PAGE 1 VOL. 11 NO. 41 OCTOBER 10, 2018 For the next two Sundays, October 14 and 21, I will be preaching a two-part message titled, Whosoever Will. This is not two sermons. It is one sermon that will take two Sundays to complete. I will be addressing the question of who can be saved, not who will be, but who can be. I hope I have awakened your curiosity and you will plan on being present both Sundays. Last Wednesday, ABC unanimously approved the recommendation of our Personnel Committee to call Kati Dobbs and Becky Sharp to lead our ministry to preschoolers, school-aged children, and their families. In a sweet commissioning service, these young ladies acknowledged before us their sense of divine call and their commitment to faithfully and enthusiastically serve in these vital areas of ministry. I know you will be praying for the two of them, and I am most confident that we will see great days ahead in reaching, teaching, and ministering to children and their families. Speaking of children and their families, Trunk or Treat is just a little over two weeks away Sunday, October 28. Trunk or Treat is what could be called a first touch ministry. It gives us an opportunity to connect with parents and their children from all around our area. Hundreds of people will be on our campus that evening many for the first time. As we show them love and reflect the joy of the Lord in serving them in a fun and festive atmosphere, doors will open to reach some of them with the gospel of Christ. If you haven t already committed to being involved that evening, I hope you will consider doing so. You can contact Kati (Continued on page 2) WHAT S INSIDE Starting Point...2 Daylight Savings Time Ends Soon...2 From the Heart of John Parker...3 Music Notes by Dodie...4 Christmas in Four Points...4 Commissioning of Kati & Becky...5 Fearless Parenting Seminar...5 Call to Prayer...6 Lamplighters Bible Fellowship...6 Adults on Mission...6 AOM Fall Food Drive List...7 ESL Classes at ABC...8 Turquoise Table This Sunday!...8 Hill Toppers Potluck Event...8 Terrific Tuesdays...9 Christmas Trip to Houston...9 Tour of Italy...9 Adopt-a-Highway...9 Children s Ministry... 10-11 Student Ministry...12 Calendar & Reports...13
PAGE 2 (Continued from page 1) STAFF Dr. Gary Dyer SENIOR PASTOR Cell 512-574-9095 garyd@austinbaptistchurch.com Dr. David Procter EXECUTIVE PASTOR Cell 512-695-4133 davidp@austinbaptistchurch.com John Parker ASSOCIATE PASTOR OF MUSIC & WORSHIP Cell 512-705-7570 johnp@austinbaptistchurch.com Matt Gillum MINISTER TO STUDENTS & THEIR FAMILIES Cell 512-739-1431 mattg@austinbaptistchurch.com Kati Dobbs MINISTER TO CHILDREN & THEIR FAMILIES katid@austinbaptistchurch.com Becky Sharp MINISTER TO PRESCHOOLERS & THEIR FAMILIES beckys@austinbaptistchurch.com Dodie Morris MUSIC & WORSHIP ASSOCIATE dodiem@austinbaptistchurch.com Dobbs to volunteer. Also, we need literal boatloads of candy to pass out at Trunk of Treat. Be sure and bring bags of candy sometime over the next couple of weeks. Also, pray for the Lord to open doors for meaningful spiritual conversations with those who need Jesus. Pray that the greatest treat from that evening comes in the form of people finding life in the Lord. Gary Dyer, Pastor John 3:30 Want to know more about membership and ministry at ABC? In this class, Pastor Gary Dyer shares the history and ministry of ABC, plus our core doctrines and values. He explains how one can join the church and the difference it makes. There is no pressure placed on anyone who attends. We will simply facilitate those who sense God s direction to become a part of the membership of ABC. No reservation is required. Just join us in the Choir Room that Sunday! 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 512-845-2086 derekt@austinbaptistchurch.com Kim Warner FOOD SERVICE MANAGER kimw@austinbaptistchurch.com Joe Pere DIRECTOR OF MEDIA MINISTRY joep@austinbaptistchurch.com Bill Dickson FINANCE CLERK billd@austinbaptistchurch.com Karen Fawcett ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT karenf@austinbaptistchurch.com
PAGE 3 The Whatever It Takes Challenge Are you in? Are you ALL IN? SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2018 9:00 AM TRADITIONAL WORSHIP Will you accept the challenge to invite someone to attend the 11:11 worship service on Sunday, October 28? We are praying many will worship with us that day as our pastor leads us with a sermon on The Damascus Road Experience. Saul met Jesus on the Damascus road and was changed forever! Let s work together to bring people to Jesus and watch God turn their world upside down. Oh, I forgot to tell you, if we meet the challenge of 288 in attendance that day, our pastor will drink his VERY FIRST CUP OF COFFEE live and on stage during the 11:11 service on October 28. Make plans to be there! Let s bring someone to Jesus! Whosoever Meaneth Me I am Resolved Wonderful, Merciful Savior SANCTUARY CHOIR & ORCHESTRA Room at the Cross 11:11 AM CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP Your Love Never Fails Jesus, Only Jesus Come as You Are Pianos Needed: We are looking for high quality console-sized pianos to use in the ABC Fine Arts Academy. If you have one you are interested in donating, please contact me at johnp@austinbaptistchurch.com. Blessings, John Parker
