FBC New Bern Youth

Wow!!! What a Summer!

2008-09-02T09:11:00.004-04:00

Summer is drawing to a close and local schools have returned to session. I hoping for a little time for blogging once again. The time is right to reflect back on all of the happenings from the summer and share my reflections with you. I hope that you will check back often over the next few weeks in order to read and reflect on the happenings with the youth at First Baptist.

I have updated the schedule link on the right. I am also beginning to add some photos from the summer. Click on the links to the right to check these out.

Remember that youth choir and discipleship training starts again at 5:00 PM on September 7th. I hope to see you here!

Brinkley to swim for ECU

2008-05-15T06:00:00.001-04:00

It has always been a dream for (FBC)New Bern senior Jessica Brinkley to swim in college. When it came down to choosing a college to swim for, it was an easy decision.

Brinkley agreed to swim for a school that she was quite familiar with - East Carolina University, where she plans on studying to become a nurse. Brinkley has one brother, Justin, who swam for ECU, while her other older brother, Jared, is currently a member of the Pirates' swim team.

"My older brothers swam there, so the coach (Rick Kobe) knew them and knew their work ethic and my parents mentioned to the coach that I was looking at the school," Brinkley said. "He told my parents that if I was interested, then I had a spot on the team."

Jared, who swims the 100-breastroke and 200-breastroke at East Carolina, and Justin have offered their advice to Jessica on what to expect swimming against division I caliber opponents.

"They tell me that I am going to improve no matter what," Brinkley said. "They also said that it takes a lot of work. It is not easy, it's hard and that if I wanted to do it, I could do it."

To prepare for ECU, Brinkley's training is going to be harder and more intense.

Not only is she training for the ECU swim team, but she is also getting ready for the national meet in Maryland at the end of July, as part of the Twin Rivers YMCA team.

"I am just going to be practicing a lot more," Brinkley said. "Instead of doing just afternoon workouts, I am going to be doing morning practices and afternoon practices. I will be doing eight practices a week."

Brinkley will compete in her best event, the breaststroke, at the national meet. Her best time in the 100 breaststroke is 1:09.47 for the YMCA team.

"When I go on to nationals, all that competition is going to be so much faster than what I am used to," Brinkley said. "It will give me a taste of what I am going to be racing against in college."

Brinkley passed on swimming for Gardner-Webb, because she wanted to swim closer to home.

"Gardner-Webb was really far away and I really felt like I needed to be at East Carolina," she said. "Gardner-Webb was nice and small but I felt like I needed to go somewhere bigger."

This past season at New Bern, Brinkley was named the Coastal Conference swimmer of the year. She finished 10th in the state in the 100-yard breaststroke, which is an event she hopes to swim at ECU.

She owns the New Bern school record in the 100-yard breaststroke.

She may also compete in the 200-breastroke and various freestyle events at ECU.

The only time Brinkley competed at the Minges Aquatic Center, the home pool for the East Carolina swim team, was during her freshman year in high school, in the conference meet.

"It is a really fast pool, it is a great pool," Brinkley said. "When you walk into that pool area, the adrenaline just starts rushing for me."

So when Brinkley dives off the starters block at the Minges Aquatic Center in October against other college swimmers, it will be show just how far she has come.

"It will be like I'm finally swimming where I've always seen myself swimming," she said. "It is just going to be nerve-racking for me at first."

Adam Thompson
Sun Journal

The People of This City

2008-05-13T07:00:00.001-04:00

Chris Tomlin is a fantastic singer and song writer. I found this song and video today while surfing around on the web. The song has an important message for The Church.

Wherever you are, there are people in your city who need assistance, who need to hear a kind word, or receive a plate of food, a handshake or have someone take the time to listen to their story.

This song gives us encouragement to continue to volunteer our time and gifts to those in our cities who are in desperate need. I hope it will compel you to do your part to ease the suffering that you encounter. May we all have eyes to see the needs, ears to hear the cries and arms to embrace the people of our cities.

Thanks Mom

2008-05-11T06:00:00.001-04:00

Judith Viorst once wrote an essay based on interviews she had with children. The subject was “What’s a good mother like?”

