October 2016
B RENHAM’S F B C IRST
APTIST
Our Mission: “To lead people to be followers of Jesus Christ”
HURCH
Our Vision: “To be a church of ordinary people used by God in extraordinary ways”
NewsLetter
CHURCH INFORMATION CHURCH STAFF Ross Shelton, Pastor rshelton@fbc-brenham.org
Teresa McGlasson, Office Manager tmcglasson@fbc-brenham.org
Troy Sikes, Associate Pastor tsikes@fbc-brenham.org
Annette Guenther, Comptroller aguenther@fbc-brenham.org
Charles Covin, Music Minister ccovin@fbc-brenham.org
Donella Peevler, Church Receptionist dpeevler@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
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:
Church Announcements ..................................................page Church-wide Calendar .....................................................page Home Improvement Weekend .......................................page Music Ministry ....................................................................page Adult Ministries .................................................................page Bible Studies & More ........................................................page Encore Ministry ..................................................................page A Letter from Reba .. ..........................................................page Special Thank You .............................................................page Student Ministry ................................................................page Children’s Ministry ............................................................page Preschool Ministry ............................................................page FBC School .........................................................................page Special Announcements ..................................................page From Troy’s Heart ..............................................................page
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CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEW PORTRAIT DIRECTORY October 1st, October 12th -15th. Sycamore House KIDS’ CHOIR Kicks off on Wednesday, October 5th at 5:30pm. 1st – 6th graders are invited to join us in the Choir Room for music, fun, and food! For more details, see Charles Covin or email: ccovin@fbc-brenham.org FIRST IMPRESSIONS MINISTRY Can you smile? Can you shake a hand or hug a neck? Sure you can! That means you can make a difference in someone’s life each Sunday by serving in our First Impressions Ministry. Email Troy at: tsikes@fbc-brenham.org or call 979-836-2807 if you want to make a difference with a smile! SAVE THE DATE - FEBRUARY 4th-5th, 2017 Home Improvement Weekend with Jeff & Debby McElroy. This weekend will engage the whole church family!
Welcome New Church Members MARY COOK, KATHY LANDRUM
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CHURCH-WIDE CALENDAR OCTOBER:
1 Directory Photos - Life Touch - Sycamore House 1:00pm - 9:00pm 2 Lord’s Supper Observance 8:30am & 11:00am 2 Business Meeting - Gym 4:00pm 4 Piece Makers - Student Center 9:00am 4 Joy SS Class Meeting - Sycamore Stone Room 2:00pm 4-10 Colombia Mission Trip 8 Adult 4 / Game Night - Sycamore Stone Room 6:00pm 11 Relocation Committee Meeting - Room 112 6:30pm 12 - 15 Directory Photos - Life Touch - Sycamore House 1:00pm - 9:00pm 14 - 15 5th Quarter (7th-12th Graders) - Gym 8:00pm 16 Home Improvement Planning Meeting - Room 111 12:00pm 17 Budget Council Meeting - Room 112 5:00pm 23 Connecting @ FBC - Room 112 4:00pm 27 Encore Ministry trip to Waco 27 Building & Grounds Committee Meeting - Pahl Livingroom 6:00 pm
NOVEMBER: 1 Piece Makers - Student Center 9:00am 1 Joy SS Class Meeting - Sycamore Stone Room 2:00pm 6 Lord’s Supper Observance 8:30am & 11:00am 6 Deacons Meeting - Room 111 2:00pm 6 Church Council Meeting - Room 112 4:00pm 11 Veteran’s Day Presentation - Sanctuary 10:00am 13 Parent/Child Dedication - Sanctuary 8:30am & 11:00am 13 Budget Q and A - Room 112 4:00pm 14-21 Operation Christmas Child - Sycamore Garage 8:00am - 6:00pm 15 Relocation Committee Meeting - Room 112 6:30pm 16 Budget Q and A - Room 112 5:30pm 21 Finance Committee Meeting 6:30pm Room 111 23 Handbell Practice 5:15pm Room 218 24-25 Church Office Closed - Thanksgiving Holidays 27 Preschool Postal Service Starts 30 Coffee With The Pastor 6:30pm Room 112 4
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MUSIC MINISTRY Thanks again to everyone who worked so hard to make the Haydons’ 40th Anniversary Concert such a spectacular event! All of your planning and preparation paid off and we are all truly grateful for your time and attention to detail. The crowd turnout was overwhelming, the music was, of course, OUTSTANDING, and the reception was over-the-top. This was a meaningful celebration that our church will remember for long time! Here is the link to the article that ran in the Houston Chronicle prior to the concert. http://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/article/Rarely-a-sour-note-forBrenham-husband-wife-9229463.php I’m also excited to be kicking Kids’ Choir off on Wednesday evenings! We’ll be meeting October 5th – December 14th from 5:30pm to 6:15pm in the CHOIR ROOM (located downstairs, directly behind the sanctuary). All 1st – 6th graders are welcome to join in the fun as we learn music to share on Sunday mornings, as well as prepare for our music ministry Christmas presentation in December! We will dismiss the kids in time to have dinner in the gym prior to the start of Kids Klub activities.
