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 & Piece Makers......................page Bible Studies and 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 & Mother’s Day Out .........................page
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
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CHURCH-WIDE CALENDAR
MARCH-
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Texas Celebration Lord’s Supper - Both Services Deacon’s Meeting Juniors & Seniors @ Ross’ House Piece Makers Honduras Mission Trip FBCS- Spring Break/ EEC Open No Wednesday Night Activities Bible 101: How the OT points to Jesus Encore Luncheon Connecting @ FBC
5:00pm W.C. Fairgrounds 2:00pm Room 111 5:30pm Shelton’s House 9:00am Student Ctr
9:45am Room 111 11:00am Pahl House 9:45am Gym
FROM PASTOR ROSS
(Note: This article is based on an email I sent to church members. In my email, I provide a number of internet links. If you did not receive this email and would like to receive it, please contact the church office at 979-836-2807. We will email it to you).
On Sunday, February 10th, the Houston Chronicle began a three-part series on sex abuse in Southern Baptist churches. I read every word of all three articles. The articles primarily addressed the abuse done by pastors and church volunteers; the inadequate and often unlawful response of churches; and the shaming and silencing of victims by some church leaders. It was a difficult read, but I believe it was important to read it. Having read the report, I also want to take the opportunity to share with you some ways we hope to make First Baptist Church a safe place: -Any report/confession of child abuse is immediately reported to the authorities. -We maintain a number of policies to help provide boundaries, compliance with the law, and a safe place for our children. More specifically, we have three documents that outline our policies: oSexual Misconduct Policy oWhistleblower Policy oThe Employee Handbook I will be reviewing these with our staff to see if there are any ways to strengthen any aspects of these. -Everyone, volunteer or staff, who works with minors must undergo a 4 background check.
FROM PASTOR ROSS (CONTINUED) -We want to provide direction and resources for those who have been abused in their past. Please let me know if you need help/direction about resources that are available. Having noted some of these ways we seek to make our church a safe place, below is what I hope will be some helpful guidance: -Beware of grooming behavior toward minors. It is important to recognize these signs and protect children. -All organizations and communities, especially churches, are built on trust. Sadly, some people, including pastors, have abused a culture of trust to victimize people. In response to the potential of someone violating trust in order to victimize someone, please remember the following: (1) Do not be naive about the potential of abuse. Many times people think, “This could never happen here.” I pray it never happens here, but we must also be aware and alert to potential abuse. (2) Someone who tries to manipulate by using trust and/or authority is someone to be cautious about. For example, many of the abusers who were pastors used their authority as the pastor and the culture of trust in churches to abuse and to silence and outcast the abused when it was made known. -This is closely tied to the previous point, but I also think it is important for pastors not to create a culture of “authoritarianism.” An authoritarian culture is where the leader has power based solely on his or her position and to question the leader can be seen as a sin. One of the simplest ways I try to foster a culture that is not authoritarian is by encouraging you every Sunday to open your Bible and read what the text has to say. This simple act is a way of saying, “Do not just believe me because I am the pastor. Read what the Bible says.” This is similar to the Bereans in Acts 17:11 where they were commended by Paul because they examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. -Healthy boundaries are essential for healthy relationships. Healthy boundaries include physical, emotional, sexual, and spiritual boundaries. Boundaries are given by God, something we provide for ourselves, and shape our interaction with others. Abusers will not respect boundaries and/or shame you for having boundaries. Healthy, non-abusive people will be respectful of your boundaries. While I have focused mostly on our church, there are a number of things that need to happen in broader Southern Baptist life. Here are a few things I believe need to happen: -A number of pastors and other leaders need to repent for not believing victims, not reporting abuse, silencing victims, etc. -There will be much discussion in Southern Baptist life about providing a database for pastors and other church leaders who were/are abusers. I support the creation of such a database. -There needs to be a culture shift in Southern Baptist churches away from authoritarian ways of leaders back to the servant vision of leadership provided by Jesus. -The temptation by some will be to be defensive about such reporting. We must not seek to be defensive. We must listen to the victims’ voices and, where needed, repent. There are more things I want to say, but I believe it is important for you to read an initial response from me. One of my prayers is that our church, and the larger Baptist groups we support, will be places of health and safety for everyone. 5
MUSIC MINISTRY What a privilege it is to get to worship alongside the brothers and sisters of BFBC! You all are such an encouragement to me and I am so grateful that God has seen fit to bless my family and me with this calling that allows us to be a part of this incredible church family! Take a minute to meditate on Psalm 40: 1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3a He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. What an incredible picture of what true worship looks like! We wait on GOD. That’s it! Everything following that statement is GOD in action! HE turns, HE hears, HE lifts, HE sets, HE gives, and HE puts a hymn of praise in our mouths! So, whether individually throughout the week, or corporately on Sundays, our worship should be an overflow of what God is doing in our lives, as we are waiting patiently and seeking Him. The result is a song of joy, gratitude, and praise the HE composes and we can’t help but sing! EASTER CHOIR: We are beginning preparations to share some POWERFUL songs for our Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday worship services and WE WANT YOU to come sing with us! Even if you’re unable to commit to Worship Choir year-round, we’d be delighted to have you during the Easter season. PRAISE CHOIR & BAND: As ALWAYS, we’re looking for more worshipers to help lead out on Sunday mornings! If you enjoy singing, or are proficient at a modern worship instrument and are interested in being a part of our team here at BFBC, I’d love to chat with you. Love y’all! Charles
Jamie McMeans Erika Garner Kathy Mizzell 6
THANK YOUS & SYMPATHIES First Baptist Church, Thank you for the plant and cards given in honor of Dick. Your thoughtfulness will be remembered. The family of Dick White Thank you for supporting our ministry. You are helping change lives by your continued support. ATCOT Brenham Dear BFB Church, Thank so much for the plant, cards, all the prayers for our family during this time of the loss of Annette Peevler. We all appreciate your kindness. Peevler Family
SYMPATHIES: -Susan Jenkins and family in the loss of her mother, Juanita Peters. -The Bufkin family in the loss of Lee Bufkin.
