Worship God Equip Believers Build Community Share Christ Volume 122 Number 4 April 2016 Upcoming Events AWANA Awards Wed, 5/4 In This Issue New Members! New Baby! Notes of Appreciation Men s Breakfast Former Members Serving in Ministry? Scholarship Notice April Calendar Sunday, 4/24 6 pm in the Sanctuary 6 pm in the Sanctuary Sunday, 5/22 Graduate Recognition in both morning services and Graduate Family Lunch Dear Church Family, From Our Pastor In our study of Behold Your God on Sunday evenings, there is a quote from a well respected pastor and Christian, Charles Simeon. The time was the late 1700 s toward the end of the Great Awakening in Britain. He wrote: Let us suppose that Jesus Christ were now to come amongst us, and to teach in our Churches, as once he did in the streets and synagogues of Judea: should we not, if we knew him to be that very Jesus, listen to him with the deepest attention?...if we could suppose him now addressing us from the cross, and appealing to his sufferings as an unquestionable demonstration of his love, and an irresistible argument for our adherence to him; should we not be melted to tears? Or, lastly let us suppose that we saw the heavens opened, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God: let us suppose he spoke to us now, as once he did from Mount Sinai, with thunderings, and lightnings, and earthquakes, and the sound of the trumpet waxing louder and louder; should we not tremble? Were we to hear him speaking to us in any of these ways, the word would not more certainly be his, than this word which we now possess: and therefore whatever sentiments of fear or love or gratitude we should feel on account of such revelations of his will, we ought to feel in reference to that sacred volume which we have in our hands; whenever we look upon it, we should say, this is the word of him who came down from heaven to instruct me; of him who died upon the cross to save me; of him who now sits enthroned in glory, and will hereafter fix my doom according to it. John Snyder, author of Behold Your God, prefaced this quote with these words: It is easy for the believer in the twenty-first century to whisper within his heart: I would be a better Christian if I had heard Jesus speak in the streets of Galilee two thousand years ago. But this is a lie. Do not waste your time wishing you lived in the days of Moses, David, Isaiah, Paul, or even Jesus. They are all speaking here, in the Bible, pointing you to the Living God. Come join us as we learn to behold our God. See you Sunday. Names of Graduates Needed If you know a member or child of a member who will graduate from college or technical school this spring or summer or who graduated in late 2015, please turn in the name of the graduate, the school, degree, and month/year of graduation to the church office by Sunday, April 24. This information is needed for the graduates article in our next newsletter. First Baptist Church, 2321 Avenue F, Bay City, TX 77414 Website: www.fbc-baycity.org
Worship Ministry Sunday, April 24, 6:00 pm, Sanctuary We have a variety of opportunities to Invite your friends and family and come hear serve God through music. Will you consider a timely message about obeying God and joining with one of our choirs or ensembles? sharing the love of Christ no matter the cost. Here is our weekly schedule: Our children will present Go, Go, Jonah! on Youth Praise Band Sun 400p Ladies Ensemble Tue 500p King s Ringers Tue 530p Sunday night, April 24th, at 6:00 pm in the JwC Youth Choir Sun 500p Children s Choirs Sun 600p Celebration Choir Wed 645p Sanctuary. Hope to see you there! Praise Band First Kids Children's Ministry Mon 500p Jubilaires Thu 930a New Members! Hooray for Samuel and Layne Ward! This sweet brother and sister were baptized on March 20th! Sam and Layne inspire the people around them to love Jesus; they are a blessing to many! Vacation Bible School June 19 23 Plan to join us on the journey to find the TRUTH below the surface! CentriKid Camp July 18 22 For all Kids who have completed 2nd 6th Grade. Spots are limited so see Jordan or Cindy in the church office soon! Alert!!! Schedule Change! The last day of AWANA and Family Supper is on Wednesday, May 4! That night, we will have our AWANA awards at 6 pm in the Sanctuary. Hope to see you there! Samuel & Layne Ward Baptized on March 20 We re glad that you ve come to walk with our Lord in fellowship with us! Former Members Serving in Ministry? Do you know former members of our church who are serving in ministry? Please call the church office or email dward@fbcbaycity.org so we can add these members to our prayer list and pray for them regularly. Help us minister to our loved ones! We look forward to hearing from you! Deep & Wide Student Ministry Youth Movie & Lunch - Lake Jackson Saturday, April 2 ~ 10:00am-3:30pm $15-20 should cover lunch and the movie. You must sign up by Wednesday, Mar. 30. Spring Fundraiser Garage Sale April 15-16, 8:00am Noon FBC family: Bring donation items during office hours (no clothing items, please). Youth/Parents: Must work to earn funds for job acct. Set up & price items on Thursday, Apr. 14 at 7:00pm! Sundays 9:30am Sunday School 4pm Praise Band 6pm Guys/Girls s Wednesdays Sat, April 2 Sun, April 3 Wed, April 6 Sun, April 17 Sat, April 23 10am, Lunch & God s Not Dead 2 6pm, Youth SNAC at Georgeson s 7:30pm HS Leaders 4pm YM Committee 8:15am, LCRA Beach Clean Up (Service Project w/ College Class) Meet at FBC. Return around 1pm
