CHURCH INFORMATION CHURCH STAFF Ross Shelton, Pastor rshelton@fbc-brenham.org
Annette Guenther, Comptroller aguenther@fbc-brenham.org
Troy Sikes, Associate Pastor tsikes@fbc-brenham.org
Donella Peevler, Church Receptionist dpeevler@fbc-brenham.org
Charles Covin, Music Minister ccovin@fbc-brenham.org
Jodi Beckendorf, Graphic Designer jbeckendorf@fbc-brenham.org
Chad Marrs, Minister to Students cmarrs@fbc-brenham.org
Stephanie Sheffield, Custodian Manager ssheffield@fbc-brenham.org
Alex Morrison, Minister to Children amorrison@fbc-brenham.org
Nancy Jahns, School Administrator njahns@fbcsbrenham.org
Stacey Strickland, Preschool Ministry sstrickland@fbc-brenham.org
Kristie Mendoza, Mother’s Day Out Dir. mdo@fbc-brenham.org
Teresa McGlasson, Office Manager tmcglasson@fbc-brenham.org
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
LINKS TO CHECK OUT ONLINE CHURCH WEBSITE: www.fbc-brenham.org CHURCH FACEBOOK PAGE: www.facebook.com/BrenhamsFirstBaptistChurch SCHOOL FACEBOOK PAGE: www.facebook.com/Brenhamfbcs 2
I N THI S I SSUE:
Special Announcements...................................................page Church-wide Calendar .....................................................page From Pastor Ross ...............................................................page Music Ministry ....................................................................page Thank yous, Sympathies, and Mother’s Day Out .......page Bible Studies and more ....................................................page Encore Ministry...................................................................page A Letter From Reba & Piece Makers ..............................page Student Ministry ................................................................page Children’s Ministry ............................................................page Preschool Ministry ............................................................page FBC School & EEC ..............................................................page From Troy’s Heart ..............................................................page
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
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CHURCH-WIDE CALENDAR
NOVEMBER-
4 4 4 6 9 11-17 11 11 14 18 18 19-23
Lord’s Supper - Both Services Deacon’s Meeting 2:00pm Room 111 Church Council Meeting 4:00pm Room 112 Piece Makers 9:00am Student Center Veteran’s Day Program/Encore Luncheon 10:00am Sanctuary Operation Christmas Child Collections Begin Sycamore House Budget Q&A 4:00pm Room 112 Q&A for Bylaw Amendments 4:30pm Room 112 Budget Q&A 6:00pm Room 112 Handbells play @ 8:30 service Connecting @ FBC 4:00pm Room 112 FBCS- Thanksgiving Holidays EEC Open 11/19 & 11/20, Closed 11/21-11/23 19 Finance Committee Meeting 6:30pm Room 112 21 No Wednesday Night Activies- Thanksgiving Holiday 22-23 Church Office Closed - Thanksgiving Holiday 25 Preschool Postal Service Begins 27 FBCS- Poinsetta Delivery/Pickup 2:30pm Pahl House
For more information on any of the above events please visit the church website: www.fbc-brenham.org www.facebook.com/BrenhamsFirstBaptistChurch
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FROM PASTOR ROSS We are currently in a four-week sermon series on certain foundational ways (means) God has provided to help us grow and mature once we come into a relationship with Him through Christ. Of course, there are more than four, but we are looking at four that are foundational ways God grows us. These four include group practices (large group/corporate worship and small group community) and personal practices (time with the Word and prayer). Dallas Willard (1935-2013) was a Christian author and philosophy professor at the University of Southern California. His writings have been influential in my life. Below is part of an article he wrote about the means (“means of grace”) God has provided to help us grow and provides a helpful reflection about the difference between earning and effort. The entire article can be found at http://www.dwillard.org/articles/individual/live-life-to-the-full. Here is the portion of the article that I believe you will find helpful: “The path of spiritual growth in the riches of Christ is not a passive one. Grace is not opposed to effort. It is opposed to earning. Effort is action. Earning is attitude. You have never seen people more active than those who have been set on fire by the grace of God. Paul, who perhaps understood grace better than any other mere human being, looked back at what had happened to him and said: “By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.” (I Cor. 15:10) As to “means of grace” placed in our hands, well-directed action is the key. The disciplines of the spiritual life are simply