April Newsletter 2020

Due to the spread of COVID-19 we will be revising our calendar. We will update you as soon as possible. If you would like more information & updates on Brenham’s First Baptist Church’s response to the Corona Virus go to http://fbc-brenham.org/covid-19-response-info/

For more information on any events please visit the church website:

www.fbc-brenham.org

www.facebook.com/BrenhamsFirstBaptistChurch

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS:

Mon - Thurs: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Fri: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm.

Brenham’s 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

COVID-19 Ministry Game Plan for Brenham’s First Baptist Church

While so much has changed over the past few weeks, our mission never changes: to lead people to be followers of Jesus Christ!

As we continue into these unusual days, I believe it is important for you to know we - your church staff - are working hard and praying about how God might use this time. Our prayer is that there will be kingdom fruit that comes out of this season.

We also want you to know our game plan for this season of being unable to meet with each other. Our plan focuses on four important areas:

2.) Encourage people in their personal spiritual growth: It is important to ground this season by spending time in the Word and in prayer. It is here – as we meet God – where we will find the peace, resilience, and courage we need to go through this time and come out having grown closer to Jesus. Here are a few of the ways we’ll be encouraging you in your spiritual growth:

a. Mid-week video devotion on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm on our public

Facebook page. Each week, one of our staff will provide a devotion that will

help you grow closer in your relationship with Jesus.

b. Each of our staff will be reaching out to the people in their respective

ministry areas in order to provide encouragement and helpful content in

their spiritual growth.

c. We will provide a prayer request page on our webpage for people to let

us know how we can pray for them.

3.) Member Care: It is important that we are there for each other during this time and everyone receives the care they need. Here are some ways this is going to happen:

a. Small groups (Sunday School and home groups): Every small group may

do this differently, but we want every small group to have a plan for how

they are going to “meet” during this of being apart. It may be a video

platform (Facebook Live, Zoom, etc.), simply calling one another to

check-in on each other, or some other means. Nevertheless, our prayer is

that our small groups will be the primary way people stay connected.

b. Each of our staff will find ways weekly to check-in on those in their

ministry areas.

c. Pastor Ross and Pastor Troy will be developing a plan to check-in on

widows/widowers and homebound members.

Continued on Page 6 ...Under “From Troy’s Heart”

From Pastor Ross

1.) Provide a high quality online/video worship experience for Sunday morning at 10:00 am: This service will be available and posted at 10:00 am every Sunday on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/BrenhamsFirstBaptistChurch/) and our Truthcasting page (http://www.truthcasting.com/player.aspx#showSubChannel=690) on our website. Please note that this will be available on both websites starting at 10:00 am on Sundays.

A Letter From Reba

Dear Friends, Normally I write about springtime and Easter for our April newsletter, but today I am going to wander off the track for a bit. I had just finished listening to Bro. Ross’ online church service on March 15th, that we had instead of a public service due to health concerns of Covid 19. As I reached up on my shelf to put something away, I saw my little calendar up there and I took it down and turned to today’s date. On today’s page is the song Crown Him with many Crowns by Matthew Bridges 1852. To me this seems so appropriate after today’s message, and the mass hysteria on this subject. God is still on His Throne and He is still ruler of the earth. Here are the words of the first verse.

Crown Him with many Crowns, The Lamb upon His throne.

Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own.

Awake my soul and sing of Him who died for thee.

And hail Him as the matchless King through all eternity.

Just remember that as Christians we always have hope and a promise that God is with us wherever we go, and He is to be our guide all the way. I pray you all stay healthy this spring and enjoy our beautiful fields of color as our flowers bloom.

Please if you need anything and are unable to get out, to contact the church office as the deacons are willing to help do whatever needs to be done for those of you who may need help.

Blessings, Reba Pair

Music Ministry News I pray this newsletter finds you well and at peace! It has been quite the unexpected beginning of the year, to say the least. Bonnie and I are doing well, as are the kids. We have enjoyed and are trying to make the most of our extra time together and have made some good memories in the process!

Leading worship music in an empty sanctuary is something that I can definitely say I never anticipated doing in ministry! But it has given me an even greater appreciation for the times when we have all been together, singing praises to God. Singing to the Lord together honors Him and is good for our souls.

Ephesians 5:18b-21 says, “…be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

The Apostle Paul’s instruction here is such an important word for us. Note: there is no qualifier given that directs this command only toward people who see themselves as having some level of musical giftedness. We are called to be full of the Spirit and to sing from our hearts to the Lord, and to one another! Out of our gratitude to God for all He has done, there should be a continual song on our lips. It honors Him, encourages and sharpens the faith of others, and grants peace to our souls because our “minds are stayed on Him.” May God’s song always be in our hearts and may we continually let it be heard from our lips!

