May 2016 newsletter

IN THIS IS S UE:

Upcoming Events...............................................page Church-wide Calendar ........................................page A Letter 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 Special Announcements......................................page From Troy’s Heart .............................................page

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UPCOMING EVENTS ANNIE ARMSTRONG EASTER OFFERING - For the North American Missions. We received $20,919.75. Our goal was $20,000. Thank you for your generosity.

FBC’S WOMENS MINISTRY - Women Blessing Women, Tuesday, May 24th 5:30 - 8:00pm at the Cannery Kitchen. Crista Merrell, the Global Women’s Pastor at Bayou City Fellowship in Houston, will be sharing God’s Word and her insight about the importance of inter-generational relationships between women in a faith-growing church. Come and join us for a meal, fellowship and fun. Meal cost will be under $10. Childcare for infant - 3rd grade will be available but you must RSVP by May 17th. Contact Stacey Strickland at sstrickland@fbc-brenham.org or call the church office at 979-836-2807.

NO REGULAR WEDNESDAY NIGHT ACTIVITIES - Through the summer starting June 1st. Watch the bulletin and newsletters for upcoming special events.

COMING JUNE 1st - Church Picnic on our 33 acres (across from Tractor Supply on S. Market St.) 6:00 - 7:30pm.

Welcome New Church Members: Kyle Freeman Shawn and Mary Aitken Shane and Erin Nelson Tiffany Wilson

CHURCH STAFF

Ross Shelton, Pastor rshelton@fbc-brenham.org Troy Sikes, Associate Pastor tsikes@fbc-brenham.org Charles Covin, Music Minister ccovin@fbc-brenham.org Chad Marrs, Minister to Students cmarrs@fbc-brenham.org Alex Morrison, Minister to Children amorrison@fbc-brenham.org Stacey Strickland, Preschool Ministry sstrickland@fbc-brenham.org

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Teresa McGlasson, Office Manager tmcglasson@fbc-brenham.org Annette Guenther, Comptroller aguenther@fbc-brenham.org Donella Peevler, Church Receptionist dpeevler@fbc-brenham.org Stephanie Sheffield, Custodian Manager

ssheffield@fbc-brenham.org Ernie Lewis, Graphic/Media Tech elewis@fbc-brenham.org Nancy Jahns, School Administrator njahns@fbcsbrenham.org Kristie Mendoza, Mother’s Day Out Director mdo@fbc-brenham.org

CHURCH-WIDE CALENDAR MAY: 1 1 1 3 3 5 6 10 12 14 15 15 15 19 22

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Lord’s Supper Observance 8:30am & 11:00am Deacons Meeting - Room 111 2:00pm Church Council Meeting - Room 112 4:00pm Piece Makers - Student Center 9:00am Joy SS Class Meeting - Sycamore Stone Room 2:00pm Relocation Committee Meeting - Pahl Livingroom 6:30pm FBCS - Early Dismissal 11:30am - EEC Open Security Committee Meeting - Pahl Livingroom 6:00pm FBCS Pre-K Memory Verse Program - Sanctuary 10:30am Brenham Children’s Chorus Concert - Sanctuary 7:00pm Handbell Choir - Worship Service 8:30am Brenham Children’s Chorus Concert - Sanctuary 2:00pm Independence Baptist Assoc. Music Festival - Sanctuary 6:00pm Relocation Committee Meeting - Pahl Livingroom 6:30pm Graduate Sunday - 8:30am & 11:00am - Breakfast for the Graduates in the gym during Sunday School hour.

Honduras Mission Trip Meeting- Stdudent Center 4:00pm FBCS Kindergarten Graduation - Sanctuary 6:00pm FBCS 6th Grade Graduates/Breakfast - Gym 7:00am FBC’S Women Blessing Women - Cannery Kitchen 5:30 - 8:00pm 6th Grade Graduation - Sanctuary 6:00pm FBCS End of School Water Fun Day - Gym & Gym Parking Lot 7:30am - 4:00pm FBCS End of Year Awards - Sanctuary 8:00am FBCS Early Dismissal 11:30am - EEC Open Church Office Closed - Memorial Day Holiday

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS: Mon - Thurs: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Fri: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm.

