Vol. 7 Iss. 51 01/30/18
The Messenger JESUS' PRESENCE ALWAYS BEARS FRUIT By Lakan Mariano
The story of my salvation is not about what I did but about what Jesus already did on the cross. The story of my salvation is not about me “walking down the aisle” (although I did), not about me saying “the sinner’s prayer” (although I cried out to Jesus to save me, several times that I can remember), nor even about me being baptized (I was baptized twice—once, after I became a believer, and second, because the Baptist church Kim and I wanted to join did not accept baptism by another denomination. Actually, I was baptized a third time, this past November. Ken Sheppard re-baptized me at the Jordan River in Israel.) I love to hear stories of people “getting saved.” But my excitement is tempered by my biblical understanding that true believers bear fruit. As the reformers would say, salvation is by faith alone but faith that is never alone. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” The very next verse tells us why. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (v. 10). A saved person will always bear fruit, sometimes the grief over his sins that leads to repentance, and maybe a slow but ever-growing delight in the things of God. God describes what He does when He saves us: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws” (Ezekiel 36:26-27). In This Issue From the Pastor AWANA Clubs Events & Upcoming Dates Ministry Opportunity Youth Ministries College Ministries Contact Information
“I will” is repeated several times to show us that it is God who is doing the work. God tells us to, “Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you” (2 Corinthians 13:5, MSG). ~~ Lakan
Vol. 7 Iss. 51 01/30/18
The Messenger We need your help. Please consider giving your time to help our AWANA Clubs on Wednesday nights this fall. These are the positions that we need to fill for the 2017-2018 year: •
Commander
Weekly Meetings:
•
T & T Director
Sunday School: Sunday - 9:30am Preschool-5th Grade
•
Spark’s Listeners
•
T & T Listeners
•
Special Nights Coordinator
•
Spark’s Helpers
•
T & T Helpers
Extended Session: Sunday - 10:45am Birth-Preschool Awana Clubs for Kids Wednesdays - 6:00pm FMI: Contact Philip Cross 277-7980 or @ the Church
We have a wonderful group of kids that have the desire to know more about the Lord. Please be in prayer of how God can use you in this ministry. FMI contact Philip Cross at (325) 277-7980.
We appreciate all our extended session workers. Please be in your place by 10:20am so you can be there before the children arrive. Please call Philip Cross @ 277-7980 if you are unable to work your extended session or if you have any questions. Extended Session Schedule: 2/4 Preston Lewallen Esther Bream 2/11 Elizabeth Torbett Nathan Stephenson 2/18 Cody Enck Marie Thorn 2/25 Rhiannon Kelso Jessalyn Cherry
Vol. 7 Iss. 51 01/30/18
The Messenger Foster Care Closet CURRENT NEEDS: Boys shoes size 9 to 11, pajamas for babies, toddlers and kids, plain white socks for newborn to age 2, newborn onesies, sleepers, Newborn diapers, baby wipes Visa/Mastercard & Walmart gift cards are always welcome and helpful. Thank you! “We care for the orphaned and vulnerable because we have been greatly cared for by Jesus: The gospel is our why. ~Jason Johnson Blog
Contribution Statements for 2017 are now available. They are in the church foyer. If you would to request your statement to be mailed or emailed to you, please call the church office 325-949-5788. Thank you for your support of College Hills Baptist Church. We appreciate you!
Vol. 7 Iss. 51 01/30/18
The Messenger
February 7 18
Awana Rodeo Night Church Leadership Meeting, 4:00 p.m. Work in Progress Room
March 2, 3, 4 Ladies Replenish Retreat Spring Break Week March 11 through March 18
“Live As Children of Light” Ephesians 5:8 b
March 2, 3, & 4th 2018 Texas Tech Retreat Center
18
Focus on the Cross Sunday, combined Sunday School (youth & up)
25
Taking the Cross to the World Sunday Combined Sunday School (youth & up)
Junction Texas
30
Good Friday, Church office closed
April 1
Cost: $125.00 ($50 Deposit due by 2/4/18 Stacy Stephenson 325-212-3932
Easter Sunday
Vol. 7 Iss. 51 01/30/18
The Messenger
Get Involved: Wednesdays: "Release" Bible Study & Fellowship .........6:30pm (The HUB)
Thursdays: College Free Lunch Noon to 1 Fellowship Hall during Spring & Fall Semester
Fridays: International Students Bible Study 6:00-8:00pm (College Hills Fellowship Hall)
Sundays: Bible Study [Hebrews]..................9:30am BodyLife Small Group………..…..5:00pm Worship…………………………....10:45am
Youth Ministry Sundays: Bible Study - 9:30am Upstairs Youth Room Wednesdays: Outbreak - 6:00pm Upstairs Youth Room
Vol. 7 Iss. 51 01/30/18
The Messenger HOW TO CONTACT US: By Mail: College Hills Baptist Church 2102 Johnson Ave San Angelo TX 76904
By Phone: 325.949.5788 By Fax: 325.949.6877 By Email:
info@collegehillsbc.org
Online: www.collegehillsbc.org
BodyLife
Home Groups
BodyLife Home Groups meet each Sunday evening at 6pm in host homes throughout the city to share a meal, join in fellowship, study the Word of God and pray for one another. All groups are open to anyone, so choose one and join us!
Host Homes: 208 EDINBURGH (Lakan Mariano) 2201 LIVE OAK
Led by: Jimmy Allen & Rex Stephenson
(Scott & Patsy Steele) Led by: Scott Steele & Greg Jackson
201 CHURCHILL BLVD (Sam Tracy Torbett)
Look us up on:
Led by: Philip Cross & James Reid
305 S. GARRETT ST (College) YOUR CHURCH STAFF: Lakan Mariano: Senior Pastor Philip Cross: Family & Education Pastor
Led by: Cole Calloway
1516 North St ( Youth-The Kelso’s) Childcare for Birth-PreK available at church nursery
Calendars are available on our website!
Justin Kelso: Interim Pastor to Students Micah Mariano: Worship Pastor Maggie Gonzales: Ministry Assistant CHURCH OFFICE HOURS: Monday—Thursday: 9:00AM—4:00PM
ELDERS AND DEACONS: These men are responsible for hospital visitation and are available to anyone who has needs. Elder Fred Rike…….….. 227-4208
Deacon Charles Harrison. 653-4386
Elder Andrew Siefker…...212-4410
Deacon Jerry Walls……...944-1876
Tuesday:
Elder Rex Stephenson…..942-9537
8:30AM—4:00PM
Elder Scott Steele. (562) 665-1349
Lunch Break: Noon—1:00PM
Elder JT Smith……….... 656-6205