Thank yous And Sympathies

Dear Brenham First Baptist Church, Please accept our gratitude for your kindness, prayers, and sweet support during Evelyn’s illness and after her death. The calls, cards, visits, gifts, and food were comforting and greatly appreciated.

Our family continues to be uplifted by the spiritual and physical acts of love conveyed by you. We are blessed by your friendship. Evelyn inspired us all by the way she lived her life and faced her illness. She loved her Lord, her family, friends, and community. This was manifested in her willingness to help and serve others. Thank you for honoring her memory.

With sincere and loving thanks, Henry Gor & family

Dear First Baptist Family, Thank you so much for the lovely basket of flowers and plants for my mother, Jo Wetzel’s funeral. I also received many cards and wonderful messages. I appreciate all of you more than you know!

-Robertson Family in the loss of Carolyn Robertson.

Love, Teresa McGlasson -Tanner Family in the loss of Louise Tanner.

-Troy & Lori Gaddie in the loss of his mother.

From Troy's Heart At the time of this writing, we are in the middle of fighting to protect ourselves from the Corona Virus. All over the world, things are changing. Procedures and protocols are being put into place to combat the spread of Covid-19. Yes, one ailment is changing the world!

In the Garden of Eden, one decision also changed the world. Disobedience to God caused a “fallen world.” Physical and spiritual sickness entered our world in one moment and it has never been the same. Sin impacts us all!

Because of that one moment, God needed to provide a healing remedy for a broken world. “For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will have everlasting life.” John 3:16 God took decisive action because of a decisive moment and changed the world forever!

One day our fallen world will be restored. However, right now, our broken lives can be spiritually healed forever through faith and belief in Jesus. By the grace of God(Eph. 2:8-9) we can pass from “death to life” in Jesus.

(John 5:24) That ONE faithful decision of belief and confession of Jesus will change your world forever! Take it. Tell it. Spread it.

I love you, Troy

From Pastor Ross Cont’d 4.) Service and evangelism: We want people to experience us as servants, and our hope is that more people will have the opportunity to hear the Gospel. Here are some ways we plan for this to happen:

a. Benevolence ministry: Find ways to help meet the benevolence needs of

those in our church and our community who are being impacted

economically by COVID-19.

b. Continue to serve with our already existing ministry partners

(Bread Partners, Faith Mission, etc.) to make sure people have food.

c. Find strategic and unique opportunities to help local small businesses.

d. Make available our deacons and others to help elderly and at-risk people

who may need something done (getting groceries, etc.) but cannot leave

the house.

Small Groups, Big News The life of our church happens in our small groups! Over the past few weeks, we have missed the closeness of small groups due to the spread of the Corona Virus. Personally, I have felt very disconnected from so many of my close friends because we haven’t been able to meet on Sundays or Wednesdays. I find myself calling, emailing and texting my group members to see how they are doing and what is going on in their lives.

Are you the same way? Probably so! Eph. 4:15-16 reminds us that we are connected together in the Body of Christ. Like a body, we grow TOGETHER as well. Therefore, when we are not able meet in the same room, we yearn for that closeness. The early church set the tone for small groups in their homes in Acts 2:41-47. Hopefully, we will get back to the heartbeat of our church soon!

Piece Makers Making Touch Quilts has been an ongoing Piece Makers project for over two years. These are 16� squares of tactile fabrics embellished on both sides with washable trim, toys, faux fur, pockets, hankies, zippers and braid.

Touch Quilts are in high demand in area Nursing Homes where they are proven to help calm people by keeping their hands and thoughts occupied.

Doddie Messick has become very creative in assembling kits for Piece Makers to sew together and we appreciate her dedication to this project. Lots of our projects can be sewn at home and if you would like to serve others through sewing at home, let me know. I will see that you get kits or you can pick some up at one of our meetings which will resume when Covid19 restrictions are lifted. -Sara Byman

Student Ministry Church family! You can be so proud of all the students and adults that went on the mission trip to Honduras. Everyone did such a great job! I could not have asked for a better group of people. Adults and students shared the Gospel, prayed for villagers, passed out food and dresses and stuffed bears. They played games and blew bubbles and shared the love of Christ everywhere they went. We saw eight people become part of the family of God and many others heard the Gospel. Pastor Troy Sikes preached in the village on Saturday night and YES – even in the remote village of Naranjal – we had SLIDES. Thanks to Jodi Beckendorf and Elisa Workman for creating those large paper “slides” en Español.

