Arcadia First Baptist Church
T H E D OV E
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Pastor’s Letter
Worship Words
OneWayHome
Calendar
Lamplighter
Kid’s Corner
Paw Prints
Youth News
t
Cover
2
3
4
5-8
9
10-11
12
Connect
to
the
Cross
Connect to Serve
Connect to Others
Connect to Grow
Connect to God
Senior Pastor’s
Weekly Schedule
Office Hours
Tuesday—Friday
8:30am-noon & 1 pm-5 pm
Tuesday—Thursday
Evenings & Sundays
Available for visits,
counseling, meetings, etc.
Call for appointment
Associate Pastor of
Worship Weekly Schedule
Office Hours
Monday—Thursday
8:30am-noon & 1 pm-5 pm
Associate Pastor of Senior
Adults Weekly Schedule
Office Hours
Tuesday—Thursday
8:00am-noon & 1pm-5pm
Minister of Outreach
Weekly Schedule
Office Hours
Monday—Thursday
9-noon & 1pm-3pm
Director Childhood Ministry
Weekly Schedule
Office Hours
Monday—Thursday
8am—5pm & as needed
Financial Administrator
Weekly Schedule
Office Hours Monday—Friday
8:30am-noon & 1pm-5pm
Santa Fe
V o lume 12 Issue 20
November 1, 2013
A Word from the Pastor:
GGK2 Financial Update:
Total GGK2 Donations so far: $ 130,940.89
Total Funds spent so far:
$ 122,016.99
The AFBC Growing God’s Kingdom 2 Stewardship Campaign (GGK2) is the ongoing fund that continues to provide the funding for the mortgage payments on the
New Building outside of the AFBC General Fund Budget. This is a three-year,
above-the-tithe, donation commitment program. At present, we are in the first year
of this 3 year campaign. All donations made to GGK2 go to fund the debt payments
of around $18,000/month on the new Christian Life Center.
We rejoice in the Lord that we made our payment last month thanks to our church family’s faithful and sacrificial donations. Thank you Lord and AFBC!
GGK2 envelopes are available in the Church Office or the Worship Center pews or one
may mark any envelope with GGK2 or New Building and make a donation.
We rejoice in the Lord about those that the Lord has added to our church family during the
past month. Joey Ford and Zoe Shultz united with our church family by profession of faith
and baptism. Myra Ford and Christine Hughes united with our church from another church,
and Jeanne Malone by her statement of profession of faith and baptism. We pray that these
would be a blessing to us and us to them.
The AFBC 65th Church Anniversary Celebration, Homecoming Luncheon, and
Missions-Ministry Fair was a wonderful success last week! Rev. Paul Comer brought an
inspiring and enlightening message. What a blessing! Our 3 choirs, quartet, and Children’s
Time were excellent. Our 4 testimonials were awesome indeed. Around 400 people joined
with us during the worship celebration. What a great day in the life of AFBC. Thank you
Lord! The Homecoming Luncheon was delicious and abundant. A BIG “thank you” goes
to Mary Janell and Steve Kays and their Hostess team for a great job of decorating, set up,
and food. Also, we thank our BBQ teams for some great BBQ! Around 425 people ate with
us that day. A BIG “thank you” goes to Peggy Anderson and all of her helpers for a great
Missions-Ministry Fair. Over 20 booths were displayed, showcasing many of our ministries and mission work and church history. This was very inspiring. Great job ya’ll! Thank
you Lord.
I would like to take a moment to thank the church family and the Deacons for the
generous and kind gifts given to me this past month during Clergy Appreciation. Your appreciation is deeply felt and gratefully acknowledged. It is a joy and privilege to serve as
your Senior Pastor.
During this month, AFBC is involved in numerous exciting opportunities. Please
note the following events coming up:
+ Sunday, November 3 – Youth Sunday- Both Morning Services – Bro. Bick Gibbs bringing the message; youth assisting with the services;
+ Sunday, November 10 – My Hope America Harvest Sunday – Both Morning Services; a
Billy Graham Association Evangelistic Outreach Event being sponsored by AFBC;
+ Sunday, November 17 – Veteran’s Sunday - Both Morning Services;
+ Sunday, November 24 – AFBC Thanksgiving-on-Sunday Supper and Program –
6:00pm – Activity Center
Plan to join us for these exciting and wonderful events.