Viorst reports that the children expected their mother to get angry from time to time. “She has to,” said Ted, “or she’ll faint from holding it in.”

“But it’s best to remember,” said Randy, “that when your mother starts to act real weird, you have to look scared and serious. Don’t giggle. When mommies are mad, they get madder if you giggle.”

“My mommy got so mad,” said Megan, “that she yanked the plate off the table and all the mashed potatoes flew into the air.”

“And why,” Viorst asked, pretending she’d never heard of such shocking behavior, “why would a mother do a thing like that?”

“Well,” said Megan, “she told my older brother, Mike-‑he’s 11 years old-‑to eat the potatoes on his plate and he said ‘Later.’ And then she told him again to eat the potatoes and Mike said ‘Soon.’ And then she told him he had better eat those potatoes right now and he said, ‘In a minute.’ And then she stood up and Mike finally took a bite and told her, ‘How can I eat them? They’re cold!’” (2)

It’s not easy being a Mom.

A stay-at-home Mom went to a PTA meeting and her husband and her oldest daughter got together and decided they would clean up the kitchen for her. So they did. They put up all the food, wiped all the counters, washed all the pots and put them away, put the dishes in the dishwasher and ran it. They swept and mopped the floors and then sat down, and overcome by their own nobility, they awaited her arrival.

Two hours later she returned from the meeting, took off her coat, hung it up, walked through the kitchen into the den, grabbed the remote control, and began watching television. They followed her over to her chair and stood by her side. Finally she felt them looking over her shoulder and looked up at them and said, “What?”

Her husband said, “The kitchen.”

“The kitchen. What?”

“The kitchen. We cleaned up the kitchen. Didn’t you notice? It’s sparkling clean. We cleaned it for you.”

The woman replied, “Yes, I noticed. Thankless job, isn’t it?”

Well, sometimes being a Mom is a thankless job. That’s why we honor them with a special day. Mother’s Day is our opportunity to say a much deserved, “Thank you.”

Coach Jerry Moore is an Inspiration

2008-05-08T06:30:00.001-04:00

Jerry Moore is an inspiration. This is his story of how listening to God turned his life around, and everyone he comes in contact with is a tesimony to his faith. Coach Moore is from Bonham, TX and currently the head football coach for the Appalachian State Mountaineers.

"I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all." Ecclesiastes 9:11

Check Out the New Appalachian Outreach Video

2008-05-05T14:58:00.004-04:00

Training for our trip to Appalachian Outreach begins on June 1 at 6:00 PM.

Jessica named Girls Swimmer of the Year

2008-04-02T09:37:00.003-04:00

For as long as she can remember, Jessica has been swimming in the fast-lane. The New Bern High School senior competes all year round, hoping to be one of the top swimmers in the state.

In February, represented New Bern in the North Carolina State Swimming Championships in Chapel Hill, where she placed 10th in the 100-yard breaststroke. Brinkley also competed in the state meet her sophomore season.

With her accomplishments this season, Brinkley has been named the 2007-2008 Sun Journal Girls Swimmer of the Year.

She was also named the Coastal 8 Conference Girls Swimmer of the Year for the second consecutive season.

To prepare her for the future, Brinkley is currently participating on the Twin Rivers YMCA team. And, at the end of July, she will compete for the YMCA team in the national meet in Maryland.

"This will be my first national meet, so I don't really know what to expect," Brinkley said. I am nervous even though I have never been there. I just want my time to hang in there with the rest of the competition. I want to hang in there with the other top girls in the nation and just improve on my times."

She will compete in her best event, the breaststroke. Her best time in the 100 breaststroke is 1:09.47 for the YMCA team.

Brinkley also owns the New Bern school record in the event.

"It is one of the hardest strokes, but I enjoy it because I have more leg power than upper-body power," she said.

Her favorite event is the 50 freestyle, where she can swim the event in 25.94. She also competes in the 100 freestyle and 200 individual medley, as well as several relays.

During the high school season, New Bern won the Coastal 8 Conference regular season title with an undefeated record, but the Bears were edged out by J.H. Rose in the conference championship meet on Jan. 23.

