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

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1 The MESSENGER Volume 2, Issue 4 April 2014 Manchaca Baptist Church A Message from Dr. Rick Spencer Inside this issue: An Event Worth Sharing On the Christian calendar, no time of year is more significant than Easter the time when the death and resurrection of Jesus are memorialized. The day associated with Jesus crucifixion is now commonly called Good Friday, demonstrating the remarkable creativity of God in using one of the most inhuman and brutal events in history to bring about salvation. In order to accentuate the horrific nature of Jesus death, the Gospel writer says, It was about the sixth hour and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. - Luke 23: 44 The traumatized followers of Jesus were stunned by events that were both inconceivable and an assault upon the justice of God. Things had apparently spun out of control; and darkness had put out the light. Even Jesus himself seemed desperately confused as he cried out, My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? Can you imagine a more agonizing time than the days for Jesus disciples between his death and resurrection? Hearts broken, dreams shattered, once confident followers now scattered, confused and intimidated, reeling with fear and grief. Those who had walked with the Light were now hiding in shadows. But that was Friday; and early Sunday morning everything changed! Please join the church family in the celebration of Jesus resurrection at the single worship service at 10:45 am, Sunday, April 20. And think about who you might bring to the service knowing that God can use this unique emphasis to change hearts and minds. Also, Manchaca Baptist has some exciting activities in anticipation of Easter. On April 11-12, MBC will co-host with Hays Hills Baptist Church a Friday evening/saturday morning conference on Talking with the World (relational evangelism) with Dr. David Geisler. Please make space on your calendar for this opportunity to get to know more about the reasonableness of your faith and have a chance to host believers from other area churches. Someone wisely has said that before we talk with people about God, we should talk with God about people so you are encouraged to create your personal High Five list five people or families that you will prayerfully lift high regularly during the rest of the year. Include people in your neighborhood, school, and work environment anyone who needs a fresh touch from God. Begin to pray that God will draw these people to Himself, and use you and others in the process. As a reminder of the commitment to pray for those on your High Five list, you are encouraged to wear, or set in a prominent place, a blue wristband supplied by the church to keep this commitment in the forefront. You can pick up a wristband at the church office or at one of the exits from the sanctuary. If you believe that prayer changes things, make the commitment to regular prayer for the people God has placed on your heart; and in the process, God will likely change you along with those you pray for. Blessings, Dr. Rick , ext. 14 rickspencer@manchacabaptist.org Associate Pastor News 2 Missionary Note 2 Get to Know Deacon Koenig Weekly Opportunities 3 4 Uplift in Prayer 4 April Calendar 6 Financial Summary Page 7 Special Points of Interest: NAMB/Annie Armstrong Easter Offering Interim Music Minister Workshop w/dr. Geisler Youth Fundraisers Church-wide Easter Picnic MBC Senior Trip Day

