fellowship hall portico construction status p.o. box 35 paid...
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PRESRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
PAID PERMIT NO. 14 CLAYTON, NC
First Baptist Church P.O. Box 35
Clayton, N.C. 27528-0035
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June 3, 2020 The Outlook Vol. 44, Number 22
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Fund Report for May 26—June 1, 2020
Weekly Budget Gifts ……………………………………….. $ 16,833.00
YTD Receipts …………………………………………………… $ 329,625.18
YTD Expenses ………………………………………………….. $ 342,865.97
Over/Under Expenses ……………………………………... $ (13,240.79)
Senior Pastor’s Pen: Pain as a Catalyst for Change
Over this past week I have been nauseated by the video of police officer Derek Chauvin wedging his knee into the neck of George Floyd, an unarmed man lying face-down on the asphalt of a street in Minneapolis. Already hand-cuffed, Floyd was pinned down by three other officers while Chauvin effectively strangled him for over eight minutes. His cry, “I can’t breathe!” was the same cry of Eric Garner, who died as a result of being held face-down in a chokehold by an officer in New York City. His murder due to excessive force has ignited a firestorm of protests in cities across America and in nearby Raleigh, Rocky Mount, and Fayetteville.
Why has the response been so massive? For one thing, George Floyd’s death is yet another death at the hands of police who are sup-posed to serve and to protect. It reveals the continued racism and violence within our justice system against persons of color. In fact, it fits into a painfully familiar pattern of systemic oppression and abuse of black people that goes back four centuries right here in America.
Secondly, the current protest movement has been surprisingly vast because it comes on the heels of a devastating health and financial crisis. When I think about it, the greatest health crisis since the 1918 flu epidemic and the greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression have now combined to create the perfect storm for the greatest civil unrest since the days of the Civil Right Movement. This is a time of tremendous pain and anger. As a nation, where do we go from here?
I believe that the current chain of events provides a catalyst for change. While I strongly disagree with the looting and violence that has accompanied the past week, I believe that this movement creates opportunities for listening to one another to find constructive solu-tions to our problems. We need national bipartisan legislation that will create systemic change and accountability. Here are three ways we can move forward with laws to improve our current police system:
1. Create legislation to change section 242 of Title 18 that governs misconduct for police. Create a national police registry for misconduct which will help stop officers who accrue a record of misconduct without any consequences. 95% of police officers are wonderful, caring people, but did you know that Officer Chauvin had 17 complaints against him? 16 of the 17 complaints were closed without discipline while the other one simply produced two letters of reprimand. Police who are not corrected for their small-er mistakes eventually can make even bigger mistakes without appropriate follow-up and supervision.
2. Create a national standard for use of force. We have 13,000 different police departments which all have different policies and procedures in different jurisdictions. We need a law that provides some basic agreement nationwide. We need to clarify: what is a necessary use of force?
3. Assign independent prosecutors to investigate police-committed crimes. Special litigation lawyers within the Civil Rights Division of the Dept. of Justice are hired to enforce statutes where there are local systemic issues and problems. For example, Attorney General Eric Holder went to Ferguson, MO, when the shooting of Michael Brown occurred because there were signs of wider, systemic problems with that particular police dept. He and his staff went and listened to local government officials, police, and advocates to investigate that police department. In addition to the Dept. of Justice being reengaged, states should also estab-lish a permanent State Attorney’s General Office to investigate and prosecute police rather than allowing local district attorneys to prosecute the police they deal with on a regular basis. This prevents a conflict of interest and provides better transparency and accountability to the public.
Let’s pray daily for our nation, our leaders, our people, and our police. Our Zoom prayer meeting on June 3 at 8:30 PM will help unite us as we share our concerns and take them to our heavenly Father.
Change begins with each of us and how we treat one another. Next week in my Senior Pastor’s Pen, I will share steps that you and I can take on a more personal level to foster progress in the areas of racism and violence. Let’s follow Jesus’ model of love and reconcil-iation.
Prayers for Peace,
Hello Church Family!