In that meet, Brinkley placed first in the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:11.45, while placing second in the 50 and fifth in the 200 freestyle.

"This season was the best of my four years," Brinkley said. "I've worked harder and gave it my best."

As a senior, Brinkley said one of her goals was to build a stronger team bond. During the conference meet, many of Brinkley's teammates were waiting by the starting blocks cheering her on.

"I get a lot of motivation from my team, especially my relay (teammates)," she said following the Coastal 8 Conference meet. "If I have fun, and I'm enjoying what I'm doing, I don't think about it. I just go out there and do it."

Brinkley will graduate from New Bern in June, but is still undecided about her future plans.

"That's the million dollar question," she said.

Brinkley wants to swim in college, but has yet to make a decision. Among her choices, Brinkley is considering swimming for East Carolina or Gardner-Webb.

But right now, Brinkley is just weighing her options.

written by Adam Thompson of New Bern Sun Journal

Jason from American Idol

2008-03-21T12:14:00.002-04:00

If you are an American Idol fan you might recognize Jason. Evidently he spends time leading contemporary worship music.

Appalachian Outreach Registration

2008-02-27T09:07:00.003-05:00

Christians Join Hands to Help People in Need. Appalachian Outreach began in 1984 as a home repair ministry for poverty level people, by the Campus Ministries Department of Carson-Newman College, Jefferson City, Tennessee. Since then Appalachian Outreach has expanded its ministries to include a homeless shelter called Samaritan House, a food distribution ministry, a used clothing and furniture ministry, a computer and GED educational program, a ministry to Hispanic people, the Second Source Thrift Store, a recycling program, Christian nurturing and counseling. The Appalachian Outreach Ministries Center is located at 190 Old Andrew Johnson Highway, across from the city park.

Partnership Principle. Appalachian Outreach connects people in need with those who have resources in order to help the less fortunate. Many people are able to give personal time by actually working on the project sites while others can only support the ministry in a monetary way. The amount of support is directly equivalent to the amount of work that can be completed. Therefore, AO strives to meet as many needs as possible. Most of the clients have been waiting for someone to help them for many years. As one elderly neighbor of one whose home was being repaired said, with tears of gratitude in her eyes, "I've been praying for years for someone to come and help my dear friend." Many of our clients have been living in sad circumstances for years, just struggling to put food on the table and to keep warm in the winter. As the homes are improved physically, AO shares the encouragement and witness of Jesus Christ. The hard work and love of Christ help build a firm foundation and structure for their homes.

Home Improvement In Jesus Name! Appalachian Outreach ministers to families from a five county area, who need home repair. They are recommended by churches, community organizations, Department of Human Services, home health care services, and by individuals. College students, faculty, community volunteers, church youth & adult groups join together as partners in volunteering their time, talent and resources to provide a helping hand. The repair ministry is supervised by Foreman, Randy Mellon. Each year many homes are repaired as tangible expressions of the love of Jesus Christ. Funding for this program is provided by individuals, church and civic organizations.

Would you like to go with our youth group? We will be in Tennessee for June 15-21. The total cost of the trip will be $25.00. In order to register, please pay this amount to Richard.

Super Bowl

2008-02-04T09:11:00.000-05:00

I had a great time last night. It was great that so many of you could come over to the house. When it's all said and done, who will remember who won the game or who played? Who will remember the commercials? I can't tell you anything about the 2007 Super Bowl! I have already forgotten...and I'm trying to forget New England's loss this year. But I can tell you that we were together last year too. And I can tell you that Jessica B refused to eat pigs feet at the party. I remember the fun and the closeness of friendship, the same will be true agian this year. You are important people, loved by one another and by God. That's something to celebrate and give thanks for!!!

By the way, this was my favorite commerical this year. Don't ask me why, I don't remember. But I know we all laughed hard.

We're Back...

2008-01-25T16:17:00.000-05:00

...from Winter Retreat at Universal Studios. Check out the photos by clicking on the link. FBC New Bern Universal Pics.

More photos added today!!!

The Golden Fish

2008-01-09T09:40:00.000-05:00

Before the start of the Bosnian war, the Malkoc family lived next to a small lake in the northwestern village of Jezero. One day in 1990, Smajo Malkoc returned from a trip to Austria with an unusual gift for his teenage sons, Dzevad and Catib: an aquarium with two goldfish.

