TOY JOY IS COMING!

Toy Joy is happening on November 14 and as always, we count on our devoted church members and friends to make this special day happen for our guests. We ask that all volunteers inside the building be no younger than middle school age students. We'll be having a hospitality area in the rear parking lot (offering refreshments to our guests as

they finish their shopping) again this year that will be staffed by our elementary and preschool age children and their families. If you and your children would like to volunteer for a one hour slot, please contact Lynn Lingafelt.  

We do have a new opportunity for our current 5th graders and their parents this year. In an effort to give them some on-the-job training, we're offering them the chance to work a regular shift in the building with one parent who would stay with them the entire time. We hope that this will give them the chance to see how the process works before they become old enough to volunteer on their own next year. If you and your child would like to do this, please put both your name and your 5th grader's on the Signup Genius in your preferred time slot.

The SignUp Genius link will give you the option of signing up for the morning and/or afternoon session. If you're able to work both sessions, lunch will be provided. If you speak Spanish and can serve as a translator/shepherd, or need to have a job that doesn't require you to be on your feet most of the time, please indicate that in the comments. We will assign you to a specific task and let you know where you'll be stationed a few days before the event. There is also a need for volunteers on November 13 to come in and help set up, so that information will be on the signup as well.  

We do have one more gently used toy drop-off day which is Sunday, October 18, in the fellowship hall from 9:30am–12:30pm. Please make sure that toys are clean and have all their pieces and parts; labeling games and puzzles as "complete" is very helpful. New toys are accepted that day as well, or you may check out the wish lists below and have the gifts shipped directly to the church. Don't like to shop or have the time to do so? The Toy Joy team is happy to shop for you with your check made out to First Baptist with Toy Joy in the memo line. Checks can be dropped off in the finance office.

Amazon wish-list

Target wish-list

The Toy Joy team is looking forward to your help this year as we work together to serve the families who will receive the Christmas presents that have been donated for their children. Questions? Please email Anne Cooke.

OFFICE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Over time, we have been fortunate to have many wonderful volunteers to work in the church office performing receptionist functions, answering the phone and responding to people who buzz at the door. But periodically, we have a need to ask for more help, and this is such a time.

It is a fairly straightforward yet critical role because these volunteers are the first contact many people have with our church, the first sign of who we are. Volunteers not only greet people who call or stop by the church in a warm and gracious manner, they free church staff to do other important work. And they become a vital part of the ministry team, inevitably closer to the staff and church family.

If you might be able to help us in this way or perhaps have questions about the role, please contact Jennie Herrick by email, call the office at 919-832-4485, or stop by the office. We deeply appreciate your consideration of this important role. – Christopher C.F. Chapman

FAMILY LUNCH BUNCH

On Sunday, some of our grade-school and preschool families gathered after worship for our first Family Lunch Bunch, and it was a smashing success!  Amedeo's did not disappoint—we left with bellies full of all things Italian (even calamari!), and most of all, we enjoyed the time to visit outside the walls of FBC. We plan to do these every few months, so look for the sign-ups in our Children’s Ministry e-news. If you have ideas of where to gather and eat after worship on Sundays with a family-friendly setting and budget, email Lynn Lingafelt.  

DEACON ELECTIONS

Per the bylaws, the election of deacons will take place during the month of October. Ballots will be available each Sunday in October and each member may vote for up to eight men and eight women. Beginning this Sunday, ballots will be in the library, the Gathering Room, the narthex, and in the Lewis Lobby; you may also obtain an electronic version from the website or later issues of Rose Window Weekly. The box for ballots will be on the long counter in the library. If you choose to mail yours in, please do so well before the end of the month. On Sunday, October 25, the tellers appointed by the chair will gather to count the ballots, and the chair and vice-chair will then notify those selected.

Click here for a ballot, which has a list of deacons and their spouses who are not eligible based on the bylaws, as well as others who have asked not to be considered for election. Please give thoughtful and prayerful consideration as you participate in the deacon election process.

A STAND FOR DIGNITY: PEOPLE OF FAITH RAISING VOICES FOR IMMIGRANTS RALLY

The Wake Interfaith Immigration Network invites all to join members of over 60 faith communities this Sunday afternoon for a rally on the State Capitol grounds. Our sanctuary will be the backup location for the event in case of inclement weather. Dr. Chapman has been asked to give a closing word of encouragement and blessing. This is a rally and not a protest. Details are below, but if you have further questions, please contact Susan Nichols.

