Photos
Welcome 2022. Let's Eat!
Faithful Encouragers ate their way into the new year with their traditional January breakfast gathering. To learn more about the 50+ Faithfuls, please contact the church office.
Bobby and Lisa Ann Sells having a good time.
Meanwhile, Bobby confers with Ethelyn Temples over the breakfast menu.
Women on Mission Christmas 2021
Child dedication, December 19, 2021
A special day for the Ruhl family (top) and the Timbs twins.
Box building, December 17, 2021
Church volunteers put together benevolence boxes to distribute to the community.
Almost ready for the group shot.
And we're all here.
Christmas at the Opry, December 15, 2021
The pews weren’t padded, but Faithful Encouragers still enjoyed the Amy Grant/Vince Gill Christmas concert at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
National Champion, November 2021
Zac Cole and his teammates on the TN Prime travel football team won the Battle in Rocky Top National Championship in their 7-under division. They beat teams from Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee to take home the trophy. Zac is the son of CFBC children’s church directors Erik and Scarlett Cole.
South Middle School FCA, November 2021
Pastor LZ Johnson had an enjoyable photo opportunity after speaking at South Middle School Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He's flanked by (L-R) Jada Hand, Zoe Cole, Jasper Henley and Jena Hand.
Trunk or Treat, October 27, 2021
Costumes, candy and even a petting zoo in the church parking lot.
Ramping Up, October 23, 2021
Men's Ministry members got together to build an access ramp at the home of Horace and Martha Mayes.
Celebrators, October 2021
Faithful Encouragers spent a few October days in the mountains while attending the 2021 Celebrators Conference in Pigeon Forge. You don't have to be a member of Cowan FBC to take part in Faithful Encourager activities. To learn more about the age 50+ group, please contact the church office.
Prayer Walking, August 7, 2021
A semi-early (for a Saturday) starting time and impending thunderstorm didn't stop the CFBC prayer walk for area schools. Walkers met at the church and fanned out to pray for Cowan Elementary, North and South Middle Schools and Franklin County High School.
Faithful Encouragers Lost Sea trip, July 20, 2021
Ready to launch in the cave entrance tunnel.
Lining up the post-spelunking group shot included a head count to make sure no one was wandering around inside the cave.
One straggler, but everyone made the trip back to Cowan.
Birthday-ing With the Faithfuls, June 22, 2021
Cake and ice cream proved a big draw when the 50+ Faithful Encouragers met at Winchester City Park for their annual birthday bash.
Setting up the group shot . . .
And we're ready.
Caps, gowns and smiles: Graduation Recognition Sunday, May 16, 2021
Below: Hannah Palmertree, BS, Trevecca Nazarene University, being congratulated by Pastor LZ Johnson
Below left: Madeline Grace Cunningham, Franklin County HS
(Accepting for her, Renae Sharp)
Right: Dylan Michael Grimes, Franklin County HS
Below left: Logan Frank Merrett, Home Life Academy
Right: Collin Clark Stewart, Tennessee Online Public HS
(Accepting for him, Wendi and Scott McGee)
Not available for photos:
Diana Hatchett, PhD, University of Kentucky
Brooke Robbins, BS, Tennessee State University
A miniature world, May 11, 2021
Faithful Encouragers toured the world in miniature during a visit to Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman, AL.
Lining up the group shot . . .
Juliet finds her balcony.
Tea . . . and hats, May 8, 2021
A group of women from Cowan FBC donned their best hats and celebrated a Mother’s Day tea with friends at Pelham Church of the Nazarene.
Men's Ministry work day, May 1, 2021
Volunteers get together to buff up the church for Homecoming.
It's hard not to self-baptize when power-washing the church entryway.
Ignite Youth Rally, April 17, 2021
A bit of noise. . .
A lot of worship. . .
And lives set on fire for God.
Eric and Lisa Bradford and many volunteers worked overtime to make the rally a success.
For more photos, click the “Youth Ministry” tab above.
Butterflies, April 13-14, 2021
Faithful Encouragers had the chance to become butterflies—a rare species that eats at Cracker Barrel—during a spring trip to Callaway Gardens.