Two years passed before Bosnian Serb forces advanced on Jezero. The women and children fled, and the men stayed back to resist the attacking soldiers. Smajo Malkoc was killed. When his wife, Fehima, sneaked back into the destroyed village to bury her husband and rescue what remained of their belongings, she took pity on the fish in the aquarium. She let them out into the nearby lake, saying to herself, "This way, they might be more fortunate than us."

Fast-forward to 1995. Fehima Malkoc returned with her sons to Jezero. Nothing but ruins remained of their home and their village. Through misty eyes she looked toward the lake. Glimpsing something strange, she walked over to the shore.

"The whole lake was shining from the thousands of golden fish in it," she said. "It made me immediately think of my husband. This was something he left me that I never hoped for."

During the years of killing all around the lake, life underwater had flourished. After their return, Fehima Malkoc and her sons started caring for and selling the goldfish.

By 1998, homes, stores, and coffee shops all over the region feature aquariums containing fish from Jezero. The Malkoc house, rebuilt on its original site, is one of the biggest in the village. Two new cars are parked in front, and the family says it has enough money to quit worrying about the future.

"It was a special kind of gift from our father," Dzevad Malkoc said.

One can never underestimate what a gift of love or an act of kindness might produce. Jesus said, "Give, and it will be given to you" (Luke 6:38). Whenever you give, no matter how small and insignificant your gift might be, God blesses it and uses it to accomplish great things. Jesus took a young boy's lunch and fed a multitude. Have no doubt that he can take whatever we offer to him and turn it into something magnificent.

The Malkoc's story is also a parable of God's relentless grace at work even in the midst of chaos and trouble. While the war in Bosnia was raging, life below the surface of a small lake flourished. We can rest assured that God's will is being done--that his kingdom is flourishing--even when life on the surface is full of trouble and strife. That is the message of the gospel--the ultimate fairy tale that comes true.

Cowgirl Up!!!

2008-01-07T12:14:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Jennifer and Taylor who both won awards at the Turkey Quarter Farm awards banquet. Taylor was awarded the 2007 Horsemanship award. Jennifer was awarded 2007 Rider of the Year!!! On to the bull riding in 2008!

This Sunday

2008-01-04T16:00:00.000-05:00

I wanted to remind you of several important meetings happening this Sunday.

First, the youth/youth committee is cooking supper for the January Bible Study. Youth should be in the FLC at 4:30 PM. You will go to choir at 5:00. We will serve supper at approximately 6:00.

Valentine Banquet rehearsal will begin immediately following supper in the FLC. We will begin dividing up youth responsibilities.

Parent Meeting We will have a meeting for all youth and parents beginning at 7:00 PM in the FLC. This meeting will serve as a pre-trip meeting for Orlando/Universal. At the end of the meeting, all wishing to learn more about the summer trip to Germany will be presented with very important information. Do not miss this meeting if you plan to go to Germany. You will be asked to commit to the trip in approximately 2 weeks. This trip is for those youth who will be 13 and above this summer (rising 9th grade and older).

Christmas Happens

2007-12-21T11:31:00.000-05:00

Tony Campolo tells the story about the late Mike Yaconelli, who told the story about a deacon in his church who wasn’t deaking. He just didn’t do what he was supposed to do as a deacon.

One day he said to the deacon, “I have a group of young people who go to the old folks home and put on a worship service once a month. Would you drive them to the old folks home and at least do that?” The deacon agreed.

The first Sunday the deacon was at the old folks home, he was in the back with his arms folded as the kids were doing their thing up front. All of a sudden, someone was tugging at his arm. He looked down, and here was this old man in a wheelchair. He took hold of the old man’s hand and the old man held his hand all during the service. The next month that was repeated. The man in the wheelchair came and held the hand of the deacon.

The next month, the next month, and the next month.

Then the old man wasn’t there. The deacon inquired and he was told, “Oh, he’s down the hall, right hand side, third door. He’s dying. He’s unconscious, but if you want to go down and pray over his body that’s all right.”