Sunday, October 11, 2–4pm

On the South Lawn of the State Capitol; in our sanctuary in the event of inclement weather.

Jump to FAQs

We will gather to unite as neighbors through a program of prayer, song, sharing, and a way forward. We will leave with a list of actions we can take to express the teachings of our many faiths through love for our immigrant neighbors. Will you join us? Bring an open heart and mind, but no signs please. Registration isn’t necessary, but sign up to receive updates about the event.

We know there are problems with the way our nation deals with immigration and our immigrant neighbors today. We know we can do and be better. That’s the change we seek. If you too are concerned but get overwhelmed, don’t know what to do or where to start, come stand with us. Sing with us. Listen to what our faiths expect from us all, how what’s happening today is at odds with what we believe, and what needs to change. Will you stand with us?

DECORATE YOUR TRUNK!

We need your help! The Social Committee is looking for 14 decorated trunks for our first-ever “Trunk or Treat” event. This can be individuals, families, Sunday School classes, friends, or whatever combination it takes to get a vehicle decorated for Friday, October 30 from 5:30-7pm. Decorations can be as simple or elaborate as you’d like, and you’re welcome to include a fun game or activity at your car, too! All participating cars should be parked and in place by 5pm so we’re ready for the festivities to kick-off at 5:30pm. Trunk-or-Treat cars will be located in the middle section of the church parking lot.

We are also looking for donations of cakes, pies, cookies, or cupcakes for our cake walk! If you are able to donate one of those goodies, please email Lynn Loomis.

And Also With 'Cue will be set up in their usual spot, serving up BBQ for dinner. In addition to trunk-or-treat, we'll have all the Fall Festival games, activities, crafts, and fun for all ages. Sign-up to decorate your trunk here!

CROP WALK 2026

The Greater Triangle Area CROP Hunger Walk is our October church-wide mission project and it starts and ends at First Baptist parking lot on Sunday, October 25. Funds raised support local agencies and the international work of Church World Service (CWS). First Baptist is a also primary sponsor of the GTA CROP Hunger Walk through the Day Mission Fund.

The Walk route is either a three-mile walk through Oakwood and back to the church or a shorter one-mile walk, also ending at the church. The thank-you gift for participating this year is a high-quality shopping bag. So you can walk (for the statement it makes, for community, and health benefits), donate to support local agencies and CWS financially (and they need it!) and raise funds from friends, family, co-workers, and fellow church members (increases YOUR support).

Please register as an FBC team member. (You may join the FBC Team here.) On Walk day, you will need to sign up at 2pm with the walk beginning at 3pm. Those who come at 2pm and shortly thereafter will be able to help us assemble over 200 hygiene kits to be distributed by CWS in disaster areas. The assembling goes fast!

Please consider donating when you register. Having your donation next to your name on the team encouragers other people to donate. If not walking, you may donate to support any walker by clicking here and searching for the walker, or you may also make a general donation to our team.

You may also donate through Vanco Online or use the credit card pad in the office. If you prefer to write a check, please make it payable to FBC and write "CROP Walk" in the memo line and either place it in the offering plate or mail it to the financial administrator (FBC, 99 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, 27603). Donations for this year's Walk will be accepted through December 31.

PARENTAL LEAVE VOLUNTEERS

We are celebrating with Michael and the Hood family following the arrival of baby Shiloh last week! As Michael takes time away for parental leave, we are grateful for the many volunteers who will help keep our youth and college ministries connected and cared-for in his absence.

If you have questions or need information while Michael is away, please reach out to the following leaders:

Sunday night youth—Caleb & Claire Petty, Sarah Ford, Lauren Teague, Tyler Jones, and Caleb Carter

Youth Sunday school—Dennis Ellis, Margaret Barham, Allison & Matt Strickland

College group—Jay Foster or Charlotte Phillips

We are so thankful for these volunteers and their willingness to provide leadership and continuity while Michael is away. Please join us in celebrating with the Hood family and giving Michael the space to enjoy this special time with his growing family!

CENTERPOINT IN OCTOBER

There’s something for everyone at Centerpoint this October! Join us on Wednesday evenings from 6–7:15pm in the fellowship hall as we gather for service, conversation, learning, and the shared work of our church.

October 7—Mission Project: Cards for Toy Joy. We’ll spend the evening creating cards to welcome and encourage our Toy Joy guests. Come ready to lend a little creativity and help us prepare for this meaningful ministry of our church.

