TheClarionV o l u m e l X V I I | N u m b e r 16 | s e p t e m b e r 9 , 2 015

In This Issue...

Coming up:

C h i l d r e n 4

F i r s t l i ne s 3

m i d w e e k m o o r i n g 3

m u s i c 10

t s p 6 & 7

Yo u t h 9

Helping Teachers Teach. Helping Leaders Lead!

Adult Sunday School Teachers Luncheon

Sunday, September 13, in the Fellowship Hallimmediately following morning worship.

Lunch will be provided

All current and potential Adult Sunday School leaders are invited to gather in the fellowship hall for a time of fellowship and discussion.

As the new Sunday School year kicks off the Adult Education Committee wants to challenge and encourage the leadership to continue their excellent work.

The content for this year’s gathering revolves around the mechanics of the teaching/learning process: the preparation for the learning time, the style of teaching, the use of media or visuals in the process and helpful hints in leading discussion.

The presenters will come from our own congregation and will share their experiences in these areas. We hope all current and potential leaders will attend.

s e p t e m b e r 11 - 12Youth mobile partysee page 9 for more info

s e p t e m b e r 12rise up! An event for Girlssee page 5 for more info

Parents’ Day Outsee page 5 for more info

Habitat for HumanityVolunteer! page 4 for info

s e p t e m b e r 13Financial peace universitysee page 4 for more info

s e p t e m b e r 13 - o C t 11Worship training for 4 & 5 yr. oldssee page 5 for more info

s e p t e m b e r 14Committee Night Church Council

s e p t e m b e r 2 0Youth Choir rehearsal beginssee page 10 for more info

WOrshiP Care is ChilD Care During Our sunDay mOrning WOrshiP serviCe. These PersOns have vOlunTeereD TO helP in The ComING Weeks:

Worship Care

Leader September 20 Julie ValentineSeptember 27 Barbara Matthews October 4 Jeanie Escalona

Infants and CreepersSeptember 20 Molly Ferguson & Kathleen DavisSeptember 27 Roxie Keenan & Pauletta ReevesOctober 4 Melanie Johnston & Valinda Bolton

ToddlersSeptember 20 Ginny & Dan BarrettSeptember 27 Kathy & Jim Dunham

October 4 Ginger & George Craddock

2’s and 3’sSeptember 20 Rachel & Petr SidopulosSeptember 27 Danielle & Keith McBurnettOctober 4 Ginger & Brad Young

Deadline Publication DateSeptember 17 September 23October 1 October 7

Please email submissions to Clarion@fbcaustin.org

Clarion Deadline

The Zollie Steakley Men’s Bible Study Class is available online athttp://www.fbcaustin.org/content.cfm?id=2038

Listen on the Website

s u n D ay, s e P T e m b e r 13Church Library Closed for Renovation11:00 am Worship: Rev. Dr. Stephen Jolly, preacher12:15 pm Adult Sunday School Luncheon & Workshop12:30 pm Cantamos Luncheon & Rehearsal2:00 pm Financial Peace University

m O n D ay, s e P T e m b e r 146:45 am Men’s Bible Study5:30 pm Committee Meeting 7:00 pm Church Council

T u e s D ay, s e P T e m b e r 1510:00 am Staff Meeting6:30 pm Contemplative Prayer Meeting - Chapel hallway

W e D n e s D ay, s e P T e m b e r 16 5:00 pm Children’s Choirs5:30 pm Dinner6:00 pm Mission Friends 6:00 pm Sanctuary Handbells Rehearsal6:00 pm Midweek Readings6:00 pm Youth MLF6:15 pm GAs & RAs6:15 pm Midweek Moorings 7:20 pm Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

T h u r s D ay, s e P T e m b e r 17 Clarion Deadline

s u n D ay, s e P T e m b e r 2 0Church Library Closed for Renovation9:30 am Sunday School11:00 am Worship: Rev. Dr. Stephen Jolly, preacher12:15 pm Sundaes on Sunday

m O n D ay, s e P T e m b e r 216:45 am Men’s Bible Study6:00 pm Deacons’ Meeting

T u e s D ay, s e P T e m b e r 2 210:00 am Staff Meeting12:00 pm Reading Round Table 6:30 pm Contemplative Prayer Meeting - Chapel hallway

