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With the goblins
and ghouls of
Halloween now
behind us, I am
prompted to ask:
Do you believe in
the devil? Mar�n
Luther did. In this
year of the 500th
anniversary of the
Reforma�on, we have all had the
opportunity to dig a li%le bit into the
theology of Mar�n Luther, one of the most
influen�al personali�es in all of the history
of Chris�anity. Mar�n Luther believed, as
did many of his era, that the devil was at
work in the world to wreak havoc not just
in the world, but more so, in the Church.
The text to his famous “A Mighty Fortress
is Our God” gives evidence to this:
For s�ll our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His cra3 and power are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Mar�n Luther believed in the devil. So do
I. And I believe that if we Chris�ans are
looking at the world around us, we see
ample evidence of the “woe” he seeks to
work in this world and in Christ’s Church.
But here’s the catch: the devil doesn’t
appear as a pitch-fork bearing figure
dressed in red. No, the devil appears in
the words, ac�ons, and a;tudes of both
prominent and ordinary men and women,
of men in power and men without power,
and even in the saints of God. Yes, even
those of us who profess faith in Jesus
Christ, who a%end church regularly, who
read our Bible, who pray, who are by most
standards “good Chris�ans” are
suscep�ble to the schemes of the devil.
He is “armed with cruel hate” as Luther
puts it. Any �me we arm ourselves with
cruelty or hate, we are devils ourselves.
Any�me we refuse the humble, servant-
like example of Jesus Christ and strike out
to get our way no ma%er who we hurt or
how it nega�vely affects the Kingdom
work of God, we, like the Apostle Peter,
are li%le devils (Ma%. 16:23).
I’ve recently become aware of the ways in
which the devil is a%acking the local
church. Sister churches in our area are
experiencing a%acks from without and
within. We need to pray for these
churches. But let’s also be aware that “s�ll
our ancient foe,” whose “cra3 and power
are great,” hasn’t determined that FBC
Hickory isn’t worth figh�ng over. We are
worth figh�ng over because we have so
much more work to be done for the
Kingdom; we have so much poten�al, so
much goodness, so much yet to
accomplish for the sake of Christ. With
what have we armed ourselves for this
a%ack? Are we armed with “cruel hate,”
or are we armed with the armor of God
(Eph. 6:10-17)? Paul believed in the devil
too when he wrote to the Chris�ans in
Ephesus: “For our struggle is not against
enemies of blood and flesh, but against
[…] the spiritual forces of evil in the
heavenly places.” What is our armor?
Truth? Righteousness? Peace? Faith?
Salva�on? The word of God? These are
the weapons that we use to fight against
the work of our “ancient foe,” whether
those threats come from outside the
Church or from within the Church.
It’s not a joking ma%er, not at all. It’s
serious. Paul would tell the church in
Gala�a “If you bite and devour
each other, watch out or
you will be destroyed by each other.” We
church-people can become a tool of our
“ancient foe.” We ourselves can be
instruments of the devil, vessels to do his
work to destroy the witness and work of
Christ’s church. Or, we can be instruments
of the Kingdom of Christ, beacons of light,
heralds of the Gospel of peace, lovers of
one another and of the world, humble
servants of the one who washed dirty feet
and then walked the dusty road to Calvary
with a cross on his back. I suppose you
know that when Jesus died on that cross,
the devil thought he had won, right? I
suppose you know that when the church
stumbles and when we Chris�ans fail to
follow the way of Jesus, the devil thinks
he’s winning, right? The Good News is
that he has already lost the war, his fate is
sealed, and Jesus is Lord. The only test
that remains is for the church to live like it.
Come on, church; Halloween is behind us!
It’s �me for us to celebrate Thanksgiving!
