July 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

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

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

SAVE THE DATE - AUGUST 23RD Ice Cream Social - 6:00pm in the Gym

Welcome New Church Members Hank and Diane Suenkel Sandra Eargle Kimberly Suenkel

3

CHURCH-WIDE CALENDAR

JULY-

2 4 4 5 7 9 9 9 10 16 17 18 30 30

God & Country Sunday Service- 10am One service only FBCS Independence Day Holiday/ EEC Closed Independence Day - Church office closed Piece Makers Sewing/Quilting Ministry 9:00am Student Center Student Comal Float Trip 6:30am Student Center Lord’s Supper Both Services Camp Tejas Sponsor/Staff Registration 12:00pm Deacon’s Meeting 2:00pm Room 111 Camp Tejas Begins Connecting @ FBC 4:00pm Room 112 Finance Committee Meeting 6:30pm Room 111 Honduras Mission Trip Begins World Hunger Offering Both Worship Services Churchwide Business Meeting 4:00pm Gym

AUGUST-

1 1 1 2 4 6 6 9 13 23 30

Piece Makers Sewing/Quilting Ministry 9:00am Student Center Joy Class 2:00pm Syc. House Student Astros Game Trip 4:00pm Student Center 2:4 Mission 1:00pm Gym (Completed 1st & 2nd Graders) beTWEENtime FUNtimes 6:00pm The Batchman’s House (5th/6th Graders) 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 Ice Cream Social 6:00pm Gym Wednesday Night Activities Resume

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

4

FROM PASTOR ROSS One of the challenges I’ve had to face as a pastor of three churches over the years is to lead churches to embrace new methods (ways of doing ministry) that are different from the past AND embracing the truth that the Bible never changes. When these changes are made, some of the challenges I’ve noticed have been the following: -Some people intellectually understand that methods need to change to reach new people but find it difficult emotionally to embrace the changes once they are made. That is, it is one thing to talk about and intellectually agree about something; it is something else when we experience the change.

-The changes are often seen through the lenses of what is lost instead of what might be gained. Even when what is gained may be important (new people joining the church, people coming to faith in Christ, etc.), it can be hard not to feel a sense of loss of how things are different.

-The changes are personalized by some in such a way that it feels like the church or me, as the pastor, are rejecting and neglecting them to care for others. It will come out through such statements such as, “They don’t care about us.”“They only care about ______.”

Pastoring people through these reactions and struggles has been hard. Nevertheless, I have seen over-and-over again how God is faithful when a church steps out in faith, even when it is hard and involves change of some kind.

This being said, I want to affirm some commitments I have as a pastor that I hope you’ll find encouraging and, perhaps, challenging: 1.) I commit to seeking God’s will and vision for our church, even when it might lead to change and disappointing people. Please know I never seek to disappoint people, but I also realize I will be accountable to God for how I lead our church to embrace the mission God has given to us to lead people to be followers of Jesus Christ in Brenham, Washington County, and to the nations. God will not hold me accountable for whether I maintained the ministry methods of the 1950s, 1970s, 1990s, or any other time period.

2.) I commit to loving you as a pastor and friend. I’ve watched too many pastors become embittered at people and begin to see them as enemies of the church. I never want to be that pastor.

3.) I commit to bringing along as many people and generations as possible as we continue to move forward as the church. My hope is for all of us – from our infants to our oldest members – to move forward together.

While giving you my commitments is important, let me also ask the following from you: -Please pray for our church, church staff, and me. I always need your prayers, especially on Sunday. Please pray.

-Ask God how He is calling you to be faithful to Him and His mission in today’s world. I believe God can work in and through you. You can be used by God in ways you might not be able to imagine. How is God calling you to be faithful to Him and His mission today?

-When changes are made, ask “why” and not just “what.” I realize when I lead our church to make a change of some kind, it will often be initially processed through “what” is happening and whether or not you like what is happening. It is important, though, to ask why a change might be made. Hopefully, the church staff and I have communicated the “why,” but if we haven’t done this well, ask us. It can be helpful to at least know why.