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ADULT MINISTRIES First Impressions Parking Lot Greeting Team. Each Sunday, We have greeters on the parking lots guiding people to a worship service or Sunday Bible Study. With bright yellow vests and friendly smiles, they will also be there to give you a helping hand with anything you need. Presently we need more people on the Parking Lot Greeting Team, if you would like to help us make a lasting impression by serving on our First Impressions Team. Contact Troy at: tsikes@fbc-brenham.org or call the church office at 979-836-2807 if you are willing to serve as an Usher, Welcome Center Greeter or Parking Lot Greeter.
ACCESS ACS HELPS YOU STAY CONNECTED Have you ever needed a church member’s phone number or address? Have you needed to email your Sunday Bible Study or Home Team? Have you wondered what is on the church calendar? Ever needed directions to a church member’s house? If so, then Access ACS is for you!! As a church member, you can log on to Access ACS through the church website and join over 175 fellow members in staying connected. Go to www.fbc-brenham.org and click on the “About” tab then click on “Staff”. Once on the staff page there is a button labeled, “Access ACS Log-in” Many of these features are available on your smartphone through our ChurchLife App., free to us through http://www.acstechnologies. com/church-life-app. Call the church office at 979-836-2807 for more details.
SAVE THE DATE - FEBRUARY 4TH-5TH, 2017 Home Improvement Weekend with Jeff & Debby McElroy. This weekend will engage the whole church family!
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ADULT MINISTRIES CONTINUES PIECE MAKERS Piece Makers will send a Longhorn Denim Stars quilt to Colombia with Chad Marrs and the Mission Team on October 4th. You can see this quilt displayed in the church hallway until then. Fleece baby blankets and baby sacks for handicapped children in Colombian orphanages will also go with them. Sewing Touch Quilts is the newest Piece Makers project. These are small lap quilts made of fabrics with different textures that help calm Alzheimers patients. You can join Piece Makers on the first Tuesday of each month from 9 to noon in the Student Center and help out. Pictured below are Rola Doelitsch, Rosie Harris, Louise Newman and Sara Byman with Chad Marrs. If you want to quilt with Piece Makers, call Sara Byman at 979-830-8555.
HOME TEAM GROUPS FALL UPDATES! Widows & Single Ladies – “The Friends of Jesus” by Karen Kingsbury. 402 Magnolia 1st & 3rd Monday’s 6:00pm Bishop – “The Churches of Revelation” 4803 Salem Rd., 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 6:30pm Yeakley/The More Excellent Way – “Knowing God’s Secrets” by John Hunter Meets at 800 Loesch St. Monday at 6:30pm Schroeder – “Spiritual Warfare” by Dr. Tony Evans 620 Country Place W. Dr. Meet on the 1st & 3rd Sunday at 5:00pm Atkins – Prayer and fellowship 9250 Lake Dr. Various times and subjetcts
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BIBLE STUDIES & MORE HOME TEAM CELEBRATION STORY What does our Home Group means to me? Our home group is a place where each of us can open up and talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly of our lives and know the group supports you, prays for you, and loves you through it all. One’s honesty and openness, opens the door for others to do
the same in a safe and loving environment. The trust we have built with each other is something of great value and a place we go when in need. I believe God uses our group to help each of us to see what He loves in each of us. We get to see each other through His eyes. Roger Atkins
WEEKLY BIBLE STUDIES & FELLOWSHIP Men’s Prayer Breakfast Studying “James” Wednesdays, 6:00am Sycamore House
Sweet Hour of Prayer Thursdays, 10:00am Sycamore House Garage
Ladies Bible Studies Studying “He Speaks To Me” By Priscilla Shirer Wednesdays 6:30pm Sycamore House. (Childcare available)
Ladies Bible Study Fellowship Class
Pastor’s Bible Study Studying the book of “John” “Pastor’s Bible Study & Prayer Time” Wednesdays, 6:30pm - Room 112
Meets on Thursdays, 9:30- 11:30am, in the Sycamore House
