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
CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS LOTTIE MOON OFFERING FOR WORLD MISSIONS - $26,755.00 has been collected to date. Our goal was $25,000. LIFE LESSONS FROM JOSEPH - Starting Wednesday, January 13th Room 111 6:30pm. ACCESS ACS IS FOR YOU! With our new church database, we have a new ministry tool, Access ACS, designed to help us stay connected. Right now, over 110 of your fellow church members are staying in touch as users of Access ACS. What can you do in Access ACS? • Update your personal records and photos. • Search for church member’s addresses. • View your contribution records. • View the church calendar. • Register for events, make payments online, and give on line. How to Login to Access ACS 1. Go to our church website: www.fbc-brenham.org 2. Click on the “About” Tab. 3. Click on “Ministerial Staff” dropdown tab. 4. Click on “Access ACS Log-in” button. 5. Find the question, “Need a Login?” 6. Click the “Click Here” beside the “Need a Login?” a. If you have a “smart” phone, you can click the icon “Go Mobile” to register your phone and take Access ACS wherever you go. 7. Enter your email and name. 8. Click “Find Me”. a. If you are not found in the system, either your name or email address has been typed incorrectly or we do not have the correct information in our church database. Give us the correct info. and we will update it this week. 9. You will be sent an email containing login information. 10. Once you receive the information, follow the instructions to reset your password.
Welcome New Church Members:
Tim Bledsoe, Weldon and Suzanne Butler, Heather Delso, Ethan Lawhan, Don and Diane Wilkey
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 Ernie Lewis, Graphic/Media Tech elewis@fbc-brenham.org O’Dell Merryman, Facilities Manager omerryman@fbc-brenham.org Nancy Jahns, School Administrator njahns@fbcsbrenham.org Kristie Mendoza, Mother’s Day Out Director mdo@fbc-brenham.org
CHURCH-WIDE CALENDAR JANUARY: 1 Church Office Closed - Holiday 1 EEC Closed - Holiday 1-4 FBCS Closed - Christmas Holiday 3 Lord’s Supper Observance - 8:30am & 11:00am 5 Piece Makers - Student Center 9:00am - 12:00pm 10 Reflection w/ FBC Members Church/School Relationship Room 112 3:00 - 5:00pm 13 New Study - Life Lessons from Joseph - Room 111 6:30pm 17 Reflection w/ FBC Members Church/School Relationship Room 112 3:30 - 5:00pm 18 Church Office Closed - MLK Holiday 18 FBCS Closed - MLK Holiday 19 Finance Committee Meeting - Room 111 6:30pm 24 Church Council Meeting - Room 112 3:00 - 4:00pm 24 Deacon Ordination Service - Sanctuary 4:00 - 5:00pm 25-28 FBCS Fine Arts Week - 8:00am - 4:00pm 31 Business Meeting - Gym 4:00pm Men’s Cake Bake - Gym 5:00 - 7:30pm FEBRUARY: 2 7 7
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Piece Makers - Student Center 9:00am - 12:00pm Lord’s Supper Observance - 8:30 & 11:00am Reflection w/ FBC Members Church/School Relationship Room 112 3:30 - 5:00pm Handbell Choir-Worship Service Sanctuary - 8:30am Church Office Closed - Texas Ministry Conference 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 During January and continuing into February we are going to enter into a series of prayerful, deliberative, and structured discussions around where we have been, where we are, and where we believe God will lead us in the relationship with our church and First Baptist Church School. There will be more information about these discussions, beginning with a handout on January 3rd, but for right now I want you to know that each of these meetings will have a different focus. The meetings will be discussion-based and collaborative times gathered around tables, and there will be guidelines that I will talk with you about at each meeting. These times will only be for members of our church. We will meet each time in the gym on the following dates: January 10th from 3:00 – 5:00 pm; January 17th from 3:30 – 5:00 pm; and February 2nd from 3:30 – 5:00 pm. Childcare will be provided. I should note that these will not be times to “air grievances,” and while some challenging things will be discussed, at no point do I want this process to be perceived as a criticism of the quality of education and/or hard work of our previous and current staff and teachers. I also think it is important to answer two questions before going forward. First, why are we going to go through this process? We are going to go through this process because I don’t believe we have a clear picture or understanding of why we have a school. In addition, we need to clarify what relationship we have with the school/what relationship we want to have with the school. I realize there were numerous discussions during the transition time (2011-2013) about this, and the church voted for the school to become financially self-sufficient before I came as pastor in September, 2013. These were some first steps, which I support. My hope is that these discussions will continue the process and bring us to a greater point of clarity. Second, what is intended to come out of these meetings? My prayer is that the outcome of these meetings will be crystal clarity about the relationship we want to have and how this will happen. I believe these conversations are crucial as we continue to move forward as a church and as we prepare for relocation. My hope is that you will be in prayer for this process and that you will attend and participate in each of these times. I also believe these conversations will be a part of an important year for our church as we pivot toward the future and how God is going to use us. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Thank you for allowing me to be your pastor.
