THE BRIDGE PAGE 1 VOL. 10 NO. 37 SEPTEMBER

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1 THE BRIDGE PAGE 1 VOL. 10 NO. 37 SEPTEMBER 13, 2017 It is my belief that the attacks on and erosion of religious liberty is the number one political concern of our day. This was driven home to me some months ago when one of our members, Amanda Sanders (she and her husband Daniel are soon to have their first child) invited David Procter and me to attend a meeting where we heard the story of some Houston pastors. Amanda works for Attorney General Ken Paxton. The meeting was arranged for these pastors to share their story and help Austin pastors know the importance of standing up against attacks on religious liberty. You may recall that a few years back the openly gay mayor of Houston at that time, Anise Parker, imposed a new regulation that allowed people to go into the bathroom of their choosing. Pastors began to challenge their people to take a stand against this new allowance that was not at all a product of due process. Mayor Parker then picked out some pastors, most of whom were from minority communities, and subpoenaed their sermons. She apparently assumed that they would be powerless to fight City Hall and would fold under her pressure. The opposite happened. Those pastors were joined by other Houston area pastors and a suit was filed charging that the mayor had unlawfully trampled on their rights to free speech, peaceable assembly, and religious expression. It was a battle for religious liberty that had an air of David (pastors and churches) and Goliath (all the resources of the nation s 4 th largest city). The office of Attorney General Paxton supported the rights of these pastors. Thus, when this group of pastors, who formed what they call The Houston Pastors Council, a meeting was AG Paxton Speaks Sunday arranged for pastors in this area to hear their stirring story and be reminded that we do not have to and, indeed, must not fold under governmental pressure to compromise what we preach and teach in our churches. This is where Amanda Sanders comes into the picture. She shares that burden for the protection of religious liberty and wanted David and me to attend that meeting. We gladly accepted her invitation. Ken Paxton spoke at that meeting; and David and I were impressed both by the appreciation these pastors had for Ken and for (Continued on page 2) WHAT S INSIDE Welcome New Members... 3 From the Desk of D. Procter... 4 From the Heart of J. Parker... 5 Then Sings My Soul Concert... 6 Music Notes by Dodie... 7 Men s Bible Study... 8 Quilting Together Event... 8 Mary Hill Davis Offering Conference Call to Prayer Food Drive Kickoff Donate for Disaster Kits Hill Topper s Potluck Lamplighters Life s Healing Choices Mom2Mom Women s Bible Study Children s Ministry Student Ministry Calendar/Reports :11 Worship Photos... 18

2 PAGE 2 THE BRIDGE (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 Cathy Smith MINISTER TO CHILDREN & THEIR FAMILIES Cell cathys@austinbaptistchurch.com Kati Dobbs CHILDREN S MINISTRY ASSOCIATE katid@austinbaptistchurch.com Dodie Morris MUSIC & WORSHIP ASSOCIATE dodiem@austinbaptistchurch.com 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 Bill Dickson FINANCE CLERK billd@austinbaptistchurch.com his own defense of religious liberty. As a result of hearing Attorney General Paxton s stand for religious liberty, I sought to see if we could have him come and share with us at ABC. He accepted, and will share with us for a few moments in each service this Sunday, September 17. After he shares, I will continue focusing on the great 23 rd Psalm and focus on our Shepherd s guidance. In this day of constant attacks on our religious liberty, the guidance of our Shepherd is most needed. I hope to see you this Sunday morning. I also look forward to seeing you this Sunday night, September 17, as we have a glorious night of music and worship that will include our choir, orchestra, and praise band, as well as two of my favorite Christian musical artists, Chris and Diane Machen. Of course, we are in the midst of the Week of Prayer for Texas Missions and promotion of the Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions. Last Sunday morning, a man visiting us from out-of-state gave to the offering. He shared with me that the Mary Hill Davis Offering helped him as the son of an Hispanic Texas Baptist pastor to get an education at one of our Texas universities. He was back in Texas last Sunday about 40 years later and wanted to show his gratitude by supporting this special offering for Texas missions. One other thing I want to mention. On Thursday night, September 28, there will be a one-night showing of a documentary of the life of Steve McQueen, titled Steve McQueen: American Icon. Most are not aware that near the end of his life Steve McQueen came to faith in Christ. Greg Laurie, whom I consider the most influential pastor/evangelist in America today, led the effort to produce a film about Mr. McQueen. I saw a preview of it at the Southern Baptist Convention in June. It is an inspiring movie and a moving story of redemption. That night, the following Austin area theaters will be showing the film: Arbor 8 at Great Hills, Cinemark in Cedar Park, Hill Country Galleria, Metropolitan Stadium 14, and Southpark Meadows. This is an excellent opportunity to invite an unsaved acquaintance to join you in watching a film where the gospel of Jesus Christ will be presented clearly and dramatically. Gary Dyer, Pastor John 3:30 Karen Fawcett ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT karenf@austinbaptistchurch.com

