Mission Action Listening Session

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On Sunday, April 6th the Mission Action Committee will be hosting a church wide listening session during the Sunday School hour as a part of a mission assesment we are doing with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. This listening session will provide the congregation with the opportuntiy to give feedback and input on our current mission initiatives. We will also spend some time talking about various passions and emphasies the church would like for us to consider.

This information will be used by the MAC when we meet with Ellen Sechrest from CBF later in April. Ellen will work with the MAC to determine how we are doing when it comes to the wide variety of missions we engage with. We will spend time evaluating our work with our mission partners, looking at where the passions of the church lie, and will begin conversations about becoming an encourager church for a CBF Field Personnel (missionary).

We hope you will make plans to join us on Sunday, April 6th at 10am in The Fellowship Hall. Your input, feedback, and insights are vital to the work of the MAC and the mission work we do together.

CBFVA Kids Retreat 2025

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The first CBFVA Kids Retreat was a great success! FBW sent 4 children and 3 adults to Williamsburg in March 2025 to spend the weekend focusing on the theme of "Heaven on Earth." We focused on Jesus' command for us to help make earth like it is in heaven through caring for creation, caring for our neighbors, and caring for one another.

On Saturday morning, we did a mission project where we created birthday bags for families in need. The church groups went shopping for items like a cake pan, cake mix, frosting, streamers, balloons, party hats, plates, and forks. We then went to Williamsburg Baptist and decorated bags and cards, and created an assembly line to fill the bags with the purchased items. The completed bags were either sent home with churches to share with minsitry partners in their cities or given to a couple of non-profits in Williamsburg for distribution.

Saturday afternoon was spent in rotations. Children heard the story of the Good Samritan an imagined what would have happened differently if all fo the people in the story had someone who treated them like a neighbor. Then children helped create an art installation that was used in worship, complete with a paper person that helped us remember that it's up to all of us to create heaven on earth. Finally, they spent some time with CBF Field Personnel Jessica Hearne and learned about her ministry in Danville, VA with those experiencing poverty. They helped create starter boxes for seeds that will be used in the community garden in Danville while also learning how to use materials that can be reused and recycled as we work to take better care of creation.

Saturday evening and Sunday morning were spent in worship where we were encouraged and challenged to cross the line if it means seeing others as our neighbor rather than our enemy. We were encouraged to say "No!" if it means standing up for what is right instead of accpeting things the way they are. Children were reminded that they don't have to wait to be a certain age or have a certain job in order to bring heaven to earth. They can start that right now.

We had a terrific weekend and are ready to keep working at bringing heaven to earth each and every day- no matter what it holds.

National Day of Prayer 2025

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Join us for the 12th Annual Ecumenical National Day of Prayer Observance on May 1, 2025, at 11:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church, Waynesboro. This special gathering includes a catered luncheon ($13 per person) and an inspiring message from Linda Kusse-Wolfe, a retired United Methodist Elder with a passion for interfaith dialogue and spiritual formation.

“Where Have You Come From and Where Are You Going?” (Genesis 16:8b), invites reflection and connection across faith communities.

In the spirit of giving, we will be collecting donations for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, please bring shelf-stable food or hygiene items to support neighbors in need. Register by April 17 to secure your spot. Sponsored by the Senior Adult Ministry (J.O.Y. Ministry) of First Baptist Waynesboro.

FBW March Madness Bracket Challenges

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It's that time of year again! We are bringing back the FBW March Madness Bracket Challenges! This year there will be a men's tournament bracket challenge and a women's tournament bracket challenge. The password for both links is FBW. Each participant may enter one bracket for each tournament. The deadline to submit your men's bracket is March 20th at noon, and your women's bracket is March 21st at 11am. The top winner for each challenge will win a $25 gift card to a restaurant of their choosing! May the best predictor win!

Men's Bracket

Women's Bracket

Holy Week: Save the Date

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Save the date! As we approach Holy Week, we invite you to save the date for a series of special events to reflect, worship, and celebrate together. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details on our Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday/Good Friday, and Easter Sunday services.

April 13th - Palm Sunday/Easter Egg Hunt
April 17th - Service of Shadows (Maundy Thursday/Good Friday Service)
April 20th - Easter Sunday

Easter Food Fundraiser 2025

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It's that time of year! Our Easter Food Fundraiser is back! This year, all the proceeds will go to support our children and youth summer programming.

How it works:

Step 1: Church members sign up to make and donate their favorite homemade food items. Example: Kristen signs up to donate 2 dozen deviled eggs and 1 breakfast quiche.
Step 2: Church members sign up to purchase those items. Example: Justin signs up to purchase the deviled eggs and Jaime signs up to purchase the quiche.
Step 3: Pick up your items on the Saturday before Easter and enjoy them on Easter weekend! Example: Kristen drops off her items on Saturday, and Justin and Jaime pick up their food on Saturday.

Timeline:

March 9 – March 26: Sign up to donate food.
March 30 – April 16: Sign up to purchase food.
April 19: Drop off (9-10 AM)
April 19: Pick up (10 AM-12 PM).

