First Connections Volume 48 Issue 1 January 2018

A Publication of First Baptist Church

408 College Street

Clinton, North Carolina 28328

Pastor’s Notes

Ministerial Staff

Dr. Ray Ammons Senior Pastor 704-214-2147 rammons1859@gmail.com

Mr. Daniel Elliott Minister to Students and Families 865-809-4839 delliott@clintonfirstbaptist.org

Miss Lauren McCollister, Minister of Music and Director of Children’s Ministry 443-521-9888

lmccollister@clintonfirstbaptist.org

Support Staff Miss Paula Peters, Business Manager ppeters@clintonfirstbaptist.org

Ms. Ruth Ann Johnson, Administrative Secretary rjohnson@clintonfirstbaptist.org

Mr. Bill Dunlap, Finance Administrator

Mr. Jack Hamilton, Caretaker

Mr. Jeff Draughon, Custodian

Miss Angela Ruggles, Media-Library Director

Request Information

info@clintonfirstbaptist.org

FIRST BAPTIST NEWS (USPS 898-960) is published

monthly by First Baptist Church, 408 College Street,

Clinton, NC, 28328. Periodical postage paid at Clinton, NC.

Postmaster: Send address changes to First Baptist Church,

408 College Street, Clinton, NC, 28328.

Our Sunday morning service is heard every Sunday at 11:00 a.m. on WCLN radio, 1170 AM. You may also hear us on StarVision cable channel 16.

Phones

Church Office: 910-592-8124

FAX: 910-592-6109

Visit Us On the Web:

www.clintonfirstbaptist.org

Our church staff

Our Mission

“The purpose of First

Baptist Church is to

honor God as we love and minister to all

people, witness to them of our life-changing

Savior, lead them into the fellowship of His

church, and nurture them in Christian

growth.”

The new year is upon us. We have turned the page to 2018. It represents a new beginning—or at least it offers a new beginning to those who are willing to take advantage of the opportunity. An English poet once wrote, “there’s nothing worth the wear of winning, but laughter and the love of friends.” In addition to the new page of the new year this season is also the time we most closely and fervently watch and root for our teams to win. Whether it is college football bowl games, the NFL playoffs, or the essential start to the college basketball season, we celebrate and cheer hard for them to win. I am a big fan myself. There is joy in winning. The poet’s literary wisdom advises us to endeavor to find victory in the “laughter and love of friends.” This would seem to be wonderful advice and an indispensable challenge for the new year. It is well-known that true friendship is a special gift. It takes time, commitment, and sincerity. My guess is that 2018 will be a full, busy year for all of us no matter our station in life. With lives overloaded with daily tasks and important responsibilities, it would seem beneficial and blessed to seek and strengthen our friendships. If our lives have found a slower pace and our friendships have become true treasures, let us fully appreciate the precious nature of each of them.

Jesus had friends. Gathering and gaining them was the first step in his ministry. He shared friendship with the disciples as well Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. He made friends in Zaccheus, a young boy with fish and bread, and a Samaritan woman during a visit to a well. In John’s Gospel he would refer to friends in stating a great word about love, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (15:13) We must have been counted among his very best friends for that is exactly what he did for us all. Jesus was/is/will always be, our friend. We can simply turn the page to this new year. We can also look to develop new friendships and deepen the ones we share now. In doing so, we join with our friend Jesus in a communion of true blessing. Consider the joy.

Blessings, Ray

Committees/Councils First Meeting

Sunday, January 14 All Committee/Council members will meet jointly in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, January 14, at 6:00 p.m. to commence with the work of the new year. This important session will include reviewing committee/council duties, selecting officers, and considering the specific events and responsibilities each group will engage in 2018.

All who have been selected to serve on a committee or council for 2018 are urged to attend. Your participation is extremely important.

