ABC Bridge 04-13-16 rvs.pub

Page 1 THE BRIDGE
VOL. 9 NO. 15
APRIL 13, 2016
Those in attendance were in awe of
the beautiful campus that we call
home. I was in awe of the work our
volunteers and facilities staff did to
prepare, greet, assist, and clean-up.
Hats off to Virginia Kreimeier and
Betty Arrell for initiating this opportunity for our church to host such a
strategic event. I also want to thank
our Guest and Information Team
members who gave up two entire
This past weekend, our church hosted almost 600 WMU (Women’s Missionary Union of Texas Baptists) representatives from churches all over
Texas, along with a number of other
people, for their annual state convention. Each year, they gather to focus
on their work of mission education
and action throughout our state, nation, and world. In attendance were a
number of missionaries and retired
missionaries. It was a blessing to get
acquainted with some of them. It was
an outstanding event.
days to assist ladies in finding their
way around our campus and making
them feel welcome.
Thanks are in order as well for our
Adults on Mission who played a strategic role in the entire weekend.
Likewise, I want to express my grati-
tude to our Hospitality Team who not
only assisted with service during the
convention, but joined with our facilities personnel in working into the
evening to set up all the rooms for
Sunday morning. Finally, I want to
relay my appreciation to our outstanding office administration staff,
as well as Derek Tackett and his
facilities team, for helping coordinate
the hundreds of details that go into a
large meeting like last weekend’s
convention.
The volunteer spirit of ABC continues
to inspire and bless me. Often
the first thing I hear from those
I contact—after they have been our
guests—is how warmly they were
welcomed and how graciously they
were assisted. First impressions are
extraordinarily influential, and ABC
excels at leaving a good first
impression!
Gary Dyer, Pastor
John 3:30
Page 2 THE BRIDGE
STAFF
Dr. Gary Dyer
SENIOR PASTOR
Cell 512-574-9095
[email protected]
Dr. David Procter
EXECUTIVE PASTOR
Cell 512-695-4133
[email protected]
John Parker
ASSOCIATE PASTOR OF MUSIC & WORSHIP
Cell 512-705-7570
[email protected]
Matt Gillum
MINISTER TO STUDENTS & THEIR FAMILIES
Cell 512-739-1431
[email protected]
Cathy Smith
MINISTER TO CHILDREN & THEIR FAMILIES
Cell 512-956-1355
[email protected]
Dodie Morris
MUSIC & WORSHIP ASSOCIATE
[email protected]
Jon Marc Burge
CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP ASSOCIATE
— ADMINISTRATION —
Christina Mendoza
MINISTERIAL STAFF EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
[email protected]
Jennifer Koret
FINANCE ADMINISTRATOR
[email protected]
Rita Jones
OFFICE MANAGER
[email protected]
Derek Tackett
FACILITIES MANAGER
Cell 512-845-2086
[email protected]
Clifteen Samuelson
EVENTS COORDINATOR
[email protected]
— SUPPORT STAFF —
Bill Dickson
FINANCE CLERK
[email protected]
Barbara Hunley
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
[email protected]
Elena Samper
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
[email protected]
Meredith Todd
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY ASSOCIATE
[email protected]
Kati Dobbs
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY ASSOCIATE
[email protected]
Dear Dr. Dyer, Church Staff,
& Church Family,
As the chair of the Local Arrangements
Committee for the WMU of Texas Annual
Meeting and Missions Celebration, I want to
thank you for all your hospitality, willingness
to help, and all the behind-the-scenes efforts
to make it a resounding success. With 572
folks registered, everyone I talked to said
how beautiful our church is and how gracious you were to welcome them.
There are some special people I would like to thank in addition to Dr. Gary
Dyer who welcomed everyone and read Scripture. Chandra Lor and
Allison Agthe were outstanding in reading Scripture in Cambodian and
Mandarin, respectively. A special thanks goes to Derek Tackett and his
team, as well as Janis Loukas and the Hospitality Committee for getting
the rooms ready and returning them to their Sunday arrangements. Thanks
to Clifteen and Phil Samuelson who provided coffee and water. Additionally, Christina Mendoza and Rita Jones went beyond expectations in
helping with arrangements and certain program personnel.
