IN THIS ISSUE : Church Announcements .................................................. page 2 Church-wide Calendar ..................................................... page 3 A Letter from Pastor Ross ................................................ page 4 Music Ministry ................................................................. page 5 Adult Discipleship ........................................................... page 6 Bible Studies & More ....................................................... page 7 Encore Ministry ............................................................... page 8 A Letter From The Editor .................................................. page 9 Student Ministry .............................................................. page 10 Children’s Ministry ......................................................... page 11 Preschool Ministry .......................................................... page 12 FBC School ..................................................................... page 13 Special Announcements .................................................. page 14 From Troy’s Heart ............................................................ page 15
UPCOMING SUMMER EVENTS June
June 1 - Church Picnic - On our 33 acres (across from Tractor Supply on S. Market St.) 6:00 - 7:30pm. June 6-9 - “MOVE” VBS @ Brenham’s FBC - In the Church - 5:00 - 8:30pm. June 11-18 - Disciple Trip (5th - 6th grade) - McAllen, TX June 21-28 - FUGE Camp (Youth group 7th - 12th grade) - Glorieta, NM
July
July 6-7 - Encore (Retirees) VBS - In the gym - 9:00am - 12:30pm. July 11-15 - Camp Tejas - Information and resources for registration available for parents of kids currently enrolled in the 3rd-6th grades who want to go to Camp Tejas - Go to www.fbc-brenham.org and click on Event Information to sign up. July 19-27 - Honduras Mission Trip - $100 deposit - Last day to sign up is April 3rd. Go to www.fbc-brenham.org and click on Event Information to sign up.
August
August 3 - Church Ice Cream Social/Honduras Testimonies - In the gym from 5:30 - 7:30pm. August 8-11 - 2:4 The Mission - 24 hour lock-in at the church for kids who have completed 1st & 2nd grades. It focuses kids on the wide world of missions with fun, projects, games, and little bit of sleep.
CHURCH STAFF
Ross Shelton, Pastor rshelton@fbc-brenham.org Troy Sikes, Associate Pastor tsikes@fbc-brenham.org Charles Covin, Music Minister ccovin@fbc-brenham.org Alex Morrison, Minister to Children amorrison@fbc-brenham.org Chad Marrs, Minister to Students cmarrs@fbc-brenham.org Stacey Strickland, Preschool Ministry sstrickland@fbc-brenham.org
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Teresa McGlasson, Office Manager tmcglasson@fbc-brenham.org Annette Guenther, Comptroller aguenther@fbc-brenham.org Donella Peevler, Church Receptionist dpeevler@fbc-brenham.org Stephanie Sheffield, Custodian Manager ssheffield@fbc-brenham.org Ernie Lewis, Graphic/Media Tech elewis@fbc-brenham.org Nancy Jahns, School Administrator njahns@fbcsbrenham.org Kristie Mendoza, Mother’s Day Out Director mdo@fbc-brenham.org
CHURCH-WIDE CALENDAR APRIL: 3 Lord’s Supper Observance 8:30am & 11:00am 3 Women’s Ministry /Planning Meeting - Syc. Stone Rm 1:00pm 3 Business Meeting - Gym 4:00pm 5 Piece Makers - Student Center 9:00am 8 FBCS UIL - School & EEC Closed All Day 10 FUGE Parents Meeting - Student Center 4:00pm 12 FBCS PALS Meeting - Room 112 5:30pm 12 Security Committee Meeting - Pahl Livingroom 6:00pm 12 Adam’s Angels - Sycamore Garage 6:00pm 12 Blinn College Combined Choirs Concert - Sanctuary 7:00pm 14 MDO Fundraiser - Drive Thru Meal - Kitchen 4:30 - 6:30pm 14 Relocation Committee Meeting - Pahl Livingroom 6:30pm 21 Relocation Committee Meeting - Pahl Livingroom 6:30pm 22 FBCS Texas Celebration Auction - Gym 5:30pm MAY:
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Lord’s Supper Observance 8:30am & 11:00am Deacons Meeting - Room 111 2:00pm Church Council Meeting - Room 112 4:00pm Piece Makers - Student Center 9:00am FBCS - Early Dismissal 11:30am - EEC Open
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS: Mon - Thurs: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Fri: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm. First Baptist Church Contact Info: Ph: (979) 836-2807 Fax: (979) 830-0122 info@fbc-brenham.org Mailing address: PO Box 600, Brenham, TX 77834 LINKS TO CHECK OUT ONLINE CHURCH & SCHOOL WEBSITE: www.fbc-brenham.org CHURCH FACEBOOK PAGE: www.facebook.com/BrenhamsFirstBaptistChurch SCHOOL FACEBOOK PAGE: www.facebook.com/Brenhamfbcs
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FROM PASTOR ROSS Beginning in January we had, what I believe to be, some of the most important conversations we’ve had in our church in a long time. Specifically, we went through a series of guided and structured times of prayer and conversations that sought clarity concerning our school. The two main areas where we needed clarity were the following: 1.) What relationship do we want to have with the school? Through our conversations and through the experience of reading how our school impacts so many families, we reaffirmed that the school is a ministry of our church. We have already begun taking steps and thinking about how we can strengthen relationships with our school. 2.) The other question centered on purpose: “Why do we have a school?” The “why” question is different from the mission (“what” we’re called to do) question. Our school, as a ministry of our church, shares our mission: “Lead people to be followers of Jesus Christ.” Looking at the “why” question goes to the deeper purpose of why we have the unique ministry of a school. Through these conversations, the School Committee is ready to propose the following purpose statement to be voted on in the April 3rd business meeting: “First Baptist Church School exists to provide an excellent, Christ-centered, Bible-based education in order to prepare students to be servant leaders who will impact the world for Christ.” I’m excited about having clarity around our purpose and having some key areas of focus: a. Excellence: We will strive to continually improve and do everything with excellence. b. Christ-centered: Jesus will be the focus of our school and the mission will be for people to come into a relationship with Him and follow Him. c. Bible-based: The Truth of God’s Word will be the foundation of our education. God’s Word (i.e. not culture, human experience, tradition, etc.) will be the final authority for everything we do, teach, and believe. d. Prepare students to be servant leaders: Jesus teaches the way to impact our world is through service. Our school does an excellent job of teaching children to serve and will continue to do this. Through learning to serve, we believe our children will be equipped to be the leaders our community, culture, and world need now and in the future. e. Impact the world for Christ: This is the ultimate goal of educating servant leaders. Whether our students stay in Brenham or God takes them across the world to be servant leaders, our prayer is that they will impact the world for Christ. Through our discussions, we also began addressing other areas where we need to build on our strengths and strengthen areas where we need improvement. If you’d like more information about these areas, please contact me at rshelton@ fbc-brenham.org. I’m grateful that we have gone through these conversations. They were not easy; they were hard. They were not, however, bad. In fact, much good has come from these conversations already. Having gone through these conversations, I believe we are much better positioned to continue growing as a healthier church and to pivot toward the future for which God has called us.
