the COMMUNICATOR
a publication of Calallen Baptist Church
January 2007

Choir Notes    Senior Adult Lunches    Recreation Ministry    Sunday Night Life   
 Youth Page    Pastor's Page    Missions Central

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CHOIR NOTES
     I must say a huge “Thank You” to everyone who helped make “Forever Gloria”  such a wonderful worship
experience.
  First, to the choir, thanks for all your hard work; it truly paid off!  You sounded wonderful and shared the message in an excellent manner.  I was thrilled to have 32 singing this Christmas!  Since I did not print a choir listing in the bulletin, I would like to do so here: Sopranos:  Clarisse Blair, Linda Cliburn, Beverly Howard, Jenifer Jones, Tara Jones, Terri Jones, Karen Norskow, Tamye Roberson, Amanda Roberts, and  Suzette Thompson Altos:  Marcia Garcia, Kathy Hamilton, Morgan Keys, Wendy Keys, Carol McElroy, Samantha Norskow, Brenda Talley, Gina Vaughan, Kate Watson, and Lynda Watson Tenors:  Lari Ainsworth, Earl Campbell, Randy Hale, Billy VanBlarcum, Troy Watson, Matthew Willoughby, and Porkey Young Basses:  Mike Elliott, Bobby King, Garry Roseberg, Bill Thames, and Ronnie Watson
     Next, I must also thank the folks who were of invaluable assistance in technical matters.  They include Elmer Jones, who ran sound; Steven Floyd, who ran the media for the choir; and Karen Norskow, who spent countless hours creating the slides to assist the choir, as well as the congregation.  Thanks also to Terri Jones, who created the bulletin and did numerous additional tasks to help things run smoothly. Finally, I must thank Bro. Jack for taking on the job of narrating
(which he did quite well) as well as for his constant love and support. 
     As I write this article, the new year is staring me in the face, and it may have arrived by the time you read this. Thanks to everyone who had a part in making 2006 such a great year for CBC musically.  I pray that we will all renew our commitments and energize our efforts as we serve the Lord together in 2007! 
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SENIOR ADULT LUNCHES
Thursdays, January 11 & 25 - Noon till 1:30 p.m. - Come, bring a potluck dish, and enjoy the fellowship of other Senior Adults.
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RECREATION MINISTRY
Northwest Co-Ed Volleyball League Cost: $150 per team - League will begin on Tuesday, Feb. 13. All games will be played on Tuesday nights beginning at 6:30 pm. There will be a Team Captain’s Meeting on Tue, Jan 30th @ 6:30 pm in the Conference Room 
Community Volleyball -
Every Thursday at 6:30 pm This is open to everyone in the community whether they are a member of Calallen Baptist Church or not. 
Women’s Morning Aerobics -
Monday - Wednesday - Friday  7:00 am till 7:30 am Room 201 upstairs in the CLC Shower facilities available for those who need them. 

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SUNDAY NIGHT LIFE
For Men & Women 
The Vinedresser, the Vine, and the Branch - From the upper room where Jesus talked of the "fruit of the vine" He and His processional of disciples made their way to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus' last illustration to explain the life He came to give those who follow Him would be in a vineyard. There He told of the Vinedresser, the Vine, and the Branch and its life of fruitfulness through Him.
     Jesus said,  "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing (Jn. 15:5).
Beginning January 7 - Led by Pastor Jack Willoughby In the Church Sanctuary 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. 
The Sychar Connection
-
During this three week study Pastor Jack will guide us through John chapter 4 and the infamous "woman at the well" dialogue with Christ. John paints for us through his words the often forgotten humanity of Christ, as he speaks of Jesus being weary, thirsty and hungry. It is here that we discover the Sychar Connection of Jesus with all humanity. Beginning February 11,  sanctuary, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Led by Pastor Jack Willoughby

