THE BRIDGE PAGE 1 VOL. 12 NO. 1 JANUARY

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1 PAGE 1 VOL. 12 NO. 1 JANUARY 9, 2019 With the completion of our outdoor playground, we now have accomplished the construction that was projected several years ago. We now have approximately 130,000 square feet of building space that we utilize for worship, evangelism, Bible study, fellowship, and ministry. In addition, we have outstanding indoor and outdoor play areas for our children. All of this is on approximately 35 acres of some of the most prime property to be found in the greater Austin area. The Lord has opened door after door for our church; and His people have been visionary, bold, and faithful to follow where God has led us. When I say that you have been faithful, you have already given the financial resources to cover about 60% of the total cost of land, buildings, parking, furnishings, etc., while meeting or exceeding our general ministries budget requirements year after year. A couple of months ago, our church voted unanimously to enter a three-year effort to reduce our remaining capital indebtedness. The effort has been named This Mountain is the Lord s, based on Isaiah 2:2, In the last days the mountain of the Lord s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. You who have been a part of our church since the days at the Waterford Centre location will recall that verse, as it was our theme verse for moving up to our present location in the beautiful hills of northwest Austin. I know that debt-reduction is not the shiny object, so to speak. What it is, though, (Continued on page 2) WHAT S INSIDE Believer s Baptism...2 Welcome New Members...3 Golden Marriage Celebration...3 Adults on Mission...3 From the Desk of David Procter...4 Crossroads BFG New Study...5 From the Heart of John Parker...6 Academy of Fine Arts...6 Men s Bible Study...6 Music Notes by Dodie...7 Call to Prayer...7 Women s Bible Study...8 Mom2Mom...8 Terrific Tuesdays...9 Doormen Needed...9 Photos of December 30 Worship...9 Children s Ministry...10 Electrify by Matt Gillum...11 Student Ministry Events Acteens on Mission...13 Calendar & Reports...14

2 PAGE 2 (Continued 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 Kati Dobbs MINISTER TO CHILDREN & THEIR FAMILIES katid@austinbaptistchurch.com Becky Sharp MINISTER TO PRESCHOOLERS & THEIR FAMILIES beckys@austinbaptistchurch.com Dodie Morris MUSIC & WORSHIP ASSOCIATE dodiem@austinbaptistchurch.com is wise stewardship. Every dollar given to expedite debt reduction is a dollar that also reduces the amount we pay in interest. Those interest dollars saved can then be invested in evangelism, missions, and ministry from Austin to the ends of the earth. It is important that contributions to help reduce our capital indebtedness be offerings above regular faithofferings to ministry through our general ministries budget. We cannot all give equally, but most of us can participate; and what we can do, I believe we should do. Teena and I have been contributing to capital debtreduction each month since last year and will continue to do so. It is my sincere prayer that you will join us. Watch for further information as to how you can be involved in The Mountain is the Lord s, and please seek the Lord s guidance as to what He would have you to do. This Sunday, January 13, I will begin a series titled, To Tell the Truth. In a day when absolute truth is sometimes questioned, sometimes ridiculed, sometimes twisted, sometimes desperately sought, sometimes desperately opposed, and sometimes had its very existence denied, there has never been a time when the value of truth has been more evident nor the propagation of truth been more essential. The centerpiece of this series will be a two-part sermon on January 27 and February 3 titled, The Truth About Life, Liberty, and Happiness. If you know anyone who is interested in learning why we as believers in Christ stand on what we believe as absolutely true, this series and particularly the two-part sermon on January 27 and February 3 provide an excellent opportunity to invite them to be your guests. Gary Dyer, Pastor John 3:30 Christina Mendoza MINISTERIAL STAFF EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT / IT SPECIALIST 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 Kim Warner FOOD SERVICE MANAGER kimw@austinbaptistchurch.com Joe Pere DIRECTOR OF MEDIA MINISTRY joep@austinbaptistchurch.com Tanner Tackett was baptized by Matt Gillum during our Christmas Eve service on December 24, He is the son of Derek and Viki Tackett and brother of Tyler, Austin, and Stephanie. Bill Dickson FINANCE CLERK billd@austinbaptistchurch.com Karen Fawcett ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT karenf@austinbaptistchurch.com

3 PAGE 3 Tom and Sue Phillips joined in the traditional service on January 6; they transfer their membership from Hyde Park Baptist Church. They have been worshiping with us for several years and are active in Lamplighters Bible Fellowship. Tom is from Kenedy, Texas, and earned his business degree from The University of Texas. For 40 years he worked for the State of Texas; he retired as chief operating officer of the Texas Department of Human Services. Sue is from Austin and attended The University of Texas. Tom and Sue met when Sue rented half of the duplex where Tom lived. They married in They have three sons and seven grandchildren. David Procter Next Meeting Monday, January 14, :00 a.m. The Chapel All are Welcome! Lottie Moon Christmas Offering National Goal: $160 Million ABC s Goal: $48,000 Received as of Today: $51, Thanks to everyone who helped in exceeding our goal! You are transforming lives! ABC is part of reaching every nation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are grateful for your giving so that missionaries can share the Gospel, disciple new believers, and plant churches among unreached people. To Learn More about AOM, please contact Jan McClarty at jan@mcclarty.net

4 PAGE 4 Bible Fellowship Attendance Sets New Record in 2018 Bible Fellowship Groups averaged 774 for each Sunday in 2018, surpassing the previous record set last year (767). We are thankful for the faithful ministry of our Bible Fellowship leaders who reach out to their members and guests each week. You are the best, and God has blessed your ministry. We have a great opportunity to grow in 2019 as we continue to preach and teach the Bible, minister to the needs of people, and share the message of God s love. Austin remains one of the fastestgrowing metropolitan regions of the United States. God has blessed our church with a wonderful location, a beautiful facility, and a desire to reach the community. We have every reason to move forward with faith and optimism. We look forward to Sunday as we begin the new year in our Bible Fellowship Groups. Dan Price Honored as Faithful Usher Sunday, December 30, was the final time Dan Price served as an usher at Austin Baptist Church. A charter member, Dan has served faithfully in this capacity since the very beginning of our church, and before that he served as an usher at Hyde Park. He has greeted members and guests with a friendly smile and a warm welcome Sunday after Sunday. Altogether, he has served about 50 years. MICHAEL DAY & DAN PRICE This past Sunday morning, the ushers gathered before the service as Michael Day, chair of the Usher Ministry Team, presented Dan a plaque and thanked him for his years of ministry as an usher. Dan has been very involved in our church as part of our Building Committee, Prayer Ministry Team, and the Facilities Committee. He and his wife Ann are faithful members of Lamplighters Bible Fellowship Group. Thank you, Dan, for your example of love and faithful service to others. ABC Surpasses Lottie Moon Missions Offering Goal Our 2018 goal for our Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions was $48, Thanks to the faith and generosity of the ABC church family, $51, was contributed to this great cause. Thanks to all who had a part in this effort. Playground Now Complete! Our beautiful new playground is complete and ready to be enjoyed. It is surely one of the finest playgrounds anywhere, and we want families to enjoy it every day. There will be a fellowship to celebrate the opening of the playground (weather permitting) this Saturday, January 12, from 10:30 am to noon. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served! The playground will be open for children to enjoy. As you can see from the photos, the patio and playground area are a great place for BFG fellowships. Call the church office to reserve the patio for a party. David Procter

5 The Sermon on the Mount is probably the bestknown part of the teaching of Jesus, though arguably it is the least understood, and certainly it is the least obeyed. It is the nearest thing to a manifesto that He ever uttered, for it is His own description of what He wanted His followers to be and to do. The Sermon is found in Matthew s Gospel toward the beginning of Jesus public ministry. Repent, He cried, for the kingdom of heaven is near (Matthew 4:17). Indeed, Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom (Matthew 4:23). The Sermon on the Mount, then, is to be seen in this context. It portrays the repentance (the Greek meaning is the complete change of mind ) and the righteousness which belong to the kingdom. That is, it describes what human life and human community look like when they come under the gracious rule of God. And what do they look like? Different! Jesus emphasized that His true followers, the citizens of God s kingdom, were to be entirely different from others. They were not to take their cue from the peo- PAGE 5 ple around them, but from Him, and so prove to be genuine children of their heavenly Father. The key text of the Sermon on the Mount is Matthew 6:8: Do not be like them. Here is a Christian value system, ethical standard, religious devotion, attitude to money, ambition, lifestyle, and network of relationships all of which are totally at variance with those in the non-christian world. Right at the outset of His ministry, Jesus lays it on the line. Here is what life is like after repentance and commitment to the King. Everything is at variance with life outside the Kingdom. If you are not involved in one of our Bible Fellowship Groups, check out this 12-week study. Citizens of the Kingdom are called to put God first in their motives and their actions, in their business, and in their language, in their thought life and their priorities. All of our life comes under His royal control. David Procter

