VOL. 9 NO. 18 MAY 4, 2016

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1 Page 1 VOL. 9 NO. 18 MAY 4, 2016 May is National Bicycle Month. This Sunday, May 8, is Mother s Day. Think about that. We ve come to the place in America where Mothers get just one day while bikes get a whole month! If I were in charge of that kind of thing, I would get that reversed and give mothers the entire month of May. Moms are clearly worth 31 times as much as bicycles and then a lot more, right? Well, you and I are not in control of the national calendar of celebrations; but what we can do is make sure Mother s Day is very special for our ladies, and that is what we will be doing at ABC. This Sunday morning, in both worship services, we will be honoring moms (and all women) in some special ways. Children will have some key roles in the service; Sweet things that our kids have written about their moms will be shared with the congregation; Many of our young children have been making something special to give to their mom; We will be presenting each lady present a special gift; and, I will be preaching about an outstanding woman of the Bible (not often mentioned) named Phoebe. Moms, I m sorry America doesn t celebrate your central role for an entire month; but I believe this Sunday you will truly be made to feel appreciated and affirmed. I look forward to seeing you then! Two Sundays ago, a representative of The Gideons International shared No organization compares to the Gideons when it comes to Bible distribution. (Con nued on page 2)

2 Page 2 (Con nued from page 1) STAFF Dr. Gary Dyer SENIOR PASTOR Cell garyd@austinbaptistchurch.com Dr. David Procter EXECUTIVE PASTOR Cell davidp@austinbaptistchurch.com John Parker ASSOCIATE PASTOR OF MUSIC & WORSHIP Cell johnp@austinbaptistchurch.com Matt Gillum MINISTER TO STUDENTS & THEIR FAMILIES Cell mattg@austinbaptistchurch.com Cathy Smith MINISTER TO CHILDREN & THEIR FAMILIES Cell cathys@austinbaptistchurch.com Dodie Morris MUSIC & WORSHIP ASSOCIATE dodiem@austinbaptistchurch.com Jon Marc Burge CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP ASSOCIATE jonb@austinbaptistchurch.com ADMINISTRATION Christina Mendoza MINISTERIAL STAFF EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT christinam@austinbaptistchurch.com Jennifer Koret FINANCE ADMINISTRATOR jenniferk@austinbaptistchurch.com Rita Jones OFFICE MANAGER ritaj@austinbaptistchurch.com Derek Tackett FACILITIES MANAGER Cell derekt@austinbaptistchurch.com Clifteen Samuelson EVENTS COORDINATOR events@austinbaptistchurch.com SUPPORT STAFF Bill Dickson FINANCE CLERK billd@austinbaptistchurch.com Elena Samper ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT elenas@austinbaptistchurch.com Meredith Todd CHILDREN S MINISTRY ASSOCIATE mereditht@austinbaptistchurch.com Kati Dobbs CHILDREN S MINISTRY ASSOCIATE katid@austinbaptistchurch.com with our church about the need to distribute Bibles around the world. No organization compares to the Gideons when it comes to Bible distribution. Well, I am pleased to share with you that, on that day, your offerings covered the cost of placing 354 Bibles in hotels/motels, or over 1,415 Testaments in the hands of students, inmates, and/or soldiers! Assured by God s promise that His Word will not return to Him void, we can already rejoice at the victories won through the distribution of the Bibles we made possible. Thank you for your generosity, and thank you to the Gideons organization for their vision and ministry. This week, I received a letter from John Vandegrift of Littleton, Colorado. He is the father of the late 1 st Lieutenant Matthew Vandegrift for whom Vandegrift High School, our neighbor, is named. Allow me to share this letter with you all: Dear Gary, For the last few years, Austin Baptist Church has been gracious enough to allow the faculty and students of Vandegrift High School to use your facility for their Second to None awards ceremony. My family has participated in this event every year since its inception. On April 21, at 7:00 a.m., we would not be any place else. The gathering is very special to us, since the honorees are selected by their peers as those from each group (choir, football, basketball, track, Legacies, band, etc.) who best represent what 1 st Lt. Matthew Ryan Vandegrift was in life. His character and sacrifice are inspirations to all who come to understand who he was during his life of service. My family wishes to thank you and the church body for your support of Vandegrift High School and our family. As a Christian family and members of Lochwood Christian Fellowship (Southern Baptist Convention) in Denver, we cannot think of a more fitting venue for remembering Matthew s legacy and contributions. Your brother in Christ, John (Dutch) Vandegrift What a wonderful affirmation of the positive difference it makes to be a church that cordially connects with our community! God has strategically placed Austin Baptist Church where we are able to have a profound influence in multiple ways. We thank Him for that opportunity. Gary Dyer, Pastor John 3:30 MATT VANDEGRIFT VANDEGRIFT HIGH SCHOOL

3 Page 3 9:00 a.m. Worship For the Beauty of the Earth The Bitter with the Sweet (Sanctuary Choir) Faith of Our Mothers Children are a Treasure from the Lord (John Parker) Jesus Lover of My Soul 11:11 a.m. Worship This is Amazing Grace Jesus, Only Jesus Great I Am Revelation Song Lord, I Need You If you missed the Super Summer Spaghetti Spectacular last Sunday, you missed a real treat! Performers from Student Ministry, led by Dodie Morris, sang and played so beautifully as we all enjoyed a delicious spaghetti lunch. We are all so very proud of you! Thank you, Dodie, for your excellent leadership with our student musicians! Halle Hill & Corbin King provided musical entertainment. See more photos on page 12. Blessings, John Parker

4 Page 4 I went to Calgary last week! I met with our friends, Dan and Amber Sweaza, who are launching Connect church there in September. I listened as they joyfully described the ways that God is designing opportunities for them to share with the people who live in their neighborhood, Symon s Valley. Kathy Morales and I brainstormed ways that we can help Connect (the church to be planted) as well as Pathway (the sponsoring church) with first-touch events. But we spent most of our time thinking about how to draw the people back after our teams are gone. There is so much good news to share, I hardly know where to start, but here goes: Dan and Amber held an interest meeting a few weeks ago, and 61 people came to find out more about the church that is beginning. There are 8 people on their launch team at this point. These are folks who are committed to being involved, faithful members of the new church. The Sweazas have started opening their home to young singles that they have met. Kathy and I peeked in on this lively bunch one evening. Stepping over a huge pile of shoes in the entry, we walked past stacked up empty pizza boxes, and saw fifteen or sixteen laughing, chattering, twenty-somethings listening to music, playing games, and eating. For the new Connect church, they have rented two theaters in a movie complex in a beautiful mall about five minutes from Symon s Valley. One theater will be used for worship for adults and one for children s worship. Bob Shelton, who is the leader of the strategic team for planting churches in Calgary and Edmonton, asked me to thank ABC for the support in partnership that we are providing through prayer, through financial help, and through our mission teams. He told me that they expect the launch of Connect church to be the largest they have ever had. As I observed what the church planters and their team are doing, I could not help but think that our cities (Austin and Calgary) are so similar in many ways. Neighboring loving where you live works there, too! If you want to hear more, I will be glad to buy you a cup of coffee!

5 Page 5 Members and Guests, I hope you can join me this Sunday as we continue in Genesis. We are going to focus on the importance of honoring God wherever we are and in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. I want to thank you for the privilege you have given me of teaching the Bible in this great class. I hope to see you Sunday. Lamplighters meet in the Worship Center each Sunday morning at 10:10 a.m. If you are not already involved in a Bible Fellowship Group, we invite you to join us! Zack

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14 Page 14 Cost $325. Work in Super Summer Spaghetti Spectacular reduces fee to $250. Register by ing Matt Gillum at CALGARY JULY ABC Student Ministry and Joyful Noise Choir will serve in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, running Bible camps for the kids of the Pathway and Connect churches, participating in community missions/service and singing at multiple venues. They ll also visit Banff National Park. For more information, contact Matt Gillum at

15 Page 15 Next Week at ABC Fellowship Menu Sun., May 8 MOTHER S DAY Baby Bottle Campaign Kicks Off 9:00 a.m. Traditional Worship, Sanctuary 10:10 a.m. Bible Fellowship Groups 11:11 a.m. Contemporary Worship, Sanctuary 11:15 a.m. Acteens, Rm. 223 Mon., May 9 10:00 a.m. Adults on Mission Meeting, Rm. 187 Wed., May 11 5:00 p.m. Fellowship Dinner, Great Hall 6:00 p.m. WACK End-of-Year Program, Great Hall 6:15 p.m. Life s Healing Choices, Rm :30 p.m. Student Ministry AXIS & Fellowship On the Horizon MAY Membership 101 Class Mission Committee Meeting Parents Meeting on Student Life Camp AWANA Awards Ceremony Joyful Noise Finance Committee 17 E3 Parenting Seminar: Anxiety & Your Child 22 Graduate Recognition Sunday in Both Worship Services Graduate Luncheon, Great Hall ABC Trustees Meeting Joyful Noise 23 Deacons Meeting 25 Business Meeting E3: Early Education Experience, Part 2 30 Memorial Day Holiday - ABC Offices Closed JUNE Outreach & Evangelism Meeting 4 ABC Adopt-a-Highway 5 Acteens Student Life Camp at Orange Beach, AL 12 Membership 101 Class Mission Committee Meeting 13 Adults on Mission Committee Meeting 19 Finance Committee Meeting 26 Trustee Meeting 27 Deacons Meeting 27 Vacation Bible School begins 29 Business Meeting VBS Family Night 30 VBS Decision Day JULY Last Day of Vacation Bible School 4 Church Offices Closed for Independence Day Holiday 6 Children s New Christian Class Outreach & Evangelism Team Meeting Wed., May 11: Recurring Events SUNDAY AWANA Cancelled because of Mother s Day MONDAY Men s Prayer Group 6:45 a.m., Welcome Center TUESDAY Tiny Tots & Tunes 10:00 a.m. Class, Rm :00 a.m. Class, Rm 117 Music Rehearsal 7:00 p.m., 11:11 Band Chicken & Dumplings Deacons on Call WEDNESDAY Tiny Tots & Tunes 10:00 a.m. Class, Rm 117 Kids Choirs WACK 6:00 p.m. Music Rehearsals Handbells, 6:00 p.m. Choir 7:15 p.m. Orchestra 7:45 p.m. THURSDAY American Heritage Girls May 5 & 19 6:00 p.m., Rm 117 Trail Life May 5 & 19 6:30 p.m., Rm 268 Week of May 9, 2016 Dan Baker Paul Hamlin Our Response to God s Faithfulness Our Tithes & Offerings YTD General Fund $73, $949, Designated $6, $30, Bldg./Strong Foundation $12, $228, Total Giving $92, $1,207, Building on a Strong Foundation Total-to-Date $4,032, Our Attendance :00 Service :11 Service Bible Fellowship Amistad NOTE: Items for are due to Rita Jones by noon Friday. Send to ritaj@austinbaptistchurch.com AUSTIN BAPTIST CHURCH 7016 RIBELIN RANCH DRIVE AUSTIN TX

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