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 Designer 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:
Special Announcements...................................................page Church-wide Calendar .....................................................page From Pastor Ross ...............................................................page Music Ministry ....................................................................page Thank yous & Sympathies................................................page Bible Studies and more ....................................................page Encore Ministry...................................................................page A Letter From Reba & Piece Makers ..............................page Student Ministry ................................................................page Children’s Ministry ............................................................page Preschool Ministry ............................................................page FBC School & EEC ..............................................................page From Troy’s Heart ..............................................................page
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
CHURCH-WIDE CALENDAR
JANUARY-
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Piece Makers 9:00am Student Ctr No Wednesday Night Activities Financial Peace University Class 9:30am Room 111 Deacon’s Meeting 2:00pm Room 111 Precept Bible Study 9:00am Pahl House Wednesday Night Activities Resume Ladies Bible Study Fellowship 9:30am Syc House Troy Sikes’ 20th Anniversary Celebration 5:00pm Gym Encore Luncheon 11:00am Pahl House Sanctity of Human Life Sunday - Both Services Connecting @ FBC 9:45am Gym Deacon Ordination Service 4:00pm Sanctuary Martin Luther King Holiday - Church Office, FBCS & EEC Closed Disciple Now Weekend 2019 - Students
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 I want to invite you to two important events in the life of our church in January. First, on Sunday, January 13th beginning at 5:00pm in our gym, we will be celebrating Troy Sikes’ 20th anniversary as one of our pastors here. Your Sunday School will be receiving information about a way to help/participate. This will be a fun and meaningful night as we thank God for and show appreciation to Troy and his family for their twenty years here! On Sunday, January 20th at 4:00pm in our sanctuary, we will be having a special deacon ordination service for our four newest deacons: Sean Holster, L.J. Grauke, Tom Messick, and Bryan Best. There will be a light reception following in the Gym. These are meaningful services for everyone who attends. They are also important because we believe God has provided two offices in the life of the church: (1) The office of pastor (synonymous terms include “elder” and “overseer” in the New Testament) and (2) Deacon. As you may know, “Deacon” means servant. Our deacons, therefore, help lead the way by serving in the life of our church where service is needed. Therefore, I am grateful to God for providing us four new deacons (servants)! I pray your 2019 will be a special year of God doing immeasurably more than you could ever ask or imagine. Thank you for the opportunity to be your pastor.
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MUSIC MINISTRY Happy New Year! What an amazing thing it is to know that we are entering 2019 with a God who is going before us, is actively at work in the world, and has a plan that is incapable of failing?! THAT’S our GOD!!! His faithfulness CONTINUES THROUGH ALL GENERATIONS! I believe that 2019 is going to be an awesome year for Brenham’s First Baptist Church! Thank you again to everyone who worked so diligently to make our Christmas presentation of “Once Upon a Holy Night” such a worshipful and powerful event! There are always so many “unsung heroes” in an undertaking like that, but I believe God was honored and please by your offering and service. I am so grateful for the privilege to serve alongside this wonderful ministry team on staff and with all of you in our church. Make plans to come and join us for our next big music ministry emphasis as we begin making preparations for Palm Sunday and Easter! We’ll save you a chair in the loft! God’s richest blessings! Charles Covin
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THANK YOUS & SYMPATHIES The Abshier Family thanks you for the prayers on behalf of David Abshier. He is still recovering from surgery. The Abshier Family Dear Church Family, Kelley and I want to thank you for your acknowledgement of our twenty years of service here at BFBC. From the loving, kind words in the reception lines at both services and the lovely gifts, we felt genuinely appreciated and cared for. Each one of you have become a part of our family and we are grateful for all of the qualities you have added to our lives. God Bless You! His, Kelley and Troy Dear Church Family, Thank you so much for the beautiful plant you recently sent to lift us up. Losing Traelan hit us hard, but at the same time he is where he wanted to be “Heaven.� Thanks for being our lifeline during our difficult times. Donna & Tim Culiver
SYMPATHIES: -Jesse Ladd and family in the loss of his mom. -Geneva Walker and family in the loss of her husband, Mickey Walker. -Betty White and family in the loss of her son, Dick White. -Mitschke family in the loss of Larry Mitschke.
