The MESSENGER. A Message from Dr. Rick Spencer. Manchaca Baptist Church. Inside this issue: Special Points of Interest:

Transcription

1 The MESSENGER Manchaca Baptist Church Volume 1, Issue 8 December 2013 A Message from Dr. Rick Spencer Body Building, Identity and Christmas Body Building Several weeks back, the church family met in the gym on Sunday morning for what was called Body Building. The purpose of that time was to emphasize that every part of Christ s Body is essential (everyone has an important role to fill) and to strengthen relationships with people who are not part of the Sunday School classes where we normally meet. Just as our physical bodies need regular exercise, we have another Body Building session scheduled for Sunday, Dec 8. One of the benefits of the previous meeting was getting to know people who come to different worship services (8:30am and 10:45am). And this time, in order to improve communication and lessen distractions, most of the groups will meet in classrooms; and with fewer people in the gym, even those meeting there will have less background noise. Class designations that morning will result from a random drawing of room numbers at the main church entrance so that people will not know the members of their class until they get to the assigned room. (Don t be concerned about the details right now. Come with an attitude that you will have a chance to get to know some new friends.) The group leader in each room will help everyone to get acquainted, and you can attend with a spouse or guest if you prefer. Identity - Various groups, such as Long Range Planning Committee, Personnel Committee and the Transition Team have been working on a church Motto and Mission Statement which will help members and those outside of the church family to better understand the unique resources and objectives of Manchaca Baptist. These will be part of the conversation on Sunday morning, Dec. 8. In addition to sharing something which makes each of us unique, the Body Building time will help sharpen what many members pray that MBC will become, making identity as much about the present and future as the past. Christmas - No time of the year comes with greater festivity, anticipation and hope! Part of the joy of the season is being with family. Please encourage others to join us for special emphasis on these days: Dec. 15 in both services One of the people I most admire, Brenda Sanders, will share of her experiences in helping students reach out in missions. The Lottie Moon Christmas offering coming from like churches around the U.S. supplies more than half of the resources which support thousands of our missionaries. Dec. 15 We will have our Christmas Program during the 6pm Evening Service. Dec. 22 We hope to include children from Kids Day Out in worship. Dec. 24 We have a brief Christmas Eve service at 6:00pm. Will you determine right now that worship will be a priority for you and your family this December? Remember Wise Men (and Women) Still seek Him! Blessings, Dr. Rick , ext. 14 rickspencer@manchacabaptist.org Inside this issue: Associate Pastor News 2 Preschool News 2 Advent Devotionals BCC Children s Christmas Party Get to Know Deacon Inabinet Weekly Opportunities Poinsettias 5 Lottie Moon 5 Bless Opportunity Back Page Special Points of Interest: Body Building Sunday Christmas Program Lottie Moon Woman s Conference Financial Summary

2 From the desk of JOHN BERRYHILL, Associate Pastor Fellow Believers, What a strong response we had from the church body for the people devastated by the flood. Not only did we host 60 folks from the BGCT Disaster Response Team, but we sent our own teams out from church to work in homes and pray for victims. Many seeds were planted as we gathered to pray; EVE- RYONE wanted prayer and NO ONE refused us. We will continue to keep up with those for whom we have ministered or served so that they don t feel dropped. If you are interested in helping flood victims we can point you in the right direction where you will be able to serve. On Nov. 20 we visited with a couple who retreated to their roof top during the worst of the storm. We prayed for them and they were touched powerfully when a Target gift card for $50 was given to them (this is so important as they have lost clothes and so many other items critical to a families well being). Being the hands and feet and heart of Jesus...isn t that what it s all about? Speaking of His hands and His feet our Operation Christmas folks what a fabulous job. Thanks to all of you who have given so generously of your time and energy! As we reflect on the birth of Christ this holiday season and all the blessings He has bestowed, let us be diligent to give thanks for all that He has done for us. In May I will have been on staff in some capacity for seven years. I am so thankful to this church for all the love, support and opportunity that myself and my family have received. May the Lord richly bless you! In Christ, John Berryhill , x26 john@manchacabaptist.org P is for Preschool December is such a wondrous month of joy, peace, and LOVE. I spend time pondering over the Miracle Birth of Jesus. I often wonder how Mary must have felt right before she delivered and imagine the love that she was overcome with for Jesus. We are all called to love our children with that unconditional love that God so freely gives each one of us. Sometimes, it s not easy but we must freely give love to our children the way our Heavenly Father does. The Preschool department is taking up an offering for World Vision and we hope to purchase a goat and possibly two chickens for a needy family. This is an opportunity for the preschoolers to do some chores around the house and let their earnings go toward this cause, so a needy family can have food on their table during this Holiday season. Please feel free to donate to our cause if the Lord leads you. The children think a lot about Santa during the month of December and what they will get in their stockings on Christmas morning, because that is fun. But, we can teach our children and the children whose lives we influence that Jesus is the most important part of CHRISTmas. We should all strive to keep our focus on Jesus this Christmas. He is the Reason for the Season. Merry Christmas to all of you at MBC! Holly North, Preschool Coordinator holly@manchacabaptist.org Advent Devotionals Buckner has furnished us with Advent Devotional Guides (Dec. 1 Dec. 25). You will find the guides in all 3 foyers of the church. Please limit 1 per family. BCC s Annual Children s Christmas Party The Baptist Community Center (BCC) is having their Annual Christmas Party for Children. They are needing young childrens table games (example: Chutes & Ladders), individually wrapped candy, small toys, snacks, etc. for stocking stuffers. You can place your items in the ministry baskets located in the Office Wing reception area no later than Sunday, Dec. 15. Page 2 The MESSENGER

3 Deacon s Corner: Get to know Deacon Mark Inabinet Mark was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Despite coming to Texas at an early age, he still has a fondness for Cajun food! Mark started dating his wife, Naomi, during his Sophomore year at Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO, where he earned a degree in Theology and Pastoral Studies. After graduation, Mark returned to Austin and married Naomi in June They have one daughter, Hannah, who is in the 5th grade at Menchaca Elementary. Mark has been active in church ever since becoming a Christian and he served two years as a full-time associate pastor. He is currently employed with the Texas Department of Public Safety as a crime analyst. The Inabinet family joined MBC in Mark was ordained as a deacon of the church in February of this year and currently serves as secretary of the deacon body. Mark has been involved in a number of ministries including: AWANA s, adult choir, teller duty, substitute teaching, and is currently on the finance committee while Naomi is working with the GA s (Girl s in Action) on Wednesday evenings. You will find Mark & Naomi in the 10:45 service, so be sure and stop and say hello to them! OASIS Body Building Sunday AGE 18+ BASKETBALL Older Adults Still In Service (OASIS) Friday, Dec :30 a.m. Room E115 Pot-luck lunch and table games OASIS is a great opportunity to meet other MBC ers in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. Bring a couple of your favorite dishes and enjoy this time of fellowship. Dec. 8 is Body Building Sunday. This is an event where we will come together for discussion and friendship building. key issues will be addressed around tables and every voice will be heard. We will all meet in the gym and then break-out into small groups and continue in Sunday School classrooms. Don t miss this important opportunity to get to know someone outside your relational group! Mon. & Tues. Evenings Gym Ages 18+ Join us in the Gym on Monday & Tuesday evenings for a community-wide basketball game. Anyone age 18 and older is welcome! Open Studio Austin Children s Shelter Soup Kitchen Needs OPEN STUDIO meets Thursday s from 9:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. in Room E115. Open Studio is for those who are artists to gather weekly to work on their projects. ALL are welcome! December 8th is our next ministry night at ACS. Bring your crafts, games and lots of cookies. If you want to carpool, we will depart from the church at 5:30 p.m. or you can meet us at ACS at 6:00 p.m. The Soup Kitchen is in need of clean plastic bags-they can be grocery bags, produce bags or newspaper bags. And with the cold weather on the horizon, they can also use socks, warm clothes, blankets, etc. You can place items in the ministry baskets located in the office wing. Volume 1, Issue 8 Page 3

