For more information on any events please visit the church website:
www.fbc-brenham.org
www.facebook.com/BrenhamsFirstBaptistChurch
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS:
Mon - Thurs: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Fri: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm.
Brenham’s First Baptist Church Contact Info: Ph: (979) 836-2807 Fax: (979) 830-0122 info@fbc-brenham.org
Mailing address: PO Box 600 Brenham, TX 77834
Collection Week: November 16th-23rd in the Sycamore House Garage
P.S. Keep an eye on the construction of our new building. They will be preparing to pour the slab very soon. After a few weeks of the concrete being poured, the steel should start going up. We *may* see some steel going up as soon as late October.
From Pastor Ross
As we continue on this roller coaster year of 2020, I want to pause for a moment to let each of you know how much I appreciate you. For everyone, in different ways, this has been a year filled with many challenges. Nevertheless, you have been faithful in encouraging one another, finding ways to come together to study God’s Word and pray, supporting the church through your financial giving, being kind to us – the church staff – as we make decisions, and being a people of prayer. While I will be ready to have 2020 in the rear view mirror, when I look in the rear view mirror, I will not primarily see a pandemic, economic uncertainty, a year filled with anxiety and anger. Instead, I believe I will see a people trusting God and finding God to be faithful. Thank you for being a faithful, generous, kind, and steady church! I am honored to be your pastor.
A Letter From Reba This month I immediately knew what I need to write about. As you know last month the Southwest part of Louisiana was hit by Hurricane Laura the biggest one ever in recorded history. We immediately had friends coming in here to Brenham for shelter. Our daughter who lives here had about 4 families in their home and camper, and we opened our farmhouse to some more of them about 12 I think. You see we lived and raised our family in one of the towns hardest hit Sulphur. We lived there for 20 years, moving there the day after we married. As we began to hear how bad it was and the damages done, we asked Bro. Ross if we could ask for donations and was told of course you can. The donations began to come in right and left. My dining room was full six days later. We got paper goods, flashlights, bug spray, a lot of water, a lot of fans, cleaning supplies and cash. So as we began to talk to our friends who are in the ministry there what would be a good place to give cash donations to, they named a few things, but one couple in particular, and after prayer we felt God led us to the Trahans. He is a bi-vocational pastor of our first church home in Sulphur. The church where Doc was ordained deacon fifty years ago this month. They lost everything and had no insurance. I just want to thank everyone who donated and prayed for the people of Louisiana. Our last evacuees are leaving today which is three weeks later. They may be back depending on what they find We have been told by our daughter who delivered the donations that it is so much worse than any pictures you have seen. If you would still like to donate, we can make sure it will get to where it is needed. We enjoyed meeting some church members we had never met, you know the ones you know their face, but not their name. It is so great to hear when God’s children step up and do what we have always been told to do, by Jesus himself. Blessings, Reba Pair
“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:40
Sympathies & Thank Yous -JW Burchfileld and family in the loss of his brother, Bob. -Pastor of Independence Baptist Church, Phil Hassel, passed away. -Steve Puckett and family in the loss of his mother. Pastor Ross and all the staff, custodians and Deacons., The Friendship Class would like to thank you for all you have done to make it possible for church to worship in person. Thank you for making it possible for our SS Classes to meet. We love you and appreciate all you have done for us. Also thank you for your faithfulness and love for this church. The Friendship Class.
Focus of the Month: Letter/Photo & $9 Shipping Sometimes the most important and cherished item in the shoebox is a personal note and photo from you! It will probably be the only written note they have ever received. It doesn’t have to be long, just something from your heart. If you want to include your name and address that is optional. Some children will write back. The shipping and handling is high due to cost of shipping and customs in each country. Some people like to know where their boxes go. On the Samaritan’s Purse website, you can “Follow your Box” by paying online. Your printed label will have a bar code that will be scanned and then the destination will be sent to your email address. Last year some of our boxes from the church went to Ghana in Western Africa and Mexico.
