Due to the spread of COVID-19 we will be revising our calendar. We will update you as soon as possible. If you would like more information & updates on Brenham’s First Baptist Church’s response to the Corona Virus go to http://fbc-brenham.org/covid-19-response-info/
For more information on any events please visit the church website:
www.fbc-brenham.org
www.facebook.com/BrenhamsFirstBaptistChurch
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
From Pastor Ross
Over the past few months, the Relocation Committee and I have been working hard to clarify some things and finish some tasks that remain before we can begin construction. For example, all of our permits with the City of Brenham that are needed before we can begin construction have been approved. There are still a number of planning items we are going over, but we will have some exciting news during July! Please know I will keep you updated and please stay aware. As we prepare to begin this exciting season of construction, please bring this whole process to the Lord in prayer. My prayer throughout this time is that this will be a season where we learn to grow in faith, through prayer, as we see God provide us. Yes, it will be exciting to have new facilities! What I pray will be the most exciting is a renewed sense of trusting God and seeing Him work. Therefore, as we prepare for exciting news, let’s continue to look to Jesus in prayer!
A Letter From Reba
Dear Friends, As I sit here today to write this, my mind is all over the place. This is a very odd time in our country. We are dealing with a deadly virus, civil unrest, quarantines. As I think about our country’s independence coming up on July 4th. It will be a different kind of celebration this year. We may not be in large crowds to celebrate this year, but we should still take time to reflect on what this holiday means to all Americans. I want to share a poem I found online that speaks of our blessing of freedom.
Jesus on the 4th of July We gather ‘round to celebrate On Independence Day Pay homage to our country As the children run and play. With barbecues and picnics And fireworks in the air The flag we own is proudly flown To show how much we care. The stars and stripes spell freedom She waves upon the breeze While bursts of colors can be seen Above the towering trees. This is all quite wonderful We revel in delight But God above in divine love Has brought this day to light.
With just a stroke of liberty A touch of His great hand He gave democracy to us And helped this country stand. The stripes upon our stately flag Were touched by His sweet grace Each star of white that shines so bright Reflects His loveing face. So as you turn to face the flag For battles that were fought Be filled with pride for those who died And freedoms that were bought. But don’t forget to thank the One That gives the bright display The reason why we paint the sky On Independence Day *Copyright Marilyn Ferguson 2003 ferguson@adams.net
I know our services are different right now, but we still have our freedoms to worship and for that I am thankful. We may worship differently with some being in our sanctuary and with some of us at home watching online services. The important part is that we are still taking the time to worship the one who died for us no matter where we are. We will all come back as we feel it is safe for us individually. I hope by the time you read this we will all be back together again. Blessings, Reba Pair
Focus of the Month: Clothing Items Suggestions for boys and girls of all ages: Shirts, pants, pillow case dress, underwear, shoes, socks, flip flops, hats, caps, gloves, scarves Contact Doddie Messick for more info: doddie.messick@gmail.com
From Troy's Heart
In the picture above, what do you notice? Take a good long look. A few things you may notice are:
• A picture of a youth football team, the Saints! • They are champs of the district! • They have cheerleaders. • It is from 1976…44 years ago! • The players are mostly African American. • There are two people in the picture who are white, my stepdad and me, #40!
This picture is one of my treasured memories from childhood. For 8 years, I was involved in the East Houston Athletic Club. I played baseball and football. As you can see, most of my teammates were black. However, to me, they were simply my friends! Mike Jackson, Lonnie Walker and Terrell Fields to name a few. My coaches, Mr. Jackson & Mr. Reese, were admired and respected. These days shaped me as a young man and I still carry the values I learned from playing ball. Guess what, the color of skin had nothing to do with it! As a child, I learned that I was loved and valued not only by my parents, but by men and women of color who saw me as worthy to include me. I would not be the man I am today, if it were not for the leaders of East Houston Athletic Club. In these days of racial division and tension, I hope we each can see past stereotypes, generalizations and biases to love people as God loves us! As followers of Jesus, we MUST do better to lead our families, neighbors and churches to be inclusive, accepting and loving ALL people. Jesus broke down walls to bring us in. We must do the same. I love you, Troy
Small Groups, Big News Well, we were really close to re-opening our on-campus small groups, but Corona snuck up on us again! Oh well, praying we will gather again soon. Until then, know that you are loved and valued by each one of us on staff. We are very grateful to serve a gracious and giving church family. Please continue to stay safe. Wash those hands, stay at a safe distance and be good citizens by obeying all mask guidelines. We will keep you updated by emails and the website when small groups will be able to meet on campus
Preschool Ministry Memory Verse: “The Holy Spirit … will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26
Big Picture Question: What did Jesus teach when He was on earth? Jesus
taught about God and His Kingdom. He taught that all Scripture is about Him.
Happy Birthday: Sandy Winkelman Silas Johnston Stephanie Sheffield Vera Covin Jill Wallace Linda Upchurch Joshua Reynolds
Piece Makers Piece Makers will be donating baby quilts, mommy bags and burp cloths to New Beginnings Life Ministries on July 7, 2020. Carol Holloway, Education Director will be on hand for the presentation. She will give an update on this ministry that we have supported with baby quilts since 2015. Burp cloths are the new addition to our donations for 2020. These useful baby items were fun and quick for Piece Makers to sew and will be appreciated by new mothers. Our meetings are not quite back to normal but hopefully we will be able to welcome all soon.