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 & SCHOOL WEBSITE: www.fbc-brenham.org CHURCH FACEBOOK PAGE: www.facebook.com/BrenhamsFirstBaptistChurch SCHOOL FACEBOOK PAGE: www.facebook.com/Brenhamfbcs

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FROM PASTOR ROSS As we enter May, let me give you an update on our relocation process. Since January, we’ve had the architects from CMA do a Sunday on-site visit, and we’ve provided them lots of data concerning such things as attendance, average number of cars in the parking lots, sizes of our current facilities and rooms within the facility, etc. The architects have also heard from the Relocation Committee and staff about potential future needs in new facilities. The Relocation Committee is also hearing presentations from construction firms in order to make a recommendation to the church about which construction firm we want to use. We are also receiving bids from different civil engineers (they do a thorough review of the property and master plan). We have briefly discussed what the capital campaign will look like. As we continue to prayerfully move forward, here are some opportunities that I want you to be aware of that will (hopefully) take place between now and December: - There will be input sessions about the master plan. After receiving the input from the Relocation Committee and the church, the Relocation Committee will present the master plan to the church for voting. (Note: Given the travel and people away that takes place during the summer months, the master plan will not be voted on during the summer).

- The Relocation Committee will recommend a construction firm and a civil engineer to the church for approval.

- After the master plan is approved, the next step will be the prayers and discussions focused on phase one. There will be input sessions with the Relocation Committee and church, and eventually the committee will be ready to bring forward a recommendation for phase one.

- There will be preparations and recommendations concerning the capital campaign and how we feel led to do this.

As we move forward, it is important to remember that this is a challenging process, but it is not too challenging for God. Therefore, I encourage you to bring your hopes, excitements, anxieties, and fears to the Lord in prayer and rest in His sovereignty. This is an exciting process, and throughout this process, my prayer is that we will experience the provision of God so that not only is a building built, but our faith is built up as well.

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WORSHIP & MUSIC MINISTRY

Independence Baptist Association

Music

Festival

Sunday, May 15th @ 6PM

Brenham’s First Baptist Church

Join us for a great time of worship, featuring music from choirs and soloists throughout the association, as well as a meaningful time of congregational singing.

Food & fellowship to follow in the gym! *Anyone interested in being a part of the combined choir, please join us at 5pm in the sanctuary for rehearsal!

304 N. Market St. / www.fbc-brenham.org

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ADULT MINISTRIES WAYS TO CONNECT:

 Sunday Morning Bible Classes

 Weekly Bible Studies & Support Groups

 Small Home Groups

 Encore Ministry (Retiree Ministry)

PIECE MAKERS Piece Makers made 75 fleece baby sacks for handicapped infants in a Colombian orphanage. They will be personally delivered in June by Beth Taylor, who is one of our members affiliated with Here I Am Orphan Ministries.

Piece Makers current projects include a group quilt to be entered in the Washington County Fair, baby blankets for Pregnancy Assistance Ministry and pillowcases for the Brenham State School.

Fabric donated to Piece Makers is accepted in the church office. Piece Makers meet the first Tuesday of the month from 9:00am to noon in the Student Center.

Questions?

Give Sara Byman a call at 979-830-8555.

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BIBLE STUDIES & MORE CONNECT & SHARE LIFE TOGETHER IN ONE OF THESE GROUPS! Schroeders - Schroeders - 620 Country Place West. Study: “The Star, The Cross, and the Crescent” will meet on the 1st & 3rd Sunday at 5pm.

S C K w a B “ t Y a F A H

Koenig/Sossaman (Ladies/Widows) - Study: Max Lucado’s, “Glory Days” meets on the 1st & 3rd Monday at 6pm.

Bishops - 4803 Salem Rd., 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 6:30pm studying: “The Seven Churches of Revelation” by David Jeremiah.

Yeakleys - (Excellent Way Bible Study Group) - 800 Loesch St, Tuesdays at 6:30pm. Study: “Forgotten God; Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Sprit,”

by Francis Chan.

Atkins - 9250 Lake Dr. - Various times and subjects.

WEEKLY BIBLE STUDIES & FELLOWSHIP Men’s Prayer Breakfast Studying: “What Every Christian Ought to Know” Wednesdays, 6:00am - Sycamore House.

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

Pastor’s Bible Study: Wednesdays, 6:30pm - Room 112. Our last Wednesday night Bible study is May 25.

Scrapbook of Our Savior: Wednesdays, 6:30pm - Room 111. We will be looking at pivotal moments in Jesus’ life and ministry. Come and bring a friend. You will be glad you did!! Our last Wednesday night Bible study is May 25.