You may donate whatever you like, but keep the holiday meal in mind. Suggestions include cakes, cupcakes, pies, muffins, and breakfast casseroles. Also dips and popular side dishes such as macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes etc. Rolls & breads are great too!

Questions? Contact Jaime Coulling. Thanks for your support!

FBW Weekday Preschool Annual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser

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The FBW Weekday Preschool will have their annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser on Wednesday, March 19. Dinner will be served from 5:00-6:30 and the preschool children will sing a few songs at 5:45. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED! You can sign up in the Canada Room, on the church website, or by scanning the QR Code in your bulletin. Cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children. Payment will be taken at the door (cash, check, or card accepted).

2025 Lent Book Study

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Join us for our Lent Book Study as we explore "Learning to Walk in the Dark" by Barbara Brown Taylor. Together, we will reflect on how seasons of uncertainty and challenge can deepen our faith. We will meet Sundays from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM, beginning March 9 through April 13, in the Faith Classroom in the Education Building. To sign up and/or purchase the book, please email Kristen. We look forward to this meaningful journey together!

Community Ash Wednesday Service

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Join us for a special Ecumenical Ash Wednesday Service on March 5th at 7:00 PM at Main Street Methodist. Together with our neighbors from Main Street Methodist, Grace Lutheran, Union Baptist, St. John’s Episcopal, and First Presbyterian, we will begin the sacred season of Lent in a spirit of unity and reflection. All are welcome as we come together for prayer and worship.

Men's Group

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Calling all FBW men, let’s hang out! One of ways we want to dig deeper with community in 2025 is by creating regular and intentional opportunities for the men of our church to connect with, encourage, and strengthen one another in our call to follow Christ and serve our families and community. We hope that through these informal gatherings you will have fun, connect with other men you might not know, and grow in your faith through our times of devotion and prayer. Our first opportunity is Saturday, January 18 from 8-9am at Panera Bread in Waynesboro. Please contact Pastor Justin if you have any questions and we hope to see you there!

Dig Deeper: January Sermon Series

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Hopefully, you’ve received your star word and are beginning to let that word challenge, encourage, and guide you in your personal journey through 2025. But what about us as a church? 2024 was an amazing year. But where is God leading us in 2025? What word will lead, guide, challenge, and encourage us as a church? As we’ve prayed and reflected on this question, we kept coming back to the word “deeper.” For the next 3 weeks we will reflect together in worship on the ways God might be calling us to dig deeper with Christ, deeper with community, and deeper in mission this year. As we reflect together on this “church star word” we hope and pray it will challenge and guide us this year.

Epiphany Sunday, Breakfast Potluck + Star Words

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On Sunday January 5th we will celebrate Epiphany together! Epiphany is the day we celebrate the magi's arrival to visit the Christ Child. While Epiphany is always on January 6th, at FBW we celebrate it on a Sunday closest to that day. We will gather for a church-wide potluck breakfast in the Fellowship Hall at 9:15, and then have a One Worship Service in the Sanctuary at 10:30. During that service, we will dedicate two of our children, take communion, and receive our Epiphany Star Words. Not sure what a star word is? You can find more information in this issue of the Soundings. Join us for one of our favorite days of the church year. It's going to be a wonderful way to begin 2025 together.

If you are new to FBW, you may wonder what a "star word" is. On Epiphany Sunday, we celebrate the magi who followed a star that led them to the Christ Child. When they arrived, they worshipped him and brought him gifts.

On Epiphany Sunday, each of us will receive the gift of a star with a word written on it. That word is meant to guide, challenge, and affirm you over the course of the next year. You don't get to choose your word; you don't get to trade it for a different one; the word you get is the word you get.

This word is meant to be a gift, not a burden. It may take some time for you to know what to do with your word, but over the years we have found that if you remain open to the ways your word will guide you throughout the year, it will do just that.

Join us on Janaury 5th in worship to receive your star word. If you won't be here that day, we will have them availale for the entire Epiphany season. If you would like us to mail you a word, please contact the church office

2024 Advent Devotions

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This year for our Advent devotions, we asked our church members to share their stories. Each person was assigned a scripture passaged to reflect on and to share how it applies to our Advent theme. We are grateful for those who have taken time to write for our devotional this year and look forward to hearing their stories as we journey through Advent together.

Senior Saints Christmas Lunch

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The Senior Saints Christmas Lunch will be on Thursday, December 11 from 11a-1p. The cost is $15/person and will include a catered lunch by Patsy Wood. This year, we will be entertained by the Weekday Preschool and Buddy Thomas and Wanda Eaves. You can sign up by contacting the church office. Payment can be made to FBW with "Senior Saints Lunch" in the memo line. Please sign up by December 4th.

November Mission Focus: Angel Tree

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Each year, FBW receives several Angel Tree angels from the Salvation Army. WE also provide gifts for the family that is staying in our room at the WARM house. Starting November 10th, you will find a Christmas tree in the Canada Room with angel tags on them. You can take a tag, purchase the requested gift, and then return the gift (unwrapped) WITH the tag attached to the church. As we learn deadlines, we will share them in all church communications. Thakn you for helping us make the holiday season a little brighter for families in our communtiy.