September 2017 newsletter

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 Design 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:

Hurricane Relief Efforts. ....................................................page Church-wide Calendar .....................................................page From Pastor Ross ...............................................................page Music Ministry ....................................................................page Adult Ministries .................................................................page Bible Studies & More ........................................................page Encore Ministry ..................................................................page A Letter from Reba . ...........................................................page Student Ministry ................................................................page Children’s Ministry ............................................................page Preschool Ministry ............................................................page Ways to Help Flood Victims ............................................page Sweet Hour of Prayer ........................................................page Special Announcements ..................................................page Thank Yous & Sympathies................................................page FBC School & EEC ..............................................................page From Troy’s Heart ..............................................................page

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HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS

A group of volunteers from Brenham FBC went to help families with relief efforts after Hurricane Harvey.

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CHURCH-WIDE CALENDAR

SEPTEMBER3 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 7 9 10 10 11 13 14 17 17 19 20 20 21 24 27 27 28 29

Lord’s Supper - Both Services Deacon’s Meeting 2:00pm Room 111 Church Council Meeting 4:00pm Room 112 FBCS Holiday - Labor Day Church Office Close - Labor Day Holiday Mother’s Day Out - First Day 8:30am Stone House Piece Makers 9:00am Student Center Men’s Prayer Breakfast 6:00am Sycamore House Sweet Hour of Prayer 10:00am Sycamore House Hope/Virtuous Wmns’ SS Brunch10:00am Sycamore House Personnel Committee Meeting 4:00pm Room 112 Mary Hill Davis Prayer Week Finance Committee Meeting 6:30pm Room 111 Men’s Prayer Breakfast 6:00am Sycamore House Sweet Hour of Prayer 10:00am Sycamore House Christmas in September Both Services Connecting @ FBC 4:00pm Room 112 Columbia Mission Trip Begins FBCS- Fair Holiday/ EEC Open Men’s Prayer Breakfast 6:00am Sycamore House Sweet Hour of Prayer 10:00am Sycamore House Churchwide Business Meeting 4:00pm Gym Men’s Prayer Breakfast 6:00am Sycamore House FBCS - See You At the Pole 8:00am Sweet Hour of Prayer 10:00am Sycamore House FBCS- Scholastic Book Fair 8:00am 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

This summer I read one of the best books I’ve read on evangelism by Alvin Reid, Sharing Jesus without Freaking Out: Evangelism the Way You Were Born to Do It. The book is one of the most practical and helpful books concerning how we can lead a missionary lifestyle of sharing the Good News (the Gospel) of Jesus Christ with people who don’t yet know Jesus. Reid notes that he often asks his students at the seminary where he teaches to rank themselves with the numbers 1, 2, or 3 concerning where they are as a witness. Here are the rankings:

1.) Refers to a confident witness who has led people to Christ and trained others.

2.) Signifies a believer who has shared the gospel more than a few times, but has yet to develop a consistent lifestyle of witness.

3.) Represents a novice, someone who either has never been encouraged or trained to share Christ or is generally too afraid to try.

If you had to rank yourself, which number would you give yourself?

Let’s be honest, it can be sobering to think about where you may rank. I believe most Christians, including most members of our church, would probably rank themselves as a 3.

In asking you to rank yourself, I’m not doing this to make you feel bad or give you a guilt trip. I’ve found that the longer I’m a Christian the more ways I find to rationalize and/or make excuses why I don’t share the Gospel. Nevertheless, Reid’s book was helpful to me because his focus was on helping Christians, “…have real conversations with real people about a real Savior they genuinely need” (p. 13). Obviously, I don’t have the space to summarize the totality of Reid’s book, but I want to encourage you to do things this month. First, if you are interested in the book, buy it. Second, start with a daily prayer that Reid challenges his readers to pray daily: “God, give me today (1) an opportunity to speak with someone about Jesus; (2) the wisdom to see it; and (3) the courage to take it” (pp. 17-18). I’ve written that prayer on a note card and commit to pray this each day during September. Will you do the same?

