March Newsletter 2020

March

At A Glance 1 Lord’s Supper - Both Services 1 Deacon’s Meeting 2:00pm Room 111 1 Church Council Meeting 4:00pm Room 112 3 Piece Makers

9:00am

Student Ctr 6-13 Honduras Mission Trip 9-13 FBCS - Spring Break School Closed/EEC Opened 11 No Wednesday Night Activities 22 Connecting @ FBC 9:45am Gym 29 World Hunger Sunday 29 Churchwide Business Meeting 4:00pm Gym

For more information on any of the above 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

Greetings, Church Family!

It is an honor to serve and worship the Lord with you! Those of us invested in the worship ministry are continually striving to be equipped and encouraged in this labor of love He has called to! For the past couple months, the Worship Choir and I have been going through a “Musician’s Checklist” provided in Keith & Kristyn Getty’s book, Sing! How Worship Transforms Your Life, Family, and Church.

1.How can I best accompany the congregation’s singing?

a.“Primarily and fundamentally, you are there to help God’s people

sing. It is not a restriction or reduction of your talent to do so…”

2.Am I a team player?

a.“The purpose of your performance is to draw the church together

and not widen the divide between the stage and the rest of the room.”

3.Am I practicing and preparing properly?

a.“If you commit to playing (or singing), commit to loving the people

in your church enough to prepare well.”

4.Do I love my leadership… and my church family?

a.“Make sure that your aim is to promote unity even at the expense

of your personal preferences, not to undermine it in order to secure

those preferences.”

5.Am I growing in my gift?

a.“Whatever gift you have for accompanying God’s people singing,

try to improve in your use of it, so that you can better serve your church.”

EASTER CHOIR: We are preparing to share some POWERFUL songs for our Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday worship services in April 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

Music Ministry News

I thought I would share some of the highlights of our points of discussion with you. Whether or not you are a musician, I believe these are some good questions for consideration that hopefully provoke you to think through how God might want to grow you in the area of ministry He has placed YOU in.

A Letter From Reba As I am writing the March newsletter we are on our annual trip to Hawaii. I am always in awe of how beautiful it is here. It makes me really appreciate what an awesome God we serve. We have had some wonderful whale watches, seen many rainbows and beautiful flowers while here. I started doing some searching for a song that might put my feelings into words, and I found this song that I have never heard before, but I love the words to this song.

Thankful for God’s Creation

1. Dandelions growing on top of the hill, Mountains in the distance, wind blowing through the field, Warmth of the sun casting down from the sky, Birds fly up above, Clouds rolling by— What did I do To see such beauty?

And what do I do To show how much I care?

I’ve got to be thankful, Tell Jehovah in prayer That I’m thankful For the love that he shares.

Stop, look around, Take a moment, and let it sink down in my heart.

Never take for granted all he’s done.

I’ve got to be thankful.

I’ve got to be thankful.

2. So many colors now painted in the sky, What a beautiful canvas you’ve laid before my eyes!

The sound of the river running into the night, The stars are dancing in the moon’s spotlight— I see your wisdom and your strength, Your goodness in everything, And how much you love.

And I’m so thankful; I’ve got to be thankful.

I hope you read every word and reflected on how grateful you are about our beautiful world and for all of God’s blessings in our daily lives. Right before our eyes we can see some of Gods creation at home, as our hills turn blue, yellow, red, and white with so may wildflowers. I pray you all have a great springtime leading up to Easter to celebrate Christ’ resurrection.

Blessings, Reba Pair

Encore Ministry News

Thank yous And Sympathies

FBC Family, Thank you for your thoughts and prayers during the passing of Mark’s mother. The peace lily is beautiful. It meant so much to have our friends coming to help honor and show respect to our family at this time.

Love you all, Mark and Debbie Patranella -Mark Patranella and family in the loss of his mother, Mary Ruth Patranella.

-Doug Collins and family in the loss of his mother, Beth Collins.

-Shirley & Keith Herring in the death of Keith’s mother.

Join Us For Bible Study

BIBLE STUDIES: Men’s Prayer Breakfast Studying “Joshua” , Wednesdays, 6:00am Sycamore House

Promises of the Bible Wednesdays, 6:30pm, Room 111

Pastor’s Bible Study, “Know the Creed and Councils”, Wednesdays, 6:30pm, Room 112

Ladies In-depth Bible Study “1 Peter” , Tuesdays, 9:00am, Pahl House

Women’s Bible Study, “Right in the Eye”,

Sweet Hour of Prayer Thursdays, 10:00am Sycamore House Garage

Wednesdays, 6:30pm,

Sycamore House Downstairs New Women’s Bible Study to Begin 3/18!!!

