In this IssuePage 3Fruit of the SpiritChallenge & Survey

Page 7 Fun Fall

Events

Page 8Fall Dance

First Baptist Church Wilmington | North Carolina NewsKingdom

Issue 10 Volume 77 October 2012

ARG Matey! Join Us for the Fall Festival, Pirate Style!- October 31st

We want everyone to dress in their favorite “pirate theme” costume (or anything else you wanna dress as!) and join us on October 31st for some great pirate adventures! The festival is at the Activities Center from 5:00-7:00 and is FREE! There will be fun inflatables, and we even will have a Walk the Plank event! Everyone will leave with a bag full of Pirate doubloons and a boatload of candy. Pizza and drinks will be on sale.

“Fall” Into the Season with Festivals, Trips and Dances Galore! Biltmore Estate Candlelight TourNovember 30thJoin us for the fabulous Christmas Candlelight Tour of the Biltmore Estate. We will leave Wilmington at 9:00 on Friday morning, November 30 and take a leisurely trip to Asheville. On Saturday morning we will enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then tour the outstanding gardens of the NC Arboretum. In the evening we will dine on the grounds of the Biltmore Estate at the Deerpark Restaurant and cap the evening with a candlelight tour of the house. Sunday morning after breakfast we will return to the estate for a stroll in the gardens before starting back to Wilmington around noon. The cost for the trip is $308 per person with two to a room and includes transportation, two nights’ hotel accommodations with breakfast, admission to the Biltmore Estate and Deerpark dinner including tax and

gratuity. Bring $100 to the Activities Center by October 14 to reserve your spot. Final payments are due by October 25.

Many more fun, fall activities

on page 7!

Heart Felt Thanks from the Harrelson Center

Help Hungry Children at Crop Walk!

Crop Walk is Sunday, October 14th, which will benefitNourishNC and Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard. They collect five specific items of non-perishable food and distribute them to children that have been identified as not having food for the weekend. On Friday afternoons when the children are out of the room, volunteers place the food in the children’s backpacks, unbeknownst to the other students. The statistic is that one in four children in NC go to bed hungry. We want to see how much of a difference we can make in New Hanover County! We are asking that specific donations of peanut butter, protein bars, canned tuna/chicken and cans or bottles of pasta with meat sauce be brought to the donation centers downtown and at the Activities Center. The collection boxes and sign-up tables will be in the Connector Building and at the Activities Center on Sundays and Wednesdays. Get your Sunday school class involved in this wonderful effort!Anna Tolan and Betsy Beer are leading this effort for our church. Registration for Crop Walk is at 1:30 and the walk is around Hugh MacRae Park.

A Word from Your Associate Pastor

I have thanked some of you from the pulpit and others personally but this is the best venue for me to say “Thank You!” for allowing

me to have a time of sabbatical earlier this year. While I count it one of the greatest privileges of my life to get to serve as the presence of Christ with all of you that are part of First Baptist Church, there are times when my physical, mental, spiritual and creative tanks begin to run low. This had become the case early last summer. While I was deeply concerned about taking time away from you and the other members of our pastoral team at a time when we were already without a pastor, each of you assured me that all would be well and you were convinced that my time away would make all of us stronger in our spirit and that God would provide for us. You were right (again) in that I was rejuvenated in all areas of my life by the way I used my time wisely and I pray that my new zeal for living and serving others is already spilling over into the life of our congregation. Many of you stepped up your willingness to take on additional responsibilities of leadership and the benefit to our congregation is paying off now and will continue to spin off blessings for our bright future together. We were blessed in that we welcomed our new pastor, Dr. Matt Cook, in mid August and look forward to receiving fresh words of wisdom, leadership, inspiration and vision along with leading us into deeper missional action in the years to come as God has planted him among us.

