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  "Finish strong!" The clarion call came from a fellow seminarian. Three of my friends and I were playing football on a field in Fort Worth. We knew he was not talking about the game we were playing. Now my three friends and I are in our fifties and as far as I can tell, we are finishing well. Time will tell. Our testimony is safe when we cross the finish line.
Our Pastor Emeritus Lester Collins finished exceedingly well. In his last sermon at Tallowood on June 14, he talked about Philippians 3 and stretching toward the finish line. He said, "I want to continue to grow in grace," and "God is not finished with me yet." He ran all the way through the finish line. I have had the chance this week to listen again to his final sermons here and at his grandson's church in Dallas. To the end our Pastor Lester lived a life full of both conviction and compassion. This sermon is being added to iTunes, and will be available for $3 at the CD sales kiosk.
This week people filled up our worship center to give thanks for a life lived well. Now we continue to pray for his wife Jan and his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. We are also grateful for the Chapel Class that meant so much to him over the last five years. Their ministry continues in a new room this week. Our future is as bright as the promises of God. Lester invited all of us to follow him as he followed Christ. With him and the Apostle Paul we want to say at the end, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Let's finish strong!
In His Hope,
Duane
  Grief Support Seminar
Have you recently lost someone you love? Many grieving people find they are only beginning the work of healing when friends and family have returned to their daily life routines. Monday nights 6:45 p.m., beginning September 14, there will be a 13-week video and study series for anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one. You do not have to grieve alone. You will learn valuable information on how to face your 'new normal' in life and renew your hope for the future. There is no charge, but reservations are needed to provide adequate supplies. Please contact Christie Walker at 713.468.8241, ext. 8134 or cwalker@tallowood.org for questions and reservations.
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESL)
Do you like to meet people from other countries? The ESL@Tallowood program is in need of workers/teachers to start September 9, 2015. To teach, you need to help others improve their English language skills through conversation. We try to keep the class size down to six or less, so that each student gets a chance to practice English. We meet during the school year on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. If you are interested in this mission, please contact Barbara Baylor, 281.556.6385 or bb9tell@gmail.com. Childcare is available for children of students and teachers.
 Home Fellowships Launch on October 18
These Sunday evening home fellowships are designed to be organized geographically and not by the common bonds and ministries that we share at Tallowood. The purpose of these home fellowships is to help form relationships in the lives of members who live in and around your neighborhood. They'll be ongoing throughout the year, although how often these fellowships are held has not yet been decided. We are asking each host home to give a 2-hour timeframe to the home fellowship in which members will share a covered-dish snack and have a spiritual discussion. Note: the focus is on building relationships and growing closer together as the body of Christ in our homes and neighborhoods.
Will you host a group? Contact any of our ministers or Barbie Batura at bbatura@tallowood.org for more information or to volunteer to serve as a host home. This is a one-time commitment, and as these home fellowships continue, we'll ask for different homes to host each time. In order to offer fellowships that are close to the homes of our members, we will likely need at least 30 host homes.
Fall Mid-Week Groups for Women
This fall, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays we have various groups for women. Beth Moore: Psalms of Ascents, Precepts, Authentic Living, Craft class, Divine Design, Fitness...just to name a few. Our goal is to inspire and equip women to make disciples who are being transformed through Jesus Christ, make relationships in a life-giving community of sacrificial love, and make an impact on the world by sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others. All we need is you! If you would like to participate, but aren't sure which group is right for you, please contact the Women's Ministry office for assistance. Most groups start the second week of September. Please visit tallowood.org/women for the entire class list or pick up a brochure at the church.
Children's Ministry
Family Lunch with Lisa Keeling, Minister of Children's Education: Join us on September 13 at 12:30 p.m. in the Gym for a pizza and lasagna buffet. Cost is $3 per person, max $15 per family. Enjoy learning about the upcoming plans and events for the new school year in Children's Ministry.
First Grade Bible Reception and Presentation: Sunday morning, September 20 is an important day for 1st graders and their parents. During Worship service, each 1st grader is presented with their new Bible. At 10:00 a.m., the families enjoy a light brunch reception.
Tallowood Children's Ministry needs volunteers to help in our classrooms for Sunday morning Bible Study. Lisa Keeling is so excited about the team we have in Children's Bible Study. We have wonderful Directors in our classes, but need several people to help and teach small group activities. Please prayerfully consider if this is where God wants to show his greatness through you. Help is needed in 2nd grade. Contact Lisa Keeling, lkeeling@tallowood.org, if you are interested. Volunteers must be members and submit to a background check.
Making Relationships with Muslim Women
Do you have a Muslim friend you would like to reach out to with the love of Christ? Without Borders/Crescent Project will host an event about how to make credible relationships with Muslim women. A Tallowood group is forming for this event, to be held at Faith Bible Church, Woodlands on September 11-12 (7-9 p.m. Friday, 9-5:30 p.m. Saturday). Group rate is $50. To register, please contact Jen Whittenberg at jwhittenberg@tallowood.org or Cheryl Richardson at crichardson@tallowood.org.