PIECE MAKERS Members of First Baptist Church Piece Makers perfect their skills on longarm machines by quilting baby quilts. One of our Piece Makers, Shirley Herring, pieced and quilted this colorful picnic quilt which was auctioned in February at a Baylor Scott and White Hospital fundraiser. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month in the Student Center from 9 am to 2 pm. Everyone is welcome to come stitch something 7 for someone to love.
BIBLE STUDIES & MORE
Men’s Prayer Breakfast Studying “Deuteronomy” Wednesdays, 6:00am Sycamore House Pastor’s Bible Study: The Signs of Jesus in the Gospel of John Wednesdays, 6:30pm - Room 112 Life at the Mountaintop: Sermon on the Mount Wednesdays, 6:30pm - Room 111 A big thank you to those who attended our Financial Peace University. Thank you Dave & Kacy Kuespert for leading.
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 the Old Testament Points to Christ Sundays, 9:45am, Room 111 Starts March 17th
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! Georgia Armour Mike Harris Dick Roundtree Sharon Hamaker Donna Hammons George Eberly Karen Nix Owen Batt Darlene Denman Jim McDowell Roger Atkins Wanda Kramer Carolyn Matejowsky Gay Bell Dave Homeier Carol Kolar Sylvia Roundtree
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Charlie Pyle, Jr Troy Gaddie Rudy Dillard Audrey Bender J R Allen, Jr Elaine Sommers Mark Patranella Leslie Pennybacker Virginia McCoy Bobbie Commander Rosie Cato
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A LETTER FROM REBA As I sit here today to write, we are looking out at the beautiful Pacific Ocean that God created. Every time we come to Hawaii I am astounded by the beauty of this place. While here in Maui and Kauai, there has been snow in the high summits, earthquakes, lots of rain and high winds, but it is still awe inspiring the works of God we see in all things. There is nothing quite like a rainbow in Hawaii, and we have seen several this trip. We had some awesome whale watches, and to see a whale the size of a school bus jump out of the water you think only God could have created that whale. I am reminded of this old hymn written by Folliot Pierpoint. It is said he wrote this in the spring in his hometown of Bath. Read the words as you hum this tune and I know you will be blessed. 1 For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the love which from our birth over and around us lies. Refrain: Christ, our Lord, to you we raise this, our hymn of grateful praise. 2 For the wonder of each hour of the day and of the night, hill and vale and tree and flower, sun and moon and stars of light, [Refrain ] 3 For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child, friends on earth, and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild, [Refrain] 4 For yourself, best gift divine, to the world so freely given, agent of God’s grand design: peace on earth and joy in heaven. [Refrain] We are looking forward to returning home to our beautiful springtime wildflowers. Blessings, Reba Pair 10
STUDENT MINISTRY What can I say Brenham’s FBC Family? You guys are a ton of fun! If you missed the Men’s Cake Bake, then you missed out on a lot of smack-talking, cake flattery, and snort-worthy laughing. Congratulations to Lefty Yarnold for winning First Place! Even though I did NOT win again (I never win… it must be rigged) the students were the biggest winners. Any event of this size doesn’t happen without a team of people making it all possible. Thank you so much John, Dianne, and Shea Pritchett for manning the grill and cooking all the hamburgers. Thank you Teresa McGlasson, Jackie Holmes, and Merlene Schumacher for serving as our cake judges. Every year the men step up their game and the competition gets harder to judge! Thank you Jodi Beckendorf for taking pictures and video. Just when I think we’ve topped out, the Lord blesses us with another amazing year. Thank YOU so much Church Family! Thanks for baking cakes, buying cakes, fellowshipping over supper, and showing up to cheer it all on. This year’s Men’s Cake Bake raised $12,000 to help our student ministry with scholarships for students. In Him, Bro. Chad
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
“I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well.” Psalm 139:14 (NIV) Good Morning, I had homemade chicken and noodle soup for lunch today. This is a favorite and regular meal in the Morrison household at this time of the year. When someone gets the sniffles and is not feeling up to par, I or Nicole pull out the frozen chicken and start cutting vegetables. I start with butter (as all good recipes should). Then I add minced garlic. When the garlic is just right I will add celery, carrots, and onion, I reduce the heat and allow those veggies to reduce with a little bit of chicken broth. Next I add my cubed chicken breast (which has already been cooked with its own bath of butter, garlic and yummy seasonings), more chicken broth, more butter, salt, pepper and chopped basil. I bring the soup to a boil and then reduce to simmer for an hour as the flavors mix and meld with one another. I will cook my wide egg noodles in a separate pot and add these individually when serving (this keeps the noodles from swelling and turning to mush if there are leftovers, and one of my kids prefers to eat them separately).