With Heartfelt Sympathy The FBC Family extends sympathy to the following members and their families in the loss of their loved ones: Fred & Sharon Lindberg loss of granddaughter SHIPPING THE GOOD NEWS AROUND THE WORLD Texas Port Ministry of Freeport provides ministry to over 10,000 seafarers from 50 different countries of the world; over 150,000 truck drivers from across North America; and nearly 20,000 port workers in Freeport, Texas. The work of the ministry is done through the volunteer efforts of over 40 individuals representing 20 local churches. For more information about this wonderful ministry, go to www.texasportministry.org. In past years our church has helped this ministry by collecting a variety of items for gift boxes for the seafarers. This year we are asked to donate: Family-sized Tube of Toothpaste Lip Balm/Chap Stick Packaged/Store-Bought Cookies AND MONETARY DONATIONS Collection boxes for the items will be at the welcome center, and checks or offering envelopes may be marked Texas Port Ministry. Scholarship Notice 2016 17 College Scholarship Applications for previous recipients continuing in college or first-time applicants graduating from high school are due Friday, April 15. Qualifications for scholarships are included on forms. For more information, contact Darlyne Ward in the church office, 245-5518, or by email, dward@fbcbaycity.org. To my Church Family, Words cannot express the love and comfort given to me and my family during this time of saying goodbye to my mother. So many answered prayers as she was gently called to move home to Heaven. Overwhelmed with calls, cards, hugs, encouragement, support our Father's love blessing all of us. A special thank you to our bereavement teams that served a wonderful meal. So apparent the effort to welcome guests to our loving church home. Blessed to call FBC home. Dear friend, Thinking of You and Sharing in Your Sorrow Note of Appreciation Love, Gwen My dad told me that you are a friend that would like to support us anonymously. That leaves me in a pickle because I want to say THANK YOU! And give you a big hug. We are planning on using special financial gifts this year on extra language lessons and part of the boys schooling as needed. It is nice to know we have some extra funds in case we go over budget on those items. Thank you for being a part of the work the Father has called us to. It is a blessing to have you support us financially and prayerfully. May the Lord bless you and your family! Love, The Dawsons New Babies! To Fred & Sherri Law on the birth of their granddaughter! Joanna Lynn Hart was born to Stephen & Rachel Hart on March 7 and weighed 7 lbs. and 2 oz. Men s Breakfast www.facebook.com/firstbaptistbc Bring a friend and your appetite and come enjoy the fellowship!
Wednesday Night Supper Each Week Extreme Salad Bar, Fresh Fruit, Dessert & Drinks April 6 Pulled Pork Sliders, Mac & Cheese & Baked Beans Serving: James & Paula Mitchell Cleaning: Robert Lopez & Rodger Ward April 13 King Ranch Casserole, Corn & Beans Serving: Sue Kirby Rita Nauman Cleaning: Rodger Ward & Bart Brown Ron & Kara Cowart April 20 Quesadillas, Rice & Beans Serving: Stan & Nan Eldridge Cleaning: Bob King & Dave Swett April 27 Broccoli/Rice/Cheese/Chicken Casserole, Carrots & Rolls Serving: Sandy Downs Cathy Davis Cleaning: Pat Matthes Jack & Janet Higgins Delightful Desserts by Debra Debra Lopez cooks Wednesday Night Supper each week for us and does a great job!!! We are blessed to have her; be sure to thank her when you get a chance!!! Prayer Gatherings in April Prayer for the Nations Tuesday, April 5 Prayer Gathering Tuesday, April 19 7 pm in Pearl Morton Hall Information Center Sunday School Report Date Enroll Attend Feb 21 522 249 Feb 28 523 237 Mar 6 524 226 Mar 13 525 171 Mar 20 525 212 Average Sunday School Att. YTD = 218 (through Week 29) Tithes & Offerings Report Date Breakfast at Esperanza s Tuesday, April 12 9:00 am Lunch at Baytown Seafood Tuesday, April 26 11:00 am Given Feb 21 $19,392.52 Feb 28 $45,538.85 Mar 6 $26,858.26 Mar 13 $ 9,581.00 Mar 20 $11,867.00 YTD 2016 Needed: $212,330.18 YTD 2016 Given: $236,776.04 Designated Gifts Benevolence Bay City Recovery Texas Baptist Men Annie Armstrong Gideon's Ministry Library Fund Basketball Ministry Memorials Faye Brown Benevolence Memorial Jack Butler Organ/Music Memorial Bonnie Gosling Memorial Gene McDonald Memorial Margie Quinn Choir Memorial Mark your calendars for great fun and great fellowship! For more information, call Carolyn Hale at 245-5109.
April 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 3 Reh 10 Reh 17 Reh 5pm Finance Cmte 24 Musical 4 Study (BB204) 7pm Deacon Council (Pearl Morton Hall) 11 8:15am Fitness Class 18 25 5 (Choir Room) (BB 106) 7pm Prayer for the Nations (PMH) 12 9am Breakfast (Esperanza s) (BB 106) 7pm Personnel Cmte 19 20 10am Jubilaires Ministry (Mat. House) 4:30pm CDC Cmte (Conf Room) 5pm Children s 7pm Prayer Gathering 26 11am Lunch (Baytown Seafood) (Choir Room) 6 7:30pm High School Lead Team (Conf. Rm) 13 5:30pm Transportation Cmte (B204) 27 6pm AWANA (gym) 7 10:30am Jubilaires Ministry (Bay Villa) 14 7pm Set up Garage Sale (Gym) 21 10:30am Jubilaires Ministry (Mat. Rehab) 5pm Children s 28 1 2 7:30am Men s 7pm Focus Breakfast (Gym) Summit 10am Yth Lunch & Movie (Lake Jackson) 8 9 15 8am Garage Sale 16 8am Garage Sale 9am Children s 22 23 8:15am Youth & College Class LCRA Beach Clean Up Service Project (Meet at FBC) 9am Children s Dress Rehearsal 29 30