Rev. Rendell Hipps
Ac�ng Senior Pastor/
Minister of Discipleship
THANKSGIVING WEEK SCHEDULE The week of Thanksgiving, all regularly scheduled
Wednesday night activities are cancelled. We will celebrate
Thanksgiving as a church family with a meal on Sunday,
November 19, following worship. Enjoy a Thanksgiving
Feast with your FBC family featuring: turkey and dressing,
sweet potato casserole, macaroni & cheese, broccoli
casserole, corn pudding, green beans, fruit salad, cranberry
sauce, rolls and desserts. Cost: $10.00 per Adult, $5.00
Children 5-10, No Charge Children 4 & Under. Family Max:
$35.00 Please make your reservations today.
Veteran's Luncheon
Thursday, November 9 at 12:00pm
Our Missions Council is sponsoring InAsMuch Ministry days on
Saturday, November 4 and Saturday, November 18. We encourage
members to join in helping our members and neighbors with
handyman projects and yard work, or to par�cipate in other ministry
projects.
If you need help with handyman projects or yard work, please
complete a request form in your Bible Study class and return it to the
FBC office or contact the church office. If you can help with
maintenance and yard work, please sign up on a volunteer sheet in
your Bible Study class or call the church office.
VETERANS RECOGNITION On Sunday, November 5 we will be recognizing our Veterans. We
would like to honor all men and women who have served in the
military. Please contact the church office with your name, branch of
service and rank by Wednesday, November 1.
JOIN US IN ISREAL May 23 - June 2, 2018, join David Wachter on an Biblical Adventure
of a life�me. Deposits due November 1. For more informa�on
contact Noelle at www.insightsintravel.com
OCC SHOEBOXES November 12 is our church day to bring our boxes in. Our
Goal this year is 400. It’s important to note that no tooth
paste or candy of any kind will be acceptable to pack this
year.
Volunteers Needed FBC Hickory is serving as a Central Drop-off Site for
Opera�on Christmas Child Shoeboxes! Volunteers are
needed to welcome visitors, pray over the shoeboxes, and
pack shoeboxes into cartons and on the trailers. Collec�on
dates are November 13-20. Please contact Melanie
Wingler to serve at (828) 726-7742 or
On the cover…
Refuge Ensemble singing in worship.
UPCOMING CHILDREN’S
CALENDAR
♦ Week of Monday, November 20 -
NO ACTIVITIES
♦ Saturday, December 9 - Angel
Tree gi3 delivery to Bap�st
Children’s Home
♦ Saturday, December 16 -
FBCitykids Traveling Christmas
Party
♦ Sunday, December 17 - Children's
Caroling and Party 4:00 - 7:00pm
Fellowship Hall
♦ Sunday, December 17 - Children's’
Musical Presenta�on
♦ Wednesday, December 20 & 27-
NO ACTIVITIES
This year, in conjunc�on with the
FBC Youth Council, we have decided
to do something different for our
winter retreat. We will be a%ending
the Winterfest Youth Conference at
Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA.
Winterfest 2017 will be, December
30, 2017 - January 1, 2018.
Deadline to sign up is:
Sunday, November 12, 2017
Ticket cost is: $185
(includes session �ckets, 3 meals on
campus, and lodging)
Contact Informa-on:
David Wachter, Interim Minister to
Students, (828) 234-8019
VICTORY4VIRGINIA
FBC’s own Virginia Tanner, was crowned Homecoming Queen at Hickory
High on October 13. Virginia is figh�ng bone cancer with on-going
treatments at Brenner Children's Hospital/NC Bap�st Hospital.
The church family con�nues to pray for the Tanner family during this
fight thanking God for His love and healing power.
