Transcription
March 2021 Vol 9 Issue 3In TheWhy should I be involved in church? In our busy culture that's a fair question. Thecommitted believer may have several answers in mind, such as fellowship, worshipopportunities, friendships, among others. However, those less concerned about theseissues may struggle to get up and get dressed for something they feel less motivated to do.MeantimeJim BushThe author of Hebrews writes, "Do not forsake the gathering of yourselves together,as is the manner of some." Gathering as a church is a time for the renewal of and commitment to Jesus as our Lord. When we arepresent in the church at times of worship, we are exactly where He wants us to be. The time of singing allows us to tell the Lordwhat we think of Him and his people. Last week Bill led us to sing The Love of God. It brought back memories from my historythat made me feel closer to God. The time of Bible study helps us be reminded of God's Word and His instruction. The discussiongives us insight into how others relate to God's Word and how it applies to their lives. The time of preaching provides us with anopportunity to hear directly, "Thus says the Lord," as both ministers preaching at present spend much time and effort to hear fromGod and to share with God's people that word.Those of us who are believers in Jesus Christ and fully grasp the sacrifice He has made on our behalf will not shirk from thesacrifice of an hour each week to show our commitment to Him. I need my church; it has been there for me during every seasonof my life. But just as importantly, my church needs me.SmaldySturoup BibleGlIn-Person Bible Study Resumes!Sunday, March 7, 9amAny & All (Adult 2)Open Doors (Adult 3)Responders (Adult 4)Sunday, March 21, 9amCONNECTServants by Grace (Adult 1)Seekers (Adult 5)Encouragers (Adult 6)Salt Shakers (Adult 7)Children (Nursery - 5th grade, see page 3 FMI)Youth (6th - 12th grade, see page 2 FMI)Yard Signs Available 5 suggested donationGet yours in the church office Mondaythrough Thursday (8:30 am - noon, 1-6 pm)or following the Sunday worship service.First Baptist Church is a community of believers with a vision for making and equipping disciples of Jesus Christfor effective ministry in their neighborhoods, in San Angelo, and around the world.
F I R ST B AP TIST CHU R CH, S AN AN GELO, TE X A SN TEWORTHYBillGillumI am excited to see many folks beginning to return to worship and Bible study as theCovid vaccinations are now available. While it is definitely not a fail-safe procedure,it gives our folks a better sense of safety in gathering again. It has been interesting tolisten to folks returning and saying how much they missed each other and catchingup on what is going on in one another’s lives. That is a great thing, and we do needone another to walk together through these difficult days.However, let’s not be forgetful of the main purpose of our gatherings. The Bible studytime is meant to be a time of learning more about who God is and what He desiresfrom each of us. Also, it is a time of being instructed and helped in being formedinto the image of Christ. Worship time is just what the name implies. It is a time to declare the worthiness of God to be honored,worshiped, and adored. It is a time to celebrate who He is and tell others what He has done in our lives.Both of these activities require focus, energy, and commitment. We don’t learn or worship simply by attending. We must comewith an attitude of expectancy and willingness to hear the Spirit’s voice as we respond to His leading. “Sitting and soaking,” as theold adage goes, is simply not an acceptable offering of worship or aid to having life-changing experiences.Students &Young FamiliesREACHingI am so excited to see you each week, but I am more excited to know Him better and praise Him with more enthusiasm and awe.Sunday is His day. Let’s come expecting great things from our Great God!!The youth will have events in the next couple of months. I wanted to take this time toannounce our spring events.As of now, the “There 4” virtual conference is in the process of being rescheduled. Thisconference is for high school young ladies. Recordings have been made available to thosewho were