NEWSLETTER
FALL 2016
“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men,” - Ephesians 6:7
Coordinator’s Column Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! Welcome back to Calvary Baptist Church Women’s Ministry! We’re excited to welcome you to WIT’s Fall Newsletter issue. We hope and pray your summer days were relaxing and renewing. The chorus to a song titled “Holy Spirit” by Francesca Battistelli encourages us to welcome our Lord in our lives. “Holy Spirit, You are welcome here Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for To be overcome by your presence, Lord Your presence, Lord Then the last chorus reads: Let us become more aware of Your presence Let us experience the glory of Your goodness We’re so blessed and thankful to have the Lord’s personal invitation. 2 Peter 1:11 says, “and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savor Jesus Christ.” We know this earth is not the final destination, but we’ll try to do our best to make our journey a pleasant one with Him leading us. How fun! CBC’s Women’s Ministry (Women in Touch) strives to live up to its name by reaching out to women of all generations/nations and
joining them together to celebrate His presence. Are you ready to start a new season with Him? We invite you to join us. We have Bible Studies and prayer meetings which include three in the morning and one in the evening. We’re blessed to have great activities and events throughout the 2016-2017 seasons, and many events include free childcare where they too learn about Jesus. The Lord said in Matthew 18:5, “And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.”How exciting! We can look back and reflect on how He was present in every Bible study class, luncheon, banquet, mini retreat and women’s gatherings, just to name a few this past semester. I’d like to thank all the Pastors and staff at CBC for their encouragement, support and prayers for all we do on behalf of the Lord. We hope and pray you’ll embrace the opportunities being offered at CBC. Where is the Lord calling you? Whether it’s studying the Lord’s Word, serving others, being supportive to other women, getting to know other women in our community, or joining fun fellowships, let’s rejoice knowing He is with us. How refreshing! Look us up at CBC’s website www.calvarymcallen.org or WIT’s social webpage www.facebook.com/cbcwit. We’re anxiously waiting to meet you and your friends. Once again, thank you for the privilege to serve a loving and faithful Lord God Almighty. With love,
Rosie Rosie Wilkinson
Calvary Baptist Church | 1600 Harvey Drive McAllen, TX 78501 | (956) 686-4364
www.calvarymcallen.org/women | www.facebook.com/CBCWIT
Spring Big Hats & High Tea 2016 On one beautiful Saturday morning, Big Hats and High Tea brought many women from around the world and many generations together. They sang and prayed in honor to a special guest, the Lord, Jesus Christ. Maria Bridwell played the piano and led attendees in praise and worship, followed by Pastor Susan Sosebee who led in prayer. Young and mature women joyfully came together to share a cup of tea and sweet scones. Program Speaker, Jo Anne Gartner, talked on the subject of …. Hats! Monica Guarneri and her secret judges (Janet Girault and Donna Oakley) presented the Hat Awards. Women treated their moms, sisters, best friends, and sisters in Christ to a fun gathering. In addition, their beautiful and creative hats made quite an impression. A posting on social media from a young lady’s sentiment of the Big Hats & High Tea read, “Today marks a very special moment in my life. Since I was a little girl, I always dreamt of attending a real tea party, and today, that dream came true. I assisted a tea party that did not consist of only dolls and teddy bears, but real ladies, whom I love and adore, and I had the privilege to share this moment with my mom. Here’s to the continuation of my womanhood! Thank you Father God!” This young lady is the youngest member of WIT’s Service Team. WIT is thankful to Andreé Lopez for being a blessing to each woman and all who hear her voice on Sunday morning at worship services. The Wilkinson family was grateful to host a beautiful and blessed event.
Spring 2016 Semester Bible Study Classes & Activites WIT’s Service Team was busy baking, cooking, table setting, attending meetings, and getting ready to welcome women to a Breakfast & Blessings and a Cottage Gathering. Women from Calvary and surrounding communities came to hear and signed up for the Spring Bible Study classes and activities offered in the mornings and evenings. Facilitating were Lucy Sanchez for “Made to Crave” by Lysa Terkeurst and Wendy Braña for “On Prayer” by Dr. J. Vernon McGee. A hands on recycling arts and crafts activity with biblical truth, called Recicl-Arte was led by Ivonne Bollain. The two evening Bible Study classes available were “Our Legacy: The Greatest Gift” by Dr. James Dobson led by Veronica Orozco and “Living Beyond Yourself: Exploring the Trust of the Spirit” by Beth Moore led by Anna Mejia. Moms in Prayer was led by Elvira Vaughn. WIT’s Service Team’s meetings consisted of planning, preparing, labeling newsletters, and helping out with Church in Conference.