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WORSHIP & MUSIC MINISTRY I want to say “thank you” to all of you who helped make our worship and celebration during Easter so meaningful! If you were one of the many who contributed with your time and gifts in the choir, orchestra, or media team: a special thank you to each of you. I am so grateful to be involved in ministry with a group of people that recognize the importance of what we do and the value of paying attention to detail in our preparation. To those of you who may not be musically inclined but have the gift of encouragement, THANK YOU! The positive feedback you have given each of our musicians and me is invaluable! Certainly we are not performing for the applause and accolades of men, but to hear about how the Lord is blessing our efforts to help create meaningful moments and opportunities for you to connect with God in worship is so fulfilling and inspires us to press on. I am always appreciative when you take those opportunities to share what is in your heart with our singers, instrumentalists, media team, and staff. Finally, on a personal note, most of you have probably heard (or perhaps noticed) that Bonnie and I are expecting our sixth little blessing. We aren’t generally the “big announcement” type, but since many of you have been asking, I thought I’d pass on that we got confirmation that she’s carrying a little girl, due toward the end of July. Thank you for your prayers! Charles
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ADULT MINISTRIES TWO CLASSES RECENTLY BEGAN NEW SUNDAY BIBLE STUDIES: CSI Class - “Song of Solomon: Marriage and Romance” in room 205. Life Applications Class - “Think Like a Christian: A Biblical Worldview” in room 110. If you are not involved in a Sunday Bible Study, check out these classes. You will meet some wonderful people and grow in your faith! CEO OF SAMARITAN’S PURSE TRIP APRIL 26th - The Hope Sunday School class, will now be car pooling. They will meet in the church parking lot at 9:00am. If you can drive to Austin, please contact Donna May, and let her know how many people you can accommodate. She will have parking directions and options for the meal after listening to Franklin Graham. Please contact Donna May at 979-421-0072 for more information.
PIECE MAKERS Piece Makers presented 29 walker bags to the Brenham Nursing and Rehabilitation Director, Mary Sparks, on March 8th. They joined Mary and the residents in the song ‘You Are My Sunshine’ before she passed out the handy bags. Under the direction of Shirley Herring, Piece Makers will continue to replace the walker bags as they wear out. Look for the I Spy Quilt, and the Denim Stars Picnic Quilt displayed in the church hallway going into the sanctuary this month. Both of these quilts, donated by Piece Makers for the benefit of the school, will be auctioned at the FBC School’s Texas Celebrations event on April 22nd. Piece Makers meet the first Tuesday of each month in the Student Center from 9:00am to noon. Questions? Call Sara Byman at 979-830-8555.
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BIBLE STUDIES & MORE CONNECT & SHARE LIFE TOGETHER IN ONE OF THESE GROUPS! Schroeders - 620 Country Place West. Study: “The Star, The Cross, and the Crescent” will meet on the 1st & 3rd Sunday at 5pm. Koenig/Sossaman (Ladies/Widows) - Study: Max Lucado’s, “Glory Days” will meet on the 1st & 3rd Monday at 6pm. Bishops - 4803 Salem Rd., 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 6:30pm studying: “If You Want to Walk on Water, You Have to Get Out of the Boat.” Yeakleys - (Excellent Way Bible Study Group) - 800 Loesch St, Tuesdays at 6:30pm. Study: “Forgotten God; Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Sprit,” by Francis Chan. Atkins - 9250 Lake Dr. - Various times and subjects. Home Builders - Will meet on the 1st & 3rd Sunday at 5:00pm in room 111.
WEEKLY BIBLE STUDIES & FELLOWSHIP Men’s Prayer Breakfast Studying: “What Every Christian Ought to Know” Wednesdays, 6:00am - Sycamore House. Sweet Hour of Prayer: Thursdays, 10:00am - Sycamore House Garage. Pastor’s Bible Study: Wednesdays, 6:30pm - Room 112. Scrapbook of Our Savior: Wednesdays, 6:30pm - Room 111.
L A D I E S B I B L E S T U D I ES “The Armor of God” by Priscilla Shirer
Wednesdays 6:30pm Sycamore Stone Room. (Childcare available) LADIES BIBLE STUDY FELLOWSHIP CLASS Meeting on Thursdays, 9:30am - 11:30am in the Sycamore Living Room. PRECEPT CLASSES STUDYING “ZECHARIAH“ • Tuesdays 9:00am - 11:00am in the Pahl House. • Wednesdays - 6:30pm - 7:30pm in the Pahl House.
