1. Art and Diseño

The Banner
The Lord is My Banner. Exodus 17:15
First Baptist Church, Cuero
February 5, 2015
www.fbccuero.org
Strengthening Marriage
One of my goals as a pastor is to help strengthen marriages. We are witnessing the decline of marriage
in our society. Yet, what is more concerning, is that the statistics for marriage failure is the same for nonbelievers as for believers. It seems the issues that lead to marriage failure remain the same across
society, even for those who profess faith in Christ.
You would think that believers would be stronger in marriage since we profess to live by a biblical world
view. Our values should be shaped by biblical values. Our lives should be directed by the Holy Spirit,
not the flesh. Yet, marriages among believers are not working out better than for others.
For this reason, from time to time, I speak on marriage and love. Starting this Sunday, I will give three
sermons on marriage. Here are the three sermons:
1. Can Marriage be Saved?
2. Birds, Bees, Flowers & Trees: And things we don’t talk about to our kids.
3. Marriage - a Place to Grow in Christ
Here is a summation of what I will be addressing. First I am going to speak on the covenant nature of
marriage in order to understand God’s intention for marriage. Most people who get married know
nothing about covenants. For that matter, most people in churches know nothing about covenants in
the Bible. Yet, in the Bible, covenants are a significant feature of God’s relationships with us. God makes
and keeps covenants. Wedding vows are the oaths of covenant. The spiritual implications are greater
than people think.
Then, I want to speak on a positive view sexuality that is formed from a biblical perspective. I think too
often we as Christians only speak up about sexuality if we are reacting against wrong views of sexual
expression in culture. At some point we must say what is good. So in the second message I will address
God’s good intention. I realize we have children of all ages in our services, so I will address this in a way
that all ears can hear.
Lastly, I will speak on God’s greater plan in marriage to shape us into the very nature of Christ. To love
another person the way Christ has loved us is very difficult. The main reason most marriages fail is
because the human heart is very selfish. Christians can identify with the idea of agape love better than
they can actually give that kind of love. Agape runs against everything we as humans find normal. Yet,
if we allow Christ to lead us, he will form a new heart in us, one that is like His own. Loving another
person in a committed relationship - which is marriage - becomes the crucible for God’s forming agape
in us.
See you Sunday.
Glenn
howeyeclife.wordpress.com
Larry’s Notes
SINGING VALENTINE
Have you come up with an idea to show your sweetheart or other loved one some affection on
Valentine’s Day? How about a “Singing Valentine?” The Youth Choir will serenade your sweetie at their home
or place of work on Saturday, February 14th . We will have 10 morning serenades and 10 early afternoon
serenades for $20 each. You will get to select one from a choice of 3 different tunes for the singing Valentine.
This project is a fund-raiser for our planned trip to Florida for a youth choir festival in June.
Since we only have 20 slots available, they will go on a “first come, first serve” basis. Let someone know
they are special with this unique gift!
Let me also suggest that this would be a good way to minister to senior adults or shut-ins. Imagine how
it will brighten their day when they realize that someone has remembered them.
SMALL GROUP AND EXPERIENCING GOD STUDY
Brenda and I have been hosting a small group study in our home for the last several years. Last fall, we
were studying Spanish for missions. This year, we will host an Experiencing God small group.
Let me encourage you to be a part of this study. It is designed to help us not to just know about God, but
to experience Him in our daily lives. I think, and many agree, that it is one of the most significant studies ever
developed.
If you are not involved in a small group or with the Experiencing God study, please join us at 6:00 PM
at our home (308 First Street).
Larry
“We ask God to give you complete knowledge of His will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.
Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit.
All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.” Col. 1:9b-10
One of my favorite things about my job is the opportunity to connect to more of you on a regular basis, rather than just in
passing on Sundays. Through that connection, the Lord has opened my eyes to see just how much we need each other. So
often we carry such heavy burdens, and it is a blessing to be able to share those with each other and approach the Throne
together.