There is a Dr. Seuss book entitled “Oh, The Places You’ll Go”. I spent time along the Caro-lina Coast, majestic mountains of NC, our nation’s capital, among the proud and friendly people of Texas and explored the almost unbelievable beauty of cathedrals, castles, palaces and mountain peaks of Germany, Prague, Austria and Switzerland. The places and people were incredible, and I believe I am better for the time in these places and among the people. But, honestly, there is no place like home and home for me and my family is with you---First Baptist Church of Wilmington, NC. What a people you are and a blessing to many, especially this one.

-Jim Everette

OUR VISION:“To become a community of

believers that is open and welcoming to anyone, no matter

where they are on their faith journey, and is intentionally joining with Christ in his redemptive work and purposes in

the world.”

OUR MISSION:“To become, and help others to

become, fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.”

Women of FBC Enjoyed

the Ladies Fall Brunch

Women of FBC were motivated to participate in the mission

activities after Tom and Susan Canady shared their story of spending years in Honduras as missionaries. A delicious

brunch was enjoyed by 56 FBC women. Several visitors were welcomed as well as our new Pastor’s wife, Allyson Cook.

Clara presented Allyson with a “magic wand” as she begins her ministry as pastor’s wife. Mary Ellen Bowman also encouraged

everyone with news of Chris-tian Women’s Job Corps and

how the women of FBC can be involved.

Cornhole Tournaments! We had so much fun at our first two cornhole tournaments that we have decided to hold one on the first Monday of every month. Be at the Activities Center on October 1st to get a chance to earn your bragging rights. Popcorn and lemonade are provided. Sign in and practice begins at 6:00 p.m. and the tournament starts at 6:45.

Can’t make October 1st? Join us at the next tournament on November 1st!!

BOOKS N’ BAGSWe are collecting new and/or gently used books for children through 6th grade. Please put books in tubs at the Activities Center or the Connector Building downtown by October 14th. All children at the Latino Festival November 10th will receive a beautiful handmade cloth bag of 6 books to encourage them to read.

“Cultivating a Life That Bears Fruit”- Survey Results Are In!

 Faithfulness, Kindness and Joy are fruit found in abundance in our

congregation... at least last week when folks took the survey! 

Does that surprise you?  It didn't me.  The scarcity of some fruit won't surprise you either...  Patience, Self-Control and Peace topped the list.

 This should not just be interesting information to us, though.  How does

the world need to see more Faithfulness, Kindness and Joy that God wants to

share through us?  God is not wasteful.  He produces fruit in us for a reason. By the same token, to be lean on Pa-

tience, Self-Control and Peace is nothing to shrug our shoulders at.  It is not the greatest witness for Christ when ours are the first fuses to blow.  Nor does God want us to live in the world without His peace - peace, not as the world gives, but as Christ gives to us; peace that settles us, even and

especially in the midst of the storm.  We need that for ourselves, and the world needs to find it in us to know that such Peace, and the Giver of that Peace, are real.

 Be sure to make both areas a focus of your prayer time in these weeks - where God is working and wants to work more through you, and where there is scarcity and He wants to give you so much more.

 

Ramping Up the Corporate Challenge! 

The goal of our 8-week series, Cultivating a Life That Bears Fruit, is to encourage and help one another to incorporate spiritual disciplines (prayer, service, etc.) into an ongoing lifestyle habit so that we will see the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.) more abundantly in our lives.

Each week we have had a Corporate Challenge, an exercise or activity that we challenge the whole congregation to participate in. We have memo-rized Scripture, gotten up early to spend time alone with God, and been intentional in our confession. It’s time to kick it up a notch!

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESSThroughout the month of September, our children, as a part of their study of the Fruit of the Spirit, have been practicing Random Acts of Kind-

ness. Now we would like the adults to join them!

Throughout the month of October, be intentional about practicing Random Acts of Kindness. They may be planned or spontaneous, little or big; with those who are strangers or those close to you. Focus on being open to allowing God’s Kindness to flow through you at every opportunity.