2 From the desk of JOHN BERRYHILL, Associate Pastor Fellow Believers, A few dates to keep in mind: April 6 Dessert Auction Youth Fundraiser where you bid on tasty items to help send kids to camp and participate in summer activities. May 4 Sunday BBQ Lunch Fundraiser lunch after church in the gym (proceeds will help students with camp fees). June VBS Call the church office to find out how you can serve. July 13-July17 Journey Youth Camp Details to come. Kids start saving now! I want to speak a special word of thanksgiving to our amazing volunteers that led our VBS week in Dove Springs. We had over 20 volunteers over the week and about more than 25 students/keepers who participated in some fashion during our time. On Thursday, everyone was given an opportunity to hear the gospel...it was truly satisfying. If volunteering is a sign of health in a congregation, and we can all agree that it is, then we are on fire! We appreciate the food, snacks and prayer that went in to this event as we hope to do it again next year. There are many challenges that we are facing but let s remember Paul s wise words: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. - Galatians 6:9 In His grip, John Berryhill , x26 john@manchacabaptist.org A Note From One of Our Missionaries going to Russia & France I have the wonderful opportunity to return to Russia and France this summer and serve on the same mission trips I did last year I'm so excited! First, I'll be working with Buckner International in St. Petersburg, Russia, loving on orphans for the month of June this time as the team leader! Next, I'll be flying straight to Nice, France for 6weeks to help with summer outreach activities at an international Baptist church which serves an area with a high Muslim immigrant population. My expenses have gone up considerably this year; the total cost for these two trips is roughly $7,600. I've been saving up money from part-time jobs to help pay for these trips, but I still need your help! If you would be willing to partner with me and help sponsor my trips, contributions can be given by making a check out to Manchaca Baptist Church, writing Joanna's Mission Trip on the envelope only, and dropping it in the offering plate. A deadline of May 1st would be ideal for sending your donation in, but I'll accept donations after this date, too. Every little bit helps! No donation is too small there is no shame in money dug from your couch. I know that not everyone can make a donation, but I do ask for your prayers. Pray that the other missionaries and I will serve selflessly, love unconditionally, glorify Jesus, and finish strong! To find out more about my trips, visit: Page 2 Thank-You Thank you for the visits, cards, and prayers while I was in the hospital. Your kind expressions of concern helped me recover faster. - Walter Boyd Thank you for the large gift that will help us feed our guests this month. With your help we served over 11,230 hot meals and gave 738 families food boxes last month! So far this year we have served 24,335 meals and gave 1,312 family food boxes with your help. - Frank Deutsch, Austin Baptist Chapel Thank you for all your prayers, cards, phone calls and caring for my son Mark as he has been waiting for a liver transplant. - Helen Moore The MESSENGER

3 Deacon s Corner: Get to know Deacon Darin Koenig Darin was born in Springfield, MO and raised in Portland, TX. In High School he was involved in athletics and scouting, earning an Eagle Scout award. He was an active member of First Baptist Church and served as Chairman of the Youth Committee and as a Ministry Intern. After leaving Portland, Darin attended the Univ. of Mary Hardin-Baylor. While at UMHB, Darin served the community as a firefighter/emt in the city of Belton. In 1995 he became involved with Manchaca Baptist Church where he met Nocona Helm. They were married in 1996 and moved to Corpus where he was on staff at River Hills Baptist Church. After he graduated from UMHB, the family moved to Ft. Worth Texas where he attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Nocona was a Special Ed Teacher for Arlington ISD. After completing his Master s Degree at Southwestern, Darin spent the next 7 years as a Senior Pastor and Southern Baptist Church Planting Missionary while Nocona became a Sales Director with Mary Kay Cosmetics. Darin currently works for Starbucks Coffee. The Koenig family joined MBC in 2009 and have held several leadership positions within the church. Darin was ordained as a Deacon in Currently, Darin teaches the Young Adult Class, RAs, and serves as Vice Chair of the Deacons. Nocona has been active in the Praise Band, leading the Women s Wed. Bible Study, and various positions in Children s Ministry. They have three children; Dalton, Brighton and Madison. Darin is actively involved in the community both professionally and personally. He has coached youth baseball and football for 7 years, been involved with Race for the Water, Race for the Cure, Habitat for Humanity and mission trips to China and Mexico. Nocona is involved with the Hays Educ. Foundation and serves as Chair of their annual Denim and Diamonds Fundraiser. In 2013 the Univ. of Mary Hardin-Baylor honored Darin and Nocona and their extended family with the Parker Award for family commitment to the university. You can usually find the Koenig family in the 10:45 Service, so stop by and say hello. OASIS Austin Children s Shelter Operation Christmas Child Older Adults Still In Service (OASIS) Friday, April 11-11:30 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. April 13th 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 5:30 p.m. or you can meet us at ACS at 6:00 p.m. April collection items are for boys ages 2-4; t-shirts, caps, cars, balls and clothes. If you have any Christmas wrapping paper that you will never use, you can donate it to wrap around shoe boxes. And we collect shoe boxes all year long. All donation items can be left in the designated box located in the Office Wing. Open Studio Pat s Bunch Band of Brothers OPEN STUDIO meets Thursdays 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! Pat s Bunch is a respite care program that meets on Wednesdays from 9:30am 1:30pm in Room E115. (Includes breakfast snacks and lunch.) All men are invited to join the Band of Brothers Wed. evenings at 7pm in the Conference Room for discussion, sharing and once a month for MEAT! For more information, please contact John Berryhill: Volume 2, Issue 4 Page 3

