March 2018 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 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 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 & EEC ..............................................................page From Troy’s Heart ..............................................................page

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

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CHURCH-WIDE CALENDAR

MARCH1 1 4 4 4 5 6 6 8 8 11 12 12 15 15 18 19 20 22 22 25 27 29 29 30

Sweet Hour of Prayer 10:00am Relocation Committee Meeting 6:30pm Lord’s Supper - Both Services Deacon’s Meeting 2:00pm Church Council Meeting 4:00pm Widows & Single Ladies 6:00pm Piece Makers 9:00am Precept Bible Study 9:00am Ladies Bible Study Fellowship 9:30am Sweet Hour of Prayer 10:00am SPRING FORWARD - SET YOUR CLOCKS FBCS - Spring Break Begins / EEC Open Finance Committee Meeting 6:30pm Sweet Hour of Prayer 10:00am Encore Luncheon 11:00am Connecting @ FBC 4:00pm Widows & Single Ladies 6:00pm Precept Bible Study 9:00am Ladies Bible Study Fellowship 9:30am Sweet Hour of Prayer 10:00am Churchwide Business Meeting 4:00pm Precept Bible Study 9:00am Ladies Bible Study Fellowship 9:30am Sweet Hour of Prayer 10:00am Good Friday Holiday - Church Office Closed

Sycamore House Room 112 Room 111 Room 112 Pahl House Std Ctr Pahl House Sycamore House Sycamore House Room 112 Sycamore House Pahl House Room 112 Pahl House Pahl House Sycamore House Sycamore House Gym Pahl House Sycamore House Sycamore House

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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SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER

How important is prayer in your life?

Jesus prayed often: See Luke 3:21, 5:16, 6:12, 9:18 & 28-29, and we can read of many other places in the Word.

Do you hold our freedom to pray dear?

Matthew 11:1 tells us that once, when Jesus had prayed one of His disciples asked, “Lord, teach us to pray.” Our Lord never hesitated, but immediately started their lesson.

Today, we call it “The Lord’s Prayer.” But it is rightly, a prototype for our prayers.

This was, and is, a very needful request. It is a hard thing to pray well, and it is only Jesus Christ who can teach us by His word and Spirit.

Christ gave them directions, much the same as He had in Matthew 6:9, They would find all their requests complete in these few words and would be able, in words of their own, to enlarge upon them. Thank You, Lord, it is as much for us today as it was for them yesterday. Our Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

I Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray continually(without ceasing, from the Greek, “With the frequency of a hacking cough”).

Luke 11:2-4 (NIV) “He said to them, ‘When(not if) you pray, say: Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV) “After this manner therefore say ye: Our Father which are in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

“Father, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the glory, for ever, Amen Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV) “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, Give us today our daily bread, Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

Let us pray:

Our Gracious Heavenly Father, How awesome and majestic You are!

We pray for those who are with out food and shelter today. Please.provide nourishment and shelter from them. The homeless need Your comfort and provision and Your gracious hand upon them.

Forgive us our arrogance, and ignorance, and our selfishness. And those who we feel have betrayed us and hurt us, give us Your grace to forgive them. And when temptation comes our way help us lift our eyes up to You for strength as we turn our thoughts to Jesus and His wondrous love. Help us to keep our hand in Yours as You lead us through the straight gate, down the narrow path.

To You belongs all the glory, honor, and praise. Thank You. In Jesus name, Amen All of You are invited to join us in prayer and intercession: Thursday, 10:00 - 11:00 in the Sycamore Garage

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MUSIC MINISTRY The Worship Choir is working hard to prepare for Palm Sunday and Easter!

We are looking forward to a joint effort with some of our kids on Palm Sunday morning and will be enjoying the gifts and talents of some of our orchestral friends on Easter morning, as well!

I recently came across an article on worship by pastor & author, Chip Ingram that I wanted to share an excerpt from with you. I think it gives us a great reminder about what a true worship experience looks like!

Perhaps the best way to illustrate what happens when we worship is to look at the worship experience of one of God’s prophets recorded in Isaiah 6.

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke (v.1–4).

First, worship brings an upward look, a glance at God on His throne in all His glory. It refocuses our view of God. It pulls our affections off our idols and puts them onto God. It causes us to remember how good He is, how big, kind, powerful, and loving He is, and how holy He is.

Second, worship brings an inward look.

“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.” Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for” (v. 5–7).

When you see God for who He really is, as Isaiah did, you start to see yourself for who you really are. You start seeing things in your heart and in your life that really didn’t bother you before. But notice that after Isaiah saw and confessed his sinfulness, he also experienced the mercy, grace, and forgiveness of God. That’s what happens when you really worship.

But worship doesn’t end there. Notice that Isaiah’s inward look is followed by an outward look.