Mother’s Day Out BFBC Mother’s Day Out is enrolling children 15 months- 5 years for the 2020-2021 school year. The Enrollment Fee for the school year is $100 and is due at the time of enrollment. It is non-refundable. If your child will be attending the preschool program at Brenham’s First Baptist Church School, keep in mind MDO offers after school care from 11:30am-2:30pm. Contact Kristie at mdo@fbc-brenham.org with questions or go to our church’s website where you can find a registration form for Mother’s Day Out.
Student Ministry I just pulled up to the house, brought in our suitcases, and will soon start washing all my camp clothes (after a quick nap). Wow! What a whirlwind/mad dash/wild ride it was going from our usually planned WiRED student camp (which was canceled) to our own custom-written (ReWiRED) camp at Camp Tejas. Thank you so much to our wonderful adult leaders – Troy Sikes, Alex Morrison, Jesse and RaeLin Ladd, Elisa Workman, Dave and Kacy Kuespert, Todd Jahns, Molly Dooling, Charles and Bonnie Covin, and Sami Rahman. These folks braved camp with our students – who have been in lock down since spring break. I wasn’t sure if they’d be like monkeys let out of a zoo or like kindergartners on their first day of school unsure of what to say to anyone. I could not have done camp without all the adult helpers who were so flexible and willing to go with the flow. Camp did look a little different this year. We had the entire campground to ourselves. Plus, there were some extra precautions in place due to the coronavirus. But overall it turned out to be a great week. We looked at the big picture of the Bible and how it all fits together to tell the story of Jesus. A special thanks to my wife, Bobbye Marrs, for writing our custom camp curriculum and devotionals, and serving as sound engineer, graphic designer, and camp photographer. Putting an entire camp together in 3 weeks was an ambitious undertaking and we did it together! But don’t take my word for it, ask some of the students and adults how they felt about the Bible study and check out the church’s Facebook for some of our favorite photos. And THANK YOU SO MUCH church family for all of your support and especially for participating in our record-breaking Men’s Cake Bake back in February. Camp would not happen if not for you and your loving generosity. In Him, Bro. Chad
FBC School and EEC
“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.” Psalm 31:24 Summer has not slowed us down! EEC has had a great time loving on the kids and providing summer fun. We have over 120 children in our care during the summer months. Our staff is doing a fantastic job planning activities and loving on these kiddos! The best part is the kids are having fun! During July, we continue to make plans for the 2020-2021 school year. We are still accepting enrollment for next year. Space is limited in our three and four-year-old classes, and we have room to grow in our elementary classes. Please help spread the word about the opportunity to join the FBCS & EEC family. We are happy to give tours and visit with anyone interested in learning more about this ministry. They may call the school It’s not too late office to set up an appointment. Thank you for the support you give this ministry with your prayer. It is powerful! Blessings, Nancy Jahns
to enroll for the 2020-2021 school year!
Call or come by the school office for information and a tour. Go to https://www.fbcsbrenham.org/ for info and to enroll.
Megan Pritchard, EEC Director, and Stephanie van Wagner, Assistant EEC director, for faithful leadership as our Early Education Center leaders. They serve this FBC ministry well. They have worked hard to make FBCS & EEC a place our community loves and trusts!
EEC CLOSED - JULY 3RD
Pray for guidance and discernment as our team seeks to follow Him through the planning process for the 2020-2021 school year! Need: We are planning our in-service. If you have an education background and would like to share with our staff, please contact Nancy.
Children's Ministry “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)
Good Morning, I am in the audience waiting for a graduation ceremony to start that is one month later than scheduled due to COVID-19. Families are dressed up wearing their nice shoes, clean haircuts and crisp shirts. Some dads are holding flowers intended for their graduating daughters. Smiles are across faces and eyes sparkle to see people in person without the need for an internet connection or a video screen. There is still physical space between each family, but to be in the same room with the families whose children have traveled the same academic road as your child is refreshing. The kids themselves displayed obvious joy for wearing the robes that signify their advancement from elementary school, and excitement fills the air because they are together again if even only for a few hours on this night. Outside these walls, anger fills the air in cities across our nation. COVID-19 draws people to hospitals and pulls them into their homes. Uncertainty creeps in when moms and dads go to work wondering if it will be a short roundtrip back home. Grocery goers hopes are either fulfilled or trounced depending on what is or is not on the shelves that day. Yet, tonight, in this church sanctuary, there is hope realized, joy expressed and love shared. There is a different focus. Parents and grandparents have aimed their attention upon their child/grandchild. Some siblings are keeping the time and counting the seconds, but some are paying attention to the celebration of their brother or sister. The problems in our society and community did not pause for this evening’s ceremony, but those at peace have chosen to refocus in order to celebrate their children. Can we as Christians do the same? Can we choose to refocus our minds on Christ to celebrate Him? Can we choose not to ignore the world around us but decide we are going to rejoice always in the midst of the chaos? Can we decide to carry the banner of Christ first before the banner of our own identity? Can we walk in faith with the One who was resurrected as a proof of our future resurrection? Movin’ On Up – A family event that Our world is crazy right now, but GOD… celebrates the children finishing Kindergarten is still on His throne and has not lost His power. and welcomes the families into the children’s Look to Him and trust Him in all times and ministry on August 9th. through all things. I celebrated my daughter tonight – she earned it. I hope we can all Back to School Party – A family picnic filled celebrate Christ through the din of this world – with BBQ, yard games and wet inflatables to He has more than earned it. celebrate the new schoolyear for families of His Servant & Yours, 1st-6th graders. August 22nd. Bro. Alex
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