Finally, I wish to express my gratitude to Jack Freeman and the greeters
he recruited, as well as the following volunteers: Nancy Arista, Betty
Arrell, Avery Cline, Darlene Higgs, Jeanne and Norman Kittredge,
Margaret Moffett, Ruby Seidman, Billie Wedlund, and Anne and Bill
Wilson. I am so grateful to know all of you because of all you do in the
name of Christ Jesus. God bless you and this church body.
— Virginia Kreimeyer
Page 3 THE BRIDGE
Seven new members joined in the Pastor’s membership 101 Class on April 10!
Anna Barndt joins by profession of faith. ABC member Shane Stevens invited Anna to worship with us on Easter Sunday. Anna is from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania,
and earned her undergraduate degree in science from Cornell University in Ithaca,
New York. She moved to Austin (Northwest Hills) in 2013. Anna is an executive assistant for Shane’s company, Dental Health Management Solutions. (No photo
available as of publication time.)
Samantha Berry joins by statement of faith; she lives near the church and began
worshiping with us in March after seeing our church sign. Samantha was born near
London, England, and her family moved to Texas when she was six. She earned
her degree in social work from The University of Texas. She is an adult probation
officer for Travis County. She is also a licensed social worker and works in her
spare time as an international adoption case worker. Samantha has one son who is
a senior police officer with the Austin Police Department. She moved away from
Austin 20 years ago and moved back five years ago. Samantha attends One Heart
Bible Fellowship group.
Ken Bingham joins by profession of faith. He was invited by ABC member Charlie
Meeks and began worshiping with us this spring. He was a business partner with
Charlie’s brother, Stan Meeks (who passed away in October 2015). Ken is from
Kankakee, Illinois. He served our country in the U. S. Air Force, and moved to Austin
in 1980. He served in the Austin Fire Department for 32 years, retiring with the rank
of captain. He lives in Point Venture with his oldest son, Kris Bingham, who also
joins by profession of faith. Kris served two tours of duty as a U.S. Air Force pilot in
Iraq. Two other sons, Ryan and Travis, live in Austin. Ken and Kris attend Lamplighters Bible Fellowship.
Freddy Erdman joins by believer’s baptism. He grew up in Newark, California, in
the San Francisco Bay area. He earned a degree in criminal justice from California
State University, Hayward. He moved to Austin in 2005 and began worshiping with
us about three years ago. Freddy is a police officer for the Buda Police Department.
His two daughters, Greta, a 6th grader at Four Points Middle School, and
Maggie, a 5th grader at Grandview Hills Elementary are ABC members.
Dwayne and Joan Rolf transfer their membership from New Hope First Baptist
Church in Cedar Park. They began worshiping with us in February. Dwayne is from
Tyler and earned a degree in chemical engineering from The University of Texas; he
manages an HEB store in Round Rock. Joan was born in Beaumont; her family was
in the military and moved around the country. She moved to Austin in 1980 and met
Dwayne at Hyde Park Baptist Church. They married in 1982 and have three grown
children. Joan teaches preschool at New Hope First Baptist Church.
— David Procter
Page 4 THE BRIDGE
A MOTIVE is a reason for doing something.
behind the action if you will.
The “why”
Fear… Jealousy… Anger… Ambition… Hatred… Loyalty…
Compassion… Kindness… Faithfulness… Gentleness…
Concern… Brokenness… Love...
Everything we do in this life is motivated by something.
We may see a snake in our driveway and become motivated
to run from it out of fear. Fear is a powerful motivator under
the right circumstances. When I honk my horn at another
driver, I am usually motivated by impatience or frustration.
When I see an old friend, my smile is motivated by a sense
of happiness.
The Bible has a lot to say about our motives. Consider these
two key passages:
Music in Worship
All a person's ways seem pure to them,
but motives are weighed by the LORD.
Proverbs 16:2
Sunday, April 17
9:00 a.m. Worship
 Jesus, What a Friend
for Sinners
 The Lily of the Valley
 What a Friend We
Have in Jesus
 Ask of Me (Dodie Morris
& John Parker)
 You are There
(Sanctuary Choir)
 I Need Thee Every Hour
11:11 a.m. Worship
 Whom Shall I Fear?