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (v. 8) Genuine worship always leads to an outward look—a personal response or action—a desire to be obedient to whatever God calls you to do.

Genuine worship isn’t just singing songs and getting a good feeling in your heart. Genuine worship is seeing God for who He really is—His power, His greatness, His holiness, His sovereignty, His love, and His compassion—and then giving Him what He’s worth—the best of your time, your talents, your thoughts, your words, and your deeds.

True worship is seeing afresh the tremendous worth of God and, in response, giving Him the best of everything you have.

Blessings, Charles Covin

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ADULT MINISTRIES PIECE MAKERS Piece Makers delivered five cuddly lap quilts to Hope Rising Ministries in February. Pam, a foster mother to two teenage girls rescued from human trafficking, graciously accepted the quilts and will distribute them for us. This ministry is supported by our church and focuses primarily on victims of sex trafficking in Texas by placing minor girls in specialized foster care homes and providing services necessary for their recovery.

This month Piece Makers will share our Cottonwood facilities and sew a few days with the wives of Volunteer Christian Builders while they are in the area. All are welcome at our monthly meetings held the first Tuesday of each month from 9 am to 2 pm in the Student Center. Come sew with us!

Nathan, Tammara, Morghan, Bayleigh and Chloe’ Golden Henry and Carol Behne Jeremy, Merritt and Josiah Johnston

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BIBLE STUDIES & MORE

Precept Bible Study New Teacher: Kim Lytle Studying the book of “Galatians”.

Meets on Tuesdays 9:00am in the Pahl House; Men’s Prayer Breakfast Studying “The 10 Commandments” Wednesdays, 6:00am Sycamore House Pastor’s Bible Study “Pastor’s Bible Study & Prayer Time” Wednesdays, 6:30pm - Room 112 Ephesians: What’s a Baptist?

Wednesdays, 6:30pm - Room 111

Ladies Bible Studies “Unshakeable: Thriving No Matter What Hits You” Meets on Wednesdays, 6:30pm, Downstairs in the Sycamore House Ladies Bible Study Fellowship Class Studying the book of “Romans” Meets on Thursdays, 9:30- 11:30am, in the Sycamore House Sweet Hour of Prayer Thursdays, 10:00am Sycamore House Garage

NEW!!! Mom’s Bible Study “Women Living Well”- Begins 3/21 Wednesdays, 6:30pm Upstairs in the Sycamore House

HOME TEAM GROUPS Widows & Single Ladies – Various Topics.

Pahl House 1st & 3rd Monday 6:00pm.

Schroeder – 620 Country Place W. Dr. Meet on the 1st & 3rd Sunday at 5:00pm Atkins – Prayer and fellowship 9250 Lake Dr. Various times and subjects Houston/Antolin -”Romans” 808 Spinn St. 1st & 3rd Sunday at 5:30pm.

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ENCORE MINISTRY NEWS

CELEBRATE OUR BIRTHDAYS! Georgia Armour Mike Harris Dick Roundtree Sharon Hamaker Donna Hammons George Eberly Karen Nix Owen Batt Darlene Denman Roger Atkins Wanda Kramer Carolyn Matejowsky Gay Bell Dave Homeier

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Carol Kolar Sylvia Roundtree Charlie Pyle, Jr Rudy Dillard Audrey Bender Ralph Blevins Elaine Sommers Mark Patranella Leslie Pennybacker Virginia McCoy Bobbie Commander Rosie Cato

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THANK YOUS

Dear Church Family, Thank you so much for the wonderful gift you gave me, honoring me for being your organist for the past 40+ years.

It truly has been an honor and blessing to me to serve the Lord in this capacity.

Brenham’s First Baptist Church has been such a blessing to all my family for the past 41 years, and it will continue to be in years to come.

Thank you and may God continue His blessings, Robert Haydon Thanks to all my fellow Christian friends. Our church has always been the center of our lives.

The peace lily is a big beautiful plant. Thank you for prayers, cards, during Will’s long illness.

Love in Christ, Truett O’Brien Dear FBC Brenham, Thank you for the beautiful plant you sent to honor Ben. He loved FBC Brenham. He was saved there, married there and ordained a Deacon. He loved FBCS and being a partner with me in this ministry.

Sincerely, Cindy Boettcher BELL BLESSING The FBC Handbell Choir received a wonderful bell blessing last Wednesday evening when we arrived for bell rehearsal. A brand new set of 5th octave handbells has been donated to our bell choir by an anonymous donor.

The set consists of 5 treble bells which completes our fifth octave of treble bells.

When our handbells ring for the services, these bells will be rung from the front table.

The debut ringing of these bells will be Easter Sunday!

We are so thankful for the generosity and thoughtfulness of the donor of these bells.