The deacon went and there were tubes and wires hanging out all over the place. The deacon took the man’s hand and prayed that God would receive the man, that God would bring this man from this life into the next and give him eternal blessings.

As soon as he finished the prayer, the old man squeezed the deacon’s hand and the deacon knew that he had been heard. He was so moved by this that tears began to run down his cheeks.

He stumbled out of the room and as he did so he bumped into a woman. She said, “He’s been waiting for you. He said that he didn’t want to die until he had the chance to hold the hand of Jesus one more time.”

The deacon was amazed at this. He said, “What do you mean?”

She said, “Well, my father would say that once a month Jesus came to this place. ‘He would take my hand and he would hold my hand for a whole hour. I don’t want to die until I have the chance to hold the hand of Jesus one more time.’”

Christmas works when we let Jesus take us into unfamiliar territory — a nursing home, a neighbor’s home, or into something even more bizarre, like an attitude adjustment, a generous spirit, a helping hand. Whatever.

The point is that whenever and wherever we go, we are the hand of Jesus to others, and when that happens — Christmas happens.

The Countdown Has Begun

2007-12-12T15:08:00.000-05:00

Have you registered yet to attend our New Year's Retreat at Caswell? If not contact Richard today.
Here's The Edge's Website

NC State Football

2007-12-05T16:56:00.000-05:00

It’s no secret that I like college football. No, really. I consider myself fortunate to have been watching televison and was privileged to witness one of the greatest college football moments that I have seen in years. No, it wasn’t Carolina's defeat of Dook. It was actually a penalty committed during the NC State and Maryland game. Or, should I say, the EXPLANATION of the penalty. God bless Ron Cherry! Online video was created for moments like these.

Germany 2008

2007-11-27T14:09:00.000-05:00

Are you planning on going to Germany with the youth in July of 2008? We will be attending the Baptist World Alliance’s youth conference in Leipzig (near Berlin). We also plan on doing some hands-on mission work and some educational touring. I know that you cannot commit until you know the price. I cannot get a price until I know approximately how many plan on going. (It’s a vicious circle). If you think that you would like to go (if the price is right) then give Dr. Seagle a call or drop him an e-mail this week. This event will be open to all youth and chaperones who are 13 or older (rising high school) as of time of the conference. For more information click on this link. http://www.dive-deeper.org

Check out photos

2007-11-20T16:05:00.000-05:00

Click on the link below and to the right to see the new photos posted of the middle school retreat. High school students, send me your photos and I will put them up as well.

High School Fall Retreat

2007-11-13T13:44:00.000-05:00

High School Retreat
Our high school students will be returning to Myrtle Beach for their Fall Retreat on November 16th. We will leave church at 4:00 PM to make our way to the Sweet Caroline Cottage in Cherry Grove, SC.

Here’s your packing list:
Bible
toiletries
one snack food for sharing
money for shopping in Myrtle Beach
sheets
games (cards, Monopoly, etc.)
towels
personal medicines and directions for taking
money for 3 meals out (2 Fast Food, 1 Hard Rock Cafe)
your own breakfast for Saturday and Sunday (Pop Tarts, cereal, etc.)
we will provide juice and milk

Congratulations to Claire A

2007-11-12T14:42:00.000-05:00

Claire and her team won the North Carolina Youth Soccer Association’s Presidents State Cup for the under 16 division. They now have the opportunity to represent North Carolina in the regional state cup in Georgia in June. Claire played a great tournament and we all are very proud of her!!! Claire, just make sure you're not in Georgia during any youth trips!!!

Pet Peeves

2007-11-06T09:52:00.000-05:00

Do you have a pet peeve? You know what I'm talking about, right? Things that people do or say that might annoy or frustrate us. Things that we will probably never stop from occurring, but that we wish we could stop for our own sanity. Here is a list of my personal pet peeves in no particular order. I would love to hear your list.

43 check out lanes at Wal-Mart but only 2 open.

Duke University

News reports on Brittany Spears or Paris Hilton (unless they spontaneously combust).

Moore Boys Car commercials on the radio

Cell phones ringing during worship

The Trent River Draw Bridge being closed.