1 Church Wide New Year’s Lunch,

12:00 Noon in the Fellowship Hall

3 Regular Wednesday night activities resume.

14 Men’s Breakfast, Grove Park Baptist Church, 8:15 a.m.

Committees/Councils Joint Meeting,

6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall

Deacons’ Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

21 Church Council, 7:00 p.m.

Church Conference To Be Decided

January at a Glance

First Connections January, 2018

Memory of Beth Belton (Jane Kaleel’s sister) Given by: Jim & Bonnie Matthews

Memory of Jack & Chris Faulkner Given by: Sandra Pridgen

Memory of Louise Honrine Given by: Faye McCullen

Frances Quinn Sutton Memory of V.J. & Florrie Kenan

Given by: Mr. & Mrs. Wilfred Kenan

Memory of Erwin (Bill) Lee

Given by: Michael & Aaron Edwards

The Stewart Family—Sandy, Lisa & Rich

Joyful Belles Sunday School Class

Norman & Pamela Pogue

Pete & Amelia Wrench

Ernestine Brewer

Memory of Frances Merritt

Given by: Jim & Bonnie Matthews

Memory of Marsha Jackson Powell

Given by: The Zack McCullen Family

Memory of Donald L. Pridgen

Given by: Sandra Pridgen

Memory of Carol Raynor

Given by: Sandra Pridgen

Memory of Doug & Margaret Southerland

Given by Murphy & Rebecca Southerland Moore

Memory of Billy & Catherine Starling

(BRICKS Campaign)

Given by: Mr. & Mrs. Joel Starling

Memory of Wesley & Arlene Taylor

Given by: Sandra Pridgen

Memory of Perry & Margaret Underwood

Given by: Dennis & Beverly Best

Memory of Lois Wright (Ben Wright’s mother)

Given by: The Zack McCullen Family

Memorials (Nov. 27-Dec. 27) Please Remember in Prayer — In the Hospital

Donald Starling –Wake Med

Our Church Family Bobby & Glenda Bunker, Daniel Elliott, Sherry Jackson, Faye S. Warren, Donald and Carolyn Wrench

Our Homebound Joe Butler, John Daly, Marianna Dawkins, Leslie Godwin, Willa Dean House, Thurston Little, Vara Matthis, Terry Penny, Juanita Rich, Frances Tart, Margie Woodall

Nursing Home and Skilled Care Margaret Boykin, Mary Gran 502 Carla Goodwin, Mary Gran 415 Doris Lewis, Mary Gran 411 R.J. Underwood, Mary Gran 211 Nancy Kitchin, Southwood 408

Ruby Nunnery, Harnett Woods Dunn

Extended Church Family & Friends

Glenda Barber (Gina Hamilton’s mother)

Merle Brown (Lee Brown’s uncle)

Todd Daane (Becky Todd’s nephew)

Tommy & Ann Glover

Emily Godwin

Ina Ruth Jones (Lisa Johnson’s mother)

Cheryl Kennedy (Cathy Ammons’ sister)

Lloyd & Jane McGowan (Amela Sutton’s parents)

Zack Millican (Becky Todd’s great-nephew)

Our Soup Kitchen ministry

Tim’s Gift Ministry

Kay Turner, Sue Singleton, Shelter of Love in Cambodia.

David & Heather Webb (City on a Hill Ministry)

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First Connections December, 2017

Condolences The pastor and church family express deepest sympathy to the family of Louise Honrine.

Also, deepest sympathy to:

Charlie Powell and family for the death of his mother, Marsha Jackson Powell. (She was also the sister of Charles Jackson and Dwight Jackson.)

The family of Erwin (Bill) Lee

To Ben Wright and family for the death of his mother, Lois Wright

To Bobby and Glenda Bunker for the death of their grandson, Alex Bunker.

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Steve Branch Hannah Underwood Daniel Elliott Gabriel Bowker Erin Miller Jessica Hamilton Lutrell Bass Allan Lockerman Storm Cannady Ray Ammons Joseph McClanahan Calvin Deans Sue Lee Lori Boone

Noel Thompson Jart Hudson John Blanchard Vicki Britt Jack Hamilton Jena Warren Justice Mirjean Blackman Charles Blackman Karmen Best Jake Matthews Annell Grace Starling Donald Frazier Doris Lewis Cristie Quakenbush

Gina Hamilton Sheila Blackman Christy Jordan Ricky Autry Faye S. Warren Nettie Sue Pope Caroline Montgomery Cassidy Montgomery Marilyn Faircloth Sally Pope

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January Birthdays

January Greeter Schedule

7 Tart & Sue Lee

14 Carole Robinson & Pat Albritton

21 Jeanne Hobbs & Louise Warren

28 Keith & Jodi Hall

January Nursery Schedule Jan. 7 Lynn Underwood & Taylor Spell Jan. 14 Lindsay & Jake Matthews Jan. 21 Michelle Simmons & Laura Catherine Glover Jan. 28 Joel & Annette Starling

If you are unable to be in the nursery on your Sunday, please arrange to trade with someone on the list. Also, please update the church office with those changes. Thanks!