“Go Fish”, Wednesdays, 6:30pm Sycamore House Downstairs

Home Groups ·Scott and Tricia Schroeder – 620 Country Place W., Meets 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 5pm. Call: 979-451-0915 ·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.

Small Groups, Big News The life of our church happens in our small groups! I walk the halls every Sunday and I see: -Joy – people greet one another and celebrate life moments like grandchildren being born or kids graduating kindergarten or engagements being announced.

-Care – as people pray for the loved ones of families or we grieve with one another or a meal is taken to someone recovering from surgery.

-Discipleship – as God’s Word is passionately taught and people discuss it’s truths.

-Missions – as class after class takes up a project to make a difference in the world. From water-well drilling in Africa to feeding children or college kids in our community to reading to elementary kids.

When we are doing these things in small groups, we are being the church in large ways!!

Piece Makers

Pillowcase dresses, fleece bears and a Cross wall hanging made by Piece Makers will be going to Honduras with the mission team in March. Chad visited our meeting in February and we took his picture with a cute pink pillowcase dress! Piece Makers has a variety of new projects for 2020.

All are welcome to come check out what we are doing and help us sew, iron or cut fabric. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month in the FBC Student Center from 9 am to 4 pm. We hope to see you soon!

Student Ministry Buenos Dias!

We are in Honduras ministering in the mountain villages to the Honduran people. I look forward to this time of year because we are fully immersed in our calling as Christians and as a church family. Many people can’t go on an international mission trip because of the overwhelming heat or the physical strain of walking up and down the mountain side. But, many of you have been so generous in helping others be able to go or in supporting the work we do on the ground in Honduras. I cannot thank you enough for your financial support and most importantly, your prayers. Going into spiritual warfare for the team is vital to the mission!

I hope you will be there when we get back and give our report on what the Lord is doing in Honduras. I want you to know how important you are to the trip and to the mission. I hope you received the list of names of the mission team and you’ve placed it in your Bible or somewhere to remind yourself to pray for us.

Men’s Cake Bake was a BIG hit this year. Not just because I FINALLY was able to obtain the one title that has escaped my hands in the last seven years, but because YOU, church family, continue to support our students in such a BIG way. I was worried this year because it was raining and we had fewer people attend this year, and because we had fewer cakes than ever before. But that’s how we KNOW it is the LORD’S work – when things seem impossible, God makes His presence known and we can give HIM all the glory. Thank you LORD for how you worked through Your people. I am amazed – this didn’t turn out as a low year, it turned out as a BANNER year. We raised $16,000 for the student ministry to help send students to camp and other ministry activities.

Thank you so much to our many cake bakers, our cake bidders and purchasers, our wonderful judges (Patsy Hermann, Merlene Schumacher, and Jackie Holmes), our grill and kitchen help, and all who came to fellowship, eat cake, and cheer us on.

Bro. Chad

Children's Ministry Good Morning, Today is Valentine’s Day. I know for the reader, this romantic day of the year is at least 2 weeks past, but for me, today is February 14. It is a Friday, and the day has just begun. However, for a friend of mine, his day just came to an end. For my friend, his day’s end is similar to those brave souls who work the night shift like nurses, police officers, and gas station clerks. Their day started the day before (or more technically the night before). When the rest of us are waking to start the day; theirs is coming to an end, and the bed is summoning them.

Now my friend is Troy Sikes, and at 8:00 this morning, he was finishing lap 100 at Hohlt Park in his personal challenge against childhood cancer. Yesterday, February 13, Troy began his endeavor to run/walk 100 laps around the park (each lap is just shy of 1 mile) in 24 hours. With each lap he prayed for a different child who is battling cancer that Angels Ministry serves, and his efforts brought in several thousand dollars to aid this ministry in its support of these families who are being attacked by cancer. This morning Troy succeeded in his challenge, and finished the 100th lap 10 minutes before the 24 hour deadline.

I took the opportunity to walk lap 99 with Troy (Well, for him it was a walk; for me it was a brisk jog).

