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 the Pastor .................................................................page Music Ministry.....................................................................page Thank Yous, Sympathies, MDO & Piece Makers. . .........page Bible Studies and more ....................................................page Small Group, Big News & Encore Ministry....................page A Letter From Reba & Sweet Hour of Prayer................page Student Ministry ................................................................page Children’s Ministry ............................................................page Preschool Ministry ............................................................page FBC School & EEC ..............................................................page From Troy’s Heart & Sweet Hour of Prayer...................page
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
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CHURCH-WIDE CALENDAR
JANUARY -
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FBCS & EEC Closed/ Church Office Closed EEC Open Financial Peace University 8:45am FBCS - Staff Development/ EEC Closed FBCS - School Resumes Piece Makers 9:00am Wednesday Night Activities Resume Overview of the Bible 9:45am Connecting @ FBC 9:45am FBCS - MLK Holiday/School & EEC Closed MLK Hokliday - Church Office Closed FBCS- Fine Arts Week DNOW Weekend Churchwide Business Meeting 4:00pm
Room 111 Student Ctr Room 109 Gym
Gym
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 At the beginning of each new year, people give their attention to resolutions. While most people struggle with their resolutions, I do think it is a good practice for each of us. What might it look like for you, as you begin 2020, to have 1-3 resolutions focused on spiritual growth? As you consider this, here is some guidance I pray will be helpful in forming a resolution: -Distinguish between earning and effort in your relationship with God: The Bible makes it clear that we cannot earn our salvation through good works; salvation is provided solely through Christ and received by faith. This grace working in us, though, does not make us passive agents in God’s growing us once we have been saved by Christ. Instead, this grace enables us to grow in our relationship with God as we provide some effort (intentionality) in our relationship with God. For example, God is not going to force you to read the Bible. God the Holy Spirit will give you the desire, but you will need to give some time and intentionality to make sure your mind and heart are being shaped by the word of God. Dallas Willard puts this best in his book, Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God, when he writes, “Faith is not opposed to knowledge; it is opposed to sight. And grace is not opposed to effort; it is opposed to earning” (p. 194). -Find a rhythm that works for you: I have heard a number of leaders recommend reading the Bible and prayer as the first thing to do in the morning. I think this is a great idea, but I’ve found a schedule that works best for me. I exercise first thing in the morning and do my devotions when I first arrive to the office. My schedule may not work best for you. Find what works best with your rhythms and season of life when developing a resolution. -Don’t give up: It is easy to fall behind on some goal and just give up. We then beat ourselves up or find some excuse. Let me encourage you, as you rely on the Holy Spirit, to re-start as many times as needed. Whatever the case, don’t give up! -Pick something that will challenge you, get you out of an area of stuck-ness, or will get you out of your comfort zone: We all like to stick to areas of our life that are most comfortable and convenient for us. We also know that most growth happens in our life when our comforts and conveniences are challenged. Maybe your resolution will focus on going on a mission trip, sharing your faith with one person this year, obedience in finances or being more generous, reading the whole Bible in a year, etc. For me, one of my spiritual resolutions for 2020 will be working through the new daily marriage devotional by Tim and Kathy Keller, The Meaning of Marriage: A Couple’s Devotional. Whatever the resolution, what might it look like for you to be challenged or inconvenienced in some way in order to grow spiritually? Whatever this looks like for you, let me encourage you to give some prayer and thought about some spiritual resolutions for 2020 and then give some grace-enabled effort to seeing these things happen in your life. I’d also love to hear from you what your 2020 spiritual resolutions are. My prayer is that 2020 will be a year of new or renewed spiritual growth for you! 5
MUSIC MINISTRY Happy New Year and a special “thank you” to everyone who worked so diligently to make our Music Ministry Christmas Presentation such a success! Also, we appreciate so much all of you who attended, invited your family and friends, and most of all, joined us in worshipping Christ, our Messiah. We are looking forward to, and trusting God for an INCREDIBLE 2020 and are inviting you all to be a part of what He wants to do in and through us as lead worshippers. If you’ve been on the fence about joining us for traditional worship choir, contemporary praise team, or media team, I’d LOVE to talk with you about how to get started!