Personally, I want you and me to move from feeling guilty about what we’re not doing with evangelism and begin positioning our lives to be ready to share the Gospel. I think this prayer is a great way to start.

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MUSIC MINISTRY

There are many exciting things going on this fall in the music ministry!

Here are just a few of the ways YOU can get involved: Christmas Choir Christmas Choir rehearsals are under way! I want to invite any of you who are interested to come join us for, what promises to be, a fantastic experience this December. Practices are on Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm in the sanctuary.

Praise Choir Worshippers wanted for our 11am Contemporary Service Praise Choir!

No handheld microphones, no sheet music, no mandatory rehearsals. All that’s required is that you be a least high school age, love to worship, and are willing to listen and learn a few great worship songs at your leisure each week!

Kids’ Choir Kids’ Choir will kickoff on Wednesday, September 6. 1st graders – 6th graders are invited to join us in the Choir Room for music, fun, and food!

For more details, see Charles Covin! ccovin@fbc-brenham.org

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ADULT MINISTRIES PIECE MAKERS

In July, Piece Makers was blessed with five brand new sewing machines donated by Sew Vac Direct located in Bryan, Texas! These machines will allow members who don’t want to or can’t carry heavy sewing machines from home to sew at our meetings.

Be sure to take a look at our group quilt entry in the Washington County Fair that is hanging in the church hallway. This special quilt titled ‘What Cancer Cannot Do’ was created by Piece Makers in memory of Aubrey Groover, daughter of Kathy and Larry Groover, and will be on permanent display in the new Cancer Center in Bryan, Texas after the Fair. Piece Makers meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month from 9 am to 2 pm in the Student Center. You are welcome to join us!

First Impressions Parking Lot Greeting Team.

Each Sunday, We have greeters in 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 and our Welcome Guest Greeter 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.

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BIBLE STUDIES & MORE

Men’s Prayer Breakfast Studying “I John” Wednesdays, 6:00am Sycamore House Sweet Hour of Prayer Thursdays, 10:00am Sycamore House Garage Pastor’s Bible Study “Pastor’s Bible Study & Prayer Time” Wednesdays, 6:30pm - Room 112 Resumes 9/6/17

Ladies Bible Studies Studying “Finding I Am”

by Lysa TerKeurst.

Wednesdays 6:30pm Sycamore House Ladies Bible Study Fellowship Class Studying the book of “Romans” Meets on Thursdays, 9:30- 11:30am, in the Sycamore House Class resumes 9/7/17

Ephesians: Faithful Followers at Full-Tilt!

Wednesdays, 6:30pm - Room 111 NEW! Young Married Bible Study: You and Me Forever, Marriage in a light of Eternity

by Francis & Lisa Chan Sunday Mornings at 9:45am in room 203 Starts September 10th

HOME TEAM GROUPS UPDATES!

Widows & Single Ladies – Various Topics. Pahl House 1st & 3rd Monday 6:00pm. Resumes 9/18/17 Schroeder – “The Bait of Satan” by John Bevere 620 Country Place W. Dr. Meet on the 1st & 3rd Sunday at 5:00pm Atkins – Prayer and fellowship 9250 Lake Dr. Various times and subjects

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ENCORE MINISTRY NEWS

CELEBRATE OUR BIRTHDAYS! Debbie Goss Steve Mossbarger Chris Dairymple Kitty Cook Ron Upchurch John Bryant Howdy McCracken JW Burchfield Danny Batdorf Florence Smith Terry Roberts Dayle Burkhart James Carstarphen Cheri Baker Mary Helen McDaniel Gail Cole Allan Michalak Jack Brannen Jeff Stoltenberg

Donna Culliver Dodie Miller Rodney Williams T.K. Condron Susan Karisch David Yeager

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James Presswood Jerry Legard Sylvia Price Jeanette Carlson David Meier Sidnie Byrket Sherry Lacy Marsha Dannhaus Lavangie Dillard Don Smith Gilbert Welty Susan Jenkins Sherrie Tolbert Joanne Sossaman Pam Briley Bud Lovell Michael Jenkins

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SAVE THE DATE - OCTOBER 19th

Encore Potluck Luncheon @ 11:00am in the Pahl House

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A LETTER FROM REBA

As I sit here this afternoon writing and thinking of everything coming up I get re-energized. I love the fall season. One of the things that has become a fun thing to participate in is Operation Christmas Child. I have always loved working with children, and it is so great to see children around the world smile as they are handed a gift from a stranger. I would like to challenge you all to fill boxes this year. If you are homebound and cannot get out to buy stuff for a box, you can donate postage to help pay for them to go around the world. I have friends in other places whose churches collect all year then have a big packing boxes day for the whole church to participate in. We haven’t gotten that big yet, but now is a good time to load up on school supplies with it being back to school month. We load our boxes the middle of November so you still have time to gather supplies. I always try to give a box for the number of grandchildren I have. This year I have to add two more boxes, and I am happy to do so. Don’t forget toiletry items, sewing kits for teenage girls, deflated soccer balls with air pumps for boys.

THOUGHT

OF THE MONTH:

In our planning meeting today we discussed how to encourage our younger senior adults to become a part of our ministry. We hope our fifty -five to seventy- year old age groups will come and become a part of our ministry this year. We have a lot of fun and usually eat too much, but it is such a treat to gather with our brothers and sisters in Christ for fellowship. If you would like to help with planning or serving in a position of our group we’d like to talk to you. Think about these things and put October 19th at 11:00 am on your calendar now for our first luncheon meeting at the Pahl Street House.

Blessings, Reba Pair

“Giving is the thermometer of our love.”

SCRIPTURE OF THE MONTH: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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.”

Matthew 28:18-20

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STUDENT MINISTRY

From the perspective of a lowly student intern...

This has been without a doubt the quickest summer that I have ever experienced. Mainly due to the fact that there has just been a ton going on.

From VBS (senior and children) and FUGE camp to Tejas and Honduras and everything in between, I think this is the most that I have travelled in a single summer. And it has been one the best summers that I have been a part of.

When I first agreed to be Chad’s intern, I think I had a pretty good idea of what to expect. For the most part I figured it would involve handling some paperwork here and there and playing chaperone on some trips. Those things were definitely a part of the job, but there was a lot more to it. One of the goals that I had set in mind for the summer was to learn how to better communicate my faith to people. Well, obviously, I had many opportunities to do so at the different events that were going on. If it was an event that I did not have a huge role in like VBS, it was simply through the way that I carried myself. When it came to FUGE camp, Tejas, and Honduras, it was more of a situation that forced me to be more outspoken.

At FUGE, there was a night where all of the adult leaders shared sins that they struggled with, something that I had not done in a while. For Tejas, this was the first time that I had been there as a counselor, so I was thrust into a situation that I had zero experience in. I ended up being in charge of a group of 5th graders most of the time, and there was one kid in particular that stuck out with the way he acted. He seemed to be wise beyond his years, and really had a heart for God. When we prayed together, his words helped me to focus on how to lead others.

Honduras was obviously the trip with the most witnessing involved. For the first couple of days that we were on food distribution and witnessing, I had the opportunity to share my faith to a couple of different people. However, they were either not interested or had already accepted Christ. The night before our last day of witnessing, I prayed that someone the next day would be receptive to the Gospel. God definitely delivered, and I had the privilege of leading an older gentleman named Jose to Christ. As far as I can remember, that was the first time that I have done that.

All in all, I just want to thank the entire church for giving me these awesome experiences this summer. It would not have been possible without everyone’s support. I think that this summer was something that I really needed, and hopefully God can use my experiences to further His kingdom through me in the future.

In Christ, Todd Jahns

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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer & petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Phil 4:6 Good Morning, This weekend was both wonderful and difficult.

Wonderful because we dispatched our eldest son to the Criminal Justice department at Sam Houston State University, and difficult because on the same day, we waved goodbye to a girl from Colombia who had worked her way into our hearts while visiting in our home for the past two weeks. Joshua will be 65 miles away and Ella (name changed to protect identity) is 2,300 miles away. They are both out of our sight, and out of arms reach, but they are both in good hands - one at college and the other with her foster family. We have total assurance that each will be fine, and know they will both be well taken care of where they are. We just have to let go and trust God to take care of them.

How hard it is to say those words “let go and trust God.” Actually, they are easy words to say, but hard to practice. We say the mantra, then put the airplane app on our phone and breathlessly watch the little airplane on the screen until it reaches the end of the projected course line and wait for the “we have landed” text. We watch their progress on the tracking app, and wonder why they veered from the routine route. We wonder if they are going to get up for church or sleep in. We fret about the mountainous obstacles that threaten to prevent their return to our home.

Chill out and pray. This is a very simple re-statement of Philippians 4:6 – “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Don’t be anxious when they are not checking in with you every night. Pray when they come into your mind.

Petition the Father to bring them back to Looking for a person with your home never to return to a foster home. organizational skills, a great Thank Him for the time that you have had smile and a huge love for kids with them and request Holy Spirit to care and families to be our Kids and protect their paths. “And the peace of Klub Coordinator.

God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” Please contact Alex if this (Phil. 4:7). Don’t freak out, pray and rest may be a good fit for your assured in His peace. Good advice. search to serve.

I should listen. Will you join me?

WANTED:

His Servant & Yours, Bro. Alex

THANK YOUS:

Thank You to a fantastic church who supports missions in other countries (Honduras, Africa and Colombia) with both funding and prayers (especially with prayers).

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PRESCHOOL MINISTRIES It’s SUPER KIDS month! All kids want to be Super Kids, and they can when they realize that God is always with them. Because God is with them, they can be brave. Because God is with them, they can be strong. Because God is with them, they can be courageous.

Because God is with them, they can be wise.

We want our little ones to know that when they know God is always with them, they can be super! This month, our little ones will learn that we can do super things when we trust that God is always with us and do things His way. Yes, super – the kind of super that really matters – comes from God, and it’s not about what WE can do but what God can do.

THAT is what makes a super kid … well … super!

STACEY

Sunday Mornings in August Basic Truth: God loves me.

Key Question: Who is always with you?

Bottom Line: God is always with me.

Memory Verse: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid … for the Lord your God goes with you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

ANDREW HOLSTER 9/5

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

LIAM MOORE 9/13

JORGE ARBELAEZ 9/23

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WAYS TO HELP FLOOD VICTIMS

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SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER That first awareness in your mind as you awake, comes stealing. Where do those first thoughts wander? Heavy grief, trouble, or issues with no answers? God is waiting. Why not start praising and thanking Him You’re awake, aren’t you? This is the day He has made for you. Draw near to Him. Let His “But for you arms steal around you as you remember who revere He will never leave you or forsake you. He has suffered for your peace. He is on the my name, the sun throne. That first small prayer of praise of righteousness and thanksgiving can change your whole will rise day from confusion into order, from sadness into triumph and gladness. with healing

Now’s your chance, Grab this day.

The Lord is near, Can’t you hear?

His voice is so soft.

He knows your name, He is the way, To peace this day.

in its wings.”

Malachi 4:2

Our Sweet Hour of Prayer is Thursday’s 10:00 - 11:00 in the garage of the Sycamore House. You are welcome to join us and raise your voice to the Lord in prayer with us.

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

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THANK YOUS & SYMPATHIES

Dear Church Family, I can’t begin to tell you how much your messages and potted plant have meant to me. It helps to know that I have friends to help comfort me at this difficult time. Pat would have appreciated your kindness so much.

Thanks for you thoughtfulness.

Love, Nancy Tahaney

Lester and Helen Yeakley want to thank everyone for their many prayers, cards, calls and gifts of food following, his back surgery. The love has surely been felt and God has lovingly heard and responded to the prayers. Healing will take time but Lester is off to a very good start. Love to you all.