As I trailed behind my friend, thinking and praying about the many children to whom he had committed the last 24 hours, the thought hit me that today is Valentine’s Day. This is the day we call the day of love. What better way to express your love than to run for 100 miles?

To my knowledge, Troy does not know most of the children for whom he ran, but he still ran.

Even though he might have met some at the Adam’s Angels Christmas party at MD Anderson, he probably did not place a face to each name. Yet, he stayed up for a full day with them on his mind.

What a display of love on this special day for God’s children who are part of an anonymous whole.

Finishing my one lap, I was tired and overwhelmed. Thank you Troy for going the distance for these children and their families.

Thanks be to our God who loved the world so much that He sent His only Son to walk the earth for 288,288 hours (that’s 24 hours X 7 days X 52 weeks X 33 years) to endure the pain of the cross while bearing our sins to bring eternal healing for all who would call upon the name of Jesus Christ, confessing Jesus as Lord and believing God raised Him from the dead. What a great display of love.

His Servant & Yours, Bro. Alex

FBC School and 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!”

Isaiah 26:3 is such an encouragement to “keep on keeping on”. Spring is so busy, but it is also my favorite time of year because of its beauty. I’m always in awe of how God changes the landscape!

And, I’m so grateful He keeps changing me. I hope you will join me in focusing on His goodness and trusting in Him.

It’s not too late to enroll for the 2020-2021 school year!

Call or come by the school office for information and a tour.

Serving Him, Nancy Jahns

Go to https://www.fbcsbrenham.org/ for info and to enroll.

2 PTO @ 5:30

3 Ms. Lou Lou for Preschool @ chapel

4 Ms. Lou Lou for Elementary @ chapel

5 Core Essentials for elementary

6 Elementary PE Showcase

9-13 Spring Break

17 Graduation pictures

Staff meetings

20 Kindergarten PE Showcase

4th-6th grade Chess Tourney

26 Elementary Spring Music Performance 2:00PM

27 K to Franklin Safari Night School

MARCH

We are in need of scholarship donations for the 2020-2021 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.

Preschool Ministry

Parent/Child Dedication coming up on May 10th.

Parents you can pick up a form from the Nursery area or email me for one.

Please turn in completed forms by April 12th. For more information please contact Stacey Strickland at 979-836-2807 or email me at sstrickland@fbc-brenham.org

Memory Verse:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1

Big Picture Question:

Who is in control of everything?

God is in control of everything.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HARRISON TURNBILL JOLENE WHITMAN EDEN PHILLIPS JACE HOWARD BENJAMIN COVIN TYLER OGDEN

From Troy's Heart “A day to make a difference.” That is the tag line to the personal fundraiser I told you about last month, 24hrs of Hope for Kids. On Valentine’s morning, we completed the 24hrs of Hope for Kids by finishing 100 laps around Hohlt Park here in Brenham. In those 24hrs, a difference was made in many lives!

-In my life. I was blessed and humbled with the love, support, kindness, encouragement and service provided to me before, during and after the challenge. People prayed. People gave time and money.(one child from Burton came and gave his allowance…two college kids showed up to give $100) People put on and tied my shoes. People stood in the cold wind to hand me prayer cards. People stayed up all day and all night to watch me go in circles. Students made signs and showed up in the middle of the night/ morning. Non-runners came and ran miles with me to keep me company.

People brought warm food and heaters.

-In the lives of kids. Each lap we prayed for a child who was fighting cancer or is in remission from cancer. I believe in the power of prayer to make a difference. We prayed in faith for those kids and families. We believe God will answer in His will. I had a grandmother of a child we were praying for send me an email saying the day of the 24hrs of Hope will be the day, her grandson will be enduring his worse chemo treatment. She believes(me too) it was no accident that was the day God had us praying for her grandson.

-In the lives of those who attended. When I first envisioned this, I thought there would be a handful of people that would come out over the 24hrs.

Instead, there was never a time when there wasn’t 5-10 people…or more, at the park. So many people commented how inspired or happy they were to be involved. When we hit the finish line, there were probably 50 people cheering and running.

-In the lives of Tim & Donna Culliver. This event blessed their ministry with more financial resources to impact lives. Donna stayed up all day and night during the event! She’s a rock star!

All of our lives can be used to make a difference! Take what you love and turn it into a blessing for others.

I love you, Troy

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

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