In His Love,
Pastor Rick
Page 2
WORSHIP WORDS
them. Some of them laughed and some of them
mocked me; one of them gave me encouragement; othWhile at a worship conference last week, I
ers never said a word ("Pastor A." Pastor A RSS. N.p.,
heard an amazing story that I’d like to share. In the
n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2013.).”
mid 1800’s, a young woman in upper-class society by
The young ball player who gave his life to Christ
the name of Sarah Dunn gave her heart to Christ on a that day was Billy Sunday, the most celebrated and
train platform. Many years later, she was spending a influential evangelist of the first two decades of the
great deal of time working on a centerpiece for the ta- 20th century. Sunday held widely-publicized revival
ble in her home when she felt as if the Lord spoke to
meetings in major cities across the U.S., and attracted
her in a nearly audible voice asking, “What are you
the largest crowds of any evangelist prior to the advent
doing to decorate your heavenly home?” In that mo- of electric sound systems. “Before his death, Sunday
ment she felt the conviction to minister to the poor
estimated that he had preached nearly 20,000 sermons,
people of Chicago by starting a mission Sunday school an average of 42 per month from 1896 to 1935. During
in downtown Chicago. A few years later, she married his heyday, when he was preaching more than twenty
a man by the name of George R. Clarke, a prominent times each week, his crowds were often huge. Even in
realtor and civil war veteran. Following the great Chi- 1923, well into the period of his decline, 479,300 peocago fire, they abandoned their posh lifestyles to pour ple attended the 79 meetings of the six-week
their lives into the Pacific Garden Mission and lead the 1923 Columbia, South Carolina, campaign—23 times
down-and-out to Christ.
the white population of Columbia ("Billy Sunday." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Oct.
2013. Web. 22 Oct. 2013).”
The Song That Changed Church History
Two lessons stood out to me from this story. First,
God can use anyone to spread His message of salvation and to have an enormous impact on this world.
One woman who abandoned the interior decorating of
her luxurious home to share love with people in the
lowliest conditions started a chain reaction that led to
the salvation of thousands of souls. Second, worship
is never a waste of time. Not only does God delight in
our praises, but we never know who might hear our
enthusiastic proclamation of the Lord’s greatness and
put their faith and trust in Christ. So, dear church,
let’s “Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His
One evening in the fall of 1887, some members wonderful acts (1 Chron. 16:9).” Who knows how our
of the Red Stockings (Red Sox) pro baseball team had songs may change church history. I love you and love
just left a saloon after getting “tanked up” when they being your Worship Pastor!
heard some old hymns being played and sung by
members of the Pacific Garden Mission. One of the
For His Glory,
baseball players remembered his mother singing the
Stephen Wilhite
same old hymns to him as a child and he began to
weep. One of the gentlemen from the mission walked
up to the overcome baseball player and said, “We are
going down to the Pacific Garden Mission. Won’t you
come down to the mission? I am sure you will enjoy
it. You can hear drunkards tell how they have been
saved and girls tell how they have been saved from the
red-light district.” According to the young athlete, the
following happened, “‘I arose and said to the boys,
I’m through. I am going to Jesus Christ. We’ve come
to the parting of the ways,’ and I turned my back on
P age 3
OneWayHome
ONEWAYHOME PERSONAL UPDATE
Musical Presentation Guests
at
AFBC Thanksgiving-on
-Sunday
Sunday, November 24, 6:00pm
Activity Center
Justin Smith - director, song and music author, composer, lead vocalist, guitar, keyboard, and ukulele instrumentalist - (recently
got a haircut)
Update: Worship Pastor - Honea Baptist
Church of Montgomery, Texas; Voice and
Instrumental Instructor with Aspire Music
School of Conroe; Associates Degree in Religion and a fulltime student toward a Bachelor
of Arts Degree in Religion, Liberty University, Virginia; Licensed to the Gospel Ministry
by AFBC; lives in Conroe and has been married 1 year to Leslie.
Leslie Smith - vocalist, instrumentalist (recent addition to group)
OneWayHome is a group that is Update: Choir Director, Youth Sunday
passionate about Christ and people know- School Teacher, Media Tech - Honea Baptist
Church, Montgomery, Texas; Music Theraing Him. They have toured around the
pist Contractor; Bachelor of Arts Degree in
nation for the past few years spreading
Music Therapy, Sam Houston State Universithe Word of God through music and
ty, Huntsville, Texas; lives in Conroe and has
speaking in all kinds of places and in all been married 1 year to Justin.
CHURCH FAMILY FOCUS
Sunday School/Bible Study
Attendance
OCTOBER 06
Adults
Youth
Children
Pre-School
TOTAL
Adults
Youth
Children
Pre-School
TOTAL
Adults
Youth
Children
Pre-School
TOTAL
Chuck Costello, Kevin Baker, Leslie Smith, Justin Smith, Phil Alley
kinds of meetings.
The group has had a long history,
starting in Santa Fe area, being hosted by
AFBC, purchasing a van, trailer, and
sound system, and traveling thousands of
miles across the nation performing and
sharing about Christ in 150 presentations
per year. They have released several CDs,
the most popular—Consumed. They recently released a new CD, More than a
god, which is a worship album and is
available through the church office and
will be on sale at the presentation.
OneWayHome is a versatile music group, playing 8 instruments, having
three vocalists, and performing all kinds
of music—including, contemporary, traditional, classical, and blended.
Plan to join us for this exciting and funfilled evening of music.