FALL HARVEST CELEBRATION 2017 We had a wonderful �me on
October 22 as we celebrated God’s goodness. Thank you to all our dedicated volunteers.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 339 Second Avenue, Northwest
Hickory, North Carolina 28601
Volume 17, Issue 11 Published Monthly by
First Bap-st Church, Hickory, NC
Return Service Requested
Phone: (828) 328-2031
Fax: (828) 328-4789
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.Zc.cc
Ma: Hearn, Extended Pulpit Supply Preacher
Rendell Hipps, Minister of Discipleship,
Ac�ng Senior Pastor
David Wachter, Interim Minister to Students
Steve Clarke, Minister of Music & Worship
Cindi Morrison, Director of Children's Ministry
Bert Schmid, Church Administrator
Andris Rozukalns, organist
Staff email: (last name)@Zc.cc
November 5 - 10:30am
All Saints Sunday
The JOY-filled Journey of the Gospel
A Study of Philippians
Forget the Past
Rev. Ma% Hearn
November 12 - 10:30am
Deacon Ordina�on
Called to Serve
Rev. Rendell Hipps
November 19 - 10:30am
The JOY-filled Journey of the Gospel
A Study of Philippians
Thankful Before Thanksgiving
Rev. Ma% Hearn
November 26 - 10:30am
The JOY-filled Journey of the Gospel
A Study of Philippians
Trust God and His Provision
Rev. Ma% Hearn
Bible Study at 6:15pm the Fellowship
Hall.
The RA Angel Tree (suppor�ng children at Bap�st Children's Home in Thomasville, NC)
goes up Wednesday, November 8. Take an angel, purchase the items listed for that
youth, and pray for him or her and for the ministry of Bap�st Children's Home. All gi3s
will be delivered to BCH on Saturday, December 9.
November 26 Devo'onals Delivered
December 3 Hanging of the Green
December 6 Advent Organ Recital
December 10 Choir Presenta'on
December 13 Advent Organ Recital
December 17 Children’s
Musical Presenta'on
December 20 Advent Organ Recital
December 24 Christmas Worship
December 24 Candlelight
Communion Service
SECURITY TEAM
November 5 Nathan Bowman
November 12 Thomas Hand
November 19 Joe Icard
November 26 Allen Wi.enberg
November 1st
Fried Chicken
New Potatoes, Green Beans, Salad Bar
Biscuits & Dessert
Beverage
November 8th
Lasagna
Honey Glazed Carrots, Salad Bar
Garlic Bread & Dessert
Beverage
November 15th
Chicken Pot Pie
Cooked Apples, Salad Bar
Biscuits & Dessert
Beverages
November 29th
Baked Ham with an Orange Glaze available
Macaroni & Cheese, Baked Beans
Salad Bar
Roll & Dessert
Beverage
Cody Wingler, Coordinator 726-7795
Sheree Watson 781-1662
David Haire 303-7911
Jim To%y 256-4396
DCDEFGH IFJ KLC WCCM FI NFNCOPCJ 18-24
DCDEFGH IFJ KLC WCCM FI NFNCOPCJ 11-17
Bernie Whitmer, Coordinator 781-9283
Marvin Smith 381-0654
Rebecca Tanner 381-1924
Chris Tanner 381-8943
DEACONS OF THE WEEK
Cliff Moore, Coordinator 312-0120
Jason Herring 381-8257
Tom Guthrie 446-0007
Daniel Lucaciu 256-7903
DCDEFGH IFJ KLC WCCM FI NFNCOPCJ 4-10
Gary Woods, Coordinator 455-2516
Allen Wi%enberg 320-9456
Jim To%y 256-4396
Cody Wingler 726-7795
DCDEFGH IFJ KLC WCCM FI NFN. 25 - DCE. 1
MINISTER ON CALL November 4 Rendell Hipps on call (828-228-8639)
November 11 Ma. Hearn on call (704-564-2144)
November 18 Ma. Hearn on call (704-564-2144)
November 26 TBD
STUDENT MINISTER
SEARCH UPDATE
A3er careful considera�on, the search for a new Minister with
Students is temporarily suspended. Given that the church is
currently in the midst of a period of “evalua�on and study,”
given our current financial situa�on, and given that the church
as a whole has not yet come to agreement about a clear
direc�on for our future, and given that the Search Advisory
Commi%ee has not yet converged on a candidate that it
believes best meets the needs of FBC Hickory’s Student
Ministry, it seems that the best thing to do at this point in �me
is not to hire a new staff member for this posi�on and to
temporarily suspend the search. David Wachter will con�nue
to serve in the role of Interim Minister with Students. We are
hopeful that as the church works through issues of finances
and future direc�on, we will be able to start the search
process again.