October 14 & 21—Book Study: The End of Civility with Dr. Ryan Newson. Author and theologian Dr. Ryan Newson will join us for a two-week study of his book, The End of Civility. Together, we’ll explore what civility means from a Christian perspective and consider the challenging question of when civility contributes to the common good—and when calls for civility might actually stand in the way of justice. (Details below)

October 28—Church Conference

Whether you can join us for one Wednesday or all four, we hope you’ll find your place at Centerpoint this October. Come for supper and stay for the conversation!

OCTOBER BOOK STUDY

Our Centerpoint two-week book study during October will be on The End of Civility: Christ and Prophetic Division by Dr. Ryan Andrew Newson. Dr. Newson is the Assistant Professor of Theology and Ethics at Campbell University. In this book, he explores how our modern understanding of civility has developed and offers Christians a framework for distinguishing between healthy and harmful calls for civility. He argues that the challenge is knowing when civility serves the common good and when it becomes an obstacle to justice. Context matters. Sometimes, calls for civility are used to silence necessary conflict and discourage those working toward a more just world. At other times, particularly when they come from people on the margins of society, calls for civility can help shape conflict in ways that lead to justice and liberation. We're lucky that Dr. Newson is a local, so he will be joining us to lead our book discussion on October 14 and 21 at 6:15pm in the fellowship hall.

WHAT'S FOR DINNER?

We would love for you to join us for a mid-week meal! The supper line is open each Wednesday night, 5–6pm. You may reserve your spot at this link on the website or by calling the church office. Please note that everyone eating Wednesday night supper must check in with our volunteer collection team before receiving their meal. Even if you have pre-paid online, please check-in with our volunteer. We accept cash, checks, or credit cards. Click here to pre-pay for your meal via Paypal.



Ages 0–3: Free

Ages 4-12: $4

Adults (over 12): $8

Family cap: $24

The menus for upcoming Wednesday night suppers are as follows (all meals come with salad and bread):

October 7: pork tenderloin with roasted apples and root vegetables; vegetarian option: roasted apples and root veggies with mock chicken; kids: nuggets with roasted apples and root veggies

October 14: chicken stir fry with rice and veggies; vegetarian option: veggie stir fry with rice; kids: pork egg rolls with rice and veggies

October 21: chili with baked potatoes with toppings (sour cream cheese chives, bacon bits); vegetarian option: vegetarian chili

October 28: baked ziti with garlic bread; vegetarian option: baked ziti (no meat) with garlic bread

THIRTY-NINERS WEEKLY GATHERINGS

Join us Thursdays at 10:30am in the fellowship hall for interesting speakers, mission projects, and occasionally, a program that's a little out of the ordinary.

We also have an outing each month, but mostly we enjoy spending time together, learning something new and useful, and always ending with a meal.

October

8: Keeping our Community Safe Wake County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Joseph Smokes

15: Play—Singin’ in the Rain, Sr. Cantey V. Sutton Theatre, Raleigh Little Theatre (301 Pogue Street); 2pm; meet at FBC at 1pm to carpool

22: Lunch outing—Captain Stanley’s Calabash Seafood (3333 S. Wilmington Street);

11:30 reservations; meet at FBC at 11am to carpool

29: Halloween Trick-or-Treat visit with Weekday Preschool and ITC

BIBLE VERSES FOR DAILY USE

• Wednesday, October 7: Psalm 119:49-56; Deuteronomy 6:10-25; John 11:45-57
• Thursday, October 8: Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23; Exodus 24:1-8; 1 Peter 5:1-5, 12-14
• Friday, October 9: Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23; Exodus 24:9-11; James 4:4-10
• Saturday, October 10: Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23; Exodus 24:12-18; Mark 2:18-22
• Sunday, October 11: Exodus 32:1-14 and Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23; Isaiah 25:1-9 and Psalm 23 Philippians 4:1-9; Matthew 22:1-14
• Monday, October 12: Psalm 97; Exodus 32:15-35; Jude 17-25
• Tuesday, October 13: Psalm 97; Exodus 33:1-6; Philippians 3:13-4:1
• Wednesday, October 14: Psalm 97; 2 Kings 17:7-20; John 6:25-35

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 October 7:

Wednesday–private event, Cary

Thursday–church parking lot, 11am–1pm

Friday–Fall Friday on Front Street at Neuse River Amphitheater concert in Smithfield, 6:30–9pm

AMONG OUR FAMILY

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

Please use your church directory for mailing addresses.



Prayer List • October 6