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WORSHIP & MUSIC MINISTRY I would like to thank all of you who participated for your part in making our Music Ministry presentation of Fantasia Noel such a great success. Countless hours were spent in preparation all for one purpose: that God would be glorified and that the hope we have in Christ would be shared clearly and powerfully in such a way that souls would be stirred. Many of you have been very gracious and expressed some beautiful sentiments regarding the presentation, but the greatest compliments I’ve heard – that have brought me the greatest satisfaction – all center around how the music and the message that was shared drew you into worship. I heard stories of people coming and being touched who have not darkened the door of any church for many years. Someone shared with me another story about a friend who was having a difficult day and had been at a funeral prior to coming to the musical. Her response was, “...I felt wrapped in the joy and magic of it. It was just an indescribable evening. To all of you, thanks SO much for all your work to make it happen for the Brenham community. It truly was awe-inspiring.” It is good to experience something bigger than ourselves. To remember the majesty and glory of the Lord. He often uses music to remind us of these things because it moves something inside of us like nothing else can. So once again, thank you. Thank you for singing, playing, and speaking. Thank you for recording, running computers, sound boards, and lights. Thank you for coming and worshipping with us and receiving a special gift from the Father. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! Honored to serve alongside you, Charles
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ADULT MINISTRIES THE SEVEN TRUTHS OF EXPERIENCING GOD SERMON SERIES Starting January 10th, we, as a church, will spiritually walk through the seven Biblical truths of Experiencing God. From the pulpit to Sunday Bible Study classes, we will ALL (preschool-adult) pursue our love relationship with God in real and personal ways. WEDNESDAY NIGHT ACTIVITIES - Will resume January 6th. LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE LIFE OF JOSEPH - Starting January 13th room 111. Study ends Februay 17th.
PIECE MAKERS Happy New Year from Piece Makers! Our December meeting ended with a fun cookie break with FBC staff. We are looking forward to working on several new missions projects in 2016 and want to thank all those who have donated fabric and money to help us reach our goals. We were blessed to receive the donation of a gently used longarm quilting machine and an older model sit down quilter in December and will enjoy learning to use these machines this year. Piece Makers meetings are the first Tuesday of every month from 9:00am to noon in the Student Center. Come and quilt with us! Reba Pair, Doddie Messick and Roxie Cowan are pictured below being busy stitching! Questions? Contact 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: “Good or God” will meet on the 1st & 3rd Sunday at 5pm. Koenig/Sossaman (Ladies/Widows) - Pahl House. Study: Max Lucado’s, “Glory” on January 18 6pm. Bishop/Doebler - 4803 Salem Rd., 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 6:30pm. Resumes January 12th 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 - Study: “Marriage Oneness,” will meet on the 1st & 3rd Sunday at 5:00pm in room 111. Young Adult Small Group - Young adults 18-29yrs are welcome. The group is studying, “Seamless, How the Bible Fits Together as One Story.” This dvd-based course will be facilitated the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month at 5pm in room 111. W EEK LY B I B LE S T UDI ES & FEL LO W SHIP Men’s Prayer Breakfast Studying: “What Every Christian Ought to Know” Wednesdays, 6:00am - Sycamore House. Sweet Hour of Prayer: Thursdays, 10:00 - 11:00am - Syc. House Garage. Pastor’s Bible Study: Wednesdays, 6:30pm - Room 112. Balanced: Gaining & Maintaining Financial Stability: Wednesday, January 6th Room 111, 6:30pm.