A/V Assignment for January Jack Hamilton

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Monetary Committee for January

2 Ann Merritt, Carolyn Wrench

8 Linda Combs, Fred Cumbo, David Jones

16 Ruth Roderick, Notre Yarborough, Bonnie Matthews

22 Teresa Underwood, Kay Richardson, Mary Ann Hobbs

29 Ann Merritt, Carolyn Wrench

If you are unable to count on your designated day, please find

someone to switch with. The alternates are Tenna Autry and Bill

Miller.

January Meals on Wheels Schedule

Monday’s Wednesday's

3 Bonnie Sue Fann 8 Gracie Moore & 10 Jerry Hatch & Joyce Lippard Donald Wrench 15 Pat & Dempsey Craig 17 Bonnie Sue Fann 22 Linda Combs & 24 Volunteers Needed Bonnie Matthews 29 Kay Richardson 31 Volunteers Needed

If you are unable to serve on your assigned date, please exchange dates with someone else or call 592-5604.

Senior Adult Activities

Visits to Homebound is the 1st Monday of the month at 10:00 a.m.

Nursing Home Visitation is the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m.

Other Activities are announced as planned. Please join us!

Sunday Worship Schedule 9:00 am Library Open (11:00 am closed) 9:45 am Sunday School for all ages 11:00 am Morning Worship 5:30 pm Youth Fellowship

Food Pantry for January

During January, we are collecting Jelly and Rice for the Food Pantry. Items must be brought to the church by Monday, January 15, 2018.

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11 Honor of Ann Weeks

Honor of Louise Warren Honor of Faye S. Warren Honor of Ruth Roderick Honor of Ruby Johnson

(BRICKS Campaign) Given by: The Love Sunday School Class

Honor of Donald & Annell Starling Honor of Annell Grace Starling Honor of Annie Marie Starling

(BRICKS Campaign) Given by: Michael P. Joyce & Donna Starling Joyce

Honorarium

First Connections January, 2018

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First Connections January, 2018

JOY Club

On December 7, the Senior Adult Council met in the Fellowship Hall at 9:00 a.m. for our December meeting. We prepared gift bags to deliver to our homebound residents. Each bag contained a Southern Supreme fruitcake, Little Debbie Christmas tree cakes and peppermint puffs.

It was decided to give our senior adult group a new name. After much thought we chose the name JOY Club. J is for Jesus, O is for others, and Y is for yourself last. We all need to put Jesus first in everything we do. We will always make a joyful noise unto our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Christmas Party

On Saturday, December 2, we had our annual Christmas party. The Fellowship Hall was beautifully decorated with red and green apple tree centerpieces, red chargers and red napkins on each table. The menu consisted of baked ham, cinnamon baked apples, butterbeans, potato salad, cranberry salad and dessert. The aroma was very inviting! Wayne Weeks and the Viewmasters Quartet entertained with Christmas music and “old timey” songs. Ann Weeks shared the Christmas story and Dr. Ray Ammons dismissed us with prayer. Special thanks to everyone who helped in any way to make our Christmas party a success.

If you would like to be included in any of our events, call Faye B. Warren, Linda Combs or Ruth Ann Johnson in the church office (592-8124).

Upcoming Senior Adult Events

Monday, January 1

Church wide New Year’s Day lunch, 12:00 noon in the Fellowship Hall.

Sunday, January 7

Senior Adult Council meeting, 4:00 p.m.

Monday, January 8

We will visit our homebound on the second Monday this month. We will meet at the church at 10:00 a.m.

Tuesday, January 9 Nursing Home visitation at Mary Gran and Southwood, We will leave the church at 10:00 a.m.

Tuesday, January 16 “Precious Gems” at 10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We will have lunch somewhere close by.