Feature Days Spring 2016 February 4th - Pastor Susan Sosebee spoke at Feature Day Luncheon on the topic of “Legacy of love”. She also shared her mother’s journal filled with words dedicated to her children and family photos of early beginnings.
April 7th - The program speaker for the Feature Day Luncheon was Alma H. Braña, traveling from Iloilo, Philippines, with a presentation on “Brainwashed”. She quoted, “One day I stumbled upon this truth: if you yourself do not cut the lines that tie you to the dock, God will have to use a storm to sever them and send you out to sea.”
March 3rd - Feature Day Speaker Lea Price, presented an online Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s internet ministry called “Search for Jesus”. We actually saw an individual in real time and across the world searching for answers and prayers. Anyone may log on to www. SearchforJesus.net.
May 5th - Author Jane Roach, from San Antonio, presented a newly released book titled ‘Joy beyond Agony: Embracing the Cross of Christ’. A twelvelesson Bible Study focuses on Jesus’ cross from twelve different views from the lens of Hebrews 12:2.
Fall Semester Classes 2016 WIT’s Wednesday Bible Study classes provide an opportunity to study God’s Word and to stay in His Word. Morning Bible Study classes from 9:30 a.m to 11:30 a.m. • Every Body Matters by Gary Thomas - Facilitator Ashley Denno, Co-Facilitator Lucy Sanchez • Twelve Extraordinary Women by John MacArthur - Facilitator Rosie Wilkinson, Co-Facilitator Amy Cather Evening Bible Study classes from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. • Entrusted by Beth Moore - Facilitator Anna Mejia, Co-Facilitator Christa Roberts Thursdays 6:00 a.m. - 7:00 a.m. Moms in Prayer - Facilitator Elvira Vaughn
Summer Mini Retreat 2016 Summer brought part of Women In Touch Service Team to South Padre Island for a Mini Retreat in order to meditate, to reflect, and to relax for 24 hours. Quite an accomplishment! Women in attendance included Maria Bridwell, Marissa Courtney, Aurora Estrada, Sharon Longoria, Annette Rakosky and Rosie Wilkinson. At the start of every session, hymns were sung and prayed on. They opened the first session by seeking the Lord’s word with Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” which lead to the introduction of the makings of a women’s ministry titled Las Quatros Columnas also known as The Pillars of Women’s Ministry by Cyndee Ownbey. The second session had two parts: Meditation and Journal Part I - Using Comforting Bible verses for trouble times by Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the 4 Questions for Every Chapter book marker by RachelWojo.com ; and in the morning, team members began Meditation and Journal Part II on the beach. In the last session, Seeking Servants, everyone had a chance to interact in a productive group discussion. In between and throughout the duration of the mini retreat, fellowship time took place in many different ways. Some fellowship opportunities included dinner with a perfect view of fireworks on the bay, a morning beach run, a walk on the beach, a potluck breakfast, lunch by the beach, and on the way home, a quick stop for a chocolate dip cone. Sounds like a lot of eating, but truly it was a great time of team building which is such a critical aspect of any ministry.
What’s To Come? • WIT’s Fall Cottage Gathering set for Thursday, September 1, 2016 • WIT attending Women of Joy Conference in San Antonio, Texas Sept 30 - Oct 2, 2016 • Feature Day Luncheon - October 6 - Speaker Lynn Brand Ferrell, presenting “Beyond Politic and Armageddon” • WIT’s Treasured Conference - October 22, 2016 • WIT’s Big Hats & High Tea - February 25, 2017 Enjoy the fellowships with women of all generations, the renown Chicken Salad and the Feature Day speaker! To secure reserve seating and free childcare, please call in ASAP no later that 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Thank you in advance! Reservations are required to accommodate seating, food preparation and free childcare, please call the church office at 956-686-4364.
Calvary Baptist Church 1600 Harvey Drive McAllen, Texas 78501
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