THE BRIDGE PAGE 1 VOL. 10 NO. 12 MARCH 22, 2017

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1 THE BRIDGE PAGE 1 VOL. 10 NO. 12 MARCH 22, 2017 This month, David Procter marked his ninth anniversary as the Executive Pastor of Austin Baptist Church. For what is now just over nine years, David has faithfully served our church in pastoral and educational ministry as well as overseeing our daily administration and administrative staff. I count it a thoroughgoing blessing to have been able to work beside David. As you know, he is very intelligent and wise, and he also reflects great self-discipline. Most significantly, he has a pastor s heart. If you have had a birthday (and that s all of us!), you have heard from David each year on your birthday. He is diligent in visiting hospitals and rehabilitation centers, and in ministering to those who are bereaved. He contacts every person or family that visits our church before the day of their visit has ended. He collects detailed information about them to assist us with further follow-up. He is a skilled and devoted Bible teacher. His class, Crossroads Bible Fellowship Group, has given birth to several of the new classes our church has established over the past several years. That is one of his primary priorities in Bible (Continued on page 2) WHAT S INSIDE Candy Needed for Egg Hunt... 2 Contact Information... 2 Welcome New Members... 3 BFG Training... 4 Lamplighters... 4 Thank You Note... 4 Annie Armstrong... 4 From the Heart of John Parker... 5 Block Party... 6 Music Notes from Dodie... 7 The Place to Stay Free Concert.. 8 Dr. Tony Wheeler... 9 Adults on Mission Pathfinders BFG New Study Maranatha BFG New Study Call to Prayer Lee Strobel Movie Cookbooks on Sale Texas Singing Men Concert Parents Night Out Children s Activities Student Activities Calendar/Reports... 15

2 PAGE 2 THE BRIDGE (Continued from page 1) teaching ministry. He understands that the purpose of our Bible teaching ministry is not only teaching; it is reaching. 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 It has been a privilege to know David and count him as a friend for almost 40 years. Many of you have heard me mention that I was his grandmother s pastor in his childhood church. His grandmother was so very proud of her grandson in the ministry. She had every reason to be. Little did I know, back in those early days of ministry, that David and I would eventually serve together. It has been very special to do so these past several years. David, as you have now embarked on your 10 th year of service to our Lord through the ABC family of faith, I would echo the words of our Lord: Well done, good and faithful servant! Gary Dyer, Pastor John 3:30 ADMINISTRATION 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 Clifteen Samuelson EVENTS COORDINATOR events@austinbaptistchurch.com Joe Pere DIRECTOR OF MEDIA MINISTRY joep@austinbaptistchurch.com SUPPORT STAFF Bill Dickson FINANCE CLERK billd@austinbaptistchurch.com Elena Samper ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT elenas@austinbaptistchurch.com Kati Dobbs CHILDREN S MINISTRY ASSOCIATE katid@austinbaptistchurch.com

3 THE BRIDGE PAGE 3 We welcomed three new members to Austin Baptist on March 19. Two of them joined in the Pastor s Membership 101 Class. Patty Vredevelt transfers her membership from Bannockburn Baptist Church. She lives in Bee Caves and began worshiping with us in January. Patty is from the Los Angeles, California, area and earned her degree in nursing from Pasadena City College in Pasadena, California. She is retired from a career in healthcare administration. She is visiting our Bible Fellowship groups. Selena Stockton joins by statement. She is married to ABC member Rodney Stockton. Selena is from Harlingen and earned her undergraduate degree in English literature from Texas A & M University. As a recipient of a Rotary Club scholarship, she earned a master s degree in English literature from the University of Liverpool in Great Britain. She works as a real estate agent for Realty Austin. Selena and Rodney met online and were married in They attend Koinonia Bible Fellowship. Sarah Moody joined in the 11:11 service. She transfers her membership from Fielder Road Baptist Church in Arlington. She is from Mansfield and earned a degree in management from The University of Texas-Arlington. She works in the licensing division of the Texas State Board of Pharmacy. Sarah moved to Austin last May. She attends 18:29 Bible Fellowship. Matt Gillum had the blessing of baptizing Ali Scarlett on Sunday, March 19, She is the daughter of Sara and Jared Reddoch.

