A publication of First Baptist Church — Waynesboro VA
Volume 54, No. 7
April 1, 2016
Look. Listen. Live: Let’s Play Ball!
B
aseball is America’s favorite pastime . . . and God’s! Not really, but maybe.
It is a game of anticipation, strategy, and skill. It is a game that cannot be won by one player, but a lot can be decided because of one pitch, one play, or one run. It is a game of inches as
well as chance, and it captures the hearts of so many - including God's.
Here are some of the endless reasons for why God gifted humanity with baseball.
First, God's very own son is the Natural. A scout's notes would say of him: "Solid eye-hand coordination, always
seems to be around the ball, hits for average and power, great speed, gold glove, strong arm, coachable spirit. A
true six-tool player."
Another reason for God favoring baseball is that it reflects how Christians are to live with hope.
I once attended a Braves game with my friend Rusty Grace who didn’t appreciate the finer, albeit slower, moments
of the game. Rusty couldn’t see the "1st and 3rd with 1 out" situations or when the outfielders moved into no-doubles.
He failed to focus on the catcher stepping out from home to give the short-stop a sign for double-play depth. He
thought the game to be too boring and missed the 1st and 3rd basemen shading the line to prevent a base-clearing double to the corner. He overlooked the catcher and pitcher intentionally keeping the ball low and away forcing the batter to hit a ground ball instead of a sac-fly. He couldn't see the connectivity, the trust, and the skill required to manufacture a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.
Rusty didn't have the eyes to see it.
But for those who do, baseball offers a chance to gaze upon the unpredictable horizon with hope. Hope that the ball
will bounce your way or miss their bats. Hope that whatever unfolds . . . chance, skill, and even inches will find symmetry (even if it’s just for a moment) and the impossible will flash like a stroke of brilliance. Hope that after hundreds
of at-bats and thousands of pitches, your team will inch their way into the starry playoffs of October. Hope that when
it comes down to one pitch, one play, and one out, your instincts guess right, your muscles don't fail, and your team
wins.
God wants us to see the finer, albeit slower, moments of life and to notice the unpredictable horizons of hope. God
wants us to anticipate how the Spirit bounces while learning how others swing and miss it. God wants us to find a
spiritual symmetry (even if it’s just for a moment) in order to help others see the impossible flash like a stroke of
brilliance.
When we buy into God's love for baseball, we see how beautiful, how true, and how good it is for people to unite
their time, their efforts, and their energies around a shared spirituality that prepares them for all nine innings of
life. We also realize that no one person can do it alone; it takes a team (a church) moving with a shared vision and
dream.
At First Baptist, we take seriously this third reason for why God loves baseball - it illustrates our job as the church.
I believe we are inching our way into a new hope, a new shared vision, and a new future at FBC. Thanks to each of
you who attended our listening sessions, we have ample data to help our Ad Hoc Committee make clear decisions
about the focus of our future. Come May 11, a report will be offered to the church at a business meeting to flesh out
recommendations for our future. Your presence is requested because it will take all of us praying and working together to become as good and as skilled as the Natural - Jesus Christ.
Make plans to join us at First Baptist. Our future is bright and hopeful. All we have to do now is do what the umpires
remind us before each inning - "play ball."
-Pastor Barrett
Page 2
Soundings
Worship
SUNDAYS . . .
8:45am — The Awakening — F Hall
11am — Traditional Worship — Sanctuary
April 3
“Live: Easter for the Rest of Us”
(from John 20)
Dr. Tracy Hartman — BTSR
Thomas didn’t get his Easter until a week later.
Focus will be on acknowledging/owning our
doubt, but then moving through that to live like
Christ.
April 10
“Live: The Appalling Silence of
the Good People” — (Mark 16-1-8)
MLK wrote a letter from Birmingham Jail. In that
letter he said that which the world will have to
repent from is not the evil done by the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people. It was as if MLK was thinking about the
disciples and the ending to the Gospel of Mark.
Scripture says in the last verse of the book that
the disciples went away and said nothing out of
fear. We can’t be Christians who say nothing
out of fear. God needs us championing the
sick, the poor, the downtrodden, and the widowed. We can’t stay silent.
April 17
“Live. Love. Follow. ”
(John 21:1-19)
In the last chapter of John, Jesus appears to
the disciples on the Sea of Galilee and eats
breakfast with them. During breakfast, Jesus
asks Peter three times, “Do you love me.”
Three times Peter says yes and Jesus replies,
“Feed my sheep. Follow me.” As Christians, we
are called to follow Christ. If we really love Jesus, we must follow.
April 24
“Live: Receiving Eternal Life ”
(John 10:22-30)
Everyone wants to know if Jesus is the Messiah. They plead, “Tell us plainly.” Jesus responds, “I have. My works testify to who I am.
The Father and I are one, but you do not believe.” So often we want a sign from God but
we aren’t willing to change our lives when we
see it. Jesus wants followers willing change the
world through love. People who just want personal salvation and not actually follow Jesus,
those people do not inherit eternal life.