practices that prove to be effectual in enabling us to increase the grace of God in our lives. That grace is, of course, “unmerited favor.” But the form it takes is the action of God in our lives and with our actions. If we wish to know more of this and see the deliverance it works in and around us, we must do the things that will bring it to pass. These things are spiritual disciplines or the disciplines for the spiritual life. A discipline in any area is something in my power that I do to enable me to do what I cannot do by direct effort. This is the general nature of discipline, and there is simply no area of human attainment--from playing a musical instrument, to sports, to speaking a language or being friendly--that does not require discipline. The need for discipline does not change when we come to all that is involved in walking in the holiness and power of Christ. Would we do the things that Jesus himself did and taught? Then there is a way. It is the way of disciplined grace: discipline under grace and grace in the midst of discipline. What are some of these disciplines? A primary one is solitude, which must go hand in hand with silence to be complete. In solitude I arrange to be alone, out of human contact, for lengthy periods of time. This allows my inner compass to stop whirling in response to the demands of others. The elasticity and wholeness of my soul is restored as I grow “still and know that God is God.” (Ps. 46:10) Only solitude and silence, extensively practiced at wisely allotted intervals, can take the world off my back and forever release me from both hurry and loneliness. They open the door to productive engagement with other disciplines. I begin to find myself increasingly before God in such a way that he can safely fill me with himself. Study and worship, fasting and sacrifice (of time,
energy, money), journaling and prayer, confession and service are also among the disciplines. Some disciplines may be freely chosen. But often our circumstances will impose activities on us which, if taken as such, can be marvelous disciplines enabling us to receive extraordinary grace. “Tribulation works patience” is only one illustration of this principle. But there is no such thing as a complete list of spiritual disciplines, chosen or imposed. Many different activities might be entered into with the aim of finding the manifest grace of God which enables us to do what we cannot do--and be what we cannot be--by direct effort. But the ones that emerge as most beneficial in Christian history should all be considered very seriously.” 5
MUSIC MINISTRY How great it is to be a part of a church that has so many different people taking part in the privilege of leading God’s people in corporate worship! In October we were blessed by our usual instrumentalists and choirs, but also by soloists, the Handbell Choir, and Kids’ Choir! Worship is something WE ALL are participants in, so don’t be a bystander. Give God your very best each and every day! -We will not have Kids’ Choir rehearsal on the week of Thanksgiving (Nov. 21st). We WILL, however, have Christmas Choir & Praise Band rehearsal on TUESDAY of that week, Nov. 20th. Mark your calendars for December 8th and 9th at 7PM 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, 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. This year’s event, entitled, “Once Upon a Holy Night”, was created by composer Regi Stone. It is the Christmas story told from the perspective of several characters who share how they came to know Jesus. Please invite your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers and have your hearts made ready for the Christmas season!
Contact Charles at ccovin@fbc-brenham.org with any questions.
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THANK YOUS & SYMPATHIES Thank you so much to our FBC family for all the prayers, phone calls and cards received after my recent heart surgery. The phone calls and cards always seemed to arrive when they were needed most. I am very thankful to be a part of such a loving family. Rodney Williams Dear Friends, Thank you so much for the beautiful plant you sent Mom after Dad’s death. Thank you also to the Sunday School class for providing us with lunch after the memorial service. We are grateful for the love and kindness. Jim Blevins Dear Church Family, The plant you sent is beautiful and continues to remind us of your prayers. Thank you so much for the prayers and support for our family during this time. We have been left an amazing legacy and pray we can be as faithful as my mom was in praying for people and sharing Jesus with everyone we encounter. Love, Mary Kay and Bob Billington
SYMPATHIES: -Betty White and family in the loss of her husband, Jim.