GOD’S TITHES
BUDGET RECEIPTS
10/06/13
10/13/13
10/20/13
10/27/13
$
$
$
$
Total Budget Receipts (AS OF 10/28/13) $
September 2013 Monthly Budget Needs $
Adults
Youth
Children
Pre-School
TOTAL
OCTOBER 13
OCTOBER 20
OCTOBER 27
S.S. MONTHLY AVERAGE
154
25
29
33
241
178
35
36
25
274
168
31
36
22
257
155
21
25
20
221
248
Chuck Costello - lead guitarist
Update: Licensed and trained Physical Therapist; Home Recording Studio Manager; lives
in Spring and has been married 5 years to
Sharon.
Phil Alley - bass guitarist and vocalist - (one
the original members of the group and recently got a haircut)
Update: Bass Guitarist, Praise Chapel, Webster, Texas; Asst. Produce Manager, Kroger
Grocers, Conroe, Texas; single and living in
Conroe, Texas.
Kevin Baker - drummer - (the newest addition to the group)
Update: Homeschool Teacher for his children; lives in Spring, Texas, and has been
married 8 years to Caitlin and has 3 children:
Connor, Emily, and Liam.
If My people
who are called
Check them out at www.onewayhome-band.com
by My name
humble themselves
& OFFERINGS OCTOBER 2013
and pray and seek
Building Fund GGK
My face and turn
from
their wicked ways,
Reporting 10/06/13
$
3,327.50
15,121.76
then I will hear
Reporting 10/13/13
$
3,648.00
14,925.05
Reporting 10/20/13
$
2,528.50
from heaven,
7,585.38
Reporting 10/27/13
$
4,124.69
11,51216
will forgive their sin and
will heal their land.
TOTAL GGK (FOR October)
49,144.35
BALANCE (AS OF 10-28-13)
61,269.52
$
$
13,628.69
8,923.90
4
5am Ladies BOOT CAMP JB-AC
6pm Ladies BOOT CAMP LH-AC
6PM HANDBELLS REHEARSAL
6:30pm World Day of Prayer
@GBA office in La Marque Soup
Supper
11
5am Ladies BOOT CAMP JB-AC
6pm Ladies BOOT CAMP LH-AC
6PM HANDBELLS REHEARSAL
18
5am Ladies BOOT CAMP JB-AC
6pm Ladies BOOT CAMP LH-AC
6PM HANDBELLS REHEARSAL
25
Mission Galveston Dinner
5am Ladies BOOT CAMP JB-AC
6pm Ladies BOOT CAMP LH-AC
6PM HANDBELLS REHEARSAL
10 “MY HOPE” AMERICA HARVEST SUNDAY 8:30M/11AM
WORSHIP SERVICE 9:45AM SS/
BIBLE STUDY 4:30PM DEACON
MEETING 4:30pm KIDS LEADERSHIP TEAM 5:30pm AWANA
5:30PM WROC, TYC 6pm EVENING WORSHIP
17 VETERAN'S SUNDAY
7:30AM MEN’S BREAKFAST
8:30M/11AM WORSHIP SERVICE
9:45AM SS/BIBLE STUDY
5:30pm AWANA 5PM KID’S
LEADERSHIP TEAM
6:00pm 2014 AFBC BUDGET
PRESENTATION
5:30PM WROC, TYC
7pm Church Conference - WC
24
8:30M/11AM WORSHIP SERVICE
9:45AM SS/BIBLE STUDY
6:00pmThanksgiving on Sunday
meal & program in Activity
Center
Tue
Wed
27
NO EVENING PROGRAMS OR
SERVICES
20
10am AFBCS Chapel
Noon Ministerial Alliance Meeting
5:15PM WNS
6:15pm—7:45pm Financial Peace
University, Jamie Zegarelli, #F6
6:30pm Prayer Meeting/Bible Study
6:30pm Children’s Choirs 6:30pm
YOUTH IMPACT!-TYC 7:45pm
WORSHIP CHOIR
19 No December 1st Newsletter
5am Ladies BOOT CAMP JB-AC
9:30am Outreach Bible Study @
Amegy Bank Community Room
2pm Finance/Budget Committee–
Conf. Room
6pm Ladies BOOT CAMP LH-AC
(Committee & Ministry Reports For
Church Conference due in Church)
26
5am Ladies BOOT CAMP JB-AC
9:30am Outreach Bible Study @
Amegy Bank Community Room
2pm Finance/Budget Committee–
Conf. Room
6pm Ladies BOOT CAMP LH-AC
13
10am AFBCS Chapel
5:15PM WNS
6:15pm—7:45pm Financial Peace
University, Jamie Zegarelli, #F6
6:30pm Prayer Meeting/Bible Study
6:30pm Children’s Choirs
6:30pm YOUTH IMPACT!-TYC
7:45pm WORSHIP CHOIR
6 10am AFBCS Chapel
5:15PM WNS
6:15pm—7:45pm Financial Peace
University, Jamie Zegarelli, #F6
6:30pm Prayer Meeting/Bible Study
6:30pm Children’s Choirs
6:30pm YOUTH IMPACT!-TYC
7:30pm WORSHIP CHOIR
12
5am Ladies BOOT CAMP JB-AC
9:30am Outreach Bible Study @
Amegy Bank Community Room
6pm Ladies BOOT CAMP LH-AC
6pm Celebrate Recovery F-6
7pm Church Council
5 Newsletter Deadline
5am Ladies KICKBOXING JB-AC
9AM MDO
9:30am Outreach Bible Study @
Amegy Bank Community Room
2pm Finance/Budget Committee–
Final Draft ’14 Budget-Conf. Room
4:45pm Ladies BOOT CAMP JB-
BILLY GRAHAM