-Especially for our older adults, let me encourage you to “be willing to plant trees under whose shade you’ll not enjoy.” I heard once that planting a tree when you are older is a kind of visionary act because you are making a decision to plant a tree, but you’ll never have the opportunity to enjoy the shade. One of my prayers is that you’ll help us make decisions that will impact future generations, even if you may not have the opportunity to see the fruit of such a decision. This is a visionary and self-sacrificing act, but I believe it is important if we want to see our church continue to reach all generations, now and in the future.

Thank you, church, for all that you do. I’m excited where our church is headed. I appreciate you and am glad to be your pastor. Let’s continue to work together and pray for each other as we live into what God is doing and will do in and through our church.

5

MUSIC MINISTRY Greetings, Church Family!

I hope you have had a fantastic beginning to the summer! It is always an exciting time with PLENTY of things going on. Isn’t it great to be a part of a church that is busy with things that have REAL value and are producing eternal rewards?!

JULY-

Make sure you join us for our God & Country Service on July 2nd at 10am as we gather to thank God for His faithfulness to us and celebrate the freedoms that we enjoy in America and as HIS children!

Bonnie and I are looking forward to the opportunities to lead worship for our kids at Camp Tejas, as well as Kids Kamp for First Baptist Blanco this month! We’re going to have a blast! (Taking my SPF 50)

AUGUST-

On Sunday morning, August 6th, Sydney Escamilla will be leading worship in both morning services – you will really enjoy him!

We will be having our Christmas Choir Kickoff Dinner on Sunday, August 27th at 5:30pm in the gym. If you are interested in singing or playing in our Christmas presentation in December, we’d love to have you join us!

Contact Charles for more details at ccovin@fbc-brenham.org.

6

ADULT MINISTRIES PIECE MAKERS Piece Makers sewed bear bodies for the Adult VBS mission project this year! 186 fleece bears were stuffed and will be going to Colombian orphans in September. Filling pet beds with fabric scraps for the Brenham Pet Adoption Center was a fun secondary project.

Piece Makers will continue to meet during the summer months on the first Tuesday of the month except for the holiday, July 4th, when we will meet on Wednesday, July 5th. We are working on baby quilts for the Pregnancy Assistance Ministry and a special Washington County Fair entry. We will be sending a Cross Wall Hanging and baby quilt on the Honduras mission trip later this month.

Our membership is growing! Please join us as we pray, fellowship and sew for the glory of the Lord. We meet in the Student Center from 9 am to 2 pm. Bring your lunch.

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.

7

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

8

ENCORE MINISTRY NEWS

CELEBRATE OUR BIRTHDAYS! Margaret Cothern LuAn Yarnold Glen Le Doux Loretta Davis Sandra Winkelman Suzanne Butler LJ Grauke Wren Grauke Swepson Armour Steven Suders Mary Cook Flo Blevins Susan Appel Carolyn Robertson Laurece Maresh Rola Doelitsch David Ruley Kathy Standley

1 1 2 5 5 5 7 7 8 9 10 11 11 12 18 18 19 19

Barbara Jones Bill Holmes Aleta Thistlethwaite Jim Turner Cynthia Hubeny Pam Young Linda Upchurch James Hare Sandy Batt

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

THE ENCORE MINISTRY IS ALWAYS UP TO SOMETHING!

9

A LETTER FROM REBA

Dear Friends, This month we celebrate the birth of our nation. It has changed dramatically over the years, but we as Christians need to stand up now and take our nation back through the power of God. I found this poem that says it better than I ever could.

Please read it slowly and make this your prayer as well.

In Him, Reba Pair

SCRIPTURE OF THE MONTH “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. “ Psalms 33:12

THOUGHT OF THE MONTH Your true religion is the life you live, not the creed you profess.

CHURCH THANK YOUS: Thank you dear Christian friends for your prayers and calls during the illness and passing of my sister-in-law, Susan Caton. Also many thanks for the calls, visits and wonderful food during my recent surgery and recovery. What an awesome God we serve.