3 THE BRIDGE PAGE 3 Eight new members joined in the Pastor s Membership 101 Class on September 10. Kyushik Shin joins by statement of faith and his wife Caterina Schintu joins by believer s baptism. They moved to Austin in 2015; their home is in Steiner Ranch and they began worshiping with us in Kyushik is from Seoul, South Korea, and earned his bachelor of fine arts from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. He is senior artist for Everi Holdings, a company that designs video games. Caterina grew up in northern Italy near Venice, and earned a degree in nursing from Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, California. She is a registered nurse at Baylor/Scott & White Medical Center in Lakeway. Kyushik and Caterina met in San Francisco when both of them were enrolled in an ESL class. They married in 1998, and have two children, Riccardo, a 5 th grader, and Giovanni, age 4. Victoria Tovar joins by profession of faith for believer s baptism. She is from Senora, Texas. She earned a bachelor of business administration degree from Angelo State University in San Angelo. Victoria is executive administrative assistant for Beacon Health Options. She moved here from San Angelo in 2012 and lives near our church. She found us on a Google search, and attends 18:29 Bible Fellowship Group. Clint Story joins by believer s baptism. Clint is from Lenoir, North Carolina, and earned his undergraduate degree in communications from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, where he also played on the football team. He is an account manager with Alchemy Technology Group, an IT advisory company. Clint moved to Austin in February and lives near our church; he attends 18:29 Bible Fellowship Group. David and Courtney Carter transfer their membership from First Baptist Church, McKinney, Texas. Their children, Matthew and Victoria, come on profession of faith for believer s baptism. David is from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and earned his degree in psychology from Arizona State University in Phoenix. He is director of business development for Cardno Haynes Whaley, a company that provides structural engineering services. Courtney is from Hobbs, New Mexico. David and Courtney met in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Courtney helped manage an apartment community. David was looking for an apartment. They were married in Santa Fe in The family moved to Austin six years ago. Matthew is a 7 th grader and Victoria is a 5 th grader; both attend Hyde Park Schools. The Carters live in southwest Austin and attend Family Ties Bible Fellowship Group. David Procter

4 PAGE 4 The Path to Salvation William (Billy) F. Graham, Jr. Billy Graham tells how in one of our universities he and his team had been answering questions for two hours. At the end of the session one of the students said to him, All right, tell me what you want me to do. What must I do to find God? In answer, Billy Graham laid down four steps on the way to salvation: First, he said, you must be willing to admit that God is, that He exists. Second, you must accept the fact that He loves you in spite of your sins, failures, and rebellion. This is why He gave his Son to die on the cross for you. Third, you must be willing to repent of your sin. Repentance means that you confess your transgression of moral law and that you are willing to give up your sin. Fourth, you must receive Jesus Christ as your own Lord and Savior. It would be difficult to find a better summary of the way of salvation. Bible Fellowship Leader Training We had a great response to our Bible Fellowship Leader Training meetings last Saturday and Sunday. I want to thank our staff, Cathy, Kati, and Matt, for leading their training sessions. In our adult and young adult meeting, Gary Dyer, Patti Vredevelt, John Halton, and Sherwood Moffett delivered outstanding presentations. As they always do, Phil and Clifteen Samuelson provided an incredible breakfast spread for all of us to enjoy! Our facilities staff, Derek, Max, Stan, and Abel, had everything ready for our meetings. BFG Numbers 930! We enjoyed our best Bible Fellowship attendance of the year on September 10 with 930 members and guests! Every age group had an incredible day. Thanks to the finest Bible study leaders anywhere. Preschool Children Students Young Adults Adults BFG TRAINING THE BRIDGE Luncheon Honors Hays The Disciplemakers BFG had a lunch Sunday afternoon in honor of charter members Steve and Patti Hay who are moving to Arizona. Sunday was their last time to worship with us. Cathy and Johnny Hill hosted the event at their home. Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions The Week of Prayer for State Missions and Mary Hill Davis Offering campaign is underway. The statewide goal is $3.6 million; ABC s goal is $8,000. Contributions can be securely made at David Procter

