The New YearHelping Leaders Stay Spiritually Fit

A re you ready for 2019? Interesting question for ALL of us, particularly for those of us who are in positions of influence and leadership. Don’t stop reading this article because you say to yourself: ‘I’m not really a leader in our church.’ The truth be told if we read scripture carefully is that ALL of us are leaders in some form or fashion. All of us have influence on someone.

As we begin 2019, I’d like to ask you to consider these thoughts. FBC is not going to be and do what it is capable of doing unless each of us steps forward to be an influencer for Christ’s sake. The first step, however, is to assess whether we are growing spiritually or not.

No one intentionally says that he/she will not be spiritually fit. From my experience, many, including myself, just drift into spiritual flabbiness. Each of us has to decide that knowing God is more important than anything else, and that decision may have to be made many times – sometimes daily or even hourly. In love and patience we will encourage each other to make the commitment to know God more intimately.

What are some barriers that keep all of us from staying spiritually fit? My friend, Randy Johnson, Minister of Youth Education at First Baptist Church, R ichardson, TX, identified some of the barriers that each of us experience:

1. Too busy—Every person I know in a leadership position wrestles with this dilemma.2. Procrastination—A side-benefit of spiritual health is the commitment to do

things when they are due and not wait until there is too much pressure to do an adequate job. This is especially true in preparing to teach others3. Laziness—Life-management requires constant evaluation of what we do and how we do it.4. O v e r - c o m m i t m e n t —We m u s t evaluate what is most important for God’s Kingdom’s sake. Helping our leadership to understand that is a daunting task indeed.

The way to know God intimately is to spend time with him. Clyde Hall, former LifeWay employee, has given great insight into why we should spend time with the Lord in corporate and personal worship. Here are some reasons to spend time in personal/corporate worship:

1. To maintain our fellowship with God. We spend time with Him to keep our relationship with him fresh. It requires time, effort, energy, and a plan2. To b u i l d s p i r i t u a l s t r e n g t h . When we face temptation or difficulty we drain our spiritual strength. This happens whether we win or lose in the temptation experience. We must replenish that strength.3. To sensitize ourselves to God ’s leadership. We’re al l in the process of making decisions about our lives. Spending time with Him gives us insight and wisdom for those decisions.

The first three of these are for our own benefit as Christians to get to know God. The last one is for our individual ministries or spheres of influence.

4. We cannot lead people in a direction that we are not going. As leaders, we will want to be going in the same direction that we want the rest of the people to be going.

I have often heard people say, “I need to evaluate my priorities in regard to how I spend my time.” We’ve all said that. A former pastor once told me that if I am going to evaluate time priorities, I must be willing to eliminate things from my life, no matter how good they may be. If they are not the best then they need to go in the trash. (Reference Vince’s message on December 15!)

A s w ith a l l l i fe-changing decisions discipline is the key to keeping spiritually fit. It is not easy. There is no pill that we can take to get there instantly or to stay there once we’ve gotten there. It is a commitment of our total lives.

If you have interest in pursuing a deeper level of intimacy with the Lord, please contact me by email (cgartman@hputx.edu) or phone (817-846-7886). I’ll be happy to discuss with you anything we might do on this journey together.

January 2, 2019 • Vol 7 Issue 1

MeantiMeIn The

Chuck Gartman

Forget the former things;on the past.l

do notdwell

BeholdI amdoing ThingA New

Isaiah 43:18-19

Happy

2 0 1 9

New Year

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F I R ST B A P T I ST C H U R C H , S A N A N G E L O, T E X A S

January 9Chicken pot pie, redskin potatoes,

pasta salad and tossed saladJanuary 16

Hamburger w/cheese, baked beans, pasta salad

January 23Chicken fajitas, Spanish rice,

red beans and cole slawDinner reservations must be made each week

by Tuesday at 10 am for the following evening. Menu is subject to change.

Mid-Week MealWEDNESDAY NIGHT

We share our joy with...CONGRATULATIONS

Paul and Rachael Mata on the birth of their daughter, Jovita, on December 28. Proud grandparents are Jim and Tina Bush.

Charlie and Judy Smith on the birth of their granddaughter, Lydia Ruth Hodge, on December 27 in Austin.

Connect with FBC: New Publication ScheduleAs Bill noted in his article in the last issue, beginning at the end of this month, we are going to a monthly newsletter which will be published

on the last Tuesday of each month for the month ahead (So, the February issue will be published on January 29). This 8-page newsletter will contain more information than the current bi-weekly edition as we will aim to gather information on a variety of events, as well as include ministry and mission updates.

In order to keep everyone informed in between newsletters, Sunday School directors will receive weekly updates which they can share during open assembly time, and I am working to develop other ways with which we can communicate effectively with our members and the community.

