The Elizabethan
F IRST B APT IST C HURC H
O R GA NIZE D 1786
F E BR U A RY 20 14
Let Your Light Shine
These winter nights, after Jeanell and the boys and are usually already
snuggled in their beds, it falls upon me to make sure our dog’s late night
needs are met. Bridget inevitably insists on being let outside just one more
time late at night before she is satisfied to sleep for the evening. Unfortunately, this involves more than opening the door. Bridget pauses on the
porch and turns to look at me. She won’t venture down the stairs into the
grass without company. I think this hearkens back to the time when we lived in a settled
neighborhood and we had to walk her on a leash. Most nights, I’d take her for an evening stroll.
Now, at night – even very cold and snowy nights – she still needs the company, so I accompany
her outside to the yard.
Ever since moving here to the Albemarle, I have been struck by the clear winter skies. The stars
are vivid pinholes of light against the black backdrop of the sky. I marvel at their clarity,
though I know the great distances between them and me. The light I see is ancient, traveling
countless years to meet me in those quiet, cold moments. It is as if they are beams meant to
poke their way straight from the edge of eternity right into my eyes. Bridget rarely seems interested in looking up, but I do. The light stirs something in me.
There is a sense of awe and humility, and also of comfort. Creation is big; I am small; yet there
is a place in all of it that is uniquely mine to occupy. Sometimes it takes the blast of cold winter
air and Polaris staring down at me to make me ponder how much we’ve lost by fixating on the
lesser lights down here.
The time between Christmas and the beginning of Lent has, for at least a couple of generations,
been known simply as “Ordinary Time.” In recent years, though, some have gone back to the
older tradition which names the Sundays between as the Sundays after the Epiphany. Literally
translated from its Greek roots, the word “Epiphany” means “to shine over,” and we regularly
translate its meaning as “manifestation.” The season began with the day of Epiphany, when we
remembered the story of the magi, foreign stargazers led to Jesus by the light of a star (Matthew
2:1-12). During Epiphany, we ponder how Jesus’s significance became manifest in the world
through his own emerging vocation. Epiphany ends with Transfiguration Sunday, when we
remember when Jesus went up on a mountain with a few of his disciples and was transformed
in their presence: “and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling
white.” (Matthew 17:1-8).
The Season after Epiphany is a season bookended by stories of light and revelation. God used
light to show the magi how to find the baby Emmanuel, little God-with-us. At the Transfiguration, through the mystical light which permeated his face and clothing, the disciples viewed
Christ’s enduring glory which would overcome the power of death.
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F IRST B APT IST C HURC H
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On the front of each Sunday bulletin, I have labeled these as the weeks after Epiphany because I hope that this will not simply be an ordinary time for us. I pray that this will be a
time when we can approach Jesus like a chilly, clear winter night when the light of the stars
pokes through the eternity of the universe and aims straight at our hearts. I hope God will
be revealed to us this season in a way that evokes feelings of awe, of humility, and of care.
God is big, and we are small. Still, there is a place in all of it which each of us is uniquely
called to occupy. The God who brings each light in the heavens to your little life has placed
you here to be a living light in this world. That is an encouraging thought. Let your light
shine!
Grace and Peace,
Children
Our KMD kids are getting ready to send out some love. Valentine's Day is rapidly approaching, and our KMD kids will be having a Valentine's Day party on Friday, February
14, from 6-8:30. This will be going on at the same time the Valentine Banquet for adults is
going on, so feel free to bring your parents as well! There is no cost for the kids' party, and
we will be serving pizza, popcorn, and watching movies and doing crafts. Can't wait to see
you there.
Youth
Kick-off for the big game is this Sunday, and the youth are ready to pull for their favorite
team. We are having a Super Bowl party and can't wait! We have finished our work on the
youth room (for now) and look forward to showing it off to our friends. The party is from 5
until halftime, so if you want to stop on by, please do.
Tickets On Sale Now!
Join us on Friday, February 14, at 6:00 PM for our annual Valentine Banquet. Our evening
together will include a delicious dinner, door prizes, a photo booth, and live entertainment...all for only $10.00 per plate. Children are invited to a FREE Valentine Pizza Party in
the Youth Room on the second floor during the banquet.
Tickets are available now at Footprint Christian Resources, 206 N. Poindexter St. and in the
Church Office
Thursdays at 10:00AM
The First Baptist Church
Organized 1786
A beacon of hope in the harbor of hospitality.
300 West Main Street
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Service videos are found at www.ecfbc.com
Church office hours 9AM -5PM Monday-Friday
Office phone: 338-3904
Subscribe to eNews: Text ECFBC to 22828 to get started.
HOURS OF WORSHIP:
Sunday
Cheerios Breakfast-9:15am
Sunday School-9:45am
Sunday Worship-11:00am
Puppet Team-4:00
Youth Bible Study-6:00pm
Wednesday
Children’s Choir-5:30pm
Kids Missions & Tweens-6:15pm
Adult Bible Study-6:30pm
Chancel Choir-7:00pm
Thursdays:
Youth Bible Study-6:00pm
Board of Deacons
Charles F. M. Gordon, Chairman
Carlie Ange
Roger Ferrell
Michael Barnett
Nate Granger
Gwen Bell
Dawn Kidd
Louise Brickhouse
Charles Mahaffey
Ron Crowder
Ophelia Meads
Jimmie Dixon
Doug Sawyer
Michael Dixon
Luther Starks
Laugh Line
Church Staff
Pastor: Christopher A. Ingram
Director of Children and Youth: J. Knight
Choir Director/Organist: Billy Caudle
Librarian: Janice Haskett
Treasurer: Joe Lamb
Administrative Assistant: Jennifer Tanner
Phone 338-3904
Lord Help Me
Dear Heavenly Father,
So far, today, I've done all right. I haven't gossiped or lost my
temper. I haven't been greedy, grumpy, nasty, or self centered.
I'm really happy about that so far. But in a few minutes I'm going to be getting out of bed and then I'm going to need a lot of
help. Thank you! Amen