unable to gather for the live-streamed event. The extra activities for this weekendwill be rescheduled as well.MichaelTerceroMonday, March 15 for Spring Break, we will be traveling to Abilene. We will leave earlymorning and return late that night. We will be visiting the zoo and going to Primetime.Primetime is an event center that includes go-kart and laser tag.April 17, we will be going to Enchanted Rock for the day. The details of this trip will be announced the closer we get to April.We are excited to announce that we will plan to have an in-person Senior Recognition on Sunday, May 15, instead of the “drive-by” wedid last year due to COVID. We will have breakfast in Fellowship Hall for seniors and their families, and during our worship service, we willhave an opportunity to pray over and present the students with gifts.Please let us know of any students that would like to attend these events. Many of the places we are going to allow only so many people indue to COVID protocols. If you have any more questions or would like to know more, please contact me at the church or through email attercero@fbcsanangelotx.org.Worship, Bible Study & Fellowshipfor 6th-12th graders in the Christian Life Center(CLC, 20 E Harris)Wednesdays, 6 - 7:30pmSundays at 9am (beginning March 21)2
Kids'ornerwithMelodie& erinThe Bible lesson theme for the month of March is “Blueprints.” Blueprints are a kind ofplan that helps engineers and architects to know how a project should go. You can findplans literally everywhere. Kids find plans at school, in their Lego sets, and even in theirvideo games. However, the best kinds of plans are the ones that help us grow and followGod. Through the life of Jesus, kids are going to find out that God’s plans are perfect, loveis the foundation of God’s plans, that Jesus said yes to God’s plans, and that we are includedin God’s plans. In week one, kids will learn about how Jesus cleared the temple and God’splan for people. In the second week, children will learn that God sent Jesus because Godloved the world so much. Week three is about how Jesus brought glory to God by obeyingGod. In the final week, the kids will learn about Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey.Jesus had to make difficult decisions and chose them on purpose so that God’s plans couldbe carried out. We will all learn to be thankful that Jesus obeyed God, specifically so thatyou and I could be saved. Because of Jesus, we are included in God’s plans.This month’s memory verse is Jeremiah 29:11, and we are challenging the children to memorize it. For I know theplans I have for you, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. “Bible Study, Worship andHands-On ActivitiesBEGINNING MARCH 21Sundays, 9 - 10:15am for children birth - 5th gradeChildren will be checked in at the FBC Kids Playground area and then willgo to class from there. Pickup will be in the playground at 10:15am.Extended care will be available for infants - 5 year olds.Older children will once again attend worship with their families.The FBC Preschool &Children's MinistryAnpresentEasterEGGStravaganza3Bags of individually wrappedcandy are needed to fill eggs forthe egg hunt which will be partof our our "Easter at the Paseo"celebration. Donations may be leftin the tub which will be outsidethe main church office.
F I R ST B AP TIST CHU R CH, S AN AN GELO, TE X A SBIRTHDAYS THIS MONTHMarch 1No FBC BirthdaysMarch 10Helen HewellMarch 2Maribel DelgadoLandon GrayMaggie KershnerMarch 11Tennis FillipMarch 12Lonnie HaleyDebbie MartinezAmanda StoneAnnabelle ValdezKenny WrightMarch 3June HopperMarilda JohnsonEmilee PonderMarch 4Kendall GreenBlaine PalmerMarch 5Lois DroegemeierJoyce ElderMelvin JenningsBryan PonderMarch 6Betty MuncyMarch 7Camrion FergusonAlma ValdezMarch 8No FBC BirthdaysMarch 9Jericho ArellanoMarch 17Barbara BoitnottVanessa ChapaApril DeardorffBrett NikolaukEulan O'DonnellFord SmithMarch 19No FBC BirthdaysMarch 20J.C. FoxPaul JudmanJill LovettChapo ValdezMarch 14Kassie ChamblissRon PowersDonna StoneBelinda WrightRey Robles and family in the death of hisgrandson, Rey C. Robles on February 25Gary & Laura Allen in the death of hisstep-father; Garrett and Whitney in