 Your Love Never Fails
 I Am Not Alone
 Never Once
For the word of God is alive and active.
Sharper than any double-edged sword,
it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit,
joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts
and attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
The Bible also tells us our hearts are deceitful, and that we
often lie to ourselves about our own motives for doing things.
But, the Lord searches my heart and tests my motives. It
seems He cares for more about the WHY behind what I do
than He does about the WHAT.
This week during our times of private worship, let’s look deep
inside our hearts and ask ourselves about own motives. Join
me in considering these prayerful pleas this week:
1) God, examine my heart and reveal to me any
unholy motives.
2) God, forgive me for selfish and unholy motives
I harbor.
3) God, make me like Jesus, whose motives were
always righteous before You.
4) God, daily guide me by your Holy Spirit to take on
Christ-like motives in all I do.
Blessings,
John Parker
THE BRIDGE
Page 5 Page 6 Trying to get through the day without a quiet time
is like trying to drive a car without gasoline. There
is a reminder alarm on my phone; there is a devotional book on the nightstand; and yes, there is a
little prayer wall (thanks to the movie War Room).
But some days, the “to do” list is so long, I am
tempted to scoot out the door, ignoring my spiritual fuel gauge, hoping to carve out a few minutes
for prayer between meetings. Monday was one of
those days. So much to do…so little time. Roadblock after roadblock. At one point, I asked the
Lord for just a little encouragement. In my office
amid stacks of music is a little calendar, designed
to flip from day to day. Each page has a scripture
and a phrase or two from a hymn. I grabbed it,
and of course, it was turned to April 3, over a
week old! I scanned that page…nope, that wasn’t
it. Flipping from page to page…all good stuff, but
THE BRIDGE
not quite “it.” Where was my word from God?
Well…Praise God! He is so faithful, even when I
am not. Especially when I am not. The page for
Monday said this:
I will not forget you!
See, I have engraved you
on the palms of My hands.
Isaiah 49:15-16 NIV
That is not all God did. He poured out blessings
all day long, starting with the song list for Sunday’s 9:00 a.m. worship service. All the songs
planned for this week are right on target, but
Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners had just the
message I needed on Monday. Here is part of the
second verse:
Jesus! What a strength in weakness!
Let me hide myself in Him;
Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing,
He, my strength, my victory wins.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Hallelujah! What a friend!
THE BRIDGE
Page 7 Page 8 THE BRIDGE
Members and Guests,
Have you ever gotten off to a wrong start?
Made some mistakes? Said some things you
would like to take back? Join us Sunday as we
continue our study of Genesis and see what
God has to say about such a situation.
Lamplighters meet in the Worship Center each
Sunday morning at 10:10 a.m. If you are not
already involved in a Bible Fellowship Group,
we invite you to join us!
Zack
Page 9 THE BRIDGE
NEEDED FOOD ITEMS
 Pancake Mix (complete, only add water)
 Pancake Mix (individual packages)
 Pancake Syrup
 Cereal
 Instant Potatoes (large boxes or pkgs)
 Jiffy Cornmeal Mix
 Jelly
 Soups (vegetable/any kind of chicken
soup)
 Beef Stew
 Chili (without beans)
 Canned Hams
 Canned Chicken
 Canned Tuna
 Canned Fruit
 Spaghetti Sauce (large)
 Spaghetti Noodles
 Canned Juice
 Mayonnaise (small jars)
 Sweet Pickle Relish (small jars)
TIPS FOR SHOPPING & DONATING
 Fill a separate grocery bag specifically for
the Mission.
 Purchase extra food items specifically for
the Mission.
 Purchase items in bulk for the Mission.
 “Raid” your own pantry and fill a bag for
the Mission (no expired items, please).
 Please place your donations in the designated boxes at Austin Baptist Church by
Sunday, April 24, 2016.
Page 10 THE BRIDGE
Lamplighters Bible Fellowship
Group enjoyed a box supper on
Sunday, April 3, 2016. Special
guests were Corey Devivo
(chalk artist) and Katrina Hogue
(soloist).