W e D n e s D ay, s e P T e m b e r 2 35:00 pm Children’s Choirs5:30 pm Dinner6:00 pm Mission Friends6:00 pm Sanctuary Handbells Rehearsal6:00 pm Midweek Readings6:15 pm GAs & RAs6:15 pm Midweek Moorings: 7:20 pm Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

C h u r C h C a l e n D a rW e e k lY

september

30 Business Meeting

oCtober

3 Deacons BBQ at Still Waters

3 Literacy Event at Oak Springs Elem.

5 Committee Night

16-18 Church-wide Camp-out at Buescher

17 Parents’ Night Out

19 Deacons’ Meeting

20 Reading Round Table

23-24 TSP presents:

Heralding the Holidays Fundraiser

25-Nov. 1 IHN Week

NoVember

2 Committee Night & Church Council

4-22 Into the Woods

7 Habitat for Humanity Build Day

14 Enneagram Workshop

14 Parents’ Night Out

15 Agape Service & Dinner

pA G e 2 september 9 , 2015

C h u r C h C a l e n D a rY e A r lY

tHANk You!

Dear friends at First Baptist,

My family and I want to express our deep appreciation for the love and care shown to my husband, Jack Ferrell, during the long years of his illness. Every card, visit, and flower was uplifting. Especially comforting have been your prayers.

Sicerely,Joanna Ferrell, Audrey Ferrell, Mary Ellen and Jed Burns

s u n D ay, s e P T e m b e r 2 7Church Library Closed for Renovation11:00 am Worship: Rev. Dr. Stephen Jolly, preacher12:30 pm Cantamos Rehearsal ???

s e p t e m b e r 9 , 2 015 pAGe 3

COme be anChOreD again…miDWeek mOOrings On

WeDnesDay nighT s5 : 3 0 P m - D i n n e r

6 : 0 0 p m - A N N o u N C e m e N t s , H Y m N , p r AY e r C o N C e r N s 6 : 3 0 p m - p r o G r A m

Coming Up: s e p t e m b e r 16 - Doug keenan and barry Click talking about “Hopeful Grief”s e p t e m b e r 2 3 , 3 0 - bible study led by steve Jolly

MIDWEEK

MOORINGS

F I r s t l I N e s by Steve Jolly

Have you ever watched the Olympics? The skill and conditioning of the athletes is amazing. There is an ancient Greek word used to describe the process of reaching such performance quality: discipline. We often think of discipline as a negative as in punishment for bad behavior. Yet, originally, “discipline” was the routine of exercise to make one faster, stronger and better skilled.

In his book, Working the Angles, Baptist minister Eugene Peterson makes a similar analogy about our spiritual life. Peterson notes spiritual health has, over the centuries, been rooted in having religious “disciplines.” Without them, we can find ourselves spiritually weak or overwhelmed in times of crisis. By having a spiritual “discipline,” we have our relationship to God enriched, develop a moral compass amid tempestuous times and glean the ability to be emotionally, psychologically and spiritually “centered,” peaceful in all life’s circumstances. Like an athlete, we’re stronger and better for the effort.

Peterson notes that in the Christian tradition, three “exercises” are affirmed. First is Prayer. To talk with our Creator, whether by the use of a prayer book or freeform expression, is vital. Our Lord spoke in creation and gave us, “The Word made flesh”- and prayer is our response to God’s Word.

How do we listen to God? Reading Scripture. It matters not if it is connected to devotional material or one reads from the pages of the Bible. In it, God speaks directly to us, teaches us and encourages us.

The final discipline is Corporate life. It means we need to be together with other faithful Christians, whether it is worship, Sunday school or a prayer group. The key is to be with believers who know your soul. They celebrate your successes, tend you when wounded and are honest with you when self-destructive.

Want to be better within your spiritual life? Then “discipline” yourself in prayer, Bible reading and involvement in church life. And note that September is a great time to start all three!

- SNJ

are yOu a reaDer? enjOy DisCussing anD sharing abOuT WhaT is CurrenTly On yOur nighT sTanD?T h e n j O i n u s f O r r e a D i n g r O u n T a b l e !

Every 3rd Tuesday of the month in the parlor.

at 12:00 p.m.

Bring a sack lunch, dessert and drinks are provided.