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ENCORE MINISTRY NEWS THE ENCORE MINISTRY IS ALWAYS UP TO SOMETHING! Our Encore Ministry is comprised of adults 55 years of age and above who know God has more for each of them to accomplish for His kingdom. Therefore, our Encore adults are growing in faith, community, ministry, missions and their love for others. GREAT STUFF We had a great time at the Simon Theatre Thursday, March 31st. We took a tour, saw a movie and ate a delicious boxed lunch provided by Funky Art CafĂŠ. Thank you to Donna Cummins and all of the Main St. Brenham team for an incredible job of renovating the Simon Theatre.
CELEBRATE OUR BIRTHDAYS! Greg Cooper Fred Tanner Bill Arnold Bill Whitaker Midge Lubbock Mike Cowan Bruce Drummond Jane Moorhead Geneva Walker Rod Viebig Joyce Ruley Shirley King Dan Bishop Wilma Walker Helen Yeakley Shirley Herring 8
4/1 4/5 4/5 4/5 4/9 4/9 4/9 4/9 4/10 4/10 4/11 4/13 4/13 4/13 4/14 4/15
Jane Barnett Beverly Whitman Marilyn Brown Jennifer Eckermann Jim Hummel Marilyn Beardslee Rita Schneider Connie Poffenberger Charlie Matejowsky Teresa Peddy Lori McCracken Louise Tanner Daphne Baker Bill Betts, Jr Waverly Craft
4/18 4/19 4/20 4/20 4/20 4/23 4/24 4/25 4/25 4/26 4/27 4/28 4/29 4/29 4/30
A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Dear Friends, As I sit here at my desk to say a few words to you, I think of recent events in our lives. We just returned from our winter vacation, but we were both under the weather by the time we made it home. As we drove back into Washington County and I began to see the Bluebonnets blooming, I felt like they were welcoming us home. There’s no place we’d rather be than home when we are not feeling well. Can you even begin to understand the feeling we will have when Jesus welcomes us home when our time here on earth is done? To me it is just mind boggling. What will be the first thing I do when we get HOME? Meeting the Master is on the top of my list. Is He on the top of your list? I hope you have a beautiful springtime and see the Glory of God in the beautiful nature all around us. Blessings, Reba Pair
THOUGHT OF THE MONTH FAITH F-Forwarding
A-All
I-Issues
T-To
H-Heaven
BIBLE VERSE OF THE MONTH “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Phillipians 3: 13-14 NIV 9
STUDENT MINISTRY We had a great week in Penitas, Texas on our family mission trip. I was so proud of our church family and the gifts and talents they brought with them. Six of our members were first-timers in Penitas, but that did not hold them back at all. We all came away tired, but blessed for being a part of this amazing opportunity of being God’s feet and hands for the week. Thank you so much church family for allowing us to go and be a part of what God is doing in Penitas. Arlen Thielemann and Dave Homeier ~ you guys are the backbone of this project. Thank you both for allowing God to use your gifts and for having patience with all of us who don’t know how to build a house. Alex Morrison and the team of adults and students ~ thank you for providing a wonderful VBS for the kids as you guys shared God’s word and His love with all this week. And a very special thank you to our leader, Ross Shelton. I am continually saying this, but I am so glad God sent you here to Brenham’s FBC. You not only share the word of God with our community, but also live it out on missions in front of our church family and those we aim to reach in the mission field. Our Pastor is never just standing around pointing a finger, but he is always leading by example and never thinks any job is too small. God has blessed this church with hard workers for his Kingdom! I am just so proud to be included in what God is doing here at Brenham’s FBC. Missions aren’t just for Spring Break, but for everywhere we go. I hope you see where God has placed you in your mission field and will ask God how you can join Him in His work. In Him, Bro Chad
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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 Good Morning, At the time that I am writing this the monthly Big Idea is Hope. Hope is believing something good can come out of something bad. This is an easy Big Idea when there are not so many bad things in your life. However, you might wake up one morning and the car does not want to start. Then, when it does it is leaking oil all over your driveway. Then, your mechanic tells you that the engine is kaput (technical term for “it won’t work”). I hope that this does not hit home for any you, because I know first-hand this tale. However, here is God in the story. The morning that all of this happened was the day I had two core essentials’ shows in the public schools. Can you guess what was the Big Idea we were presenting? Answer: HOPE. So, the definition is running through my head as I whisper prayers to God about my car.... Go to http://www.fbc-brenham.org/connect/children Alex’s Newsletter. For the rest of his story. Jun 5-9 Jun 12-18 July 11-15 Aug 10-11
UPCOMING EVENTS
VBS/5:30pm - 8:30pm beTWEENtime Discipleship Trip Camp Tejas 2:4 The Mission/1:00pm - 1:00pm
THIS MONTH’S BIG IDEA Perseverance – refusing to give up when life gets hard.
