August 2017 newsletter

CHURCH INFORMATION CHURCH STAFF Ross Shelton, Pastor

rshelton@fbc-brenham.org

Annette Guenther, Comptroller aguenther@fbc-brenham.org

Troy Sikes, Associate Pastor

tsikes@fbc-brenham.org

Donella Peevler, Church Receptionist

dpeevler@fbc-brenham.org

Charles Covin, Music Minister

ccovin@fbc-brenham.org

Jodi Beckendorf, Graphic Design jbeckendorf@fbc-brenham.org

Chad Marrs, Minister to Students

cmarrs@fbc-brenham.org

Stephanie Sheffield, Custodian Manager

ssheffield@fbc-brenham.org

Alex Morrison, Minister to Children

amorrison@fbc-brenham.org

Nancy Jahns, School Administrator

njahns@fbcsbrenham.org

Stacey Strickland, Preschool Ministry

sstrickland@fbc-brenham.org

Kristie Mendoza, Mother’s Day Out Dir.

mdo@fbc-brenham.org

Teresa McGlasson, Office Manager

tmcglasson@fbc-brenham.org

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

LINKS TO CHECK OUT ONLINE CHURCH WEBSITE: www.fbc-brenham.org CHURCH FACEBOOK PAGE: www.facebook.com/BrenhamsFirstBaptistChurch SCHOOL FACEBOOK PAGE: www.facebook.com/Brenhamfbcs 2

I N THI S I SSUE:

Church Announcements ..................................................page Church-wide Calendar .....................................................page From Pastor Ross ...............................................................page Music Ministry ....................................................................page Adult Ministries .................................................................page Bible Studies & More ........................................................page Encore Ministry ..................................................................page A Letter from Reba .. ..........................................................page Student Ministry ................................................................page Children’s Ministry ............................................................page Preschool Ministry ............................................................page FBC School .........................................................................page From Troy’s Heart ..............................................................page

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CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

FIRST IMPRESSIONS MINISTRY - Can you smile? Can

you shake a hand or hug a neck? Sure you can! That means you can make a difference in someone’s life each Sunday by serving in our First Impressions Ministry. Email Troy at: tsikes@fbc-brenham.org or call 979-836-2807 if you want to make a difference with a smile!

REMINDER - AUGUST 30th Wednesday Night Activities Resume

PROMOTION SUNDAY AUGUST 13th Welcome New Church Members Evan Schroeder Sarah Kirby Amanda Thompson Sydney Mason Caroline Bouillion Hank, Diane and Kimberly Suenkel

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CHURCH-WIDE CALENDAR

AUGUST-

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Piece Makers Sewing/Quilting Ministry 9:00am Student Center Student Astros Game Trip 4:00pm Student Center Men’s Prayer Breakfast 6:00am Syc. House Summer Fun Day 9:30am Stone House 2:4 Mission 1:00pm Gym (Completed 1st & 2nd Graders) beTWEENtime FUNtimes 6:00pm The Batchman’s House (5th/6th Grade) Lord’s Supper Both Services BakPackin’ (Bak2Skool Partee) 7:30pm Aquatic Ctr (1st/6th Graders) beTWEENtime FUNtimes 6:00pm The Morrison’s House (6th Graders) Promotion Sunday Praying For Our Schools 6:30pm Gym Men’s Prayer Breakfast 6:00am Syc. House Sweet Hour of Prayer 10:00am Syc. House Tanzania Mission Trip Begins Ice Cream Social 6:00pm Gym Sweet Hour of Prayer 10:00am Syc. House Christmas Choir Kickoff Dinner 5:30pm Gym Wednesday Night Activities Resume Handbell Practice Resumes 5:15pm Room 218 Sweet Hour of Prayer 10:00am Syc. House

SYMPATHIES: -Simank family in loss the of John Simank’s brother.

-Tahaney family in the loss of Patrick Tahaney.

-Swepson Armour and family in the loss of his brother.

For more information on any of the above events please visit the church website: www.fbc-brenham.org www.facebook.com/BrenhamsFirstBaptistChurch

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FROM PASTOR ROSS As the school year begins this month, I want to thank all the teachers, administrators, and staff who serve our children and our community in our public schools, private schools, and home schools. As someone who is married to a public school teacher - Lauren begins teaching music at West End Elementary and O’Bryant Middle School in Bellville ISD this year - I know the time, commitment, and sacrifice everyone makes, whether that be in a school or home education environment. In preparation for the upcoming school year, I’ve planned a night of prayer for our schools on Sunday evening, August 13th at 6:30. Here is how it will work: We will meet in the Gym at 6:30 pm. I will review the plan, and then everyone will be divided into groups for each school.