28 Thanksgiving Day
Office Closed


Sat

B
30
23
16
MOTHER’S DAY OUT 9AM—2PM
CHILDCARE 6:30AM—6:00PM
C
B
9
SANTA FE HERITAGE FESTIVAL
3
MONDAY—FRIDAY
AFB CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 8AM—3PM
29 Office Closed
22
OWLS trip to see “Gold, Frankincense, Christmas Ornaments &
Myrrh” Vans leave at 5pm
15
8
2
Fri
A–
B–
C – Routh
D–
E – Routh
Landscape Teams
EXTENDED CARE 6:30AM—9AM & 2PM—6PM
D
MDO/AFBCS CHAPEL 10:30AM (Rotates Wednesdays & Thursdays)

21
5am Ladies BOOT CAMP JB-AC
9AM MDO LUNCHEON
6pm Ladies KICKBOXING LH-AC
14
5am Ladies BOOT CAMP JB-AC
10am Women on Mission Book
Study @ GBA office in LM
10:30am MDO Chapel
11:30AM CHAMBER LUNCHEON
6pm Ladies KICKBOXING LH-AC
6pm OWLS Supper
HOME GROUPS INTERNET &
DVD
7
5am Ladies KICKBOXING JB-AC
10am OWLS COUNCIL
6pm Ladies KICKBOXING LH-AC
1
10AM OWLS COUNCIL MEETING
– Conf. Room
11:30AM GBA TEAM LEADERS
9AM-2PM CHILDREN’S SUPER
SUMMER
4:45pm Ladies KICKBOXING JBAC
Thu
November 2013
GROWING GOD’S KINGDOM 2
“AFBC Morning Walk with God” 8:00am-10:00am, Monday-Friday—AFBC Activity Center
AFBC Exercise Class, 7pm-8pm, Mondays and Thursdays, Activity Center—Donovan Ross - Director
Mon
3 YOUTH SUNDAY
8:30M/11AM WORSHIP SERVICE
9:45AM SS/BIBLE STUDY
4:30pm KIDS LEADERSHIP
TEAM
5:30pm AWANA-Pajama night
6pm EVENING WORSHIP 5:30PM
WROC, TYC
Sun
8/04 John Rothermel/Stuart Birdsong
8/11 Doug Anderson/Kelly Creech
8/18 Doug McDowell/Carey Pugh
8/25 Loran Lance/Sammy Belcher
Deacons on Call
Page 4
By: Mateel Martin
Page 5
LAMPLIGHTER
FROM THE ASSOCIATE PASTOR OF SENIOR ADULTS
How many of you have been to see the images
of four presidents, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, on
Mount Rushmore? I have never actually been to the
site, but, of course, I have seen pictures of that awesome freak of nature all of my life. Every time I see it,
I am just amazed at what nature has done, against all
odds. The scientific fact that the wind and rain erosion
of hundreds of thousands of years was able to result in
even likenesses of human faces, is in itself a miracle,
but that those faces actually resemble four of our past
presidents is even more of a miracle. The odds of this
type of natural phenomenon occurring in nature are
extremely slim, but there it stands for all to see. It just
goes to show you that, given enough time, nature can
and will find a way to accidently create some amazing
things. There are those who would say that these images were created by intelligent design, but it is just
ridiculous to think that intelligence is behind it. It
should be very clear to everyone who has any sense at
all that this was created by sheer chance. After all, if
someone did create these images, where are they now?
Let them come forward and prove that they did it, or
else those of us who are brilliant will continue to insist
that there is absolutely no intelligent design involved
in this magnificent fluke in nature.
By the same token, of course, we can clearly
state that the same is true of the universe and of all of
the created things and beings in the universe. Look at
the human being, for instance. It is clear to anyone
with any intelligence at all that the human being, with
all of its complex micro systems, just popped out of
some slime somewhere. Of course, it took millions of
years for this to happen, and humans had to begin as
one-celled organisms. But we and nature were determined. We wanted to be intelligent and complex, so
we began to accidently evolve from that one-celled
thing; first into fish, then monkeys, then humans. And
we did it ourselves; from one cell to millions of cells,
all working together for the good of the whole. Intelligent design? Of course not. No one with any brains at
all would believe that either Mount Rushmore or human beings were created by intelligent design, since it
is obvious that these things happened by chance.