thedeath of their grandfather, Johnny Blakneyon February 27.March 30Lynn MorrisonBob WilliamsMarch 23No FBC BirthdaysMarch 31Linda BratcherBillie HalbertEstell NorrisMarch 24Brandi WestWITH SYMPATHYFamily and friends of Hazel Waterhousewho passed away on February 8March 29David WilcoxMarch 22Linda ByrdMarch 16Chance BarnettGretta HillRoy HollandSharon MatthewsMarch 27Cristina MartinezJohn SullivanRick WilliamsMarch 28Marcella MooreRay PerkinsScott WilsonMarch 21Carol AtkinsJaxson JenkinsGlenda WillisMarch 15Brad HaralsonMartha Bailey and family in the death of hersister, Marilyn Schwamkrug, on February 6.March 26No FBC BirthdaysMarch 18Maggie RaineyMarch 13Karen BaucomBob HalbertAva MarburgerWe express our deepest sympathy tothose who lost loved ones:March 25Jessica CurrieMargaret DavisZach KnappeJudy SprayberrySTEWARDSHIP REPORTAs of February 28, 2020THANK YOUThe following note wasreceived in the church office:We are extremely blessed by our churchfamily. Thanks isn't enough to say foreverything y'all have done for us, from thefood, clothes and money donations, wedeeply appreicate all of it from the bottomof our hearts.God bless our church family!Brett, Jess, Garrison & Riley Nikolauk4February Budget Needs 106,229.14February Budget Gifts 65,406.18YTD Budget Needs 239,015.60YTD Tithes & Offerings 294,864.992021 Budget 1,380,978.79MAILING ADDRESSPlease direct all church mail to:PO Box 2138San Angelo, TX 76902
Palm SundayDaylight Saving Timebegins March 14.SPRING FORWARDbefore going to bedon March 13!Lord's Supper ServiceMarch 28, 2021, 10:30 amFBC SanctuaryAfter rescheduling two times due to winter weather, the FBC Lavished Ladies MinistryTeam hosted an "FBC Loves San Angelo" event in Fellowship Hall on February 25. About40 ladies enjoyed soup, cupcakes, games and, most importantly, FELLOWSHIP! Thanks toall who planned and attended this fun evening!The team is working on their next event "Tea & Brunch" on Saturday, April 10. Watchfor details and plan to join us.There was a great response to bringingitems for the Rainbow Room.Neighbors café Needs you!Volunteers are needed to help prepare and servefood. This is a "low-contact" ministry as themeals are being served by pick-up only. For moreinformation, contact Judy Smith at 325-650-3700.Staff Service dayThe church staff will cook and serve on Wednesday,March 10 so the office will not open until about1:00 pm. The phone will be answered, so pleasecall if you need to reach someone.The Equipper (USPS 022-556) is published 13 times a year (monthly with an extra issue each December) by First Baptist Church, 37 E Harris, San Angelo, TX76903. Periodicals postage paid at San Angelo, TX. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Equipper, P.O. Box 2138, San Angelo, TX 76902-2138.
FIRST BAPTIST LOVES SAN ANGELO6
Missions Committee Thanks Robert DillardThe Missions and Evangelism Committee wants to thank Robert Dillard for coordinating the filling of the FBC Blessing Box daily since itsinstallation in 2018.Robert took on the responsibility when First Baptist Church was looking for someone to coordinate the daily filling of the Blessing Box. Asa member of the Missions and Evangelism Committee, he accepted the responsibility for several reasons. He wanted to take advantage of thetime he was enjoying as a retired person. Also, he lives near the downtown area and could see the great need of the people of the streets. Hecould see the work that other downtown churches were doing in feeding the hungry, and he felt that stocking the Blessing Box was a way FirstBaptist could be involved.Two years later, having rotated off the M&E Committee, Robert feels it is time for the ministry of the Blessing Box to come before the churchagain. Stepping down from his role in coordinating and filling the Blessing Box also gives him more time to concentrate on his Brown BagMinistry on Fridays at Neighbors Café and his ministry with prison inmates at Snyder.