*Photos credit to Merritt Johnston. Thanks Merritt!
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THANK YOUS Remembering you is one of the special joys of this beautiful season. Happy Thanksgiving. We always enjoy visiting your church. -Kathy and Michael Holster Dear First Baptist Brenham, Merry Christmas! Thank you for partnering with Soundside Church in 2019. Your generosity will help us share the love and truth of Jesus with hundreds, if not thousands, of our neighbors here in Northeast Tacoma. Please keep praying for us in 2020 as we work to plant a new church that can reach even more! God bless you all! Aaron & Nichole Carpenter, Church planters to the PNW
SYMPATHIES: Linda Upchurch and family in the loss of her mother.
MOTHER’S DAY OUT Mother’s Day Out is back in session on January 7. We hope everyone had a blessed Christmas break and it was a wonderful time to reflect on the birth of our Savior. This month, our theme is winter, snowman and snow flakes. Our Bible verse for the month is God is with me. Joshua 1:9.
PIECE MAKERS
Melinda VanOstrand and Carol Holloway of New Beginnings Life Ministries received baby quilts and mommy bags during Piece Makers annual Soup and Salad Luncheon held in December. Baby quilts and mommy bags are donated to this ministry twice a year, in July and December. In 2020, Piece Makers will be making burp cloths in addition to quilts and bags. Piece Makers meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month in the FBC Student Center from 9 am until 4 pm. All are welcome! 7
BIBLE STUDIES & MORE
Men’s Prayer Breakfast Studying “Joshua” , Wednesdays, 6:00am Sycamore House
Sweet Hour of Prayer Thursdays, 10:00am Sycamore House Garage
Ladies Bible Study “Fingerprints of God” , Wednesdays, 6:30pm, Sycamore House Upstairs
Prayers of the Bible Wednesdays, 6:30pm, Room 111
Pastor’s Bible Study, Wednesdays, 6:30pm, Room 112
Ladies In-depth Bible Study “1 Peter” , Tuesdays starting 1/7/20, 9:00am, Pahl House Women’s Bible Study, “Bible for Grown Ups”, Wednesdays, 6:30pm,
HOME TEAM GROUPS ·Scott and Tricia Schroeder – 620 Country Place W., Meets 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 5pm. (Call for details: 979-451-0915) ·Roger and Juanita Atkins – 9250 Lake Dr. Chappell Hill, Meeting one Sunday a month. Please call 281-389-2859 to confirm meeting time. ·Ronnie and Debbie Fathauer – 1607 Longhofer, Meets 2nd & 4th Wednesday at 6:00pm. ·Sean & Mindy Holster – 2291 Strangmeier, 1st & 3rd Sunday at 5pm ·Shane & Erin Nelson – 5000 Beckermann, 1st & 3rd Tuesday at 6pm ·Troy & Kirby Gor – Sycamore House (307 Sycamore), Meets 2nd Monday at 6:15pm.
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SMALL GROUP, BIG NEWS Let me remind you that we are starting two new classes this month: Financial Peace University – Dave & Kacy Kuespert Starting Sunday, January 5, at 8:45am in Room 111. Dave and Kacy Kuespert will facilitate discussion and lead the class. Overview of the Bible – Troy and Lori Gaddie Starting January 12 at 9:45 in Room 109. Troy and Lori Gaddie lead this 13 week study. I also want to give a “shout out” to our Adult 5 department. This fall they started praying for our Young Married Couples. They chose couples to specifically pray for from the Sunday Bible Study roll sheet. In December, at their annual Christmas Brunch, they invited the Young Couples class to join them. They are forming some great bonds! In addition, I want to let you know that I see the Lord doing other great things in Sunday Bible Study. One of our Adult 3 members is getting treatment at MD Anderson every 3 weeks. I got an email detailing the treatment schedule for the winter and spring and for each treatment, a different church member is driving each time!! Way to go…way to be the hands and feet of Jesus!