WEEKLY BOTTOM LINE Weekly Bottom Lines: 1. When life gets hard, remember God is with you. 2. When life gets hard, remember how others have persevered. 3. When life gets hard, remember what Jesus did for you. 4. When life gets hard, remember you can help others persevere.
MEMORY VERSE
Isaiah 40:31b: “But those who trust in the Lord will receive new strength. They will fly as high as eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not grow weak,” (NIrV)
THANK YOU Thank you to the team that made VBS at Penitas a success: Audrey Shelton, Libby Shelton, Lauren Shelton, Ron Kirby, Scott Cole, Mariah Morrison, Nicole Morrison, Leah Homeier, Rita Homeier, Anna Longhofer, Jayden Ladd, Bella Hodges, Rebekah Chovanec and others from our partner churches. 11
PRESCHOOL MINISTRIES EXPERIENCING JESUS! MEMORY VERSE: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.� (John 3:16) Hello, I hope you all had a great Easter. Well, I have to tell you that last month we did not start our Experiencing Jesus like I had planned originally. We actually gave the kids a little reprieve. They did so great with our Experiencing God, but I know that it was not their normal fun-filled Sundays that they were used to. So, we decided to go back to our normal curriculum for a month so they would have that little break before we got started on our Experiencing Jesus lessons. That means this month we will be starting our new lessons about Experiencing Jesus. I am excited! I think this is a great opportunity for our little ones to get a little deeper into our lessons. No worries, we still have loads of fun planned for our classes. Parents please work with your cuties on the monthly memory verse. The kids are actually very excited to tell us their verse, so they can get a special treat. Then at the end of the month whoever has the most names on our board gets to choose out of our treasure chest. They love this! Please be in prayer for our teachers and our little ones as we go through this exciting journey together. Thank you!
Stacey
**I just want to send out a HUGE THANK YOU to our wonderful preschool Sunday school teachers. Our teachers are so wonderful and amazing. Some have been with us for a good number of years and I get so thrilled when they continue to stay teaching our little sweeties. Our kids are so blessed to have the love of these Godly women. Thank you so much Toni Schwartz, Linda Upchurch, Reba Pair, Leah Oehrlein, Karen Temple, and Jill Bearden. I am so blessed by each one of you in so many ways. I love you all!
Happy Birthday To Michelle Bello 4-01-11 Karen Temple 4-02-** Sophia Faske 4-13-11 Benjamin Reynolds 4-19-13 Cooper Sanders 4-24-12
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Parent/Child Dedication on May 8th - Parents you can pick up a form from the Nursery area or at the church office. Please turn in completed forms no later than April 24th. Thank you!