L A DI ES B I B LE S T UDIES Hosea by Jennifer Rothschild Will resume January 13th. • Wednesday 6:30pm Sycamore House. (Childcare available) LADIES BIBLE STUDY FELLOWSHIP CLASS • Meeting on Thursdays, 9:30am - 11:30am, in the Sycamore House. JANUARY 12th PRECEPT CLASSES BEGINS 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 yrs 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
Our Encore Ministry, “A Season of Great Joy” Christmas Luncheon was held on December 11th at the Holiday Inn Express Banquet Room. We had 52 attend. We enjoyed a meal by Funky Art Café and musical fun with Ralph Sparks, along with a great time of fellowship. CELEBRATE OUR JANUARY BIRTHDAYS! Grace Cockrell 1/1 Nelda Snow 1/15 Cecil Hammer, Jr 1/1 Jeanine Presswood 1/15 Freda Martin 1/2 Jane Sonnenburg 1/18 Bill McAdams, Jr 1/3 Sharon Whitaker 1/19 Marge Adair 1/3 BJ Mayeur 1/20 George McDaniel 1/3 Paula Betts 1/21 Russell Doty 1/5 Kenneth Hetzel 1/23 Marsha Doebler 1/5 Mike Arth 1/26 Timothy Culliver 1/6 Jeannine Bailey 1/27 Richard Robertson 1/7 Sue Dixon 1/28 Dave Anderle 1/8 Joan Newton 1/28 Esther Culver 1/9 William Graham, Jr 1/28 Ruth Le Doux 1/9 Gerald Bennett 1/29 Carolyn Brown 1/9 Lowell Nix 1/29 Darlene Welty 1/11 Sally Van Dyke 1/12 Carol Marshall 1/30 Nancy Chapman 1/14 Wesley Whitman 1/31 Angela Dalrymple 1/14 Sara Byman 1/31 Teresa Lewis 1/14 8
A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Here it is a new year already. As I look back on 2015 and look forward to 2016, I am praying for an easier year than we had this past year. We watch our grandsons who have Epilepsy and it has been a year of a lot of seizures. Our faith has been tested to say the least. We love that so many of you pray for them and us on a regular basis. Our prayer this year is that their health improves and that we continue to live faithfully through whatever life brings our way. Isn’t that all we can do while here on earth to live faithfully in God’s love? I like to think of the New Year as a new start to correct all the things I did wrong or not whole heartedly in the past year. Let us all try to do better in 2016 than we did in 2015. My prayer for you is that you have a happy and healthy new year. Blessings, Reba Pair
BIBLE VERSE OF THE MONTH “Let your light so shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:15 THOUGHT OF THE MONTH D.L. Moody once said, “A holy life will produce the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns; they only shine.” 9
STUDENT MINISTRY IMPORTANT DATES AND TIME TABLE Penitas Mission Trip 2016 January 10, 2016 meeting @ 6:00pm in room 111. Men’s Cake Bake January 31, 2016 Will take place after Business Meeting in the gym. 5:00 - 7:30pm. All students going to camp will need to be there to serve in order to receive funds for camp. D-Now Weekend February 26 - 28, 2016 Online Sign-up is up and running. Before January 17, 2016 - Cost is $25 After January 17, 2016 - Cost is $40 Looking for host homes Fuge Camp 2016 Glorieta, NM June 21 - 28, 2016 Cost: $450 Online Sign-up is up and running. $50 deposit is due before February 1, 2016 if your student wants a spot. Another $50 is due before May 1, 2016. These deposits are non-refundable. Please sign your student up and pay your first deposit ASAP in order to help me out in knowing how many spots I need to hold on to and how big of a bus I need to reserve. Honduras Mission Trip 2016 July 19 - 27, 2016 Cost: $1250.00 Online Sign-up is up and running. $100 deposit due before March 20, 2016. Friday, April 15, 2016 - Last day to get a spot before I cancel extra airline tickets. Names due/must get tickets by: Tuesday 7, June 2016. After this date, you are responsible for the cost of the ticket. We will not be able to refund any money to you after March 20, 2016 unless we are able to fill your spot with someone who is able to go in your place. · Must have a U.S. Passport that will not expire before September 1, 2016. · High school student or older, unless accompanied by a parent. 10
