The MESSENGER. A Message from Pastor Jason White. Inside this issue: Special Points of Interest: Senior Adult Ministry News. Children s Ministry News

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1 The MESSENGER November 2017 Volume 5, Issue 11 As we move into November, most of us start to focus on Thanksgiving and Christmas being right around the corner. If you are anything like my wife, you skip right over thinking about Thanksgiving and focus on Christmas! She s the kind of person who would already have Christmas lights up if her husband didn t ask her to tap the breaks just a little bit on getting the Christmas season up and running! Anyway, the point is, we do start to think about Christmas on some level this time of year. And in thinking about Christmas, we remember the incarnation of Jesus Christ, that God the Son took on human flesh and lived among us. But when we think about Jesus taking on human flesh we generally think of Jesus doing so for the ultimate purpose of eventually substituting Himself in our place on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins and pave the way for salvation in our lives. And we should think about that! Thank goodness this is what He did come to do and has accomplished for us! However, there are other important aspects to Jesus taking on human flesh that sometimes I think we miss. One of those things is the personality of Jesus. We see Jesus personality coming out in the descriptions we have in the gospels of what He did and how He interacted with people while He was on this planet. And the reason that I think this is important is because we are taught that as Christians we have a relationship with Jesus. We live in union with Jesus through the Holy Spirit that indwells us and allows us to interact with Jesus. Now, the main emphasis we hear on this union with Christ is to draw upon the deity of Jesus as our Source for living our lives as a part of His Kingdom on earth. And while that should be our main emphasis, I think that we miss part of how this really works in experience because we don t know how Jesus interacts with us. In other words, we don t know Jesus personality, and understanding someone s personality is a key part of being able to relate to them. Consider what John Ortberg writes in his book titled Beautiful Outlaw, The records of Christ are written so you can experience him as the disciples did. So if you do not know Jesus as a person, know his incredible personality, you have been cheated. If you do not experience Jesus intimately you have been robbed. If you do not know the power of his indwelling life in you, shaping your personality, healing your brokenness, enabling you to live as he did, you have been plundered. I think Ortberg is right. Many of us look past the humanity of Jesus. We look past his personality. And in doing so, we miss how to intimately relate to Him and experience Him in our lives on a daily basis. Therefore, starting November 12 and continuing through December 17, we will be going through a message series on Sunday mornings titled Relatable Jesus. We are going to look at the humanity and personality of Jesus as recorded in Scripture. In doing so, my hope is that you will see Jesus in a way that helps you relate to Him and experience Him in your daily life. I hope that you ll join me each Sunday and be thinking of who you can invite to hear these messages as well! In His Name, Jason White, Pastor , x14 jason@manchacabaptist.org A Message from Pastor Jason White Inside this issue: Senior Adult Ministry News Children s Ministry News 10:45am Worship Music Notes Student Ministry News Welcome New Members Wednesday Night Activities November Calendar Outreach Opportunity 6 Special Points of Interest: Senior Adult Trip OCC Box Packing Party Widow s Lunch Ladies Craft Night Student Ministry Bake Sale Student Missions Congregational Thanksgiving Meal

2 Senior Adult Ministry Ephesians 5:19-20 Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; I Thessalonians 5:16-20 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit; 20 Paul s words make it clear that there is never a situation or time of any kind where we are not to give thanks! We are tempted to think that Paul is exaggerating that there are things for which we cannot give thanks. Yet Children s Ministry This month our preschoolers will be talking about thanks! Each week is different but I am so excited for our littles to be learning about thanks by looking at the ten commandments, the Lord s prayer, how to help others, and how to be generous givers. This month their memory verse is, I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart. Psalm 111:1, ESV Our kindergarten through 5th graders monthly topic for November is gratitude! We will begin the month by asking the kids to think about all they are grateful for and then the following three weeks we will teach them what to do when they don t feel grateful, how to say thank you, and by asking them what is keeping them from be- scripture is clear and it is even called God s will; always give thanks for all things! As we prepare for Thanksgiving and especially as we move through our particular season of life, let s pray that God will show us things for which we can genuinely give thanks. However difficult our situation, be it health or family or relationships, let us lift our focus and gaze by thanking Him for His goodness and blessings through everything. In Christ, John Berryhill Pastor to Senior Adults & Pastoral Care , x26 ing thankful. It is my prayer that we all come out of November with a better understanding of God s love and perfect provision for us. That we should do as 1 Thessalonians 5:18, says when we read, Give thanks no matter what happens. God wants you to thank him because you believe in Christ Jesus. There are many times we might not want to give thanks, but our hope in Jesus allows us to be thankful regardless of our circumstances. I am thankful for each of you MBC! Thank you for partnering with us! In His Joy, Jenny Childress, Children s Director ,x18 jenny@manchacabaptist.org 10:45am Worship Music Notes As worshippers in today s modern environment there are a million things that claw at us and distract us from true worship. We might believe this is a modern problem, with social media, round the clock news coverage, and the hustle-bustle of everyday life, but the truth is even in the Old Testament people had to struggle to stay focused. In Daniel 3 is the account of three affluent men- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego- who refused to worship their kingdom s idol even though they would be put to death. Instead of bowing down to the gold idol when they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music they stood because their true worship was to God, not to their kingdom. Even as they were carried into the furnace, they refused the king s commands and remained faithful to God. Even as certain death loomed they worshiped Him and in the end He protected them from the flames. As the adopted children of God we have unlimited access to worship Him in spirit and truth, through his Son Jesus Christ, giving all honor to His name. This month we can honor Him together each time we gather by not focusing on our kingdoms (home, social media, political parties, etc.) but on His. With love, Jake Neal, Contemporary Worship , x17; jakeandkrista@manchacabaptist.org Page 2 The MESSENGER