The groups will drive to the public and private schools that have given us permission and will spend time praying on the campus. Everyone will be given a prayer guide.

Homeschools will be prayed for on our campus and at Brenham Christian Academy.

We will potentially be going to 14 different campuses. Therefore, if you’re able, please try to be here. I’d love to blanket our schools with the prayers of the people of our church. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see large groups of people praying on each campus?! I hope you can make it! Thank you for the privilege of being your pastor.

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MUSIC MINISTRY

Christmas Choir Kick-off Catered Dinner & Musical Preview Sunday, August 27 5:30PM – 7:30PM in the Gym Cost $10 per person

For anyone interested in singing in the Christmas Choir or playing an instrument in our presentations on December 9th & 10th.

Bring your spouses!

Join us for a great evening of fellowship as we enjoy a delicious dinner, receive our musical books , CDs, rehearsal schedules, and get our first opportunity to hear the music we will be sharing in December!

Sign up in the choir room or RSVP by Wednesday, August 20 at ccovin@fbc-brenham.org

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ADULT MINISTRIES PIECE MAKERS Piece Makers has had a very productive summer. We gifted the Pregnancy Assistance Ministry with lots of baby quilts, fleece blankets and Mommy Bags in July. Several of us took a tour of the facilities to see how this Ministry serves our community. Piece Makers also sent a Cross Wall Hanging, two receiving blankets and a cute baby quilt with Chad on the mission trip to Honduras in July. If you would like to be a part of giving through sewing and quilting, consider joining us! Piece Makers meets the first Tuesday of each month in the Student Center from 9 am to 2 pm. Please call or email Sara Byman at 830-8555 or sara@kangablue.com.

First Impressions Parking Lot Greeting Team.

Each Sunday, We have greeters in the parking lots guiding people to a worship service or Sunday Bible Study. With bright yellow vests and friendly smiles, they will also be there to give you a helping hand with anything you need.

Presently we need more people on the Parking Lot Greeting Team and our Welcome Guest Greeter Team, if you would like to help us make a lasting impression by serving on our First Impressions Team.

Contact Troy at: tsikes@fbc-brenham.org or call the church office at 979-836-2807 if you are willing to serve as an Usher, Welcome Center Greeter or Parking Lot Greeter.

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BIBLE STUDIES & MORE

Men’s Prayer Breakfast Studying “I John” Wednesdays, 6:00am Sycamore House Sweet Hour of Prayer Thursdays, 10:00am Sycamore House Garage Pastor’s Bible Study “Pastor’s Bible Study & Prayer Time” Wednesdays, 6:30pm - Room 112 Resumes 9/6/17 Ephesians: Faithful Followers at Full-Tilt!

Wednesdays, 6:30pm - Room 111 Resumes 8/30/17

Ladies Bible Studies Studying “Finding I Am”

by Lysa TerKeurst.

Wednesdays 6:30pm Sycamore House Resumes 8/30/17 Ladies Bible Study Fellowship Class Studying the book of “Romans” Meets on Thursdays, 9:30- 11:30am, in the Sycamore House Class resumes 9/7/17

NEW! Young Married Class Study on Sunday Mornings at 9:45am Starts September 10 - Sycamore House Upper Room

HOME TEAM GROUPS UPDATES!

Widows & Single Ladies – Various Topics. Pahl House 1st & 3rd Monday 6:00pm. Resumes 9/18/17 Schroeder – “The Bait of Satan” by John Bevere 620 Country Place W. Dr. Meet on the 1st & 3rd Sunday at 5:00pm Atkins – Prayer and fellowship 9250 Lake Dr. Various times and subjects

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ENCORE MINISTRY NEWS

CELEBRATE OUR BIRTHDAYS! Suzie Anger Herma Loy Smith Cecil Stephenson Pat Williams Glinda Blank Ronnie Fathauer Kennith Marshall Gary Holmes Jackie Holmes June Mullenax Daniel Goss Marguerite Chandler Nelson Byman David Baker Liz Goss David Korth Jere Longhofer Nanette Zernial Larry Watson Wendell Brown