With deep appreciation, FBC Handbell Choir

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A LETTER FROM REBA As I began to prepare the newsletter on a cold rainy day, my thoughts go to the change we will see in a few short weeks. The hills and pastures of Washington County will begin to awaken to SCRIPTURE OF springtime. Color will be everywhere. Do the wildflowers make you as happy as they do me? I love THE MONTH: springtime, but I also love winter and fall. I am not ISAIAH 6:3 fond of the summer heat in Texas though. But as I think about each season, I think of the special things of each one. Springtime is flowers, green grass and rain showers that bring rainbows. Summer brings trips to the beach to watch the power of God through the waves. Then we go into fall with all the beautiful colors of fall popping out everywhere. Then the holidays begin. Thanksgiving to Thank God for all His Blessings he bestows on us. Christmas to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Then the New Year when we pledge to try and do better in the new year with a clean slate. Then comes Valentines followed by the Lent season and finally Easter. I always tell kids that Easter is the continuation of the Christmas Story. It completes the story of Jesus birth and life on earth.

We have a lot to celebrate in our personal life this new year. Doc and I recently celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary. We have both had bouts with cancer, and have been healed. By the time you get this letter we will be in Hawaii for our yearly trip. There is so much beauty there, and the wildlife on land or in the sea are all magnificent. I see God’s glory everywhere. I pray you take a moment to take it all in this spring and thank God for all the beauty He has given us.

Blessings, Reba

Thought of the Month: “You don’t have to be a scientist…

To learn from God’s marvelous creation., You only need to stop long enough to observe And let God reveal His wonders to you.”

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STUDENT MINISTRY

Church family – guess what? It’s CAMP SIGN-UP time again. I know, I know! It feels like we just got back from camp. What happened to Fall?

Is it just me or does it feel like time is buzzing by. I am really excited this year about camp – especially because camp will be in TEXAS this year.

WIRED CAMP is just outside of Waco, Tx at Lathem Springs Encampment.

The year’s theme is “Illusions” and focuses on teaching students about all the illusions in the world, distracting us from God’s truth. Chris Dowd will be our speaker for the week and David Knuckles (who led DNOW worship 2 years ago) will be our worship leader. Please keep these guys and our student leaders in your prayers. Would you begin to pray now that God would start preparing hearts? Camp is EARLIER this year from June 9to 12, 2018. The cost for camp is $220. Registration is up online and parents you can start signing your student up today. A $50 deposit is due at registration and is non-refundable. Since camp is closer to home this year and costs a lot less than in previous years, my prayer is that we will be able to take many students and their friends.

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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary,…” (Luke 10:41b-42a NASB) Good Morning, Too often I am like that girl, but I want to be like “that” girl. Before you finish texting Brother Ross, let me explain. Recently, I was asked to conduct an exercise in which I was asked to imagine myself in my safe space. Then, God was introduced into my space and I became anxious because my space was untidy. The space was my bedroom, and for the most part it is clean. I try to pick up my socks and put my shirts on hangers in the closet. However, there is clutter on the dresser. Maybe you are like me. You walk into the room with something in your hand on your way to bed, and forget to drop it off where it belongs on the way. So, you put it on the dresser believing that you will put it where it belongs tomorrow. Then you wake up and in the morning fog on your way to the coffee pot, you walk right by the misplaced item. Well, my dresser this day had quite a few misplaced items upon it. For whatever reason, I manage to walk past the growing collection most every day and the accumulated clutter doesn’t seem to bother me. But… now God is in the room with me, and all of the sudden I am embarrassed about my clutter (speaking literally and not metaphorically).

Before God had entered the room, I was sitting in my comfy chair with a book (of which I had no intention of reading) and my comfy blanket. I was ready to relax, and allow myself to drift off for a nap. Then, when God was introduced into the room, I startled up and nervously welcomed Him. I was trying to redirect His sight from the clutter, and began apologizing for the mess. In my mind, I think I may have looked like Lucille Ball when she had been caught with something that she had been trying to hide from Ricky (kids, google “I Love Lucy” with your parents supervision). I never really did relax with Him in the room. I definitely did not remain seated. In my mind, God never did anything to make me feel shamed for the clutter. He seemed perfectly calm and happy to be there with me. I, on the other hand, did not know what to do.

Then, I was asked to leave the safe space in my mind and return to my class (where this exercise was being conducted). As I went to leave the room, I stopped and turned to talk to God. In my heart all I wanted to do was to sit down before Him and just enjoy time with Him. I don’t know why my mind got so busy with trying to make the space tidy and neat. He didn’t even seem to care that the dresser was cluttered. I think this may have been what it was like when Jesus visited Mary and Martha (kids read Luke 10:38-42 with your parents supervision). Mary was fretting on getting things done for God - probably to try to impress Him or maybe even just to present the best to her Lord. However, Mary only concerned herself with adoring and worshipping her Lord. He hadn’t asked her to serve Him. He didn’t instruct her to cook the meal. Sometimes God does give us a mission with which to be busy, but that doesn’t mean that every time He shows up we should be busy. Most times, God shows up to just sit with us, and all He wants is for us to sit, be still and know that He is Lord.

