Yes, Jesus Knows Me!
By Lauren Wortman I must admit, I used to think of Jesus as an alien. Come on, Jesus does some weird things. Like that time he killed the fig tree to make a point about having faith, or when he cried at the death of a friend only to turn around and bring him back […]
Striking Appearance: An Epiphany Sunday Sermon
Missing Our Worship Together Today (Jan. 8, 17)! Stay Warm and Safe. Here’s a synopsis of what would have been today’s sermon! “Striking Appearance” 2 Timothy 1:6-10 Today is Epiphany Sunday on the Christian Calendar. The Gospel of Matthew records the scenes of the Magi’s journey following the star that “appeared” (that’s what “epiphany” means) […]
My ‘God-Moment’
by Marie Hendrick In November, June Yarboro shared the opportunity for our JOY Sunday school classmates to join her on a mission trip to assist Hurricane Matthew flood victims in Lumberton, NC. We were to work with the NC Baptist Men in recovery operations. God spoke to our hearts and cleared our calendars and Susan Beam, […]
Carry Your Candle!
One week ago on Christmas Eve and standing at the door to wish folks a “Merry Christmas” upon their departure from our service, I noticed several members of Fred and Joan Flowers’ family departing the service still holding their candles from the candlelighting and the flames on the candles were still aglow! Joan made a […]
Hovering Above 2017
Holy Spirit With your wind, stir my soul With your words, order my day With your wings, gather me in And I will be grateful I will be glad Amen — Jack Levison, 40 Days with the Holy Spirit As the New Year 2017 is about to dawn, I […]
Come to the Light, Jesus!
by Tony Tench I look forward to worship on Christmas Eve! For all of the fun and excitement that comes with the shopping and games and gift giving and joyful reunions and celebrations, it is not until I get to worship on Christmas Eve that I know I have been face to face with the […]
Spud-tacular Service to the Glory of God!
By Tommy Young So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. -1 Corinthians 10:31 Just think, three years ago, I didn’t know one thing about potatoes. For all I knew, they grew in little strips in the pantry at McDonald’s. But, after only a few years […]
My Christmas Wish List has grown into a JUNGLE!
By Sara Greene Mark and I have a tradition at Christmas that started in the gym at First Baptist a few years back. The World Craft Fair sets up in the gym one Wednesday night in November each year. That first year there were some things that I really liked, but I have a hard time […]
J.O.Y. to Your World!
By Dr. Sophia Steibel Joy is a word we hear a lot during the Advent season. Joy is associated with the story and spirit of Christmas. We often anticipate this time of the year with great expectations. For me this word took on a new meaning about six years ago when I joined a group […]
God’s light shown through unexpected friendships
by Tisha Dedmon (A look inside the history of #NYCTreeGirls) It all began four years ago. Both of our sons played bass in the Shelby Middle School orchestra. The opportunity arose that I would introduce myself to Carol Ann Hoard. We had many of the same friends but had never actually met before. We hit […]