Here's where you can help...I need "roving reporters" to keep me up-to-date on what's going on in all areas of ministry at FBC. We like to recognize special anniversaries (those ending in '0' or '5'), and new babies, and to spotlight our members who are making a difference in the community and beyond, so please let me know when you have information to share. The deadline will be at noon on the Monday before publication. News can be sent to me via email at powers@fbcsanangelotx.org or you can call me in the church office at 655-4101.

Becky Powers

Preschool, Children’s and Youth 2019 SchedulesWednesday, January 9

Kingdom Kids resume (6:00 p.m.) REACH Hang Time and Worship resumes (4:15 p.m.).

Tuesday, January 15Free 8th Spring Semester begins (3:30 p.m.)

Thursday, January 24Backyard Bible Club at Ft. Concho resumes (3:30 p.m.)

For more information regarding these activities, please contact Vince Smith, Minister to Families (smith@fbcsanangelotx.org); Melodie Penland, Family Ministry Associate (penland@fbcsanangelotx.org) or call the church office at 655-4101.

A New Year Ahead

Christmas Eve at the Neighbors Café Every day is special at Neighbors Café, but Christmas Eve was an especially joyous

celebration with music, program, storytelling, and gifts. Pastor Chuck Gartman spoke, and Elizabeth Barr, chaplain and music therapist at Hospice of San Angelo, played Christmas music on her flute and sang carols, accompanying herself on her guitar. Boo Vaughn told the Christmas story to children as they made Christmas ornaments.

Volunteers handed out Christmas bags donated by the Adults 5 Department to adults and children. The adults’ bags had hats, scarfs, socks, and gloves; children’s bags had small toys. Everyone also received a bag of cookies and candies. Adult 5 donated the following items of new clothing for the bags: 50 knit hats, 66 pairs of gloves, 22 scarfs, and 127 pairs of socks. Pat Fillip and Louise Jones coordinated the Christmas gift project.

The ministry at Neighbors Café is important to First Baptist Church and vital to those in need. If you are interested in volunteering in this ministry or if your department is interested in helping out, please call Judy and Charlie Smith.

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BIRTHDAYS

STEWARDSHIP REPORT

SUNDAY SCHOOL REPORTDecember 23FBC Sunday School Enrollment 728 Attendance 214Baptist Retirement Center High Rise Class 6 GRAND TOTAL 220

December 30FBC Sunday School Enrollment 728 Attendance 211Baptist Retirement Center High Rise Class 5 GRAND TOTAL 216

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4 6:00 p.m. Responders (Adult 4) Fellowship, SUNDAY, JANUARY 6 5:00 p.m. Monte Maxwell Organ ConcertTUESDAY, JANUARY 8 9:00 a.m. Threads of Blessing, First PlaceWEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9 Mid-Week Activities resume 6:00 p.m. Quarterly Business Meeting, Fellowship HallTHURSDAY, JANUARY 10 9:00 a.m. Threads of Blessing, First Place 10:30 a.m. Glory Choir resumes FRIDAY, JANUARY 11 6:30 p.m. Servants by Grace (Adult 1) Party SATURDAY, JANUARY 12 6:30 p.m. Open Doors (Adult 3) PartySUNDAY, JANUARY 13 10:30 a.m. Lord's Supper Service, FBC SanctuaryMONDAY, JANUARY 14 6:00 p.m. Committee Equipping Dinner, CLC TUESDAY, JANUARY 15 3:30 p.m. Free 8th resumes, CLC WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16 11:30 a.m. FBC serves BSM Lunch, ASUTHURSDAY, JANUARY 17 9:00 a.m. Threads of Blessing, First PlaceTUESDAY, JANUARY 22 9:00 a.m. Threads of Blessing, First Place 5:15 p.m. Finance Committee Meeting, First Place WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23 5:15 p.m. Deacon Council Meeting, W203THURSDAY, JANUARY 24 3:30 p.m. Backyard Bible Club, Ft. Concho Elementary FRIDAY, JANUARY 25 REACH Youth Impact Weekend SATURDAY, JANUARY 26 REACH Youth ImpactWEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30 11:45 a.m. Homebound Luncheon, First Place

COMING UP @ FBC

“The Equipper” (USPS 022-556) Published biweekly by First Baptist Church, 37 E Harris, San Angelo, TX 76903. Periodicals postage paid at San Angelo, TX. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Equipper, P.O. Box 2138, San Angelo, TX 76902-2138.

Week Ending December 23Weekly Budget Needs $28,211.15Tithes and Offerings $30,091.02YTD Budget Needs $1,438,768.85YTD Tithes & Offerings $1,415,393.052018 Budget $1,466,980.00

Week Ending December 30This week's financial report was not available at time of printing, but will

be published in the next issue.