PAGE 4 Last night a young, exhausted single mom asked me how to find God's will. She is a believer, but she, like many others, is in a rough season and needs encouragement. We only had a few minutes. I quickly stumbled and stammered through the steps I take to figure out that mystery. Look at the needs or opportunities around me. Get in tune with my own heart's desire. Get confirmation from other Christians. And the most important - Pray and read His Word. When we started talking about the most important things, praying and reading the Bible, I could tell that she wanted to know what specific "study" to use...a devotional book with a one-two-three formula. I told her what I really think that the best book is the Bible itself, and I described a simple process for consistent time in the Word. When I mentioned that the Holy Spirit turns the light on scripture when we let Him, her eyes got big, and I thought, "Oh my I hope I get another chance to talk with her soon, because this is not finished." I was still thinking about our talk when I got in the car (in the rain) and started the trip from her house to mine. Somehow, in fiddling with my keys, getting the umbrella into the car, etc. I managed to turn the car lights off. I drove from McKinney Falls to the 360 bridge without lights (in the rain!) I kept thinking, "It s really dark out there" and "The other drivers don't seem to want to let me change lanes." Finally, at a stoplight, I checked my light indicator and quickly turned them on. What a relief! When I finally stopped shaking and thinking about all the accidents that God had protected me from, I realized the parallel between my car headlights and the Holy Spirit. I m sure you can think of a dozen, but here are my spiritual take-aways: Sometimes we find ourselves in a scary place without Light because we got distracted. God protects us anyway until we come to our senses and reach for the Light. Our relationships with other people are better when we avail ourselves of the Light The Light usually only reveals enough for the next step, not the entire journey. And of course there s a song about light. It s an old Sandi Patty tune that will have your toes tapping: https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=tk5tmlf9sac Dodie
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PAGE 6 Adults on Mission (AOM) Hands On Missions for Men & Women! For additional information, please contact Betty Arrell, AOM Chair, at 512-750-6727 or at bettyarrell@yahoo.com Fall Food Drive for the Baptist Community Center Mission October 7-21 From our bins...to their tables When making your food purchases, use the lists provided in the Bridge (on page 9), on posters throughout the church, or on our table display in the main foyer. Place your food donations on the flat-bed dolly under the covered area at the front of the church or in the plastic bins provided in the foyers. Suggested donations: 2-5 lbs per person or 15-20 lbs per family. Please no out-of-date or perishable items. Monetary donations also may be made. Write your check to Austin Baptist Church and designate for BCCM Food Drive.
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PAGE 9 Cost $105 per person includes transportation, tickets to the Christmas Spectacular and Tour of Lanier Theological Library, lodging and breakfast at Springhill Suites (two per room rate; $50 add l charge for single room supplement). Cost does not include lunch and dinner. DEADLINE to sign-up is Nov. 29. No refunds after that date. For further details, email Teena Dyer at tdyer8@austin.rr.com Brochures Available in the Lobby Space Available Sign-Up Now garyd@austinbaptistchurch.com
PAGE 10 What a blessing it is! Last Wednesday, the church voted on me becoming the Minister to Children and Their Families and on Becky becoming the Minister to Preschoolers and Their Families. When the vote was affirmative, Becky and I were then commissioned to become Ministers. I cannot say enough how much of a blessing it is to be in this position. God has worked in my life in amazing ways to bring me here, and I am still awed and amazed by it. If you were there on Wednesday, then you may have noticed that it looked like I was a tad bit emotional during the Commissioning, and I was! This is something that I did not even know that I wanted until a couple of years ago, but the Lord knew! So, when I was being commissioned, it was such an amazing moment for me: I knew that I was doing what the Lord wants me to do. I am so excited to see where it goes from here. I want to do my best for the church and especially for the kids. I want to see them grow and mature in their faith, and I want to see the Children s Ministry grow as well. I want to thank the church for making me your Children s Minister! What a blessing it is to be serving in this position! What a blessing it is to be working with someone as awesome as Becky! What a blessing it is to be doing what God has called me to do!
