The MESSENGER. A Message from Pastor Jason White. Inside this issue: Special Points of Interest:

Transcription

1 The MESSENGER May 2017 Volume 5, Issue 4 A Message from Pastor Jason White With Easter being just a few weeks ago and celebrating the resurrection, it can be easy to think about the glorious future we have with Jesus in heaven but still walk around so defeated in our present world today. As I was thinking about this I came across a small discipleship booklet a friend of mine, Matt Smith, wrote titled, Christ in You: Alive and Free and one of the chapters speaks to this concern: Heaven sounds amazing. Streets of gold and rooms prepared for us in the Father s house by Jesus himself. Perfection. Peace. No more suffering and no more pain. Living in the presence of our Creator. Indeed, a glorious future awaits every believer in Christ! But so many Christians look expectantly to the day when they are in heaven and live defeated today. Was salvation only about getting us to heaven someday? Could there be more? At salvation, you are forgiven. Christ died for you (Ro. 5:8, 1 Pet. 2:24) and you have come to believe it and accept that truth in your life. You have accepted the free gift of his grace (Ro. 6:23, Col. 1:13-14) and in faith can thank him for paying for your sins. You have eternal life, having been delivered from eternal death (John 5:24) and spiritually united with him (Ro. 6:4-8). But Jesus didn t just die so you could have your sins forgiven. His death was a prerequisite for God s grand purpose in salvation to bring us into an intimate relationship with him, to bring us from death (spiritual separation from Him) to Life (spiritual union with Him) all of which brings praise and honor to God. He made us in three parts and was intentional in how he made each aspect of us: a spirit to receive his Life, a soul to experience his Life, and a body to express his Life. So, heaven will be glorious one day, but what about today? You have the Life of Christ in you because of your spiritual union with Christ, and every single day you have the opportunity to experience His Life in you and let Him express His Life through you. Let s be a church who not only points people to the hope and life they can have in heaven one day but also to the hope and life they can find in Jesus every day! One of the ways we can do that is to keep coming each Sunday throughout May to learn more about the Jesus living in us through the I Am statements He makes about Himself throughout the gospel of John. We ve unpacked that Jesus Inside this issue: From the Desk of John Berryhill Children s Ministry News Music Ministry Notes Outside the Walls Service Opportunities May Calendar Special Points of Interest: VBS Needs Sr. Adult Outing National Day of Prayer AWANA Award Ceremony Graduation Sunday Family Music/Movie Night

2 A Message from Pastor Jason White, continued said, I am the resurrection and the life, and I am the bread of life, and we ve got five more to go! Each one of the statements teach us more about who we are in union with in our spirit and can help us to experience Him and let Him express His life through us on a daily basis. I hope that you will join us throughout the rest of May for this series! In His Name, Jason White, Pastor , x14 jason@manchacabaptist.org From the desk of JOHN BERRYHILL, Pastor to Sr. Adults It s easy in these tumultuous times to begin to believe that things have finally spun out of control that God has stepped back and is allowing us to suffer the grim payment for our sins as a nation. Let s stand in the assurance that God is just AND He is sovereign over all. He is not rattled for our present situation and is on His throne as always. No matter what TV or social media says God says, I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to destroy you, plans to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11) Take a moment and thank God for His protection and entrust yourself once more to His Lordship. In Christ, John Berryhill Pastor to Senior Adults & Pastoral Care , x26 john@manchacabaptist.org Children s Ministry It s MAY!? I cannot believe we are already in the last month of school and we are so excited about all that is to come in the summer months! In the month of May our preschoolers will be learning 4 key things: God is always with me, God hears me and gives me what I need, God teaches me the way to go, and God protects me. Our kindergarten-5th graders will be learning all about determination. The key Bible verse for the month for them comes from Galatians 6:9, and reads, Let us not become tired of doing good. At the right time we will gather a crop if we don t give up. Keep going because God knows the end of the story. Showing determination in the face of difficult situations is never easy. However, because of Jesus we have a hope that God will make all things new and someday everything will make sense once and for all. God does know the end of the story, and we can trust Him no matter what. Let us all finish the school year strong! Thank you for serving along side us and helping MBC Kids grow in the relationship with Christ. In His Joy Jenny Childress Children s Director ,x18 jenny@manchacabaptist.org Page 2 The MESSENGER

3 Worship Music Notes "Recently, God has been teaching me a lot about what it means to be a communal person and it's been a tough lesson. You see, I've always thought of myself as self-reliant and I've always been able to keep myself company - I guess I would call myself an introvert. It would be nice if that meant that I didn't need to communicate or work on relationships, but as a worship leader, father, husband, and Christian, that's just not in the cards. So, I've had to give up the safety net of having the band behind me as I play and sing and learn to be a team leader and engage with them through prayer. I've had to give up my comfort of not talking about my feelings in order to enrich my marriage. I've had to be more open about my faith and more willing to allow God to work through me with my work colleagues and random strangers. Just the other day, I met a man at a mall kiosk who saw my KLOVE shirt and wanted to talk and ended up chatting for a half hour. I told him about my faith, music that his 7-yr old might like, where to buy a house to make the move from San Antonio to Austin, and where to find our church. Jason often talks about yielding to Christ living through you, and for me that has meant working on my relationships through giving up my comforts and being a more communal person. This month, what can you relent so that Christ can shine through you?" With love, Jake & Krista Neal Contemporary Worship , x17 jakeandkrista@manchacabaptist.org Do you have a heart for foster children? We are wanting to partner with Austin Angels to help support foster children and foster families through their Love Box program and are looking for someone who would help be the team leader for this ministry. 50% of foster families close their home within the first 2 years because of feelings of loneliness, lack of support, and being overwhelmed. Through the Love Box program, foster children receive a box each month that is filled with needed items, gifts, and personal notes which help provide support to children in foster care and their foster families. If you are interested in helping with this ministry or would like more information please contact Pastor Jason at jason@manchacabaptist.org. Operation Christmas Child (OCC) is a ministry of Samaritan's Purse. MBC collects various items all throughout the year and then has a box filling party in Nov. before they are shipped off. MBC usually fills and ships out between 800-1,000 boxes each year! Also, a group from MBC travels to the Dallas distribution center to help inspect all boxes within the region before their final shipping to the children. Items to be donated all year are: shoeboxes, paper for children to write on, and cash which we will use to buy items for the boxes. You are so generous with donations for the shoe boxes; however, in order to fill 1000 this year, we need lots of shoe boxes, so please keep them coming! Our emphasis for the month of May is for LOTS of bar soap, washcloths, combs and toothbrushes. Good news - the piano is sold and the garage sale was a success! We now have about 1/2 the money needed for a Bible to be put in every shoebox...all 1,000 of them! We don t know what country shoeboxes will go to this year, but know that God will use them wherever they end up. To find out more information about OCC, or to volunteer to serve in this ministry, please contact Carlene Cleveland at Volume 5, Issue 5 Page 3

4 JOY stands for Jesus first, others next, then you. The JOY Food Pantry is our Manchaca Baptist Church ministry that helps food-insecure local community families and individuals with non-perishable food items. The pre-packed bags usually contain such items as pinto beans, rice, peanut butter, jelly, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, tuna, and other various can goods. Members are always invited to donate money or non-perishable food items so the Pantry is always stocked and ready. Bags are packed and ready to hand out to needy people who come to our church door. Some families come on a regular basis and others when they encounter a short-term need for food for their families. It is a church-wide ministry that exhibits awareness that this need exists close to home. Please see the labeled plastic bin in the office foyer where donations of non-perishable food items may be dropped off. The Angel House Soup Kitchen is located at 908 East Cesar Chavez in Austin. It has been a serving kitchen for the homeless since 1986 and founded by Frank Deutsch, Senior Pastor. A note from Frank Deutsch: MBC has been part of an elite list of those who have helped serve almost from day one. Never thought when God called us to feed the hungry, and we served our first meal on June 20, 1986, that this day would come. I served the first guest soup on that day, and on Wednesday March 22, 2017, I will serve our three millionth guest their bowl of soup out of the original pan that years ago we had to retire because the bottom wore so thin that it started leaking. I have counted down and know what number that will be tomorrow. For all you have done through the years to see this day come you have Glorified our Lord. THANK YOU - Yours in His Service - Frank Deutsch Contact Lee Lancaster, coordinator at , if you would like to serve or want more information. The Baptist Community Center Mission has ministered to the physical and spiritual needs of needy people in the Austin area for 75 years. MBC is a financial sponsor, fall and spring food drive supporter, furnishes food for the Thanksgiving meal each year (fed 790 people this year )and gave table games and candy for the children s Christmas party. For the past 5 years, several MBC women have volunteered each Wednesday from 9am-noon to man the thrift shop. Always ready to take donated adult and children good clean, useable seasonal clothes, shoes, socks, etc. More volunteers are needed on Wednesdays. If interested, contact Aline Host, If you shop Randalls, you can go to Customer Service and join their good Neighborhood Program for the BCCM (#394). For an additional list of volunteer opportunities please contact Joyce Felps at or the Church Office. The Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN) is comprised of churches, ministries and businesses within the Christian community of Greater Austin to form a disaster relief alliance to help those in need in times of disaster. ADRN's vision is to serve Christ by establishing a church network in the Greater Austin area that will meet the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of those affected by disaster (Luke 10:25-37). ADRN seeks to accomplish this vision by building a communication infrastructure that will enable and empower the Body of Christ to organize, mobilize, connect, prepare, train and respond quickly in the event of a disaster, great or small. Manchaca Baptist is a proud partner of the ADRN Network, and you can sign up to be a part of this great ministry. Go to the ADRN website: ( for more information. Page 4 The MESSENGER