So, there it is. Alex Morrison’s recipe for Chicken Noodle Soup. Sometimes I cook a whole chicken and use the pulled meat. Sometimes I will squeeze some lemon juice in the mix. Sometimes we add different veggies (like the time we added a small ear of corn to each serving). In fact, I don’t think I have never made the same chicken noodle soup twice, and if I had to guess, your mom or dad makes theirs different from mine. That is how creative our God is. For as many people as there are in existence, there has yet to be two people exactly the same. Even if you are a twin, you are a different individual than your sibling. Now I know that some twins, or even some siblings, look awfully similar, but there are differences. For some the difference is noticed the moment they open their mouths. Their voices are different and sometimes their opinions and likes are different. God has prepared tasks for his followers since before time began. My tasks are unique to me and yours are fit for you individually. Individuality is discovering who you are meant to be. This month look for the ways to serve God that it is unique to you and do it. His Servant & Yours, Bro. Alex
Upcoming Events: Camp Fundraiser Tickets Available March 3, 2019 Camp Fundraiser Meal Date April 24-26, 2019 Family Picnic at the 33 May 22, 2019 VBS June 3-6, 2019 Camp Tejas July 9-13, 2019
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PRESCHOOL MINISTRIES
Memory Verse:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5
Big Picture Question:
What does it mean to sin? The sin is to go against God and His commands.
HARRISON TURNBILL 3/06/16
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 As I write this, we are working fast and furiously on Texas Celebration. Although I have no idea how we will do, I do know that it will be enough. God has blessed the church and the school for many years, and He will not withhold care for us. So with that, I say, “Thank you, Lord. You are faithful!”
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith –and this is not fromyourselves, it is thegift of God –“
We only have 3 months of school left for this year. It will fly by quickly. I know I will have to fight the urge to get caught up in the busyness of this season. Three months is not a long time. Our sixth graders will move on to other schools as will some of our other students. I know it is important to not grow weary at the end but to stay strong and intentional as God’s word is shared with the children we serve. Please pray with me that rest of the school year will be fruitful. May God be glorified through FBC’s ministry in the school!
Ephesians 2:8
Serving Him, Nancy Jahns
It’s not too late to enroll for the 2019-2020 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.
SCHOLARSHIPS NEEDED
MARCH
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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Texas Celebration PTO 5:30 Ms. Lou Lou - preschool Core Essentials - elementary Ms. Lou Lou - elementary Talent Show 2:00 Spring Break ~ school closed/EEC open 5th/6th field trip Kindergarten to Franklin Safari
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FROM TROY’S HEART In a few weeks, twenty-two of us will be heading to Honduras. This will be my second trip. I was able to go last July and had an incredible experience. This trip will even be better because for the first time in my 34 years of ministry, I will be able to go on a mission trip with Kelley. Over the course of our marriage and ministry, due to either family or work commitments, she hasn’t been able to accompany me on previous mission trips. However, this year everything aligned for her to go. She is excited about the possibilities and opportunities for her to love and tell people about Jesus. I am too. I have watched her interact with all kinds of people and she is always kind, loving and generous. I think the Hondurans will love her!! I am also excited that we will have several other first-time missionaries with us this year. I thoroughly enjoy watching God stretch and challenge people spiritually. He has a way of sparking in them a holy love that overcomes any fears. He also gives them endurance that overcomes stress and fatigue. Please be in prayer for our Honduran Mission Team as we love people by telling and showing them of Jesus’ love. I Love you, Troy
MOTHER’S DAY OUT March is here and that only means one thing... Spring! Here at MDO, we will be talking about spring, rainbows, hygiene, and nutrition... all things God has made... in Chapel, we will be learning about the story of Jesus calming the sea and also the man named Zaccheus. MDO will be closed the week of March 11-15 for Spring Break. It’s almost time for registration for the 2019–20 school year. Registration will begin the first week of April. All of our classes are full now, so I have a feeling we will fill up fast for the upcoming school year! If you are interested in our program please don’t hesitate to sign up in April! If you have any questions about our program please email me at mdo@fbc-Brenham.org or go to the MDO page on the church website. 15
Brenham’s First Baptist Church P. O. Box 600 Brenham, TX 77834-0600
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