“Empty, but Full”

An empty refrigeratorAn empty checking accountAn empty houseAn empty water bottle

The concept of emptiness is dreary more often than not when we examine it under the lens of popular thought. We prefer to have a full refrigerator, a checking account with money for a rainy day and then some, a house filled with all that we cherish, a water bottle that is full to quench our thirst… In some religious traditions in eastern thought, emptying oneself of worries and the proverbial to-do list appears attractive at first glance. The caveat comes when you work through in your mind: “Okay, now what?” Christianity in its most sincere form, practices a “emptying of oneself” that is instantaneously coupled with a “filling of one’s being” that is completed by God Himself, by the Holy Spirit. The goal when you meditate with Jesus is that He gives you His mind- an infinite supply of

renewing power for each moment of each day. So we come to Jesus asking to be emptied of all worry, the “to-do list,” and even more so of deeper agents of distress such as fear, anger, hurt, and insecurity. Emptying oneself is then an actual surrender to Jesus and calling on Him to fill you with His mind, His peace, His holy passion for doing what is right, His calm, His resurrection power which yields an endurance of heavenly magnitude. Being “empty” is good. Being “empty” is good if you conduct the exercise of emptying in concert with Jesus Christ. “Holy Lord Jesus, I will be the instrument through which you play your melody!” It is distinctively in this synergy that one experiences an emptying of oneself that births a sense of heavenly fullness. Life becomes a beautiful road of your depending on the Holy Spirit to infuse you with Christ’s Mind and Christ’s Power, so that you may accomplish all that God has designed as the absolute best for you precisely where you are at any given moment.

A heart filled with peace and emptied of hurt and anger

A mind capable of great things according to the ways in which God has gifted youA soul that is never empty because the Holy Spirit dwells within you foreverA thirst that is always quenched with God’s goodness, finding satisfaction in doing what God has called holy“Empty, but full”

From the Apostle Paul’s Letter in the Holy Bible to the Philippian Church, we learn from Jesus’ life how to engage in this synergistic life with God- “Empty, but full”:

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God also highly exalted him

Caldwell Brethren Connection April 2019 Minister – Rev. Vanessa Mitchell Contact Info: Cell (979) 574-0268 E-mail – lifeatcbc@gmail.com Address: 2070 Carter Lake Drive, College Station, TX 77845 lifeatcbc.org

April

2019 Board of EldersAnna Wotipka - 979/218-9043 (Pres.)Rose Autrey – 979/219-1227 (V-Pres.)Barbara Jancik - 979/255-9084 (Sec.)Robin Dickey – 713/301-8649 (Assist.Sec.)Bettie Poehl - 979/567-3189 (Treas.) Martha Huffman – 979/567-7089 (Asst.Treas.)Arvell Poehl - 979/567-3189 (Fin. Sec.)

and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:3-13, NRSV)

Will you ask Jesus to empty you to the point where you have become a genuinely humble person?Will you ask Jesus as often as is required for you, to give you His mind?Will you ask Jesus to teach you the beautiful exercise of emptying yourself through obeying His Holy Word, His Holy Voice?Will you bend the knee of your will to the influx of Jesus’ holy passion for serving others at all cost?Will you tremble if necessary to complete the exercise of allowing the Mind of Jesus Christ to fill you? Will you do this again and again until you are continuously cognizant that it is God who is at work in you for a holy good?

Set aside the refrigerator, the checking account, the house and the water bottle…

Seek out in concert with Jesus:

A heart filled with peace and emptied of hurt and angerA mind capable of great things according to the ways in which God has gifted youA soul that is never empty because the Holy Spirit dwells within you foreverA thirst that is always quenched with God’s goodness, finding satisfaction in doing what God has called holy“Empty, but full”

In Jesus’ Hands,Right With You,

Sister Vanessa Mitchell

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The meeting was called to order by President, Anna Wotipka.

Martha Huffman and Rose Autrey were not present; Lamar Urbanovsky was present to update information on church repair.

Prayer was given by Rev. Mitchell; Arvell Poehl volunteered for April.

Secretary, Treasurer and Mission Reports were presented and approved.

Building and Custodial Report: Leo sent report reference ladies restroom.

Pastor’s Report was received via e-mail.

Old Business: Work on the parsonage is completed and last check was sent. The deductable went from $2800 to $1700.

Church Repairs:Germania Insurance is still reviewing the proposal of all items needing repair and/or replacement with regards to the church. It was decided to level the fellowship building at a cost of $7500. Bettie Poehl motioned that the work be done, and the cost taken from the general fund; Robin Dickey seconded the motion. Motion passed. The board looked at carpet samples. They also looked at samples for the copper altar wall behind the choir. New Business: March Outreach— Motion was made by Robin Dickey to send $500 of mission money to the Cade Lake Chapel toward the purchase of an appliance. Bettie Poehl will complete a Unity form and send the amount to the Unity who in turn will get it to the Chapel. Arvell Poehl seconded the motion.

April Outreach—Easter activities

Music: Anna will speak with Lynette about possibly providing a CD and/or sheet music for use with contemporary/country gospel music. After being asked by members, Barbara Jancik asked if it would be possible to have

March 13th Board of Elders Meeting

one or the other used in church twice monthly instead of once monthly.