Precept Classes studying “Church Unplugged” We will look at the meaning, mission, ministry and model of the church. Wednesdays, 6:30pm Room 111
“Unveiling Revelation in Light of Biblical Prophecy” Tuesdays 9:00 - 11:00am in the Pahl House. Wednesdays 6:30 - 7:30pm in the Pahl House
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ENCORE MINISTRY NEWS CELEBRATE OUR BIRTHDAYS! Bobbie Doty Sarah Fraley Arlie Eckermann Glynette Smith Thomas Messick Loretha Baker Diana Batdorf Dagmar Poteet Lynne Hollowell Sam Bell Don Kramer Sami Rahman Bette Sommers Phyllis Glasscock Lee Bufkin Joe Williams
10/1 10/1 10/3 10/4 10/5 10/6 10/6 10/9 10/9 10/9 10/10 10/10 10/11 10/11 10/14 10/14
David Towell Will O’Brien Buford Langston Peggy Marshall Kathy Japp Richard Miller Audrie Martin Jolynn Anderle Marsha Legard Johnnie Pitts Candy Arth Pat Brannen Margaret Walker Kim Sales
10/15 10/17 10/18 10/19 10/20 10/21 10/22 10/24 10/26 10/28 10/28 10/31 10/31 10/31
THE ENCORE MINISTRY IS ALWAYS UP TO SOMETHING! Encore Ministry Trip to Waco. Our Encore Ministry (55+) will be doing a day trip to Waco on Thursday, October 27th. We will be going to Magnolia Market, the Mayborn Museum at Baylor University, and lunch at the Golden Corral. We will leaving Brenham at 9:00 am and will be traveling in a charter bus. The cost of the trip is $25, and the cost includes the price for entry into the museum, the price for lunch and gratuity, and gratuity for the bus driver. Please RSVP and pay with the church office by October 20th.
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A LETTER FROM REBA Dear Friends, Today I received a blessing from our small Encore group lunch as Chad and Alex spoke about the upcoming mission trip to Colombia in October. I had already written this letter once, but held off sending it in, I guess because God told me too. I just didn’t feel led to send it in right after I finished it. Today I know why. I need to share what we were told today instead. They told of us about the orphanage they visited last year was for girls. This year they will be going to a ninety-five year old orphanage for boys outside the city of Bogota, and a privately owned orphanage that was started for women to have their babies instead of having abortions, but it has become an orphanage for boys and girls as well as a home for these women. Chad shared
THOUGHT OF THE MONTH “Giving is the thermometer of our love”
what they were taking from our Piece Makers group. One is the quilt in the foyer of the church, plus baby sacks for disabled babies. They use these so they cannot kick the covers off. They also will be sending blankets for the children. They told of us of other things they can take. We have fourteen members going on this trip. They are selling shirts for $20 to raise funds for other needs they want to purchase. So in closing, I must say there is plenty we can do to support our group. We can help financially, and we can pray for them to stay well while traveling and most importantly for those who they will be working with while there and for their salvation. Blessings, Reba Pair
BIBLE VERSE OF THE MONTH Matthew 28: 19-20 NIV “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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. 11
SPECIAL THANK YOU To Our Beloved Church Family and Staff, We hardly know where to begin thanking you for all you did for us in preparing and presenting the 40th anniversary concert celebration on Sunday, September 25. You have encouraged us, supported us in every way, prayed for us, and loved us through these past 40 years. What a privilege and joy that has been for us! Then you presented us with a wonderful evening celebrating God's goodness and faithfulness through the years.....and what a grand celebration it was! The whole "village" of believers came together and gave us such a special party! Thank you to each and every one of you! We are truly overwhelmed by your love and hard work in giving us this anniversary celebration. You have blessed us through these 40 years with the opportunity and privilege of serving as organist and pianist.........and we are so grateful. THANK YOU for everything! We llok forward to many more wonderful years with you! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! With love and appreciation, Robert and Martha Haydon