Contact Doddie Messick for more info: doddie.messick@gmail.com
From Troy's Heart
Last month I talked about starting something new. So have you started anything new this fall? I have. I am now a Zwifter! “What is a Zwifter?”, you ask. Zwift is an App used by cyclists when they are training indoors. Therefore, a Zwifter is someone who uses the computer program to train. Last Spring, I started riding my bike more frequently. Throughout the Summer, I would go for long bike rides and enjoy the countryside. However, after a few hours, I needed someone to talk to or be with. I tried to locate a local cycling club that does group rides, but there isn’t one in my area. Then I heard about Zwift! When you subscribe to Zwift, you become a part of a global cycling community. You can virtually join group rides, enter races or sign up for group workouts with people from all over the world. On a typical virtual ride, I may cycle with people from Germany, Mexico, Japan, China, Canada, Finland, Australia, England or the United States. Also, I can interact with them via text message or group chat to encourage or give them a “Ride On”(thumbs up of encouragement). After a ride, I can then request to “follow” them or they can “follow” me and then meet up with them on future rides. I have thoroughly enjoyed my first month on Zwift because I feel like I am a part of something bigger than my solo rides through the countryside. Of course, there is a place for the solace of a solo ride, but connecting to a global family of riders has given me a new appreciation and acceptance. Kind of like THE CHURCH. Yes, I am a follower of Jesus. Solo. Personal. Me. But, I am also a member of His Body, the Church. We. Us. Global. We should enjoy and be grateful for both. Solo and together, the Church is a place of mission, love and encouragement for ALL. I love you, Troy
Small Groups, Big News So, we have now had our Sunday Bible Studies and Home Teams going for one month. We have also had our Wednesday night small groups going for more than a month. What a difference small groups make in the dynamics of our relationships. As I have walked the hallways and rooms of our church, there is an energy that you can feel, Holy Spirit energy! When the church comes together in true “koinonia” or deep togetherness, it makes a world of difference. Have you sensed it? I am so grateful to all of our small group leaders for helping us get our Sunday and weekday Bible Studies back in place. Your faithfulness and encouragement to work together with our staff has been a blessing. Keep “pressing on” my friends.
Piece Makers
Our first Piece Makers meeting since March was held on September 1st! We had a wonderful time together. Besides praying and sharing our joys and concerns, we enjoy Sew and Show time. Members bring things they have finished since the last meeting. This space is too small to show all the awesome quilts that were brought. The pictures depict baby quilts that will go to New Beginnings Life Ministries in December. Our meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month in the Student Center from 9 to 4 pm. All are welcome to come sew or visit with us for as long as you can stay.
Preschool Ministry THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I am so proud of our preschoolers. Our preschoolers were able to participate this past September in their very own mission project. They were able to make yummy goodies in a jar and gathered donations for FBCS. Thank you for your help in teaching our little ones how to help others in need even in these unique circumstances. Amount to announced later in the month.
Preschool postal service: Hoping to come to you the end of November. More info to come.
Memory Verse: “He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death … on a cross.” Philippians 2:8 Big Picture Question: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead.
Happy Birthday: Kincaid Messick Tiberius Phillips Hannah Holster
Student Ministry Hey Church Family! September has been a great kickoff for our student ministry after the six-month Spring Break, but please keep praying things stay on track. Seeing our kids face-to-face and hearing them laugh and have fun is medicine to my soul. One of the biggest joys has been our student worship band. Each week 6 of our teenagers play instruments and sing to lead our students in worship. And Mrs. Kacy Kuespert has taken charge of the food prep. So this is the first year I have been able to totally focus on the Bible study and move around the room and talk to other students in our student center without having to be preparing music and cooking dinner, too. I hope you have the chance to be led by the students in worship sometime in the near future. I have been planning for the 2021 year so be looking for dates of big events that will be coming out like summer camp, Disciple Now, Men’s Cake Bake, Spring Break Honduras trip and other events. Of course, COVID-19 has altered the way we minister and all plans are “tentative” but when you think about it the plans of men have always been “tentative.” Please continue to pray that COVID-19 will weaken as we plan to reach students and others around the world with the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Him, Bro. Chad
FBC School and EEC
“Never be lacking in zeal, But keep your spiritual fervor, Serving the Lord.” Romans 12:11 I’m so grateful for the encouraging words and prayers for FBCS. Our first six weeks just ended, and it has been wonderful. Our staff has been stretched in many directions, but they have made it through the challenges! Our students have adjusted well to the many changes. As a ministry, the focus has been on God’s goodness and grace. He is so good to us all! In October, we will begin poinsettia sales. Poinsettias will be $10, and may be ordered from students or our school office. All profit goes to our technology fund. Students will deliver poinsettias the week after Thanksgiving. The school will be participating in Brazos Valley Gives. Brazos Valley Gives is an initiative of the Community Foundation of the Brazos Valley, and brings the region together as one community during the month of October to raise money and awareness for local nonprofits in 7 Brazos Valley counties. Last year, Brazos Valley Gives raised more than $363,000 benefitting over 100 nonprofits. FBCS will be included in this year’s 18-hour giving day on October 27, 2020. Kerri Hamilton will be our contact person. Watch for more information for this event!