Security Reminder
It's very important to be mindful about leaving valuables in your unattended vehicle. Items like laptops, cellular phones, purses, wallets and even loose change, visible from the outside of your vehicle is tempting to thieves looking for easy targets. It only takes seconds for a thief to break into your vehicle and steal your personal items, usually breaking a window or jimmying your door to gain entry.
Help us by taking valuables with you or placing them in your trunks before parking your vehicle. Remember, thieves are looking for the easy target!
Lieutenant Craig Williams, HPD Tallowood Security Coordinator
Buy low. Give high. Double your tax advantages.
If you are considering a gift to Tallowood Baptist Church, look first to a gift of stock. If your stocks have appreciated in value, you can make a substantial gift for a relatively small expenditure--the original cost of the stock.
It's tax smart. You may deduct the entire market value of stock held long term, and you are not subject to any capital gains tax on the appreciation. It's simple. A gift of stock requires minimal effort and provides maximum rewards--for you and for those whose lives are touched by your gift. For more information, please contact Betsy Samu, 713.468.8241, ext. 8159.
On-Call Weekends
When emergencies occur, the staff uses an "on-call" system for the weekends. To reach them, call 713.724.3704.
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Committee of Committees and Church Conference Meeting
The Committee of Committees meets Sunday, August 23 at 4:15 p.m. in the Great Room on the 2nd floor of West Tower, followed by the Church Conference at 5:00 p.m.
Outreach Training
Saturday, August 29, 9 a.m. to 11:59 a.m.
Fellowship Hall East
For individuals currently serving and anyone interested in serving as an usher, greeter, or Sunday School director. Join us for a fun day of training to improve guests' first impression of Tallowood.
RSVP to Carolyn at 832.320.8136 or cjwalker@tallwood.org.
Back to School Prayer Guide
The beginning of a new school year can be filled with both excitement and anxiety. Please help lift up our students in prayer as they all head back to school. A prayer guide can be found at tallowood.org.
M & M (Music & Missions)
Wednesday Nights for Kids at Tallowood
The first night of choir and missions has surprises in store on September 2.
Choir: 5:50-6:50 p.m.
Missions: 6:55-7:40 p.m.
Online registration at tallowood.org is open through August 25.
Men's Life
Beginning Wednesday, September 9, at 6 a.m. (Fellowship Hall East) & 6 p.m. (Fireplace Room), Men's Life will kick off with three different studies, each one a new tool in your tool belt for life as a Christian man: Apologetics, Conquer & Disciple Maker. See more information about each of the studies and register online at tallowood.org/mens-life.
Tallowood Players
A Complete "How To" about auditions for Tallowood Players is Monday, September 1 at 7 p.m. in the Choral Hall. Auditions will be held Monday, September 21 in Ensemble Hall beginning at 5 p.m. Contact Carolyn at 832.320.8136 for a time to audition. Players' Retreat is September 25-26.
Middle School Retreat, September 25-26
All middle school students are welcome to join us as we head to Stoney Creek Ranch for worship, games, bonfire and free time. This year we will be exploring The Holy Spirit: The Forgotten God. For more information or to register visit tallowood.org/students.
Prayer Shawl Knitting Days
Join others for knitting, praying and fellowship as you work on prayer shawls together that will be given to the ill and grieving who need prayer and comfort. Also, have you been wanting to learn to knit? The group would love to teach you. Join us in the Fireplace Room from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on September 16, and October 21. Bring your own sack lunch, drinks provided.
Fighter Verses
Week of Aug 23: Colossians 4:6
Week of August 30: John 8:31-32
Week of September 6: John 10:10
FighterVerses.com
a disciple of Jesus Christ:
follows Him,
learns from Him,
lives like Him,
and leads others to do the same
> make relationships
>> make disciples
>>> make an impact  BAPTIZED-
August 9: Hannah Gill
SYMPATHY TO-
The family of Alex Binkley
The family of Jack Hester
The family of Lester Collins
ENROLLMENT
for August 16 - 3,996
ATTENDANCE
Saturday:
August 8 - 73; August 15 - 78
Sunday:
August 9 - 1,505
August 16 - 1,642
International:
August 9 - 313
August 16 - 304
Totals:
August 8/9 - 1,891
August 15/16 - 2,024
FINANCIAL REPORT
Budget, Oct. 2014 - Sept. 2015: $9,217,000
Dec. Requirements (15% budget): $1,382,550
Budget Requirements YTD: $8,237,698
Receipts Fiscal YTD: $8,194,596
Fiscal YTD Budget Excess/(Deficit): ($43,102)
Budget Receipts:
8/9/15 - $154,363
8/16/15 - $147,728
Requirements (weekly): $163,218
Excess/(Deficit):
8/9/15 - ($8,854)
8/16/15 - ($15,489)
August 8 & 9, 2015
Irma Buford - SF
Yao Shen - SF
August 15 & 16, 2015
Jim Guthrie - Letter
Diane Guthrie - Letter
Audrey Hare - PF
Grace Pirachel - SF
PF = Profession of Faith
SF = Statement of Faith
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