TOY JOY: CHRISTMAS IN JULY!

What better way to prepare for our 2026 Toy Joy event than to have a Christmas-in-July moment? Click here to see our video from Toy Joy 2025 to help get you in the holiday mood!

Although not many people may be thinking of Christmas just yet, our Toy Joy team is! Our planning team met on July 12 to begin working on this year's event, which will be held on Saturday, November 14. This year’s planning team includes: Carol Blanchard, Anne Cooke, Mitch Dare, Renee Fulk, Chase Helms, Shirley Hobson, Lynn Lingafelt, Lynn Loomis, Leah Reed, Elizabeth Riley, Mary Powell Rhodes, and Sabrina Tyndall.

If you have gently used toys, books, stuffed animals, puzzles, or games to donate, we will be having two donation days: Sunday, September 27, and Sunday, October 18, from 9:30am–12:30pm, in the fellowship hall. These are the only times we can accept gently used items—please make sure that all pieces and parts are included and items are in very good condition. Marking those items COMPLETE so we know they have been checked is very helpful for our volunteers!

We will accept new items at any time, and you may certainly bring them on those donation days as well. Click here for our Amazon wish list to get ideas of items we are collecting this year.

Our most needed items include:

• Gifts for boys of ALL ages, especially ages 8-11
• Gifts for girls ages 8 – 11

We're also happy to shop for you if you'd like to make a monetary donation instead (make checks payable to First Baptist and put "Toy Joy" in the memo line). As we move into fall, we will advertise additional opportunities for volunteers to help with prep work and how to sign up to assist on the day of the event. Stay tuned, and thanks in advance for being a part of our community ministry!

BILL LEONARD SUMMER INSTITUTE

On August 7–8, Wake Forest University School of Divinity will host the second annual Bill Leonard Summer Institute. The institute began last year when a group of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary alumni gathered for a reunion. While that spirit of reunion remains, the event has grown into an opportunity to engage the scholarship and legacy of Dr. Bill Leonard.

This year's theme, A Legacy of Dissent, will explore dissent as both a historic practice within the Baptist tradition and a vital prophetic witness for navigating the ethical, political, and spiritual challenges of our day. The program will feature presentations from Bill J. Leonard, Emily Hull McGee, Linda McKinnish Bridges, Molly T. Marshall, and Jon Singletary. If this topic interests you, we encourage you to learn more and consider attending. Additional details and registration information are available on their website.

TAILGATE TUNE-UP

BBQ CLASS

As football season approaches, David With will host a Tailgate Tune-Up BBQ class on Sunday, August 23, from 3-5pm in the fellowship hall. This is the fourth class the AAWC team has hosted since 2019, and each one has been a big hit! The registration fee includes instruction, a recipe booklet, and a tasting meal of all items from the class.

Register at this link by August 20!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

FOR AV TEAM

Every Sunday morning, our worship reaches far beyond the walls of First Baptist. Through our sound system and YouTube livestream, we are able to welcome homebound members, travelers, visitors, and others who join us from near and far. Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of volunteers makes that ministry possible—and we'd love to welcome a few more people to the team.

We are currently looking for volunteers to assist with sound and YouTube livestreaming during Sunday worship. No prior experience is necessary. If you're willing to learn, we'll provide the training and support you need to feel comfortable serving in this important ministry.

Whether you're someone who enjoys working with technology, wants to learn a new skill, or is looking for a meaningful way to serve, this is a wonderful opportunity to help create a welcoming worship experience for everyone who joins us—in person and online.

Volunteers typically serve on a rotating schedule, so you won't be needed every Sunday.

If you're interested in learning more or would like to give it a try, please email Royce Willmschen. We'd be grateful to have you on the team!

JULY MISSION PROJECT

As our preschool and grade school children gather for Vacation Bible School this month, they will be given the opportunity to collect items for a school that's located in La Fortunita, Honduras. Many of our church members have been going to Honduras for years to help the people in communities there, and have accomplished amazing things. Just recently they constructed a playground for the children at the school in La Fortunita. This public school has very limited resources, mostly just work books. The churchwide mission project this month will collect the supplies listed below. Your donations may be placed in the marked drawer in the Lewis lobby cabinet.

• crayons and coloring books for kindergarden children
• children's books in Spanish for ages 5-10, such as Go Dog Go, The Hungry Caterpillar, and Dr. Seuss books
• chapter books in Spanish for middle schoolers, such as Magic Treehouse series or Laura Ingalls Wilder books.

All books need to be in Spanish only—no bilingual books as they are too confusing for the children.

SCOTLAND INTEREST MEETING — AUGUST 2

We have had an overwhelming response to our 2027 Scotland trip! We're going to have an interest meeting that will include lunch this Sunday, August 2, directly following worship in rooms 301/302. In order to get a headcount for lunch, RSVP by emailing Michael. Also, if you already have specific questions that you'd like answered at this meeting, please email those to Michael. For all of those who are unable to attend the interest lunch, we will schedule a zoom meeting soon!

THIRTY-NINERS' LAST SUMMERTIME LUNCH OUTING

August 20: Bull City Burger & Brewery (107 E. Parrish St, Durham)

Reservations at 11:30am; meet at church at 10:30am to carpool

CLOTHING MINISTRY NEEDS

Our clothing ministry continues to be a vital source of support for neighbors in our community, providing clothing and essential items to individuals and families facing difficult circumstances. Each week, we welcome guests seeking practical assistance, dignity, and care.

At this time, we are especially in need of:

• Backpacks, particularly adult-sized
• Small/medium rolling suitcases
• Men's casual t-shirts and athletic shorts, all sizes
• Men's athletic shoes, all sizes
• Women's XS, S, & M summer items (shorts, pants, shirts, and dresses)
• Children's summer items, sizes youth 10-18

Gently used items in good condition are greatly appreciated. Adult-sized backpacks are among our most requested items, helping guests safely carry clothing, personal belongings, and important documents. Donations may be dropped off at the parking lot ramp door donation bin during regular church office hours. Your generosity helps ensure that our clothing ministry remains a place of hospitality, compassion, and tangible support for those in need. Thank you for helping us share God's love in practical ways with our neighbors!

BIBLE VERSES FOR DAILY USE

• Wednesday, July 29: Psalm 65:8-13; Genesis 46:2-47:12; Mark 4:30-34
• Thursday, July 30: Psalm 17:1-7, 15; Isaiah 14:1-2; Philippians 4:10-15
• Friday, July 31: Psalm 17:1-7, 15; Isaiah 41:8-10; Romans 9:6-13
• Saturday, August 1: Psalm 17:1-7, 15; Genesis 31:1-21; Matthew 7:7-11
• Sunday, August 2: Genesis 32:22-31 and Psalm 17:1-7, 15; Isaiah 55:1-5 and Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:13-21
• Monday, August 3: Psalm 17:1-7, 15; Genesis 31:22-42; Romans 1:8-15
• Tuesday, August 4: Psalm 17:1-7, 15; Genesis 32:3-21; Acts 2:37-47
• Wednesday, August 5: Psalm 17:1-7, 15; Isaiah 43:1-7; Matthew 15:32-39

AMONG OUR FAMILY

A link to the entire prayer list may be found below.

Please use your church directory for mailing addresses.



Prayer List • July 28

AAWC'S WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Each week, we post And Also with 'Cue's weekly schedule here in Rose Window Weekly as well as on our Facebook page to let you know our lunch schedule and if there will be outside events on the weekend for you to attend.

Week of July 29:

Wednesday - Teacher training event

Thursday - Private event, Garner

Friday - Picardy Pointe neighborhood (5-7pm)