You know, it’s hard for me to type on the computer with my tongue in my cheek. I was obviously
being facetious. If I seriously insisted that Mount
Rushmore was an accident of nature, everyone I know
would be ready to send me to the funny farm. Isn’t it
strange, however, that there are many people who
claim to be intelligent, who have bought into the lie
that the universe, with all of its order and design, and
all other creation, just accidently happened. I would
maintain to them that it would certainly have been simpler for Mount Rushmore to have been an accidental
freak of nature than it would be for all other creation to
be an accident.
The Bible, God’s Holy Word, contains more
than 775,000 words, but one only has to read the first
10 words before he has to make a decision, not only
about the Bible, but about God, and creation, and all of
life. Those ten words are, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” That powerful statement is what we call a mutually exclusive alternative.
That is, you either believe that, or you don’t; it is either
true, or it is false. If it is false…if the universe was
created by accident…they you may as well subscribe
to the accidental formation of Mount Rushmore, because that would be just as silly.
By the way, I know that most, if not all, of my
readers are God-fearing, Bible-believing people, but if
you know of someone who believes the garbage they
see on TV about evolution, then please share this with
them.
Grace and peace,
Jerl
Page 6
Keeping up with Texas Baptist Men
These groups of tireless men seem to be on the scene for
every disaster that comes along. We should all be proud
of the work they do and support them when we can.
Happy 100th Birthday to Lola Ross!!!
Texas Baptist Men Board of Directors Meeting Highlights: Lola Ross is now the oldest member of AFBC. Bill Sartin
& Brother Jerl Watkins presented her with a certificate.
Happy Birthday Ms. Lola Ross!
Arcadia First Baptist Church supports Texas Baptist Men (TBM) in our budget and with contributions from
individuals from time to time. TBM is diligent in it’s
stewardship of the funds placed in our hands. At the
Board of Directors meeting on October 25th we passed the
2014 Budget. Highlights of the budget are presented below. When reviewing the numbers, it should be noted
that TBM budget for disaster relief is only for the administrative costs of a small staff and the maintenance of rolling stock and equipment. All funds used for disaster relief come from unsolicited contributions designated for
disaster relief.
2014 Budget $2,868,962
(increase of $335,000 over 2013 Budget)
Sources of Funds:
Baptist General Convention of Texas:
$460,500
Designated offerings from local churches: $150,000
BGCT Worldwide Missions
$100,000
Fundraising by TBM
$2,160,000
Ms. Lola Ross & Bill Sartin
Several Budget line items that may be of interest:
Retiree Builders
$120,000
Disaster Relief
$240,000
Ethnic Ministries
$200,000
Water Ministry
$134,000
The Board of Directors also approved a new 8100
square foot building for use by the Retiree Builders. This
building is a needed addition to the 50,000 square foot
Robert E. Dixon Mission Equipping Center and the
50,000 square foot John LaNoue Disaster Relief Building.
Like these other two buildings, this new building will be
built as soon as contributions make it possible. Cost is
estimated to be between $600,000 and $800,000 depending on final design and equipment. The first contributions Ms. Lola Ross & her daughter Marjorie Williams
toward construction were received at the meeting.
This building will be utilized for the offices and
the furniture shop now in the Dixon Building and for
housing rolling stock now in the LaNoue Building. That
will release badly needed space in both buildings. This
building will complete utilization of the land provided by
the Buckner Foundation some years ago. It of interest to
note that over the years the Retiree Builders have built
1,672 churches and related facilities, saving local churches over $47,000,000 in labor costs.
Thanks to Gene Wofford
Page 7
Bob Ponder and his wife Marty
Glenda Bethune and Joyce Pugh visited Bob and
Marty Ponder a few weeks ago. Bob fell and broke his
collar bone and is doing much better now. We took him
one of our ministry quilts and he was so appreciative of it.
Such a delightful couple with sweet spirits and both of
them love the Lord. After our visit, we had prayer with
them and Bob was able to walk us out to the car. Also,
they shared some beautiful greenery with us on our way
out. Mine is in the dirt and doing beautiful.
Ed and Myrtis Johnson Get Prayer Quilts
Ed and Myrtis (parents of Brenda Rush and long
time friends of Joyce and Glenda, were especially pleased
to see old friends and visit for awhile. The ladies shared
old times, prayer and just good fellowship with these two.
Myrtis is undergoing chemotherapy and Ed struggles with
breathing problems. These two have such an awesome
connection with our Lord; it was a pleasure to spend time
with them. As with others we visit please remember them
in your prayers.