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STUDENT MINISTRY In these last few weeks, I’ve been preparing for our mission trip to Bogota, Colombia. Three things have really been on my heart as I’m getting ready: 1.) our sister church in Colombia, 2.) all the orphans that we will minister to, 3.) and the lost people we will come in contact with. I have been overwhelmed by our sister church in Colombia. It is amazing how the Lord led us to them on our trip last year. God has really used them to minister to the city and to the orphanages in Bogota. The work continued after we left which is awesome. Please be in prayer for the church and pray that God will use us to bless them while we are there. The absolute best part of the entire trip is seeing the smiles on all those little faces while we are there. We will be visit five different orphanages and doing different things in each one. But the most important thing we will be doing is showing God’s love inside of us to them. Please pray for us as we open
our hearts to these little ones. Last year as I was leaving one of the orphanages, one child told me as we were saying our good-byes, “No, not goodbye. Don’t say goodbye.” So I told her, “I will see you later.” I am praying that I will get to see her again and say hello. God has commanded us to reach the lost. We are heading into a lost world with more that 90% of Colombians that don’t have a relationship with Christ. We need prayer warriors praying and doing spiritual battle for us before, during and after this trip. We are going to share the Good News of Jesus Christ - please, please pray for us. Chad
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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
THIS MONTH’S BIG IDEA Courage - being brave enough to do what you should do, even when you’re afraid. UP COMING EVENTS “Lights in the Night” will be returning this year on October 31st. If your small group would like to host an event, please contact Bro. Alex. DO YOU SEW? The Kids Klub has two custom-sized windows that need curtains. If you are a seamstress, would you consider making these for the Kids?
MEMORY VERSE “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9b (NIV) WEEKLY BOTTOM LINE 1. You can do what you should even when you don’t know what will happen next. 2. You can do what you should even when you don’t feel ready. 3. You can do what you should even when things seem impossible. 4. You can do what you should even when others are afraid. 5. You can do what you should because God is with you.
THANK YOU Corey & Kristi Stegent, Kaitlyn Hamilton, Aleta Thistlethwaite, Lisa Clark, Heather Kirby, Heather Delso, Nicole Morrison, Sarah Faske, Charlie Pyle, Gregg Workman and Tup & Susie Chovanec faithfully lead our 1st-6th graders each week inBible Studies. Thank you all for your commitment to our Lord that compels you to partner with parents to raise kids who will run after God. 14
In Loving PRESCHOOL MINISTRIES MEMORY THANK YOU Thank you to everyone who supported our Preschool Ministry with donations for our Christmas in September this past month. With your help our kiddos raised $5,254.00 to go towards the building of a pavilion at the Bethlehem Cemetery in honor of Roane Nelson. This sweet little one touched many lives in his 4 short years on this earth. I know for sure that Roane touched my heart along with my daughter Harley’s. THANK YOU again. Stace y Str i ckl an d D irector of P reschool Mini str i es
Roane Alan Nelson February 6, 2012 - June 18, 2016
PARENT/CHILD DEDICATION Our next Parent/Child dedication is scheduled on, November 8th during the 8:30am and/or the 11:00am services. If your family would like to participate, please contact Stacey Strickland (Director of Preschool Ministries), by email at sstrickland@fbc-brenham.org or by phone 979-836-2807, ext. 217. No later than October 11, 2016. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Wyatt Clark 10-23
Jedd Gessner 10-27
Go to www.fbc-brenham.org/connect/preschool-ministry For all the information and click on Preschool Ministries Newsletter.