ENCORE MINISTRY NEWS
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A LETTER FROM REBA Dear Friends, Here we are in a new year and are wondering where last year went. Our family “Let your light had a lot of changes in the past year. Our two grandsons that so many of you have so shine before men in prayed for over the years, have moved to College Station where more public assissuch a way that they may tance is available to them like transportation see your good works,and since they are unable to drive. They are adjusting to being on their own, but together. glorify your Father I also had my second knee replacement and it has allowed me to be more active in many who is in Heaven.” areas of my life especially working with the Matthew 5:15 preschoolers in Sunday School every week. They keep me young at heart, and it feels so good to know that what we do there is planting seeds of salvation in their very young hearts. As we go into 2020 I pray we will all be a shining light to our community. We will have several mission opportunities to contribute to this year through our church as well. Even if you are home bound you can pray for those who are able to go and spread the Gospel to many places this year. I woud like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy New Year. Blessings, Reba Pair
SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER
Happy New Year to all at FBC. Make this year one when the joy of the Lord so fills you that it just naturally overflows to to those around you. Start right now with this “to do” list for this new year. 1. Praise God each morning, in all things and for all things. 2. Ask God what He wants you to give away today. 3. Ask Him to make you a blessing to others. 4. Do something good for someone today. 5. Be honest with God. 6. Repent, confess, take responsibility, no excuses. 7. Humble yourselves. 8. Receive His healing power. In other words: 1. Be still and know that He is God. 2. Pray without ceasing. 3. Forgive as you have been forgiven. 4. Have an attitude the same as that of Christ. 5. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. 6. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and spirit, and your neighbor as yourself.
SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
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STUDENT MINISTRY Happy New Year Church Family and I hope you had a great holiday with your loved ones and family. With the New Year comes a start of the busy season for the Student Ministry... I want to fill you in on the first two events… D-Now is coming at the end of this month and this year’s theme is Vision 2020. I just love D-Now so much because I have seen God move strongly during weekends like this. Please be praying for D-Now. Here is how you can start praying for this event. ·Pray for our students. There is so much going on in the lives of junior and high school students. Pray that their hearts would be open to inviting friends who need Jesus. Also, please pray that God can continue a work in them. ·Pray for our Host Homes and Student Leaders. It is within these houses that I see friendships, accountability, and a love to serve and follow the Lord take root. ·Pray for the Worship Band and Speaker. Pray that God would use their gifts and talents to draw students deeper and to Him. Men’s Cake Bake 2020… I BELIEVE THIS IS MY YEAR! February 9, 2020, we will be hosting our annual Student Fundraiser - The Men’s Cake Bake. Men put on your aprons, preheat those ovens, power up the mixers, and grease those pans because it is time to get baking! There will be winners and then there will be those with their hearts broken and then there is the Pastor Ross cake… “BLESS HIS HEART.” In Him, Bro. Chad
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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY “He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Titus 3:1, NIV) Good Morning, Aaahhh. This is the feeling across the entirety of my body, mind and soul right now. I am sitting in my recliner, eating a late night snack and enjoying a glass of tea. Months of planning and preparation culminated in a successful event and the residual aftermath has been cleaned and returned to storage. Now, after 14 hours of work and months of anticipation, I am resting; and it feels goooood. For me, it is still in the middle of December. However, you are reading this in January, just after the beginning of the new year – 2020. Christmas has come and gone and with it all of the numerous Christmas parties. You may have chosen to read this newsletter even before tackling the clean-up from your New Year’s Eve celebration. Let me also remind you that Christmas was particularly close to Thanksgiving in 2019 which means the merriment and gatherings were not quite finished when you forged on into the busyness of December. Do you feel the buzz yet? Are your feet tired? Is your calendar smoking from the numerous events? Is your neck and back tight from the tension? Maybe it’s time for you to settle in your recliner, put your feet up and enjoy an iced tea or coffee. However fun and endearing as they are, the holidays can be tiring. Yet, the new year has started and there is no time to rest. You need to fill the pages of the new planner you received for Christmas. The gym is calling your name and those yearly goals will never be met by December if you don’t start now. Still…be still. Take time to rest. Plan time for rest. God commanded rest one day a week. It is not just advice; it is a command. In that rest, while you are still, listen. Be still and know He is God. Happy New Year. His Servant & Yours, Bro. Alex
Upcoming Events:
Kids Klub at Krause Elementary for Core Essentials – January 15th Kids Klub at Brenham’s First Baptist Church School for Core Essentials – January 15th Kids Klub at Alton Elementary for Core Essentials – January 17th Kids Klub at Brenham Elementary for Core Essentials – January 17th
Thank you to the Core Essentials team, Children’s ministry volunteers, Mindy and the Jingle Jammers, youth group students, Tech Crew, church staff and deacons for assisting the Kids Klub in serving the kids and families
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PRESCHOOL MINISTRIES We had so much fun delivering Christmas Cards to you all. Thank you for supporting our little ones in bringing joy to others. Enjoy the pictures of us celebrating Jesus last month.