5 THE BRIDGE PAGE 5 SUNDAY, SEPT. 17, 2017 TRADITIONAL WORSHIP 9:00 AM Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah God Will Make a Way My Life, My All SANCTUARY CHOIR & ORCHESTRA My Lord is Near Me All the Time CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP 11:11 AM This is Amazing Grace Amazing Grace I Surrender Lord, I Need You Discipleship Classes for Young Adults Beginning this Wednesday, September 13, in conjunction with our Children s Choir KidzMuzik program, we are offering three discipleship classes for adults: Making Peace With Your Past - 6:00-7:00 p.m. Rm. 242, Led by John Parker Discerning the Voice of God - 6:00-7:30 p.m. Rm. 238, Led by Christa Ratcliff Christianity 101-6:00-7:00 p.m. Rm 241, Led by John Halton, Mark Flora, & Darrell Sargent To register for these classes, please click here. Jayme Ivison is Guest Worship Leader I am so excited to announce local worship leader and recording artist, Jayme Ivison, will be leading us in worship during our 11:11 service this coming Sunday. Jayme, wife Stephanie, and their three daughters live in Cedar Park. I encourage you to attend the 11:11 this Sunday to support Jayme as he leads us. Jayme shares, Music has always been a special and important part of my life. I started playing guitar around the age of five, piano in my teens, and began ministry through music almost immediately after my baptism at 19. I traveled nationally for ten years, while also serving several local church plants around Texas as Worship Leader, Music Director, Discipleship Leader, and Artist-In-Residence. Before moving to Austin, I served as Creative Arts Director at First Baptist Church of Jayme & Stephanie St. Petersburg. In Austin, I ve continued music in mainstream avenues, while also serving with Gateway Church, Grace Covenant Church, Northpoint Church, and others as worship leader, music director, worship planner, musician, and vocalist. Throughout my work in ministry, I ve always continued writing, recording, and performing original music in venues outside church settings - releasing several records, producing projects, licensing music for film and TV, and performing live. Through the years, I acquired experience in branding, marketing, and design, resulting in the launch of a Creative Services business in 2005 called Gwid Design. I now live in Cedar Park with my wife Stephanie and our three daughters Lauren, Olivia, and Jade. Among my broad scope of (Continued on page 6)

6 PAGE 6 THE BRIDGE (Continued from page 5) work experience, designing and/or leading outreachinclusive worship services has been the most comprehensive use of my talents and experiences in music, team leadership, discipleship, mentoring, outreach, demographic dynamics, branded causes, professionalism, and excellence. Now as a father, husband, minister, musician, and in all other aspects of life, my goal is to well-steward my time and talents just to be where I m supposed to be. Long before I was introduced to books or conferences on outreach ministry, I made a t-shirt for my teams that simply read Authentic & Relevant. Those are still genuine pursuits of mine in life and ministry. Then Sings My Soul Diane & Chris Machen What a wonderful evening of family worship has been prepared by our Music & Worship Ministry. I know you will be blessed as we are led into the presence of the Lord by our choir, orchestra, handbells, Joyful Noise, and featured artists, Chris & Diane Machen. Oh, and don t forget we are taking up a one-time special offering to aid victims of Hurricane Harvey. Please be prepared and pray about what God would have you give. The service starts at 7:00 p.m. I almost forgot! There are eight hymns and worship songs included in the program that YOU selected. Thank you so much for your input. I can t wait to share this praise-filled evening with you! Blessings, John Parker

7 THE BRIDGE PAGE 7 All I want to do is praise Your Name From the rising of the sun To the going down of the same. You are my God and all I want to do is praise Your Name. I hope your calendar has a big, red circle around Sunday, September 17! We are going to have a concert/worship service at 7:00 p.m. Oh, I know there are a dozen reasons not to come: We don t come to church on Sunday night, homework, football, Sunday is my time, etc. My in-laws never went anywhere at night because they thought they would get sick. Our kids have laughed for years about those pesky, nocturnal germs! But that is another story. If my arithmetic is correct, we get 10,080 minutes each week. Most of us are awake for 6,720 of them give or take a few. Out of those 6,720 minutes, we usually get to spend 20 or 25 minutes praising God with our church family. This week we get a bonus! Please don t miss it! Here is a sneak preview: The Sanctuary Choir will perform four beautiful songs, one of which was written by our guest artist, Chris Machen. The Orchestra will play a couple of tunes. One is gospel jazz very fun! Joyful Noise will sing Lord, I Need You. First rehearsal was yesterday they are ready! The 11:11 band will sing What a Beautiful Name It Is and Your Love Awakens Me. The ABC Handbells have some delightful pieces to play. I will give you a small hint: One song has choreography and a train whistle! Of course, Chris and Diane Machen will present some of their finest work. And YOU will get several opportunities to sing! We tallied your votes for favorite hymns, selected eight of them, and arranged them into medleys. Good choices! Way to go! Here is a little toe-tapper to get you warmed up: Praise Your Name by Go Fish. Dodie