TECHNOLOGY FASTDuring the last week of October, our Fruit of the Spirit will be SELF-CONTROL and our practice will be FASTING. There will be opportuni-ties in the daily exercises to practice different types of Fasting. Our Corporate Challenge for that week will be a TECHNOLOGY FAST. We’ll

let you decide what falls into the category of technology—Computers? Cell Phones? TV? Fast for a day or a half day or an hour if that’s all you can stand. But Fast. Technology is a wonderful thing, but it also is adding a lot of clutter to our lives and can distract us from our focus on God.

Fasting helps us to be God-controlled.

"We who had sweet fellowship together walked in the house of God in the throng."- Psalm 55:14

LSharing Life Together

Welcome New Members!

Giving YTD Requirements $1,512,936.59

YTD Receipts through 9/23 $1,308,526.21Budget Shortfall/Overage $(-204,374.38)

September Requirements $167,927.98 Sept. Receipts through 9/23 $133,327.98

Sept. Shortfall/Overage $(-34,600.00)

Attendance

Worship 731 822 727 752 Sunday 446 576 511 523 School

In SympathyChristian sympathy is extended to Betty Ann Swindell on the death of her brother, Garland (Sonny) Palmer, Jr. who died Sep-tember 5, 2012. He was a member of FBC for 50 years.

Christian sympathy is extended to Ken McCall on the death of his mother, Jean Gray, on September 13, 2012.

Christian sympathy is extended to Eric McKeithan on the death of his sister, Josie Carroll, in Bladenboro, NC.

They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.” -Acts 2:42

Sept2

Sept16

Sept23

Sept9

Memorial Gifts

Alexis Mearns Jimmy and Sarah Bass

We welcome Sarah and Jimmy Bass to our congregation (again) after they have been away from us for a number of years. The Basses were part of our church a number of years ago when they lived here while Jimmy served

as Director of the UNCW Seahawk Club. He and Sarah relocated to numerous places across the years as they have served on the athletic staff of several universities but have

now returned home to us and UNCW as Jimmy is the Athletic Director for the university. Sarah is a homemaker

and “mother away from home” to many of the Seahawk athletes. We are delighted to have Sarah and Jimmy back

among us.

We celebrate the decision that Alexis Mearns has made to confess faith in Christ. She is in the fifth

grade at Ogden elementary school and is an active member of our Children’s Ministry. Alexis has

been encouraged in her faith development as she has seen faith in Christ modeled by her parents,

Erica and John Mearns. She is looking forward to following Christ by being baptized in October. We look forward to joining Alexis as we all continue

to grow in our journey with Jesus.

The following memorials have been given generously, and we are deeply grateful:

Tuesday NoonJoin us each Tuesday as we enjoy a meal, prayer time and a brief

devotional in Smith Hall at the Activities Center. The service starts at noon, and everyone is invited to attend. No reservations are required.

Cost of the meal is $4. Here is what’s in store for the month of October:

October 2– Speaker: Don VigusMenu: Spaghetti with meatballs, garden salad, garlic bread and dessertOctober 9– Speaker: Matt CookMenu: Meatloaf, cream potatoes, lima beans, yeast rolls and dessertOctober 16- Speaker: Nathan TuttleMenu: Jimmy Wallace’s Cooking DayOctober 23– Speaker: Jayne DavisMenu: Sloppy joes, chips and a dessertOctober 30– Speaker: Frank HawkinsMenu: Mexican chicken alfredo casserole, salad and a dessert

You can always check the FBC website for the menu each Tuesday at www.fbcwilmington.org.

Senior Adult & Retirees October Day TripComing up in October will be a river cruise and lunch on the Cape Fear River. Be looking for your postcard with more details!

Parking Notice forVisitorsGuests and visitors of FBC should not park on Market Street in front of the Sanctuary unless the space is a designated parking space. Wilmington Police Department will issue tickets to those parked in the non-designated parking spaces. Thank you!