May God Bless you, Sylvia Roundtree Dear FBC, Thank you so much for the Bible. Your thoughtfulness is very much appreciated. I’m very excited to be attending Texas State University and am grateful I will have a brand new Bible at my side. I will never forget the memories made at FBC. Jordyn Thompson

10

STUDENT MINISTRY

Encore VBS vs Kids VBS

Bobbye and I have had the privilege of working in Encore VBS and kids VBS this summer. Of course, they can be very different but they are also surprisingly similar.

BATHROOM BREAKS: Frequent bathroom breaks for Encore VBS and Kids VBS are both a necessity. Also, whether you’re talking to a kindergartner or not, never ask, “Can you hold it?”

CELL PHONES: Our world has become exponentially more mobile and cell phone dependent in recent years. It was a pleasant relief to not have to monitor cell phone interruptions during Encore VBS. SNACKS: Science has long since discovered the link between memories and our senses, especially taste and smell. Bobbye and I have always believed that VBS snacks are a vital part of the VBS experience and developing long-term memories. The wonderful snacks at VBS and the sweet volunteers made for a great time. Bobbye often teases me that she is known as Chad’s wife, but from now on (after her brisket and green beans), I think I’ll now be know as Bobbye’s husband.

GAMES: Rec at VBS is always fun. I really enjoyed Encore VBS - it was a little less physical and way more laid back.

PROMPTNESS: Students tend to straggle in at their own pace. Senior Adults arrive on-time. Correction: Senior Adults arrive 30 minutes early (before the coffee is done brewing).

COFFEE: Speaking of coffee, there is a sweet spot for the coffee strength for senior adults. Not too strong, but just strong enough. And never, ever give kids coffee.

When it comes down to it, I love working with all ages. Although we do have some differences, we also have a lot in common. We’re all curious about missions, love to sing, and enjoying being with each other. Whether you were learning about your “treasure” or learning to “walk this way,” VBS is always part of building great summer memories.

11

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Prov. 3:5-6 Good Morning, It was a one room, white, wooden framed church just outside of town in the country. Inside the pews had been moved to the front, and the majority of the space was filled with brown foldable tables. Upon each table was a different set of materials – each table the next step in the craft project we made that day.

The final result – a Popsicle stick picture frame with dried macaroni affixed and spray painted gold. This is my only memory of vacation Bible school as a child. I don’t remember the face of any of my leaders. I don’t remember any of the stories that I was taught or the songs that we sang. I don’t even remember any of the games that we played. My childhood was robbed of my VBS memories.

However, God in His goodness has replaced those with fresh memories witnessed as a minister here at Brenham’s FBC. Like when a mom e-mails to thank us for the message we are teaching her kids because they hope to remind others entering their house “Jesus is our light!” through a thoughtfully placed light switch plate they made in craft that day. There is the image of a child hugging his small group leader at the end of the day when he is told that it is the last day and then asks if we will be here next year. I will remember the faces of the family who attended our church for the first time after visiting our community blast on Saturday. In my ears are ringing the words from a 5th grader, “Thank you for inviting me to come to VBS.” I will never forget the young girl coming to ask to be baptized, witnessing her confess her faith to Jesus while holding her parents hands and seeing her mom’s face beam while tears fell from her eyes as she rises out of the waters of the baptistery. These new memories I will cherish for all time.

Thank you to all the volunteers and staff who made a memorable year possible.

However, I thank God for allowing me to be a part of His great work that will be burned within my memory. Now I encourage you to find the place that God wants to make new memories using you.

His Servant & Yours, Bro. Alex

Prayer Requests Please pray for the 70 kids and 40 adults that will be at Camp Tejas and the team going on mission to Honduras this month.

THANK YOU

Vacation Bible School was only successful because of the many super volunteers.

Thank you for your help.