The Lamplighters group now
totals over 400 members and
hosts four social events a year
including a Christmas Social.
Their next event will be the
Annual Fish Fry in June.
Coming June 12
Catfish Parlour
Details Upcoming!
Page 11 THE BRIDGE
The Outreach and Evangelism Team has been brainstorming
ways to love where we live. Blue Shirt Days on third
Saturdays is one way we can show ABC is ready and willing
to lend a hand, share a smile, or help our neighbors. By
covering the area on those Saturdays, we speak volumes to
others. It says we are excited about what we have and we
want to share it with you.
Remember: We want to see pictures of where you wore your
blue shirt. Email them to [email protected] or to the ABC
office to Rita Jones at [email protected].
 Tweet or Facebook message a genuine compliment to three people right now.
 Bring doughnuts or a healthy treat to work.
 Compliment a parent on how well-behaved
their child is.
 When everyone is gossiping, be the one to
interrupt and say something nice.
 Offer a homeless person your leftovers from
the restaurant.
 Each time you get a new article of clothing,
donate an old one.
 Compliment someone to their boss.
 Leave the biggest tip you can afford for a nice
server.
Theda and Don Yager found a bunch of ideas for random
acts of kindness we can do while wearing our blue shirts or
just living our everyday lives. We’ve listed a few.
So get out there and Bring the Blue and spread some kindness! Love where we live!
 Let someone into your lane. They’re probably in a rush
just like you.
 When you’re throwing something away on the street,
pick up any other litter around you and put that in the
trash, too.
 Purchase extra pet food and drop it off at an animal
shelter.
 Pay for the car behind you at a drive through.
 Give another driver your parking spot.
CALGARY
JULY 19-26
Cost $325. Work in Super Summer Spaghetti
Spectacular reduces fee to $250. Register by emailing
Matt Gillum at [email protected].
ABC Student Ministry and Joyful Noise
Choir will serve in Calgary, Alberta, Canada,
running Bible camps for the kids of the Pathway
and Connect churches, participating in
community missions/service and singing at
multiple venues. They’ll also visit Banff National
Park. For more information, contact
Matt Gillum at
[email protected].
Page 12 THE BRIDGE
This week as we continue in our series at Axis Society Meets Scripture, we take on the question: What If I Doubt? For many kids, there
is a real fear of revealing doubt. They suspect that if they ever reveal
that they have real questions about faith, they’ll be branded as a bad
person and as an unbeliever. This initial fear later turns into resentment and a formation of personal identity. Unanswered questions
cease to be a process of seeking for answers and start becoming
the definition of a person. The ironic thing is that these questions
that could have been confronted and worked through become the
person’s identity.
So how does Jesus approach doubt in Scripture? In John 20:24-29,
He confronts it directly, without flinching. He does it personally. But
it’s not just an answer that He gives; it is a call to reach out and
grasp truth. Don’t miss that in response to Thomas’ doubts, He says,
“Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting
and believe.” Jesus brings the truth, but the doubter has to let go of
his doubts to believe.
In my mind, this situation reminds me of a person clinging to a buoy
in the middle of the ocean in the night. There is a promise of a boat
to save that person and the lifeguards call out, but the person clings
to the buoy because that’s all he can initially touch and see. It’s the
same with doubt: we are confronted and sometimes kept afloat for a
while in the storms of this life by seeking truth, by doubting. But what
we can’t let happen is that we cling so hard to our doubts that we
refuse to grasp the Truth when it comes to save us. Remember what
Jesus said, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one
comes to the Father except through Me.” We can and should
doubt because doubt seeks answers. But we should not love the
doubt.
In all of our lives, there will come a time where Jesus tells us to stop
doubting and believe. Know that there are scores of people around
you who battle with doubts, both about God and about their lives.
When confronted with the deep questions of life, don’t patronize
them with clichés and easy answers, but deal with what the questions demand. But when the Truth comes, be ready to let go of those
doubts. May we be a Church that confronts doubt head on, but
grasps the Truth when He reaches His hand to us.