MOTHER’S DAY OUT
MDO had a great time at the fire station in October. They learned about fire safety and even sat in the fire trucks. In November, we will be taking a field trip to the library where Ms. Lou Lou will read to us. We will also get to play on the playground. November’s Bible verse is “Trust in the Lord.” Proverbs 3:5. We will be collecting items for Operation Christmas Child this month. We will also be having a Thanksgiving feast for our MDO families on November 15th. We are very blessed for these children that are a part of this ministry and the teachers that teach them. 7
BIBLE STUDIES & MORE
Men’s Prayer Breakfast Studying “Deuteronomy” Wednesdays, 6:00am Sycamore House Pastor’s Bible Study Wednesdays, 6:30pm - Room 112 Bible 101: How It Fits Together Wednesdays, 6:30pm - Room 111 Young Mom’s Bible Study: Wisdom for Mothers Wednesdays, 6:30pm, Upstairs in Sycamore House
Sweet Hour of Prayer Thursdays, 10:00am Sycamore House Garage “Undaunted” by Christine Caine Women’s Bible Study Wednesdays, 6:30pm, Sycamore Downstairs Precept Bible Study, “Covenant” Tuesdays, 9:30am, Pahl House
HOME TEAM GROUPS ·Scott and Tricia Schroeder – 620 Country Place W., Meets 1st & 3rd Sunday at 5pm. ·Roger and Juanita Atkins – 9250 Lake Dr. Chappell Hill, Meeting one Sunday a month. Please call 281-389-2859 to confirm meeting time. ·Rick and Diane Houston – 808 Spinn, Every other Sunday at 7:00pm, ·Ronnie and Debbie Fathauer – 1607 Longhofer, Meets 2nd & 4th Wednesday at 6:00pm. ·Widows & Single Ladies – Pahl House, 1st & 3rd Monday at 6:00pm.
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ENCORE MINISTRY NEWS
CELEBRATE OUR BIRTHDAYS! Catherine Cook JT Davis Jerry Ann Moore Carrol McGehee Sandra Martin Lisa Atkinson Alan Pittman Mike Gonzales, Jr Eileen Rehor Joyce Graham Carol Morris Becky Sallach Mary Glenn Langston Rodney Foerster Scott Schumacher Betty Windle Sue Cottingham Ken Baker Karen Kramer Ellen Wiese Bill Snow Vicki Roberts
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Marilyn Steele Judy Bishop Allan Wells Wesley Porter Carol Miller Joe Baker Marilyn Williams Jolene Koenig Cindy Foerster Billie Ferguson Nancy Tahaney
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A LETTER FROM REBA As I sit down to write this today our first cold front has come through for us to feel the changing of the seasons. I begin “Be joyful always; to think of all the upcoming holidays in the next few months. I love Thanksgiving, pray continually; give because it is a time to reflect back on the past year. We have had a wonderful year thanks in all circumstances, that began with celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary. We were blessed to for this is God’s will for you be able to go to Hawaii and Alaska both this year. Going from the ocean of the in Christ Jesus.” South Pacific to the top of the world in Alaska. I see God where ever we go, and 1 Thessalonians 5:18 the beauty of our world he has blessed us with. Even though we have been blessed with travel experiences, I treasure my family and friends the most. Right now I am recovering from a total knee replacement so I am not able yet to go back to teaching my preschool class, since we meet upstairs. I hope to be back in a few weeks, because I really miss those children. They are so honest about everything. Before we know it Thanksgiving will be a faint memory and we will be at Christmas once again. I do love the Christmas season so much. I hope you are preparing to participate in Operation Christmas Child this year. Our collection dates are listed in this newsletter, so plan on getting your contributions in soon. If you can not get out to shop, you can pay postage for some packages as well. Keep your eyes open for details of our Veterans Day Program, where we are the guest of our church school for the program and lunch served by the 6th grade class, as well as entertainment while we eat by them. May you all have a blessed Thanksgiving holiday with your family this year. For our Veterans, let me thank you for your service to our country. Blessings, Reba Pair
PIECE MAKERS
On their recent trip to Bogota, Colombia, Robert Taylor and Pastor Ross stayed with Campo and Claudita Leal. The gift of a Cross Wall Hanging made by Piece Makers resulted in this happy picture. Brenham’s First Baptist Church sends mission teams to Colombia every year with a focus on ministering to orphans. In the past, Piece Makers sent lap quilts to pastors, as well as fleece bears and baby sacks to the orphanages. If you would like to help reach those in need both at home and abroad, come join Piece Makers on the first Tuesday of each month from 9 am to 2 pm in the Student Center and sew something for someone to love.