Our week was filled with passing out over three hundred pounds of beans and rice.

We painted a school way up on top of a mountain. You wouldn’t believe the beautiful view from there. We provided a bathroom for a family. Our students played with so many kids. Our ladies had such a powerful time in the Ladies’ Bible Study.

Thank you so much to Sara Byman and the Piecemakers ministry for making suitcases full of pillowcase dresses and stuffed bears. Not only does it bless the recipients of those gifts, but it blesses us to be part of it. I can’t wait for the time we are able to share it all with you in person.

In Him, Bro. Chad

FBC School and EEC

As I write this, we are sadly out of school due to Covid-19.

However, God gives perfect peace. When I pick Bible verses, I do it months in advance. I read scripture and pray about how I might be able to teach the kids about whatever the concept is. Sometimes, I try to have several that will flow into the next week. Trust seems to be in our second half of March verses. The first week we were out, our verse was 1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” This week, it is Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Next week’s verse is Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ if the same yesterday and today and forever.”

It is my hope and prayer that the children and their families will We are in need of find comfort through these verses, and they will put their trust scholarship donations for fully in Him. the 2020-2021 school year.

Although these times are frightening to many people in our country and perhaps to you, I’m not losing any sleep. I do Please consider a gift to this fund. not mean that to sound flippant. I’m just doing my best to look It helps families to send their ahead and have faith in Him. His truth is beautiful. He is powerchild to FBCS. The scholarships ful. He holds the world in His hand. He has taken care of the are for need-based students, future through His Son. And for that, I am eternally grateful. and they are selected through a committee.

I am praying for you, my beautiful church family!

Blessings, Nancy Jahns

Preschool Ministry

Jesus’ death and resurrection is the center of the gospel. In Adam, we were spiritually dead in sin, but Jesus died to pay for our sins. Jesus is alive! God gives new life to everyone who trusts in Jesus.

As you share with your kids, emphasize the gospel: the good news of who Jesus is and what He has done. We do not worship a dead Savior. Jesus is alive! There is hope for sinners. Jesus’ resurrection gives believers the promise of new life. “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive” (1 Cor. 15:22).

Memory Verse: “He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30 Big Picture Question: Why did Jesus become human? Jesus became human to rescue sinners.

Parent/Child Dedication coming up on May 10th.

Parents you can pick up a form from the Nursery area or email me for one.

Please turn in completed forms by April 12th. For more information please contact Stacey Strickland at 979-836-2807 or email me at sstrickland@fbc-brenham.org

Children's Ministry “I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

(Psalm 121:1-2, NIV) Good Morning, Hello from the middle of COVID-19. I know as you are reading this, we have been dealing with the aftermath of the coronavirus for weeks now. However, as I am writing this, I have recently come home from Honduras, and fallen into a crazy state of panic and uncertainty across the nation. For those that remained in the states (and connected to the news stations), maybe it was a more gradual onset, but for me it seemed a stark dive into the deep end of this pandemic once I returned home.

Toilet paper cannot be found. Milk shelves are empty minus the signs mandating a limit of 2 for purchase. The cold, cough and fever reducer medicine aisle looks like a disheveled ghost town. As of this moment the return to school from Spring Break has been postponed until April 6th (hopefully the kids are back in school as you are reading this). Restaurants are closing their dining rooms, and only serving from the drive-thru or delivery services (at least in Houston). Then, as I sit down to write this newsletter, my calendar reminds me that Easter is around the corner. Happy Easter!

I know it seems as though I too am guilty of what I am about to reveal, but it is really the purpose of why I started like I did. The celebration of Christ’s resurrection is coming, but we talk more about the pandemic that is in front of us now. The temporal is overshadowing the eternal. I have been guilty of it probably just as much as any one else. I am not judging anyone. It is hard to not get caught up in all the talk about the effects of this virus. However, when I pause and lift my head, I see God’s hand guiding us through this. I see God providing opportunities for ministry. I see moments for families to draw nearer to one another.

None of this caught God off-guard, and a pandemic does not change the fact that God sent His only Son to live in this world, die to pay the price for the sins of mankind and to show His power through the resurrection. The reason behind resurrection Sunday is bigger than COVID-19. God is bigger than COVID-19. He is our supply in times of need. He is our peace in the midst of chaos. He is our hope in moments of distress. Keep your eyes on Him, and celebrate Him for He is good.

His Servant & Yours, Bro. Alex

Brenham’s First Baptist Church P. O. Box 600 Brenham, TX 77834-0600

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