Vol. 7 Iss. 45 12/19/17
The Messenger ORDINARY ENCOUNTERS Not wanting to wake up Cody, my roommate, I went downstairs in the lobby to read my Bible. I sat at the end of a sofa, close to an end table with a table lamp for better reading. It was also warmer there, being close to the fireplace. I smiled to myself as I heard “Silent Night” playing softly and settled on my reading. “Good morning!” The heavy accent was there but gone was the imperious tone. I was also reading my Bible the day before and I asked the desk clerk if I could get a cup of coffee in the dining room adjacent to the lobby. Breakfast started at 7:00 am and this was about 6:45 am.
“Sure. You can go ahead and sit in the dining room.” Five minutes later, J.T. and Chel Smith showed up, got their coffee and sat down with me. We were startled when she bellowed imperiously, “Who gave you permission to sit there? Breakfast is at 7!” I looked at my watch and it said 6:55. “I asked the desk clerk and he told me it was okay. We would be glad to move back to the lobby,” I offered. J.T. and Chel said the same thing to her and she reluctantly told us we could stay. So it surprised me the next morning when she even approached me and in a very nice tone asked me what I was doing up so early. Then she came back with a handful of tuffy candy and gave them to me. “For you and your friends.” “Thank you! Thank you very much.” I went back to reading my Bible. For the third time, she came up to me. “Listen. I see you’re reading the Bible. Jesus told us we need to pray. I need you and your group to pray for me. I’m having surgery Friday. But not now. Very busy getting breakfast ready.” “Yes, of course. We will pray for you. What is your name?” “Shahin.” After most of our group arrived, she warmly greeted everyone. She told everyone that it was so nice for her to find someone reading his Bible when she came to work that she was buying my first cup of coffee. Then she apologized that she could not afford to do that for everyone. I did not know what she meant since coffee came with our breakfast until she brought me a cup of cappuccino. Then she heard J.T. coughing and told him he needed to drink some concoction to take care of his cough. She disappeared for a while then she brought J.T. the drink she had prepared. I told the group about her situation and we prayed for her. As I was leaving breakfast, I thanked her for her kindness. “You obviously have heard about Jesus Christ,” I said to her. “Tell me, do you know him as your God and Savior?” In This Issue From the Pastor AWANA Clubs Events & Upcoming Dates Ministry Opportunity Youth Ministries College Ministries Contact Information
Oh, yes! I came to know Christ when I first immigrated to the UK from Iran fifteen years ago. It is so nice to know you and your group are brothers and sisters.” I thought about how small the world is and how connected we all are. Shahin is from Iran, ancient Persia. I thought about how God used them to free his people from their Babylonian captivity. I thought about Esther, who became queen of Persia and Mordecai, who became their ruler, second only to the king. I thought about the church today in Iran that is persistently vibrant in spite of, or may be because of, persecution. I thought about how Christ shows himself through some very ordinary encounters. ~Lakan
Vol. 7 Iss. 45 12/19/17
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: 12/24 Cody Enck 12/31 Rhiannon Kelso
Jessalyn Cherry
Vol. 7 Iss. 45 12/19/17
The Messenger
December 20 Churchwide Christmas Caroling Meet at the church at 6:00 p.m. December 24 Worship Service at 10:45 a.m. (no Sunday School)
Christmas Eve Service will begin at 4:45 p.m. with a String Quartet
December 25th—December 29th Family Week (No activities at church) Church office will be closed on December 25 & 26 And also on January 1, 2018 1/7/18 6:00 p.m. Israel Trip Report In the Awana Game Room
Vol. 7 Iss. 45 12/19/17
The Messenger Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for Foreign Missions College Hills Baptist Church Goal $10,000 Received to Date: $4,884.16 Decorations If you have decorations you are no longer using or are going to replace please consider donating them to the church. We would like to reuse, repurpose and revive what we have. You may drop them off in the church office. Thank you!
Foster Care Closet Replenish Ladies Retreat
“Live As Children of Light” Ephesians 5:8b
March 2, 3, & 4th 2018 Texas Tech Retreat Center Junction Texas Speaker: Patsy Steele Cost: $125.00 ($50 Deposit due by 1/28/18)
Current need: Bedding…sheets, pillowcases, blankets, pillows for all ages. Visa/Mastercard, Walmart, Target gift cards Are always welcome and useful “We care for the orphaned and vulnerable because we have been greatly cared for by Jesus: The gospel is our why. ~Jason Johnson Blog
Vol. 7 Iss. 45 12/19/17
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 6:00-8:0pm (College Hills Fellowship Hall)
Sundays: Bible Study [Hebrews]..................9:30am BodyLife Small Group………..…..5:00pm Worship…………………………....10:45am
College Hills Baptist Church Youth Group is the recipient of the ”Fundraiser Wash” for December 2017
Select “Fundraiser Wash” *Receive our best wash, including all soaps, waxes and polishes! *Auto Paradise will give $2 per fundraiser wash to CHBC Youth Group Go to any of these locations: 525 W. Ave N (next to KFC) 4960 Southland Blvd (behind Sam’s & Walmart)
Youth Ministry Sundays: Bible Study - 9:30am Upstairs Youth Room Wednesdays: Outbreak - 6:00pm Upstairs Youth Room
Vol. 7 Iss. 45 12/19/17
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)
Look us up on:
2201 LIVE OAK
Led by: Jimmy Allen & Rex Stephenson
(Scott & Patsy Steele) Led by: Scott Steele & Greg Jackson
201 CHURCHILL BLVD (Sam Tracy Torbett) Led by: Philip Cross & James Reid
2102 JOHNSON @ 5 (College Room) YOUR CHURCH STAFF: Lakan Mariano: Senior Pastor Philip Cross: Family & Education Pastor
Led by: Cole Calloway & Brad Grissom
1516 North St ( Youth-The Kelso’s) Childcare for Birth-PreK available at church
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: 8:30AM—4:00PM Friday: 9:00AM—4:00PM Lunch Break: Noon—1:00PM
ELDERS AND DEACONS: These men are responsible for hospital visitation and are available to anyone who has needs. Elder Fred Rike…….…227-4208 Elder Andrew Siefker…212-4410 Elder Rex Stephenson....942-9537
Deacon Charles Harrison. 653-4386 Deacon Jerry Walls……...944-1876