Come share the books you have read and get ideas of what you might like to read.

A fun fellowship for those who love to read!

A N e W o F F e r I N G o N W e D n e s D ay n i g h T sm i D W e e k r e a D i n g sWednesdays thru Oct 21 6:00-7:15 pm

Join us for a new Wednesday night offering called, Midweek Readings! This group will gather to discuss the book, The Great Emergence by Phyllis Tickle. This is a well written, provocative book

that will resonate with many at First Austin and should spark meaningful conversation.

If you have any questions or would like to join Midweek Readings, call or email Jared, 512 476 2625 or jslack@fbcaustin.org. We will order a book for you, (the cost is $15) or you may order online yourself.

Ever wonder how long someone has worked for First Austin? Check out this box in the next few Clarions and see.

Lupe Sepulveda, Custodian -- 5 YearsSarah Zeringue, Ministry Assistant --4 YearsWillard Crayton, Custodian --15Carrie Houston, Ministry Assistant -- 6 Months

Y e A r s o F s e r V I C e

pA G e 4 september 9, 2015

sChOOl suPPlies fOr Oak sPrings anD oVertoN elemeNtArY sCHoolsSupport our Elementary School Partners with much needed school supplies!

Place your donations in the barrels on the 1st floor.• Kleenex tissue• Ziplock bags- quarts and gallons• Spiral notebooks• Pocket folders• Pencils• Scissors• School glue• Rulers• Crayons• Map pencils• Markers

First Baptist Church of Austin is offering the life-changing program, Financial Peace University, taught on video by best-selling author and financial counselor Dave Ramsey. The total money makeover course empowers and teaches you how to make the right money decisions to achieve your financial goals and God's plan for your life. First Austin's Financial Peace University class starts September 13th and will meet every Sunday (skipping the week of November 1st) at 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm for nine weeks in the Parlor. The course includes practical lessons on eliminating debt, cash flow planning, investing wisely, building wealth and giving like never before. The course has information for everyone, from the financially secure to the financially distressed. More than 1 million families across the U.S. have attended Financial Peace University. On average, graduates of the course have paid off more than $5,300 in debt and saved $2,700 during the 9-week program. Registration cost is only $102.30 per family and includes the FPU class workbook, access to online resources and tools, a copy of Dave Ramsey's Complete Guide to Money book, the FPU Envelope System, an FPU Progress Chart, and more! To register, just visit bit.ly/AustinFPU and complete the short form or call the church office at First Baptist Church of Austin at 512-476-2625. Registration deadline is September 6th.

F I r s t A u s t I N p A r t I C I p A t e s I N tHe HAbItAt For HumANItY FAll fa iTh builDVolunteers needed! Come make a difference in the world! First Austin, along with 10 other local churches are funding and building a house for Driss El Jazouli, a native of Morocco, currently working for Yellow Cab who dreams of owning his own home, starting a family and opening a Moroccan restaurant.

First Austin volunteers will work September 12 or November 7. We need 10 volunteers each build day. On November 7, we will also provide lunch for the entire work crew, so will need volunteers to help serve that day. If you have questions or would like to sign up, Contact Bill Eversole at bill@wjeversole.com or 512 963 2410.

s e p t e m b e r 9 , 2 015 pA G e 5

Children’s MinistryCalendar of Events Every Sunday:sunday school @ 9:30 a.m.

Every Wednesday: (Re-Starting Sept 2)Chi ldren’s Choir rehear sal @ 5:00 p.m.

miss ions Fr iend @ 6:00 p.m.

rA & GA @ 6:15 p.m

September12 rise up and Dance!

12 Parents’ Day Out

13 Worship training

14 Preschool & Children’s Committee mtg.

20 Worship training

27 Worship training

September Birthdays4 Asa6 murphy mcbride11 bella11 Amy14 bethany17 ellis22 Analisa25 Jenny Cooke-schuchmann28 Caitlin

Parents’ Night OutThe next Parents’ Night Out is September 12 from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm. Cost is $10 per child with a $20 family maximum. Send a sack supper with your child. Contact Dorothy Strickland at dstrickland@fbcaustin.org to make reservations.

Future dates for 2015 Parents’ Night and Day Out are October 17 (PNO), November 14 (PNO) and December 12 (PDO). PNO is 5:30 to 9:30 pm. PDO is 11:30 to 3:30 pm.