Ray and I have shared with some of you about Emily’s struggle this past week. One of her 14 year old students – one of her
best and brightest – most respectful and never in trouble – one whose future looked promising – became so overwhelmed by
the enormity of her circumstances she made a horrific and unthinkable choice in an instant and has been arrested on charges
of capital murder. Emily has grieved for this student so deeply all week. Obviously, she is missing that student, and she is
sad for her, for the families involved and for the potential of what and who that student could have become, but I think the
most painful thought Emily is carrying is realizing how lost and how desperate her student felt without Emily knowing. For
someone who lives to connect with others, the realization that the connection wasn’t enough to ease the despair this student
experienced was harsh. I have been at a loss for comforting words and wisdom to offer her, but this morning I came across
this verse out of Colossians. Actually, it was in my email inbox! (Isn’t God faithful? He was not going to let me miss this
nugget.) Why am I sharing this with you right now? Well, I guess because it is on my mind. Secondly, I believe we can all
be reminded that no matter how enormous, how devastating, how hurtful our circumstances may be in this moment, God is
the same. He is, He was, and He always will be! He doesn’t change – His love for us does not diminish – His mercies never
cease – His desire for us to abide in Him continues, and He is bigger than anything we may face. Lastly, He made us to crave
Him, and I believe many times He nurtures that craving through our connection with each other. No matter how involved in
their own lives and their own churches my kids become, when they experience difficulties, they seem to be comforted by the
faithful prayers of those they grew up with - their home church. They appreciate and trust your faithful wisdom and
encouragement, and the Lord has used their “connection” to you to shape who they have become.
Let’s stay connected!
Helen
Put it on your calendar:
Experiencing God groups have begun but it is not too late to join in! Call me and I will help you plug in.
Student Life Conference – Dallas – Feb 27-28 – Senior high only
Plant sale coming in March!
Helen
[email protected]
fbcytheripple.wordpress.com (youth)
fbcfamilytide.wordpress.com (family)
familyblogsite.com
Feb. 1
st
-
Feb. 7
th
(Sarah Sturm - Jan. 30th )
O.J. Badgett - 1
Joe Bennett - 1
Cavan Smith - 5
Brooke Smith - 6
John Blackwell - 7
Stewardship
Feb. 1, 2015
Budget Requirements.............Not Available At This Time
Budget Receipts.................................................$12,615.00
Designated Receipts............................................$2,460.77
Total Approved Budget..........Not Available At This Time
Requirements Year-To-Date..Not Available At This Time
Received Year-To-Date.....................................$60,404.19
Month-to-date Expenses.................................$11,594.00
Year-to-date Expenses....................................$51,960.00
Sunday Morning Greeters
Feb. 8, 2015
Feb. 15, 2015
8:15 & 9:30
Paul Hassfield
Sandra Roecker
Ronnie Roecker
10:45
Eric Rivas
Sherry Portis
8:15 & 9:30
Jeff Hall
Drenda Hall
Vincent Stanfill
10:45
Kathryn Scott
Veronica Peters
Sunday:
Worship
Bible Study
Youth Choir
Bible Searchers
(1st & 2nd Thessalonians by Beth Moore)
Children’s Bible Study
Parents
Youth
Experiencing God (At Glenn’s House)
Monday:
Ladies Exercise
8:30 & 11:00 am
9:45 am
4:30 pm
6:00 pm
6:00 pm
6:00 pm
6:00 pm
6:00 pm
10:00 am
Tuesday:
Children’s Choir
After School
Wednesday:
Ladies Exercise
Ladies Small Group
Team KID/M&M’s
Youth
Prayer Meeting
Sanctuary Choir
Joyful Ringers
10:00 am
12:00 pm
After School
6:00 pm
6:00 pm
7:00 pm
8:08 pm
Thursday:
Women’s Bible Study
(With Christ in the School of Prayer)
9:00 am
(For more information please call Betty Afflerbach @ 361-649-8029)
Lunch Bunch
12:10 pm
We are here to be and make real followers of Jesus Christ
Deacon of the Week
Feb. 8, 2015
Jona Heil
Shoebox Ministry Time!