3 Student Ministry HEY MBC FAMILY! As we enter into November I find myself overwhelmed with what the Lord has been doing over the school year so far! Tacky HoCO was a huge success, and students are opening up more and more, as well as buying into the program. Sunday nights have been so uplifting and it is apparent the spirit is moving. Students are connecting their everyday life to the Word of God, and we feel they are growing deeper in their relationships with one another and the Lord. If your student hasn t been able to make it yet, I hope you ll help them arrange their schedules so they can be here. It has truly been a fruitful experience. This month we are wrapping up our Best News series, which has been an exciting time. Throughout this series we have been diving into God s Best for our lives, and we feel as if students have really grasped the tools and insights the scripture gives on things we are faced with on a regular basis. We only meet twice in the month of November, so instead of jumping into a new series we are taking the time to talk over Missions and answering the question, Why We Go? As well as have a Night of Worship for our students to be able to just spend some time with the Lord and for us to all lift up our praises to Him together. We are excited about this time and feel it will be very impactful for many of our students. As the holiday seasons begin, we ask that you continue to pray for our students. Pray that the Lord helps them realize all the blessing that they have through Jesus Christ and that if any of them do not have a personal relationship with Jesus, that He would bring them to know and fall deeper in love with Him. Because of Grace, Tanner Shumake, Student Pastor , ext. 22 tanner@manchacabaptist.org Welcome New Members Lee & Susan Tonne Volume 5, Issue 11 Page 3

4 Outreach Opportunity Menchaca Elementary School (MES) Outreach Day Join us Saturday, Nov. 4, 8:30am-12:00pm, as we serve our neighbors at MES by helping to clean-up the campus. A sign-up sheet is located in the main foyer. Senior Adult Trip Senior Adult Trip November 30 December 1 Once again the Senior Adults are teaming with First Baptist Church, Austin for an overnight trip to San Antonio. At this time we have 3 spots left - so if you re interested in attending, give the office a call! After the 3 spots are filled, we will have a waiting list. JOY Food Pantry The JOY Food Pantry is in need of nonperishable food items or monetary donations. You can bring your donated items to the Office Wing. One Worship Service - 11/19 19 We will have one Worship Service on Nov. 19 at 10:45am followed by our annual Congregational Thanksgiving Meal. AWANA Wednesday Night Meals Join us Wednesday evenings 5:45-6:30 in the Gym Cost is: Adults $3, Youth $2, Kids Age 4 5th Grade $1 Wednesday s, 6:30-7:45pm Puggles: 2 year olds Cubbies: 3-5 year olds (must be 3 by Sept. 1 and potty trained) Sparks: Kindergarten-2nd grade Truth & Training (T&T): 3rd-5th grade Club is $30 per child and includes uniform, book, and awards. Discounts available if you have more than 3 children who you would like to register. Registration is located on our website. Nov. 8 Nov. 15 Nov. 29 Nov. 1 Sausage Wraps, Hot Dogs, Chips, Dessert Chicken Pot Pie, Salad, Dessert Spaghetti, Green Beans, Bread, Dessert Taco Salad, Dessert Wed. Senior Adults Group Senior Adult Bible Study & Prayer Group Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30pm, Page 4 The MESSENGER

5 Wed. Men s Group This fall we started a new men s group and going through a study called Authentic Manhood where we look at manhood from a biblical perspective. It is a video based study with a time for discussion, prayer, and encouragement. Join us on Wednesday nights from 6:30pm- 7:45pm in Room S204 and get to know other men and grow in your walk with Christ! For more information contact Brennan Richie at brennanrichie@yahoo.com Operation Christmas Child Operation Christmas Child (OCC) is a ministry of Samaritan's Purse. MBC collects various items all throughout the year for our Packing Party which is Saturday, November 11 at 9:00am in our Gym. A group of people go each year in early December to help at the warehouse in Dallas. To find out more information about OCC, or to volunteer to serve in this ministry, please contact Bobi Swope at or Carlene Cleveland at Wed. Women s Group Another new group we started this fall is a new women s group where we are taking a journey through God s Word to see how it all fits together to bring us the message of life, hope, and purpose. We will develop relationships with each other as we discuss His Word, and we will support and encourage each other in our lives as women in Christ. Join us on Wednesday nights from 6:30pm-7:45pm in room S207. For more information contact Laurel Lear at laurellear@gmail.com Home Community Groups It s not too late to sign up for one of our Sunday evening sermonbased HCG s in the south A u s t i n / M a n c h a c a, Buda, or Kyle area! If interested Jason (jason@manchacabaptist.org). Widow s Luncheon JOURNEY WIDOW S GROUP Pot-luck Lunch & Fellowship Nov. 5, 12:00pm All widows are invited! Ladies Craft Night Sign-up in the Main Foyer! Ladies Craft Night Sat., Nov. 11 6:00-8:00pm $10 per person Volume 5, Issue 11 Page 5