September Sunday SchoolPreschool children are learning about God’s care through stories from the book of Genesis. Elementary children are learning about how God interacts with us through the Bible stories of Adam and Eve, Noah’s family and Abraham, Sarah and Lot. Babies and toddlers will experience God’s love through the smiles and the gentle touch of their teachers and care givers. Come join us at 9:30 am every Sunday. Teachers, friends and Bible stories are ready and waiting for your children!

WOrshiP Training fOr 4 & 5 year OlDssePT. 13, 20, 27 anD OCT. 4 & 11During the worship hour, four year olds (by Sept 1, 2015) and Kindergarteners may learn about the different parts of our worship service and how they can participate more fully. Meet Ms. Julie Valentine at the back of the sanctuary right after the children’s sermon or when noted in the worship bulletin.

First through Sixth grade girls and their mothers/adult female guardians are invited to attend a fun and empowering event to discuss body parts and body image, and to take part in empowering activities such as dance, yoga and art! If you know a special young lady who would be interested, please reach out to Belynda Montgomery at belynda@bbmweddings.com so we can send her a formal invitation!

pA G e 6 s e p te m be r 9 , 2 015

O u r T O W n : l a u g h T e r , T e a r s , a n D C r e A t I N G C o m m u N I t Y“The best thing TSP has done yet,” propositioned one First Austin church member after seeing Our Town, produced by Trinity Street Players in May this year.

With a cast open to being challenged, Director Manuel Zarate had an open palate, a blank page upon which to create a masterpiece. Typically “supporting roles” took center stage and drove the community of the play through Act One and Act Two. From Howie the Milkman (Bill Newchurch) to Simon Stinson the choir director (Trey Deason) to little sister Rebecca Gibbs (Marina DeYoe-Pedraza) the audience spent as much time being touched by them as by the typical main characters. This amazing ensemble worked together to create a community, a town, upon which a broken Emily Webb (played by TSP newcomer, Kelsey Mazak) in the graveyard of Act Three to utter, “Does anyone ever realize life as they live it?”

Do we?Despite having watched rehearsals and performances for two months, I still stood after the show with Rev. Doug Keenan and we both cried as we talked about end of life issues and the many other themes the show stirs within our hearts and souls.

But the show touched more than just the hearts of audience members. It was a very communal event for the cast and crew too. With six church members (Valinda Bolton, Julie Latimer, Baxter Lowrimore, Gelsomina and Daniel Meglino, and Joe Grady Moore III) and fifteen guests to the church performing, there was a strong bond created. They even have their own private Facebook group titled, “Forever Citizens of Our Town.” This cast and crew continues to support one another months after closing by attending one another’s shows, having dinners, and offering hopeful words to one another in hard times.

It’s exactly what I hope happens during every production done by Trinity Street Players.

Not only that, but it was a great growing period for the performers. Nate Dunaway, who played George Gibbs, said to me after one show, “I think I just gave the best performance of my life thus far.” You can imagine what that did to my heart and pride - that someone would experience that euphoria in our black box. The critics loved it too - and so did our theatre patrons - church members and visitors. I even created a new

t H e F I r s t F e W s C e N e s hashtag for TSP: #PleasedPatrons to share with cyberspace some of the great compliments the performance and the church received. Here’s one of my favorites: “I’m 94 and have seen Our Town many times over the years. This is my favorite!”

One of the unique features of TSP’s Our Town was Zarate’s integration of music into the scenes. Beyond the hymns played and sung

in Simon Stinson’s church, Zarate cast Gelsomina and Daniel Meglino as towns children who also narrated the play with their violin and cello. With Gelsomina representing time (and maybe even the Holy Spirit), her performance was breathtaking and broke my heart night after night.

“Oh earth, you’re too wonderful for anyone to realize you.” Well, here’s to trying. From a very grateful Artistic Director, I say, thank you church, thank you cast, and thank you crew. You’re too wonderful.