As many of you know, Graduate Sunday this Sunday, June 7th. Our graduates this year are Connor Woodard, Brendan Outlaw, Abby Pleasant, Jennifer Sieredzki and Rebecca Jenkins. Due to the cur-rent situation with the pandemic, our graduates will have an in-home luncheon provided by our youth instead of a fellowship hall luncheon. Every year we typically set up gift tables for you all to drop off a gift to our graduates. Since we cannot do that this year, we ask that you either drop your gift off by the church office or send it directly to their address listed below. Thanks! – Jill
Brendan Outlaw: 724 Lightfoot Drive, Clayton, NC 27520
Connor Woodard: 2310 Steel Bridge Road, Clayton, NC 27520
Abby Pleasant: 349 Broadmoor Way, Clayton, NC 27520
Rebecca Jenkins: 8731 US 70 BUS HWY W, Clayton, NC 27520
Jennifer Sieredzki: 201 Riverwood Drive, Clayton, NC 27527
High School Graduates Please keep these graduates in your prayers as they head into a new
season of life! We wish them all the best.
Baden McRae Holder (Grandson of Art & Frankie Holder) Graduating from Fayetteville-Manlius High School
Attending Villanova University
Rebecca Jenkins (Daughter of David and Jill Jenkins Grand-daughter of Jimmy and Judy Cox)
Graduating from Clayton High School Attending UNC- Chapel Hill
Brendan Outlaw (Son of David and Pam Outlaw) Graduating from Clayton High School
Attending North Carolina State University
Abby Pleasant (Daughter of Robert Pleasant) Graduating from Cleveland High School
Attending North Carolina State University
Jennifer Sieredzki (Daughter of Kim Sieredzki) Graduating from North Carolina School of Science and Math
Connor Woodard (Son of Jay and Kathy Woodard) Graduating from Cleveland High School
Attending North Carolina State University
PieceMakers Ministry
Our PieceMakers have been busy making pillows for children coming to Johnston Health Clayton Hospital. To date they have made 33 pillows! Our prayer is that these pillows will provide comfort and security to the children.
Our PieceMakers will also be making masks for our church family & friends, including Clayton Area Minis-tries. If you would like to make some masks or need a pattern, please contact Martha Wall or Phyllis Crane. Patterns and materials will be available after Wednes-day, June 10, outside the church office. (Open Office hours are Monday & Tuesday 8:30-5:00 Wednesday’s 8:30-12:30)
Fellowship Hall Portico Construction Status
We are in the construction planning and preparation stage since the
congregation approved the project on May 13th . The contract with
Vortex was signed on May 14th. Vortex submitted the application for
a building permit to the Town of Clayton Planning Dept. on May 14th
and we are waiting for approval. The structural steel fabrication draw-
ings have been completed and approved and were submitted to the
supplier on June 1st. Due to the COVID-19, we expected this phase
to take up to 6 weeks. Fortunately, it was completed in 2 weeks!! We
will soon have a detailed construction schedule which we will pass
along to all Church committees/groups and the CDC to communicate
changes in the Fellowship Hall outside entrance access. We are still
on target for a late-September completion.
Building & Grounds Committee
What does the Bible say about Easter and Sunday School?
Psalm 37:1-5
Of David. Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.
Video Conferencing Sunday School
Congratulations to the Salt and Discipleship classes with a total attendance of 29 each, including one visitor.
Class Participation Teachers
Basic 24 Rhonda Mooneyham & James Faggart Bible Academy 8 John Paschal & David Whitaker Discipleship 29 Jake Parker, Sandy Stephenson & Dionne Fortner Hope 18 Lowell Harris & Joe Nelson John Talton 9 Andy Pleasant & Stewart McLeod O’Neil 9 David Earp, Fred Smith & Curtis Moore Salt 28 + 1 Visitor Phil Crane, Al Cassel & Stephen Nance Youth 15 Jill Martin-Prouty
Hope you can join us next Sunday. Have a safe, blessed and healthy week.
John Bagley Sunday School Director
919-971-1513 or [email protected]
Prayer Requests
Pray for Percy Lee at Wake Med Raleigh, Room 3B32. He plans to move to Wake Rehab Hospital soon.
Continue to pray for Addie Radford, as she has started physical rehabilitation following her cardiac bypass surgery. She is in the UNC Rex Rehab and Nursing Care Center in Room 120 and will be there at least an-other week.