6 November 2017 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1- KDO 9:00am-2:00pm - Family Meal 5:45-6:30pm Gym - Men s Study 6:30-7:30pm Room S204 - Women s Study 6:30-7:30pm Room S207 - Sr. Adult Study 6:30-7:30pm - AWANA 6:30-7:45pm 2Open Studio 10:00am-2:00pm E115 Men s Lunch Golden Corral 10:45am Adapted Sports 6:00-8:00pm Gym 3 Men s Bible Study 6:00-8:00am Ladies Bible Study 9:30am-11:30pm 4 Daylight Saving Time ends tomorrow. Set your clocks back one-hour TONIGHT! 5 Coffee w/the Pastor 9:30am Welcome Ctr. Journey Widows Pot-luck Lunch 12:00pm Family Volleyball - 3:00pm Gym (ages 10+) 6 KDO 9:00am-2:00pm 7 Basketball Ages 18+ 7:00-9:00pm Gym 8- KDO 9:00am-2:00pm - Family Meal 5:45-6:30pm Gym - Men s Study 6:30-7:30pm Room S204 - Women s Study 6:30-7:30pm Room S207 - Sr. Adult Study 6:30-7:30pm - AWANA 6:30-7:45pm Preschool Wing 9Open Studio 10:00am-2:00pm E115 Men s Lunch Golden Corral 10:45am Adapted Sports 6:00-8:00pm Gym 10 Men s Bible Study 6:00-8:00am Sr. Adult Pot-luck Lunch 11:30am 11 Operation Christmas Child Box Packing Party 9:00am Gym Ladies Craft Night 6:00-8:00pm 12 Deacon Meeting 2:00pm Family Volleyball - 3:00pm Gym (ages 10+) 13 KDO 9:00am-2:00pm 14 Basketball Ages 18+ 7:00-9:00pm Gym 15- KDO 9:00am- 2:00pm - Family Meal 5:45-6:30pm Gym - Men s Study 6:30-7:30pm Room S204 - Women s Study 6:30-7:30pm Room S207 - Sr. Adult Study 6:30-7:30pm - AWANA 6:30-7:45pm 16Open Studio 10:00am-2:00pm E115 Men s Lunch Golden Corral 10:45am Adapted Sports 6:00-8:00pm Gym 17 Men s Bible Study 6:00-8:00am Ladies Bible Study 9:30am-11:30pm No 8:30am Worship Service Congregational Thanksgiving Meal 12:00pm Gym Family Volleyball - 3:00pm Gym (ages 10+) 20 KDO 9:00am-2:00pm 21 Basketball Ages 18+ 7:00-9:00pm Gym 22 No Scheduled Activities - Thanksgiving Break Church Office Closed at Noon 23 HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 24 No Scheduled Activities - Thanksgiving Break Church Office Closed \ Family Volleyball - 3:00pm Gym (ages 10+) 27 KDO 9:00am-2:00pm 28 Basketball Ages 18+ 7:00-9:00pm Gym 29- KDO 9:00am- 2:00pm - Family Meal 5:45-6:30pm Gym - Men s Study 6:30-7:30pm Room S204 - Women s Study 6:30-7:30pm Room S207 - Sr. Adult Study 6:30-7:30pm - AWANA 6:30-7:45pm 30Open Studio 10:00am-2:00pm E115 Men s Lunch Golden Corral 10:45am Adapted Sports 6:00-8:00pm Gym Page 6 The MESSENGER

7 Daylight Saving Time Ends Sr. Adult Pot-luck DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS AT 2AM NOVEMBER 5! Don t forget to set your clocks back 1-hr ALL Senior Adults are invited for our monthly gathering on November 10, at 11:30am, in, for some good food, wonderful fellowship and dominoes! Student Ministry Bake Sale Student Missions Ladies Ministry Events 2018 Student Missions Roll-Out Sun., Nov. 5 th 5-7PM Any student interested in going on the mission trip this summer needs to make this Sunday night a priority. For more information go to our Student Page. IF:TABLE - Each group meets on a night convenient to them. For information regarding IF:Table, contact Jenny jenny@manchacabaptist.org. LADIES BIBLE STUDY - All ladies are welcome for Bible Studies on Fridays at 9:30am in. 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. Volume 5, Issue 11 Page 7

8 October 31, 2017 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit #2 Manchaca, TX 1215 W. FM 1626 P.O. Box 400 Manchaca, TX Phone: Fax: I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers. - Daniel 2:23 Return Service Requested Congregational Thanksgiving Meal