5 MBC s partnership with Menchaca Elementary School is to be a support to the teachers/ staff and inspire children in their process of learning is drawing to a close for this school year. However, we have opportunities to contribute to the Appreciation Luncheon on Monday, May 22nd. We'll be needing fruit and vegetable trays, casseroles, desserts, and cash donations. There are many opportunities for volunteers to help with setting-up, serving, and clean-up, all between 7:30am and 2:00pm. Be watching for sign-up clipboards beginning the first Sunday in May. On another note, please keep collecting the K-cups for the Teachers' workroom, and clipping the non-expired BOX TOPS for Education all through summer, submitting them to the collection box near the office. Our church assisted the school in collecting nearly $ (one 10cent BOX TOP at a time) this school year to enable the school to have funding the school's staff can decide how to use. This is an amazing support, and very much appreciated, so, keep them coming! Next year can be even greater. Looking toward next school year, the opportunity to mentor with a child 30 minutes a week will continue to be available. Please keep this in mind and consider if this would be something you'd like to do. Contact Nan Cornell at for more information. Mobile Loaves & Fishes invites you to a free movie night at our Community First Village! Grab chairs and a blanket, bring family and friends, and enjoy these special screenings. Please come out early to explore Community First! Village, pick your spot, and enjoy your favorite movie snacks. Hot dogs, s mores, popcorn, candy and drinks will be available for purchase (cash preferred). Also, be sure to stop by our Community Market and check out all the beautiful art and handcrafted products that our residents make in our various microenterprise programs here at the Village. Residents keep 100% of the profits from their sales, helping them to earn a dignified income while doing work they love! The event is free, however a $5 donation would be highly appreciated. Don t forget your flashlights and bug spray. We also recommend wearing closed-toe shoes. Event begins at 7:30pm; movie begins roughly an hour later. May 5 Batman; May 12 Beetlejuice; May 19 Top Gun; May 26 Beverly Hills Cop II. Hope to see you there! TruCare Testing Clinic, South Austin Pregnancy Resource Center s new medical clinic is now open. Please keep the center and the new medical clinic in your prayers as these warriors continue to fight to save the lives of the unborn and reborn. If you have baby items in good condition to donate bring them to the church office and I will take them to the Center. If you have some time to volunteer please contact Leanne Key at Thank you. May is a busy month for Project Linus. We are having our Workday Retreat on Sat May 6, 9:30am-4:00pm. All are welcome. Registration fee is $15 and includes lunch and snacks. So come work on that project you ve been meaning to finish. We will have our regular monthly blanket processing meeting on Saturday, May 20, from 10:00am-2:00pm, and will have plenty of blankets to process, so come lend a hand. Project Linus continues to reach out to the community through blankets for children. Come be a part of it. Visit our website at austinlinus for information about places we deliver, how to make blankets and who we serve, For more information, or If you have any questions, please contact Brenda Kilburn at dkilbkil@gmail.com or Volume 5, Issue 5 Page 5

6 May 2017 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 Curriculum Prep 3Family Meal 5:45-6:30pm Gym Chicken Pot Pie, Salad, Dessert - Sr. Adult Bible Study 6:30-7:30pm M110 - AWANA 6:30-7:45 - Youth Wed Night 6:30 7:30 Youth Room 4 Open Studio 10:00am-2:00pm National Day of Prayer 12:00pm Adapted Sports 6:00-8:00pm Gym 5 Men s Bible Study 6:00-8:00am Ladies Bible Study 9:30am-11:30pm Cardio Basketball 630-8:30pm Gym 6 Project Linus Workday Retreat 9:30am-4:00pm $15 Registration Fee Family Music/Movie Night 5:00-10:00pm 7 AWANA Sunday! Coffee w/the Pastor 9:30am Welcome Ctr VBS Volunteer Training 12:00-2:00pm Room Family Volleyball - 3:00pm Gym (ages 8 9 Curriculum Prep 10Family Meal 5:45-6:30pm Gym Baked Potato & Salad Bar, Dessert - Sr. Adult Bible Study 6:30-7:30pm M110 - AWANA Award Ceremony 6:30-7:45 - Youth Wed Night 6:30 7:30 Youth Room 11 Open Studio 10:00am-2:00pm Adapted Sports 6:00-8:00pm Gym 12 Men s Bible Study 6:00-8:00am Ladies Bible Study 9:30am-11:30pm Sr. Adult Pot-luck Lunch & Games 11:30am Room Cardio Basketball 630-8:30pm Gym 13 Sunshine Soccer 7:00-9:30am Gym 14 Mother s Day Family Volleyball - 3:00pm Gym (ages Curriculum Prep 17 Summer Break No Wednesday Night Activities 18 Open Studio 10:00am-2:00pm Adapted Sports 6:00-8:00pm Gym 19 Men s Bible Study 6:00-8:00am Ladies Bible Study 9:30am-11:30pm Cardio Basketball 630-8:30pm Gym 20 Gym in Use All Day Project Linus 10:00am 2:00pm 21 Lord s Supper Graduation Sunday! Family Volleyball - 3:00pm Gym (ages 10+) Curriculum Prep Sr. Adults to RR Express Game Depart 5:00pm 24 Summer Break No Wednesday Night Activities 25 Open Studio 10:00am-2:00pm Adapted Sports 6:00-8:00pm Gym 26 Men s Bible Study 6:00-8:00am Ladies Bible Study 9:30am-11:30pm Cardio Basketball 630-8:30pm Gym 27 Ladies Coffee 9:00am Texican Café Church Office Closed for Memorial Day! 30 Curriculum Prep 31 Summer Break No Wednesday Night Activities Family Volleyball - 3:00pm Gym (ages 10+) Page 6 The MESSENGER

7 VBS Updates VBS May Craft Collection Items: need safety pins, washable markers, beads for making necklaces, felt (to make a few robot felt boards), red, blue, and white paper plates, plastic spoons and forks, washi tape in bright colors and patterns, white card stock, multi colored packages of card stock, blue yarn, bright colored Slinkys You can place your items in the box located in the Office Wing. We are still in need of VBS volunteers and will have a meeting May 7th in Room, 12:00-2:00pm. Following are items needed for snack rotations: Day 1: applesauce (200), juice boxes (200), Rolos (4 bags), Smarties (3 bags) Day 2: pretzels (4 bags), M&M s (2 large bags), Cheerios (2 boxes), mini-marshmallows (4 bags) Chex cereal (2 boxes) Day 3: graham crackers (6boxes), raisins (2 large bags), icing Day 4: popcorn (2 jars of popcorn kernels) Contact Jenny Childress if you have questions - jenny@manchacabaptist.org or Sr. Adult Outing Nat l Day of Prayer AWANA ROUND ROCK EXPRESS GAME Tuesday, May 23 Depart 5:00pm Ticket Cost $8 Extra Expenses: Gas, Food, Souvenirs! Sign-up in the Main Foyer, or call the Church Office. National Day of Prayer Thursday, May 4 Join us here at MBC, Thursday May 4, 12:00pm, to pray for our country. AWANA Sunday is May 7. The AWANA Award Ceremony will be held Wednesday, May 10. This is also our last AWANA meeting for this school year. Ladies Ministry Graduation Sunday There is no IF:Table in May. Be sure to join us again in June! LADIES BIBLE STUDY All ladies are welcome for Bible Studies on Fridays at 9:30am in Room. The current study is, Wising Up from Proverbs by Beth Moore. LADIES COFFEE Ladies meet at the Texican Café at 9:00am the 4th Sat. of each month (excluding Nov. & Dec.) for coffee, Dutch-treat breakfast and great fellowship. Graduation Sunday is May 21. If you re a HS or College graduate, and would like to be recognized in the 10:45 service, please contact the Church Office by Monday, May 15. Volume 5, Issue 5 Page 7

8 April 26, 2017 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 The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. - Romans 6:23 Return Service Requested Family Music/Movie Night Family Movie & Music Night Saturday, May 6 5:00-10:00pm On the Front Lawn There will be live music, inflatables, food, popcorn, sno-cones, children s train, volleyball, games, the movie Sing on the lawn at dark, and much more! Bring your friends and family and join in the fun!