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STUDENT MINISTRY Finally, after what seemed like a decade of summer, we are experiencing cloudy skies, winter days, and cooler temperature. ‘Tis the season of deer rifles, camouflage, scarves, and sweaters as we try to cram fall and winter into a very small window. This season means two other things for me: great football weather and (Brace Yourself) Disciple Now is Coming!! As always, I’m super excited. This year’s theme is “Dump it All and Heed the Call” and it’s based on Philippians 3:8. “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” Our students will be focusing on dumping all the things that are not from Christ and heeding the divine call He has placed on their lives. We are joining forces and combining resources again with Champion Fellowship. Disciple Now activities will take place at Champion’s campus with a combined Sunday morning service at Brenham High School. I sincerely hope you will there to support our students and leaders as you always do. Let me stop here and say THANK YOU church family for always talking part in our students’ lives. You guys are the best at that. I have 3 other specific ways that you could be a part of Disciple Now weekend: 1.Prayer Warrior – I can say with 100% confidence that having people willing to go to battle for our kids is so important. Specifically: a. Would you begin to pray as Neil and I make preparations? Would you pray that any forces against us would be completely scattered to the wind. b. Would you pray for our speaker and worship leaders? Pray for their families’ protection as they prepare to lead out and will undoubtedly come under attack from the enemy. c. Would you pray for our host homes who play such an important role in the Disciple Now weekend? d. Would you pray for our students? Every year I see the “it” portion of “Dump IT all” become bigger and bigger and harder and harder to dump. 2. Host Homes – if the Lord has blessed you with a lot of floor space and nerves of steel this is the job for you. You will be my hero. 3. Student Scholarships – The cost of Disciple Now is $25 per student. Scholarships help me invite students that would stay away because of finances and help our students invite their friends. 4. Clean trash – yes, you read that right. I need all your old newspapers, CLEAN milk cartons, old cereal boxes. These items will be used as part of our decorations so it needs to be trash…but clean trash. Thank you church family. As we enter this season of thanksgiving, I am deeply grateful for the love and support you give to me, my family and the student ministry.
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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
“Let us go into His dwelling place; Let us worship at His footstool” (Psalm 131:7, NASB) Good Morning, Finally, fall is here. The cool, crisp air, and the promise of nearing holidays, always bring back fond memories of my childhood. For example, I remember driving to Grandma’s house. Now that I am an adult I know that the trip was just a little over an hour. However, when I was a kid, it seemed like it was 4 hours that we spent in the car. We had a four door Ford LTD, which meant my two sisters and I had to share the back seat. First, we would fight for the window seat, so that we were not the odd-man-out who had to sit on the “hump.” Then, we had to stake our claim and set the boundaries of where our seat ended and they next seat started. Even after the boundaries were set, you had to be vigilant against sibling encroachment. It was a constant battle. Yet, from the moment we first learned we were going to see Grandma, until the moment we turned onto her street, and into her driveway, we had an energized feeling that seemed to slowly cook up inside of us. By the time the car stopped, and the doors opened, we were bubbling over with excitement, and racing to be the first to run through the front door and jump into her waiting arms. When I read Psalms like 131:7 (134:2; 135:1-3; 138:1-2), this is the image that I get in my head. The Israelites had a “place” where they would go to be in God’s presence. After the exodus it was the mercy seat on top of the ark of the covenant which would be housed in the holy of holies within the tabernacle. Then, Solomon fulfilled his father, David’s, dream and built the temple to be a more permanent, and reverent, house for His presence, again on the ark, within the new holy of holies. Today, we know that Holy Spirit has chosen to reside in the hearts of believers, but church buildings are where we go to “be in God’s presence” like those that went to the tabernacle or the temple. So, how often do you call up fellow congregants and say, “Let us go into His dwelling place; Let us worship at His footstool” (Psalms 131:7, NASB)? When we think of going to “God’s house” do we “bubble up” with energized anticipation like when going to see grandma? or the Longhorns? or Mickey Mouse? Does the thought of worshipping God with fellow believers and spending time concentrating on God through His word and song bring the same buzz within you as when you are packing in the car to travel to Minute Maid Park, Unity Theater or your girlfriend’s house? “I will bow down toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth;” (Psalm 138:2a, b). The excitement created in the Israelites at the thought of the holy temple was not about appreciating artistic architecture, nor was it solely about the melodious musical and scented sensory experience. The anticipation was aroused because the temple was where God chose to reside. It was about Who was in the temple and not just the temple itself. “Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord; Praise Him, O servants of the Lord, You who stand in the house of the Lord, In the courts of the house of our God! Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; Sing praises to His name, for it is lovely” (Psalm 135:1-3).
