FHPC Newsletter Bandera Road (210) Contents

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1 13200 Bandera Road (210) Helotes, Texas FHPC Newsletter Contents Pastor s Thoughts.. 1 November Worship Youth Ministry...3 Christian Education....4 Session Notes...5 Holidays at FHPC....6 Trunk or Treat..7 Coming Soon...8 November Calendar... 9 Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering-fat portions from the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor upon Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry. Then the Lord said, why are you downcast? If you do what is right, you will be accepted, but if you do not, sin is crouching at your door. - Genesis 4:3-6 This passage in Genesis is one that has always intrigued me. For all of the history that we associate with Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eden, the word sin never actually appears. The first time sin appears in Genesis is in this story of Cain and Abel. Both brothers in this account bring an offering to God, Abel provides fat portions from his firstborn while it says that Cain only brought some fruits from his soil. Immediately God notices that Abel has made an offering from his firstborn animals. This is likely the best of what he has that is offered up to the Lord. Cain, instead chooses to bring some of what he has. By the way the passage is written I get the sense that it was just some of what he had available or left over. Personally, this is such a convicting passage for me, specifically at this time of the year. The season of thanksgiving calls us to set aside time from the business of our lives and reflect on what we are grateful for. Our gratitude generally flows towards the things which are beneficial for us, but how grateful are we for all things, even the things that perhaps we don t appreciate. This passage serves as a gentle reminder for us, to see all the gifts which we have been given from God...the big and small, the first and last. But when we give back to God, do we bring our first portions and finest gifts, or do we simply come with what we have left over? As we celebrate our gratitude this season, let us also remember that part of our call in thanksgiving is to offer the best that we have for the work of the Kingdom of God. Blessings, Pastor Reuben December Newsletter Deadline Submit articles for the December newsletter no later than November 23rd.

2 November Worship Ushers: Greeters: Clay Dullnig & Judy Grant Courtney Squier & Susan Dullnig Liturgists: Nov. 4 Courtney Squier Nov. 11 Conor McCary Nov. 18 Randal Cude Nov. 25 Ruth McKay As we begin the holiday season, God invites us to participate in a spirit of thankfulness for all the things we have received. We invite you to join us in worship this November, as we reflect on the ways in which God has been committed to us, and how we in turn are called to commit ourselves back to God. November 4 November 11 November 15 2 Kings 5:1-15a Mark 1:40-45 Go Where and Do What? MILITARY APPRECIATION 1 Kings 17:8-16 Mark 12:38-44 Giving When Nothing is Left HELOTES COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE First Baptist Helotes 7:00pm November 18 COMMITMENT SUNDAY 1 Samuel 2:1-10 Hebrews 10:11-25 The Start of Something New November 25 CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY Isaiah 63:7-9, Mark 13:24-37 Watching & Waiting

3 MINISTRY UPCOMING EVENTS November 4 - Corn Maze (after worship) November 11 - Military Appreciation Luncheon (Youth Presentation) November 16 - Mo-Ranch Midwinter Planning Forest Hills November 18 - Youth Group (4:30-6:30) November 25 - Christmas Pageant Practice (after worship) See Christina for more information 9:00am CWNC Children & Youth Practice Nov.18, 25 & Dec. 2

4 ADULT BIBLE STUDY SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS Pastor Reuben - FLC Conference Room Have you been interested in studying the Bible, but are unsure about where to begin? Make plans to join us for Sunday School with Pastor Reuben. Every Sunday we meet before worship at 9:00am in the Conference Room of the Family Life Center to study the Bible. This fall we have started by diving into the book of Genesis. The class uses the LifeGuide curriculum, which helps guide our discussion and provides opportunity for continued study throughout the week at home. We would love to have you join us! CHILDREN & YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES Christina Moore, Cami Pace, & Volunteers - CWNC Every Sunday morning at 9:00am we will have a time for Sunday School with children and youth in the CWNC. Children in grades K-5 will meet in the children's room to study the Bible using Feasting on the Word, a lectionary based curriculum that goes along with the scripture passage in worship. The youth in grades 6-12 meet in the youth room with Christina Moore for their own study that helps our young people understand how God s word fits into the world around them. If you are interested in volunteering with either of these classes please see Cami Pace or Christina Moore. Forest Hills First Sunday Readers Book Club Sunday, November 4th Are you looking for a place to explore new books and exchange insights? Then make plans to join our new book club! We will meet on the first Sunday of each month in the conference room at 5pm. This month we are reading The Camel Club by David Baldacci. Please join us for what promises to be a fun and entertaining book discussion!