I want to be like “that” girl.

His Servant & Yours, Bro. Alex

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PRESCHOOL MINISTRIES Sunday Mornings in February Basic Truth: Jesus wants to be my friend forever.

Key Question: Who can you follow?

Bottom Line: I can follow Jesus.

Memory Verse: “’Come and follow me,’ Jesus said.” Matthew 4:19 We’re GOIN’ FINSHIN’!

It just seems perfect, since this month is all about Jesus and how He taught the disciples to be fishers of men. How did they learn to be fishers of men? Well, they followed Jesus! And, we want our little ones to know they can follow Jesus too!

We cannot wait to share all these amazing true stories from the Bible. We will also wrap up this month with a celebration of Jesus, because He is SPECIAL. He is God’s Son. Just like in the Bible, when the people heard Jesus was coming to town, they were so excited and they yelled.

“Hosanna! Hosanna! Yay Jesus!” That will be our little ones on Palm Sunday as we celebrate Jesus.

This is going to be a wonderful month as we help our little ones prepare to celebrate the biggest act of love ever known to man…Easter. And when they’re old enough to hear Jesus say “Follow me,” we want them to be ready to say yes!

With Love and Blessings, Stacey

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRISON TURNBILL 3/06/16 PAISLEY COVIN 3/09/12 JOLENE WHITMAN 3/14/15 EDEN PHILLIPS 3/17/15 JACE HOWARD 3/22/14 BENJAMIN COVIN 3/28/14 TYLER OGDEN 3/29/17

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FBC SCHOOL & EEC “The heavens declare the glory of God; The skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

Psalm 19:1 As we enter spring, I’m reminded of the beauty of His creation. I’m in awe of it as I witness His glory in every flower, creature and person I come across. Be on the look-out for Him in our everywhere you go.

He’s there; and for that, I’m so very thankful!

Thank you to our FBC family for supporting the school through Texas Celebration. We appreciate the donations, purchase of tickets, and items purchased. YoU rOcK!

The beauty of His church inspires me, too. The prayers you gave for our children and staff during February are appreciated more than you realize.

Those prayers are heard by Him and will not be ignored. Please continue to pray that the families we serve through FBCS will be open to and receive His gift of salvation through our sweet Jesus. May we continue to strive to change our community through FBC and its school ministry.

Serving Him, Nancy Jahns

MARCH

We are in need of scholarship donations for the 2018-2019 school year.

Please consider a gift to this fund. It helps families to send their child to FBCS. The scholarships are for need-based students, and they are selected through a committee.

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Core Essentials 4th grade to Houston Downtown Aquarium 5 PTO meeting @ 5:30 6 Ms. Lou-Lou for preschool 7 Ms. Lou-Lou for elementary 9 Talent Show 12-16 Spring Break – school closed; EEC open 23 Elementary PE Showcase 29 3rd grade to The Thinkery in Austin Easter parties 30 Good Friday Holiday – school and EEC closed

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FROM TROY’S HEART

I want to give you a quick reminder of something I think we have lost sight of in our world: Evil has been around since the Garden of Eden! When mankind chose to disobey God, sin entered the heart and death has been its intent ever since.

A heart of sin killed Abel.

A heart of sin killed as Jesus was nailed.

A heart of sin killed as Nero reigned.

A heart of sin killed during Attila, Genghis, Ivan and the Inquisition.

A heart of sin killed during the Crusades.

A heart of sin killed millions of Jews.

A heart of sin killed during Mao, Stalin, Ayatollah, Amin and Hussein.

A heart of sin killed Martin Luther King.

A heart of sin killed at My Lai. A heart of sin killed in Rwanda.

A heart of sin killed in Kurdish villages.

A heart of sin killed during lynching, burnings and at Salem.

A heart of sin killed at Ford theatre and the 6th floor.

A heart of sin killed at 9/11.

A heart of sin killed on television as debate and hatred divided.

A heart of sin killed at Sandy Hook, Columbine, Sutherland Springs and at Parkland.

A heart of sin killed today at a clinic.

Sin is tragic…always has been always will be! Sin should break our heart, not rule it to the point of hate. Sin is our enemy, not our brothers or sisters. Are there discussions and hard conversations that should take place? Absolutely!

Moreover, should there be brokenness, confession, repentance and reliance on Jesus’ righteousness to cleanse sinful hearts? Most definitely!

Maranatha!

I love you, Troy

SYMPATHIES: -Boettcher Family in the loss of Ben Boettcher.

-Mary Helen Charette and family in the loss of her brother.

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

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