James Cato Hal Machat Jerry McLennan Pam Mossbarger R.D. Houston Louise Newman

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Barbara Loesch Sharon Allen Joan Rothermel Robert Haydon Bill Windle Walt Edmunds David Clinkenbeard John Lacy Sherald Bell Barbara Abshier Eddie Van Dyke Kathy Groover Sunne Wheaton Mickey Walker Ebert Steele Lester Yeakley Larry Rooker

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A LETTER FROM REBA

Dear Friends, As I sit down to write this today, I know our Honduras Mission team members are getting excited and are busy making sure they have everything packed and ready to go as they leave tomorrow morning at 4 am. Later we will have other teams going to other places around our globe to spread the love of Jesus to our world. A lot of our senior adults do not have the health or strength to do this any longer, but that doesn’t mean we can’t help in many ways. We can help financially as well and most importantly prayerfully. Our teams can never have too many prayers offered up for them in Jesus name, so let us support them from here at home through prayer.

By the time you receive this the Honduras team will be home, but we can continue to pray for the work being done there, and that many seeds have been planted there.

Soon after you receive this letter school will once again be in full swing, and let us remember to pray for our children and teachers as they go back to their daily lives of interacting with children and adults that may not have the love of Jesus in their heart. Pray that they show these friends the love of Jesus as they show love to others in the classroom, or on a playing field.

Blessings, Reba Pair

SCRIPTURE OF THE MONTH

“You are the light that gives light to the world…”

Matthew 5:14

THOUGHT OF THE MONTH “All people smile in the same language.”

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STUDENT MINISTRY

In the midst of a very busy summer that has included Encore VBS, kid VBS, FUGE camp, a river rafting trip, Honduras mission trip and prepping for two other mission trips, one of the highlights is getting to go to Camp Tejas with the children’s ministry. I have only minor responsibilities for the week of kids’ camp so I get to spend some time fishing. This is the only time of the year that I get to fish and I really enjoy it. Whether it’s early in the morning, teaching my girls, or telling fish tales with the guys, the entire experience is a a treat for me. I especially enjoy fishing in the evening when all the kids are busy with other activities, the air is cooler, and I can sit quietly waiting for the Big One. This year while fishing I really began to think about Mark 1:17 when Jesus called Simon and Andrew and He said, “Follow Me. I will make you fishers of men.”

It’s amazing how Jesus used something they were so familiar with to connect with the disciples. I was inspired to think about being a fisher of men. Although I’m no above average angler, I do have a tackle box, lures and crank bait, some fishing poles, and Bobbye and I stopped off in Giddings to grab some Night Crawlers (for her pink fishing pole). I wondered as I sat fishing one night, what do I have in my faith tackle box? If I really am fishing for people, how do I plan to reel them in? The one reality that really hit me though, was that you’ll never catch a fish if you never cast a line. Being on mission and being a fisher of men is the same way. It’s true that fishing can be discouraging at times when the your line gets caught in the sticks, when you wait patiently for hardly a nibble or when when you catch a turtle instead of the prize winner. Being a fisher of men can also be discouraging or disappointing. Any number of things can interfere with winning souls for Christ. In fishing, you untangle your line, cast again, try again another day.

When it comes to the grandaddy of all fishing lures, the best things I’ve got in my tackle box is a shiny, diving, treble-hooked thing-a-majig. I have no idea what it’s called or how it works, but it just does. But what’s in my faith tackle box?

What is the one thing that beats out everything else for when I’m really serious about fishing? It’s the Holy Spirit. No it’s not a glamorous doodad with all the bells and whistles. In fact, it’s the very same Helper Christ left for the disciples.

There are few other things in my faith tackle box, too, like courage, boldness, hard work, and faith in Christ and His ability to finish what He’s started.

Are you casting a line? Are you trying to catch people for Christ? You’ll never catch the Big One if you never cast a line.

In Him, Bro. Chad

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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

Good Morning, “Tell me I’ve led a good life. Tell me I’m a good man.” This is one of a handful of movie lines that catch my breath and cause tears to well up in my eyes every time I watch it (In fact, my eyes are glassy even thinking about this scene). The line is from Saving Private Ryan. I hope I don’t ruin anything for those that have been slow to see this epic film, but in the last scene of the movie, an older James Ryan visits the grave of Captain John H Miller, whose company of Rangers gave their lives to bring him home safely to his mother who had already lost her other two sons to the war in Europe. The captain’s last words to young Private Ryan were “Earn this.” With that short sentence, he was conveying to James Ryan the great cost of lives laid down for his life and freedom from the war. That is when the scene returns to the present where he is standing before the grave, and asks his wife to give witness that he earned the sacrifice with a good life by being a good man. She told him that he had and that he is. The scene ends with him saluting the grave of Captain Miller.