FBC SCHOOL & EEC Making your school the best it can be has been my goal this year. I have been meeting with Ross and the school committee to discuss and make a game plan for our next steps in financial self-sufficiency. I have questioned myself quite a bit this year, but I keep going back to Him. He has affirmed some decisions through the support you, our church, have shown as well as people in the community. He has also shown me areas that I need to change. I am still learning so much. Thank you for patience and prayer as I continue to learn. When I took this position, I truly felt the Lord telling me to get back to the basics of chapel. We started the year with daily chapel. At times, I’ve wondered if it was making an impact within the hearts of the kids, and if I was doing a good enough job. There have been several children who have accepted Christ this year. They’ve done it at home, but I know that hearing His truth every day has influenced the kids. This week, I was given a wonderful affirmation. A parent wrote to let me know that their daughter had accepted Christ. Their home conversation began with the girl asking questions about what we had been talking about in chapel. The seed was planted. God used it to change her for eternity. I know I am completely inadequate. However, He is not. He will use all things for His good. For that, I am grateful! May He change each of us for His purpose! In His Service, Nancy Jahns LIST OF UPCOMING EVENTS April Events Apr 5 Elementary PE Program Day Ms. LuLu comes for preschool Apr 6 Report Cards go home 6th grade goes to BN&R Apr 7 Kindergarten PE Program Day Apr 8 UIL – school & EEC closed Apr 15 UIL fun day
Apr 18-21 Achievement Testing Kindergarten – 6th grade Apr 21 Kindergarten goes to BN&R Apr 22 Texas Celebration Auctions and carnival at FBC 5:30 - 8:00pm Apr 27 Core Essentials Apr 29 5th grade Wax Museum
THANK YOU Thank you for continuing to pray for our children, families and staff!
NEEDS Live & Silent auction items are needed for Texas Celebration. Live auction deadline is April 11th, and silent auction deadline is April 18th. Items may be brought to the school office. Call us for more information at 836-6411.
MOTHER’S DAY OUT - KRISTIE MENDOZA April Bible Verses: “It is God who arms me with strength. ”Psalm 18:32 You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me.” Matthew 19:14 Bible Stories: Samson, The prodigal son, Jesus Loves You Color: Black, Pink, Brown Letters: H, P, Y Events: Easter, Donuts for Dads
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Our Sympathies To: Freeman family in the loss Kara’s mother Darla Caughman. Mrs. Lillie Mays (works in the EEC 6-12 month class) in the loss of her husband. Bradshaw family in the loss of Cody Bradshaw (Friend of JT & Loretta Davis). Jerry McLennan and family in the loss of her mother. Bradley family in the loss of Harvey Bradley.
Church Thank Yous: Dear FBC, Dana & I just want to thank you for your love & investment into our son Blake’s life these last few months! What a blessing you all have been to him. He talks so admirably of his time there with you. He immediately has found a place working with children at Oak Grove Baptist here in China Spring. Trust me when we say, “his life & he is a greater young man, ”’ because of your love! Sincerely, Ric & Dana Mitchell Your kind expression of sympathy and friendship will always remain in our memories. Thank you for your thoughtfulness. The Caughman Family
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FROM TROY’S HEART Over the past week, the subject of cancer has come up numerous times in various conversations and circumstances: * a phone conversation with a member of the church who has terminal cancer. * a conversation with a member who is waiting on pathology results regarding cancerous cells. * a neighbor stopping by to meet me while I was out working and mentioning he was 8 treatments into 12 treatment program for colon cancer. * talking with a mom who had a daughter admitted to MDA for severe illness due to cancer treatments. * a book I am reading where the author vividly recounts the death of her mother due to cancer. With each scenario, I am taken back to losing my parents to cancer. It is a terrible disease impacting millions of lives and undoubtedly, touching someone you know. I hate the disease of cancer. Yet, without it, I would not be who I am. It is a weird paradox that I don’t know if I am grateful for or not. I just know that cancer has stretched me emotionally, spiritually, relationally and socially. Although I do not believe God is the author of disease and sickness, through our experience of it, as the infirmed or as caregivers, our faith, endurance, and perseverance can be increased. Through my journey with cancer as a caregiver, a son, and a minister, I have seen first-hand the victory of life! The way I see it is: Cancer does not defeat, it can reveal victory! Cancer can birth survivors. Cancer can bind the broken. Cancer can unleash the power of caring. These are the terms of cancer I choose to believe! Psalm 147:3, Isaiah 53:4-5 I love you, Troy
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Brenham’s First Baptist Church P. O. Box 600 Brenham, TX 77834-0600
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