News you can use...from Frio River Baptist Association

Volume 4, Issue 5 | May 2021

Creation-wide praise chorus

“All creatures of our God and King, lift up your voice and with us sing!” These words — just one paraphrase of a text by St. Francis of Assisi — seem a fitting description of springtime, when leaves and flowers pop out afresh, birdsong is heard again and hibernating animals emerge from dens and burrows, many with new babies in tow.

Psalm 148 may have served as inspiration for Francis, calling not only “young men and women alike, old and young together” (v. 12, NRSV), but also animals and birds, wind and water, mountains and trees, to praise the Lord. James L. Mays writes: “We human beings … should recognize that we are in the list with all the creation and creatures as creature and creation ourselves. We are in our obligation to praise no different from and no more than all the rest.”

When you head outside on a bright spring day, notice what praise looks like in nonhuman form

and how it sounds from nonhuman voices. How can we best join “all creatures of our God and King” in worship?

—Heidi Hyland Mann

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

COVID-19 has done a lot of damage to Christians when it comes to attending church each Sunday or weekday. As I have interacted with the pastors of Frio River Baptist Association, I have heard many say that a lot of the members of their church are not attending, some even saying they are not coming back. How sad! praise the Lord though, in many of our churches attendance is slowly but surely on the upswing.

There are many reasons why people may not attend church:

“I don’t feel the need to.”
“There are too many hypocrites in the church.” (Hint: they are in HEB and Walmart too)
“I don’t like what the preacher says.”
“I travel a lot and have to be out of town on Sundays.”
“I just don’t feel like being there.”
etc.

The list and reasons go on. That may be how non-Christians respond, but Christians should not have these same kinds of ways. Granted, sometimes it will be impossible to attend (if you are in the hospital or traveling out of town or sick in bed at home, etc.). Attending church is not about going to a place…rather it is about being a part of a living body. As a Christian, I encourage you to get back to church. Do not let the “fear” of COVID-19 keep you from what God has asked you, as His child, to do.

Let me share some good reasons why you need to be in church (even when you don’t feel like it):

You need to hear the preaching and teaching of God’s Word. Hearing the Word will help you grow spiritually and strengthen you when the difficult times come (and they will).
You need to participate with others in corporate worship. Being with other Christians will help encourage you and strengthen you in your Christian walk. God is also honored and glorified when we come together to worship Him. Remember that the Church is your spiritual family.
You can exercise the spiritual gift God has given you. Each Christian has been given a gift by the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12 and Romans 12) and that gift is to be used within the body of Christ to build it up. You come to church not to be served, but to serve, just as Jesus did (Matthew 20:28).
You can encourage your pastor. He spends a lot of time each week seeking from the Lord what he should share each Sunday and then preparing to deliver that message. He loves his people and desires to serve them and help them. .Your presence in Bible Study and Worship inspires your pastor.
To get help and to help others. In church you may find someone who can help you in your personal life, or you may be able to help someone else in a time of need. We all need each other.
To help introduce your kids to the Lord. The church is a great place for your kids to learn about Jesus. He loved kids. Kids learn to love others when they see their parents loving and serving others and showing how important God is in their lives.
To be a light to your community. People are looking for help, for acceptance, for security, for peace, for meaning in life. By loving and caring for others, your light will shine to your neighbors which may in time lead them to come to know Jesus as their Savior.
To help carry each other’s burdens. Galatians 6:2 teaches us to do just that. We all have problems and struggles. As Christians, we are to help one another and in so doing, we are obeying the Lord.
God said so: “And 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…”(Hebrews 10:24-25). God wants you to attend church for your good. Your attendance can be a great encouragement to others.

If you, as a Christian, are not attending church, I strongly encourage you to do so. It will help build you up spiritually and strengthen you to get through the rough times in your life. When you are obedient to the Lord, He promises to bless you and help you through life. If you know of family or friends who are not attending a church, encourage them to attend a church or invite them to your church. They will be glad!