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12 PAGE 12 THE BRIDGE Dear Members and Guests: When you are called upon to perform a task that appears nearly impossible and you are certain will draw criticism, what is your response? Come join us this Sunday as we discuss how Moses responded to just such a situation, and what we can learn from this. Zack

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14 PAGE 14 THE BRIDGE This week, our Tiny Tots & Tunes programs start back up. This semester we are offering three different classes, two on Tuesdays and one on Wednesday. Tiny Tots & Tunes is a music class for oneyear-olds through four-year-olds and a parent. It is so much fun to watch the parents in the classes helping their kids learn music. Music is a natural part of life for toddlers. They love to sing, dance, and play instruments. My 19-monthold granddaughter sings Twinkle-Twinkle Little Star, which now hearing the same song repeatedly is driving me crazy Tiny Tots & Tunes provides a rich sensory environment with a variety of songs, instruments, and movements. This helps create more neuro pathways in their developing brains, which help children with language and math skills. Not only is Tiny Tots & Tunes developmentally beneficial, it is a great outreach program for Austin Baptist Church because most of the families that attend the classes do not attend our church. As they come to the classes, many of them hang out in our playscape and develop friendships. This gives us the opportunity to visit with them and share about our church. We connect with families on a personal level, which make both the children and parents feel special. 3s & 4s Stephanie Pere & Kati Dobbs, Leaders K, 1 st, & 2 nd Grades Stephanie Rankin & Cathy Smith, Leaders 3 rd, 4 th, & 5 th Grades Dodie Morris & Jan McClarty, Leaders

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17 THE BRIDGE PAGE 17 NEXT WEEK AT ABC Sun, Sept 17 9:00 am Traditional Worship, Worship Center 10:10 am Bible Fellowship Groups 11:11 am Contemporary Worship, Worship Center 3:00 pm Finance Committee Meeting, Rm :00 pm Then Sings My Soul Concert, Sanctuary Wed, Sept 20 5:00 pm Fellowship Dinner, Great Hall 6:00 pm Bible Study, Great Hall Young Adult Discipleship Classes: Making Peace with Your Past, Room 242 Women s Bible Study: Discerning the Voice of God, Room 238 Bible Study: Christianity 101, Room 241 Life s Healing Choices, Rms Thurs, Sept 21 9:45 am Mom2Mom, Rm. 248 Women s Bible Study, Rm :00 pm Hill Toppers Potluck Event, Great Hall 6:30 pm Men s Bible Study, Rm. 243 A&B ON THE HORIZON September 24 Generations Sunday 25 Deacons Meeting 27 Business Meeting 30 Koinonia BFG Fellowship, Rm. 243-A October 1 Adults on Mission Fall Food Drive Kicks Off Missions Committee Meeting 4 Student Ministry VHS Homecoming Parade 5 Quilted Together Women s Event 6 Parents Night Out 7 On the Ropes Middle School Retreat 8 Membership 101 SUNDAY AWANA 2 pm Joyful Noise 2 pm TUESDAY Tiny Tots & Tunes 10 am Class 1, Rm 134 Class 2, Rm 141 WEDNESDAY Tiny Tots & Tunes 10 am Class 3, Rm 134 RECURRING EVENTS KIDZMUZIK 6 pm Children s Area DEACONS ON CALL WEDNESDAY cont. Music Rehearsals Handbells, 6 pm Sanctuary Choir, 7:15 pm Choir Room Orchestra, 7:45 pm Worship Center THURSDAY Mom2Mom 9:45 am Rm 248 Women s Bible Study 9:45 am Rm 243 Men s Bible Study 6:30 pm Rm 243 A&B American Heritage Girls & Trail Life September 21 6:00 pm, Rm 137 Week of September 10, 2017 Jack Brandon David Brower OUR RESPONSE TO GOD S FAITHFULNESS Annual 2017 General Fund Budget $3,500, Account YTD General Fund $77, $2,175, Designated $5, $92, Bldg/Strong $19, $330, Fill the Rooms $.00 $20, Total Giving $102, $2,618, Building on a Strong Foundation Offering Total-to-Date: $4,819, Our Attendance Sunday, September 10, :00 Service :11 Service Bible Fellowship Groups Amistad 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!

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