Quilters Share their Prayer Lap Quilts
In the past few weeks we have been busy sharing
our prayer lap quilts with some of our members who are
very ill and in need of a boost. We always have prayer
with them and the quilts seem to be a bright spot in their
days. It is a blessing to all of us in the group to be able to
minister in such a way. Please be in prayer for those who
are ill and for the caregivers who are so faithful.
Sharing the Scriptures
There are groups that meet on a regular schedule
and share scripture, food, laughter and fellowship. Recently at one I attended our leader for the evening was
Gene Wofford. The passage he chose to share I felt needed to be shared again. Our group is open to anyone who
would like to join us and if your interest is peaked give
Gene, or me a call and we’ll put you on the list.
Last night at Share Group, heaven was briefly discussed, and I mentioned that I had recently read in 2 Corinthians about our heavenly bodies. Several asked for the
reference. The passage is the first part of the fifth chapter.
At home, I usually read the New Living Translation,
which Brother Rick says is very accurate. The passage I
referred to is below.
“For we know that when this earthly tent we live
in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this
earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal
body made for us by God himself and not by human
hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we
long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For
we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits
without bodies. While we live in these earthly bodies, we
groan and sigh, but it's not that we want to die and get rid
of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on
our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. God himself has prepared us for this,
and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit. So we
are always confident, even though we know that as long
as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the
Lord. For we live by believing and not by seeing. Yes, we
are fully confident, and we would rather be away from
these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the
Lord. So whether we are here in this body or away from
this body, our goal is to please him. For we must all
stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive
whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in
this earthly body.”
Page 8
Jerusalem is one of the world's most important
Owls meet for SFPD Presentation & Covered
cities, held sacred by three religious traditions, and it's
Dish Luncheon
now possible to virtually visit its holy places in an unprecedented way thanks to the vision and daring of the
team behind "Jerusalem’.
Producers Taran Davies, George Duffield, and
Daniel Ferguson faced huge challenges to gain access to
sacred spaces as well as the airspace above the holy city,
which is usually a no-fly zone. They stated in a press
release, "Our goal is to look at the roots of the universal
attachment to Jerusalem: Jewish, Christian and Muslim.
We hope the juxtaposition of these different religions
and cultures -- all with profound spiritual and historical
connections to the city -- will reveal how much Jews,
Christians and Muslims have in common and inspire all
of us to better understand each other."But how to tell the
story of Jerusalem without just focusing on politics? Enter three teenage girls from each faith: Farah Ammouri,
a Muslim, Nadia Tadros, from a Greek Orthodox and
Catholic family, and Revital Zacharie, a Jew.
Ferguson asked each of the girls to take him (separately)
on a one-day tour of Jerusalem, which he filmed. “What
was really amazing was that they would bring me to
some of the same places in the city and tell me entirely
different things. Revital would point out Jewish history,
but when I asked her if she knew about the Christian or
Muslim attachment to the same places, she didn’t. The
same was true of the other girls.
Chief Campbell of the SFPD presented the
OWLS with information on current scams to be observant about in our last OWLS meeting. He expressed
a scam at the gas pump. When you use a credit/debit
card to obtain gas, you run the risk of someone stealing
your ID. After you leave the pump, they will slip in and
use a scanner to collect your information. This happened to him at a gas station, luckily the credit card
company contacted him.
The con artist do not keep the information, they
sell it. He warned us not to accept phone offers, scam
artist call and offer great deals to good to be true that are
scams. He also stated, beware of scams to do with Medicare. He encouraged people to keep their doors locked,
and to try and purchase an alarm system. The meeting
was very informative. Great fellowship with a covered Congratulations to AFBC Deacon John Rothermel!!!
dish meal was enjoyed by all.
Our apologies for no minutes from the OWLS
Council, we did not meet due to other activities going
on at the same time. If you are interested in going to
Pigeon Forge next October, please sign up in foyer. It's
not a commitment at this tome but we are trying to get a
head count. Also, please get your monies in for the
events that are coming up if you signed up.
Pray for Israel and the USA,
Jan Gray, SA Director AFBC
Owls see the IMAX presentation “Jerusalem” in 3D
Two van loads of Owls went to the National Geographic 3D presentation of Jerusalem in Houston. Everyone was excited about the day and the movie that discussed the three major religions in Jerusalem today, the
Christians, Jews and Muslims. The following information taken from the internet, gives you an insight into
what the movie is all about. If you weren’t able to attend
and this peaks your interest check out the times on line
and go see it.
The Santa Fe Education Foundation held its annual fall gala on September 21. Each year, the organization honors outstanding alumni. This year John Rothermel (SFHS class of 1960) was chosen because of his
successful tenure as a Santa Fe ISD school board member. He has served on the school board for a decade, and
is currently the President.
Page 9
By: Julie Beanland
CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL - Don’t miss out on the exciting hour of Sunday school each week! I believe you will learn something you didn’t know before you came! In the month of November, the children will
study about Abram and his nephew, Lot; Abigail, the second wife of David; Joseph; and Thanking God, as we
celebrate Thanksgiving. Be in Sunday School! Bring your Sword!!