I will be in church next Sunday. I hope you will too.

Your Fellow Servant,

Bro. Loren

During these days of uncertain requirements and self-isolation, there may be times when neither Loren nor

Laurie Beth is in the office during our regular office hours. Please rest assured that we are still available

and ready to help you however we can despite

working from home.

We are always available by e-mail: LGFastFRBA@outlook.com or LBScantlinFRBA@outlook.com

and through our cell phones at:

Loren - 830-267-1234 or Laurie Beth - 210-854-9362.

Upcoming Events

(PLEASE NOTE: All events are subject to cancellation or rescheduling

depending on COVID-19 guidelines at the time.)

May 2021

4th- OCL Meeting - 6:30pm

5th - South Zone Pastor's Prayer Meeting

6th - National Day of Prayer

9th - Mother's Day

10th-11th - SBTC Church Administrative Assistant's Retreat (Embassy Suites - San Marcos, TX)

13th - East Zone Pastor's Prayer Meeting

14th-16th - FRBA Ladies' Retreat at Disciple Oaks Camp & Retreat - Gonzales, TX

25th - FRBA Executive Board Meeting

(Location TBA)

9:30am - Fellowship

10:00am - Business Meeting

25th - FRBA Evangelism Seminar - Mormons: Their Beliefs & How Christians Should Respond at the Door - 1:00-3:00pm

27th - North Zone Pastor's Prayer Meeting

31st - Memorial Day (FRBA OFFICE CLOSED)

June 2021

1st - OCL Meeting - 6:30pm

2nd - South Zone Pastor's Prayer Meeting

7th-12th - Mission Devine

10th - East Zone Pastor's Prayer Meeting

20th - Father's Day

21st-25th - GA, Acteen & RA Camp (Alto Frio)

24th - North Zone Pastor's Prayer Meeting

SAVE THESE DATES for Alto Frio!!

(details below)

July 1st-4th - Family Camp

July 5th-9th - Area Youth Camp

July 12th-16th - Master's Camp

July 19th-23rd - Emmanuel Camp

Memorial Day Prayer

We remember, O Lord, all those men and women who have made the supreme sacrifice for our country. Do not let us breathe the air of freedom or claim the right to justice or enjoy the privilege of worship without remembering with great gratitude those who gave the last full measure of devotion - their very lives - for our benefit. May they now know the peace of eternity and the joy of your presence. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

COMING SOON!!

The National Day of Prayer celebrates

70 years of prayer for America THIS YEAR!

How wonderful it is to live in a nation where, by law every year on the

first Thursday of May, the President proclaims a day of prayer for our nation.

Join with us and millions of believers across the nation on Thursday, May 6th,

as we pray this year’s theme “Lord, Pour Out Your Love, Life and Liberty.”

from 2 Corinthians 3:17

Visit our website at nationaldayofprayer.org and join us

at 8 pm ET for our National Broadcast!

Let’s PRAY FOR AMERICA - TOGETHER!

Click HERE for some suggestions on how to pray for America this year.

Mormons: Their Beliefs & How Christians Should Respond at the Door

Tuesday, May 25th - 1:00-3:00pm

(following our Executive Board Meeting)

The seminar will be presented by Keith Walker of Evidence Ministries

A love offering will be taken for Keith at the seminar.

VBS at FBC Pearsall is just around the corner!!

June 7th - June 11th

Pack your bags and grab your gear, VBS 2021

is headed to present-day Israel where

an epic adventure of discovery awaits.

At Destination Dig VBS, kids will unearth more than just dirt. They’ll discover real-life archaeological finds that have helped

to uncover the truth about Jesus.

Stories from the Bible will leap off the pages as kids explore where Jesus walked and examine artifacts that bring the world

of the Bible to life. As junior archaeologists, kids study tangible pieces

of the past to learn the truth about who Jesus is and why He came.

Along the way they discover the truth of Jeremiah 29:13 that God reveals

Himself to us when we seek and search for Him with all our hearts.