I thought of this movie line this week during worship. It was during This Is Amazing Grace, (a song that I sing frequently but have not given thought before to the weight of the lyrics). As I was carried by the melody and tempo, one of the lines jumped out to me, and the words caught in my throat as I tried to sing them mindlessly. “You laid down Your life That I would be set free” Before I even finished the verse, I had to pause because my mind was overwhelmed with images of Christ literally laying down His life. In Saving Private Ryan, with the exception of two, the entire Ranger Company died to save the life of one man.

In Jerusalem almost 2,000 years ago, the Almighty Father sacrificed His only beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to save your life from sin and eternal death. When was the last time that you sat down to really, really think about the fact that He laid down His life so that you would be free. We sing about it in many songs. We talk about it in Bible studies as if it is just a fact. But really give thought to what it means to lay down your life. For whom would you lay down your life? Would one of those persons be someone who would not “earn it?” I am overwhelmed that God did this for me and for others like me who at times choose to walk away from Him and live selfishly. I am thankful that I have been given such a great gift of mercy, because I don’t deserve it beyond the fact that I am His creation whom He desires to redeem. I will never “earn this,” but I hope to live a life in love with Him, celebration of Him and surrender to Him. I salute You, my Lord Jesus.

His Servant & Yours, Bro. Alex THANK YOU

Thank you Camp Tejas Sponsors and Rat Packers for pouring into the spiritual lives of our kids this year. May their lives change because they saw how you answered the question, “So What?” A huge thank you to Alex Newcomb and Preston Smith for being my full-time and part-time interns respectively for the summer. Without yous guys the summer activities could not have been possible.

Upcoming Events: 2:4 The Mission, Aug 1st-2nd, Completed 1st & 2nd Graders beTWEENtime FUNtime – Aug 4th, 6-8pm; 5th & 6th Graders at the Batchman’s FUNtime at the Morrisons – Aug 9th, 6-8pm; 6th Graders BakPackin’ – The Bak 2 Skool Partee, Aug 6th, 7:30-9:30pm, 1st-6th Graders

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PRESCHOOL MINISTRIES

August is here, and with it brings on a new school year. This means our Kindergarten graduates move up into the Children’s Ministry and our 3 year olds will now move on up into their new class. How exciting, a new start for all. I am so excited for our 3 year olds to meet their new Sunday school teachers, and visit their new Sunday school classroom. It might take a little bit of an adjustment period to get them focus and learning to be in a different area, but they are going to love it.

Our older preschoolers can teach them the ropes. It will be a fun sight to see.

Now since this is a new beginning for them, why not start at the “very beginning.” This month we will be discussing our Wonderful World God has created for us. The kids are going to love learning about the land and plants. God made the land and all the amazing things that grow in it. The children will hear the God made the very land we stand on! God made every food that we eat and every flower we see. How about the water and the sky, the sun, moon, and stars? How exciting to be able to talk to our little ones about these wonderful things God has created. Oh, I am actually giddy just writing about it (HEEHEE!).

Now we all know preschoolers love animals. So, why not talk and act like little animals? To think God made every animal unique and gave it certain characteristics to help it live. Giraffes have long necks so they can eat the leaves in the trees.

Elephants have amazing noses to help them do a variety of things. To top it all off this month we will celebrate people! God made us and how he made us is so WONDERFUL, so AWESOME, so AMAZING! People truly are God’s most wonderful creation. They were made to be in a relationship with Him and given special qualities no other creation was given. We are able to love and care for one another.

We are able to share God’s love with others. We are special because God made us that way.

I cannot wait!!

Stacey

Sunday Mornings in August Basic Truth: God made me.

Key Question: Who made everything wonderful?

Bottom Line: God made everything wonderful.

Memory Verse: “You have done great and wonderful things.” 2 Samuel 7:23 -Parents, our Kindergarteners are going to be leaving us this month to start their new adventure as 1st Graders. As I am so sad to see them leave, my heart is full of joy for them. They are such wonderful young people and I have had the privilege of watching them grow up. Thank you for that. I wanted to tell you about our Moving On Up lunch for our Kindergarteners and their families. Alex and I team up each year to say goodbye, introduce and welcome these precious ones into the Children’s Ministry. Please mark your calendars for August 6th at FBC Gym right after the second service (12:00pm). If you have any questions you can contact Alex or myself. We hope to see you there.