4 SUNDAYS Early Morning Worship Sunday School Worship Service MONDAYS Fusion Bible Study Grades 6-12 Adult, Gym Weekly Opportunities 8:30am 9:30am 10:45am 7:00pm 7:00pm TUESDAYS Adult, Gym 7:00pm 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 :00pm Youth Room Mission Friends 7:00pm 3-5 years old Preschool Wing GA s & RA s, Gr 1-5 7:00pm Pastor s Prayer Group 7:00pm Room 110 WEDNESDAYS (con t) Band of Brothers 7:00pm Conference Room Ladies Bible Study 7:00pm Room E115 Facilitated by Nocona Koenig THURSDAYS Open Studio, Room E115 Friendship Intl Hyde Park Baptist Church 9:00am 9:45am FRIDAYS Ladies Bible Study 9:30am Room E115 Facilitated by Carlene Cleveland Uplift in Prayer Bart Swope He is having surgery April 3 at Seton Hays Hospital. His carotid artery is 80% blocked. Prayers appreciated. Wife Betty;/ Deacon on Call Deacon on Call for the Week of: April 6 Gerald Caldwell Carl Wren He is home recuperating from a quintuple by-pass he had on March 5. Wife Katherine April 13 April 20 Darin Koenig Bart Swope April 27 Mark Inabinet North American Mission Board Emphasis & Annie Armstrong Easter Offering THEME FOR 2014: Firmly Planted Rooted in the Gospel SCRIPTURE: Matthew 13:3-9, NATIONAL GOAL: $70 Million MBC GOAL: $4,070 COLLECTED TO DATE: $4,130 The sower generously and intentionally spread seed upon many types of soil, with mixed results. Yet his focus and purpose was to spread the seed everywhere, not just choose the most fertile soil. North American Mission Board (NAMB) missionaries are just like this sower they are focused on sharing the gospel with all people, remaining steadfast in their commitment to sow the gospel despite the challenges and risks. They are motivated by a passion to bring people to Christ and to see churches and individuals bear fruit and multiply. They are confident in their faith, bold in their witness and dependent on our prayers and support to encourage and motivate them each day. Page 4 The MESSENGER

5 Music Ministry Workshop Ladies Bible Study WELCOME TOM & BEVERLY GILLESPIE Beginning April 2 Tom will be serving as our Interim Music Minister. So please be sure to give both Tom and Beverly a big MBC welcome! Conversational Evangelism: How to Listen and Speak so You can be Heard Dr. David Geisler MBC Sanctuary Friday, April 11, 7-9pm Saturday, April 12, :30am Anyone interested in attending is welcome. There is no cost for this event. The Wed. Ladies Bible Study group has begun a new study by Lysa, Terkeurst titled Unglued: Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions. Workbooks are $12. Come join this wonderful group of women for great studies and fellowship. They meet in room E115 at 7pm. Youth Fundraisers Small Groups BAKE SALE Sunday, April 6 Main Foyer Proceeds to benefit Youth Group Activities, Camps, etc. BBQ Chicken Lunch Sunday, May 4 Gym Proceeds will be used to help our youth with camp costs. Do you want to jump into a Small Group? If so, contact John Berryhill at or john@manchacabaptist.org. Church-wide Easter Picnic Pastor s Prayer Group We are having a church-wide Easter picnic on Saturday April 19 from 1-4pm. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be served. ACTIVITIES Volleyball Games Kite Flying (bring your kite) Easter Egg Hunt ITEMS NEEDED Individually wrapped candy (no chocolate please) Plastic Easter Eggs Items can be placed in the donation boxes located in the main foyer and the office wing. Join us on Wednesday evenings at 7pm, in room M110 for a special time of prayer led by Dr. Rick. Volume 2, Issue 4 Page 5