L A D I E S B I B L E S T U D I ES “The Armor of God” by Priscilla Shirer Wednesdays 6:30pm Sycamore Stone Room. (Childcare available) Armor of God study will end on May 4th.

LADIES BIBLE STUDY FELLOWSHIP CLASS Meeting on Thursdays, 9:30am - 11:30am in the Sycamore Living Room.

PRECEPT CLASSES ARE NOW ON BREAK

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ENCORE MINISTRY NEWS Encore Ministry (Retiree Ministry): We are taking some new and exciting steps in the development of our Encore Ministry. Under the leadership of Pastor Ross, our retirees will plan and implement activities and ministries to build faith, community and love for others. Be looking for more information in the Sunday Bulletin for an initial meeting of interested Encore adults.

We want to gratefully acknowledge the 2 1/2 years of work put forth by Troy Sikes in planning and coordinating the Encore Ministry. He will be transitioning into a role focused on enhancing the Sunday morning welcome experience for guests and guest assimilation.

If you have questions, please call the church office at 979-836-2807.

CELEBRATE OUR BIRTHDAYS! Jeff Buck 5/1 Rosie Harris 5/2 Leann Bennett Carol Holmes 5/3 David May Wallace Atkinson 5/6 Robert Taylor Roxie Cowan 5/6 Edward Draus Lefty Yarnold 5/10 Marlene Fairlie Nancy Low 5/11 Louise Draus Gregg Appel 5/11 Tracy Gonzales Shirley Giese 5/13 Allyne Machat Elaine Hobgood 5/14 Debra Boeringhaus David Bufkin 5/16 Patsy Hermann Michael Little 5/19 8

5/22 5/23 5/23 5/25 5/26 5/26 5/26 5/29 5/29 5/31

A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR As Mother’s Day approaches, I think back to my mom and our relationship over the years. As a child, and in my youth,I looked to her for guidance and discipline. Then, as a young adult, she became a friend.

But I think we had the best relationship as she grew older and needed me to become more active in her life. As we began to change places, I became more the parent and she became more the child who now needed me to care for her. I’ll never forget the day she called and told me “It’s time for me to come live close to you, as I realize I need more help and you are two hundred miles away”. So, we started by cleaning out her home of forty-five years and had an estate sale. She then moved to Houston to be with us. As she needed more and more help, we had to put her in an assisted living home nearby. We learned more about each other during that time than we had known before. When we moved to Brenham we also brought her here to remain close to us, and she got wonderful care here. The last six years of her life here on earth she was non-verbal. It didn’t stop us from communicating, though. She could understand me, I am sure of it. Her eyes spoke volumes. My mom was a musician from the time she was a toddler winning piano awards at the age of 4. She loved music. One day I was there visiting and began to sing a hymn to her and one little tear rolled out of her eye, and I asked her “Is my singing that bad?”, and she smiled from ear to ear. I hope I always remember that day. Most of us can say that we were truly blessed by Godly mothers. My brother, sister and I had a Godly mother.

My husband and his siblings were also blessed to have a Godly mother.

Thank you God, for all you have blessed us with.

Coming up this fall, we will see some exciting things happen in our Encore group, and we want to see more of our younger senior adults take part. If you have something you would like for us to do, please let Brother Ross, Brother Troy, or any council member know and we will see what we can do to arrange that.

Lastly Happy Mother’s Day to all of our Moms!

Blessings, Reba Pair

THOUGHT OF THE MONTH “Blessed is the woman who walks with God”

BIBLE VERSE OF THE MONTH “Her children rise up and bless her, her husband also, and he praises her saying” “Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.” Proverbs 31:28- 29 (NASB)

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STUDENT MINISTRY Doesn’t the beginning of summer feel a little like one of those road signs with just one too many options? So much to do. So little time. Before everyone launches into summer activities, I wanted to take this month’s newsletter to tell you a little about how our students are ministering in our community.

Way back in February, we had our annual Disciple Now Weekend. Our students gathered around tables to assemble small care baskets. We put together six baskets in all. Two baskets were for New Beginnings Pregnancy Crisis Center. Two were for the Brenham State School. Two were for Adam’s Angels. Each basket contained items specific to each place. The New Beginnings basket held a rubber ducky, diaper ointment, wipes, lotion, and powder. The State School basket had three kinds of candy, small games, a puzzle, snacks and a small book of crossword puzzles. The Adam’s Angel basket had water bottles, snacks, a crossword puzzle book, candy and a gift card for fast food places.

