THE BRIDGE PAGE 1 VOL. 10 NO. 27 JULY

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1 THE BRIDGE PAGE 1 VOL. 10 NO. 27 JULY 5, 2017 Last week, we had our largest VBS in the history of the church. Kids were everywhere! All I can say is You should have seen it! We had Feinstein with us (Einstein, only feiner). We had Bible studies taught by James Bond. We had a portable planetarium big enough to hold 60 kids that folded up and fit inside a 3x2x2 box. We had giant bouncehouses. We had hallways that were decorated to make you feel you were in outer space or inside a spacecraft. We had recreational activities that included retrieving Martian rocks and bringing them back to earth, and laser tag, just to name a couple of examples. We had an astronaut or two, and so much more. And did I say we had kids everywhere? Of course, we also had a number of kids make the biggest decision of their lives deciding to follow Jesus. That is far and away the most vital result of the week. What a great week! Kudos to Cathy, Kati, and the literally hundreds of volunteers who made the week such a sweet success. I say we do it again about this time next year! Of course, we are now less than three weeks away from our 10 th Anniversary Celebration. What a super time we are going to have (Continued on page 2) WHAT S INSIDE Contact Information th Anniversary... 3 From The Desk of David Procter... 4 Welcome New Members... 4 From the Heart of John Parker... 5 Anniversary Choir... 6 Lord s Supper... 6 Call to Prayer... 6 Men s Dove Hunt... 7 Sermon Series... 8 Lamplighters BFG... 8 Crossroads BFG Study... 8 VBS Report by Cathy Smith... 9 VBS Photo Collage New Christian Class Kids Worship JAM & PreTeen Camps Electrify by Matt Gillum Student Events Calendar & Reports Worship Photos... 17

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 Jon Marc Burge CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP ASSOCIATE jonb@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 Elena Samper ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT elenas@austinbaptistchurch.com Karen Fawcett ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT karenf@austinbaptistchurch.com together. Janna and Crosby Boyd, Jimmy and Beth Myers, and Josh and Katie Myers are among those who are planning to be back with us. The government of our state will be represented that day, as will our state convention. We have a great morning planned as we celebrate these amazing ten years and talk about what God desires of us in the coming years. Then, we will have a time to fellowship together with a catered lunch. (You can get your tickets at a discounted price now.) During the worship service, we will debut the new cookbooks. I have seen the first copy. I can tell you that you are going to be very impressed. They are better than I could have dreamed. They feature over 700 fantastic recipes, and as an added bonus they present a beautiful composite picture of the 10-year ministry of ABC. Those who have already prepurchased their cookbook(s) will be able to pick them up after the worship service. It is no longer possible to pre-purchase the cookbook at this point; however, there will be a limited number available for purchase that day on a first come, first served basis. It s going to be a very special day and one you won t want to miss! There will be a group from our church who will actually be missing the anniversary celebration and with good reason. They will be representing ABC on mission in Calgary, Alberta. This team of both students and adults will be covering a great deal of territory both in assisting with the work of the new church start we have been supporting and in working with a ministry that reaches out to kids who have come to Calgary from all over the world. Pray for their efforts as Dodie and Matt lead the team going out just a few days from now. Gary Dyer, Pastor John 3:30

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5 THE BRIDGE PAGE 5 Sunday, July 9, :00 AM Traditional Worship Heavenly Sunlight What Joy CYNTHIA HARRIS Love Lifted Me Shine On Us Old Time Religion Medley Grace Greater Than Our Sin 11:11 AM Contemporary Worship God is Able Ever Be Great I Am I Stand Amazed Four Ways to Avoid a Branson Mentality in Worship Branson, Missouri is a beautiful place to visit, with plenty of fun for the entire family: the Ozark Mountains, Silver Dollar City, Branson Stage Shows, and so much more! It is a great entertainment mecca of the heartland, USA. I ve been there a couple of times and look forward to going back some day. However, at times we run the risk of falling into a Branson mentality in worship; looking to be entertained, finding ourselves focused on what WE like, how comfortable WE are, and wondering, did worship speak to US? You get the picture? Here are a few simple reminders to help us keep our priorities straight when we gather for corporate worship. 1) Keep in mind worship at its core is a MEETING WITH GOD. It s not a civic club meeting or lunch at the country club. We are stepping into the very presence of a holy God and laying self on the altar as a sacrifice to Him. Fellowship is certainly an important element of worship, but meeting with God is the primary reason we gather. 2) Keep worship as GOD-CENTRIC. Remember, worship is about God, not about self. Lay aside personal preferences and armchair quarterbacking in favor of focusing heart, soul, and mind on the Lord our God, His wonder, majesty, grace, and provision. It s always a challenge to stay focused, but we must fix our eyes on Jesus, keeping our ears open to listen to what the Holy Spirit might say to us in worship. 3) PREPARE to meet with God. We must prepare our hearts and minds to meet with the Lord. Read Scripture and pray to ensure the proper mindset to engage God in worship. Empty self of self, and turn our eyes to Jesus, what He did for us, and what He wants to do through us. Ask yourself this question as you leave worship this Sunday, Did I meet with God today? 4) Worship is GIVE, not GET. Sometime we have this backward. Do you find yourself saying something like this; I didn t GET much out of that sermon, song, other? Worship is not at all about what we get, but COMPLETELY about what we come to give. We give our praise, prayers, petitions, attention, tithes and offerings, response, our heart and mind..our EVERYTHING! It is only when we truly are giving in worship, that we really get much out of it. Join the 10th Anniversary Choir! On July 23 ABC celebrates her 10 th anniversary! Many have worked hard to plan a very special day for our church. One of the wonderful features of our worship on July 23 will be the ABC ANNIVERSARY CHOIR. I am asking every singer who has ever sung in the choir to come join us for this historic occasion. The ABC ANNIVERSARY CHOIR will rehearse on Wednesday evenings, July 12 and July 19, in the choir suite. Those planning to sing should attend at least one of these rehearsals please. Perhaps July 23 will be the day we have 100 in the loft? Join us and we can make it happen! Blessings, John Parker

