Vol. 7 Iss. 17
The Messenger NO MORE PITY PARTIES The pain of losing someone is real. Every time I sit in front of the computer at home, I had this giddy sense of expectation that something wonderful is about to happen. After our daughter Rachel went away to college, Kim would sleep until about 7 am. The first thing she did after she got up was take a shower. Even though I was very absorbed in my studies, there was an excitement in me because I knew that in a few minutes she would come in to the piano room where I was.
“Good morning,” she would greet me cheerfully as she sat on my lap. I would wrap my arms around her and we would hold each other often in silence but communicating volumes. After a couple of minutes, she would get up to get her a cup of coffee. I miss that. I miss a thousand other ordinary moments like that. But the Lord is wonderfully gracious in diverting my attention from me to the sufficiency of His grace in those moments. When we lose someone and we hurt badly, we have a tendency to throw a pity party. Pity parties lure us with the promise of relief, but they just feed you with bowlfuls of ashes. Because a pity party is about ME, the person I see in the mirror. You can never find relief when your focus is on YOU. But when we learn to look at God and His Word and His promises we are comforted by His generosity and the glory of the future for believers. That is why the Lord tells us, “... you must not carry on over them like people who have nothing to look forward to, as if the grave were the last word. Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, MSG). The pain of losing someone is real. But more real than that is the confident hope we have in Jesus Christ that we will see our loved ones again, if they also knew Christ as their savior and God. So stop the pity party long enough to see the sufficiency of Christ's grace for us. Not only grace for today but also for the future. -Lakan
In This Issue From the Pastor AWANA Clubs Events & Upcoming Dates Ministry Opportunity Youth Ministries College Ministries Contact Information
Vol. 7 Iss. 17
The Messenger 4/26/17: Grand Prix Work Night Sparks & Cubbie Store Weekly Meetings: Sunday School: Sunday - 9:30am Preschool-5th Grade Extended Session: Sunday - 10:45am Birth-Preschool AWANA Clubs: Wednesdays - 6:00pm Preschool - 5th Grade During the school year FMI: Contact Philip Cross 277-7980 or @ the Church
AWANA Clubs Wednesdays 6-7:30pm PreK-5th Grade Runs Concurrent with the School Year
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: 4-30 Cody Ench Nikki Bible 5-7 Rhiannon Kelso Jessalyn Cherry 5-14 Gina Puckett Kaylee Rutherford
Preteen Garage Sale: May 5 & 6 8am –1pm Preteen Camp: July 30-August 2 FMI: Speak with Philip Cross
Vol. 7 Iss. 17
The Messenger CVBA Senior Adult Singing
You are invited to a Wedding Shower for
If you would like to participate in a relaxed, fun evening of fellowship and worship with family across the CVBA, come to
Caitlin Gilliam, Bride-elect of Nicholas McGuire, and granddaughter of the late Bob & Lucille Gilliam, To be held on
Belmore Baptist (1214 South Bell @ Medina Dr) at 6:00pm on Monday, May 1st and you are sure to experience a blessing as we bless God in song!
Sunday, April 30th at 2:00 (come and go) at College Hills Baptist Church Registered at Bed, Bath, and Beyond and MyRegistry.com
Mantastic! 2017 Men’s retreat “Come, take your manliness to the next level!”
May 28-June 2 For Men (9th Grade & Up)
Cost: $150 Each 4/30/17: $50 Due (non-refundable deposit) Remainder due by May 28, 2017 FMI: Speak with Justin Kelso
Vol. 7 Iss. 17
The Messenger
5/5– 5/6: Pre-Teen Garage Sale 5/7: Youth Burrito Fundraiser College Graduate Recognition
5/13: ASU Graduation 5/14: Mother’s Day - Church-wide Breakfast 5/21: High School Graduate Recognition 5/27: SAISD Graduations 5/28-6/2: Men’s Retreat (Pagosa Springs, CO) 5/29: Memorial Day– Church Office closed 6/12 - 6/16: Southside VBS
Youth Summer Mission Trip
Youth Ministry Sundays: Bible Study - 9:30am Upstairs Youth Room
Wednesdays: Outbreak - 6:00pm Upstairs Youth Room
FMI: Contact Ryan Connel 325 227-2778 or contact the Church
Vol. 7 Iss. 17
The Messenger Join us in praying, as we seek to fill the Administrative Assistant ministry position. We are now accepting applications. If you or someone you know would like to apply, please direct them to the church office or our website. Thank you!
Get Involved: Mondays: College Ladies’ Group ……………………..6 :00pm… 30 Clare Dr.
Wednesdays: "Release" Bible Study & Fellowship.........6:30pm (The HUB)
Thursdays: Ask Me Anything Free Lunch.....11:30am-1:30pm (College Hills Fellowship Hall)
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 BodyLife Home Groups................6:00pm
Vol. 7 Iss. 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 Look us up on:
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)
2639 PARKVIEW (J.T. & Michelle Smith) Led by: Andrew Siefker 2201 LIVE OAK
YOUR CHURCH STAFF: Lakan Mariano: Senior Pastor Philip Cross: Family & Education Pastor
(Scott & Patsy Steele) Led by: Scott Steele & Greg Jackson
6706 GRAND CANAL (James & Nina Reid) 2102 JOHNSON @ 5 (College Room)
Led by: Philip Cross
Led by: Ryan Connel
Childcare for Birth-PreK available at church nursery
Ryan Connel: Pastor to Students
May Calendars are available on our website!
Micah Mariano: Worship Pastor
Position Open: Ministry Assistant CHURCH OFFICE HOURS: Monday—Thursday: 8:30AM—4:00PM Friday: 9:00AM—4:00PM Lunch Break: Noon—1:00PM
Led by: Jimmy Allen & Rex Stephenson
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