November 5
Preschool Recep�on Volunteers:
9am - Kara Wi.enberg 10:15am - Kara Wi.enberg
Preschool Worship Care
Infants — Debby Cook
Walkers & Two’s — Jewell Mabery
Three’s & Four’s— Sandra Foster
Coordinator: Ruth Ann Carreira
Children’s Church: Children in Worship November 12
Preschool Recep�on Volunteers:
9am - Ashley Dyson 10:15am - Gail Ford
Preschool Worship Care
Infants — Aaron Bliss & Becky Icard
Walkers & Two’s — Christy Greene & Jerry Long
Three’s & Four’s—
Coordinator:
Lead Teacher: Beth Watson Shepherd: Chuck Trado
November 19
Preschool Recep�on Volunteers:
9am - Kris'n Herring 10:15am -
Preschool Worship Care
Infants —
Walkers & Two’s — Traci Palmer & April Teague
Three’s & Four’s— Tiffany Hightower & Ruth Has�ngs
Coordinator: Mechele McCormack
Lead Teacher: Fran Ballengee Shepherd: Candace Johnson
November 26
Preschool Recep�on Volunteers:
9am - Vonda Paquin 10:15am - Dana Woods
Preschool Worship Care
Infants — Eric Johnson & Linda Wike
Walkers & Two’s — Ashley Dyson
Three’s & Four’s— Ma% Dyson & Jeanne Davis
Coordinator: Sally Johnson
Lead Teacher: Carolyn Icard Shepherd: Brian Bogle
HISTORIAN’S COLUMN Frank Mofford
The Reforma�on
For those of you who have been a%ending Dr. David
Ratke’s excellent lectures on Wednesday evenings
regarding the 500th anniversary of the Protestant
Reforma�on this may be secondary news. A3er all, the
L-RU Dean of College of Theology is a REAL Lutheran
while I am a mere Bap�st historian. But maybe I can add
another perspec�ve to the story.
This �me last year my en�re family of five travelled to
Germany (incognito we thought) with a bus load of
Lutherans- eighteen of which were preachers. We were
celebra�ng the 499th year of the Reforma�on (Prices
were cheaper). They saw through our ruse because we
all five wanted to sit at the back of the bus, the last pew
in every church we visited and someone was always
asking our guide to point out the loca�on of the
Bap�smal pool. We had a wonderful �me.
The Federal Republic of Germany has a popula�on of 82
million and is about the size of Arkansas and Idaho
combined. Our trip was concentrated in the ci�es of
Wi%enberg, Leipzig, Eisleban, Erfurt, Mainz, Worms, and
Heidlberg. All of these places were key areas for Mar�n
Luther and also were defined as Communist East
Germany during the Cold War.
The beginning of the Reforma�on generally dates as the
31st of October 1512. This is the day on which the friar
Mar�n Luther is said to have nailed his 95 theses on the
power and efficacy of indulgences to the door of the
Castle Church in Wi%enburg. Actually this had been
going on for a long �me. Secularisa�on of higher and
lower clergymen along with the sale of indulgences were
used to finance the St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. To quote
the Bap�st preacher Will D. Campbell, “This indeed
smacks of foxes in the hen house.”
Mar�n Luther’s demands for reforms within the Church
had the finger on the pulse. He demanded Biblical
Principles of the Evangelism. The Reforma�on, originally
planned by Luther as a changing within the church to
improve several deficiencies, eventually led to an
unplanned separa�on of the church, but also a
separa�on of German territories into Catholic and
Protestant. The Reforma�on didn’t just present a
revolu�on between church and theology. It was also the
start of a profound socio-poli�cal development: music
and art, economy and society, language law and poli�cs.
Hardly any sphere of life wasn’t influenced by the
Reforma�on.