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8 PAGE 8 THE BRIDGE FROM PASTOR GARY DYER July 9 Rahab: From Shady Lady to Shining Light by Faith Hebrews 11:31 July 16 Are We Being Watched? Hebrews 12:1-3 Dear Members & Friends: What do you do when you find yourself stuck in a situation or place where you absolutely do not want to be? Of course, the natural human response is to complain or become bitter. Come join us Sunday as we learn from the book of Acts a different response which can lead to triumph in any circumstance. Zack

9 THE BRIDGE PAGE 9 Vacation Bible School was so much fun this year. We had 411 children and 208 volunteers attend. Out of that number, 78 children came forward during the decision service with 33 making a salvation decision for the first time. We also collected donations for Operation Christmas Child: $1250 and 12,485 items for the shoeboxes. A special thank you to Kati Dobbs for working extra hours and putting her heart into this year s VBS. We started planning in January with a group of wonderful ladies: Margaret Moffett, Iris Porter, Allison D Alfonso, Kami Hadley, Stephanie Foster, Lauren Allen, Jan McClarty, Christa Radcliff, Kati, and me. Thanks to Derek and Justin for spending hours making the music slides and Derek and Stan for building the amazing stage set. Derek and Austin also ran the soundboard for us. Each teacher put a tremendous amount of time into planning the lessons and decorating their rooms. Some went as far as to dress in costume to bring the Bible stories alive. A great decorating team led by Kami and Allison worked many days before VBS until all the hallways looked like outer space. Former members like Kayla Russell and Jenni Kriegel came back to help us. Many volunteers were guides that loved on the kids and made sure they were kept safe. Registration people made sure each child was put into the group they belonged to, helping uneasy parents feel good about leaving their children in our care. We had three people, Beverly, Jodi, and Jenn, who lovingly helped with our children that needed some extra one-on-one care. People with a servant s heart helped Janis Loukas make sure every child received snacks each day and that our Family Night ran smoothly. The recreation staff ensured that children had lots of active group fun. Exuberant youth helped in all areas, even teaching VBS music to the children. I received many compliments on how much assistance they were. Thanks to Mary Louise McDonald and Gwyndolyn Ensley we had over 30 decision counselors help children further understand the plan of salvation. Our nurses, Sara and Caterina, sweetly cared for our sick and injured children. Our photography team spent hours taking tons of pictures so we can have great memories. We even had volunteers that plugged in where needed. Kati and I appreciate our ABC staff for their help and support during this week. A few leaders shared some God moments that were so special: An ABC staff member explained the Plan of Salvation to a fifth-grader in Spanish so the child could fully understand. A little girl was having trouble memorizing her Bible verse so one of our youth made hand signals to help her remember. Several parents sent an thanking us for the love and care we provided their children I heard children singing VBS songs through the hallway A couple of Bibles were given to children that did not have one. In second grade Bible Study, the teacher asked the class what does relationship mean? One of them answered It s a bond between two people that can t be broken. I listened to a kindergartener tell her mom about Jesus rising from the dead as she demonstrated using the craft they made. On Friday, in second grade crafts, a child finished his craft early so he made a paper airplane. He sailed it across the room. Instead of getting fussed at for doing this, one of the leaders asked him if he liked airplanes. During the conversation, the leader learned his granddad was a pilot. His grandparents were no longer living and the child shared that he misses them very much. The leader asked if he had made a profession of faith and he stated yes and the leader let him know he would see his grandparents again. I know there are so many more stories like this that happened during the week. Thank you volunteers, both adults and youth, for giving of yourself this week! We could not do this without you. I know it is exhausting, but so worth it! We will never fully know the impact we had. I praise God for the opportunity to see relationships being formed, lives changed, and for working with a great group of volunteers. (Note: Check out the photos on pages 10 and 11 which are just a small glimpse at the total VBS experience!) In His Love.