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FBC SCHOOL & EEC Happy Fall Y’all! Our annual book fair is this week. It is being held in the Pahl Street House. Please feel free to come by and shop for your family. All proceeds go towards our library. Our mission focus in September was on Adam’s Angels Ministry and the FBC Colombia Mission trip. We appreciate the opportunity to help where there is a need. It helps our students to start noticing needs around them, and it shows them
that they can make a difference in someone’s life! We are staying in God’s word by attending chapel and memorizing scripture each week. It is a beautiful sight to see the children reciting the verses. I am certain God will use the scriptures throughout their lives. What an amazing blessing it is to be a small part of God’s work! Blessings, Nancy Jahns
UPCOMING OCTOBER EVENTS 3-7 3 4 5 6 11 12
Book Fair 13 Volleyball & Football at St. Grandparents day at book fair/lunch Paul’s (4:00 & 5:30) BHS Cheerleaders at chapel 14 Elementary to Blinn for play Ms. LuLu – for elementary 18 1st grade to BN&R Volleyball & Football at Immanuel’s 20 Volleyball at Waller 4:30 Lutheran (4:00 & 5:00) 21 Jump Rope for Heart Fire Safety presentation for grades K-4 25 4th grade to BN&R 5th grade to BN&R 28 Noah’s Ark Day - preschool Core Essentials for elementary
THANK YOU
I am so grateful to our school committee! They have been a blessing of wisdom and discernment to me. The support they have shown as we have transitioned from PALS to PTO has been such a help!
NEEDS
Please pray for the families we serve and for opportunities to share the Gospel.
MOTHER’S DAY OUT
Mother’s Day Out started the new school year with a BANG! We have 25 children enrolled in our program on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We also have 7 wonderful staff members that enjoy teaching and loving on these children. This month, we will be learning about Noah’s Ark, Abraham, Joseph and baby Moses. We will be learning the letters: Z, T, J, and Q, as well as, the colors: green, white, orange and
purple. Our monthly theme is “Farm” and this month we will take a field trip to the fire department to learn about fire safety. The three’s/four’s class will also take a field trip to downtown Brenham. Once there, they will look at all the scarecrows around downtown and enjoy a scoop of Blue Bell at Must be Heaven. We will also celebrate Harvest with a costume party at 16 the end of the month.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Our Sympathies To: Eileen Rehor and family in the loss of her husband, Don Rehor. John and Carole Burton and family in the loss of their grandson.
Church Thank Yous: Dear Women Blessing Women, On behalf of Krause Elementary, I would like to thank you so much for creating the Teacher Survival Kits for our amazing teachers to welcome them back to school. Our teachers felt so loved when they received them in the classroom. We value your support and generosity toward our school district. It means so much. Together we are raising the next generation of Brenham leaders. Courtney Mason Krause Elementary On behalf of the Volunteer Services Council (VSV) and Brenham State Supported Living Center (BSSLC), we would like to personally thank you for your very kind donation of 90 beautiful pillowcases! Your generosity helps continue our mission and will make an immediate difference in the lives of the individuals living at Brenham SSLC Kristie Wensel - BSSLC Community Relations Director 17
FROM TROY’S HEART “Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 One of the joys of my job is to watch so many of you obey this command. On a weekly basis, I see evidence of hurting people being cared for by members, classes and groups of Brenham’s First Baptist Church. Just today, I was copied on an email from a Sunday Bible Study asking for members to pray for a former classmate who was struggling with personal issues. Earlier in the week, a half-dozen class members of another department were at the hospital sitting with a man whose wife was in surgery. Whether people are taking food to families in grief or making phone calls to get to know guests, the members of our small groups love to care for people! Notice again the phrase at the end of the verse above: “and thus fulfill the law of Christ.” When we love and care for people to the point of bearing burdens, we are acting like Jesus...we make Him happy. So, keep up the good work you “burden-bearers”! I love you, Troy
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OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD Dear Church Family, Another year has passed and it’s time to gear up for another season of Operation Christmas Child. Donna and I would like to thank you in advance for the support you give to this effort each year. We are looking forward to another great year. As you know we ended up with over 4300 shoeboxes last year which was great but short of the 4500 goal we had set. I’m leaving the goal at 4500 again this year and feel that it will be broken this time. Collection dates this year are November 14th thru the 21st. It will be a busy and a good time for those that get involved. About the 15th of October I will begin thanking names of those of you that wish to volunteer. As always there will be refreshments provided. Now for some encouraging news. I had a lunch meeting with Bro Ross and Mark Haroldson from Samaritans Purse. During the meeting we were told that the 4,000 + shoeboxes that came from our relay center can be tied to 400+ salvations of kids around the world. We were told these kids are able to write down their experience with Christ and able to articulate that experience to others. Think of the possibilities. Pack some shoeboxes and lets get kids saved. Yours In Christ David May
Brenham’s First Baptist Church P. O. Box 600 Brenham, TX 77834-0600
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