Resurrection Sunday, April 4, 2021
The largest congregation of the year attended Resurrection Sunday to see Rise Again. Mia Wilkerson (choir) and Jan Campbell (drama) directed the 2021 cantata.
Dress rehearsal; getting ready for the big day
Pancake breakfast and egg hunt, April 3, 2021
Good eating on the day before Resurrection Sunday.
Ben Merrill gets ready for a tricky pancake flip.
It's in the air.
Success!
Logan Lankford (top left), John Peck (top right) and David Willingham mostly helping but sometimes getting in the way.
Celebration of Love, February 13, 2021
A good crowd came out on a cold night to take part in the annual Valentine dinner sponsored by church youth.
Fix'n to Eat, January 19, 2021
Faithful Encouragers began the new year with breakfast at Fix'ns restaurant in Fayetteville.
Cold Day, Warm Group, December 1, 2020
Faithful Encouragers needed a sunny spot for their group photo at Miss Mary Bobo's in Lynchburg. The group had Christmas weather for their Christmas luncheon—cold with a dusting of snow.
In keeping with tradition, it took the Faithfuls a few tries to get ready for the group photo.
Eggstravaganza, November 2020
Pastor LZ, perhaps the only Southern Baptist minister in the universe who doesn’t like chicken, managed to choke down a few bites of his least favorite food during Eggstravaganza. The pastor was making good on a promise to the New Vision Sunday School class: If they would refurbish their threadbare classroom, he would eat a small amount of fried fowl. They did, he did.
A swig of honey helps.
And the head of a rooster cake for dessert.
A lot of boxes, November 2020
Pastor LZ Johnson (left) joined Susan and Judd Clements in admiring the 158 Operation Christmas Child boxes donated by CFBC members. The Clements, retired missionaries to Tanzania, spearhead the Christmas box drive every year. The church exceeded its ambitious goal of 150 boxes.
Off to Carnton, November 2020
Members of the women’s book club (joined by Pastor LZ Johnson for the photo) visited Carnton and Carter House, historic sites from the 1864 Battle of Franklin. Their October 2020 reading selection, With This Pledge, was set during the battle.
Trunk or Treat 2020
The yellow brick road led to Cowan FBC.
Faithful Celebrators
The Faithful Encouragers had a great time at the Celebrators Conference in Pigeon Forge, October 2020.
Blindfolds Required
Faithful Encouragers Mystery Trip, September 17, 2020
The top-secret destination: Eating and touristing in Granville, TN
Ann Glover retirement reception, August 30, 2020
Wishing the best to one of Cowan FBC's favorite people
Who are those masked people?
Faithful Encouragers dutifully put on their eyeglass-fogging masks for an August 2020 outing to Old Greenbrier Restaurant.
After lunch, it was time for unveiling.
Now look at those smiling faces!
Linda Bradford is either waving or directing traffic. Either way, she does it well.
Back on the bus and back to Cowan.
Chapel remodel, July 2020
Fresh paint and hard work made a big difference in the appearance of the chapel.
Ark Encounter and Creation Museum, July 2020
Good Day at the Cookie Jar Café
Johnny Bradford had to sprint to make it into the group shot, but overall the Faithful Encouragers had a great time during their July 2020 outing to Cookie Jar Café.
Big Day in Bell Buckle
Faithful Encouragers had their usual good time during a June 2020 outing to Bell Buckle Café.
Getting everyone lined up for the group photo usually is a challenge.
Loading up for the trip back to Cowan.
Moving Up
Cowan FBC recognized its young scholars advancing from elementary to middle school June 7, 2020. Shown with co-youth director Erik Cole and Pastor LZ Johnson are (from left): Jasper Henley, Andrew Merrett and (bottom) Nathan Merrett.
Return of the steeple
After months of planning and hard work by Larry Timbs, Tom Mooney and church trustees, CFBC's can-see-it-from-anywhere-in-Cowan roofline was restored June 4, 2020. The steeple had been blown off the roof by Winter Storm Isaiah the previous January.
Doors and Drawers
Women on Mission renovate the church kitchen, May-July 2020.
Men's Ministry work day, May 16, 2020
A busy morning of sawing, raking, mowing and trimming at the home of Carter and Judy Smith.
Sometimes a tree needs a little encouragement.
