IN THI S I SSU E :
Church Announcements ...........................................page 2 Church-wide Calendar ................................................page 3 A Letter from Pastor Ross ..........................................page 4 Music Ministry .........................................................page 5 Adult Discipleship ......................................................page 6 Encore Ministry ..........................................................page 8 Youth Ministry ............................................................page 10 Children’s Ministry ...................................................page 11 Preschool Ministry....................................................page 12 FBC School -The Lion’s Roar .......................................page 13 Special Announcements...........................................page 14 From Troy’s Heart ...................................................page 15
CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS UPDATING MILITARY 2014 Thanksgiving Day Meal @ The Cannery Kitchen November 27th BOARD Send name/information and a photoSign to: Up - Please login to: Thanksgiving Day Meal Volunteer Kandsherring@gmail.com or bring to the church office. www.faithmission.us, click on Thanksgiving Meal Preparation & Please include - Name,atRank, Branch of Where Home Deliveries the bottom ofService, the home page, and then click they stationed, Family members and This how they theare “Sign up to Volunteer” button. will are take you to the list of connected to FBC. times and duties for Nov 27th. If you cannot help on Thanksgiving
Day, there are other volunteer Please submitt your information byopportunities October 20th soduring the holidays listed on the Faith Mission home page. Please contact Heather that it will be ready for Veterans day on Nov 11th.
Thielemann at 979 251-0869, or thielemann_1@netzero.net with
For more info contact Shirley Herring -979-451-2372 any questions. Thank you!
Sched uled List e ni ng Sessi ons MISSION, DISCIPLESHIP STRATEGY, AND VISION
Pastor Ross is leading listening sessions with the pastoral staff, deacons, and church members. All the information is on information sheets on the tables at the front and back of the sanctuary. Next sessions are Nov 9th at 4pm room 112 and Nov 12th at 6:30pm in room 111
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 Alex Morrison, Minister to Children amorrison@fbc-brenham.org Chad Marrs, Minister to Students cmarrs@fbc-brenham.org Stacey Strickland, Preschool Ministry sstrickland@fbc-brenham.org
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BUDGET Q&A’s Pastor Ross is holding meetings to go over the budget that will be presented to the church for approval on December 7th. Please review the budget that has been mailed out and come to the meeting with any questions that you need answers to. Nov 16 at 4pm in Room 112 Nov 19 at 6pm in the Gym Teresa McGlasson, Office Manager tmcglasson@fbc-brenham.org Annette Guenther, Comptroller aguenther@fbc-brenham.org Donella Peevler, Church Receptionist dpeevler@fbc-brenham.org O’Dell Merryman, Facilities Manager omerryman@fbc-brenham.org Nancy Fritz, School Administrator nfritz@fbcsbrenham.org Kristie Mendoza, Mother’s Day Out Director mdo@fbc-brenham.org
CHURCH-WIDE CALENDAR NOVEMBER: Nov 2 Parent & Child Dedication Service - Both services Nov 2 Deacon’s Meeting - 2pm, Room 111 Nov 2 Honduras Mission Info Meeting 4pm Student Center Nov 4 Joy Class Meeting - 2pm Sycamore House Nov 4 Personnel Meeting - 6pm Sycamore House Nov 9 Called Business Meeting after both services Nov 9 Mission, Discipleship, Strategy & Vision - 4pm, Rm 112 Nov 11 Veteran’s Day Program - 10am in Sanctuary Nov 11 Encore Luncheon - 11am in Gym Nov 12 MIssion, Discipleship, Strategy & Vision 6:30pm rm111 Nov 17 Operation Christmas Child - through Nov 24 Nov 27 Community Thanksgiving Meal 11:30am The Cannery Kitchen Nov 27-28 Church Office Closed for Thanksgiving DECEMBER: Dec 2 Personnel Meeting - 6pm Sycamore House Dec 7 Deacon’s Meeting - 2pm, Room 111 Dec 11 Christmas Musical Rehearsal 6:30pm Sanctuary Dec 13 Christmas Musical 7:00pm Sanctuary Dec 14 Christmas Musical 7:00pm Sanctuary Dec 17 BFBC Family Christmas 5:30pm Gym Dec 18 FBCS Preschool Christmas Program 10:00am Sanctuary Dec 24-25 Church Office Closed for Christmas Holidays
Deacon Voting Q & A Meeting
Wednesday Nov 5th 6pm in the Gym Special Called Business Meetings for voting after both Sunday services on November 9th CHURCH OFFICE HOURS: Mon - Thurs: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Fri: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm. First Baptist Church Contact Info: Phone: (979) 836-2807 Fax: (979) 830-0122 Mailing address: PO Box 600, Brenham, TX 77834 email: info@fbc-brenham.org 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 One of the exciting developments that has happened since last month is that we have heard about the offer on the 2.4 acres behind our Student Center on Academy St. As a reminder, late last year a developer out of Houston called us out-of-the-blue to see if we were interested in selling that acreage. We voted in January to sign a contract to sell the acreage for $220,000. The only condition from their side was them receiving tax credits from the State. In July, we learned that they had not been chosen in the first group to receive tax credits but would be first on the waiting list if something opened up. Here is the good news: on Thursday, October 9, I received an email from the developer letting us know that one of the other groups had fallen through, and the developer received the tax credits! Of course, nothing is final until closing. Nevertheless, this has been an exciting process to see how God works even when we are not planning for Him to work in certain ways! I will keep you updated about the process. This month you will be mailed the proposed 2015 budget. Along with the budget, I will provide a letter highlighting some aspects of the budget. Right now, though, I want to thank everyone involved in getting us to where we are now. The budget process begins with committees and staff putting together their budget proposal. Second, everything goes through an initial review and clarification if needed. The third step is the Budget Council. The Budget Council consists of the Chairman of Deacons, the Treasurer, the chairs of all the standing committees, and three at-large members elected by the church. The Budget Council that met on October 6 had the following church members present: Ron Kirby, Bill Holmes, Burt Bearden, Merlene Schumacher, Mary Sparks, Teresa Peddy, Ron Upchurch, Sam Bell, Brett Smith, Gene Cooper, Tricia Schroder, Debbie Goss, and Gregg Workman. Also present were Troy Sikes, Annette Guenther (our Comptroller), and me. It was a fruitful time of prayer, discussion, and clarification. The motion to approve the 2015 budget comes from the Budget Council. Brett Smith was also nominated to chair the Budget Council. The proposed budget will be voted on in the December 7 Business Meeting. There will also be two Q-and-A sessions on the budget during November: Sunday, November 16 at 4:00 pm in room 112 and Wednesday, November 19 at 6:30 pm in room 112. Thank you to our committees, staff, and members of the Budget Council who have worked so hard to help get us where we are in terms of the proposed budget. Also, a special thank you to our administrative staff for all of their hard work in gathering the information, helping put together the budget proposal packets for the Budget Council, and for the preparing and mailing the budgets that will be going out to church members. P.S. Remember that we will be voting on a new group of deacons on November 9 at the end of each worship Sunday morning worship service. You can find more information about this in this newsletter or in your Sunday morning bulletin.
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WORSHIP & MUSIC MINISTRY I LOVE autumn! It has always been my favorite season of the year. Cool weather, beautifully colored trees, football, and pecan pie – what’s not to love?! We have so many things to be thankful for and we know that “Every good and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…” So how should we respond? Do we take pleasure in the gifts and ignore the Giver? Of course not! We recognize that our “Heavenly Father gives good things to those who ask Him,” but He doesn’t do this solely for our indulgence and comfort, resulting in us feeling like we need Him less. Rather, He blesses us in order that we might be drawn even nearer to Him! The Apostle Paul tells us that “God’s kindness is meant to lead (us) to repentance.” So as you are reflecting on God’s goodness in your own life, know that each unmerited gift your Heavenly Father has bestowed upon You has been given with the purpose of causing you to turn from your own selfish pursuits and fall deeper in love with Him. Remarkably, when we do that, we are finally able to find what we have been looking for all along – satisfaction, love, and joy! So like the psalmist implores, “Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God!” Love you all.
T hanksgivi ng Sc hed u l e Handbells and all adult choirs will rehearse on Tuesday, Nov. 25 instead of Wednesday, Nov. 26. (Same times as usual Wednesday schedule) Kids’ Choir WILL NOT rehearse the week of Thanksgiving!
KIDS CHOIR SCHEDULE KIDS’ CHOIR WEDNESDAYS 5:30PM-6:30PM ROOM 213 (SNACK PROVIDED) FOR 1ST – 6TH GRADES
Spec ial Remind er We are now using a new worship bulletin format. In the new format the service order is separate and can be picked up at the welcome center or the side entrances of the sanctuary.
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ADULT MINISTRIES SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE CLASSES
At BFBC we offer sixteen different Sunday Morning Bible Studies for YOU! Each Sunday @ 9:45am, you will find people eager to meet you and engage you in friendly discussions of faith and life from the Bible. Marriage Builders - Family Ties (young couples/families) Agape (various ages) Virtuous Women (Ladies - various ages) Life Applications (various ages) Family Life Class (various ages) Choices (various ages) CSI: Brenham (Open to All) S.M.I.L.E. Class (Single Moms)
Adult 1 (Sr. Adults) •Joy (Ladies) •Friendship (Ladies) •Scripture Searchers (Men) Adult 2 (Sr. Adults - all ages) •Hope Class (Ladies all ages) •Covenant Keepers Adult 3 ( 60’s) Adult 4 (50’s & 60’s) Adult 5 (50’s)
Marriage Tune Up 2 Registration Has Begun!! Back with new insights and fun, Jeff & Debby McElroy will lead us in Marriage Tune Up 2, Jan. 30-31, 2015. You can go online to: www.fbc-brenham.org/marriage-tune-up/ to register and for more information. Like last year, the cost for the weekend(Fri. p.m. & Sat. a.m.) is $60 per couple. The cost includes meals, conference material, free childcare for infants-12yrs and a free guest ticket for a couple who is unchurched or may really need some encouragement. In addition, we are reaching out to thank our First Responders and active military by offering the conference to them at no cost. SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY OCTOBER MOMENTS: 1. Our CSI class is always reaching out. They post weekly in the Banner Press about their class topic. 2. Our Covenant Keepers class is organized to care for its members in such a way that no one “falls through the cracks.” 3. Hope Class had a ladies tea last month as an outreach. I cannot disclose all the fun they had. “What happens at tea, stays at tea!” 4. Last month, Adult 4 and Agape class packed their rooms until they almost overflowed. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK TEAM!!
BIBLE STUDIES & MORE
CONNECT & SHARE LIFE TOGETHER IN ON OF THESE GROUPS! Schroeders - Study: Marriage, 620 Country Place West, 1st & 3rd Sundays @ 5pm Koenig/ Sossaman (Ladies/Widows) Study: Grace, Max Lucado, 402 Magnolia, 1st & 3rd Mondays @ 6pm Bishop/ Doebler - Study: Intro to the Bible, 4803 Salem Rd., 2nd & 4th Tuesdays @ 6:30pm Yeakleys (Excellent Way Bible Study Group)- Study of The Acts of The Apostle, 800 Loesch St, Tuesdays @ 6:30pm Atkins - 9250 Lake Dr. 1st & 3rd Sundays @ 5pm
Weekl y Bi ble St udi es & Fel low sh i p “1st place 4 Health” Group: Tuesdays, 5:30-7:00pm, Sycamore House Rm. 201 Men’s Study/Prayer Breakfast: Wednesdays, 6:00am, Sycamore House Potluck Meal - Wednesdays at 5:30pm in the Gym Pastor’s Bible Study & Prayer: 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Wednesdays, Rm. 112 @ 6:30pm Producing Great Fruit from the Family Tree: Wednesdays, Room 111 @ 6:30pm, with Troy Sikes Sweet Hour of Prayer: Thursdays, 10-11am – Sycamore House Garage College Small Group: Wednesdays, 6:00-7:30pm, Sycamore House Rm. 201
LADI ES FALL BIBLE STU D I E S • Evening class “Breathe”, by Priscilla Shirer – 6:30pm Sycamore House • Morning class “Why Do You Believe That?”, by Mary Jo Sharp – 9:00am Sycamore House Upstairs. (Childcare available for Moms!) Fall Precepts Classes: Studying Ezekiel Part 2 • Tuesdays - 9am -11am meeting in the Pahl House • Wednesdays - 6:30-7:30pm meeting in the Pahl House
LADIES BIBLE STUDY FELLOWSHIP CLASS Meeting on Thursdays, from 9:30am - 11:30am, in the Sycamore House.
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ENCORE MINISTRY NEWS Our Encore Ministry is comprised of Adults 55 yrs of age and above who know God has more for each of them to accomplish for His kingdom. Therefore, our Encore adults are growing in faith, community, ministry, missions and their love for others. Some future ministry events include: January Bible Study and a Sweetheart Banquet for the whole church!!! THE ENCORE MINISTRY IS ALWAYS UP TO SOMETHING! We had a great time packing 53 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child last month. This month we honor our veterans and celebrate our freedoms on Tues, Nov. 11th. First Baptist Church School has their annual Veteran’s Day program at 10am in the sanctuary. Following, the school’s 6th graders will host lunch for our Encore members in the gym. Bring a friend and don’t miss it!
CELEBRATE OUR OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS! Catherine Cook JT Davis Jerry Ann Moore Tom Murski Carol McGehee Bracy Bledsoe Eileen Rehor Joyce Graham Carol Morris Rodney Foerster Don Ikard Mary Glenn Langston Betty Windle 8Sue Cottingham
11/1 11/2 11/2 11/2 11/3 11/5 11/10 11/11 11/12 11/13 11/13 11/13 11/15 11/16
Edward Boettcher, Jr Carolyn Powell EJ Schumacher Sam Sizemore Vicki Roberts Bill Snow Ellen Wiese Judy Bishop Marily Steele Marilyn Williams Jolene Koenig Charles Cobb Cindy Foerster Billie Ferguson
11/17 11/18 11/20 11/22 11/23 11/23 11/23 11/24 11/24 11/27 11/28 11/29 11/29 11/30
A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Dear Friends, Our Encore Luncheon was such a blessing to all of those who participated. I had so much fun collecting items this year to share with boys and girls around the world. We finished with 50 boxes we packed today and 26 more that were already packed by some members. We were so pleased with that number. I think everyone enjoyed themselves. As Troy told us about the start of Samaritins Purse it reminded me of Matthew 28:19-20 known as The Great Commission. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.� I think we are obeying Gods command by also sending these gifts that each one was prayed over before being packed away. So many will be reached through this ministry, and I am so thankful our group supported this first packing day. I hope we will find it in our hearts to make this an annual activity for our group. As I think ahead into November I think of Thanksgiving.. Sometimes we forget to stop and take a minute to thank God for our blessings. My prayer for you this month is that you will take time to thank God for your many blessings. I know my family will as we have had several medical scares this last year, but God has seen our family through them all. We are also thankful for each of you who have prayed with us through these hard times. Lastly let us thank Lindee Knowles for the beautiful job she has done on our newsletters. She is moving on to other things and we wish her well in all that she does. Thank you Lindee! May each and everyone of you have a blessed Thanksgiving. Blessings, Reba Pair
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STUDENT MINISTRY
This month we hosted a 5th Quarter in the FBC gym after the Cubs whooped the Magnolia Bulldogs. The purpose of the 5th Quarter was to provide a safe and fun alternative for after the game. Our main attraction was mechanical bull-riding. This was a ton of fun. I attempted to goad Pastor Ross and Associate Pastor Troy into riding. They enthusiastically refused. I did take a spin on the bull and I could hear the crowd roaring for what seemed eternity but after my graceful dismount I learned I had only lasted an entire 2 seconds. Everyone seemed to really enjoy the night. Some of the kids were laughing so hard when they were riding the bull! We were also entertained by students singing karaoke and playing ball. Thank you so much to Derek Ward, Melissa Chadd, Elisa Workman, Nancy Jahns, Ryan Jahns, Tricia Schroeder, Greg Workman and Bobbye Marrs for braving the late night festivities and providing much needed help for this event. On November 2, you won’t want to miss the Honduras meeting. This is much more than just an informational session. The missionary couple that I’ve worked with in Honduras for the last 8 years, Mario and Keila Barahona, will be here speaking about mission opportunities in Honduras. Currently the dates for our Honduras mIssion trip are June 10-16, 2015. These are subject to change based on flight availability. YOUTH CAMP 2015 IN PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL Sign Up for Camp on our website at fbc-brenham.org. Cost of Camp is $415.00/with a $100.00 nonrefundable deposit due Jan. 15, 2015. Payment plan: If you wish to pay for it in small bites. Nov.- $100.00 (Deposit) March - $50.00 Jan.- $50.00 April - $50.00 Feb. $50.00 May - $115.00 (Balance) May 1, 2015 is my camp drop date, I have to drop all spots that we are not going to use or the Church will be charged for them. We have 55 spots; don’t miss out! Sign up now!!! D-Now Weekend- Feb. 20-22, 2015, I am excited to be hosting my first D-Now weekend here at Brenham’s First Baptist Church. Our theme this year is “Call Of Duty”. Our students will be looking at four major points in their spiritual life: A “Call to Know”, “Call to Grow”, “Call to Show”, and a “Call to Go”. Casey Johnson, pastor and evangelist, will be our speaker for the weekend and you will NOT want to miss hearing him preach on that Sunday morning. You will be blessed! Sign up will begin soon online.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS Feb. 20-22, 2015 -D-Now Weekend… Cost $30.00 Feb. 6-7, 2015- Student Leadership Conference - In Houston (Student Life Conference) I am Looking to take 15 student leader to this event this year. What makes a student leader? A Disciple -Making -Disciple - leading out, connecting with the lost, and a greater desire to grow in their faith. 10
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY BFBC Kids Klub Monthly Virtue is GRATITUDE: Letting others know how they’ve helped you. Mornings are such a fun time aren’t they? I think they increase in the fun with each additional person that you have in your household. Let me run you through it. Buzzer. Wake up. Get out of bed. Walk to the door. Stub toe. Turn on light. Wake up daughter. Wake up son #1. Wake up son #2. Wake up son #3. Go to kitchen. Let out dogs. Turn on oven. Put cinnamon rolls in oven for kid’s breakfast. Turn on timer. Wake up daughter, son #1, son #2 and son #3 – again. Make green smoothie for wife and own personal breakfast. Wake up daughter, son #1, son #2 and son #3 – AGAIN. Gently introduce the idea of waking up to wife. Shower, brush teeth, shave and gel hair (what you thought I look so good naturally?). Find clothes that are clean, match and don’t need ironing (challenge for all men I think). Wake up wife. Ask her if what you are wearing is OK. Change shirt. Vaguely hear oven buzzer. Run into kitchen through the plume of smoke from burnt cinnamon rolls. Scrape black crust from bottom of cinnamon rolls. Holler at children to come get breakfast. Convince children that cinnamon rolls are supposed to be crunchy. Notice the need to leave in five minutes. Bark orders to children to brush hair, brush teeth, put on matching socks, get homework in backpacks, get lunches out of fridge, get equipment for after school activities and be in the suburban in four minutes. Gather your own backpack, car keys, work keys, lunch, breakfast smoothie and jacket in case it rains. Kiss wife goodbye. Yell at kids to get their stuff and get in the car because you are now late (hey, just keepin’ it real). Run to the suburban. Start the suburban and plug in phone – oops. Go back in house to get phone from bedside....TO CONTINUE READING GO TO www.fbc-brenham.org/connect/children
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES Operation Christmas Child - Remember that boxes are due in the Klubhouse by November 16th. THANKS to - Lil Knowles, Benn McCurry, Preston Smith, Kara Freeman, Elisa & Gregg Workman, Derek, Jamie, Emily & Kate Ward, Heather Kirby, Arlen Thielemann and the K.I.D.Z. for using your imagination to do something unique at our Core Essentials show at Krause Elementary last month. JOIN OUR VOLUNTEER TEAM! Volunteers for the Core Essentials show – November 13, 9am, Alton Elementary. Contact Alex for details (amorrison@fbc-brenham.org or 979.836.2807) 11
PRESCHOOL MINISTRIES
SUNDAY MORNINGS IN OCTOBER
Basic Truth: God made me Key Question: Who do you thank for everything? Bottom Line: Thank you, God, for everything.
Memory Verse: “I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart.” Psalm 111:1 Have you ever just stopped and looked around you, taking in the beauty of what God has created? I know for me, living here in Texas has really opened my eyes to His beauty. I know that because I grew up in Arizona, that it too has its own beauty; the desert landscapes, cactus flowers and etc. I never really saw the beauty in those things, as I do the trees, many different flowers and green grass even in the winter (in some areas) here in Brenham. Those things just make me want to scream “THANK YOU GOD!” This month we are adding a thankful theme to our lessons on creation. We would love to teach our little ones to have a thankful heart for all that God has created. From the water in their tub to the apple that they eat, God made it. He made the dog that barks outside. He made the parents that tuck them at night. Most importantly, He made them. God made everything, and for that we thank Him. Thank you, God, for everything. Thank you for making it all. Stacey Happy Birthdays! Hudson Turnbill 11/7 Lyssa Wilke 11/8 Jillian Royall 11/17 Crosby Roy 11/18 Garrett Shelton 11/20 Christmas in September update! Donations have continued to come in and our new total for Casa Christmas presents is $1,035.00 Thank you all so much! IT’S BACK!! The Preschool is doing a Christmas card delivery service again this year. We had so much fun last year that we had to do it again. If you send Christmas Cards to anyone within our church we would like to deliver them for you. Our goal is to help you save that postage that you would be spending on Christmas cards and put the money towards a program or charity of your choice. It could be a program within our church or outside of our church. As of November 12th you can start dropping off your Christmas cards to the nursery area or church office. There will be a Christmas box in both areas that you can drop them off in. We will start delivering them to Sunday school classrooms on November 30th. The last day to get your Christmas cards to us will be December 17th. That way we will have that last Sunday before Christmas to deliver and then what is left we will make sure they get mailed out. We truly enjoy doing this and we hope that you do too. Please make sure to address your envelope as follows. Thank you!
FBC SCHOOL & EEC
I would like to personally invite you to our special Veterans’ Day program on November 11, at 10:00 a.m. You will be blessed and proud to be a United States citizen after attending this performance by our first through sixth graders. We are thankful for so many things this Thanksgiving season. Please take time this season to thank God for all He has given you. May He shower you with bountiful blessings! Our Book Fair was once again a huge success! $10,989.55 worth of books were sold. The Library received $2,747.39 in books. Thank you for shopping, and many, many thanks to all of our volunteers for organizing and working many long hours to make our book fair so enjoyable. Thanks to all the grandparents who came and shopped and enjoyed having lunch with their grandchildren. In Christ, Nancy Fritz, Administrator
Important Dates November 7– End of 2nd Term November 5 - Arctic Wolf/Cici’s Pizza 10:15-3:15 November 10 - Veterans Day Dress Rehearsal-10:00 November 10 - PALs Meeting-5:30 November 11 - Veterans Day Program-10:00 November 12 - Report Cards November 14 - 3rd grade-TAMU Physics November 18 - Pre-K-P.E. Parent Showcase November 20 - Elementary-Willy Wonka-Blinn November 21 - Pre-K—Camp for All November 25 - 1st Grade-Jersey Barnyard November 26-28 - Thanksgiving Holidays
MOTHER’S DAY OUT - KRISTIE MENDOZA
MDO has been very busy the month of October. We have enjoyed learning about God’s creation during chapel time and worked on pumpkin activities for harvest. We have our very own Thankful Tree hanging in our school with leaves written of everthing we are thankful for. We had a Pumpkin Party on October 30th with carnival style games that we played. In November, we will be celebrating thankfulness with our monthly Bible verse- “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good”- Psalm 118:1. Our mission project for November is Operation Christmas Child where we hope to fill 8 shoeboxes for boys and girls. We have our annual Family Thanksgiving Feast scheduled for Thursday, November 20th and MDO will be closed the week of Thanksgiving to give our teachers and students time with their families. 13
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Our Sympathies To: • • •
Bette Sommers in the loss of her husband, Jack Lanny Williams in the loss of his brother, Cedric The family of Judge Roy May in his passing
Church Thank Yous: Eddie & Marsha Hines
Dear First Baptist Church Family Thank you so much for the plant and the thoughts and prayers at this time. Without the prayers this time would have been much more difficult to get through.
Nancy Fritz
Dear Fellow FBC Members and Friends It’s not easy to put into words the feelings of joy, humbleness, gratitude, and thankfulness you have given me with your cards, gifts, and sweet words. I have been blessed in so many ways to serve here at the church school for the past 30 years. In addition to God’s leading and provision for His school, your prayers and encouragement have given me the strength and ability to continue serving Him each day. Of course, the children’s love is an added bonus!Thank you so much for your continued love and support!
O’Dell and Terri Merryman
First Baptist Staff and Members Thank you for your kindness during O’Dell’s sickness. Your prayers, calls, and texts made each day easier for me. Thanks Again. - Terri Thank all of you so much for your prayers & concerns - O’Dell
Nancy Fritz Dear FBC Members Your generous acts of kindness through monetary donations that was given to me on my 30 years of celebration at FBCS were overwhelmingly received with love. God is continuing to do great things here at FBC, school, and our community. Your generosity will not be forgotten! I love you!
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FROM TROY’S HEART In a culture that likes things new, shiney and perfect, the value of struggle goes out the window. However, without the refinement of struggle, the finished product is not as valued. Think about the labor and birth of a child. Is there pain? Is there intensity? Are there tears? Sure there are, but following the struggle, is there a sense of perfection held in the arms of a new mother? No doubt. Life will bring us stress, hurt and a lot of tears, but the end result is not beaten submission. The culmination of struggle is growth, contentment, endurance and honor. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 says, “Therefore, we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.” So if life is a crisis for you right now, God is interested in producing His glory in and through you! He has a timeline prepared for your life. Where you are right now is marked, “momentary affliction”. However, down the road is marked, “Glory”. Along the way, day by day, between those two points is labeled, “Renewal.” Pick your head up! Stand with Jesus. Glory is coming! I Love you, Troy
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