People who pull out in front of me in traffic, slow me down and then take the next turn.

Grocery carts with one bad wheel or any other non-working parts

Installing a toilet paper roll so that the tissue unwraps from the under side of the roll

Having a drawer full of unknown cords, re-chargers, adapters at my house.

Clothes hangers... how they get all tangled with each other.

Radio advertisements with the sounds of sirens, horns or screeching tires.

Sand

Getting the wrong order after waiting in a long drive-thru line

Getting behind someone in line who needs a "price check"

The thought that Albert Einstein would probably have a hard time getting a job if he were alive now, because he had messy hair and wore ratty sweaters.

The fact that the worst pro baseball and football players will make more each year than the best teachers and nurses.

How the nutritional value of any given food is usually inversely proportional to how good it tastes.

"Air dry" machines, instead of paper towels in public bathrooms

Tennis, golf, bowling or racing on TV

Having to balance a plate of food on your lap at a picnic or reception

Teachers who misspell words and/or use incorrect grammar in homework assignments and letters to parents. (I love H. J. MacDonald's "weakly calendar" that they gave to all the students this year. I prefer a strong calendar.)

Hearing a song you hate and it mentally replaying in your head all day long (We're soaring...flying, there's not a star in heaven that we can't reach)

When no one will decide where and what we are going to eat

Christmas tree lights that fail to burn.

Thank you, God, that we can bring our burdens, our failures, our anxieties and our frustrations to You, no matter how small or large they may be. Amen.

Middle School Retreat Info

2007-10-30T13:20:00.000-04:00

Middle School Retreat
Those registered for the Fall Middle School retreat will leave the church at 4:00 PM on Friday, November 2nd. We will return at approximately 1:00 PM on Sunday.

Here is your packing list:
Bible
money for 2 fast food meals out
one snack food for sharing
personal medicines and directions for taking
sheets for single bed or sleeping bag games (cards, Monopoly, etc.)
pillow
toiletries
towels
money for snack bar or P/X souvenirs

Appalachian Outreach Part 3

2007-10-17T15:35:00.000-04:00

Here's the final movie in our trilogy. Enjoy.

Mum Fest Success

2007-10-15T10:27:00.001-04:00

Thanks to all who helped to park cars during the Mum Fest. We raised $1,485 plus one IOU for $5.00. Check out the photos. The photo link is on the right side of this page. Sorry that there are no photos at Robinson Stith lot.

Appalachian Outreach Video Part 2

2007-10-15T10:18:00.000-04:00

Enjoy part 2 of Todd Price's video. What's your favorite part? Tell us all in the comment section and tell us what time it occurs on the counter.

Appalachian Outreach

2007-10-12T09:42:00.000-04:00

Check out Part 1 of our Appalachian Outreach Video made by Todd Price. This is a fun look at our week of missionary service in Jefferson City, Tennessee. There will be 2 more parts added to our blog in future days, so keep checking back.

Questions that Haunt Me

2007-10-10T10:54:00.000-04:00

How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?

What disease did cured ham actually have?

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?

Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?

Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?

Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?

Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?

Why did you just try singing the two songs above?

Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?

Answers to the above questions would help me to sleep better at night.

Just wondering...How do you use your cell phone?

2007-10-06T18:05:00.000-04:00

I’m curious…for everyone that has a mobile/cell phone, how have you used your phone in the last 30 days? (phone calls, texting, email, web browsing, games, instant messaging, listening to music, watching videos, or something else?) What do you use it for the most?

And the bonus question…How many hours a day would you guess that you use it?

Click on comment and let me know. Remember, no last names.

Video of FBC Youth

2007-10-03T08:31:00.000-04:00

A local reporter from WCTI-12 caught this video of high school students from First Baptist Church on their way to school. It seems that the students had just left a morning devotional at Bojangles. Check out Matthew 25:31-46 to see what the devotion was all about.

Help Needed CROP Walk 2007

2007-10-02T15:59:00.000-04:00

August marked the 60th anniversary of CROP--the community hunger appeal of Church World Service--and the beginning of the fall CROP Hunger Walks season, in which tens of thousands of people in communities across the U.S. will sacrifice a few hours (and a blister or two) to raise money and show solidarity with impoverished people struggling to become self-sufficient. The CROP Walkers' motto: We walk because they walk!

