn. The group may visit the nearby Transportation Museum after lunch. Meet at church on Thursday, September 19 at 11:00 am. Please sign up to help us plan transportation and reservations. You can preview the menu at www.alsonfirst.com.  

The College Student Ministry Action Group will gather on Sunday evening, September 15 to develop plans for the school year ahead. The group will be especially looking to develop a student adoption project and an opportunity to interact with residents of The Shelter on Sunday evenings.  All interested adults are invited to attend the meeting at 5:00 pm in the Library.

Our fall schedule of Sunday evening activities launches Sunday, September 15:

4:45 Hand Bell Choir Rehearsal
5:00 College Ministry Action Group
5:30 Sunday Night Supper
5:50 Kids Club
6:00 YouthSalt (grades 7-12)
6:20 Children’s Choir
7:00 All groups dismiss

The Women's Ministry is organizing Sewing for Souls and will have our first meeting on Thursday Sep 12 at 10:00 in our Fellowship Hall.  We will be working on our first project (small zipper pouch for children) from 10:00 to 2:00 so bring your lunch and a drink.  Contact Mary Hawkins for more details and to find out what you need to bring. This group is open to all who want to help - you don't need to be able to sew.  More details to follow.

You can’t get more freshly cooked food than when our fry team cooks fish on the front yard of the church and brings it straight to you in the Fellowship Hall!  So on Saturday, August 10 you and your friends are invited to drop-in between 4:00 and 6:00 in the afternoon for a great time of food and fellowship. Our friends from First Baptist Church, Rock Road have been invited to join us as well.  Musical entertainment is being planned. The meal is free but help us plan by making a reservation by Aug 5.

A church-wide celebration of everyone’s birthday is being planned by the Women’s Ministry for mid-summer. Mark your calendars for the Birthday Bash at Bisset Park on Saturday, July 20 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm.