IN THIS ISSUE : Church Announcements .................................................. page 2 Church-wide Calendar ..................................................... page 3 A Letter from Pastor Ross ................................................ page 4 Music Ministry ................................................................. page 5 Adult Discipleship ........................................................... page 6 Bible Studies & More ....................................................... page 7 Encore Ministry ............................................................... page 8 A Letter From The Editor .................................................. page 9 Student Ministry .............................................................. page 10 Children’s Ministry ......................................................... page 11 Preschool Ministry .......................................................... page 12 FBC School ..................................................................... page 13 Special Announcements .................................................. page 14 From Troy’s Heart ............................................................ page 15
CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS NEW WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY - Starting Wednesday, November 4th at 6:30pm in room 111 entitled, Balanced: Gaining & Maintaining Financial Stability. The material is an Andy Stanley dvd-based 6-week course that will last through December 16th. THANKSGIVING DAY COMMUNITY MEAL AND HOMEBOUND DELIVERY - Thanksgiving Day, November 26th 10:30am Faith Mission/ The Cannery Kitchen. For more information, please call Heather Thielemann at 979-251-0869, thielemann_1@netzero.net or go to http://faithmission.us/volunteer/thanksgiving-meal-volunteer-opportunities/ OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD COLLECTION BEGINS - Shoeboxes are available at the Guest Welcome Table and at the Information Table by the choir room. Last year we collected 4093 boxes for Samaritans Purse, our best year ever!! Please take a box, fill it with small toys, hygiene items, games, puzzles, socks, crayons, books, etc., and return them by November 22nd. NEW YOUNG ADULT SMALL GROUP - Young adults 18-29yrs at 5:00pm in Room 111. The group is studying, Seamless, How the Bible Fits Together as One Story. This dvd-based course will be facilitated the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month. Bring a snack for the group to share. HOME BUILDER SMALL GROUP STARTS STRONG! - The group meets monthly on the 1st & 3rd Sundays at 5pm, in room 111. Facilitated by Chad and Bobbye Marrs, the group is viewing a dvd-based course entitled Marriage Oneness. Contact Chad or Bobbye at cemarrs@aol.com CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED - November 26 & 27 for Thanksgiving hoilday.
Welcome New Church Members:
Jackson Van Dyke and Ray Campbell Jr.
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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Teresa McGlasson, Office Manager tmcglasson@fbc-brenham.org Annette Guenther, Comptroller aguenther@fbc-brenham.org Donella Peevler, Church Receptionist dpeevler@fbc-brenham.org Ernie Lewis, Graphic/Media Tech elewis@fbc-brenham.org O’Dell Merryman, Facilities Manager omerryman@fbc-brenham.org Nancy Jahns, School Administrator njahns@fbcsbrenham.org Kristie Mendoza, Mother’s Day Out Director mdo@fbc-brenham.org
CHURCH-WIDE CALENDAR NOVEMBER: 1 Lord’s Supper Observance 8:30 & 11:00am 1 Deacon’s Meeting - Room 111 2:00 - 3:00pm 1 Church Council Meeting - Room 111 4:00 - 5:00pm 3 Piece Makers - Student Center 9:00am - 12:00pm 3 Joy SS Class Meeting - Sycamore Stone Room 2:00 - 4:00pm 5 Tapestry Rehearsal - Sanctuary 5:15 - 6:30pm 8 Parent/Child Dedication 8:30am & 11:00am 10 Security Committee Meeting - Pahl Garage 6:00 - 7:00pm 11 FBCS Veterans Day Program - Sanctuary 10:00 - 11:00am 11 Encore Veteran’s Day Luncheon - Gym 11:00 - 1:00pm 15 2016 Budget Q-and-A - Room 112 4:00 - 5:00pm 16-23 Operation Christmas Child - Sycamore Garage 8:00am - 6:00pm 16 Finance Committee Meeting - Room 111 6:30 - 7:30pm 18 Garden Club Meeting - Sycamore Living Room 9:00am - 2:00pm 18 2016 Budget Q-and-A - Room 112 5:30 - 6:30pm 19 Tapestry Rehearsal - Sanctuary 5:15 - 6:30pm 23 Cannery Thanksgiving Meal Prep. - Kitchen 5:30 - 9:00pm 25 FBCS Thanksgiving Holiday/EEC Open 26-27 Church Office/FBCS School/EEC Closed - Thanksgiving 26 Thanksgiving Day Community Meal and Homebound Delivery Faith Mission/The Cannery Kitchen 10:30am DECEMBER: 1 Piece Makers - Student Center 9:00am - 12:00pm 2 Coffee with the Pastor - Room 112 6:00 - 6:30pm 3 Tapestry Rehearsal - Sanctuary 5:15 - 6:30pm 6 Lord’s Supper Observance 8:30 & 11:00am 6 Business Meeting Gym 5:00 - 6:00pm 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 are about to finish 2015 (hard to believe, right?), I want to remind you of a few items that we will be praying through and voting on at the December 6th business meeting at 5:00 pm in the Gym. • We will be voting on a new mission, discipleship strategy, vision, and goals. These items come out of a year of feedback opportunities we’ve had as a church and through prayerfully seeking God’s direction. You can pick these up at one of the tables at the entrances/exits of the sanctuary or you can download them here: http://www. fbc-brenham.org/resources/proposed-mission-discipleshipstrategy-vision-and-goals/ • We will be voting on the recommendation from the Relocation Committee about proposing CMA Architects out of Dallas to do our master plan. This is another important step in the life of our church. You can pick up information about this recommendation on one of the tables at the entrances/exits of the sanctuary or you can download it here: http://www.fbc-brenham.org/about/relocation/ • During November, you’ll be receiving the proposed 2016 budget. The church staff, committees, and Budget Planning Council have prayed through and worked in the development of the 2016 budget. There will be two Q-and-As about the budget on Sunday, November 15th at 4:00 pm in room 112 and Wednesday, November 18 at 5:30 pm in room 112. Thank you for allowing me to be your pastor, and if have any questions about the above items or anything else, please do not hesitate to contact me. - Pastor Ross 4
WORSHIP & MUSIC MINISTRY
The Kids’ Choir will be sharing in both morning services on Sunday, November 8th! Parents, please have your students in the sanctuary at 8am that morning.
Mark your calendars for December 12th and 13th at 7:00pm for our annual Music Ministry Christmas Presentation! We’re working hard and are so excited to share with you the music and the message of Christmas. You’ll be hearing our Kids’ Choir, Handbells, Tapestry Ensemble, Christmas Choir, and orchestra in these CAN’T MISS nights of songs filled with the message of great joy which is for ALL THE PEOPLE. So bring your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers and have your hearts made ready for the Christmas season!
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ADULT MINISTRIES BOOKS FROM THE CHURCH LIBRARY
Check out the following books to read from our library:
The Harbinger by Jonathan Cahn. The Ancient Mystery that Holds the Secret of America’s Future. Stealing Home by Allison Pittman. Four individuals, each living in haunted isolation, each harboring a secret passion. Providence brings them together. Tragedy threatens to tear them apart. Will love be enough to bring them home? One Perfect Life - The Complete Story of the Lord Jesus. by John Macarthur. Dr. MacArthur blends the gospels and other Biblical material about Jesus into one continuous story that will help you better understand Scripture and grow stronger in your faith.
PIECE MAKERS Piece Makers sent this quilt with the mission team to Colombia in October along with toiletry bags and baby blankets. We are now making lap quilts from jeans and will be delivering them to men in area nursing homes and FBC’s homebound ministry. Piece Makers meets the first Tuesday of each month from 9 am to noon in the Student Center. You are welcome to join us as we stitch for the Lord.
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BIBLE STUDIES & MORE CONNECT & SHARE LIFE TOGETHER IN ONE OF THESE GROUPS!
Schroeders - 620 Country Place West. Study: “Good or God” will meet on the 1st & 3rd Sunday at 5pm. Koenig/Sossaman (Ladies/Widows) Study: Missing Pieces - 402 Magnolia, 1st & 3rd Mondays at 6pm. November 2nd, 16th, and then on December 7th. Bishop/Doebler - 4803 Salem Rd., 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 6:30pm. Yeakleys - (Excellent Way Bible Study Group) - Study: Forgotten God; Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Sprit, by Francis Chan - 800 Loesch St, Tuesdays, at 6:30pm. Atkins - 9250 Lake Dr. - Various times and subjects. Home Builders - Study: “Marriage Oneness,” will meet on the 1st & 3rd Sunday at 5:00pm in room 111. Young Adult Small Group - Young adults 18-29yrs has begun! The group will be studying, “Seamless, How the Bible Fits Together as One Story.” This dvd-based course will be facilitated the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month at 5pm in room 111. W EEK LY B I B LE S T UDI ES & FEL LO W SHIP Men’s Study/Prayer Breakfast Studying: What Every Christian Ought to Know Wednesdays, 6:00am - Sycamore House. Sweet Hour of Prayer: Thursdays, 10:00 - 11:00am - Syc. House Garage. Pastor’s Bible Study: Daniel, Wednesdays, 6:30pm - Room 112. Balanced: Gaining & Maintaining Financial Stability: Wednesdays Starting November 4, Room 111, 6:30pm. This 6 week dvd-based course by Andy Stanley will help you get and keep a handle on your finances
L ADI ES B I B LE S T UDIES Starting November 11th “Hosea” by Jennifer Rothschild • Wednesday 6:30pm Sycamore House. (Childcare available) LADIES BIBLE STUDY FELLOWSHIP CLASS • Meeting on Thursdays, 9:30am - 11:30am, in the Sycamore House.
PRECEPT CLASSES STUDYING JOEL/OBADIAH • Tuesdays 9:00am-11:00am in the Pahl House. • Wednesdays - 6:30pm-7:30pm in the Pahl House.
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ENCORE MINISTRY NEWS THE ENCORE MINISTRY IS ALWAYS UP TO SOMETHING!
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. Encore Veteran’s Day Program and Lunch Nov. 11 FBCS program at 10am in the sanctuary. Luncheon to follow in the gym. Catered and hosted by FBCS. GREAT STUFF
Encore Ministry packs 52 Operation Christmas Child Boxes!!! On Thursday, 10/15, our Encore Ministry gathered for lunch and then got to work packing shoeboxes…52 of them!! Way to go!!
CELEBRATE OUR NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS! Catherine Cook 11/1 Edward Boettcher Jr JT Davis 11/2 Ken Baker Tom Murski 11/2 Sam Sizemore Jerry Ann Moore 11/2 Ellen Wiese Carrol McGehee 11/3 Bill Snow Rev. Bracy Bledsoe 11/5 Vicki Roberts Lisa K Atkinson 11/8 Brenda Allen Alan Pittman 11/9 Marilyn Steele Mike Gonzales Jr 11/9 Judy Bishop Eileen Rehor 11/10 Wesley Porter Joyce Graham 11/11 Joe Baker Carol Morris 11/12 Marilyn Williams Don Ikard 11/13 Jolene Koenig Mary Glenn Langston 11/13 Charles Cobb Rodney Foerster 11/13 Cindy Foerster Scott Schumacher 11/13 Chole Behne Betty Windle 11/15 Billie Ferguson Sue Cottingham 11/16 Nancy Tahaney 8
11/17 11/20 11/22 11/23 11/23 11/23 11/23 11/24 11/24 11/25 11/27 11/27 11/28 11/29 11/29 11/30 11/30 11/30
A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Once again I find myself wondering where this year has gone. It seems to me they get busier every year, but maybe that is because it takes me longer to accomplish some tasks. This has been a busy year for us and we are staying busy until the end according to our calendar. As I write this we are getting ready to go to Ohio to take in some of God’s beautiful creation. We will see trees of all colors and we will tour the Amish Country. I love to see God’s handiwork in the beauty of nature. Sometimes it is mind boggling just to take it all in. I love the colors of fall, as much as I like the crashing waves of the South Pacific. I am enchanted by the snowy slopes of the Rocky Mountains and the Alps of Switzerland. Before you know it we will be seeing a lot of red, green, white, silver and gold as the Christmas season approaches. I guess one might say I am obsessed with color. I don’t know if I would say that is the right word, but I do like bright colors around me. They are like breathing fresh, crisp air on a late fall morning. A renewing of the spirit, if you will. My prayer for you would be that you can sit, relax and enjoy the colors of the seasons, and think of it as a renewing of your spirit, kind of like drinking in the beauty of God’s Love. I hope you have a great Thanksgiving. Blessings, Reba Pair
BIBLE VERSE OF THE MONTH
“Giving thanks always for all things. Ephesians 5:20” THOUGHT OF THE MONTH
“Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you. Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul; and the other for your freedom.”
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STUDENT MINISTRY There is just something special that happens when you get a group of people together willing to get out of their comfort zone and talk about their relationship with Jesus Christ. Some may say the stars align. Others may say a plan comes together. I just say we experienced the fullness of koinonia of the Spirit of God working together in each one of us. Church, I can’t really explain what God did this last month in Colombia. Being On Mission is a life-changing thing. We started out on Sunday worshiping at a small church in Bogota made up of people from different countries, different ages, and different languages. It doesn’t matter if you know the song that you are singing, when you are focused on praising your Savior. One of the team members commented that this must be what it’s going to be like in Heaven. It was awesome! I must thank a few people for making this trip such a great trip. Stacey Strickland and the Preschool Ministry went above and beyond all expectation in raising funds to support the trip. We were able to purchase gifts for each of the orphans we saw and that included shampoo, washcloths, brushes, chapstick, and hair accessories. Plus we bought two bicycles that we were able to leave at the orphanage. I am so grateful for Sara Byman and the Piece Makers for all the bags and baby blankets. We took 160 hand-made grooming bags for the girls in the orphanage, 60 beautiful hand-made receiving blankets for the babies, and a very special Texas themed quilt that we gave to the pastor. Thank you so much to Dr. Robin Baird for donating toothbrushes and toothpaste that will keep all those smiles nice and healthy. Thank you to Robert Taylor for your help with all the organization and planning with the orphanages that we were able to visit and minister to. Thank you to Troy and the Encore Ministry for getting us off to a great start at Encore VBS with collecting supplies and making bags. As always I am so appreciative of our pastor for having a vision for serving in Colombia and allowing me the opportunity to go. And to you, church, for your prayers and support. Special thanks to my wife, Bobbye, for supporting me in all I do. I would not want to do this without her...
Go to http://www.fbc-brenham.org/connect/students/ to read Chad’s newsletter article.
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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
Thank you church for allowing me to go to Colombia to be a part of God’s work in South America. I was phenomenal. I would even use the word awesome. We did so much and there is not enough space provided to relate it all. If you want to hear it all, lets do lunch when you don’t have to rush back to work. I did notice how God is still in the business of caring for people. God worked through many different people to accomplish small tasks and big jobs for people in Bogota. No one person was any more significant and no one person was any less important. Teamwork and service were conducted by each person on the team, and through the team God brought many blessings upon people – like the four people who accepted the salvation of Christ to begin a relationship with Him for the first time. So, what is it that God has tasked you with today? Have you asked Him? Just because you live here and this is not the foreign mission field does not mean God doesn’t have work for you to do here. Maybe you are supposed to visit the nursing home... Go to http://www.fbc-brenham.org/connect/children/ to read Alex’s newsletter article.
HELP WANTED Creative people to help with the Kids Ministry for Core Essentials THANK YOU Thank you to Arlen Thielemann for faithfully co-hosting our Core Essential shows in the schools and to all the storytellers that assist us: Sandy Batt, Heather Kirby, Preston Smith & Nancy Fritz. MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE “Let your light shine so others can see it. Then they will see the good things you do. And they will bring glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 BFBC KIDS KLUB MONTHLY BIG IDEA Service is lending a hand to help someone else. WEEKLY BOTTOM LINE 1. Serve others because of what Jesus did for us. 2. Have a good attitude when you lend a hand. 3. Use what you have to lend a hand. 4. Ask God for what you need to lend a hand. 5. Lend a hand without looking for applause. 11
PRESCHOOL MINISTRIES It’s back! The Preschool is doing a Christmas card delivery service again this year. If you send Christmas Cards to any members of 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 that 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 11th 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 29th. The last day to get your Christmas cards to us will be December 14th. 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 use the example below to address your envelopes. If you do not know the class it is ok. I will look it up. Thank you!
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Go to http://www.fbc-brenham.org/preschool-newsletter/ to continue Stacey’s newsletter article.
FBC SCHOOL & EEC This week marks the 50th day of school. Wow! That means 50 plus days of learning and growing in the Lord! Our teachers strive to prepare the children academically, too. Students have worked hard on doing their best and working for Him. Our elementary has been preparing for the Veteran’s Day Program on November 11th at 10:00 in the sanctuary. If you have never attended, please consider coming. It is a beautiful tribute to the men and women who have sacrificed their time and talents to protect our nation. During November, we will be focusing on have a grateful heart in all that God gives us. It is our goal to show there is always a reason, even in hard times, to give praise to Him. A thankful heart is a joyful heart! Please join us in your own quiet time by counting the ways He loves us, provides for us, and sacrificed for us. 11/3 Ms. Lou-Lou shares story with preschool in sanctuary 11/5 1st grade field trip to Evergreen Farms in Elgin 11/6 Pre-Kindergarten to Must Be Heaven (celebrating 50 days of school) 11/6 5th grade field trip to Bob Bullock Museum in Austin 11/11 Veterans Day Program at 10:00 a.m. in sanctuary; Encore Luncheon immediately following program in gym 11/13 3rd grade field trip to A&M; Pre-Kindergarten to Sieja Farm; End of the 2nd Six Weeks 11/16 4th grade to Brenham Nursing & Rehabilitation – Puzzle Week 11/17 PALs meeting at 5:30 for all school parents in room 112 11/18 Core Essentials in sanctuary 11/25-27 School closed for Thanksgiving 11/26-27 EEC closed for Thanksgiving NEEDS OR REQUESTS The preschool would appreciate gently used board books and toys for the nursery-3 year olds. THANK YOUS We are grateful for the support from the church! Your help allows us to bless many families. We love and appreciate you! MOTHER’S DAY OUT - KRISTIE MENDOZA November Activities: Bible Verses: The Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, “This is what the Lord says. Let my people go, so that they may worship me.” Exodus 8:1 “The Battle is the Lord’s.” 1 Samuel 17:47 “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!” Psalms 118:1 Bible Stories: Moses, David & Goliath, Thankfulness Letters: R, K Number: 1 (one) Events: Mission project, Thanksgiving Feast 13
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Our Sympathies To: The Barker family in the loss of Vernice Barker.
Church Thank Yous:
Thank You, The Joy Class in Adult 1 wishes to thank everyone who contributed to the Bereavement Meal for the family of Vernice Barker. It was very much appreciated. Joy Class
ACS INFORMATION AND LOG IN INSTRUCTIONS
ACCESS ACS IS FOR YOU! With our new church database, we have a new ministry tool, Access ACS, designed to help us stay connected. Right now, almost 100 of your fellow church members are staying in touch as members of Access ACS. What can you do in Access ACS? • Update your personal records and photos. • Send group communications via email. • Search for church member’s addresses. • Print a directory. • View your contribution records. • View the church calendar. • Leaders can make contact assignments. • Register for events and make payments online. How to Login to Access ACS 1. Go to our church website: www.fbc-brenham.org 2. Click on the “About” Tab. 3. Click on “Ministerial Staff” dropdown tab. 4. Click on “Access ACS Log-in” button. 5. Find the question, “Need a Login?” 6. Click the “Click Here” beside the “Need a Login?” a. If you have a “smart” phone, you can click the icon “Go Mobile” to register your phone and take Access ACS wherever you go. 7. Enter your email and name. 8. Click “Find Me”. a. If you are not found in the system, either your name or email address has been typed incorrectly or we do not have the correct information in our church database. Give us the correct info. and we will update it this week. 9. You will be sent an email containing login information. 10. Once you receive the information, follow the instructions to reset your password.
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FROM TROY’S HEART Every November, we pause to give thanks. Of course, we do it in between slices of turkey, mounds of dressing and lots of football. Whatever your Thanksgiving traditions include, it is my hope that you spend some time thinking about how much you God has blessed you. One of my Thanksgiving traditions is that I wake up early on Thanksgiving morning and I go for a long run. This run serves two purposes: 1. I burn about 1000 calories before I eat slices of pecan or sweet potato pie after lunch. YUMMM!! 2. A quiet time of thankful contemplation. I pray the entire run thanking God specifically for everything He has given me. One after another I mention any blessing He brings to my mind. Funny thing, I never run out of things to thank Him for...no matter how long I run. Recently I have been reading some thoughts from sociologist and author, Brene’ Brown. In talking about gratitude she says, “It’s not joy that makes us grateful, it’s gratitude that makes us joyful.” I know life isn’t easy. We all have burdens to carry. I pray that we do not let our burdens rob us of the joyful truth of God’s blessing. Let’s be grateful, content and joyful. I hope you have a habit of setting aside time to offer your gratitude to the “Giver of every perfect gift.” If you don’t, use this month to begin. 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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