Memory Verse:
“I know the plans I have for you … plans … to give hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Big Picture Question:
How is Jesus the perfect Prophet? God speaks to us through Jesus.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! SAMUEL VASQUEZ LAYLA RAY BENTLEY DRESCH
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FBC SCHOOL & EEC Happy New Year! May His Peace cover you! The school is making preparations for the 2019-2020 enrollment which begins later this month. If you know of a family looking for a Christian education option, please send them our way. We would be happy to meet with them and give a tour. It is our prayer that 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, February 28, 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 We are gearing up for Texas Celebration on February 28, 2020, let me know. We at the Washington County Fairgrounds. Please be in prayer for are always the event. We are collecting live and silent auction items appreciative of as well as monetary donations. extra help!
DECEMBER
Serving Him, Nancy Jahns
Please contact the school office at 836-6411 with questions, to make a donation, or to volunteer.
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School & EEC closed; mandatory staff development School & EEC open Basketball home vs. St. Paul’s Basketball home vs Giddings Core Essentials – elementary only @ chapel Basketball home vs. Thorndale MLK – school and EEC holiday Fine Arts Week Basketball @ Faith Academy Texas Celebration Tickets go home Basketball @ Caldwell Art Show 3:30-6:00 @ Pahl house Mid-term reports go home Basketball @ Serbin 6th to Austin
Re-enrollment begins Giddings Basketball Tourney begins
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FROM TROY’S HEART Happy New Year!! I can’t believe we are now in a new decade! It seems like not long ago we were worried about Y2K. As we move into 2020, if you are like me, a new year brings renewal and hope for things to come. January always brings ideas of fresh starts and new directions. Maybe it is in your job or family or in your personal life, but a new year is an opportunity to start again or to try something different. So, what’s on your “to do/try list” for 2020? I have some things brewing in my head and heart, but they aren’t fully developed yet. Maybe in February I can let you know? I do know a couple of things on my 2020 horizon: •Honduras Mission Trip in March. This is always a good way to connect me with the purposeful truth: Love people in your world… wherever He takes you. •Praying for people! I love being on the prayer team for people. Praying for others brings me closer to the Lord and closer to the people I am praying for. I have a lot of time to pray, so if you need prayer, let me know, we will team up. The second verse I memorized as a young Christian was 2 Cor. 5:17, “If any man is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed and all things are new!” Jesus brings new life and new starts. Let Him guide you into 2020 and into something new. When He does give you something new, don’t forget to give Him honor and thanks. I love you, Troy
SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER Remember, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Make this a year of triumph in your soul for to live is Christ. My prayer for you this year: That your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. The Sweet Hour of Prayer We meet each Thursday @ 10 am in the garage of the Sycamore House. Everyone is welcome to come meet with us and lift intercessory prayers to God.
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Brenham’s First Baptist Church P. O. Box 600 Brenham, TX 77834-0600
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