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
Sympathies
-Marsh Dannhaus and Hamilton Family, in the loss of her mother, Johnnie Hamilton. -Eddie Van Dyke and family in the loss of his mother, Nelda Van Dyke. -Frances Carstarphen and family in the loss of her husband, James Carstarphen
These two experiences remind me that our church is home to all generations, and I think this is a wonderful and God-honoring aspect of our church. As we prepare to relocate and anticipate the changes that will attend our relocation, one aspect of our church will remain the same: we will be a church of and for all generations! I also look forward to the people who are not yet part of our church, people of all generations, who will come to faith in Christ, grow in their faith, and join our church in the years to come. Therefore, I pray that in the next season of our church we will continue to lock arms across generations and move forward as a unified, joyful, and passionate church to the glory of Christ Jesus!
From Pastor Ross
I am grateful to God because our church is a church of and for all generations. I was reminded of this during the week I am writing this newsletter. During this past week, I signed certificates for families as we prepare to have our baby dedications on Mother’s Day. It is wonderful to see our young families dedicating their child to the Lord and we, as a church, committing to support them. During this past week, I also prepared a funeral message for the memorial service of Nelda Van Dyke. She passed away on April 20th at the age of 102. For decades our church was Nelda’s church family, and I always enjoyed visiting her at Kruse. Fortunately, some COVID restrictions were lessened, and Troy Sikes and I were able to visit her and pray for her a few days before her passing.
A Letter From Reba Dear Friends, I am happy to say that spring has sprung with magnificent beauty this year. Many were afraid that with the weeklong freeze we had in February that we may not see our beloved Bluebonnets and wildflowers this year. God has once again blessed us with His beautiful creation. It seems to lift spirits of everyone. Next year as people come to look for our fields of beauty the first thing, they will see will be our new church! That will be our chance to show the world that we are still growing and serving the community with God’s love. I hope you will actively show His love everyday to whoever you run into. Have you enjoyed having the choir back in worship service recently? The choir is so happy to be back, we all enjoyed our Wednesday rehearsals as well as our Sundays in the choir. We feel like a family and we all really missed each other the last year, just as others missed their small groups. We hope the congregation will join us in singing as a part of our personal worship. I would like to also say a Happy Mother’s Day to all our mothers and grandmothers. I was blessed with a fine Christian mother who was always involved as the pianist or organist, whatever the need was, so our family was involved in music. We lived across town from our church in Austin, so we all stayed for choir on Wednesday night rehearsals also even as young children. I hope you were as blessed as I was to have a mother who loved the Lord and served Him daily.
Blessings, Reba Pair
Piece Makers It is never too early to start preparing for Operation Christmas Child. Piece Makers made over 70 colorful fabric zipper bags for this worthwhile ministry during their April meeting. These bags will be filled with pencils, small toys and toiletries to brighten the lives of children abroad at the Christmas season. Doddie and Tom Messick are in charge of this ministry at First Baptist Church and are gathering items to fill the red and green shoeboxes’ during popular packing parties they started last year. Piece Makers meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month from 9 am until 4 pm in the Student Center. All are welcome!
Focus of the Month: Hygiene Items If you can sew, drawstring bags are easy to make. Pray for children to come to know Christ. Suggestions for boys and girls of all ages: Comb, brush, toothbrush, washcloth, bar soap (packaged and/or in a container), reusable plastic containers (consider filling it with other items), band aids, cup, water bottle, plate, bowl, blunt edge utensils, blanket, non-liquid lip balm, flashlight (solar powered, hand crank, or with extra batteries), nail clippers, file, stick deodorant, mirror, washable/reusable cloth menstrual pads
Contact Doddie Messick for more info: doddie.messick@gmail.com
From Troy's Heart
Do you remember the acronym, K.I.S.S.? “Keep it simple stupid”. While I don’t subscribe to calling someone that insulting word, the idea of keeping things simple is a good adage to remember. Especially when it comes to love and faith. The other day, as I was lazily walking down our country driveway, I was thinking about the “simple life” in the country. Fresh air. Big trees. A nice breeze. Quiet and peaceful. Then I said to God, “Why isn’t life this simple? Why isn’t my job this simple?” Although I didn’t hear an audible voice, the thought came into my head, “It is simple. You just make it hard.” By the way, I like to think God put that thought there…and He went on to say, “Life is simply about loving people enough to be a good friend to everyone you meet. Troy your job is about making friends. It is not about sermons, Bible studies or administrative details, it is about friendships.” The more I thought about those statements, the more sense they made. We all need good friends, people who love us and will be there for whatever life throws at us. No matter if you are a minister or a machinist, our role in life is to be a friend. Sure, we can fill our days with a lot of “details”, but they don’t give us ultimate meaning. Friends, on the other hand, stand by us, laugh with us, celebrate with us, work through problems with us and sometimes even disagree with us. However, they are WITH us. So do me a favor. Start looking at your life through this question, “ Am I making and keeping good friendships on a daily basis?” By the way, Jesus modeled friendship…He was even a friend to sinners. Hmmmm. You know any sinners? I love you, Troy
Thank Yous Pastor Shelton and Mrs. Jahns, Thank you for the ice cream, pies and kind words from your school children! It is an honor and a blessing to serve such a fine community alongside fellow believers. Your words and kindness certainly go a long way in reflecting His love for us in this community. Thank you again! J. Ross McCall, Washington County Engineer Thank you church family for the prayers, calls, cards and flowers after the death of my father, Howard Cooper. Sheran McCants Dear Church Family, My family & I want to thank you all for the lovely plant you sent for our mother, Johnnie Hamilton's funeral service. Sonny & I love our church family. Marsha, Sonny & family
Sweet Hour of Prayer
Psalm 62:11-12A - “One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: That you, O God, are strong, and that you , O God, are loving.”
Psalm 59:16 - “But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my refuge in times of trouble.” Spring has come. Father, you are so faithful. We have an old pot hanging on our front porch. And, as happens, spring after spring, a pair of wrens are once again nest building in this old pot. Yesterday, we sat and watched them make trip after trip after trip collecting building materials. I’m sure they now have a snug nest for those eggs they will soon be laying. Our God is so faithful. The sun comes up and the sun goes down right on time. We lift our voices in praise and worship to Him, our mighty God and Savior. With God’s strength we have made it through a harsh winter. And when I look outside it seems this spring is even greener than usual. Let praises for our God ring out! Jesus, we love you.
Preschool Ministry Memory Verse:
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations … teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20
Big Picture Question:
What is your mission as a Christian? Our mission is to make followers of Jesus from every nation by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Happy Birthday: Jonathon Soape
Student Ministry The school year is winding down and summer events are gearing up. Maybe you’ve had a chance to attend some graduation parties to celebrate the official rite of passage from childhood to adulthood. I have a senior this year and it seems like yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital and adjusting to the new routine of having 2 kids under age 2. CONGRATULATIONS to all the students, parents, and grandparents who have stayed, prayed, and paid for all these years. You have made it to a new chapter of life! I pray for all our students that God would lead them by His Spirit in His plans. Students ~ go and make Him famous in whatever you do for His name’s sake. Please be praying for our students and leaders as we travel to Florida on June 13-18, 2021. Would you pray for safe travels and that our students would open their hearts and truly experience God’s love and grace during that week? My hope is that God would be truly evident in their lives and bring radical change. Being in a “God Bubble” for a week, away from all the regular distractions of life and being able to focus on God’s Word and worship is a great privilege. I know Satan will try to distract us. Would you pray that he would have no authority over any aspect of the week? THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who helped and supported THE MEN’S CAKE BAKE this year. You make this trip possible and I could never thank you enough! I have been so blessed to have several special women in my life and wish you all a HAPPY MOTHER’S MONTH. I grew up in a house with a hard-working (but FUN) mother and 2 big sisters. I’m so proud of the Christian women they have become and I know it’s due in large part to my “Memo” – our Bible-believing, spiritual warrior matriarch who I’ve always said was my “star” pointing me to Christ. And Bobbye and I just celebrated 24 years of marriage. She is my partner in life, parenting, and ministry. I’m also very blessed to have several ladies in the church who pray constantly for my family and encourage me regularly. I wish you all the happiest of Mother’s Days! Bro. Chad
FBC School and EEC
“Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.” Psalm 147:5
We started the school year with this verse, and we are ending on its promise! When school began in August, there were many unanswered questions. He has been our constant through the “highs and lows”. His goodness and protection were evident in the way He kept us healthy, given financial provision, provided committed staff, and brought wonderful families. I still marvel at His protection from the We are looking for a first-grade fire last month every time I pass the stairwell. Wow, is He Good!
Teachers Needed
As we get ready to close the 20-21 school year, I’m so thankful for the opportunity we had to serve these families. I pray that God will water seeds planted, and He will reap a glorious harvest for His Kingdom. We are still enrolling students; please send friends looking for a Christian education our way. We would love to meet them! Our office number is 979-836-6411, and our website is https://www.fbcsbrenham.org. We have virtual tours on the website, and we give tours by appointment.
teacher, an additional kindergarten teacher, and a pre-kindergarten teacher (half-day) for the 2021-2022 school year. Please pray for these positions and contact Nancy Jahns if you need information or are interested in joining our team!
Please pray for families we are preparing to serve in the 21-22 school year. The opportunity to share the gospel is the biggest part of this ministry. Pray for staff to have an urgency to share His word with May 3 PTO the children and families to come. 4 Staff Mtg He will honor those prayers! Ms. LouLou 5 Ms. LouLou Blessings, 6-13 Book Fair Nancy Jahns 7 Elementary Track Meet @ Cub Stadium Early dismissal – Maifest It is not too late to enroll for the 10 Elementary Art Show – Gym 3:30-5:30 2021-2022 school year! 11 Dodgeball vs Caldwell – 6th graders 14 End Term 6 Call or come by the school office PK Memory Verse Program @10:30 for information and a tour. 17 K Graduation 18 6th Graduation Go to www.fbcsbrenham.org/ 19 Last day (full day) for info and to enroll. 20 6th grade trip to Splash Way 21 Staff work day 24 SLAM begins
CALENDAR
Children's Ministry “Then He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves. So they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them,“Where is your faith?.’” (Luke 8:24b-25a, HCSB) Good Morning, I read an article this week about Truth, written by Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby. The authors made the claim that“you can never know the truth of your circumstances unless you have first heard from Jesus,”because Truth is not a concept but a Person – the Person of Jesus Christ. As the devotional continued, the writers pointed to the frantic and fearful apostles in the throes of a great storm at sea (Luke 8:24-25). They focused on the waves crashing into and over the sides of the boat. They were lost in the swells of the sea that afforded no view of a clear horizon. They were concluding a dismal future based on the circumstances around them – until, they consulted Jesus. Of course, we all know the story. Jesus awoke from his deep sleep, rebuked the wind and the waves, and then rebuked the apostles. The twelve closest followers of Christ lost their Jesus when the wind and the waves were pushing and shoving. They should have known better – right? I mean Jesus was in the boat with them. Did they think the Father was gonna allow the boat carrying His Son to sink? We all know that if we had been in the same situation, we would have been napping next to Jesus. Right? We would not lose our cool when someone cuts us off, and nearly pushes our car off the road. We don’t lose our temper when the new kid gets the position on the sports team that we have been working so hard to get, or when we watch our kid get passed up for that position. We don’t get worried when someone at work creates waves because they like to stir the pot. At this time of the year, we remain calm and committed to family time and personal time with the Lord, instead of frantically chasing tournaments, graduation parties and meeting outside expectations. No, as Christians, we are the ones who remember Jesus is with us. We look to Him – the Truth, and discuss our agendas, calendars and circumstances, so that we can know His plans. Right? His Servant & Yours, Bro. Alex
Upcoming Events: -VBS June 7-10 Press Play Registration Now Open -Camp Tejas 7/8-12/2021: Registration Open -Camp Tejas Fundraiser at Bush’s Chicken May 5, 6 & 7. Call Alex for tickets.
This Month’s Big Idea:
Commitment – Making a plan and putting it into practice.
Weekly Bottom Lines:
1. Keep practicing what matters most. (1 Cor. 9:24-25) 2. Practice hearing from God. (Matthew 7:24-29) 3. Practice praying to God. (Luke 11:1-4) 4. Practice talking about God. (Matthew 16:13-20) 5. Practice living for God. (Mark 12:41-44)
Brenham’s First Baptist Church P. O. Box 600 Brenham, TX 77834-0600
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