FBC Children's
Ministry Update
SWIMMING AT THE YMCA
Saturday, April 30, 2016
2:00 - 4:00
This is a family event so parents, please
plan to stay with your child and enjoy the
pool and the fellowship. You may register
online on the church website no later than
Friday, April 22.
Please remember to bring swim suits and
towels! Snacks will be provided.
Weekday Preschool News
 Save the Date! FBC Weekday Preschool
will host its Spring Program on Thursday,
May 19, at 6pm in the Sanctuary. Please
join us for a program to showcase all that
we have been learning this year and for a
special send-off to our Pre-K kids. Our families always enjoy meeting our church members who support the preschool ministry.
Please join us!
 FBC Weekday Preschool Fall Registration
is ongoing at this time. We have openings
(some single-digit) in a variety of classrooms for children ages 2, 3, and 4! Join
our wonderful staff and group of students at
Weekday Preschool for the fall. For more
information or to pick up a registration packet, please contact the preschool office at
[email protected] or (540) 9422253.
FBC Youth
Ministry Update
Camp — First Baptist- Youth can still register
for Passport Choices in Greensboro NC June
19-24 and for Clue Camp in New York City, July
9-16. Register on the church website:
http://firstbaptistwboro.org/youth/
Details:
 A $50 deposit for each camp student is due
at registration, and we have recently lowered
prices due to such extreme generosity at our
youth fundraiser.
 Passport Choices: $300
 Clue Camp: (high schoolers only) $275
 For parents with multiple children we will be
offering a 25% off discount for each additional
student after full payment for one student.
Youth fundraiser — Come get your car
washed at Willy's Ice Cream on Saturday, May
7! All proceeds will go to First Baptist- Youth and
will help with costs for summer mission experiences.
Mid-Week Fellowship
Dinner Served at 5pm
MENUS:
 April 6 — Chili-Spud-Salad
(Community Meal)
 April 13 — Barbecue
 April 20 — Chicken Cordon Bleu
 April 27 — Lasagna
 May 4 — Taco Salad (Community Meal)
 May 11 — Pork Loin (Last WEF of Season)
Dinner reservations/cancellations due by NOON
each Tuesday.
Youth and Children’s Activities — 6-7pm
Called Church Business Meeting
April 6 — 6pm, Fellowship Hall
The Church Council recommends that we
change our hiring policy and seek a full-time
Children’s Minister. The Sunday School has
experienced significant growth in our Preschool and Children’s departments. Our
Listening Sessions have ranked the Children’s
program as a top priority. The Personnel,
Stewardship, and Ad Hoc Committees support
this action. The Nominating Committee will be
requested to present nominations for a
Minister of Families with Children search
committee.
Plan to join us for this important special business meeting on April 6!
Adult Handbell Choir Rehearsal — 6:45pm
Chancel Choir Rehearsal — 7:30pm
Church Softball
Two practices currently set:
 Sunday, April 17 from 2-3pm,
 Sunday, April 24 from 3-4pm.
All games and practices will be at the Barren Ridge softball fields (222 Eakle Road)
A $50 payment will be due for each player
(payable to First Baptist Church) to offset
the cost of league fees and uniforms.
Soundings
Page 3
Our Church Family Senior Saints
Don't miss your opportunity to help a family
in need. Mark you calendars for June 19-25
to help build a home for a family in need in
Morganton NC. No experience needed.
Just a warm heart and a will to let God use
you to change lives. Contact Mark Hamilton
if interested. 540-688-9068
[email protected]
Operation Inasmuch
Mark your calendars for the upcoming Operation Inasmuch event planned for Saturday
morning, April 16, 2016.
Teams of volunteers from several local
churches will work together to complete
various mission projects throughout the
community.
If you participated last year, you know what
a blessing and joy it was! Anyone can participate in this event. Some areas of interest
include:
construction/repair, painting, yard work,
cleaning, childcare, sorting clothes, preparing care packages, sewing projects and
more.
There will be sign-up forms to fill out if you
are interested. Please contact Sheri Hicks,
943-2005 or [email protected] if
you have any questions.
PLEASE REMEMBER IN PRAYER:
 Vera Bishop (AH)
 Martha Bliss (home)
 Katherine Bosserman (Aug. Nursing)
 Lynn Markin (UVA)
 Raymond Nester (home)
 Emerson Pell (AH)
 Carolyn Surber (home)
CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY is extended to:
 Judy Gyorko upon the death of her
father, Brinley A. Gyorko, on March 20.
 Horace Studwell upon the death of his
wife, Joan, on March 13.
A WARM FBC WELCOME TO:
 Jeffery Caudill who joins us by letter
from River Road Baptist Church in Richmond. Jeffery grew up in FBC, and is
President of Winterwoods Homes, Ltd.
 Dennis and Sandy Hope who join us by
statement of faith. Dennis is an accountant with Dynamic Aviation.