Senior Happenings 4

Church Wide Breakfast and Joint Sunday School

December 17, 2017

The Viewmasters Quartet entertained at the Senior Adult Christmas Supper

Adult Choir Cantata

Children’s Christmas Musicals

Advent 2017

Clinton Christmas Parade

First Connections January, 2018

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

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1:00 pm Haitian Worship, Chapel

First Connections January, 2018

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Wednesday Worship Schedule 5:00 pm Library Open (7:30 pm closed) 5:15 pm Family Supper 6:00 pm Pastor’s Bible Study Youth Bible Study (Grades 6-12) Children’s Choir (K-5) Half-Notes Choir (Toddlers-Pre-K) 6:30 pm Children in Action (K-5) Mission Friends (Toddlers-Pre-K) 7:00 pm Adult Choir Practice

Soup Kitchen, 4:00-6:00 pm

Sunday Schedule 9:00 am Library Open (until 11:00 am) 9:45 am Sunday School 11:00 am Morning Worship in the Sanctuary 5:30 pm Youth Bible Study & Snack Supper

January 2018

AA 8:00 pm, Social Hall

Al-Anon

Deadline for Food Pantry

Items

10:00 am Homebound

Visitation

Deadline for

February Newsletter

1:00 pm Haitian Worship, Chapel

4:30 pm Youth

Council

7:00 pm Boy Scout Troop 80

AA 8:00 pm, Social Hall

Al-Anon

10:00 am History Committee in the

Library

AA 8:00 pm, Social

Hall Al-Anon

“Precious Gems”, 10:00 am in the Fellowship Hall

1:00 pm Haitian Worship, Chapel

4:00 pm Sr. Adult Council

5:30 pm Children’s Council

Soup Kitchen, 4:00-6:00 pm

6:30 pm Boy Scout Troop 80

AA 8:00 pm, Social Hall

Al-Anon

8:15 am Men’s Breakfast at Grove

Park Baptist 1:00 pm Haitian

Worship, Chapel 6:00 pm All

Committee/Council Mtg.

7:00 pm Deacon’s Meeting

Expressions of Appreciation Dear First Baptist Family,

“Thank you” cannot adequately express the humility and gratitude I feel for your love and care during the death of my daughter, Carol, and my illness and hospitalization. Our family has felt so much love and concern from every direction it has been a bright spot in a very dark year. Please continue to pray for me as my recovery is still a work in progress, of which God is in control.

In His love, Edith Raynor

10:00 am Nursing Home

Visitation

New Year’s Day-Church

Office Closed

Soup Kitchen, 4:00-6:00 pm

Soup Kitchen, 4:00-6:00 pm

Wednesday Activities Resume

(Except for Youth Activities which resume

on the 10th)

Church Wide New Year’s

Lunch, 12 Noon

Dear church family and friends,

Thank you for your many acts of kindness and expressions of sympathy shown to our family during the recent loss of my mother.

Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated and will always be remembered. Please continue to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers.

Charlie Powell and the Marsha Jackson Powell Family

Monetary Committee,

9:00 am

Fellowship Hall & Kitchen

Reserved for a private party

FBC to Host Lifeline Screenings

Life Line Screening, a leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings, will be in our community on Monday, March 19, 2018 at First Baptist Church. Ultrasound screenings to Identify risk factors for Cardiovascular disease include; Carotid Artery (plaque buildup-a leading cause of stroke), Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (an enlargement or weak area in the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body), Peripheral Arterial Disease (hardening of the arteries in the legs), a Heart Rhythm Screening (an EKG to detect Atrial Fibrillation-irregular heartbeat) and an Osteoporosis Risk Assessment for men and women. Being proactive about your health by knowing your risks helps you and your doctor address problems early.

Register online TODAY at www.lifelinescreening.com/communitycircle and receive your “Community

Circle” discount and your Preferred Appointment

Reminder: If you need a check from the

church office, you must fill out a check request form and get it in to the office by 8:00 on Monday morning. Checks are written every Monday, and must have two signatures.

Holiday Schedule The church office will be closed on Monday, January 1. We will resume a regular schedule on Tuesday, January 2.

Welcome New Member We would like to extend a warm welcome to the church family to Kristen Spell. Kristen is the wife of Justin Spell and the daughter-in-law of Bobby and Rhonda Spell.

Men’s Breakfast January 14 The next Men’s Breakfast will be Sunday, January 14, at 8:15 a.m. at Grove Park Baptist Church. All men and boys are invited to attend.

Regular Activities Resume

Our regular schedule of Wednesday evening activities resumes January 3, beginning with supper at 5:15, followed by children’s choirs and missions, and adult choir practice at 7:00. Youth will resume their regular schedule on January 10.

Christmas Skating Party December 20, 2017

Children’s Christmas Musicals December 10, 2017

Christmas Skating Party December 20, 2017

Children’s Christmas Musicals December 10, 2017

Parents Night Out December 16, 2017