Maturity 201 -
This class is the second of CBCs four basic classes.  Since these classes build on each other, you must first attend Discovering Church Membership #101 before taking this class. We will focus on the Four Basic Habits every Christian needs to develop in order to grow to spiritual maturity.  This class will ... ·  Equip you with the skills you need to begin  these habits ·  Explain the tools you need to continue these habits.  3 sessions beg. Mar. 4, 2007 Led by Carol Lindquist
For Men ONLY 
Authentic Manhood...Winning at Work & Home -
Challenging men to step   forward, meet their   responsibilities, and   establish their manhood,   Authentic Manhood,   Winning at Work & Home   focuses on the chief responsibilities men have--as husbands, fathers, and breadwinners. The study presents 2 mirrors to help men evaluate how they are doing in life: the  mirror of work and career, and the mirror of home and family. Participants will evaluate chief responsibilities of how a man successfully relates to a woman and how a man rightly engages in his work. Here is a plan for leading men to win in life by helping them understand and undertake the challenges of both career and family. 7 Sessions beginning January 7, 2007 Led by Scott Vaughan
For Women ONLY 
Victoriously Frazzled - Victoriously Frazzled will help any worn out, burned out, and stressed out woman understand the Spirit God has given her. The goal is to lead women into the presence of God—right in the midst of their “frazzledness.” By doing so, women will gradually pull back from confusion and doubt, from fear and self, and allow God’s Spirit to have His way in their lives. 7 Sessions beginning January 7, 2007 Led by Lari Ainsworth
Fruit of the Spirit - This innovative study combines thought-provoking devotions on the Fruits of the Spirit with scrapbook activities.  As found in Galatians 5:23, participants will focus on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  The wondrous ways God is growing his children toward maturity are dramatically revealed!  It's Bible study that's fun, fulfilling, and faith-building!  Each lesson and activity fosters deeper relationships with God (and others in the group) and inspires continual growth!  Lessons, templates and sample pages are all included! Cost—$20.00—pre-order book by Feb. 18th 10 sessions beg. March 4, 2007 Led by Terri Jones
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YOUTH PAGE
Another New Year, Same Old Thing -
The New Year is here once again.  The chitter-chatter of New Year’s resolutions is all around us.  If you don’t have some type of resolution, then you are probably one of the many who have gotten fed up with raising your spirits each year, and come February, the pounds are still there and the bad habits have slowly crept back into your lifestyle.  While that may be true, don’t completely give up on the concept of the resolution.  Whether we choose to take part in this tradition or not, you can’t deny that every year at this time it seems like there is something fresh in the air.  It’s a time that we begin to envision what could happen over the course of the next year.  This is such an important time in our lives.  As a matter of fact, I wish the year were shorter so that this mentality would frequent us more often than just once every twelve months like what happens with most of us now.  In James, the Bible gives us an amazing illustration that I think might battle some of the issues we have with following through with our visions.  Look at James 1:23-24.
     Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

    
I’m sure that I’m not the only person who has ever looked at myself in the mirror and not liked what I have seen.  I think this little passage gives us some insight on what NOT to do if you see things that need to change in your life.  You see, this man stops at the most critical part in the process.  He has seen what he is like, but as soon as he turns away from the reflection, he forgets what he saw.  This man was confronted with the truth, he was convicted of the message, but the thing missing was the application.  James is telling us that we can have all the head-knowledge in the world, but it is worthless until it begins to change our lives.  With this in mind, consider  setting a spiritual resolution this New Year.  But before you do, let me give you a few things to think about.  1. Be reasonable.  Who you are right now is the product of all the decisions you have made your entire life.  Don’t set goals that are too lofty.  This is a process.  2. Remember.  Write your goals down somewhere you will see them daily.  If you make them and then turn and forget about them, chances are that they won’t ever have a chance to be fulfilled.  3. Relax.  Don’t get discouraged if you mess up somewhere along the way.  Expect it.  Humans don’t change over night.  We are beings of habit, and most studies show that it takes at least three weeks to develop a habit.  I am confident that God has some big things in plan for you in ’07.  Concentrate on being a person who not only knows and learns about the goodness of our Lord, but one that applies and lives as true followers of Christ.  May your 2007 be as God intended…one filled with passion and pursuit of the King of Kings.