-Christmas in September – information coming soon!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

HATTIE NELSON 8-25-13 GAIUS PHILLIPS KINSLEY WALLACE 8-31-12

8-28-13

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FBC SCHOOL & EEC We are beginning our 40th year of service to the community! It would not be possible without the vision of the church in 1977. Little did the church realize what an impact the school would have on so many families. FBCS has been blessed with leaders including Cindy Boettcher, Marth Haydon, and Nancy Fritz.

Each of these ladies were instrumental in the success of the school. God has blessed the community as well as the church through the obedience of Brenham’s First Baptist Church. Please watch for news regarding our celebration!

I’d like to welcome our new fundraising coordinator, Judy Hyman. She comes with great, practical experience and a love for the school and the God we serve!

Our teachers are beginning to get their rooms set up for our August 21st start date. Many of them attended workshops during the summer. They will be such a blessing to their students!

Please be in prayer for not only our staff as we prepare for and begin the new school year but also for the families we serve. Pray for wisdom and discernment as we seek to teach and love the kids!

We are still accepting enrollment for next year. Space is limited in a couple of grades. Please help spread the word about this opportunity to join the FBCS & EEC family.

In His Service, Nancy

UPCOMING EVENTS August

4 Student packet pick up 14-18 Staff Development – school and EEC closed

17 Meet the Teacher 4:00-6:00pm

New Parent Orientation - Rm. 112 6:00pm

18 Back to School party at Fireman’s Park @ 5:00– sponsored by PTO

21 First day of classes

28 PTO Meeting Rm. 112 5:30pm

29 Elementary Parent Workshop 6:00pm

VOLUNTEERS & DONATIONS NEEDED We are in need of scholarships for the 2017-2018 school year. If you would like to contribute to the scholarship fund, please come by the school or church office.

We are looking for qualified employees for our preschool program. Please pray for God to provide people with a heart for Him so they can love, care and serve like Him!

THANK YOU Thank you to our amazing summer staff! They have made the summer great for over 100 kids during our summer EEC program.

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FROM TROY’S HEART

As most of you know, during most of July, I was enjoying the sabbatical the church afforded me. I have now returned renewed, rested and ready for whatever God has in store for us.

So what did I do over the four weeks while I was away? Traveled a little, worked around the house a little, ran a little, read a little, but prayed and pondered a lot!

Kelley and I hadn’t been on a vacation by ourselves since 1989, pre-kids. So to start our sabbatical, we decided to fly to Seattle, rent a car and drive down the west coast from Olympic National Park to San Francisco. Along the way we saw crystal clear lakes, thundering waterfalls, snow covered mountains, flowered meadows, lush rainforests, rocky coastal cliffs and caves, pebbled beaches, miles of sand dunes and massive Redwood forests. We walked through pine-needled trails, along sandy beaches and within majestic groves of towering trees. I would estimate we saw some of the most beautiful scenery our nation has to offer.

However, of all of the beauty we saw, nothing matched the beauty of the people we met. Along our thirteen hundred mile journey, we had the privilege of meeting some wonderful people whose lives painted a beautiful scenery all their own.

Carol, an innkeeper, who cared for her parents and her husband as they battled cancer. Eventually, they all passed away and she began the Bed & Breakfast to make a living. Just before breakfast we talked about God’s care for widows. I counted it joy to meet this hard-working faithful lady.

Ryan and Emily, newlyweds traveling the same direction we were, but instead of hotels and B & B’s, they were camping out in a tent most of the time.

They were full fully of joy and adventure. Kell and I prefer sheets and showers.

Haha. As we left, I thanked God for this new couple and asked His blessing on their love.

Then there was were Debbie and Laura. We met them at a small crowded restaurant in California. They were sitting at a table for 5, but the hostess asked if we didn’t mind sharing a table with them, we could cut our wait time in half.

“You bet!”

After brief introductions, Laura tagged on the comment, “…thank the Lord”, to something she was saying. Soon thereafter, I mentioned something about God and that I was a minister. “I KNEW IT!” Laura shouted. We began to talk about faith and how their professions(teacher/nanny & oncology surgical nurse) helped them care for people. As our food arrived, we all joined hands and I led us in prayer, thanking God for our new friends from San Diego.

Out of all of the beauty of God’s creation, people stand at the top. We have a soul. Beaches erode. Trees fall and decay. Mountains and cliffs crumble. People are eternal! Please do not miss the beautiful creations of the people in your lives!

I love you people!

Troy

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

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