Please pray for America in our Share and Prayer Time on Wednesday, June 3rd at 8:30 pm. Join us for a time to share your concerns and pray for justice and healing across our nation. A secure Zoom link has been emailed to our church members to participate online via your device. If you choose not to join us online, then please join us in praying wherever you are at 8:30 pm on Wednesday night.
DEACON OF THE WEEK—June 7-13
Robin Little (919) 218-4286 [email protected]
Sunday Clean Team
Before we can resume in-person worship services, our church will need
a team of conscientious volunteers who are willing to serve on the Sunday Clean Team to clean door knobs, specified surfaces, and bathrooms between our two morning services. The church will provide all cleaning supplies and gloves.
We need YOU on our Sunday Clean Team!! Please contact Dr. Clipp at (919)553-4161 or [email protected] for additional information.
Thanks in advance!!
NEW SENIOR ADULT WEDNESDAY MORNING
VIDEO BIBLE STUDY
BEGINNING June 17th
10 Week Study
9:30 am
New Senior Adult Wednesday Morning Video Based Bible Study Series led by Rev. Stephen Nance. As time gets nearer, an announcement will be made if the study will be through Zoom or at the church. What’s So Amazing About Grace, written by Phillip Yancey. Books will be available for $7. (Will advise when books arrive.)
Friday Faces: Graduation Edition As we wrap up an unusual ending to the 2019/2020 school year, let’s take a moment to celebrate those young peo-
ple who have graduated from special academic mile-stones for Friday Faces: Graduation Edition. Please send photos of your graduates—preschool, kinder-garten, 5th grade, 8th grade, high school, and col-lege/professional graduates.
Send photos of your graduate NO LATER than Wednesday, June 3rd to:
Thanks, Stephanie Parker Dir. Of Children’s Ministry
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE GIFTS TO THE ORGAN FUND
“In Memory of”
Joyce T. Barbour by Bucky & Duba Coats Emaline P. Burgess by Steven K. Hall
Joyce T. Barbour by Belle Allen Beth Sayre by John & Bonnie Betterton Beth Sayre by Andy & Gloria Pleasant
Joyce T. Barbour by Chris & Diane Pearce
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE GIFT TO THE YOUTH MISSIONS FUND
“In Honor of”
The Class of 2020 Graduates by Cathy & John Paschal
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE GIFT TO THE MEDIA FUND
“In Honor of”
John Paschal, Jeff Tarkington, Matthew Tarkington and Brandon Andrews by Gloria & Andy Pleasant
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE GIFT TO THE BACKPACK BUDDIES FUND
“In Memory of”
Chuck Turlington by Belle Allen
Hear ye, hear ye! I hereby declare that VBS will now stand for Virtual Bible School. It brings very big sad-ness to know that we cannot all gath-er together in person for this special event, but that doesn’t mean we can’t virtually bring the spirit as we learn, grow and have fun at home. As Knights of North Castle, we will be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Join in the virtual fun as we venture beyond space on a quest for the King’s Armor. Each night, we will armor up with the Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Justice, Shoes of Peace, Shield of Faith and Helmet of Salvation. VBS will still be the week of July 12-16 with a Facebook live each night at 6:00 to kick off the night’s theme, lesson and activities. Participants will re-ceive materials for craft, activities and a CD. Additionally, we have some surprises and creative things planned to engage families throughout the week. Registration is open and will go through June 19. Please register each child in your household who will partici-pate. If you have friends or neighbors you feel comfortable participat-ing with on a small scale, join together to increase the fun of VBS at home with others. Everybody wake up, it’s KNIGHT time!
https://onrealm.org/fbcclaytonnc/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=ZDE2MGMyMDgtZDI4MS00MmM0LWE4NWQtYWJjYzAx
NDIyMDlj Thank you,
Stephanie Parker—Dir of Children’s Ministry
TO EVERYONE THAT HELPED WITH THE BACKPACK
PROGRAM THIS YEAR, FROM GETTING THE BAGS
READY TO PACK, PACKING THE BAGS AND DELIVER-
ING THEM TO THE SCHOOL.
BEN AND I CERTAINLY COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT
WITHOUT ALL YOUR HELP AND FOR THAT, WE
THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS!!
SHARON & BEN CLIFTON
O u r A d m i n i s t r a t i v e
Assistant now has a “NEW”
e-mail address effective
immediately. Please change
and begin using this address: