The MESSENGER. A Message from Dr. Rick Spencer. Manchaca Baptist Church. Inside this issue: Special Points of Interest:

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1 The MESSENGER Manchaca Baptist Church Volume 1, Issue 5 September 2013 A Message from Dr. Rick Spencer Christian or Disciple Do you know the single command of The Great Commission? I am tempted to say you do if you were in church recently when I preached on Matt. 28:18-20; however, that might be presumptuous because I realize that I may not have communicated clearly or you may not have listened well. Often we cannot retain new information if it does not agree with long held assumptions. To refresh your memory on the particular passage to which I refer, let me quote: Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." - Matt. 28:18-20 The only imperative (command) in the passage is make disciples. Three participles modify that command and could be translated going, baptizing, teaching. Are you committed to being a disciple in the making who is involved in making disciples as you are going to work or school, to the health club, hospital and around the neighborhood? Are you following the example of Jesus, encouraging every believer to publicly identify their new commitment to Christ, baptizing them in the name of the triune God? And with utmost dedication, are you consistently involved in Jesus teaching so that you will be able to obey all that he has commanded? Dallas Willard, scholar and Christian minister, said, The last command Jesus gave the church before he ascended to heaven was the Great Commission, the call for Christians to "make disciples of all the nations." But Christians have responded by making "Christians," not "disciples." The greatest issue facing the world today, with all its heartbreaking needs, is whether those who, by profession or culture, are identified as Christians will become disciples students, apprentices, practitioners of Jesus Christ, steadily learning from him how to live the life of the Kingdom of the Heavens into every corner of human existence. ( Dallas Willard, The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus's Essential Teachings on Discipleship) As fall represents the beginning of a new season, would you prayerfully recommit yourself to being a disciple of Jesus who is learning to do all that He has commanded? If so, please ask yourself what that means concerning service and responsibility where there is great need, such as helping with children, youth, elderly, facilities or another ministry of the church. No doubt, you have heard of the rule which says that 80% of the work and resources of the church are provided by 20% of the people. The disciples of Jesus are 20%ers. Blessings, Dr. Rick , ext. 14 rickspencer@manchacabaptist.org Inside this issue: Associate Pastor News Youth Ministry News 2 2 Preschool News 2 Sunday School Teachers Needed Weekly Volunteer Opportunities Financial Summary/E-Giving 95th Anniversary Celebration Back Page Special Points of Interest: Get to know Deacon Lee Allen Corley TX Mission/Mary Hill Davis New BLESS Opportunity Sept Calendar Financial Summary

2 From the desk of JOHN BERRYHILL, Associate Pastor We are off to a great beginning with our Fresh Start emphasis and are looking forward to a fruitful year! with the gospel and strong in their commitment to Christ. Youth have the Great Fall retreat right around the corner on September and that will be an excellent time as it is each year. Blessings in Christ, John Berryhill , x26 john@manchacabaptist.org Youth Ministry continues to thrive as students have strong moral and SO many parents and other volunteers have stepped up to help in this interim period. Keep students in your prayers that they will be bold Continue to pray that we as a church will be grateful looking back on a rich history, energized for God s work right now and hopeful for the future! Youth Ministry News COST: $75 DEPOSIT: $35 GREAT FALL RETREAT Sept Grades 6-12 DEPOSIT DUE: 9/8/13 FINAL PAYMENT DUE: 9/15/13 LATE REGISTRATION COST: $90 (after 9/18/13) DEPARTURE TIME: Arrive at MBC at 5:30pm we will depart promptly at 6:00pm FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Billy and/or Holly Gandy or the church office at P is for Preschool We are excited to have some new faces in our preschool wing. We have had some wonderful visitors. The children that have promoted from the nursery area to preschool are so small but they will grow a lot in a year s time. The September Sunday school will focus on JESUS and all of the attributes of Jesus such as kindness, helpfulness, how he was loving and caring and how he was born to Page 2 live and be special. We can always use examples of Jesus when we are parenting our children, or teaching other people s children in preschool or grade school. The best thing that we can do when our child hurts someone s feelings is to remind them that Jesus loves them both and that we should show them love just like Jesus does. We can always use a Bible story to teach them or help them learn how to make good choices. I love the feeling of fall right around the corner, football season in full swing, apples and school houses on the walls of the preschool wing, school supplies and backpacks ready, Kids Day Out gearing up for our 4th year. Praise God for this ministry! It is a time for new beginnings and meeting new people. Be a blessing to someone today. You may be the only Jesus that some will ever see. Holly North Preschool Coordinator holly@manchacabaptist.org The MESSENGER

3 Deacon s Corner: Get to know Deacon Lee Allen Corley Lee Allen was born in Birmingham, Alabama. His parents answered God's call to be Southern Baptist Missionaries when he was 6 years old. He lived with them on the mission field until age 16, then finished high school in Dallas, and went on to study at Eastfield Jr. College and UT Arlington, where he met his lovely wife Mary Dayle. Lee Allen and Mary Dayle were married in 1978, and have three wonderful children, and two granddaughters. Lee Allen was ordained as a Deacon in 1993, and the family joined MBC in Oct Since then Lee Allen has served on several committees, as Deacon Chair, Awana Leader and Commander, and as a substitute Sunday School teacher. "What I am most excited about is that our church members are always following God's lead, and looking for ways to serve others. In this time of transition, I believe that God is calling each one of us to step up to the plate and learn to draw people closer to Him. We need to continue to reach outside the walls of this church to bring people into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The best way to do that is to become their friends, then introduce them to God. My prayer is that each one of us would seek our part in building His Kingdom." TX Missions & Mary Hill Davis Week of Prayer: Sept The message of the 2013 Week of Prayer for Texas Missions and the Mary Hill Davis Offering is simple: Everyone Can! Each person can be used of God to impact our state for Christ. It does not matter how old you are or how young you are. Neither physical limitations, declining health, family crisis, nor anything else, need hinder you from God s call on your life. Each of us comes into the world with certain gifts bestowed by our Fa- ther. We are to offer our time, talents, and treasure to God for His work. Ephesians 2:10 (The Message) proclaims: He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing. Offering Goal: $4,110,000 MBC Goal: $4, GriefShare Series Manchaca United Methodist Church (located at FM 1626 & Manchaca Rd.) is ready to begin a new weekly GriefShare series starting Sept. 15. The classes will meet each Sun. from 3:00-5:00pm.. Each class is self contained; therefore, you do not have to attend in sequence. The GriefShare program is a national network of faith-based grief recovery support for persons who have experienced the death of a loved one. If you would like more information, please contact the MBC Church Office at New BLESS Opportunity Our newest BLESS Ministry is Cunningham Elementary School. The school is located at 2200 Berkeley Ave. in South Austin. We are working with the principal and counselor to see how we might plug in. We hope to begin the school year by providing snacks for teachers. There will be opportunities for Reading Buddies, mentoring students in the Seedling Program (children whose parents are in prison), helping teachers in classrooms, helping at carnivals, programs, etc., much like we did at Sunset Valley. Watch for more information as it becomes available. We hope many of you will plan on joining us in this special ministry. Friendship International Friendship has been ministering to international women and their pre-school children for over 40 years. This ministry is sponsored by area Baptist churches, and staffed by Baptist lady volunteers. Friendship meets Sept. May on Thursdays from 9:45am-noon at Hyde Park Baptist Church. The 2013 Friendship teacher needs are: ESL3, Conversation, Computer, Art, and Idioms. If you can teach one of the classes, or assist in childcare, or just be an extra hand and friend, contact Joyce Felps at Preparation Day: Sept. 12 9:30am (Baptist ladies only) Welcome Coffee: Sept. 19 9:45am First Day of Classes: Sept. 26 9:45am Volume 1, Issue 5 Page 3

4 SUNDAYS Early Morning Worship Sunday School Worship Service MONDAYS Westgate Bowling Fusion Bible Study Grades 6-12 Adult, Gym Weekly Opportunities 8:30am 9:30am 10:45am 6:30pm TUESDAYS Adult, Gym WEDNESDAYS Pat s Bunch, Room E115 9:30am Prayer Gathering 5:30pm Conference Room Wed. Night Meal, Gym 6:00pm Grades 1-5 Choir 6:45pm Room M106 Adult Choir Rehearsal 6:45pm Choir Room Fusion Grades 6-12 Youth Room Mission Friends 3-5 years old Preschool Wing GA s & RA s, Gr 1-5 Pastors Bible Study Room 110 WEDNESDAYS (con t) Band of Brothers Conference Room Woman s Unplugged Fellowship - Room M109 THURSDAYS Open Studio, Room E115 Friendship Intl Hyde Park Baptist Church FRIDAYS Ladies Bible Study Room E115 9:00am 9:45am 9:30am Sunday School Teachers Needed Deacon on Call Deacon on Call for the Week of: Sept. 1 Bart Swope Preschool Sunday School is in need of a teacher in the 4-year old class. Preschool teachers are on a rotating basis every other week. If you are interested, please see Holly North or call the church office at The Children s Ministry is in need of a 3rd Grade Assistant Teacher. If you are interested, please contact the church office at Sept. 8 Darin Koenig Sept. 15 Mark Inabinet Sept. 22 Carl Wren Sept. 29 Trey Shultz Uplift in Prayer Dr. Walter May He will see his surgeon on Sept. 6 to schedule his surgery. Dr. may has a blood disorder an is in need of a stem cell transplant. This will be a very lengthy process and will require an extensive stay in Houston. Prayer are very much appreciated. Jon Deutsch - Currently in rehab. He had surgery on July 22 on his upper and lower spine. Prayers for healing. Jon is the son of Frank & Centra Deutsch. Page 4 The MESSENGER

5 OASIS LADIES COFFEE AGE 18+ BASKETBALL Older Adults Still In Service (OASIS) Friday, Sept :30 a.m. Room E115 Pot-luck lunch and table games OASIS is a great opportunity to meet other MBC ers in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. Bring a couple of your favorite dishes and enjoy this time of fellowship. Ladies Coffee - Texican Cafe Saturday Sept. 28 9:00am Ladies come enjoy a time of fellowship and a Dutch treat breakfast, or just a cup or two of coffee! All are welcome for this time of casual fellowship with your Christian sisters. Mon. & Tues. Evenings Gym Ages 18+ Join us in the Gym on Monday & Tuesday evenings for a community-wide basketball game. Anyone age 18 and older is welcome! Open Studio Bowling League Lawn Care OPEN STUDIO meets Thursday s from 9:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. in Room E115. Open Studio is for those who are artists to gather weekly to work on their projects. ALL are welcome! The Fellowship Bowling League will start back up on September 9th. The League will bowl on Monday evenings at Westgate Lanes. If you are interested in joining the League, or have any questions, please contact Lee or Duane Lancaster at We have the equipment... all we need is YOU! Contact DH Shultz in the office if you would like to help with mowing the church grounds. And if you don t like to mow, you can volunteer to maintain/water the trees, bushes and flowers located outside. Pat s Bunch Austin Children s Shelter OCC PAT S BUNCH Meets each Wed. in Room E115 at 9:30am- 1:30pm. A very special program for our special loved ones being cared for at home. This is a needed 4-hr respite for caregivers. This program is such a blessing to those attending and for those who serve them. Sept. 8 is our next ministry night at ACS. Bring your crafts, games and lots of cookies. If you want to carpool, we will depart from the church at 5:30pm or you can meet us at ACS at 6:00pm. The Sept. collection items are for books and coloring books for all ages. Your donations can be placed in the box located in the Office Wing. Volume 1, Issue 5 Page 5

6 September 2013 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Sunday Night Service 6pm 2 Office Closed for Labor Day Fusion Bible Study 7-9pm 3 4 Pat s Bunch 9:30-1:30 E115 Family Dinner 6-6:45 Gym Chicken Pot Pie, Salad, Ice Cream 5 Open Studio 9am-2pm E115 Women s Wheelchair Basketball 7-9pm, Gym 6 Ladies Bible Study 9:30am E Deacon Mtg. 3pm E115 ACS Ministry Night 5:30pm Week of Prayer for TX Missions 9 Fusion Bible Study 7-9pm Pat s Bunch 9:30-1:30 E115 Family Dinner 6-6:45 Gym Spaghetti, Green Beans, Bread, Peaches 12 Open Studio 9am-2pm E115 Women s Wheelchair Basketball 7-9pm, Gym 13 Ladies Bible Study 9:30am E115 OASIS 11:30am E Young Adult Class Noon E115 Sunday Night Svc. 6pm/Church Conf. 7pm Joanna Corley s Mission Trip Pres. E Fusion Bible Study 7-9pm Pat s Bunch 9:30-1:30 E115 Family Dinner 6-6:45 Gym Veg. Soup, Taco Soup, Cornbread, Crackers 19 Open Studio 9am-2pm E115 Women s Wheelchair Basketball 7-9pm, Gym 20 Ladies Bible Study 9:30am E115 Youth - Great Fall Retreat 21 Linus Project 10am-4pm E Youth Great Fall Retreat 23 Fusion Bible Study 7-9pm Pat s Bunch 9:30-1:30 E115 Family Dinner 6-6:45 Gym Baked Chicken, Potatoes, Ice Cream 26 Open Studio 9am-2pm E115 Women s Wheelchair Basketball 7-9pm, Gym 27 Ladies Bible Study 9:30am E Ladies Coffee 9:30am Texican Cafe 29 Lord s Supper Town Hall Meeting 6pm 30 Fusion Bible Study 7-9pm Page 6 The MESSENGER

7 Statistical Report for August CHURCH YEAR Sept. 1, 2012 Aug. 31, 2013 SUNDAY SCHOOL Sunday School Enrollment 282 Sunday School Attendance This Week 211 SS Avg. Attendance 202 BAPTISMS* Number Awaiting Baptism 0 Number Baptized 9 MORNING WORSHIP* (Both Worship Svcs, Nursery & Ext. Session) Year to Date Average Attendance 253 Attendance Sun. (Morning Services, Extended Care) 266 Financial Summary/E-Giving Financial Summary Through July 2013 There is good news and bad news this month. First, the bad news. This month we have not made any progress in the financial balance sheet. It was only a four-sunday month, so the expenses were a little less, but income was down quite a bit. Our expenses were $7, greater than income in July. Therefore we are $33, in the red for the year. We still have a long way to go to get our financial house in order. Please continue to pray that God would speak to all of us at MBC to tithe, as the finance committee continues to look at ways to cut our expenses. Please encourage one another in this matter whenever possible. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. Malachi 3:10 (NIV) Now, the good news. The new e-giving program has about five or six people using it now as another way that contributions can be given to the church. One important note about e-giving is that it does not replace any current method of giving, it is just one additional way of giving to encourage some who would prefer the convenience of online donations, which is available anytime, anywhere. We have information posters in the foyers of the church. To use e-giving, go to our website at click on "Serve/Give", click on "giving", and click on "Online E-Giving". The first time you visit the site, you will be asked to register. After you log in, click on "Make A Donation" and choose whether you want to donate by bank draft, which is also called ACH, or by credit card. The transaction fees to the church for bank drafts are less than for credit card giving, so if you decide to use e-giving, the bank draft method will cost the church less, but it is completely all right to choose either method. Either way, the transaction is secure and safe. In Christ, MBC Finance Committee Volume 1, Issue 5 Page 7

8 Manchaca Baptist Church July 30, 2013 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 He is a shield unto them that put their trust in him - Proverbs 30:5 Return Service Requested 95th Anniversary Celebration Save the Date October 19 & 20, 2013 for the 95 th Anniversary Celebration of Manchaca Baptist Church There will be receptions on Saturday, a special service on Sunday morning followed by a meal, and a variety of different ways to celebrate this great event of our church. Be watching! Details to come! In the meantime we need names, mailing addresses and/or addresses of former members and staff so we can send them an invitation. You can also be getting the word out. We would like to have pictures of past events relating to the church so we can produce a slide show. These will be scanned and returned to you with no damage. Please put them in an envelope with your name and information so we can get them back to you. (It is not good for your photos to write on the back of them, use a sticky note with names, dates, locations or put them in an envelope with this information.) There is a container in the Church Office for these items or you can them to Lesa in the office, lesa@manchacabaptist.org. Thank you! October 1918-October 2013