Where No One Stands Alone

THE WITNESS

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF HELOTES

MARCH 2010 firstbaptist@fbchelotes.org 210-695 3143

Some of you remember “VISION 2000”. Ten years ago our church set a goal of paying off the debt on our present worship center and to begin making plans for a badly needed new fellowship hall. We called the campaign, “VISION 2000”. God blessed us and that year we were able to pay off our debt and to begin saving for a new fellowship hall. It took a few years, but soon Henley Hall became a reality.

Now, a decade later, our church is ready to enter into “VISION 2010”. This time our goal is to build a badly needed preschool building. Our church needs this educational space if we are to continue to grow. Plans are for the new building to house our nursery, 2 and 3 year-olds, kindergarten and first and second grades. By doing this we will be freeing up space for our growing youth department and other Sunday school classes.

Included in “VISION 2010” will be a complete remodeling of the old educational building, as soon the new building is completed. Rooms will be enlarged and new air conditioning will be installed.

When our growth committee brought this plan before the church in business meeting, those present responded with a resounding, unanimous, yes! In the colloquialism of today, this was a no brainer. No one can argue of the need and no one can argue of the expediency with which we need to move ahead. We have a great church which has always responded when called upon. As your pastor, I am urging every member of our church to get behind “VISION 2010” and let us build for our children’s future and for the glory of our Lord.

The estimated cost of the new preschool building is $250,000. We have $125,000, so that means that our goal for “VISION 2010” is $125,000. This is a big challenge for us, but isn’t it wonderful that God has given us this challenge? I told our folks last Sunday during the deacon ordination service that when you depend on other things, you get what other things can do. When you depend on prayer, you get what God can do. You will be receiving more information in the mail soon about “VISION 2010.” In the mean time, “PRAY.”

On Good Friday, April 2^nd. at 7:30 PM, First Baptist Church will present a dramatic reproduction of The Last Supper. Twelve men of our church and a host of others have been working hard on costumes, sets, music, and dialogue in order to make this Easter season a very special time for you and your family. Help us bring this witness of Christ’s passion by inviting all of your relatives, friends and neighbors to join you on this special night.

The week of March 7-14 has been set aside as a special week of prayer for North American Missions. As we get busy about many other things, let us not forget our involvement in missions and the need to support our missionaries through our prayers and our giving. The theme this year is “Live With Urgency: Share God’s Transforming Power.” The special offering we will be receiving is called the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, after the founder of WMU and strong advocate for the support of missions. Our church has adopted a goal of $800.00.

The Engage Evangelism Conference will be held March 5-6 at Shearer Hills Baptist Church, 12615 San Pedro. The conference begins Friday at 7 pm and will continue Saturday morning at 9 am. There will be some great speakers and informative break-out-sessions.

Something else to really look forward to this Easter is the First Baptist’s Worship Choir’s presentation of the Easter cantata, “Hallelujah! Praise the Lamb.” If you sing and would like to be a part of a very special witness this Easter, then come join the choir as they rehearse on Sunday afternoon at 5:30.

Men, don’t forget that this Sunday, March 7^th., the men of First Baptist will meet in Henley Hall at 8 am for the monthly Men’s Prayer Breakfast. Join us for fellowship, breakfast tacos, singing, devotion and prayer. The devotion this month will be brought by John Gardner. Don’t miss it.

This Friday is time for another First Friday game night. On First Friday everyone is invited for a time of fellowship, games and snacks. We will gather in Henley Hall at 7 pm, so come and join in the fun.

Please remember that on Sunday, March 14^th, daylight savings time begins. That means that on Saturday night before you go to bed, you need to move your clocks forward one hour. You will lose an hour of sleep, but the pastor promises a wake-up sermon.

Tom Whisenant and Anthony Satoro were ordained last Sunday evening to the office of deacon in First Baptist Church. In a beautiful and moving service, in which these men shared their testimonies and accepted the charge of service, the church voted unanimously to ordain them to this office. We are blessed as a church to have these and the others who serve so faithfully in this capacity.

Mark your calendars now! On Saturday, April 3^rd, beginning at 10 am, we will have our annual Children’s Easter Celebration. There will be games, songs, food, and of course, plenty of candy filled eggs for the boys and girls to hunt. Help us make this the biggest Easter celebration ever by inviting all the children in your neighborhood to come and join us.

Our Sunday School is growing. In February we averaged 115 which was the highest average we have had for that month. Don’t miss the fellowship in God’s Word at 9:45 am each Sunday.