The full cast and crew of Our Town included Scot Friedman (Stage Manager), Nate Dunaway and Kelsey Mazak (George & Emily), Steve Williams and Circe Sturm (Mr. & Mrs. Webb), LeRoy Nienow and LiAnne Valerio (Mr. & Mrs. Gibbs), Baxter Lowrimore, Bill & Jane Newchurch, Daniel & Gelsomina Meglino, Joe Grady Moore III, Julie Spears, Marina DeYoe-Pedraza, Megan Hudson, Mike Dellens, Ryan Wilson, Trey Deason, and Valinda Bolton. They received lights, sound and costumes from a devoted crew including Manuel Zarate, April Hudson, David Weaver, James Jennings, Gabriel Chance, Mandy Marcuccilli and Cathy Jones!

s e p t e m b e r 9 , 2 015 pA G e 7

h e r a l D i n g T h e h O l i D ay s : a T s P f u n D r a i s e rIf you missed Haunted Songs last year, you will not want to miss TSP’s fundraiser this October! Another fun-filled night of laughter, singing, and adorable performances, TSP will do another musical review, but we’re not limiting ourselves to Halloween. We’re gonna get all those holidays in!

Trinity Street Players receives a generous $7500 a year from First Austin, but that is not nearly enough to produce two or three shows (royalties, costumes, sets, etc), buy advertising, and pay an artistic director to run the ministry (Ann’s salary is paid for independent of the church’s budget). To cover all these costs the TSP Black Box is rented out

when TSP isn’t doing a show. And, we’ve created an amazingly fun fundraising event. It began last year with a spookily spectacular Haunted Songs and will continue this year with Heralding the Holidays: from New Year’s to Christmas, songs showcasing theatre’s best holiday tunes.

What can patrons expect this year? White Christmas? Mame? Wicked? - what theatrical greats do you think might be showcased?

Like last year, tickets will be sold for $25, $50 and $100 a seat. There will be another basket silent auction, and more amazing snacks sold reflecting the “seasons” of our year! Stay tuned for more information on purchasing a ticket to help this amazing (but a little expensive) ministry that welcomes hundreds and hundreds of people into our church every year!

t s p p r e s e N t s t H e F I N A l C H A p t e r O f 2 015 … i n T O T h e W O O D s !This fall, Trinity Street Players will collaborate again with the Austin Jewish Repertory Theatre to present the award-winning classic, Into the Woods, by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine. An amazing musical and now a major motion picture, Into the Woods re-introduces us to fairy tale characters whose stories entangle as they go into the woods. From Cinderella (played by First Austin’s Sarah Zeringue) to Little Red Riding Hood’s Big Bad Wolf (Zilker Hillside and ZACH’s Leslie Hethcox), this is a story about wishes, losses, love, and, well, story-telling.

Over 75 people auditioned for Into the Woods, and Director Adam Roberts (AJRT) and Assistant Director, Amy Downing (First Austin) whittled it down to the following amazing cast:

Witch: Ann Pittman (First Austin)Cinderella: Sarah Zeringue (First Austin)Cinderella’s Prince: Leslie Hethcox (Austin Playhouse’s Chicago)Baker: Michael Ferstenfeld (ZACH’s In the Next Room)Baker’s Wife: Ryan Smith (ZACH’s Jesus Christ Superstar)Rapunzel: Taylor Moessinger (Austin Theatre Project’s Trailer Park Musical)Rapunzel’s Prince: Travis Gaudin (Zilker’s Hairspray)Jack and the Beanstalk: Keith Gruber (McNeil High School’s Hairspray)Jack’s Mother: Ginger Young (First Austin)The Giant: Milaka Falk (Jewish Community Center - JCC)Little Red Riding Hood: Samantha Bagdon (Zilker’s Hairspray)Cinderella’s StepMother: Amie King (First Austin)

Cinderella’s Stepsisters: Tiana Stuart (ACC’s Antigone) and Kristen DeGroot (Frederickburg’s Evita)Cinderella’s Father: Carl Gonzales (City Theatre’s A Funny Thing... Forum)Narrator: Rick Felkins (TSP/AJRT’s Fiddler on the Roof)Milky White: Sue Billich (JCC)Steward: Ryan Wilson (TSP’s Our Town)

These actors will be joined by a crew including Jeff Miller (stage manager/sound), Debra Watkins (costumer), David Weaver and Steve Williams (set construction), Creighton Moench, Cathy Jones, Pat Presley and hopefully many more volunteers.