6 PAGE 6 SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, :00 AM TRADITIONAL WORSHIP God of Grace & God of Glory In Loving-Kindness Jesus Came Were It Not for Grace CHRISTA RATCLIFF Grace Greater than Our Sin 11:11 AM CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP Faithful to the End Great are You Lord Living Hope Build My Life Were It Not for Grace CHRISTA RATCLIFF LAST WEEK TO SIGN UP: I am so excited to tell you that on Monday, January 14, ABC s Austin Fine Arts Academy will teach its first private piano lesson. This semester we are offering lessons in piano, voice, oboe and percussion. Additionally, Stephanie Rankin will be teaching a drama class for children on Thursday evenings. Registration will close this week. For more information, contact John Parker, or to register, go to Men s Bible Study: Men your new spring Bible study begins this Wednesday, January 9 at 6:00 p.m. in room 247. Bruce Beaty will leading our study through I Samuel as we focus on Prophets and Kings. Looking forward to seeing you there! Blessings, John Parker KEY AFAA DATES January 14, 2019 First Week of AFAA lessons March 18-22, 2019 No Lessons Spring Break April 18-22, 2019 No Lessons Passion Week May 18, 2019 Spring Recital (Not Optional) Times TBA

7 PAGE 7 While I was still thinking about putting away the Christmas décor, I read an article suggesting that the best time to reorganize Christmas is right now, while the overwhelming stuff is out where you can see it and make decisions. Ugh! But all of our house guests were gone by the 27 th so I decided to make Christmas 2019 simpler. You know the process. Separate everything into three piles: 1. Stuff to keep, 2. Stuff to throw away, 3. Stuff to give away. I ll admit that I still have work to do, but the situation is much improved, and I am almost giddy. Why am I so happy about de-cluttering? (I prefer to call it editing.) It keeps me from repeating old mistakes like buying an item I already have. It helps me see the important things like my favorite tree ornaments that I never found in It frees me from custodial care of stuff like the advent calendar I ve never used but kept for forty years. Of course, the de-clutter enthusiasm is not just for closets and the attic. It has spread to other areas of my house and my life. I suppose you could say that I made New Year s resolutions; but I prefer to say that I punched the re-start button in some areas. I think it s interesting that in Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had a couple of things to say about how we handle stuff. Don t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or worse! stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It s obvious, isn t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. I m considering a spiritual re-start for Does that sound interesting to you, too? It could keep us from repeating old mistakes It could help us see the important things It could free us from custodial care of stuff Happy New Year! Dodie

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10 PAGE 10 Wednesday night activities for children kick off again this Wednesday, January 9. The Fellowship Dinner begins at 5:00 p.m. with childcare for children three-years-old and younger. Come enjoy the company of your church family and enjoy a delicious meal for only $6. Kidz Muzik is from 6:00 6:45 p.m. and AWANAS is from 6:45 7:45 p.m. I m excited to announce that anytime your children attend childcare at ABC, they will hear a Bible story. On Wednesday evenings and Thursday mornings, we are beginning a new curriculum called Tell the Story: Bible Storying for Kids. We highly value the importance of Bible teaching at ABC and will use this curriculum to complement what children are learning in Bible Fellowship Groups on Sunday mornings. A beautiful pictorial cloth accompanies the lessons to bring the Bible stories to life. Check out the numerous Bible studies available on Wednesday evenings and Thursday mornings for adults. Children will still have plenty of time to play when they are in childcare at ABC including enjoying our brand new outdoor playground! You are cordially invited to attend the Playground Soft Opening Party this Saturday, January 12, from 10:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Cookies and hot cocoa will be served. There are a few spaces left in our Tuesday morning Tiny Tots and Tunes classes. Our Wednesday class filled in 32 minutes when registration opened Monday morning! Register for one of our Tuesday classes by clicking here. Nice outdoor seating adjoins the playground so you can keep watch on your kiddos

11 PAGE 11 This past week, Adrian and I celebrated our 8 th wedding anniversary. Fittingly, this past Sunday was the first time that she and I had ever led a worship song from stage together. It was a unique gift to be able not only share the same passion but to carry it out for the honor and glory of Jesus. I reflect often on the different characteristics that I love about Adrian: her talent, her intelligence, her beauty, her deep love for our children. But the two things about her character that inspire and draw me most are her love of Jesus and her passion for impact. Adrian is not content to let the world float on by her; instead, she commits to serve and reach all those that come into our path. While singing with her on stage was a great opportunity to serve together, it is only a part of the great life of ministry that we get to partner together to do. Together with her, my life never lacks impact. So why am I writing to you about this today? First of all, it s to honor my wonderful wife. But secondly, I write it to challenge you. In the relationships we have, we often think, How can this person help me achieve/do the things I want to do? We create and plan and expect that this person that we love will jump on board with our plans. But far too seldom do we stop and consider, What can I do to support the dreams that my spouse (or if you re unmarried, my friend) feels led to pursue? It is rare that a person will pursue impact in someone else s life; it is rarer to see someone sacrifice to support another s dream/vision/ministry. In Scripture, we see that Paul wasn t initially able to impact the world for Christ because of people s distrust of his previous actions. But into his difficulty, God sent a man named Barnabas to encourage and equip him to minister. When he [Saul, who would take the name Paul] came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. (Acts 9:26-27) Barnabas would continue to advocate for Paul and continue to serve alongside him as he began to fulfill the great ministry of taking the Gospel to Europe. Paul had a great gift, and God used Barnabas to see that gift grow. Who is it in your life that you can encourage in ministry? What is it that your husband or wife or child or friend is excited about trying? When was the last time that you took the time to find out what those closest to you are most passionate about? Who knows but that God may use you to unleash a tremendous heart of passion to utterly change the world for Jesus? Don t just invest in your loved ones lives invest also in their drive to serve Christ. May we be a church that loves one another enough to seek out each other s passions in the Lord. And when we discover those passions, may we be a family of faith that equips and encourages one another in them for God s glory. By Christ s Love, Matt

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13 PAGE 13 ABC Acteens were on mission as Angel Chefs at the Fisher House in San Antonio, on December 29-30, Pictured are (L to R): Nick Radoe, JoEllen Radoe, Izzy Mendoza, Esther Wilcoxson, Elli Mendoza, Hannah Wilcoxson, Jennifer Wilcoxson, Christina Mendoza, and Virginia Kreimeyer.

14 PAGE 14 NEXT WEEK AT ABC RECURRING EVENTS Sun, Jan 13 9:00 am Traditional Worship, Sanctuary 10:10 am Bible Fellowship Groups Starting Point Membership Class 11:15 am Missions Committee Meeting, Rm. 206 Mon, Jan 14 Adults on Mission, Chapel Tues, Jan 15 11:30 am Terrific Tuesdays Game Day, Skylight Room Wed, Jan 16 5:00 pm Fellowship Meal, Great Hall 6:00 pm AXIS Student Ministry Bible Study, Great Hall Women s Bible Study Group 1. Rm. 243 Men s Bible Study, Rm. 247 Thurs, Jan 17 9:45 am Mom2Mom, Rm. 248 Women s Bible Study Group 2, Rm. 243 ON THE HORIZON MONDAY ESL Classes, Rm :00-9:00 pm TUESDAY Tiny Tots & Tunes Rm. 131 & 134, 10:00 am WEDNESDAY Tiny Tots & Tunes Rm. 134, 10:00 am KidzMuzik Children s Area, 6:00 pm AWANAS Rm 137, 6:45 pm Women s Bible Study 6:00 pm, Rm 243 Men s Bible Study 6:00 pm, Rm 247 WEDNESDAY (cont.) Handbells 6:00 pm, Rm 171 Sanctuary Choir 7:15 pm, Choir Suite Orchestra 7:30 pm, Worship Center THURSDAY Women s Bible Study 9:45 am, Rm 243 Mom2Mom Bible Study 9:45 am, Rm 248 American Heritage Girls & Trail Life Children s Area, 6:00 pm Jan 24, Feb 7 & 21 JANUARY 22 The Porch Live Austin 27 Administrative Committees & Ministry Team Chairpersons Orientation 28 Deacon s Meeting 29 The Porch Live Austin 30 Business Meeting FEBRUARY 5 The Porch Live Austin 8 Parents Night Out 10 Starting Point Membership Class 11 Adults on Mission 12 The Porch Live Austin Terrific Tuesday 19 The Porch Live Austin 25 Deacons Meeting 26 The Porch Live Austin 27 Business Meeting Account General Fund Designated Bldg/Strong Total Giving DEACONS ON CALL Week of January 14, 2019 Clyde Danks... (512) Ron Mullen... (512) Annual 2018 General Fund Budget $3,800, /31/2018 $175, $51, $ $226, EOY $3,686, $468, $142, $4,297, OUR RESPONSE TO GOD S FAITHFULNESS SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 2019 Annual 2019 General Fund Budget $3,966, Account 1/6/2019 YTD General Fund $126, $126, Designated $ $ This Mountain is the Lord s $1, $1, Total Giving $129, $129, Our Attendance 9:00 Service :11 Service Bible Fellowship Groups This Mountain is the Lord s Offering Year-to-Date: $1, FOR PUBLICATION CONSIDERATION Articles and items for The Bridge are due to Rita Jones by the Friday (5:00 p.m.) before the Wednesday publication date. Your cooperation is very appreciated!