By Christ’s Love,
Matt
THE BRIDGE
Page 13 Page 14 THE BRIDGE
THE BRIDGE
Page 15 Page 16 THE BRIDGE
THE BRIDGE
Page 17 Page 18 THE BRIDGE
Next Week at ABC
Sun., April 17
9:00 a.m.
10:10 a.m.
11:11 a.m.
12:30 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
Wed., April 20
5:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
Fri., April 22
6:00 p.m.
Spring Food Drive Continues
Traditional Worship, Sanctuary
Bible Fellowship Groups
Contemporary Worship, Sanctuary
Mission Committee Meeting, Rm. 187
Joyful Noise
Finance Committee Meeting, Rm. 275
Sherwood Moffett Japan Meeting, Rm. 187
Fellowship Dinner, Great Hall
Bible Study, Great Hall
Student Ministry AXIS & Fellowship
Fellowship Menu
Wednesday, April 20: Fried Chicken
Recurring Events
SUNDAY
WEDNESDAY
AWANA
2 p.m.
Tiny Tots & Tunes
10:00 am Class, Rm 117
MONDAY
Kids Choirs– WACK
6:00 pm
Men’s Prayer Group
6:45 a.m., Welcome Center
ABC Neighborhood Block Party
TUESDAY
On the Horizon
APRIL 2016
24 ABC Trustees Meeting
Student Ministry: Girls Pinterest Day/Guys Bouldering Day
25 Deacons Meeting
26 Franklin Graham Decision America Tour, Austin Capitol
27 Church Business Meeting
E3: Early Education Experience, Part 1
28 Baby Dedication Class for Parents
MAY 2016
1 Super Summer Spaghetti Spectacular
Baby Dedications in Both Services
4 Outreach & Evangelism Team Meeting
“Life’s Healing Choices” Class Begins
5 National Day of Prayer
6 Parents Night Out
8 Mother’s Day
Baby Bottle Campaign Kicks Off
9 Adults on Mission Meeting
15 Membership 101 Class
Mission Committee Meeting
Parents Meeting on Student Life Camp
Finance Committee
22 Graduate Recognition Sunday in Both Worship Services
Graduate Luncheon, Great Hall
ABC Trustees Meeting
23 Deacons Meeting
25 Business Meeting
E3: Early Education Experience, Part 2
30 Memorial Day Holiday - ABC Offices Closed
JUNE 2017
1 Outreach & Evangelism Team Meeting
4 Adopt-a-Highway
5 Acteens
11 Student Life Camp Begins
12 Membership 101
Mission Committee Meeting
Lamplighter’s Fish Fry at the Catfish Parlour
NOTE: Items for THE BRIDGE are due to Rita Jones by noon
Friday. Send to [email protected]
Tiny Tots & Tunes
10:00 am Class, Rm 117
11:00 am Class, Rm 117
Music Rehearsal
7:00 pm, 11:11 Band
Music Rehearsals
Handbells, 6:00 p.m.
Choir/Orchestra/Drama Dress
Rehearsal 7:30 pm
THURSDAY
American Heritage Girls
Apr. 14 & 21
6:00 pm, Rm 117
Trail Life
Apr. 14 & 21
6:30 pm, Rm 268
Deacons on Call
Week of April 18, 2016
Harlan McMorris .............. 512-698-8616
Troy Wappler ................... 512-750-9264
Texas Baptist Men Disaster Relief
Yellow Cap Training
Apr. 22, 6-9 pm
Apr. 23, 9 am -12 noon
Austin Baptist Association
Our Response to God’s Faithfulness
Our Tithes & Offerings
General Fund
Designated
Bldg./Strong Foundation
Total Giving
04-10-16
$47,407.45
$285.00
$9,775.00
$57,467.45
YTD
$767,585.21
$21,523.28
$204,382.88
$993,491.37
Building on a Strong Foundation Total-to-Date
$4,009,001.60
Our Attendance 04-10-16
9:00 Service ........................................................... 623
11:11 Service ......................................................... 200
Bible Fellowship ..................................................... 765
Amistad .................................................................... 17
AUSTIN BAPTIST CHURCH ▪ 7016 RIBELIN RANCH DRIVE ▪ AUSTIN TX 78750 ▪ 512.491.9600 ▪ www.austinbaptistchurch.com