“Because there is great need, I want to stay engaged,” he says. In speaking of adjustments the church is making because of the pandemic, hesays, “Just because we are sheltered in, it doesn’t mean we have to stop.”The Missions and Evangelism Committee appreciates the work of Robert and many other members of First Baptist Church who continue tominister with their resources and abilities during this time of great need.Interim Pastor Mike O’Donnell is meeting with Sunday School Department Directors to set up a rotating schedule for volunteers to fill theBlessing Box. You will be hearing more about opportunities to help with this important ministry.FBC COVID Response and Mask PolicyIn our desire to keep everyone safe while in the church building, we request that all entering the building duringthe work week wear masks while moving about. The church staff will also wear masks when not in their officesand when members or other staff members are visiting at their desk.Due to the number of cases in our area, we require those attending Sunday worship to wear masks at all timeswhile in the building. If you have a health issue that causes you to be unable to wear a mask, we ask that youworship with us online or through our broadcasts on television and radio.On Sundays, the doors will open at 10:00 am. Please go directly to the sanctuary; do not gather in the atrium,hallways, or near the doors. When in the sanctuary, please do not linger in the aisles. It's important that wecontinue to practice safe-distancing and refrain from physical contact with others, such as shaking handsand hugging.Please know that we constantly monitor the situation to make the best decisions for the safety and well-beingof our membership.Connect with Us!Our goal is to communicate with you regularly as many are still not able to join us in person. Please keepan eye on our various communication resources. If you have not yet subscribed to at least one of these, theinformation follows: Website and Email: sign up: www.fbcsanangelotx.org (scroll to the bottom of the page for "STAY IN TOUCH"to sign up for our emails) Text: send the message @fbcsa to 81010 Facebook:www.facebook.com/FirstBaptistSanAngelo YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/FirstBaptistSanAngelo(Adult Sunday School lessons are uploaded here!)We will use these resources to communicate schedule changes, specific needs and other information asapplicable. We understand that some don’t have access to any of these sources, so we ask that you check inwith those you know who may have no other way of getting these updates.7
PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAIDF I R ST B AP TIST CH U R CH37 E. Harris, San Angelo, Texas Mail: PO Box 2138, 76902 Phone: 325.655.4101 Fax: 325.659.2517 www.fbcsanangelotx.orgO U R M I N IST R Y T E AMJim Bush & Mike O'Donnell, Interim PastorsMelodie Penland, Children's DirectorBill Gillum, Minister of MusicErin McCleer, Nursery DirectorMichael Tercero, Minister to Students & Young FamiliesAJ DeardorffDirector of Broadcast MediaJanet FaulknerPianistMac McCarsonFinancial & Senior Adult DirectorBrian ThomasBroadcasting & Media Sound TechBecky PowersPastor’s MA/Communications DirectorJoanna SturgillMusic Ministry AssistantLinda BratcherOrganistMartha BaileyOffice Manager/Ministry AssistantRoland WilliamsBuilding ManagerF BC MOR NI NG WOR SHI P SER VI CELive at 10:30 am on KCLL 100.1 FM; Rebroadcast at 8 am on FOX West Texas (Cable Channel 10/110)and at 10 am on My San Angelo, Cable Channel 141Easter PaseoattheCELEBRATE THE RISEN SAVIOR!Sunday, April 410:30amat El Paseo de Santa Angela*34 W Avenue DWorship, Lunch & an Egg Hunt for the kids!*In case of inclement weather, we will gather in the FBC sanctuary.Ways to GiveVia our website:www.fbcsanangelotx.org/online-givingMail to:First Baptist ChurchPO Box 2138San Angelo, TX 76902Bank Draft:Contact your financialinstitution to set up anautomatic payment.In person:Offerings may be brought tothe church during office hours,Mon. - Thurs., 8:30 am - noon,and 1:00 - 6:00 pm.Please contact Mac McCarson atmccarson@fbcsanangelotx.orgor 655.4101 for questionsregarding your financial giving.
Billie Halbert Estell Norris BIRTHDAYS THIS MONTH Martha Bailey and family in the death of her sister, Marilyn Schwamkrug, on February 6. Family and friends of Hazel Waterhouse who passed away on February 8 Rey Robles and family in the death of his grandson, Rey C. Robles on February 25 Gary