Upcoming Events: November 21 – Thanksgiving Eve (no Wednesday night Bible study) November 22 – Happy Thanksgiving!
PRESCHOOL MINISTRIES Christmas is coming! Christmas is coming! This is such a fun time for us in the preschool ministry. Our little ones get to come visit you as they deliver your special Christmas cards. So make sure you start working on your Christmas cards, it is never too early to get those done. We want to deliver them to all your friends and family here at FBC. Remember our gift to you is to spread joy and cute little smiles, along with a candy cane or two and saving you a little bit of postage this holiday. You can start dropping off your Christmas cards to our Nursery area mailbox or the church office on November 18th. We are hoping to start delivering them the following week, November 25th. The last day to get them turned in for delivery will be December 12th. This is so we will have time to sort them and get all that we can delivered that last Sunday before Christmas Eve. If we are unable to deliver to some, we will mail them out, so that they can receive them before Christmas. We look forward to visiting you soon! Stacey P.S. - Be on the lookout for our Preschool Postal Service Insert
CHARLIE ROYALL 11/05 CHADDICK MESSICK 11/17 REAGAN FRATUS 11/23
HUDSON TURNBILL GARRETT SHELTON BRYNNLEE HUEBNER
11/07 11/20 11/23
Sunday Mornings in November
Memory Verse: “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.� Genesis 28:15a Big Picture Question: Does God keep His promises? God always keeps His promises.
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FBC SCHOOL & EEC Are you Thanksgiving or Thanksliving? HE alone is worthy of our thanks and praise every day! How would it look if each of us lived out thankfulness every day of the year? Let’s give it a try! Veteran’s Day Program will be November 9 at 10:00 in the sanctuary. I hope you will plan to come. The students and Mrs. Covin have worked very hard on the program and hope to bless the community through it. Thank you, Veterans. Your service allows us to worship freely and have the choice to receive a Christian education. We are thankful for each of you and your families.
I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. Psalm 9:1
We invite the FBC Encore members to join us for lunch following the Veteran’s Day program. We will serve lunch and entertainment from our 6th graders immediately following the program! Blessings, Nancy Jahns
NOVEMBER
Please join us as we pray for our military, veterans, and our country. Also, thank you to our veterans for the many sacrifices they made on our behalf.
2 End of 2nd term 5 Grades due @ 8:00 a.m. PTO @ 5:30 in Rm112 6 Ms. LouLou @ chapel for preschool only 8:10 7 Ms. LouLou @ chapel for elementary only 8:10 Report Cards go home 9 Veteran’s Day program @ 10:00 Encore luncheon in Pahl House 19-23 School closed for Thanksgiving 19-20 EEC open 21-23 EEC closed for Thanksgiving 28 School committee mtg.
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FROM TROY’S HEART Several of you have asked me about my October newsletter article regarding all of my household project. I basically was asked these two questions by our members: ·Did you complete your projects? ·Do you want to come do more at my house? The answers to the questions are “Yes” and “Sure, for a price!” So it’s November and we all know what that means. Yep, food and football! Thanksgiving grocery lists will start being made for the feasts that will occur on November 22 and college and professional football are in full swing. However, I hope this month means more to us than food and football. November is the start of the holiday season. In a few weeks we will give thanks at Thanksgiving and then move into the true reason for our thankfulness, God’s goodness to us all through the love of Jesus as He came to this world in a manger. As my normal tradition, I will spend a lot of time this month giving thanks for the blessings of God. Specifically, on Thanksgiving morning, I will go for a run where for one hour, I will continually thank God for His goodness. During that hour of gratefulness, so many of His gifts will run through my head (sorry for the pun). Some of the items on my thankful list are big; family, friends, job, health, church, spiritual life, etc. However, some small items I am thankful for get my attention too; running shoes, water, singing birds, 54 years of sunrises and sunsets, pillows, etc. That yearly tradition of gratefulness is always refreshing; it changes my perspective. I want to encourage you to take an hour sometime this month to devote it thanking God for His good gifts, big and small. 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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