Let's buy our Operation Christmas Child items
throughout the year. Donation boxes will stay in the
foyer all year for your donated items.
We'll have a monthly theme for suggested items to
buy. If you pack your own boxes at home, you may
want to follow this theme with your own boxes. As
always, monetary donations are also welcome!
Church Members,
There is a correction on the letter you received
from the financial committee about the budget
proposal.
Members of the committee include: Camille
Smolik, Ray Reese, Neil Campbell, Heather
Stewart, Jason Rogers & Teri Golibart.
We are sorry for any confusion that this may
have caused.
This Month We Are Collecting:
Toothbrushes
Ivory Soap
Older Boys Socks
Sympathy to Ray Holcombe and family
in the loss of his dad, Calvin Holcombe
Business Meeting Will Be On
February 15, 2015
Following Second Service
Sympathy To The Alaniz Family
Boxes Will Be Available
In The Foyer For Operation Christmas
Child Donations
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Christmas In July
The next Operation Christmas Child Packing Party
will be in July. More details to follow.
*VAN MINISTRY*
Needing someone immediately to do the
care and maintenance on the vans.
SCHOOL CLOTHES NEEDED!
You can help by donating new or
used school uniform clothes (jeans,
polo or spirit shirts). All sizes are
needed. Please place in the box in
the foyer.
February 15th - Deacon Ordination
The deacons will present Dan Sweet
to be ordained as a deacon on
February 15th . We will convene an
ordination council at 5:00 PM., with
the ordination service to follow at
6:00 PM. This will also be the
Sunday for our regular business
meeting (12:30 PM).
Deacon’s Meeting
February 8, 2015
7:30 a.m.
**********************************************
February 8th the Budget and Finance Committee will
present the budget for review after the second
service. We will have a light lunch and then present
the budget.
**********************************************
First Baptist Church, Cuero, Texas
Quarterly Business Meeting
February 15, 12:30 PM
REGULAR QUARTERLY BUSINESS AGENDA
PRAYER
READING OF MINUTES
FINANCIAL REPORT: Camille Smolik
REPORTS
Staff
Pastor: Glenn Robertson
Music and Worship: Larry Cheesman
Youth: Helen Reese
Deacons: Neil Campbell
Buildings & Grounds: Donnie Caraway
Other Committees:
Report from Renovation Committee
OLD BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
Report on Membership Additions:
By Statement:
Pat and Karen Elder, 1/11/2015
By Baptism:
Hayden Heil 11/16/2014
Dakota Slovacek 11/16/2014
Michelle Bennett 12/28/2014
Shawn, Kendra, and Brittany Hajek 1/04/2015
ADJOURNMENT
Ladies Ministry
God will speak, we will listen. God will teach, we will learn.
God will be glorified, we will praise His name!
“She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue.”
Proverbs 31:26
WOMEN OF FAITH
AREA WIDE CONFERENCE
February 21, 2015
10:00 AM - First Baptist Church, Cuero
Guest speaker
http://baileyheard.com
“Power of Love”
Tara Koonce - Inspirational Comedy Entertainment
· Music, Door Prizes and Lunch
· All Proceeds from Ticket Sales & Donations to benefit BIBLES FOR PEOPLE
Tickets $15.00
See: Jean Hunnam, Mary Wood, Carrie Rea
STAY CONNECTED – LADIES BIBLE STUDIES
-Wednesdays @ Noon –
Study of Joseph or Battlefield of the Mind
-Thursdays @ 9:00 am – With Christ in School of
Prayer (Betty Afflerbach)
-Sundays @ 6:00 pm – Experiencing God
(This small group will begin February 15. First
meeting will be held in the Parlor. If you’ve received
your books, please read through Chapter 3.)
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