Thank you for the beautiful plant and for the thoughts and prayers.

It meant so much .

The Ruby Perry Family Dear Church Family, Thank you for your kind expressions of sympathy to us in the loss of Robert’s dear mother, Willie Mae Haydon. All the sweet cards, texts, calls, and visits have been greatly appreciated. The green plant is beautiful and brings us comfort in knowing that our church family was remembering us in our time of loss. We love you and are continually blessed by you.

In His love, Robert and Martha Haydon Vance and Kerri Hamilton We would like to thank you for your continued support to the ministry for the contribution will benefit the men and students of the program.

We are so very grateful for the Church and Support.

Adult and Teen Challenge Brenham Thank you so much for the beautiful floral arrangement. You sent in honor of Nathanael. We are so grateful for our church family as we accept our loss, but are comforted knowing his in perfect peace in the arms of Jesus.

With Love, The Faske Family

SYMPATHIES:

-Haydon family in the loss of Willie Mae Haydon.

-Suzie Anger, Paula Betts and all of the family in the loss of Ruby Perry.

-Lori McCracken and family in the loss of her father, Kenneth Spivey.

-Jim Humphrey and family in the loss of his sister.

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FBC SCHOOL & EEC We hit the ground running for our new year. There is an excitement in the building that is contagious! Our theme this year is a spinoff of Star Wars. “May HIS Force Be With You” is our slogan. We are using 2 Corinthians 13:14 as a verse for the year. We will be talking a lot “May the grace about what His Force is this year of the Lord Jesus Christ, things like Love, Grace & Forgiveness. and the love of God, Due to Hurricane Harvey, we have also opened up the same relief opportunities that the church has encouraged.

and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

2 Corinthians 13:14

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month. We will be raising funds through candy and pickle sales for Adam’s Angels Ministry for our first mission project.

This will be later in the month.

Our nursery through 2 year old classes are completely full. What a blessing! Space is limited in a couple of grades. Please help spread the word about this opportunity to join the FBCS & EEC family.

In His Service, Nancy

UPCOMING EVENTS September

1 College Colors Day 4 Labor Day School & EEC closed 3-7 School pictures 20 School closed/ EEC open 27 See You At the Pole 8:15 a.m.

29 End of 1st Six Weeks

THANK YOU Thank you for the prayers as we began our new year! Keep them coming!

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FROM TROY’S HEART Over the past month, many of our members have asked me to review my four-week sabbatical with questions such as, “What did you do?”, “Did you have a good time?”, or “What did you learn?”

Therefore, in this installment of From Troy’s Heart, I thought I would recap our sabbatical experience with the answers to those questions.

What did you do?

-Traveled by car down the west coast from Seattle to San Francisco for 10 days.

-Once we returned home, we did household chores, made some day-trips to Lockhart and Corrigan and thanked God for the person who invented air-conditioning!

-I read a book entitled, “Out Live Your Life” by Max Lucado and started “All In” by Mark Batterson.

-I wrote a sermon.

-Attended worship at a couple of churches and met some new friends.

Did you have a good time?

-You bet! I have never been off for 4 consecutive weeks. It took me a while to get adjusted.

What did you learn?

-People are the best! We are the pinnacle of God’s creation.

-Home is the best! “There is no place like home.”

-Although leading church folk can be frustrating at times, I REALLY do love them!

I missed y’all.

-I have to have something to do. I am not a good “sit and relax” guy. Boredom set in and I polished the marble counter tops, swept cobwebs from the eaves of the house and pump-house and washed down the siding of the garage.

-Kelley and I still like one another a lot. We went the whole month and didn’t get tired of each other. Believe me, I know that too much of me can be hard to handle.

Sounds like a good sabbatical to me!

Thank you to this church family for allowing us to have the time away and moreover, thank you for loving us over the past eighteen years. I know I can be frustrating too.

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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