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves Me.” – John 12:26 Good Morning and Happy New Year, January has come again, and with it, we add another number to the year. What will 2016 bring? That is yet to be seen. There are some familiar things like Penitas (March 13-18), VBS (June 5-9), and Camp Tejas (July 11-15). Other dreams are still on the drawing board. Still, other items will surprise us when they pop up. Such is our life with Christ. We can count on some things, hope and plan for others, and respond to those opportunities that pop up. No matter which of these works of God in our life, we should always be watching for where God is and join Him in that work. This is one of the lessons taught in Experiencing God. One planned occasion is our church’s intention to participate in the Experiencing God study across the ages. Beginning January 10, kids, teens and adults will be learning the principles of Experiencing God simultaneously. Each Sunday moms, dads and kids will be able to talk about the same lesson over lunch. However, more is hoped for than just being in sync and knowing what the others in our family are learning.... Go to http://www.fbc-brenham.org/connect/children/ to read Alex’s newsletter article.
NEEDS The Kid’s Klub kids are collecting money through the winter to give to Compassion International’s Bite Back program (http://biteback.net), which will provide mosquito nets, medication for malaria, and education to reduce mosquito populations for each $10 donation. THANK YOU Church, thank you for allowing me to pursue my Masters degree in Biblical Counseling while remaining to serve as your pastor to children and their families.
MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE Proverbs 25:28: “A person without self-control is like a city whose walls are broken through.” BFBC KIDS KLUB MONTHLY BIG IDEA Self-control is choosing to do what you should do, not what you want to do. WEEKLY BOTTOM LINE
1. God can give you the power to control yourself. 2. Pause before you lose your temper. 3. Select your words carefully. 4. Know when to stop. 5. Use God’s words to guide your thoughts.
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PRESCHOOL MINISTRIES SUNDAY MORNINGS IN JANUARY: EXPERIENCING GOD! MEMORY VERSE: “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13) Hello and Happy New Year! It’s a new year and time to start fresh. Each year, so many of us try to make resolutions, such as eating better, exercising, etc. But, how about getting the opportunity to start the year off meeting God where He is working and experiencing all He can do in you and those around you? Starting January 10th our preschoolers, along with the entire church, will get that opportunity, as we set out to Experience God as a church. We will not just be hearing it from the pulpit, but diving deeper into the Word, in each of our Sunday School classes. Yes, even our little ones will be hearing about Experiencing God. Our preschoolers will take a journey of discovery with Sammy as he sets out to be a part of “a God story” with God. They will get to hear and talk about Bible stories that draw out the 7 truths of Experiencing God. Please be in prayer for these little angels as they look for God at work all around them and hear God talking to them about where, they too, can join Him in His work. I pray that all of you have an amazing 2016.
Stacey Thank you to all of those who participated in our Preschool postal service. We had such a great time visiting all the classrooms to deliver some Christmas JOY.
Happy Birthday!
