Take a 5-minute drive down the road from FBC, and you will find yourself at The Woods, a senior living home that serves some of the members of our church. Spend a few minutes interacting with the residents, and you will soon recognize that this community is special — composed of individuals whose collective wisdom and stories can entertain a visitor for hours. Expect to be greeted warmly (and quite possibly, with candy). Visitors are dignitaries here.
First Baptist hosts a worship service at 2:00 p.m. at The Woods every other Sunday. Nearly twenty residents gather in the sitting room to sing hymns and hear a devotion, often led by Ron Murray and another volunteer. Many of the attendees are long-time members of First Baptist. As she thinks about the Sunday service, Katty Strong asserts, “We look forward to singing hymns together. Ron challenges you to be better.” Some, like Patsy Yevick, have the ability to drive themselves to church for Sunday school. She is quick to say that as soon as she returns home, she turns on the Celebration worship service broadcast on her television. Patsy doesn’t like to miss a service — she has been a member since Bruce Morgan was in the pulpit.
When asked about what First Baptist means to them, others offer enthusiastic replies. Tootsie Powers says, “The church is wonderful, and everybody agrees with me here. They think a lot of the Baptist Church.” Residents light up when they recall the cards and visits they have received. Ginger Copeland adds, “It makes me feel good that you visit. We enjoy y’all coming. I get cards, and they are so pretty. They make me feel good.”
Evidence abounds that FBC is meeting a deep need for community and companionship at The Woods. Jeanie Mullins reflects and says, “The church means everything to me. I have gotten cards and calls. They are always here when I need them.” Katty Strong captures the essence of why we visit The Woods to maintain strong ties to our community there. She says, “I was raised in the church. FBC here means so much — they immediately come out to see new people here. It is like having another family. I don’t really have a living relative close by. The church has filled a need for me that I didn’t even know I had until I did. The church is my family. I miss my friend, Edith Lindsey — she was also a member at FBC — every day. It means everything to me that the church is here.”
As you consider the many ways you might spend your money, we invite you to remember the call in James 1:27 (NLT), where we read, “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” Know that when you contribute to our regular budget at FBC, your giving ministers to the residents at The Woods in powerful ways.