If you would like to help make Into the Woods a success, please email Ann at anncpittman@gmail.com. TSP needs help with feeding actors, box office, puppetry and props, costumes, and so much more!

Into the Woods begins rehearsing in mid-September and FREE performances are November 4-22 Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays!

pA G e 8 september 9, 2015

C l A r I o N o N - l I N eIf you are willing and able to view The Clarion on-line, just sign up to receive the FBC e-News. You will receive the link to The Clarion when each issue is published. To sign up e-mail Carrie Houston at chouston@fbcaustin.org or fill out an E-news card in the pews during worship.

If you wish to no longer receive a hard-copy of The Clarion through the snail mail, please email Carrie Houston at chouston@fbcaustin.org.

You can also view The Clarion on-line by going to www.fbcaustin.org and in the left hand column you’ll see “View the latest issue of The Clarion.” Click on that and it will take you to the web page with all the Clarions listed. You can then click on whichever Clarion you wish to view. You can do this at any time.

Tickets are now on sale for Jarrott Productions’ fall performances of Freud’s Last Session by Mark St. Germain. Based on Armand Nicholi’s book, The Question of God, St. Germain imagines the two intellectual giants, Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis, meeting at Freud’s London home on the eve of Great Britain entering World War II and taking each other on over the meaning of life, love, sex, and the existence of God. Come witness this theatricalized debate of materialism versus spirituality.

Performed at our very own Trinity Street Theatre, located on the fourth floor, Freud’s Last Session will play from Wednesday, September 23rd through Sunday, October 18th, 2015. Wednesday through Saturday performances will begin at 8 pm and Sunday matinees start at 2:30 pm. Tickets are $20 for general admission or $15 for seniors (60+) and students with valid IDs.

Freud's Last Session will feature Tyler Jones as C.S. Lewis and David Jarrott as Sigmund Freud, and will be directed by Fritz Ketchum.

Book your session now. Tickets are available at www.jarrottproductions.com. Seating is limited.

l I t e r A C Y e V e N t At o A k s p r I N G s e l e m e N tA r Y3601 Webberville rD 78725saTurDay, OCTOber 3, 2015 frOm 9 am TO nOOnOak Springs Elementary is planning a Literacy Day! The 4 year old Pre-K classes & their families are invited. The Oak Springs teachers plan to have book readings, puppet shows, and hopefully surprise visits by a storybook character or two! The main project for each family is building a small bookcase. The families will get to decorate their bookcase and there will be books for them to take home to fill their bookcase. The Oak Springs teachers hope to encourage the Pre-K families to read more books together at home.

First Baptist Church will provide the raw materials and tools for building the bookcases.

The following items can be donated for the Literacy Day:•reusablegrocerybags/canvasbags(forthefamiliesto take books home)•children’sbooks-forallagekids(picturebooksthroughchapter books); no restrictions on characters, etc.

On Saturday, October 3rd, volunteers are wanted to help the families build bookshelves. Also, volunteers are invited to read for the read-aloud circle time.

Please mark your calendars for this date and contact Dorothy Strickland dstrickland@fbcaustin.org if you want to help out! It will be a great event for the whole family!

bGCt ANNuAl meetING November 8-10, 2015 at the Dr Pepper Arena, Embassy Suites, Frisco Hotel & Convention Center at Frisco, Texas

“Calling All the Messengers“ by Lecrae has become one of my favorite work-out songs. The pulsing beat and captivating lyrics urge us as God’s messengers

to reflect his image and speak up. For 130 years, the Baptist General Convention of Texas has called messengers from Texas Baptist churches to gather for worship, fellowship and business.

This year, we’ll examine Baptist Distinctives and share the reasons we choose to be Baptist. Together we’ll explore our deep roots and celebrate our living legacy through inspiring worship, enlightening workshops and educational exhibits.