Samuel Vasquez 1-07-15 Rayna Roeske 1-12 Layla Ray 1-13-14 Noah Roy 1-13-14 Kamiell Evans 1-22-11 Harley Strickland 1-25-11 12
FBC SCHOOL & EEC Happy New Year to you all! I hope you had a sweet time with family and friends during Christmas. I want to publically thank the staff at the school. They put in long hours and do so with a loving spirit. They model what it is like to work for the Lord every day to the children. Their desire is to reflect His love. I’m so thankful to work with each one! I would also like to thank our amazing church staff. They have been a blessing to me and the school. FBCS & EEC are excited to begin the new semester. Students are continuing to work hard in their studies as well as finding ways to serve others. There are also opportunities to volunteer to help students. If you are interested in tutoring and encouraging a child, please let me know. I’d love to visit with you about it. Not only would you bless a child, but you, in turn, will be blessed! The PALs organization has begun planning for our annual Texas Celebration in March. FBCS would love for you to partner with us. Give us a call if you would like to help. Serving Him, Nancy Jahns UPCOMING EVENTS January 4 No School; EEC open January 5 School resumes January 6 Report cards go home January 13 Core Essentials January 15 5th grade field trip January 18 School holiday; EEC open January 21 2nd grade to Brenham Nursing & Rehab January 25-29 Enrichment Week January 28 3rd grade to Brenham Nursing & Rehab January 29 Enrollment begins for current students THANK YOU Thank you for the love and support given to the school! We are truly grateful. PRAYER Prayer for guidance as we begin planning for the 2016-2017 school year. MOTHER’S DAY OUT - KRISTIE MENDOZA January Activities - Bible Verses: “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace” Daniel 3:17 “Nothing in all creation can hide from him.” Hebrews 4:13 “... John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” Matthew 3:1-2 “We are fishers of men.” Mark 1:17 Bible Stories: The Fiery Furnace, Jonah & the Whale, John the Baptist, Peter Catches Fish. Letters: F, W, I, N Numbers: 6 (six), 7 (seven), 8 (eight), 9 (nine) Events: Winter Learning 13
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Our Sympathies To: Ernie Lewis and family in the loss of his brother Rick Lewis. The Thompson family in the loss of Leah Heuszel. The Boettcher family in the loss of Ed Boettcher. The Johnnie Hamilton and Marsha Dannhaus and family in the loss of their son and brother. Church Thank Yous: The family of Kipp Thompson would like to thank our church family for the beautiful plant in remembrance of his grandmother, Leah Heuszel. Dear Friends, Thank you so much for the beautiful plant you sent to my Mother’s funeral service. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers. Love from the family of Leah Heuszel. Sharon Thompson To BFBC Staff and Church Family, Thank you for the beautiful plant and the prayers for my brother, Rick. I am blessed to attend such a loving church. Ernie Lewis Thank you dear church family for the lovely plant you sent in memory of Don Hamilton. The friendship, love, and prayers all meant so much to our family. Don is home with our Lord and for that we grateful. Sincerely, Johnnie Hamilton. Thank you very much for the love offering gift. It is greatly appreciated. Thank you and May God bless each and every one of you. Carol Holmes 14
FROM TROY’S HEART Happy New Year!! Did you have a great Christmas? Did you get a present you really like? Did you feel loved by friends and family? Did you eat too much? I hope the answer to those questions are “YES!” If so, that means you did a lot of smiling. In a world that seems to be filled with anger and dissatisfaction, I pray that each one of us will take our Christmas joy and bring it daily into our New Year. Jesus was all about joy!! In fact, in Jesus’ final days, He prayed for His followers in John 17. In verse 13, He said, “I speak in the world, that they may have My joy made full in themselves.” Jesus wants us to experience a life of joy! Not just any joy, but HIS joy! Not just a little joy, but FULL joy!! Not just joy around us, but joy IN us!!! Why do we seem so joyful at Christmas and not the rest of the year? Maybe it is because at Christmas our focus is on Jesus and giving to others?? Maybe if we carried that same focus January 1 - December 31, Jesus’ joy would be fully in us overflowing toward others?? Joy flows from a grateful giving heart. Joy and Jesus go together because His purpose was to give His life for others. We are no more like Jesus than when we give...and when we give, His joy is fulfilled in us. So in 2016 let’s be a church of givers. Let’s bless others in Jesus’ name. If so, we will be a people of joyful smilers!! I love you, Troy
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