Graduate recognition 2020
CFBC's graduates were honored during the morning service May 17, 2020. They're shown receiving their scholarships from Pastor LZ Johnson and Youth Pastor Eric Bradford.
Honor for moms
Mildred Hatchett was recognized as Cowan FBC's most seasoned mother on Mother's Day 2020. The service recognized all moms with a gift.
Church in the year of COVID-19
E-church continued March 29, 2020, with week 2 of Facebook live worship. The services (videos and audios) were made available on Facebook, the church web site and the CFBC YouTube channel.
Going to Church, Virtually
“Going to church” was replaced by “Going to Facebook” March 22, 2020, as Pastor LZ Johnson and Worship Leader Kyle Hatchett led a live service online.
Predator-proofing
Franklin County Sheriff Tim Fuller (R) visited Cowan FBC in March 2020 to present tips on how to keep kids safe from child predators. The event, which outgrew the chapel and was moved into the main sanctuary, was sponsored by the Single Parent Family Ministry. Sheriff Fuller is shown with Pastor LZ Johnson.
Inventive Minds
A trio of Cowan FBC students took top honors at the 2020 Invention Convention held at Middle Tennessee State University. The team of Elizabeth Johnson (L) and Payton Dearing (M) earned a spot at the National Invention Convention with their innovative “Party Pourer,” while Zoe Cole (R) merited an individual champion award for her “Chicken Feeder 5000.”
Gideon Sunday
Terry Nunley did a fine job representing the Gideons Sunday morning, March 1.
He even brought along enough visitors to fill several pews. Photos by his proud aunt, Pam Peck.
Sunday soloist
Vicky Sue Gass singing a Sunday morning solo
In the mountains
2020 Winter Youth Retreat in Pigeon Forge
Fun on the Farm, Feb. 2020
Lunch and fun at Foster Farm, sponsored by the Single Parent Family Ministry.
It's a Baptist event, so food is involved.
Celebration of Love 2020
Good eating and good times at the annual youth-sponsored dinner.
Last WWII Vet Passes
Early Sunday morning, February 2, 2020, Joe Yokely went home to be with the Lord. He was one of four World War II veterans who attended CFBC at one time. This photograph honors all four of these wonderful men who are special to all of us. They all now have gone on to their final reward. We miss them and we love them!—Pastor LZ Johnson
Super speaker
Zoe Cole, top fourth-grade finisher in the 4-H speech contest at Cowan Elementary School. Her parents are chair of deacons Erik Cole and children’s director Scarlett Cole.
Isaiah Brings Down the Steeple
Winter storm Isaiah rolled through Cowan the afternoon of Jan. 11, 2020, bringing rain, high winds and just enough of a push to topple the church steeple. The steeple was a loss, but happily there were no injuries and damage to the main structure was not extensive. (First photo courtesy Franklin County EMA and Rescue.)
The new visitor parking signs survived Isaiah (above). A small tree (below) was another casualty of the storm.
UPDATES
Two weeks after the storm: Church volunteers have hauled away the old steeple and workers have repaired the bald spot on the roof. Meanwhile, church trustees are working with insurers to acquire a new steeple.
Almost six months later: Thank the Lord, the new steeple arrived and went up without incident, June 4, 2020.
Faithful Encouragers breakfast in Estill Springs, January 2020
Sometimes lining up the Faithfuls for a group shot is like herding kittens.
But the results are pretty good.
Soccer
star
CFBC member Katherine Clark was named to the All-District 6A women’s soccer team during her senior year at Huntland High School.
Working hard, but having a good time preparing Christmas benevolence food boxes for the community.
Worship leader Kyle Hatchett was named the 2019 Young Professional of the Year by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.
Youth Pastor Eric Bradford was the 2019 A.F. Bridges Award winner for Athletic District 6 of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA). The Bridges Award recognizes Eric as the top secondary school football official for the year in District 6.
The Flintstones and Rubbles dropped by for Trunk or Treat 2019.
Work day installing shelving at the church library.
From left: Erik Cole, David Willingham, Doyle Coulson and Larry Timbs.
Santa's red suit has nothing on head deacon Erik Cole's Christmas finery.
Having a great time with the Faithful Encouragers.
Child dedication for the Lee family (L) and the Rinkes family.