Memorial GiftsRaising Hope for Women in Our Community

On September 14, the praise band of Winter Park Baptist Church and our own band, deepwater, joined together for an evening of great music with an even greater purpose of helping to raise funds for the Christian Women’s Job Corps. By the end of the evening, over $8,000 had been raised for this vital ministry! This is just one more way that you as First Baptist Church continue to share the

good news of God’s love with those in our commu-nity. Thank you for your generous support and for

the many volunteers who gave their time to make this evening such a success!

General FundIn memory of Ethel Elliot by

Mr. and Mrs. Ralph YaunDurwood and Teresa Johnson

Mary Sue FloydChris and Margaret Johnson

In memory of Francis J. Parchuke byTracy and Donna Bryan

In memory of Lamar Brooks byDavid and Melva Devane

In memory of Carol Queen byDavid and Melva Devane

Dorothy E. Walker

Harrelson CenterIn memory of Carol Queen by

Mr. and Mrs. Donn EvansIn honor of Bo Burch by

Mr. and Mrs. Donn Evans

Music FundIn honor of Jean and Kurt Wachtel by

Ann and Willis BrownIn memory of Garland Palmer, Jr. by

Ann and Willis BrownIn memory of Carol Queen byMr. and Mrs. Charles E. Davis

Children’s LibraryIn memory of Carol Queen by

Claude and Joan Marshall

Pastor’s FundIn memory of Thomas Maultsby by

Claude and Joan Marshall

Women’s Ministry In memory of Jena Ravelli by

Julie SaylorsTara Myers

Michelle M. SkrippsLisa D. Rumler

Dawn CunninghamTeresa Lynette Foster

John and Kathryn EichelbergerMr. and Mrs. Donn Evans

Bereavement FundIn memory of Ethel Elliot by

Mrs. Betty Stike

Market Street FeedingIn memory of Carol Queen by Mr. and Mrs. Gary McKnight

Local MissionsIn memory of Carol Queen by

Bettie Ann and Tom West

It’s Scary to be Hungry at HalloweenOur special offering for the month of October is for Hunger Relief. You are aware that one of the ministries of our church is to share meals with hungry people of Wilmington each Tuesday night. We have not missed a Tuesday night in nine years. Still there are many hungry people in Wilmington, across our state and around the world. Did you know that the majority of children that attend public schools in New Hanover County receive free or reduced lunch? A portion of our special offering will be used to support Nourish NC, a non-profit organization based here in Wilmington that provides back-packs that are filled with enough food for a child to not be hungry over the weekend. The backpacks are filled on Wednesdays and sent home with the students each Friday. Over 200 children from a dozen schools receive a backpack. The only thing that re-stricts the ministry from expanding to more children and additional schools is a lack of funding. We will make a difference.

In addition to our special offering you are given the opportunity to donate food for Nourish NC and Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, the local food pantry that our church supports. Large containers will be located by the elevators of our downtown campus and at our Activities Center throughout the month of October for your donations of canned and non-perishable foods. Canned meats and peanut butter are needed most. Please con-

sider bringing a can or jar of each with you when you come to worship in October. You can also participate in CropWalk (more information on page 2).

Burmese Tutors NeededWe have over 20 Burmese/Karen children who have just moved into the USA and are starting their second year of school. Let us know if you have time on Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. to help tutor. Please contact Don Vigus at 910-799-7564 or dvigus@fbcwilmington.org

“Great Anticipation” Youth Ministry Update There has been great anticipation going into a new school year within the youth ministry at FBC. We

had an amazing summer filled with trips and in town activities!The momentum from our fast paced summer has continued to this new school year. The Cove is vibrantly alive with about 65 students a week on Sun-

day nights, and our Wednesday night small group ministry is getting stronger as well. This would not be possible without the incredible adult and student vol-unteers who pour into the lives of these young people weekly at FBC. The FBC