4 PAGE 4 THE BRIDGE Dear Members & Friends: Bible Fellowship Leader Training Well-Attended More than fifty of our Bible Fellowship leaders (children, students, young adult, adult) enjoyed two hours with Dr. Jimmy Myers Sunday afternoon in the Youth Suite. Matt Gillum coordinated the event, and Clifteen and Phil Samuelson provided a delicious lunch for the participants. What did the early church look like and how did believers interact with one another? Come join us Sunday as we explore further into the book of Acts and learn some keys to genuine Christian living. Zack David Procter Jimmy Myers & Rick Dobbs Dear ABC Family: Words cannot express how thankful we are for the lovingkindness you have shown our family these past months. You have blessed us immensely and we are so very grateful. In Christ, The Sparling Family

5 THE BRIDGE PAGE 5 Our pastor delivered a wonderfully poignant sermon this past Sunday, challenging believers to always be ready to give reason for the hope we have in Christ. Some of the opportunities we have to share Jesus will be difficult, calling for much prayer, preparation and possibly years of work. Other opportunities seem to require less work. Some plant some water God gives the increase (See I Corinthians 3:6). Sunday, March 26, :00 AM WORSHIP God of Grace and God of Glory At the Cross SANCTUARY CHOIR Be Strong in the Lord But Still He Loved Me EULA SHARP All to Thee 11:11 AM WORSHIP Our God Your Love Never Fails My Victory What a Beautiful Name Amazing Grace, My Chains are Gone Consider the 3 RD ANNUAL NEIGHBORHOOD BLOCK PARTY on March 31 as an opportunity to give reason for the hope with neighbors and friends on our campus. I can t imagine an easier opportunity than inviting a co-worker, classmate, or neighbor to grab a lawn chair and enjoy a beautiful spring evening on the ABC campus. We will enjoy classic cars, a live band, hot dogs, bounce houses, miniature golf, and all kinds of fun for the family from 5:00-8:00 p.m. The event is completely FREE to all, and inviting someone to come join us is as easy as hitting a softball right over the middle of the plate! I can t wait to see you there! Please be sure to introduce me to your guests. UPPER ROOM SERVICE: Come join us as the Music & Worship Ministry presents its annual Upper Room Service on Thursday evening, April 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Worship with us as we remember and reflect on all Christ bore on our behalf beginning with the Triumphal Entry and culminating with His death and burial. Admission is free and all are welcome. Invite a friend, neighbor or co-worker to share in the passion of Christ during Holy Week at ABC. Blessings, John Parker

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7 THE BRIDGE PAGE 7 Sometimes on Tuesday, when I am preparing the materials for our upcoming Sunday worship service, God nudges me with just a little bit of whatever I happen to need. Today was one of those times. Maybe what He gave me will help you too. The background: I overslept (which cut my quiet time short.) When I stumbled into the kitchen, headed for the coffee pot, The Family Upstairs was already there, eating and working out schedules for the day (which included a baseball game) and looking for assorted necessities like shoes. As I thought about my own list for the day and how we could combine efforts so that everyone was where he or she was supposed to be, etc., I wanted to go back to bed and cover my head. I was overwhelmed. I said a quick prayer that sounded like Help and went to work. I know that many of you are facing real difficulties and losses that make my trivial whining sound like well, whining. So here is the good part In preparing the slides for the service, I discovered that the hymns for Sunday morning are all about God s grace and strength and His ability to make us strong, too. All of us get a measure of this strength, whiners as well as people with big problems. In 1 Peter 5:10, we read The God of all grace will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. That verse was like a breath of fresh air to me this morning. I hope it refreshes you as well. Take a look at these words from the music for Sunday: God of grace and God of glory, On Thy people pour Thy power. Grant us wisdom, Grant us courage For the facing of this hour. and these lines: Be strong in the Lord, and be of good courage; Your mighty Defender is always the same. Mount up with wings, as the eagle ascending; Victory is sure when you call on His name. Hang in there! See you Sunday. Dodie

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10 PAGE 10 THE BRIDGE ABC Adults on Mission visited the Christian Resource Center/Twin Lakes on March 7. ABC contributes quarterly to Life Bridge Job Corps, one of the CRC ministries. Chris Rowley is its director; site coordinator is Julie Elliott. Life Bridge has classes for adults including job advancement, GEC prep, four levels of ESL, computer skills, resume writing, and sewing. Childcare is provided. Students attend a one-hour Bible study prior to going to their classes. ABC member Jan McClarty volunteers one day a week in the beginning ESL class. The group also toured other ministries including Career Life and the electrical and plumbing classrooms. Their Reveal Food Pantry and Clothes Closet is open to the public on Tuesday mornings. For more information, contact Jeanne Kittredge at jkittredge@sbcglobal.net. Special thanks to Linda Sheppard for taking these photographs.

11 THE BRIDGE PAGE 11 OPENS IN AUSTIN AREA THEATERS ON APRIL 7

12 PAGE 12 THE BRIDGE PRE-SALE STARTS SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2017 PLAN AHEAD: PERFECT FOR MOTHER S DAY, BIRTHDAYS, AND CHRISTMAS GIFTS COOKBOOKS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE ABC S 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION SUNDAY, JULY 23rd. COST $20.00 each Mark Your Calendars for the Singing Men!

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15 THE BRIDGE PAGE 15 NEXT WEEK AT ABC Sunday, March 26 9:00 am Traditional Worship, Worship Center 10:10 am Bible Fellowship Groups 11:11 am Contemporary Worship, Worship Center 4:30 pm Children s Ministry Preschool BFG Leaders, Rm. 134 Monday, March 27 6:30 pm Deacons Meeting, Great Hall Wednesday, March 28 5:00 pm Fellowship Meal, Great Hall 6:00 pm Business Meeting/Bible Study, Great Hall Young Adult Bible Study, Rm. 243A 6:30 pm Student Ministry AXIS, Student Suite Friday, March 31 5:00 pm Neighborhood Block Party, Parking Lot DEACONS ON CALL Week of March 27, 2017 Max Arrell Richard Bennett SUNDAY AWANA 2:00 pm Joyful Noise 2:00 pm MONDAY Tiny Tots & Tunes 9:30 am Class, Rm 134 TUESDAY Tiny Tots & Tunes 9:30 am Class, Rm :30 am Class, Rm 134 Music Rehearsal 7:00 pm, 11:11 Band RECURRING EVENTS FELLOWSHIP MENU WEDNESDAY Tiny Tots & Tunes 10:00 am Class, Rm 134 KIDZMUZIK 6:00 pm, Children s Area Music Rehearsals 6:00 pm - Handbells 7:15 pm - Sanctuary Choir 7:30 pm - Orchestra THURSDAY Mom2Mom 9:45 am Rm 248 American Heritage Girls/ Trail Life Mar 23, 6:00 pm, Rm 137 Wednesday, March 29, 2017 Cowboy Stew and Broccoli Cornbread OUR RESPONSE TO GOD S FAITHFULNESS Annual 2017 General Fund Budget $3,500, Average Weekly Requirement... $ 67, Year-to-Date Requirement... $ 740, Account YTD Budget YTD Variance YTD Actual v. Budget General Fund $56, $596, $740, ($143,553.85) Designated $2, $9, Bldg/Strong $6, $70, Fill the Rooms $2, $3, Annie Armstrong Offering ABC Goal $11, Received To-Date $5, Total Giving $67, $679, Annual 2017 General Fund Budget $3,500, Average Weekly Requirement... $ 67, Year-to-Date Requirement... $ 807, Account YTD Budget YTD Variance YTD Actual v. Budget Offering Total-to-Date $4,575, General Fund $48, $645, $807, ($ ) Designated $13, $23, Bldg/Strong $16, $86, Fill the Rooms $5, $8, Total Giving $83, $763, Our Attendance Sunday, March 19, :00 Service :11 Service Bible Fellowship Groups AUSTIN BAPTIST CHURCH 7016 RIBELIN RANCH DRIVE AUSTIN, TX