Contact Linda Lynch at (830)931-4673 for work day dates & times,

and if you would be available to teach or help out in any area.

Vacation Bible School at FBC Christine

is set for

June 14th through June 18th

from 5:30 to 8:00pm

The theme is Concrete & Cranes, so bring your tools and wear your construction hats as we build for the kingdom of God!

For more information, please contact the church or visit www.fbcchristine.org.

Summer Camps at Alto Frio

RA/Challenger Camp will be held at Alto Frio Baptist Encampment June 21st-25th for

grade school and teen boys.

For details, click HERE or contact:

David Cooke

210-319-0921

davidglenncooke@gmail.com

GA/Acteen Camp will be held the same days at Alto Frio for grade school and teen girls.

For details click HERE or contact:

Jenna Deckert

210-835-5369

ga-acteencamp@hotmail.com

Click HERE for all the information!

Click HERE for details & registration.

Master's Camp

July 12-16, 2021

Influencer

1 Corinthians 10:31

Camp Pastor: Nick Maddox

Worship Artists: Futures

Bible Study Leader: Josh Humbert

Ages: 6th-12th grade

Click HERE for details.

Emmanuel Camp

July 19-23, 2021

Camp Pastor: Shane Pruitt

Worship Artists: Bryan McCleery

Bible Study Leaders:

Team from Southwestern Seminary

Special Guests: To Be Announced

Ages: 6th-12th grade

Click HERE for more info.

For additional information on Alto Frio Baptist Camp & Conference Center

go to www.altofrio.com.

AROUND THE ASSOCIATION

Did you know that Frio River Baptist Association has

online giving available?

Click HERE to make a donation to our general fund

or to one of our special designated funds.

Alto Frio is on the hunt for the following team members...

--Housekeepers

--Maintenance Techs

--Kitchen Help

Hours vary and pay is based on experience.

Candidates must be able to pass a background check and drug test. To apply, come by the office Wednesday-Friday 8:00am-12:00pm, 1:00-5:00pm or email Kim St. Clair at kim@altofrio.com.

We're also looking for RNs, EMTs, and DRs who are willing to come serve a week at camp. Pay is $650 per week with lodging and meals included. If interested, send a message or e-mail your resume to kim@altofrio.com.

For more information or to apply: www.altofrio.com/job-openings.html

Questions can be directed to Kim St. Clair at kim@altofrio.com .

Our campus is a resource for families who are facing difficult circumstances

(health, financial, relational etc.) and need a place for their children or for older kids

who need a fresh start in a Christian environment. Kids can stay for as little as 3 months

or all the way through graduation if we are a good fit for them and their family.

Currently, the majority of our kids come to us through family placements rather than

through CPS placements. This way, families are able to keep their parental rights and

maintain their relationships through regular communication and home visits.

Click below for a video tour of our ministry.

https://vimeo.com/454116605/d9396c84a5

Update from Encinal Community Church...

One of our most important services of the week is our Friday teen night, which consists of high school and middle school kids. During our Friday teen night, we have a devotional, we sing, we eat and then we play games.

On a recent Friday night we were blessed to have Bro. Benny Flores from FBC Cotulla and some of his youth join our service. Bro. Benny brought the devotional, as well as leading our teens in singing.

Pray that our work with the teens will continue, and that our teens will remain faithful.

Pastors' Prayer Time

Each month our pastors and staff members voluntarily come together for fellowship, sharing and praying together. The South Zone meets the first Wednesday of each month. The East Zone meets the second Thursday of each month. The North Zone meets the fourth Thursday of each month. An email is sent out before each meeting announcing where the meeting will be held.

Come join us. It is a great time to be with each other and encourage one another.

CONGRATULATIONS to Pastor Sonny & Roberta Osio on

their 10-year anniversary

of service at

Belen Baptist Church in Dilley!

"God has blessed me and my wife with the grace and strength to lead and serve at Belen Baptist Church 10 years! We thank our God for the wonderful church family He has blessed us with!"

--Sonny Osio