Youth Ministry could not offer the variety of events, activities, and Bible studies without our awesome volunteers leaders. This is an exciting time in the life of the FBC Youth Ministry. If God might be nudging you to share your life in this area at FBC please let me know- WE NEED YOU! The only prerequisites is loving Jesus and liking young people,

so if you fit the bill and have some free time, I would love to get you plugged in!The youth ministry is always grateful for the prayers and support the FBC church family faithfully provides. It’s about that time again when many of you will be getting phone calls as our Christmas Tree Lot pre-sale period begins. Your encouragement and support of this fundraiser and others are what enable our young people to have the experiences and adventures that ultimately lead them into a deeper relationship with Christ. So with

great anticipation of this year’s tree lot fundraiser, we thank you in advance for helping us to spread the word as we deliver holiday cheer! Last but not least, it is with great anticipation the youth ministry heads to Fort Cas-well for the annual DNOW Fall Retreat at the end of September. Pray that God will speak a special word to the 88 participants from FBC that will be attending, and that He will guide this youth ministry and our church family united for Christ and mov-ing forward together. - Nathan Tuttle

Event PicturesWant to know where the pictures are from the fun event you attended? Well, we have them for you on the First Baptist Church website! All you have to do is go to www.fbcwilmington.org and click on “multi-media” and event photos from all of our church’s events will be right there for you to browse! If you have pictures from an event that you would likeposted, please email them to Ashton Gourlay at agourlay@fbcwilmington.org.

FBC Women’s Conference The Women’s Ministry of FBC is hosting a Women’s Conference on

Saturday, October 27, 2012 at the Holiday Inn at Wrightsville Beach from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.

The cost is $35 which can be paid to the church office or put in the offering plate designating it to pay for the retreat in the memo line of the check. The speaker will be our very own Allyson Cook. There is a limited number of seats so make sure you sign up quickly! Contact Janna Lennon with questions at (910) 313-0133.

Fall Fun at FBC Continued!

The Seagrove area is known worldwide for its pot-tery. There are well over 100 potters in the vicinity and at least 60 of them will be displaying their wares at the festival. We will leave the Activities Center at 5:30 a.m. on November 17th for a day full of pottery enjoyment. The cost is $20 per person for the bus and entrance to the festival.

This treasured tradition brings us all around the table to share a Thanksgiving meal and communion together as a church family.

The banquet is at 6:00 p.m. at the Activities Center.

Seagrove Pottery FestivalSaturday, November 17

Annual Wildlife BanquetSunday,

November 18

Join us for this great weekend in the beautiful Virginia mountains during the golden fall. We are going two weeks earlier this year to avoid the “snowy” trails, and we should have terrific weather. Trip cost includes transportation in the big bus, two nights’ lodg-ing at the Hampton Inn, and bike rental and shuttle. Costs are $125 each for 4 in a room, $150 for 3 in a room or $175 for 2 in a room. Call the Activities Center 799-7564 to sign up!

Virginia Creeper

Bike TripOctober

19-21

We will take the bus to Charlotte to the Southern Christmas Show. This event fills three buildings at the former Merchandise Mart and includes new and vibrant ideas for holiday decorating, shopping and entertain-ing. The cost for your transportation and ticket to the show is $20. We will leave Wilmington at 5:45 a.m. and stop for breakfast on the way to Charlotte. Get your name on the list soon!

Southern Christmas ShowThursday, November 8

411 Market StreetWilmington, NC 28401

Kingdom News is a monthly publication of First Baptist Church of Wilmington, NC

USPS-295-400411 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28401

Periodicals postage paid at Wilmington, NC

Set November 3rd aside for a fun-filled evening for the whole family. No dancing experience required! Wear your best western outfit or any other comfortable clothes (and shoes) and mosey on

over to the Activities Center at 7:00 p.m. for some dances and fellowship for all ages. The Cove will be open around 7:30 for the

children to retire for some different fun. Snacks and entertainment provided. The cost is $5 for adults , kids 19 and

under are free! Please call 799-7564 to sign up!

Family Fall DanceSaturday, November 3rd

7:00 p.m. at the Activities Center