MINISTRY FAIR AND MUFFIN BREAKFAST - SUNDAY, FEB. 5, 9:00-10:45 AM, IN WAYLAND HALL
Come browse through the displays to learn all about the different opportunities of ministry available to you.  Please support the youth who will be selling muffins, O.J. and coffee to raise money for their mission trip.

The Foster Circle will meet Tuesday, Feb. 7th, 10:00 am in the Euzelian class room.
The Sloan Circle will not meet in February.

FOREVER YOUNG LUNCHEON AND A SPEAKER - THURSDAY, FEB. 9, 11:30 IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL
Come enjoy a delicious lunch of homemade vegetable soup, Club sandwich, veggie tray, and homemade desserts for $4.00.  Then hear about important healthcare issues affecting Wilkes County.  Please get your reservation in to the office by Wednesday, February 1st.

Mike Norwood needs sound booth volunteers for Sunday morning worship service.  He will provide training.  Call Mike at 828-773-8077 if you would be interested in helping with this ministry.

YOUTH SKI TRIP - SUGAR MOUNTAIN - FEBRUARY 19 AND 20

WOMEN OF THE CHURCH ACTIVITIES FOR FEBRUARY
Feb. 16 - Girls Night Out, 6:30 pm in the Gathering Place, Bring baby item for 
                  Wilkes Pregnancy Center.
Feb. 23 - Tour Wilkes Pregnancy Center, 6 pm.  Meet at Dine & Dash after
                  touring the pregnancy center.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR.....
CHILI LUNCH & SUPPER - THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2012
TO BENEFIT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
We will be serving homemade chili with all the trimmings (including homemade cookies) from 11:00 am - 7:00 pm on Thursday, March 15, 2012.  Tickets will be sold in advance and will be available soon.  Watch for further details later.

2012 Children's Calendars Available
A 2012 calendar featuring the artwork of our own FBC children is available for $15.00.  Profits from the sale of the calendars will go to support the Atwood"s mission work in Guatemala.  See Stella to get yoir today!

LOOKING FORWARD....
Feb. 22     Ash Wednesday
Feb. 24 & 25  Handbell Festival
March 15    Chili Benefit
March 18    Women' Day
March 23    CBF General Assembly in Raleigh
April 1         Palm Sunday
April 8         Easter
April 22       Children's Sunday

SAVE THESE DATES - JUNE 3-6, 2012 - VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Please let Stella know if you would like to help.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Chair, Jim Waddell                                                                                                         
Vice Chair, Steve Foster                                                               
Secretary, Karen Newman
Assistant Secretary, Marcia Conley
Members at large:  David Mastin
                                   Scott Church

 DEACONS FOR 2011/2012
Charles Bentley     James Huffman     Gene Bell                 Scott Church
Steve Foster           Joel McDonald       Marcia Conley         Gary Coffey       
Frank Bright            Fred Dellinger       Matt Hagaman        Celia Maddry    
Noial Handy             David Reynolds    David Mastin            Karen Newman  
Mike Norwood         Marie Waddell      Jack Nixon                 Eugene Reavis
Jim Waddell            John Warren         Ronnie Osborne        Scotty Williams

 

A Note From the Pastor    

     Remember Valentine's parties in elementary school? Creative kids made valentines for every classmate. Others, like me, bought a box of kid's cards and then tried to match a card for each child. It wasn't that difficult, the girls got cards with puppies or kittens and the boys got ones with airplanes or Disney characters. In good years, you might even attach a lollypop. The point was to say, "I like you," without them thinking you like them too much.

     Isn't it nice to know that God's love is much more mature! Scripture describes God's love with the Hebrew term hesed (steadfast love) and the Greek word agape (unconditional love). In fact, John says that "God is love" (I John 4:8). God loves us so much that we cannot even comprehend the depth of God's love. Still God seeks us out in hopes that we will accept and return God's love.

     God doesn't love us to get something from us. When we understand how much God loves us, however, we are moved to return God's love by loving others. Biblical love isn't just a gushy emotion. It is an act of faith lived out in service to God and others. As Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14:21). Knowing God loves us gives us the security to love and serve others.

     As you pick out Valentines for those you love, I hope you will remember that the greatest expression of love ever sent was Jesus Christ. In memorizing John 3:16 we are reminded that it is because of God's great love that he sent Jesus. And it is because of Jesus' great love for us that he gave his own life for our salvation. Even if you don't get a single valentine, God has already given you the greatest gift of love.

     Trying to return God's love may make you feel like a child with a bunch of inadequate cards, but showing our love for God is not that difficult. This February you can demonstrate your love for God by being in God's presence (worship), seeking to understand God's way (Bible Study), and loving those God loves (ministry). It is my prayer this month that you are overwhelmed by God's love and respond by loving others as you have been loved.