After comments, prayer and praise requests, the meeting was adjourned at 7:35PM.

Rev. Vanessa Mitchell closed with a prayer.

Submitted by – Barbara Jancik, Church Secretary

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We Will Observe Holy Communion On April 21st.

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4/7 - Terry Poehl4/14 - Leo Maresh4/21 - Rose Autrey4/28 - Carl Maresh

*************************************************Hus Camp Building Fund

The Hus Camp Capital Building Campaign Brochure with pledge card & mailing address is in the devotional rack in the vestibule of the Church.

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The Caldwell Brethren Christian Sisters’ meeting was called to order on Sunday, Mar. 10th by President Anna Wotipka. 8 members were present.

Secretary, Treasurer and Corresponding Secretary reports were given and approved.

New Business

Our Salad Supper will be on Monday, 4/29 at 6:30PM. Tim Knesek will be our guest speaker. (And possibly his Mother, Grace will accompany him.)

It was suggested that we should have someone in charge of sign in book for funeral meals.

Meeting closed with song and prayer.

Our next meeting will be on April 14th after the noon fellowship meal.

If you are not a member of the Christian Sisters, we extend an invitation to each of you ladies to please come and join us.

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FUN, FOOD & FELLOWSHIP. If you have time, bring a friend

and come check it out! *************************************************

4/3 & 4/17 - Family Game Night--6-7:30PM4/4 – New Tabor Christian Sisters Salad Supper--6:30PM4/10 – Board of Elders Meeting--6PM4/14 – Noon Fellowship Meal & Christian Sisters Meeting4/18 – Maundy Thursday Service--6PM4/21 – Easter Breakfast --9 AM Easter Egg Hunt after Breakfast4/21 – Holy Communion-Easter Sunday4/24 – Newsletter deadline4/29 – Caldwell Brethren Christian Sisters Salad Supper--6:30PM

5/5 – Spring Congregational Meeting after Church

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Caldwell Brethren Christian Sisters News

We will have Family Game Night on

Wed., Apr. 3rd & Apr. 17th - 6-7:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall.

Monthly Attendance Feb. Average – 35

Mar. 3 - 23 Mar. 10 - 32 Mar. 17 - 29 Mar. 24 - 26

Our Church with the challenges ahead Church MembersOur Community

Faye HeinsRamona HyvlFrances LambrechtSister Vanessa MitchellAnnie PolasekBrenda SchroederJoyce VavraBillie Ann & Leroy WhatleyJoyce VavraAnna WotipkaDarlene UrbanovskyRamona Dubcak

Jennifer BasileCade Lake Community Chapel

Kelly BridgettAlice ChlapekShanna CrouseLamar Drgac FamilyDonald JonesKaren KostohryzTony LuksaJennifer MarekPaul MartinezGabe & Lynn MatcekSara MathisGiselle & Tony MoralesCharles NoguesEloise PhelpsSteven PipkinEvelyn RowleyEugene & Shirley RoznosEdward & Steve VajdakWendy Weiss

World PeaceOur Country & Leaders All Military Personnel Serving & Protecting Our CountryLaw Enforcement Police Officers & 1st Responders Firemen & Fire Fighters

Our MissionariesPastor Pavel & Stanya Kozak – Czech Republic P hil & Eunice Raiford – Eastern NicaraguaRobert & Anne Thiessen – MexicoCarolyn Groseclose – AfricaJoel & Teresa Jetski – IsraelProsthetic Promises – Zambia

We extend our prayers and sympathy to the family of Ron Dusek. Ron passed away on March 5th. Ron is going to be missed so much by his family, friends and church family.May the Lord grant strength and peace to each of us in the days ahead as we remember our “Dr. Ron”.

It’s that time again! Sunday School had their spring meeting and announced VBS information. Theme – “From Rain to Rainbows” – June 24-25-26 – 6-8PM with a light meal. We will be having a planning meeting soon. Call Anna, Connie or Sister Vanessa for more info. Come help us have a great time with our kids.

A P R I L 20 1 9

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

 2  3Family Game Night

 4New Tabor Christian Sisters Salad Supper

6-7:30PM 6:30PM

9  10Board of Elders Meeting 6 PM

 11

16 17Family Game Night

6-7:30PM

 18Maundy Thursday

Service 6PM

23  24

Newsletter deadline

 25  

30

Minister Rev. Vanessa MitchellCell (979) 574-0268E-mail -

Caldwell Brethren Church401 S. Main Street, Caldwell, TX 77836

979/567-7203lifeatcbc.org

Whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for Anything. James 1:2-4

HUS SCHOOLENCAMPMENT

SUMMER CAMPSIt’s time to register your camper for the

summer camping program!Register by May 15th to avoid late fee!

Please note the new age ranges!Registration for camp is now online at

http://www.huscamp.org/register

HUS SCHOOLENCAMPMENT

SUMMER CAMPSIt’s time to register your camper for the

summer camping program!Register by May 15th to avoid late fee!

Please note the new age ranges!Registration for camp is now online at

http://www.huscamp.org/register