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BIBLE STUDIES & MORE
Men’s Prayer Breakfast Studying “Deuteronomy” Wednesdays, 6:00am Sycamore House Pastor’s Bible Study Wednesdays, 6:30pm - Room 112 Starting 1/9/19
Sweet Hour of Prayer Thursdays, 10:00am Sycamore House Garage “Unexpected” by Christine Caine Women’s Bible Study Wednesdays, 6:30pm, Sycamore Downstairs
Bible 101: How It Fits Together Wednesdays, 6:30pm - Room 111 Starting 1/9/19 Young Mom’s Bible Study: Wisdom for Mothers Wednesdays, 6:30pm, Upstairs in Sycamore House , Starting 1/9/19
HOME TEAM GROUPS ·Scott and Tricia Schroeder – 620 Country Place W., Meets 1st & 3rd Sunday at 5pm. ·Roger and Juanita Atkins – 9250 Lake Dr. Chappell Hill, Meeting one Sunday a month. Please call 281-389-2859 to confirm meeting time. ·Rick and Diane Houston – 808 Spinn, Every other Sunday at 7:00pm, ·Ronnie and Debbie Fathauer – 1607 Longhofer, Meets 2nd & 4th Wednesday at 6:00pm. ·Widows & Single Ladies – Pahl House, 1st & 3rd Monday at 6:00pm.
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ENCORE MINISTRY NEWS
CELEBRATE OUR BIRTHDAYS! Grace Cockrell Cecil Hammer, Jr Freda Martin Willie Eaton Bill McAdams, Jr George McDaniel Timothy Culliver Esther Culver Ruth Le Doux Carolyn Brown Kelley Hyman Judy Dutile Darlene Welty Scott Cole Roy Kolar Sally Van Dyke Angela Dalrymple Teresa Lewis Sharon Michalak Nelda Snow Jeanine Presswood Judy Hyman Jane Sonnenburg
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Sharon Whitaker BJ Mayeur Paula Betts Kenneth Hetzel Jesse Ladd, III Kyle Kennedy Mike Arth Jeannine Bailey Barbara Vandever Sue Dixon Joan Newton Don Wilkey Billy Graham, Jr Gerald Bennett Lowell Nix Carol Marshall Wesley Whitman Sara Byman
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A LETTER FROM REBA I look forward to the New Year because it is like getting a fresh start. This has been an “God my shepherd! eventful year in our lives this year as we began by celebrating our 50th anniversary. I don’t need a thing. You We had wonderful vacations, and we saw have bedded me down in lush God’s beauty everywhere. Then we were meadows, You find me quite somewhat homebound for a few weeks when I had my knee surgery. We both thank catch my breath And send me everyone who prayed for me, as we know in the right direction... God heard them and blessed me with an My cup brims with blessing.” easy recovery. Now here we are looking at a new year already. In January I like to look forward to the quietness of the time and the fact that things slow down around us. As busy as this year as been, I am looking forward to the quietness of January. I hope you will each take time to reflect on this past year and strive to do our best in the new year. As we go into our new year you must decide what it will be for yourself. We must never forget that God is by our side every step of the way, and He wants the best for us everyday. As we start this new year we would like to remind the church that our Encore group is for ages 55 and up. We meet on the third Thursday of the month, usually from 11:00- 1:00. We need to add to our numbers so please come be a part of our group.
Psalm 23:1-3
May God richly bless you in the coming year.