Upcoming Workday!
We will have a workday to spread mulch on the back playground on October 3. If you have time and a tractor/bobcat, the help would be welcomed!
In His Service, Nancy
3
27
OCTOBER Elementary playground work day to spread mulch Brazos Valley Gives
Thank you
Thank you to a church member for donating new flags!
Children's Ministry “But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike.” (Acts 26:22a-b, NIV) Good Morning, Don’t you just love a good story? I know I do. I was meeting with a new person in the community and when I asked for the story of what brought them to Brenham, they seemed to light up. Then, as the story progressed, I lit up, and at the end, I was inspired. Stories are great. They can move the masses, and break down sturdy walls. Have you ever noticed how excited someone gets when they are telling their own story? Lemme show you. Once upon a time, there was a prodigal son. Yet, he was not always a prodigal son. He had begun a life with God through salvation in Jesus Christ at the age of 8, and lived every day hoping for new ways to love and serve God. As time went on, darkness crept in around the boy. The dark first pushed out the light at home, so the boy ran to the church as often as he could where the light was bright. Then, the darkness spread into the church, and clouded the light. Desperate, the young boy cried out. He exclaimed he would search for another source of light to shine in his life, but without means of transportation, the boy was trapped in the darkness until it overshadowed his heart. Soon, the boy had stopped serving God, and rarely talked to Him. The boy lived life his own way for his own pleasure for many years. He had walked away from God to a distant land. Then, one day, as if a clarion call, the boy, who was now a young man, heard a voice that he recognized, but was unfamiliar since it was so long since the tone had fallen on his ears. The young man thought it might be God, but the message made no sense. God was saying, “I want you to be a minister for Me.” The young man was confused because if this was God, He would know that the young man had done so much wrong that he could never be a minister. Besides, the young man already had great plans to be a doctor and serve by healing others. Not much later, God called out again, and again, and again. God persisted over six months as the young man ran faster, and faster, in the opposite direction. Finally, dumbfounded by God’s persistence and passion for him, the young man stopped running, turned around, and God was right there - nose to nose - as the young man said, “OK, I will be a minister for You.” Immediately, the man was pulled into his Father’s arms, clothed in royal robes and given a ring of significance. Did you enjoy the story? I hope you did. Some may notice it did not end with “happily ever after,” and that is because it is not over. The story is continuing today, and will continue. I get excited when I tell this story, but not because it is about me, but because it is about Jesus, and His great mercy on my life. In the Bible, Paul often shared his story with others as well, and not just his conversion testimony, but the ongoing struggles he endured for the sake of the Gospel. Like me, I don’t think he did it to draw attention to himself. Instead, I think he too was excited to tell others about God’s great mercy on his life. What about you? Do you have a story about how God moved in your life? Have you seen Him persist upon your life or bless in abundance without cause? Does this excite you? Are you sharing these stories about Him to excite others? Will you now? His Servant & Yours, Bro. Alex
Brenham’s First Baptist Church P. O. Box 600 Brenham, TX 77834-0600
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