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PASTOR'S PAGE
Year of Accountability 2007 - I woke up the other morning with a tune in my head.  It was the voice of Barbara Streisand singing, “People who need people are the luckiest people in the world.”  In the stillness of the morning, I think I said to myself, “Ain’t it the truth.”  (Not good English, but it was early).   
     Indeed, consider yourself fortunate if you possess the knowledge that you need people and that people need you.  
     I think that the primitive Christian community understood this vital relational truth and in the process transformed into a sharing, caring, and daring kinship (See Acts 2:42-47).  What they possessed in those early days of Christianity is missing from too many of our congregations today. 
Accountability is the key.    Accountability is an ethical concept used synonymously with answerability, responsibility, and liability.  It is a term associated with the expectation of being held accountable in one’s relationship with God, one’s own spiritual growth, and in one’s participation within the fellowship of the saints (church community).   We all need accountability to help us live godly and more consistent lives.  In fact, many spiritual disciplines are much easier to accomplish if we are being accountable to each other.   Let’s, then, consider 2007 as a Year of Accountability.  And allowing Hebrews 10:24-25 to guide us, Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:24-25, NIV).     Make a commitment to stir up the coals of another person’s faith toward LOVE and good deeds, and in turn expect others to ignite a passion for these things in your own life as well. Accountant’s Apprentice, Pastor Jack
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CBC MISSIONS CENTRAL
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering - Hats off to CBC and your generosity in giving to Lottie Moon Christmas Offering!  The last total was $3,921.80, which well surpassed our church goal of $2,006.  The efforts of many missionaries will benefit from your generosity.
South Texas Children's Home - One penny equals one cent. There does not seem to be much purchasing power with one cent. But if you put 5 pennies together, you now have a nickel. 5 nickels make a quarter and 4 quarters make a dollar. It’s amazing what a few coins will do! Coins can be found in pockets, behind sofa cushions, in desk drawers or in car consoles. A single coin may seem of little value, but pooled together with everyone’s coins, we can change the life of a child. By giving to Coins for Kids, you can be a vital part of the ministry of South Texas Children's Home. It costs $185.00 to send one child to camp, let’s see how many children CBC can send to camp this year.  Just put your spare change in the Coins for Kids/STCH banks, located in the sanctuary foyer,  and be a part of sending a child to camp. 
Church Without Walls - In 2007, the Mission/Evangelism Ministry Team would like to ask the Sunday School classes to participate in providing meals for CWW.  CBC takes food on the second Thursday of every other month, or six times per year.  The food may be prepared or purchased, whichever the class prefers.  There will be a sign up sheet circulating so the Sunday School Classes can sign up and be a part of this crucial ministry. The dates that meals will be delivered in 2007 are:  Jan.  11th, Mar.  8th May  10thJuly  12th, Sept. 13th, Nov.  8th - For more information contact Debra White, 945-3259, or Carol Lindquist, 547-8102.
Mission Durango - Calallen Baptist Church has voted to adopt and support  ministries in Cinco de Febrero, a  pueblo outside of Durango, Mexico.    I want to say thank you now to all of you who have made donations for us to deliver this Christmas to many in the interior of Mexico. Many of these children and families would not have a Christmas without your generosity. PTE-CERI hopes to deliver to over 2,000 children the last week of December and first week of January. It is not too late for you to sign up for one of the Christmas delivery trips.” - Rob Rolison, PTE, Durango, Mexico.  The following items are being collected for Rob’s February trip, please bring them to the church by January 14th # 1 Need—Blankets, cold weather hats, gloves, and scarves. Bibles ($2.75/each),  $6.50 will provide roughly 25 lbs. of food for a family in Durango, Rob hopes to feed over 200 families next month. If you choose to make a financial contribution, please designate it for the Missions Fund, Durango humanitarian need.  GET YOUR PASSPORTS NOW FOR Durango Mission Trip - 1st Week of July  
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