This Sunday, October 7th, New Bern will be holding its annual walk. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds raised will go to help Religious Community Services soup kitchen and emergency food pantry. Our youth have been asked to prepare and operate a water station in front of our church. We need several of you to help give out water. You need to be on the front steps of the church at 3:00 PM. I hope that you can come and support this wonderful mission project.

FBC Mission Story

2007-10-02T11:35:00.000-04:00

I received a great story in my e-mail yesterday from Arnie and Mary Lou Harrell and a recent mission project that they have been doing with some refugees from our church. I thought that you may be interested in reading. Please be in prayer for the family mentioned in this story. Also be in prayer seeking ways for God to use you today.

"It's been a wonderful day. The clock alarmed at 6:30am. We were up and dressed at 8am. The Chin people were ready to go when we arrived and we left New Bern at 8:30am. The baby, 12 months, and his mom and dad sat on the back seat. Sang and Sai sat in the second seats and Arnie and I in front, I drove. We stopped in Kinston at McDonalds and they had breakfast.

Then we drove straight to Durham, arriving there at 11:30am. We parked in the parking building and when we started into the hospital we met two nurses in the elevator. We asked how to find the sick baby nursery, and they gave us directions. Before we left the area, one of the nurses came back to us, said she worked there, and would take us to the nursery. She came in and showed us what we had to do to check in. I told her the Lord sent her to us. I think she was getting off work and on her way home...

When they went to the window, and Arnie told them who they were, the lady said "thank the Lord that you are here". They had not been able to get in touch with the family at all. None of the phone numbers that they had were correct. A nurse came in and said that she was the baby's nurse. This little boy was born on August 16th, three months too early. He had a rupture in his bowl and had to have surgery, had respritory difficulty, among a lot of other problems. He weighs 2 pounds, 7 ounces. His mother is using a breast pump and was saving her milk. It should have been frozen, but she didn't know. He is now being fed with an IV.

After we had been there a while, they connected with an interpreter on the phone, and they were able to ask questions of the parents. Arnie and Sang were in the room with them. They were in there for over an hour. Sai was tending to the older baby and he had two naps in the waiting room. I was amazed at how many people were coming and going to see their baby. It was about 5:30pm when we were ready to go. It broke my heart to have to take his parents away.

Arnie drove us to Selma where we saw a Chinese Restaurant and we stopped. Arnie and I had only eaten a piece of toast, so we were hungry. They had a nice buffet and we all ate plenty. As we were leaving, our cell phone rang. I thought it was Lauren, but it was the Chaplain at Duke Hospital. Arnie had tried to get in touch, but she was not in her office. So, he left a message with the nurse about the baby. When she talked to Arnie, she had already been to the nursery and prayed for the little boy. She said he was beautiful, and that she would go every day and say a prayer for him. They talked for a while and we got in the van. Soon we were on our way home.

It was 8;30pm when we got to New Bern, and dropped off the families. The baby was sleeping, and I know he was exhausted. Everyone was, but it had been a wonderful day. We came home, fed our animals, and now Arnie is putting the finishing touches on the Sunday School lesson. Mary Lyn has found a Bible online and thinks it is in their dialect. She is printing our lesson, The Rich Young Ruler, and tomorrow we will see if they can read it.

It's time for bed, tomorrow is another busy day."

Mary Lou

David Crowder's Band Remedy

2007-09-26T16:06:00.000-04:00

If you are a David Crowder Band fan, like I know that you are, it's time to hop over to iTunes or a local store and pick up their new album. It is hard to imagine anyone matching the energy, creativity, versatility, and depth of DCB. Nowhere are these qualities more evident than Remedy, the new album in stores today. I was on iTunes this morning at 7:00 AM downloading and then listening while I completed some work at home.
Again and again, Remedy’s 10 tracks affirm and explore important truths: God is good, God is glorious, God is ever-present, and God is our Redeemer
The album’s title track celebrates Christ as the remedy for the world. “Such perfect love come for the broken and beat, for the wounded and weak,” Crowder sings. The track is a perfect example of DCB’s writing heartfelt and uplifting tunes about God. But the song’s most revealing lyric comes four and a half minutes in, when Crowder suggests that the Church is charged not only with sharing the remedy, but with being the remedy in our world. Here you find out why the album is called Remedy. Because we’ve been redeemed by a great God, Crowder seems to say, we should share the gospel of hope and love with our culture in both word and deed. The final track, “Surely We Can Change,” offers something of a prescription:

Where there is pain

Let us bring grace

Where there is suffering

Bring serenity

For those afraid

Let us be brave

Where there is misery

Let us bring them relief

And surely we can change

…Something

What else does DCB sing? Here are a few songs on my playlist not from Remedy. Maybe you will recognize them:

Here Is Our King

Wholly Yours

Our Love Is Loud

Everything Glorious (Remedy Album Version)

Undignified

O Praise Him (All This for a King)

No One Like You

For David Crowder Band, professional success, personal salvation, and a great new album aren’t enough. They want to change the world. Here's their website. DavidCrowderBand.com.

A Fun Game for Steady Hand

2007-09-25T08:29:00.000-04:00

I can't get past level three on this. I get right to the end but keep messing up. Let me know if you make it to the end.

http://www.winterrowd.com/maze/

Once you get to the website, press the triangle/arrow in middle of screen to begin. Simply keep your cursor on the green trail until you get to the red colored base. Believe me, it gets harder as you go.

Good luck!!!!

Don't forget to tell me how far you get in the comment section below.

Memories of Caswell 2007

2007-09-20T17:31:00.000-04:00

Here are the bloopers of "The Caswell Guys"

Check It Out!!!

2007-09-17T19:29:00.000-04:00

You have found it, the new blog dedicated to all things related to FBC Youth!!! This your your blog!!! Make comments, start discussions, check out all of the cool stuff. If you want to have some control over the site, talk to Richard about becoming an administrator.

For those of you who may not know how to use a blog, there are a few simple steps to follow:

1. Read!

2. Click on "comments" at the end of the article that you are interested in.

3. Post a comment!...and that's it!!

Simple to use!!

A few things to remember:

1. We value YOUR opinions and please respect the opinions of OTHERS.
2. If you use someone else’s work, please be sure to credit it. Check out this MLA citation maker.
3. Please be reminded that others can see what you post. Please be responsible in your posting.
First names only (and last initial if necessary) please!
4. Be creative! If this is your first time blogging, don’t be intimidated!! If you like to comment on what other people wrote… go ahead with your bad self!!

Thanks Leslie Green for the reminders.

Have fun and come back often!

Don't Miss the Photos

2007-09-17T19:14:00.000-04:00

To the right of the screen you will find a constantly changing set of links. I'll be on the lookout for websites that you may want to explore because they challenge you to grow, because they inform you, or because they are just plain fun. Three of the links that will always be there are to our church's website, to youth schedule information, and to photos. If you miss the photo link, you might miss out on more great photos like the one above. Go ahead and click on it...I dare you!!!

What Does This Commercial Have to do with Chocolate?

2007-09-17T15:40:00.000-04:00

I don't know, but I love it...

How to Set the World on Fire

2007-09-17T14:55:00.000-04:00

Phil Cooke points us to the micro-site for the new Sarah McLachlan music video, “World On Fire.” The video is a brilliant testament to justice, charity, compassion, and the power of visual media to communicate. The basic premise of the video is that a typical music video costs about $150,000 to produce—but how might that money be better used in our world? McLachlan opted to make a video that cost $15 and illustrates how the remaining $149,985 was spent. Watch the video for yourself here.

Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like there are a lot of implications and applications for churches here. First of all, creativity can be a magnificent substitute for resources. Think about it—$15 vs. $150,000. Second, flashy gets attention, but depth wins in the end. Whether or not McLachlan’s single tops the charts, it’s a success because lives have been changed. Finally, churches have some serious decisions to make. Church leaders need wisdom and guidance from God on how to walk the line between paying for their facilities and meeting needs around the world. Frankly, it isn't easy making financial decisions for a church. It's time for our church to plan the 2008 budget. What's your advice? Feel free to comment.