Hidden among all the little treasures were some of the sweetest letters of encouragement from our students. These letters were written to let those who receive the basket know that someone loves them and is praying for them. My prayer is that a mother, father, or a young boy or girl would receive these baskets and be moved to the point to ask, “what would inspire a group of teenagers to do something like this”?

While in the midst of reading those letters, God’s love would overwhelm them and be poured out to them.

Lord, may You be glorified in all we do. Even in the littlest of things.

In Him, Bro. Chad

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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,” Colossians 3:23 (NASB) Good Morning, Just about a month ago, we had the kids/youth meal fundraiser at Bush’s Chicken. Thank you to everyone who purchased a ticket to help kids go to camp. I also want to thank the team at Bush’s Chicken who capably served over 700 meals in only about 2.5 hours. If you walked in to receive your meals, you witnessed a group of people that worked well with one another to give the appearance of a well-oiled machine.

However, above the efficiency of their work, I noticed another quality that all of us should learn.

No matter how busy the restaurant became and how many eyes were watching them hungrily, the team remained positive. I witnessed laughing, and smiles. I was surprised how such a sense of joy filled the area behind the counter. I also noticed an attitude of service. I was offered a drink several times. I tried to help by cleaning a few tables while they were pushing out chicken tenders and gravy....

Go to http://www.fbc-brenham.org/connect/children Alex’s Newsletter. For the rest of his story.

UPCOMING EVENTS Jun 5-9 VBS/5:30- 8:30pm Jun 11-18 beTWEENtime Discipleship Trip July 11-15 Camp Tejas Aug 10-11 2:4 The Mission/1:00pm - 1:00pm

THIS MONTH’S BIG IDEA Contentment – deciding to be happy with what you’ve got.

WEEKLY BOTTOM LINE Weekly Bottom Lines: 1. When you focus on God, He can help you be content.

2. When you focus on what you don’t have, it can make you miserable.

3. When you focus on what you used to have, you can miss what you have now.

4. When you focus on stuff, you can miss what matters.

5. When you focus on God, you don’t have to worry.

MEMORY VERSE Philippians 4:12b (NIrV), “I have learned the secret of being content no matter what happens. I am content whether I am well fed or hungry. I am content whether I have more than enough or not enough.”

THANK YOU Thank you to the Core Essentials team (Arlen Thielemann, Sandy Batt & Elisa Workman) who come together and plan for weeks to introduce the Values of Character that the schools are teaching the kids.

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PRESCHOOL MINISTRIES EXPERIENCING JESUS! MEMORY VERSE: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

We have been having such a great time this past month sharing in Sammy’s journey of Experiencing Jesus. Sammy is learning how he can talk to his friends about Jesus, so that his friends may also have the chance to experience Jesus for themselves. Even the smallest child can make a difference in God’s kingdom. Touching lives and bringing others to Christ. My heart fills with JOY just thinking about it. We have so much to look forward to this month as we continue on our journey of Experiencing Jesus. Please be in prayer for our teachers and our little ones as we go through this exciting journey together. Thank you!

Stacey H a p p y B i r t h d a y To Liam Keck 5-16-11 Maelee Nelson 5-28-10 Parent/Child Dedication Sunday May 8th - If you haven’t signed up, I am so sorry but, it is too late to participate in this dedication.

However, our next dedication will be November 6th, please mark your calendars.

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FBC SCHOOL & EEC Wow! What a fast school year it has been! We are winding the school year down as we are gearing up to have a great summer full of activities for our extended care students. Please keep us in your prayers as we plan and serve our community and church throughout the summer. If you have a talent or interest you would like to share with kids, please let me know.

I would also like to thank you all for the prayers you have said on the school’s behalf. They have made a difference for eternity. I covet them for decisions yet to be made as I plan with the staff, too.

LIST OF UPCOMING EVENTS May Events: 5 National Day of Prayer 6 Early dismissal

Field day – All elementary students at Jackson St. Park from

8:00-11:00am. Dismiss from park.