For more information or to register, visit: http://texasbaptists.org/annual-meeting

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pA G e 10 september 9 , 2015

sunDays, sePTember 13, 20, 27

Youth Choir (6th-12th grades) – Beginning September 20: 9:00am in the Rehearsal Hall, Louise Avant and Deb Keenan, Directors

Cantamos – 12:15 on September 13 in the Rehearsal Hall, Women’s Ensemble, Louise Avant, Director

WeDnesDays, sePTember 16, 23, 30

Bethlehem Choir 5 to 5:30 pm in Room 129 in the Preschool Suite, three-year-olds; Sybi Ward and Katie Sayre, Teachers

Melody Choir 5 to 5:40 pm in Room 152 – four to five-year-olds; Debra Watkins, Teacher

Carol Choir 5 to 5:45 pm in Room 164 - 1st & 2nd graders; Louise Avant and Elizabeth Gilligan, Teachers

Celebration Choir 5 to 5:50 pm in the Rehearsal Hall, 3rd-5th Grade; Margaret Henderson, Teacher

Sanctuary Handbell Ringers - 6:00-7:00 pm in Rm. 168, Bob Avant, Director

Sanctuary Choir - 7:20 to 9 pm in the Rehearsal Hall, Louise Avant, Director

We extend to you an open invitation to join choir!! Please call Louise Avant, our Minister of Music, at 478-2241 for more information.

musIC mINIstrY mIssIoN stAtemeNt

We will actively endeavor to impart the Gospel message through words and song, using the best of our faith, our resources, and ourselves. We will assist the congregation in discovering and developing their artistic gifts, preparing them to participate fully in worship. We will use our creative gifts to reach out into the community and draw people to God through all forms of art, including dance, drama, music and the visual arts.

C H o r A l r e H e A r s A l s

m u s I C m I N I s t r Y YoutH CHoIrs beGINYoutH CHoIrs Are About to beGIN For tHe sCHool YeAr At FIrst AustIN

Youth Choirs are about to begin at First Baptist Church. Trinity Chorus is 6-8 graders and Imago Dei is 9-12 graders. All grades meet together and will begin Sunday, September 20 at 9:00am in the Rehearsal Room. The youth fill out their own registration cards, but they need parental encouragement to attend! The option is always open to move the rehearsal to a time that might be more amenable to all. Please feel free to discuss this with Louise.

Why do we have a youth choir?

We begin with scripture: “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises. Psalm 98:4. Sung texts are internalized; they become deeply planted in the hearts and minds of our youth. Putting God’s Word to music is the best possible anchor to secure them in the midst of life’s murky waters and raging storms.

Our youth need each other. Choir is yet another place where they can connect. By encouraging consistent attendance at both rehearsals and performances they learn about commitment to others and to God. They learn that each person is crucial to the group - that each person missing is a link out of the chain.

Church choir is not just another option in the long list of activities that are available to our youth. It is an activity that gives them a place where they are loved and affirmed for who they are, a place where they learn about the love of God for them and a place where they are encouraged to use their gifts for the Kingdom. Please prayerfully consider encouraging your youth to participate in choir this year. A schedule for the year will be available soon.

Please see the list of choirs under Rehearsals. See you in September. Any questions or concerns? Please call Louise at 512-478-2241, ext. 219 or email her at lavant@fbcaustin.org.

WOrD & musiC fOr WOrshiPsunDay, sePTember 20 -

17tH sunDay afTer PenTeCOsTWord: Rev. Dr. Stephen Jolly, Preacher, Where Do They See Jesus?, John 12:20-21 and Matthew 25:34-40Music: I Believe This Is Jesus, Spiritual arr. Undine Smith Moore, Sanctuary Choir

sunDay, sePTember 2718tH sunDay afTer PenTeCOsT

Word: Rev. Dr. Stephen Jolly, Preacher, When the Stars Begin to Fall, Romans 8:31-39 and Matthew 24:1-3, 29-41Music: My Lord, What a Morning, Spiritual, arr. H. T. Burleigh, Sanctuary Choir

sunDay, OCTOber 4 - WOrlD COmmuniOnWord: Rev. Dr. Stephen Jolly, Preacher, All One Body, We?, John 17:13-23Music: Amen Siakudumisa, South African, arr. Cameron F. LaBarr, Sanctuary Choir

m I N I s t e r I A l s t A F F

Steve Jolly, Interim Senior Pastor sjolly@fbcaustin.org ext. 202

Doug Keenan, Minister of Pastoral Care dkeenan@fbcaustin.org ext. 210

Dorothy Strickland, Minister to Children dstrickland@fbcaustin.org ext. 208

Louise Avant, Minister of Music lavant@fbcaustin.org ext. 218

Joe Bumbulis, Minister to Students and Mission jbumbulis@fbcaustin.org ext. 209

Jared Slack, Minister to Young Adults & Discipleship jslack@fbcaustin.org ext. 205

o F F I C e s t A F FMarshall Smith, Business Administrator msmith@fbcaustin.org ext. 207