4 SUNDAYS Early Morning Worship Sunday School Worship Service MONDAYS Fusion Bible Study Grades 6-12 Adult, Gym Weekly Opportunities 8:30am 9:30am 10:45am TUESDAYS Adult, Gym WEDNESDAYS Pat s Bunch, Room E115 9:30am Prayer Gathering 5:30pm Conference Room Wed. Night Meal, Gym 6:00pm Grades 1-5 Choir 6:45pm Room M106 Adult Choir Rehearsal 6:45pm Choir Room Fusion Grades 6-12 Youth Room Mission Friends 3-5 years old Preschool Wing GA s & RA s, Gr 1-5 Pastors Bible Study Room 110 WEDNESDAYS (con t) Band of Brothers Conference Room Ladies Bible Study Room M109 Facilitated by Nocona Koenig THURSDAYS Open Studio, Room E115 Friendship Intl Hyde Park Baptist Church 9:00am 9:45am FRIDAYS Ladies Bible Study 9:30am Room E115 Facilitated by Carlene Cleveland Special Prayers Thank You Deacon on Call Please be in prayer for Kakki Allbritton, Nancy Bowen, Carlene Cleveland, Joanna Corley, Dave Dickens, Joyce Felps, Sue Gandy, Aline Host Brenda Kilburn, J.P. & Judy Kirksey, Peggi Nichols, Bobi Swope and Bob Thomas as they head to the Operation Christmas Child Processing Center in Dallas on Dec. 3 to inspect and prepare gifts for overseas shipment. They will be returning on Dec. 7. What a joy to be a part of a caring fellowship like MBC who puts ministry outside the four walls of the building to demonstrate church. - Frank Deutsch, Angel House Soup Kitchen Deacon on Call for the Week of: Dec. 1 Dec. 8 Dec. 15 Dec. 22 Dec. 29 Doyne Bailey Bart Swope Mike North Gerald Caldwell TBD Uplift in Prayer Dr. Walter May He is doing really good. Dr. May s sister, Betty, has set up a Caring Bridge site so everyone can keep informed of his progress and prayer needs as he goes through his stem cell transplant, waltermay Site Name: waltermay. Feel free to leave a word of encouragement. Mike Gill - He is not getting better and very much appreciates prayers. He had surgery Sept. 9 to insert new screws and plates in his leg. He fell at home and broke his tibia and fibula and crushed his ankle and had pins and rods inserted. Wife Janie. Wade Kirkpatrick - Once he heals from wisdom teeth removal, he will begin radiation for tongue cancer. Wife Susan Page 4 The MESSENGER

5 Holiday Office Hours Poinsettias Christmas Program The Church Office will be closed the following days in observance of Christmas: Dec. 23 Jan. 1 Honor your loved ones with a Poinsettia to decorate our church for the Christmas season. Dedications will be printed in the Sunday bulletin December 15. To order, please return the following with payment of $7 per plant. $ enclosed for (#) Poinsettia(s) in Honor of in Memory of Name: Relationship: By (your name): Mark Your Calendar for Our CHRISTMAS PROGRAM Sunday, Dec. 15 6:00pm Sanctuary Lottie Moon Offering Prison Ministry Pat s Bunch Week of Prayer: Dec. 1-8, 2013 Theme: TOTALLY HIS Heart, Hands, Voice Focus Scripture: Matthew 22:36-39 National Goal: $175 million MBC Goal: $6, Our Prison Ministry is accepting donations of greeting cards. They can be new or used as long is there is not any writing on the back of the picture side. Prisoners use these as postcards, You can place your cards in the ministry baskets located in the Office Wing. Pat s Bunch is a respite care program that meets on Wednesdays from 9:30am 1:30pm in Room E115. (Includes breakfast snacks and lunch.) Annual Women s Conference Join us for two extraordinary days of life-changing Bible study, authentic worship, hands-on ministry opportunities and sweet fellowship. You will have fun and feel restored, and walk away challenged to live out a Christ-filled life allowing His love to overflow to everyone around you. This special gathering is designated to help women of all ages and walks of life be encouraged in their relationship with Christ; connect with other women and desire to be used by God in and out of the local church setting; and be equipped women able to make a difference in their world. Each participant should pre-register by Monday, February 10, For registration information visit: Volume 1, Issue 8 Page 5

6 December 2013 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Prayer Gathering- 5pm E115 Sunday Night Svc. - 6pm 2 Fusion Bible Study 7-9pm Shultz s Home 3 Finance Comm. Mtg 7pm 4 Pat s Bunch 9:30-1:30 E115 Family Dinner 6-6:45 Gym Chicken Pot Pie, Salad, Dessert 5Open Studio 9am-2pm E115 Friendship Intl 9:45am Hyde Park Women s Wheelchair Basketball 7-9pm, Gym 6 NO Ladies Bible Study Adapted Sports 6:30-8:30 Gym 7 Adapted Sports Gym 9am-Noon Youth - Ice Skating 8 Body Bldg. Sunday Deacon Mtg. - 3pm E115 Prayer Gathering - 5pm - E115 ACS Ministry Night - 5:30pm 9 Youth to the Trail of Lights Pat s Bunch 9:30-1:30 E115 Family Dinner 6-6:45 Gym Taco Salad 12 Open Studio 9am-2pm E115 Friendship Intl 9:45am Hyde Park Women s Wheelchair Basketball 7-9pm, Gym 13 Ladies Bible Study 9:30am E115 OASIS, 11:30am E115 Adapted Sports 6:30-8:30 Gym 14 Deacon/Staff Christmas Party - 6pm - E115 Youth (Grades 6-8) Christmas Party Shultz s Home 15 Young Adults Class Luncheon Noon E115 Prayer Gathering- 5pm E115 Christmas Program. - 6pm 16 Fusion Bible Study 7-9pm Thomason s Home 17 Dahlstrom MS Christmas Concert 4-9pm - Sanctuary 18 Pat s Bunch 9:30-1:30 E115 Family Dinner 6-6:45 Gym Soups, Dessert 19 Open Studio 9am-2pm E115 Friendship Intl 9:45am Hyde Park Women s Wheelchair Basketball 7-9pm, Gym 20 Ladies Bible Study 9:30am E115 Adapted Sports 6:30-8:30 Gym 21 No Linus 22 Regular Morning Church Schedule No Evening Activities 23 Church No Fusion Bible 24Church CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE 6:00pm 25 Church MERRY CHRISTMAS! 26 Church 27 Church 28 NO Ladies Coffee 29 Regular Morning Church Schedule No Evening Activities 30 Church No Fusion Bible 31 Church Mania Marathon 7:30pm Page 6 The MESSENGER

7 Statistical Report for November CHURCH YEAR Sept. 1, 2013 Aug. 31, 2014 SUNDAY SCHOOL Sunday School Enrollment 234 SS Avg. Attendance 184 MORNING WORSHIP* (Both Worship Svcs, Nursery & Ext. Session) Year to Date Average Attendance 238 BAPTISMS* Number Awaiting Baptism 0 Number Baptized 1 Financial Summary/E-Giving Financial Summary Through October 2013 Income in October was $57, and expenses were $51, We have two opportunities during December and January to become better informed regarding the manner in which our church participates in missions. On Dec. 15, Brenda Sanders, who works with short-term mission projects, will discuss how churches contribute to support missions through the Lottie Moon Christmas offering. On Jan. 5, Robert Krumrey, former staff member at MBC, will be preaching and sharing how the church has supported the Mercy House church plant in Amherst, Massachusetts. As most of you are aware, 10% of the money you give to the church budget is set aside and given to various mission works. In addition, there are a few key special mission emphases during the year. Give thanks to God that he enables us to participate in these ways. In January, the Finance Committee plans on initiating a new communications format to the church regarding how your giving enables many different ministries within the church, as well as missions outreach programs to those outside of the church. Please pray for us as we plan this new communications format, that it would honor God as we work to fulfill His mission in this place. As you know, our special Thanksgiving offering this year was designated for budget needs to help us catch-up on monthly expenses. If you were not able to contribute to this special emphasis, you can still do so in December through the normal offering on Sunday mornings, or the e-giving option on our website. To use e-giving, go to our website at click on Service/Give, click on giving, and click on Online E-Giving. The first time you visit the site, you will be asked to register. After you lo=g-in, click on Make A Donation and enter your contribution amount in the Budget line. You can also choose whether you want to donate by bank draft or by credit card. As always, we pray that God would bless each one of you, and that we would all look for ways of ministering and caring for one another. In Christ, MBC Finance Committee Volume 1, Issue 8 Page 7

8 Manchaca Baptist Church November 26, 2013 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit #2 Manchaca, TX 1215 W. FM 1626 P.O. Box 400 Manchaca, TX Phone: Fax: We re on the web at manchacabaptist.org Thou shalt call his name, JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. - Matthew 1:21 Return Service Requested Bless Opportunity As you all know, several weeks ago Austin was hit by a very severe storm, which resulted in major flooding and destruction in several areas of our city. A couple of the most heavily impacted areas included the neighborhoods of Bluff Springs and Onion Creek. A team from MBC went down to those areas to assess the situation and see what they could do to help. What our team found was that the destruction and loss that resulted from the storm was much more devastating in person than what could be depicted on the news. They heard a number of stories from families detailing how they survived the nightmare many of these people had to climb on their roofs to wait until the water level receded. Most families lost just about everything, and even now some are waiting to find out if it will even be possible to repair their home s infrastructure and continue living there. Our team prayed and tears were shed with a number of people in these neighborhoods. The need in these areas, especially Bluff Springs, is immense and overwhelming. It will be many months if not longer until that area returns to what it was. What our team tried to do as a small group was to locate two or three families who they could bless in a unique way to show the love of Jesus, and to bring them physical assistance, and spiritual hope. Two specific families that they met and that are heavy on their hearts are the Redondo and Contreras families. After the initial contacts with the families shortly after the flooding, and some early work they did on the Redondo house, the team has been staying in contact with both families and are trying to find out what basic needs they have that MBC might be able to meet, if even in a small way. The team will soon share that information with our church family. Right now, they ask that you keep these families in your prayers each day. The team wants to be a light in the darkness for these families, and for this city. What an opportunity the team has had to be that for these families!