VOL. 9 NO. 1 JANUARY 5, 2016

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1 THE BRIDGE Page 1 VOL. 9 NO. 1 JANUARY 5, 2016 Love Where You Live. That sounds like an advertisement for moving to a neighborhood that you will really enjoy. However, Love Where You Live is actually what we will be focusing on a great deal in 2016, based on the commandment Jesus emphasized in Matthew 22:39, Love your neighbor as yourself. We will be concentrating on what is involved in keeping that commandment and practical ways to follow through with loving our neighbors. You will be richly blessed this Sunday, January 10. If you attend the 9:00 worship service, you will be hearing Dr. Richard Jackson, a man whose influence in my life cannot be adequately put into words. Dr. Jackson pastored the great North Phoenix Baptist Church for over a quarter century. That church grew from an attendance of about 300 to thousands attending each week. Tens of thousands of people were led to Christ during his time there. He also had a television ministry that reached people for Christ all over America. His witnessing New Testament, The Covenant of God s Love, has been distributed throughout the world. You won t want to miss Dr. Jackson. At the 11:11 worship service, Kirk Kriegel will be preaching. Any who have heard Kirk preach and teach know that God has equipped him with great insights into the application of Scripture. He will be a blessing to all who attend that worship service. Speaking of Kirk, I want to thank Kirk for serving as the chairman of our deacons in the year just past. I also want to express appreciation to Larry Swayze for serving as the vicechairman and Parker Blevins for serving as secretary. These men did an outstanding job of giving leadership to our fine deacon body. We welcome in our new leadership team: John Crane will serve as chairman of our deacons; Steve Johnson is the vice-chairman of the deacon body this year; Ron McClarty is serving as secretary. Pray for these men as they give leadership to the important ministry of deacon service. Gary Dyer, Pastor John 3:30

2 Page 2 THE BRIDGE 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 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 Barbara Hunley ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT barbarah@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 In 1738, the literary giant Samuel Johnson wrote in his diary: "Oh Lord, enable me to redeem the time which I have spent in sloth." Nineteen years later, he wrote, "Oh mighty God, enable me to shake off sloth and redeem the time misspent in idleness and sin by diligent application of the days yet remaining." He wrote some variation of this prayer every year after that. Finally, in 1775, 38 years after his first resolution, he wrote, "When I look back upon resolution of improvement and amendments which have, year after year, been made and broken, why do I yet try and resolve again? I try because reformation is necessary and JOHNSON SAYS despair is criminal." Johnson is describing human life. We start every year thinking, This is the year! We resolve to turn over a new leaf and this time we are serious. We promise ourselves we're going to quit bad habits and start good ones. We're going to get in shape, eat better, waste less time, be more content, be more disciplined, and so forth. We're going to be better husbands, wives, fathers, mothers. And then, 12 months later, we've fallen short again. The gospel is the good news announcing Jesus' infallible devotion to us in spite of our inconsistent devotion to him. As this new year gets underway, take comfort in knowing that we are weak and He is strong that even as our love for Jesus falls short, Jesus' love for us never will. MATT GILLUM I try because reformation is necessary and despair is criminal. What do you resolve to do this year? Jonathan Edwards began every day with these two commitments: "Resolution One: I will live for God. Resolution Two: If no one else does, I will." And God made him the greatest theologian in American history and used him to spark the First Great Awakening. The First Sunday of 2016 Matt Gillum delivered a wonderful sermon on belonging. It struck the right note for the (Con nued on page 3)

3 THE BRIDGE Page 3 (Con nued from page 2) first Sunday of a new year. The world is suffering from an epidemic of loneliness; the family of God should be the antidote for this. Our Bible Fellowship groups should offer the love and practical help that people hunger for. We had many first-time guests in our facility on Sunday; let s reach out to them. Growth in Bible Fellowship In December we concluded our eighth full year of Bible study groups at Austin Baptist Church. We are blessed with the finest Bible Fellowship leaders that any church could hope for. Over these eight years, we have prayed for God s blessing on our commitment to Bible study, fellowship, ministry, and outreach through our Bible Fellowship groups. Our progress is reflected in the annual attendance record of our groups (see chart on right.) We hope and pray that 2016 will continue this encouraging trend. This very day, the concrete foundation of our new education building will be poured (see photos below). It is an important early step in the construction of a spacious and beautiful new facility for children and adults. We hope to be in the new building this fall. Thank you to all of our wonderful Bible Fellowship leaders for your faithful ministry to our members and guests through our groups. Great days are ahead! David Procter ABC BIBLE FELLOWSHIP YEAR ATTENDANCE The world is suffering from an epidemic of loneliness; the family of God should be the antidote for this. Construction site ready for concrete on January 4, ABC member Larry Swayze (left), a structural engineer, inspects the preparations for the concrete pouring.

4 Page 4 THE BRIDGE J.J. and Jillian first met by chance at an event at the Stephen F. Austin Hotel. They celebrated their third wedding anniversary in November, and have a two-year-old daughter named Grace. Jillian is expecting their second child in June The Manns attend Home Builders Bible Fellowship. J.J. and Jillian Mann joined in the Pastor s Membership Class on October 18, J.J. joins by transfer of his membership from Riverbend Church and Jillian by believer s baptism. He is a native of Austin and graduated from Westlake High School. Upon graduating from Baylor University, J. J. accepted a ministerial position at his home church, Riverbend Church of Austin. After serving in the ministry for seven years, he entered graduate school at UT Austin, and took a position in financial services. J.J. now runs his own wealth management firm, and serves as the Vice President for Opes One Advisors. Jillian attended Plymouth State University (Plymouth, NH) and Arizona State University, majoring in Music Theatre and Vocal Performance & Pedagogy. She is classically trained and has experience singing all genres of music. She has been singing for over 20 years, and has performed at countless weddings, funerals, private and corporate parties, as well as charity and sporting events. She has performed in Europe, Canada, and all over the United States. David Procter Thanks to Derek Tackett and his team for doing such a wonderful job designing the stage set for our new emphasis on LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE.

5 THE BRIDGE Page 5 Joy in Serving Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28 The greatest among you shall be your servant. Matthew 23:11 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works Hebrews 10:24 Serving one another is the calling card for Christians. We show our love for Christ and for our neighbor by serving each other. Jesus showed us how in the Upper Room when He washed the feet of His disciples. Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another s feet. John 13:12-14 The dawning of a new year is a great time for each of us to evaluate our service to one another at ABC. Please prayerfully consider some of these service opportunities in the Music & Worship Ministry at ABC: Sanctuary Choir Orchestra Joyful Noise Handbells Drama Ministry Worship Arts/Creative Kids (WACK) Our biggest need at present is for additional volunteers to assist with the 11:11 worship service. There are several ways you can help out. Will you step up and serve? Blessings, John Parker

6 Page 6 THE BRIDGE Along with many of you, I grew up before computers. With pen or pencil, we carefully wrote down all schoolwork, instructions, notes, reminders, scribbling everything, on paper, usually in a spiral notebook so we would not lose it. It always gave me quite a shot of unexplainable joy to finish a page and get to turn to a clean sheet. For a few seconds, there were no mistakes or blotches on that page. To me, it always felt like another chance. We have fresh, new beginnings in the Music Ministry this week! All of our ensembles have been on a much needed break, but we will begin rehearsals this week. I hope you will find your place and join us in this important preparation for worship. It could be a fresh page for you to write on. Children s Choirs... Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. Handbells... Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir... Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. ABC Orchestra... Wednesday at 7:45 p.m. Joyful Noise... Sunday at 2:00 p.m. If you are interested in any of these groups and want more information, please me at dodiem@austinbaptistchurch.com or John Parker at johnp@austinbaptistchurch.com. Calgary Update I hope that you are continuing to pray for Dan and Amber Sweaza, church planters, and their efforts as they look toward a launch on September 11, They have been experiencing the difficulties of ministry in Canada; however, their latest update showed much evidence that God is at work. Here is a quote: In our last update, we told you about the small hurdles we have hit in finding a meeting location for our church. You must have been praying because two days after we sent the update, we got some great news regarding a potential meeting space! I shouldn't share details until our lease is finalized, but I can say we are excited and relieved. Thanks for praying! This is good news, indeed! Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow! Dodie

7 THE BRIDGE Page 7 Teacher Jeff Otto invites you to a 15-week study on the life of David. Jan 3 Jan 10 Jan 17 Jan 24 Jan 31 Feb 7 Feb 14 Feb 21 Feb 28 Mar 6 Mar 13 Mar 20 Mar 27 Apr 3 Apr 10 Introduction David Anointed King David & Goliath A True Friend: Jonathan David on the Run David Spares Saul The Death of Saul David Becomes King The Ark of the Covenant The Davidic Covenant David s Crimes in the Kingdom The Sword in David s House David in Exile The Crown is Passed The Legacy of David Members and Guests, As a new year begins, are you prepared for whatever comes your way? Come join us Sunday as we continue our discussion of the book of Matthew and see that Jesus lived each day prepared to do His Father's will. And that makes all the difference. Zack

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12 Page 12 THE BRIDGE The other day as I was browsing on Facebook, a photo (shown below) popped up. It was taken over nine years ago. It was my last day with my first youth ministry! These kids were the youth ministry of Central Baptist Church, Marshall, TX, in It is amazing to me to think that I ve known this bunch for almost a third of my life. It is a real joy to have watched them from a ways off grow up, get jobs, graduate college, get married, have kids, and, most importantly, grow in their faith. It is an incredible honor to be included in their spiritual heritage. In seeing this photo, I was reminded of why youth workers do what we do. It certainly isn t because we love junk food and late nights (though those are nice sometimes!). It isn t because of the incredible worship you get to experience with young people, the adventures of missions and camps you go on together, the incredible life-change that we get to participate in, or the deep conversations of life that students confront (though these are absolutely incredible!!!). The reason that I do youth ministry is wellencapsulated in Colossians 1:28, He [Christ] is the One we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. First and foremost, I serve as a student minister to glorify my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to make His Gospel known. Secondly, I want to see my students grow into maturity in Christ. If we take the time to make a bunch of nice kids, we will ultimately have failed our mission. Our mission in Student Ministry is to evangelize, challenge, encourage, and grow students to become young Christian adults with a passion for Jesus. The true worth of Student Ministry is recognized as these students grow to present Christ in maturity in their lives after high school. And as Paul says later in Colossians 2:5, For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. This is the true delight of the person who works with students. Is there a place in the church where you invest? Is there anywhere that you can say, I participated in this stewardship of God s grace? If not, you are missing out on one of the greatest joys of our Christian faith: the grace of Christ to work alongside Him as He calls the world unto Himself. Today I hope you will begin to seek out where God is calling you to serve in the church. And once you discover it, pour your heart into it! May we as a church take ownership in the ministry of Jesus Christ in our community and have the grace to watch what He will do with our obedience! By Christ s Love, Matt

13 THE BRIDGE Page 13 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. Applications to participate are due by January 10, 2016.

14 Page 14 Next Week at ABC Sun., Jan. 10 9:00 a.m. Traditional Worship, Sanctuary 10:10 a.m. Bible Fellowship Groups 11:11 a.m. Contemporary Worship, Sanctuary Parents Meeting 1 (Student Ministry), Rm :15 p.m. Mission Coordinators Meeting, Rm. 187 Parents Meeting 2 (Student Ministry), Rm. 220 Mon., Jan :00 a.m. Adults on Mission Meeting, Chapel (Rm 183) Wed., Jan. 13 5:00 p.m. Fellowship Dinner, Great Hall 6:00 p.m. Adult Bible Study, Great Hall 6:30 p.m. Student Ministry AXIS Fellowship & Bible Study Committee on Committee Meeting, Rm. 275 Sat., Jan. 16 Students iserve Our Response to God s Faithfulness Our Tithes & Offerings YTD General Fund $99, $3,052, Designated $10, $115, Bldg./Strong Foundation $12, $2,426, Total Giving $122, $5,594, YTD General Fund $190, $3,243, Designated $11, $127, Bldg./Strong Foundation $37, $2,463, Total Giving $239, $5, YTD General Fund $50, $50, Designated $20.00 $20.00 Bldg./Strong Foundation $12, $12, Total Giving $62, $62, Building on a Strong Foundation Total-to-Date $3,816, Lottie Moon Offering-to-Date: $39, ABC Goal: $36,000 Mission Dollars at Work: Blake Kimbrough holding an impromptu Bible study in his back yard in Zambia. NOTE: Items for THE BRIDGE are due to Rita Jones by noon Friday. Send to ritaj@austinbaptistchurch.com Fellowship Menus Wednesday, Jan. 13: Recurring Events SUNDAY AWANA Resumes Jan. 10, :00 pm Joyful Noise Rehearsal Resumes Jan. 10, :00 pm MONDAY Men s Prayer Group 6:45 a.m., Welcome Center TUESDAY Tiny Tots & Tunes Resumes Jan. 12, :00 am Class, Rm :00 am Class, Rm 117 Music Rehearsal Resumes Jan. 5, :00 pm, 11:11 Band THE BRIDGE Chef s Choice WEDNESDAY Tiny Tots & Tunes Resumes Jan. 13, :00 am Class, Rm 117 Kids Choirs WACK Resumes Jan. 13, :00 pm Music Rehearsals Resume Jan. 6 Handbells, 6:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir, 7:15 p.m. Orchestra, 7:45 p.m. THURSDAY Deacons on Call American Heritage Girls Jan 21 6:00 pm, Rm 117 Trail Life Jan 21 6:30 pm, Rm 268 Week of January 11, 2016 James Gandy Steve Hay Our Attendance :00 AM Our Attendance :00 Service :11 Service Bible Fellowship Scofield Farms On the Horizon JANUARY Mission Committee Meeting, Chapel Finance Committee Meeting, Rm. 275, 4 p.m. 24 Membership 101 (note this new date) 25 Deacons Meeting, Great Hall 27 Church Business Meeting 28 Spectrum Dodgeball Tournament Mom2Mom and Women s Bible Study AUSTIN BAPTIST CHURCH 7016 RIBELIN RANCH DRIVE AUSTIN TX