AWANA - Our AWANA program is going great! The attendance has remained in the fifties, and the kids are
having a blast! During the month of November, the themes are: 11/3 - Pajama Night; 11/10 - AWANA Store
Night and Twins Night; 11/17 - Crazy Hair Night; and there will be NO CLUB on 11/24 as we begin our Thanksgiving holidays. If your child would like to come to club, registration paperwork is in the foyer and right outside
the children’s ministry office! Join us anytime! Hope to see you there!
CHILDREN’S CHOIR - Our children’s choir program has had good attendance on Wednesday evenings! This
is led by Stephen Wilhite! The choir meets on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-7:30. The children are learning
new songs and are also learning to play hand chimes, as they prepare for Christmas! See you there!
MOTHER’S DAY OUT / PRESCHOOL - We have a Noah’s Ark party planned this week as we close out October. All children will wear animal costumes and walk in a parade on the church grounds! I will enclose pictures in the next newsletter! Thank you, Santa Fe Fire and Rescue, for coming to our Mother’s Day Out program
during fire prevention month! We very much appreciate all you do! The children learned a lot and had fun at the
same time! Pictures are enclosed for you to enjoy!
We have a very full program planned for November! We are studying about fall and giving thanks as we
prepare for Thanksgiving! The children will make lots of fall crafts, and they are enjoying spending time on the
playground in this beautiful weather! We have a thanksgiving meal planned on November 21, 2013, at 11:00
a.m. Mother’s Day Out families are welcome to come and bring a covered dish! We are blessed with such awesome children and families! God is good!
REGISTRATION FOR CHILDREN’S WEEKDAY EDUCATION MINISTRIES We have 184 children registered for the fall Mother’s Day Out / Preschool and our full- and part-time child
care ministries! There are still a few openings left in certain age groups! Packets are located in the Children’s
Ministry office area! Arcadia First Baptist Christian School currently has 39 students and 15 on staff!
What a blessing!
Page 10
Paw Prints by:
Here’s what’s going on at …
ARCADIA FIRST BAPTIST CHRISTIAN
SCHOOL!
Julie Beanland
BLUE STAR SCRIPTURE PASSAGE!
Our students have just begun working on their
3rd blue star Scripture memory passage for the
year. They learn so fast! They will recite
WORD PERFECTLY Matthew 6:16-24. It’s
good stuff! Memorize it with us!! It is a joy to
listen to them as they hide God’s Word in their
hearts!
A HONOR ROLL AND A/B HONOR ROLL - We
have just completed our first nine weeks of school, and
our students did phenomenally! We are excited to announce our A and A/B Honor Roll students!
Students that made the A Honor Roll are: 7th
grade - Rachel Bejarano, Hannah Kidd, and Abbigail
Stephens; 5th grade - Ashley Casady; 4th grade - Isaac
Adkins; 3rd grade - Michaela Casady, Abagail Cook,
Lydiann Eckeberger; 1st grade - Mia Bowen, Hannah
Cook, Nate Keneson, Kadence Kirkland, Lane Penn,
and Hope Wilhite.
Students that made the A/B Honor Roll are: 7th
grade - Lexie Bradley and Hannah Emmite; 6th grade Anna Speer and Robyn Watkins; 5th grade - Lillee Allen, T. Jay Chaisson, Lexie Darden, Peter Matuza, and
Shawn McCurdy; 4th grade - Nathan Kidd; 3rd grade Riley Jones and Emily Speer; 1st grade - William Serrato. We are proud of you!
Paw Prints by:
Julie Beanland
5TH AND 6TH GRADE CLASS - Our 5th and 6th graders selected a book to read and
then created a project from the book. They worked really hard! The projects look
great!
P age 11
WEEKDAY OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE,
FELLOWSHIP, & WORSHIP
Sunday—Office Closed
7:30 am
8:30 am
9:45 am
Men’s Breakfast (3rd Sunday)
First Worship Service
Bible Study & Sunday School
for all ages
Second Worship Service
Youth Puppet Ministry
Kid’s Leadership Team
Youth Drama Ministry
Deacon Meeting (2nd Sunday)
AWANA * Summer Program
WROC—TYC
Prayer Service/Bible Study
Church Business Conference
(3rd Sunday Bimonthly)
1 1:00 am
4:00 pm
4:15pm
4:30 pm
4:30 pm
5:30 pm
5:30 pm
6:00 pm
7:00 pm
MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
6:30 am
8:00 am
8:00 am
9:00 am
FIRE PREVENTION MONTH - Santa Fe Fire and Rescue visited our school this
month and provided the students with valuable information! We appreciate them so
much for coming. Enclosed are pictures for you to enjoy!