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13 THE BRIDGE PAGE 13 KIDS WORSHIP JULY 9, 2017 Topic: Objective: God is the great healer. Kids will think of one thing they need God to heal, or share a time when He did heal them. Key Passage: 2 Kings 5:1-15 Memory Verse: I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO ATTEND JAM CAMP CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER FOR CAMP

14 PAGE 14 THE BRIDGE As we celebrate Independence Day this week, the idea of freedom is on all our minds. It is such a privilege to live in the USA, where we experience so many freedoms not afforded to others in our world. When I stopped to consider what this freedom means and looks like for us, the verse above struck me as important. Even more, I was inspired by a certain event that happened during VBS this year. On Thursday of VBS, Dr. Dyer led a decision service where the kids were able to respond to the Gospel as it had been presented throughout the week. As the kids came back to respond, there were over 30 people from ABC who were prepared to pray with and counsel these kids through the decisions they made. What struck me is that these people who had sacrificed of their time and ability were bankers, lawyers, presidents of companies, engineers, and on and on. I was amazed and humbled to see these people who have achieved so much success still sacrificing of themselves for the love of Christ for the sake of these children. They were using the freedoms afforded them in this world to serve and love in the Name of Jesus. As we read the verse above in the context of the world we live in now, a vivid question arises: what are you using your freedom for (both in Christ and in our country)? Is your exercise of freedom focused on how you can lay down your life to serve Christ in your community? Do you give of yourself in order to serve the least of these? Or is your expression of freedom focused on self-satisfaction, entertainment, or self-advancement? We all (including myself) must face this question. As we observe the great blessing and sacrifices that went into making the 4 th of July a celebration of freedom for our country, may we as a church focus and embrace the challenge of using that freedom for the sake of Christ. May ABC be a church that works with Christ to see freedom spread in our communities and in our hearts. By Christ s Love, Matt

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16 PAGE 16 THE BRIDGE NEXT WEEK AT ABC Sun, July 9 9:00 am Traditional Worship, Worship Center 10:10 am Bible Fellowship Groups Membership 101, Choir Room 11:11 Band Practice 11:11 am Contemporary Worship, Worship Center 2:00 pm Calgary Mission Trip Music Rehearsal, Choir Room Mon, July 10 10:00 am Adults on Mission Meeting, Chapel 11:30 am Student Ministry Monday Merge, Twisted Root Burger on Burnet Road Wed, July 12 5:00 pm Fellowship Dinner, Great Hall 6:00 pm Adult Bible Study Handbell Practice Children s New Christian Class, Rm :15 pm Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal, Worship Center 7:45 pm Orchestra Rehearsal, Worship Center DEACONS ON CALL Week of July 10, 2017 Rick Dobbs Mark Flora 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! ON THE HORIZON July 16 Finance Committee Meeting Pre-Teen Camp Parent meeting Student Calgary Mission 19 Children s New Christian Class 23 ABC 10th Anniversary Celebration 24 Deacons Meeting 26 Business Meeting Children s New Christian Class 28 Student Ministry Rise Retreat Preteen Camp through August 2 30 Lord s Supper August 1-2 Preteen Camp Continues 2 Outreach & Evangelism Team Meeting 6 Acteens Monthly Meeting Missions Committee Meeting 7-11 JAM Camp (Preschool & Elementary) 11 JAM Camp Final Performance 13 Student Ministry Elevate 14 Adults on Mission Meeting Student Ministry Monday Merge 19 BFG Leadership Meeting Steiner Ranch Concert in the Park 20 Promotion Day Membership 101 Trustee Meeting Student Ministry Last Splash 28 Deacons Meeting 30 Business Meeting September 3 Acteens Monthly Meeting Missions Committee Meeting 4 Labor Day Holiday: Church Offices Closed 6 Outreach & Evangelism Team Meeting 8 Parents Night Out 9 Adopt-a-Highway OUR RESPONSE TO GOD S FAITHFULNESS Annual 2017 General Fund Budget $3,500, Account YTD General Fund $82, $1,568, Building on a Strong Foundation Offering Total-to-Date $4,688, Designated $5, $73, Our Attendance Bldg/Strong Fill the Rooms Total Giving $4, $ $92, $199, $19, $1,860, Sunday, July 02, :00 Service :11 Service Bible Fellowship Groups Amistad AUSTIN BAPTIST CHURCH 7016 RIBELIN RANCH DRIVE AUSTIN, TX

17 THE BRIDGE PAGE 17 Top Photo: The National Anthem Middle Photo: Taylor Gaskins on clarinet and Judy Rowland on piano, American Medley Bottom Photo: The Red, White, & Blue Choir, directed by John Parker