Sarah Zeringue, Ministry Assistant szeringue@fbcaustin.org ext. 204

Carrie Houston, Ministry Assistant chouston@fbcaustin.org ext. 201

Kathy Bonner, Financial Secretary kbonner@fbcaustin.org ext. 206

Elizabeth O’Brien, Music & Bulletin ext. 219 musicoffice@fbcaustin.org bulletin@fbcaustin.org

Publications clarion@fbcaustin.org ext. 212 Amie King, Media Coordinator media@fbcaustin.org

b u i l D i n g s T a f fJim Stanford, Facilities Manager jstanford@fbcaustin.org ext. 226

(USPS 193-420)Periodicals Postage Paid

at Austin, TexasPublished semi-monthly by First Baptist Church,

901 Trinity, Austin, Texas

Mailer - Austex PrintingPOSTMASTER:

Send address change to The Clarion

901 Trinity, Austin, Texas 78701

The Clarion

o N e m I N u t e F I N A N C I A l s

s e p t e m b e r 9 , 2 015 pA G e 11

Thank you for your contributions. Time, talents and financial involvement are all important to the health of our congregation. Big or small, your gifts matter. Through July, our 2015 tithes and offerings were $116,023 less than budgeted. In the month of July our General Fund expenses exceeded our income by $24,394, while year to date our income had exceeded our expenses by $71,836.

Through July, our year to date Garage Fund income had exceeded our regular loan payments and garage operating expenses by $145,225, allowing us to pay an extra $130,000 toward garage loan principal so far this year.

u n i f i e D m i s s i O n s g i v i n g , f i s C a l y e a r ( a u g - j u ly ) :

F I N A l - $ 14 , 87 7Millie Bishop

Margaret Anderson

Jimmie Beck

Patsy Harrison

Donald Keeney

Pat Presley

Carolyn Womack

Don Searles

Bob Smith

Kathryn Chamberlain

Scott Walker

Rogers Wilson

*Walter Ashby

*Gayle Kindle

*Emery Nextoux

*Steven Weikal

*Joyce Norman

*Bethany Law

*Dan Raff

*Leah West Stanley

*Allen Patterson

* friends and family

speCIAl prAYers

To Margie Mines on the death of her niece, Kira Mason.

To Barbara Matthews on the death of her mother, Evelyn Kemerling.

sYmpAtHY

s e p t e m b e r 2 7 - The flowers in the sanctuary are given to the Glory of God and in memory of Frances Walton Dumitru. Five children and four granddaughters celebrate the feisty and funny Fran and her inspirational courage she brought to her challenge of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases and her love of music and the love of the choir. From her husband Earl.

AltAr FloWers

If you enjoy the beautiful flowers we have in worship each Sunday, consider contributing to the flower fund in memory or in honor of a loved one’s birthday, anniversary or special event. Please contact Carrie Houston at the church office, 512-476-2625.

OrDer alTar flOWers

m I s s I o N s t A t e m e N tthe mission of First baptist Church of Austin:

to worship God in Christ with heart, mind and spirit;To share the good news of god’s love and saving grace;

to teach all who come to be disciples, nurturing within each the discovery of

spiritual gifts for the sake of the kingdom;to embrace our community and beyond, serving all people as if they were Christ;

to encourage the sharing of our life together, deepening our commitment to the

responsible stewardship of all our resources.

9 01 t r I N I t Y A u s t I N , t e X A s 7 87 01 p H o N e : 512 . 476 . 2 6 2 5 F A X : 512 . 474 . 4 3 6 0 W W W. F b C A u s t I N . o r G

P e r i O D i C a l sP O s T a g e Pa i D

A t A u s t I N , t e X A s

Sundaes on Sunday

Eat dessert first!

Join us Sunday, September 20, 2015 right after

church for a tasty treat provided by Amy’s Ice

Cream, in the Great Hall.

As we appreciate all that you give First Austin

through your time, talents, and treasurers.

(Sponsored by Strategy 2-A, Equip and mobilize servants.)