Upcoming Events: 2:4 The Mission, Aug 1st-2nd, Completed 1st & 2nd Graders beTWEENtime FUNtime – Aug 4th, 6-8pm; 5th & 6th Graders 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

12

PRESCHOOL MINISTRIES

Well, I hope you had a great start to your summer break. I cannot believe it is already July. This past month has flown by so quickly. I guess when we are staying busy the time just slips past you. And this past month has been very busy for us. Getting the opportunity to join Brenham’s Children’s Chorus on their Disney tour was so awesome.

I am so proud of those kiddos. VBS was so much fun. We got to enjoy having our EEC preschoolers join us this past month. I normally get to have a special VBS with our EEC each summer, but it was so great to have them together this year. Camps have start and there is so much more to come. I think this summer is going to just fly by.

This month we are excited to continue celebrating kids with a rocking good time.

Throughout the month of June and now July, our preschoolers are being introduced to people in the Bible who did amazing things while they were still kids. They rocked because they did what God wanted them to do, and our preschoolers can do that too.

This month, Daniel, Miriam, Josiah, a young boy and his lunch and Timothy will continue to help our preschoolers learn that they can do what God wants them to do.

At the start of June we started what is called “The Do Good Challenge.” We have been encouraging our parents to recognize when their preschooler has done something “good” and have them record it on a special chart. We are continuing to encourage our families to keep recording all those “doing good” moments.

Blessings, Stacey

Thank you

Thank you to Cherry Fratus, Megan Pritchard and Parents of our EEC program, for allowing us the privilege to love on and share the love of Christ with their little ones back in June for VBS. We loved every minute of it.

Sunday Mornings in July Basic Truth: God made me.

Key Question: Who can do what God wants you to do?

Bottom Line: I can do what God wants me to do.

Memory Verse: “God made us to do good works.” Ephesians 2:10 HAPPY BIRTHDAY

SANDY WINKELMAN 7-05 VERA COVIN 7-21 JILL BEARDEN LINDA UPCHURCH 7-26 JOSHUA REYNOLDS 7-26

7-21

13

FBC SCHOOL & EEC Summer has not slowed us down! EEC has had a great time loving on the kids and providing summer fun. We have 130 children in our care during the summer months. Our staff is doing a fantastic job planning activities and loving on these kiddos!

During July, we continue to make plans for the 2017-2018 school year. 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. Please be in prayer as decisions are made by families. Pray for guidance and discernment as our team and families seeks to follow Him! Nancy Jahns

UPCOMING JUNE EVENTS August 3 Student Packet Pick up 14-18 Staff Development 17 Meet the Teacher 18 Back to School Picnic at Fireman’s Park 21 First Day of School

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.

THANK YOU Thank you to the Children’s and Preschool Ministry for including our EEC children in Vacation Bible School! What a blessing!

14

FROM TROY’S HEART

As you are reading this article, Kelley and I are enjoying some much needed time of relaxation and restoration. I mentioned in last month’s article we would be taking a four-week sabbatical. We started on June 26th and we will return on July 24th.

People have asked what we will be doing over the sabbatical. Here is the general run down of highlights: • See some sights.

• Read some books.

• Visit with friends.

• Sit on the front porch and watch the sun rise and sunset! Maybe, without saying a word?

That sounds pretty good doesn’t it? We have intentionally kept the itinerary light in order to slow down, unwind and listen.

We live in a busy and noisy world. We also live in a culture of “over communication”. Between emails, texts, cell phones and social media, we spend most of our day sending out messages, calls, tweets, instagrams and posts. Rarely do we find time to sit in quiet meditation and listen.

Over the sabbatical, it is my prayer to do more listening than talking, more enjoying than rushing and more seeing than watching.

The Lord told Elijah to stand on the mountain and wait for His passing. What happened next? Wind. Earthquake. Fire. A gentle whisper as a still small voice. Was God in the powerful wind? No. Was God in the earthquake as the rocks split? No. Was God in the fire that scorched the earth? No. What got Elijah’s spiritual attention? The whisper of God. I want to be so quiet as to hear the whisper of my Beloved.

I love you, Troy

15

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

Return Service Requested

MAIL TO:

Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Permit 235 Brenham, TX 77834-0600

16