Preschool dismiss at 11:30am 12 PK Memory Verse Program 10:00am in sanctuary 23 Kindergarten Graduation 6:00pm in sanctuary 24 6th grade Graduation 6:00pm in sanctuary 25 Water Fun Day 26 Last day of school - 11:30am dismissal THANK YOU Thank you to PALs for all the hard work for our Texas Celebration! We are so grateful to the community and FBC for supporting us through attending and buying auction items! We don’t have a solid figure yet, but it is very close to $40,000. This amount includes the drive-thru in March.

NEEDS We are in need of scholarship donations. If you would like to help support a child, please let us know.

MOTHER’S DAY OUT - KRISTIE MENDOZA Jesus’ Love is Everywhere! - “The Lord is good to all!” Psalms 145:9a Color: Review Shapes: Review Letters: Review Number: Review Events: Muffins for moms, Bike day 13

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Our Sympathies To:

Bill Standley and family in the loss of his mother Annie Mae Lancaster.

Jerry Norman family in the loss of Barbara Norman.

David Doelitch and family in the loss of his dad George Doelitch.

Tricia Schroeder, Arlen Thielemann and all the family in the loss of their dad Walter Thielemann.

The Applewhite family in the loss of Francis Applewhite.

Mary Kay Billington and family in the loss of her brother, Peter.

Church Thank Yous:

Dear Church Family, Thank you so much for the beautiful tulip plant delivered during my hospital stay.

Your strong support through words of encouragement, calls and prayers have meant so much to David and I. Sincerely, Jerry Ann Moore Dear Church Family, Thank you so much for the lovely plant, all the prayers, cards, visits, comforting words, food, and anything and everything else that you have done for our family during this sorrowful time in the passing of Harvey. He loved all of you so much.

The Bradley family Dear Church family, Thank you for the beautiful peace lily sent in remembrance of Bill’s Mom, Annie Mae Standley Lancaster. Appropriately, she found peace, as we have, in the assurance of her final residence, our Heavenly home. We so value the love of our church family and again, thank you for the plant and your prayers.

In God’s family, Bill & Kathy Standley Bro. Ross, Troy and Staff: Please accept a big thanks much love and appreciation from my thankful heart for your prayers and concern for my well-being. It is truly a blessing to be a part of such a caring church family. Our scripture tells us to count our blessings one by one.

Mine are too numerous to write. The top of my list will be number one: Being alive, a Christian, and a member of BFBC family. Secondly; Blessings, my heart issues were a warning, as well as, repairable with the “5” Stents, thus far. Could have been so much worse!! Thirdly; your personal visits, the visits from numerous church members, the many calls, and beautiful cards sure have blessed my heart and helped my healing progress. Fourthly; Did you know we have a “Meal on Wheels” at our church? Well we do, the Friendship class has seen to that, furnishing some yummy foods. I again, I would like to express a million thanks to everyone, for all the prayers, and encouraging words.

Very sincerely, Loretta Davis We wanted to say thank you for the beautiful plant that was sent to our Dad’s Service. It was powerful reminder of how much God loves us. He shows His love through His people The Church.

Philippians 1 20:23 were the Scriptures that Dad had chosen for his service. That is what he believed and how he lived.

Thank you Church for your love, The George Doelitsch Family 14

FROM TROY’S HEART Well it is May, the month of busyness! I know we usually say May is the month of flowers. Remember, “April showers bring May flowers”? However, around here May is a month of community busyness.

This month will be filled with: * Maifest Parade & Coronation Don’t forget the associated practices, costume fittings & pictures for the newspaper! * Mother’s Day * Graduation Parties * Prom * End of School Parties Don’t forget the associated final exams! * Memorial Day Whew! I’m tired just thinking about it.

May is also a time of transition. The month of May is our transition between Spring and Summer. In May, students begin the transition between one grade and the next or one campus and the next. In May, graduating students contemplate their future, the transition into college, the workforce or graduate school.

In May, here at BFBC, we transition as well. May is a transition between prayerful preparation and action. Once we hit June, activity and ministry happens fast and furious. From VBS to camps to mission trips, the 8 weeks of June and July happen in the blink of an eye. May provides an opportunity to finalize lists, gather last payments, introduce summer interns and double check all forms.Therefore, the transition of May is very important.

Transitions are important. Most of the time they provide “between times” for something big to come. Maybe right now you are in a transition, a season between the past and the future. If so, I would love to hear about it and pray for you. Call me or email me and let’s talk.

I love you, Troy

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

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