January 3Gloria Sheffield

January 4Tommy Moran

January 5Danmberly

January 6No FBC Birthdays

January 7Mary GatlinJackie JacobyBob Rowland

January 8No FBC Birthdays

January 9Robert Del Rio

January 10Elaine Gillum

Jo KingNadine Mathis

Kenneth Wright

January 11Carlos Valenzuela

January 12Denise Reiner

January 13Johnell Vincent

January 14No FBC Birthdays

January 15No FBC Birthdays

January 16Tim Reid

January 17Gracie Byrd

Dickey Ponder

January 18Lance Mosley

Frances MurrayJoAnn Noble

January 19Eric Duran

January 20Johnny Carlson

Carson CummingsJuanita Hardy

Shannon MercerHelen Mercer

Donna Swindle

January 21No FBC Birthdays

January 22Spencer McDonough

January 23Lois DunlapJanet Eaton

Jonnie JordanMary Sue Paddock

January 24Erick LopezRaul LopezDoug Slate

January 25Tommy Bowman

Bill GillumMel RegisterNorma ScottSarah Wilson

January 26Wilma Kidd

Mary Landers

January 27William Gatlin

Nell IrvineEli Tanguma

January 28John Clark

Juanita GarzaMargaret Chancellor

January 29Rebecca Galloway

Dick Wetzel

January 30Paul Mercer

January 31Ann Alexander

Branch Van Court

Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

Resumes January 9The beginning of a new year is

the perfect time to join the choir!Rehearsals are each Wednesday at 6:45 pm. Contact Bill Gillum at 655-4101 for more infromation

See page 3 for changes in weekly schedule.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

PERI

ODIC

AL P

OSTA

GE P

AID

O U R M I N I ST RY T E A M

F B C M O R N I N G W O R S H I P S E RV I C E Live at 10:30 am on KCLL 100.1 FM; Rebroadcast at 8 am on KIDY, Cable Channel 10/110

and at 10 am on My San Angelo, Cable Channel 141

F I R ST B A P T I ST C H U R C H37 E. Harris, San Angelo, Texas • Mail: PO Box 2138, 76902 • Phone: 325.655.4101 • Fax: 325.659.2517 • www.fbcsanangelotx.org

AJ Deardorff Director of Broadcast Media

Brian Thomas Broadcasting & Media Sound Tech

Linda Bratcher, OrganistJanet Faulkner, Pianist

Rocky Stone, Building Engineer

Becky Powers, Pastor’s MAMartha Bailey, Office MA

Mac McCarson, Financial Director

MONDAY 11:00 p.m. FBC Kids PlayTUESDAY 3:30 p.m. Free 8th, CLC WEDNESDAY 4:00 p.m. REACH Youth Hang Time, CLC 4:30 p.m. Library Open 5:00 p.m. Mid-Week Meal 6:00 p.m. Prayer Meeting & Bible Study 6:00 p.m. Kingdom Kids 6:00 p.m. REACH Youth Bible Study, CLC 6:45 p.m. Worship Choir RehearsalTHURSDAY 10:30 a.m. Glory Choir 2:30 p.m. Backyard Bible Club @ Ft. Concho SATURDAY 10:00 a.m. BRC Highrise Bible StudySUNDAY 8:30 a.m. Fellowship Time 9:00 a.m. Bible Study for all ages 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship Service 5:00 p.m. Southern Gospel Worship Service at Baptist Retirement Center 5:00 p.m. Crossovers, CLC

Chuck Gartman, Interim PreacherBill Gillum, Minister of Music

Vince Smith, Minister to FamiliesMelodie Penland, Family Ministry Associate

The Lord’s Supper will be celebrated on Sunday, January 13, during the morning worship service. If you worship with us via television, this service will actually be broadcast on Sunday, January 20, at 8:00 am on KIDY and 10:00 am on My San Angelo. However, we will still have prepackaged elements available which will allow you to participate in the Lord’s Supper as you watch. If you would like to receive a set of these elements, or know someone who would, please contact Becky in the church office at 655-4101 by 5 p.m. on Thursday, January 10 to make arrangements to have the elements picked up at the church or delivered by one of our Deacons.

Deacons, if you are delivering elements to the homebound, those elements will be available for pick up after 10 am on Friday, January 11 for delivery the week of January 14 - 19.

Lord’s Supper ServiceSunday, January 13, 2019

10:30 a.m.

Do this in Remembrance of Me...

Annual Organ Concert featuring

Monte MaxwellSunday, January 6

5:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Monte Maxwell is the Director of Chapel Music and the Chapel Organist at the U.S. Naval Academy Music Department. A native of San Angelo, Monte received his undergraduate degree at Texas Christian University and his graduate degree from the Juilliard School in New York. We look forward to Monte's annual performance at FBC.

Admission is free and all are welcome!

First Baptist Churchpresents the

Donations AppreciatedOne of our homebound members , Charles

Wilson, was hospitalized recently and had music equipment stolen from his apartment while he was away. The thief has been caught but the police have been unable to locate the missing items. Becuase Charles is blind, this equipment is especially precious to him. If anyone has a used guitar, drums, CD player, etc. they would be willing to donate, please contact Barbara Rowland at 949-6492.