5 OCTOBER SESSION NOTES ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE The administrative committee is reviewing our insurance coverage in light of changes to our current policy. The leading option is Brotherhood Mutual Insurance which will allow us to keep most current coverage at a slightly cheaper premium. Church work day accomplished a great number of projects in October and will occur again on the first Saturday in November. Personnel is finalizing the details regarding the Music Ministry position, we are no longer accepting additional resumes for the position. A discussion was also held regarding property updates that could be addressed in a 2019 campaign. FELLOWSHIP & CHURCH GROWTH COMMITTEE The committee worked to deliver meals, cards to visitors and coordinate greeters for worship. There was a Shepherd Training meeting on October 7th and teams are being restructured for the upcoming year. The committee will help host a Military Appreciation Luncheon on November 11th and will provide Mexican casseroles. The congregation will be asked to provide side dishes for the meal. The community thanksgiving service will be held at First Baptist Church in Old Town Helotes on November 15th at 7:00pm. The offering collected at the Thanksgiving Service will be given to Forest Hills to aid the Food Pantry and HEB cards for those in need. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE Discussions continued regarding the role of children in Sunday School and Worship. The Matthew Mat continues to be a resource for families with younger children, while children in grades K-2 will receive lessons in Children s Church. The committee is asking that children in grades 3 and up remain in the sanctuary for worship. Cami pace has made a Sermon Notes sheet to help younger children follow along with the sermon and service as a whole. The Genesis Sunday School class has received overwhelming response, prompting the need for children & youth Sunday School offerings at the same time. These will begin in November at 9:00am in the CWNC. Discussion began regarding the potential for a Homework Night for children & youth to receive help on their school work, details are still being established for this idea. The committee is also going to be exploring ways for our younger adults who are unable to attend the already established lunches and breakfasts. MISSION & OUTREACH COMMITTEE The missions committee reviewed the responses to 17 surveys turned in as a part of Missions Sunday and is using the information to help plan future activities. The first food fair distribution took place in September with positives and negatives. The committee is continuing to work with SA Food Bank to work out specifics that could allow us to partner better in the future. The peace and global witness offering received $523 which was collected on World Communion Sunday WORSHIP COMMITTEE The worship committee is continuing to look at necessary repairs in the sanctuary and prioritizing the needs. On the October church workday; the back room in the sacristy was cleaned out and organized, the sanctuary as a whole was also cleaned and dusted. Liturgist training was offered on October 28th and new liturgists were recruited for the upcoming year. A policy for an emergency plan is being updated and will include leaving the doors to the back rooms in the sacristy unlocked with a clear path for exit for those involved in the service or near the front of the sanctuary in need of an escape route. The budget for 2019 was also discussed and approved to be passed on to the administrative committee. Commitment Sunday November 18th Join with us in worship on this special Sunday where we bring our financial pledges and offerings for the 2019 year. Every person is essential in the growth of our church both on our church grounds and out in the world. Your generosity allows us to be able to build up Forest Hills so that it can continue to be a vital presence in our community for years to come.

6 Celebrate the Holidays with FHPC THURSDAY, NOV 7:00pm First Baptist Church in Old Town Helotes Sunday, November 25th Immediately following morning worship Nothing says Merry Christmas more than a beautifully adorned sanctuary during the Advent season. Make plans to join us after worship on the 25th as we decorate the sanctuary for this Christmas holiday. Special thanks to the children & youth who helped serve as acolytes during the month of October. Your participation truly helps enhance our worship service! Luke Rountree Jazzie Garcia Conor McCary Ethan Lashley

7 We had an incredible Trunk or Treat on October 28th! Thank you for everyone who came out to decorate cars, dress up, and serve food for SO MANY people in our community. It was hard to keep track of how many people came, but we did serve over 150 hot dogs, 200 bags of popcorn, and so much candy that we ran out and got more! Special thanks to our prize winners who had such great ideas for their trunks, and to our guest judges Helotes Mayor Tom Schoolcraft, Council Member Bert Buys, and Fire Chief Scott Moreland. Most Colorful Pam Power Noah s Ark Best Candy Courtney & Andrew Squier Pumpkin in the Oven Most Creative Jamie & Tony Garza Scarecrow Most Kid Friendly Jane & Robert Burleson Pumpkin Toss

8 December 2 December 8 December 9 Oh Holy Night Out Helotes Christmas Parade Children & Youth Christmas Pageant Christmas Caroling December 15 Helotes Area Community Band Christmas Concert Helotes Living Nativity December 16 Christmas Cantata Church Christmas Party December 24 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

9 4 9am Sunday School All Ages 10:30 Worship/Communion 11:45 Missions Com. 12:30pm Leave for Corn Maze 4:30 Beer & Bobby J s 5:00 Book Club 11 9am Sunday School All Ages 10:30am Worship 11:30am Military Appreciation Lunch 18Commitment Sunday 9am Sunday School All Ages 10:30am Worship 12pm CE/Youth Com. 4:30 Youth Group 25 9am Sunday School All Ages 10:30am Worship 11:30 Hanging of the Greens Children/Youth Christmas Program rehearsal November 2018 MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT am Men s Fellowship 3 9am Work Day 6:00pm Worship Com am Quilt Ministry 8 9 7am Men s Fellowship 10am Prayer Ministry 11am Staff Meeting 2pm Deborah s Circle 10 6pm Choir rehearsal 7:15pm Worship Team 6:30pm Admin. Com. 6:30pm Fellowship & Church am Staff Meeting 6:30pm Session mtg. 14 8am Quilt Ministry 10:30am Mornings with Mommy 6pm Choir rehearsal 7:15pm Worship Team 15 7pm Community Thanksgiving Service (First Baptist Church Helotes) 16 7am Men s Fellowship 6pm MPT planning am Quilt Ministry 22 Thanksgiving Day 10am Prayer Ministry 23 7am Men s Fellowship am Staff Meeting 288am Quilt Ministry 10:30am Mornings with Mommy 11:30am Ladies Lunch at Yum Thai Rest am Men s Fellowship 6pm Choir rehearsal 7:15pm Worship Team re-