THANK YOU NOTE RECEIVED (posted
outside the church office:
 Faye Jones
In Loving Memory
Delores Joan Studwell
November 1, 1935 — March 13, 2016
 The Third Annual Augusta Baptist
Association Senior Adult Banquet
will be held April 8 at Memorial Baptist
Church, Staunton. Fred Anderson, Executive Director of Virginia Baptist Historical Society, will be guest speaker as
the historical Baptist preacher of Dr.
William Hatcher. A non-refundable
$15.00/person reservation is necessary
by April 1. Send check to Charlie
Downs at 109 Gloucester Court,
Waynesboro, Virginia 22980 by April 1.
Seating is limited so it is not too soon to
make your reservation.
 By popular request, Augusta Baptist
Association is presenting a repeat of a
program on Alzheimer’s disease. Sharon DeBoever has agreed to return on
April 13 to Linden Heights Baptist
Church, 371 Linden Dr, Staunton. Note
that Linden Heights Golden Agers are
generously offering a light meal after
the program, so reservations are needed by calling or emailing Doris Carter,
our Senior Adult Ministry Chair, by April
11.
885-1986 OR
[email protected]
Congratulations to Financial Administrator, Brenda
Miller, on her fifth anniversary with First Baptist, Waynesboro. Thank you, Brenda, for your diligence and accuracy in administering the finances of our church so well!
Save the
date
Monday
May 9
1:00 pm.
WARM
First Annual
Golf Tournament
Waynesboro Country Club
Online
Giving
The Visible Results
Sunday Attendance . . .
3/20/16
3/27/16
WORSHIP ..................................................... 353 .................... 653
BIBLE STUDY ............................................... 217 .................... 234
Monthly Financial Figures
2016
Feb. YTD
Budget
Budget
Feb. YTD
Actual
Receipts
$730,000
$121,666
$108,865
Expenses
$730,000
$121,666
$ 98,886
Net Total
$ 9,980
If you are not receiving offering envelopes but would like them,
please contact the church office.
Soundings
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Waynesboro VA 22980
Permit No. 7
First Baptist Church
301 S Wayne Ave
Waynesboro VA 22980
One Church —
Two Ways to Worship
8:45-9:35 — The Awakening (Fellowship Hall)
Innovative and interactive worship expressing
classic faith in our changing world.
9:30-10:00 — Refresh (Canada Room)
Build relationships with one another while you
enjoy a cup of coffee and fellowship.
9:50-10:45 — Bible Study (All Buildings)
Learn to think, do and be like Christ that we may
be transformed by him and transform our world
for him.
11:00-12:00 — Traditional Worship (Sanctuary)
A worship service celebrating our heritage and
hope as a community of believers.
Church Staff — All Members Ministers
Ben Brown .................................................. Minister of Discipleship, Families & Youth
Kimberly C. Cook .....................................................................................Custodian
Mary Alice Downs ...................................................................................... Organist
Lynn W. Fields ............................................................................... Ministry Assistant
Larry Jones ..................................................................... Minister of Music & Worship
Kathy Melton................................................................................................. Pianist
Brenda K. Miller ..................................................................... Financial Administrator
J. Barrett Owen ................................................................................... Senior Pastor
Lauren Simmons ........................................................... Weekday Preschool Director
Prayer Requests:
 24-Hour Prayer Line: 949-9429
 Submit online request: go to website Ministries page, Prayer Ministry; follow
“submit” link to the request form. Requests are submitted immediately to staff.
 Access to Website Prayer List — Password: fbcpray
 Immediate Prayer — 943-2815
Sunday/Wednesday Rides:
Jerry Thomas — 540-942-2039 or 540-256-2820
Dinner Reservations:
932-1558
First Baptist Church
301 South Wayne Avenue — Waynesboro VA 22980
www.firstbaptistwboro.org — Phone — (540) 949-8187
Fax — (540) 943-5399
Weekday Preschool: (540) 942-2253
At a Glance . . .
April
1
Stewardship & Finance: 6:30pm (Conf Rm)
4
Endowment & Scholarship Committee: 5:30pm
Mission Action Committee: 7pm
6
Called Church Business Meeting: 6pm
8-10 Youth Mission Madness Trip
10
UVA Women’s Chorus: 3pm (Sanctuary)
(W’boro Concert Assoc. Tickets available at
door, info: waynesboroconcerts.org)
12
Personnel Committee: 7pm (Conf Rm)
18
Diaconate Meeting: 7pm (F Hall)
24
W’boro Symphony/Schola Concert: 3pm (Sanct)
30
Family Swim Party: 2pm (YMCA)
May
2
Mission Action Committee: 7pm
4
Community Meal
5
National Day of Prayer Luncheon (watch for info)
7
Youth Car Wash (see p. 2)
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First Baptist Church Waynesboro
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE: Next Issue: April 15 — Articles should be submitted IN WRITING or via e-mail to
[email protected] by THURSDAY, April 7.