Vol. 7 Iss. 23
The Messenger FIRST LOVE It was after our second date. We had a nice dinner but I don’t remember much about dinner because I was so enraptured by Kim, just being with her, looking at her across the table as she talked animatedly. We walked in to her house and I sat on the couch by the large window facing the street. Kim busied herself pulling the shades down, all the while talking to me. She told me that she did not like for people to be able to look into her house at night. This was a routine she did all our married life, and I still do today. She then sat next to me, about a foot and a half of space between us. I wanted so bad to hold Kim, to embrace her but I was too shy to make a move. That was when her cat Kita jumped up between us and settled there. Kim began to stroke her thick fur with her left hand while continuing to talk. “Do you like cats?” “Yes, I do,” I lied, as I reached down to pet Kita. That was when Kim and I first touched. My hand brushed against hers and she took mine into hers and held it and ten thousand volts of electricity shot through my being. “I have been wanting you to do that,” she said to me as looked at me lovingly. I wish I could say our marriage was like that every day. But it wasn’t. It was far better. Every day, every year of our married life, as we got to know each better, and as we walked together with our Lord Jesus through the ups and downs of life, there was a bond, there is a bond, that is far deeper than ten thousand volts of electricity sparked by a touch. Kim and I were committed to our marriage. We served each other. I worked to take care of our family, Kim stayed home and took care of the kids. But our marriage was more than just a commitment to each other. We enjoyed each other. We loved to be together. We made sure we spent time together. The Lord Jesus commended the believers in Ephesus for their commitment to Him. “I see what you’ve done, your hard, hard work, your refusal to quit. I know you can’t stomach evil, that you weed out apostolic pretenders. I know your persistence, your courage in my cause, that you never wear out” (Revelation 2:2-3, MSG).
Then He chastised them: “But I have this against you: You have departed from your first love!” (Revelation 2:4).
In This Issue From the Pastor AWANA Clubs Events & Upcoming Dates Ministry Opportunity Youth Ministries College Ministries Contact Information
Our relationship with the Lord Jesus as believers is more than believing all the right things and doing all the right things. Jesus wants more than our heads. He also wants our hearts. “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and all your soul” (Deuteronomy 6:5). Fastidious religion without affection is like a cold loveless kiss on the lips. How is your heart toward the Lord Jesus this morning? - Lakan
Vol. 7 Iss. 23
The Messenger New AWANA Year Coming Soon! 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: Weekly Meetings: Sunday School:
•
Commander
Sunday - 9:30am Preschool-5th Grade
•
T & T Director
•
Spark’s Listeners
•
T & T Listeners
•
Special Nights Coordinator
•
Spark’s Helpers
•
T & T Helpers
Extended Session: Sunday - 10:45am Birth-Preschool
The App Store for Kids Wednesdays - 6:00pm Preschool - 5th Grade During the Summer 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: 7/23 Rachel Calloway 7/30 Emma Henderson 8/6 Kira Connel 8/13 Elizabeth Torbett
Victoria Elder Ashley Minor Misty Fine Cami Mariano
Vol. 7 Iss. 23
The Messenger
July
Baby Shower by mail honoring:
Mackenzie and Allen Fette and Baby Travis (born June 12th) Daughter and Son-in-law of Bob and Helen Shanafelt
7/20 - 7/23: HEB Camp
7/30 - 8/2: Pre-Teen Camp August 8/17– SAISD Begins 8/21: BTCP Begins
Lacey and Raymond Campbell and baby Evelyn (due in Sept)
8/23: ASU Move-in 8:30-12
Daughter and Son-in-law of Mark and Shelly Emmons
8/26: Sunday School Training Banquet
We will be collecting Walmart gift cards for these 2 families from now until Sunday, July 30th. You may bring your gifts by the church office or give them to Kira Connel or Stacy Stephenson. We will mail them on Monday, July 31st.
8/27: College Welcome Lunch at noon 8/28: ASU Begins
Preteen Camp: July 30-August 2 FMI: Speak with Philip Cross Highland Lakes Camp Spicewood, TX
Vol. 7 Iss. 23
The Messenger
The Reformation is more than a fascinating period of history– it significantly impacted the formation of Western civilization. The questions reformers raised remain critical for the church today. Like the reformers, we must still discern what or who is our ultimate authority. Starting Monday, June 5th, we will be studying the history of the church. We would like for you to join us at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall for this engaging class.
Join us for the experience of a lifetime! Your fabulous journey will take you to the very sited where the events of the Bible took place. Nothing can compare with seeing these for yourself. 12 full days of experiencing the history of the Land and People of the Bible. This is a fully customized tour and the group will be limited in size, so don’t wait!
To register, or FMI, please contact Ken Sheppard at (214) 676-2931 or Lakan Mariano at (325) 374-2280.
Foster Closet Work Day: Saturday, July 29th @ 8a.m. We are cleaning out the library to make room for our new foster care closet outreach. We need some help with moving things in and out of this room. Please make plans to help so we can bless children in our community who are in need.
HEB Camp: July 20-23 FMI: Contact Ryan Connel
Sundays: Bible Study - 9:30am Upstairs Youth Room
(325) 227-1778
Youth Ministry Wednesdays: Outbreak - 6:00pm Upstairs Youth Room
FMI: Contact Ryan Connel (325) 227-1778 or contact the Church
Vol. 7 Iss. 23
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: Wednesdays: "Release" Bible Study & Fellowship.........6:30pm (The HUB)
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. 23
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
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