PIECE MAKERS Piece Makers ended 2018 by hosting a Soup and Salad Luncheon for church staff and FBC School office staff. Gifts of handmade receiving blankets, mommy bags, baby quilts and other baby items were presented to Melinda VanOstrand of New Beginnings, Pregnancy Assistance Ministry. Two large quilts were unveiled that will be our Piece Makers contribution to the Texas Celebration auction benefitting FBC School on March 1, 2019. These quilts will be displayed in the church hallway in February, 2019 for all to see. Piece Makers continues to grow every year and you can join us the first Tuesday of each month from 9 am to 2 pm in the Student Center. However, due to the New Year’s holiday our first 2019 meeting will be held Wednesday, January 2. 10
STUDENT MINISTRY Happy New Year! 2018 is in the books and we’re surging forth into 2019. That means we are in the home stretch preparing for DNOW Weekend. If you have not signed up your students and their friends, PLEASE go and do so on the church website. Also, please be in prayer for our students, host homes, small group leaders, worship leaders, and DNOW pastor. Would you pray that the Holy Spirit would move and lives would be changed for His glory? If you would like to help with a scholarship, that would be such a blessing! I know we will have some students that would not be able to come if not for your financial help. Thank you once again Church family for your investment in our student ministry. In Him, Bro. Chad
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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20)
Good Morning, 2018. Where you there?
2019. Will you be in the Kids Klub? His Servant & Yours, Bro. Alex
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PRESCHOOL MINISTRIES
Memory Verse:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and all your mind.” Matthew 22:37
Big Picture Question:
What is God like? God is holy, good, and loving.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
SAMUEL VASQUEZ 1/07 PRESLEIGH ALLEN 1/21
LAYLA RAY 1/13
BENTLEY DRESCH 1/31
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FBC SCHOOL & EEC “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians3:15 Thank you to Happy New Year! May His Peace cover you! The school is making preparations for the 2019-2020 our FBCS Staff. enrollment which begins later this month. If you know They go above of a family looking for a Christian education option, and beyond please send them our way. We would be happy to meet with them and give a tour. It is our prayer that every day! God will continue to make FBCS a place to love, learn and lead others to Christ. Please join me in praying for wisdom and discernment as we work for Him to plan for next school year. This is His ministry. I lay it at His feet. May He be glorified. In addition to enrollment, we are deep in the planning stages for Texas Celebration. The entire event will be held on Friday, March 1, at the Washington County Fairgrounds. Please watch for announcements concerning this event. It will be fun time of food, fellowship, and fundraising! If you would like to help with the event, please let me know. We are always appreciative of extra help!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Serving Him, Nancy Jahns
We are gearing up for Texas Celebration on March 1, 2019. We are collecting live and silent auction items as well as monetary donations. Please contact Judy Hyman at 836-6411 with questions, to make a donation, or to volunteer. You may also reach her through email at jhyman@fbcsbrenham.org .
January 1 EEC closed 7 First day back! PTO meeting at 5:30 8 Staff meeting 10 Core Essentials – elementary only Basketball here 4:00/5:00 14-18 Fine Arts Week – schedule to come 17 Basketball here 4:00/5:00 18 PTO staff appreciation – Hot Chocolate Bar – thanks Kinder parents 21 MLK day 28 Texas Celebration Tickets go home Mid six week reports go home 30 School committee meeting
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FROM TROY’S HEART Happy New Year!! Welcome to 2019!! As we start a new year, new opportunities await us! There is no telling what 2019 will bring us specifically, but at each turn, I believe a new opportunity will present itself. Each and every circumstance we face can offer us new perspectives and growth possibilities. Let’s think on what we may face in 2019: ·Getting married: We experience joy and celebration of family & faith. We also understand the depth of servanthood. ·Becoming a parent: We experience Father God’s love in a way we could never imagine. ·Becoming a grandparent: We experience a new opportunity to reinvest our lives into a new generation. ·Illness: We gain a perspective of dependence upon our Healer and Provider. ·New job: We establish new relationships and take on new challenges to grow us. ·Loss of a job: We mourn yet new opportunities for God’s paths emerge. ·Loss of a loved one: We are held close by a Father who knows what is it is like to lose a loved one too. Philippians 4:8 tells us “…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.” Therefore, “whatever” comes our way this year, let’s take it as an opportunity…an opportunity for truth, nobility, righteousness, purity, love, admiration, excellence and praise! I Love you, Troy PS: December 1, 2018 we celebrated 20 years of service. What a ride!! I want to sincerely thank each of you for a wonderful 20 years!! You have become a family to us and have added an immense joy to us. God Bless.
Adult 5 Annual Christmas Brunch
Brenham’s First Baptist Church P. O. Box 600 Brenham, TX 77834-0600
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