KIDS WORSHIP OCTOBER 14 Topic: Joshua s Challenge to Israel PAGE 11 KIDS WORSHIP OCTOBER 14 Topic: Jesus Forgives a Sinful Woman Objective: Kids will learn that God blesses those who obey him. Objective: Kids will learn that God forgives our sins and washes them away forever. Key Passage: Joshua 24 Key Passage: John 8:1-11 Memory Verse: If you love me, obey my commands. John 14:15 Memory Verse: Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty. Zechariah 4:6b DONATE CANDY! DECORATE A TRUNK! VOLUNTEER TO HELP OUT! TO SIGN UP TO HELP: Contact Kati at katid@austinbaptistchurch.com
PAGE 12 Students: Trunk or Treat is just around the corner and we need volunteers! We need help with face painting, inflatables, handing out drinks, and helping out at the pony rides (some experience preferable). There will be a sign-up sheet in the youth area. Please sign up or contact Kati Dobbs if you are interested in helping! katid@austinbaptistchurch.com Sun, Oct 28 5-7 pm
PAGE 13 NEXT WEEK AT ABC RECURRING EVENTS Sun, Oct 14 Fall Food Drive Continues 9:00 am Traditional Worship, Sanctuary 10:10 am Bible Fellowship Groups Starting Point, Choir Room 11:11 Band Rehearsal 11:11 am Contemporary Worship, Sanctuary 11:15 am Missions Committee Meeting, Rm. 206 1:00 pm Christmas Student Choreography Rehearsal Tues. Oct 16 7:00 pm The Turquoise Table Women s Ministry Event, Heritage Hall Wed, Oct 17 5:00 pm Fellowship Meal, Great Hall 6:00 pm Bible Study, Great Hall Student Ministry AXIS 7:00 pm Finance Committee Meeting, Rm 206 Thurs, Oct 18 6:00 pm Hill Topper s Potluck Event ON THE HORIZON SUNDAY Joyful Noise Choir Suite, 2:00 pm MONDAY ESL Classes, Rm. 227 7:00-9:00 pm TUESDAY Tiny Tots & Tunes Rms 134 & 131, 10:00 am The Porch Live 6:00 pm, Rm. 220 WEDNESDAY Tiny Tots & Tunes Rm 131, 10:00 am KidzMuzik Children s Area, 6:00 pm AWANAS Rm 137, 6:45 pm Women s Bible Study Rm 243, 6:00 pm WEDNESDAY (cont.) Men s Bible Study 6:00 pm, Rm 238 Handbells 6:00 pm, Rm 171 Sanctuary Choir 7:15 pm, Choir Suite Orchestra 7:30 pm, Worship Center THURSDAY Women s Bible Study 9:45 am, Rm. 243 Mom2Mom 9:45 am, Rm. 248 American Heritage Girls & Trail Life Oct 18, Nov 1,15, & 29 Children s Area, 6:00 pm OCTOBER 22 Deacons Meeting, Great Hall 24 Church Business Meeting 28 Trunk or Treat Operation Christmas Child NOVEMBER 2 Parents Night Out 4 Fearless Parenting Seminar Daylight Savings 11 Starting Point 13 Terrific Tuesday 14 Church-Wide Thanksgiving Dinner 18 Finance Committee 22 Thanksgiving Day Holiday: ABC Offices Closed 23 ABC Offices Closed for Holiday Weekend 26 Deacons Meeting 28 Business Meeting DEACONS ON CALL Week of October 15, 2018 Robert Christianson... (512) 517-0283 Manny Fuentes... (512) 799-0233 OUR RESPONSE TO GOD S FAITHFULNESS Account General Fund Designated Bldg/Strong Total Giving Annual 2018 General Fund Budget $3,800,000.00 10-07-18 $128,925.96 $1,345.00 $2,015.00 $132,285.96 YTD $2,379,562.71 $123,365.82 $116,696.73 $2,619,625.26 Our Attendance Sunday, October 7, 2018 9:00 Service... 554 11:11 Service... 197 Bible Fellowship Groups... 687 Building on a Strong Foundation October 7, 2018 Offering Total-to-Date: $5,262,672.86 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!