6 April 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Senior Day Trip Depart at 8am 2 Pat s Bunch Spaghetti, Salad, Bread, Dessert 3 Open Studio 9am-2pm E115 Friendship Intl 9:45am Hyde Park Pastor Search Comm. Mtg. 6-7pm Conf. Rm 4 Ladies Bible Study 9:30am E115 Adapted Sports 6:30-8:30pm 5 Project Linus Workday Retreat 9am-4pm, E115 6 Dessert Auction/Main Foyer Prayer Gathering- 5pm E115 Sunday Night Svc. - 6pm 7 Soup Kitchen 10am Fusion Bible Study 7-9pm 8 9 Pat s Bunch Sausage, Potatoes, Mixed Vegetables, Dessert 10 Open Studio 9am-2pm E115 Friendship Intl 9:45am Hyde Park Pastor Search Comm. Mtg. 6-7pm Conf. Rm 11 Ladies Bible Study 9:30am E115 Conversing w/the World 7-9pm Sanctuary Adapted Sports 6:30-8:30pm 12 Conversing w/ The World 9:30 11:30am Sanctuary 13 Deacon Mtg. 3pm E115 Prayer Gathering - 5pm - E115 ACS Ministry Night - 5:30pm 14 Fusion Bible Study 7-9pm Pat s Bunch Chicken Pot Pie, Salad, Dessert 17 Open Studio 9am-2pm E115 Friendship Intl 9:45am Hyde Park Pastor Search Comm. Mtg. 6-7pm Conf. Rm 18 Ladies Bible Study 9:30am E115 Adapted Sports 6:30-8:30pm 19 Church-wide Easter picnic 1-4pm Church grounds 20 EASTER SUNDAY! No Evening Activities 21 Fusion Bible Study 7-9pm KDO 9:30-11am E Pat s Bunch Goulash, Broccoli, Dessert 24 Open Studio 9am-2pm E115 Friendship Intl 9:45am Hyde Park Pastor Search Comm. Mtg. 6-7pm Conf. Rm 25 Ladies Bible Study 9:30am E115 Adapted Sports 6:30-8:30pm 26 Ladies Coffee Texican Café 9:00am 27 Lord s Supper Sunday 28 Fusion Bible Study 7-9pm Pat s Bunch Prayer Gathering- 5pm E115 Sunday Night Svc., & Church Conf. - 6pm Chicken & Rice, Salad, Dessert Page 6 The MESSENGER

7 Financial Summary MBC Finance Report on Bond Exchange Following is where we stand as of March 17, 2014: Unknown Status Exchange Clients (2) $176,516 (two people who have not been contacted) Cash-out Requests $706,385 New Purchase Requests $272,281 Bond Donations to MBC $79,010 Reinvestment by Current Bond Holders $774,783 Probable Outside Sales (unknown clients) $426,420 up to $602,936 depending on the two The Bond Issue is back to the original amount of $1,650,000. The Issue Trustee will be Trust Management as they were the trustee on the previous bond issue. The exchange date has moved from April 10, 2014 to May 10, This is because bonds will have to be sold outside the church as we had a higher than expected cash out of bonds and a prospectus will be put together for these sales. This means the current bond holders will receive one more month of interest and new packets will be mailed out showing current balances as of May 10, Volume 2, Issue 4 Page 7

8 Manchaca Baptist Church February 25, 2014 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 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. - 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV) Return Service Requested MBC Senior Day Trip Tuesday, April 1, 2014 SCHEDULE: Leave MBC promptly at 8:00am Travel via private vehicles (volunteer drivers needed) Take a break in Bastrop at BUC- EE s Visit George H. Bush Library in College Station Lunch at Sodolak s Original Country Inn in Snook, TX Tour the Blue Bell Creamery in Brenham Arrive back at church approximately 5:00pm COST: Entrance fee at library $7/ person Tour fee at Blue Bell $4/person Lunch Dutch treat Travel expense pass the hat (recommend $10/person)