AFBC Childcare
Walking With God
AFBCS
Mother’s Day Out *
MONDAY Office Hours 8:30am—5pm
5:00 am
Ladies Kickboxing
6:00 pm
Ladies Boot Camp
6:00 pm
Handbell Choir Rehearsal *
TUESDAY Office Hours 8:30am—5pm
5:00 am
Ladies Kickboxing
6:00 pm
Ladies Boot Camp
7:00 pm
Church Council Meeting
(2nd Tues. each Month)
WEDNESDAY Office Hours 8:30am-5pm
5:1 5 pm
Wednesday Night Supper
(Please make reservations by Tuesday)
6:15 pm
Bible Study - F6
6:30 pm
Children’s Choirs PreK-6 grade*
6:30 pm
Youth Impact—TYC
6:30 pm
Prayer Meeting/Bible Study
7:30 pm
Adult Choir Rehearsal
THURSDAY Office Hours 8:30am-5pm
5:00 am
Ladies Kickboxing
1 0:00 am OWLS Council (1st Thursday)
1 1:00 am
OWLS Luncheon/Supper **
(2nd Thurs. each Month)
6:00 pm
Ladies Kickboxing
6:30 pm
Praise Band Rehearsal
FRIDAY Office Hours 8:30 am—5pm
SATURDAY—Office Closed
*During School Year
**11am Luncheon/6pm Supper
Rotates every other month
VOLLEYBALL UPDATE - Our junior high girls volleyball team won our last home
game against First Baptist Christian Academy of Pasadena on Thursday, October 17th!
We had a great crowd, and we had a super time cheering them on! Thanks so much
for your support! Some of our children from our After School Care program made
signs to hold up during the game!
AFBCS SPIRIT SHIRTS -
If you would like to purchase an
Arcadia Lions t-shirt and help
support our school, they are $12
each! See Julie today!
JR. HIGH BASKETBALL TEAM As volleyball season closes, another season
begins! Our AFBCS junior high girls basketball team is already practicing. As soon as
the basketball schedule is completed, I will
provide it to you! Go AFBCS Lions!
SUNDAY MORNING
WORSHIP
DATE
10/06
10/13
10/20
10/27
Average
8:30AM 11:00AM Total
94
151
245
124
232
356
393
393
94
212
306
325
Arcadia First
Baptist Church
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit #1
Santa Fe, Texas 77517
Dr . R ic k Sm i th
S e n i o r P a s to r
A F B C S P r i n c i p a l / A d m i n i s tr a to r
S te ph en W il hi te
A s s o c i a te P a s to r o f W o r s h i p
J er l Wa tk in s
A s s o c i a te P a s to r
o f S e n i o r A d u l ts
B i ck G ibb s
I n te r i m A s s o c i a te P a s to r
o f Y o u th
R e ggi e C r o sb y
M i n i s te r o f O u tr e a c h
J u li e B e anl an d
D i r e c to r C h i l d r e n ’ s M i n i s tr i e s
A s s i s ta n t A d m i n i s tr a to r A F B C S
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
OR CURRENT OCCUPANT
T am m y B er r yh il l
F i n a n c i a l A d m i n i s tr a to r
J e ss e Lop e z
M i s s i o n P a s to r
P .O . Box 128, 14828 Highway 6
San ta Fe , TX 77517
409 -925-2825
a fbcoffice@arcad iafbc .o rg
www .a rcadia fbc .org
MISSION STATEMENT
The purpose of Arcadia First Baptist
Church shall be to
present Jesus Christ
so that lost souls are
drawn to Him through
ministry and discipleship and to encourage
fellowship in Christ
for support.
YOUTH STUFF
TO REMEMBER
Wednesday Night
6:30pm-7:30pm
IMPACT
Sunday Night
8:30/11:00am Worship
9:45am Sunday School
5:30pm-7:00pm WROC
7:00pm Wrap-Up
Youth Council Meeting
1st & 3rd Wednesday
of every month
7:30pm - TYC
Sign-up for activities
(check the board)
Do you ever read a passage in the bible and think to yourself how impossible
it is to do what the bible says? I recently taught a passage from Romans that tells us
to “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink;”
By nature we do not want anything to do with our enemies, especially feed them or
give them something to drink. I truly believe that God’s holiness requires that we
be perfectly holy. In fact, Peter tells us, “but as he who called you is holy, you also
be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
There are no exceptions to that. The problem we have is that the bible tells us that
we are all sinners. If God expects us to be holy and knows that we can’t then maybe God’s word was not intended to be a book of rules but a book of grace. What if
reading the bible was intended to point us to our desperate need for a savior? What
if reading the bible was meant to show us God’s one way love? God has given us
grace that sets us free to live for him instead of try to be religious rule followers under our own power. I do believe that we are to live out what the bible says, but not
in our own strength. That strength comes from our faith in Jesus life, death and resurrection. The holiness that God requires is not our attempt at following his rules
but Jesus’ perfect life and death that paid
the price for our sin. God’s grace truly is
amazing!
Bick