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  Last week it occurred to me that our fifty members of the 2020 subcommittees may wonder what is happening in the aftermath of their amazing labor of love in dreaming about Tallowood's future. Someone may despair that nothing is going to happen. Others in our congregation may have an entirely different worry: You may be concerned that something is going to happen. In the words of the angels in countless stories in the scriptures: Fear not. I am energized by the enthusiasm and investment of our 2020 Steering Committee as they identify priorities for our ministries at Tallowood going forward. They are currently interviewing 2020 Committee leaders and staff members as they focus on our three main initiatives: Making relationships, making disciples and making an impact. Ann Bradshaw is leading Richard Hollis, Grady Randle, Dana Dudley, Margaret Campbell, Elizabeth Hankins and David Stockton as they pray and ask God how best to implement this important initiative at Tallowood. I would ask you to pray as well as we diligently seek God's plan and purpose for our next six years.
In our first year of 2020, we have trained and prepared a group of small group discipleship leaders to start discipleship groups. Some of the groups are already meeting and lives are being changed. This compliments Tallowood's long-time approach of making disciples through Sunday School by adding accountability and direct mentoring components. I hope you have met Tyler Ballard and Tyler Jones our first two High School Interns and Alex Solorio our College Intern as they fulfill the plan to impact the next generation. Our ministry to young single adults and young married adults is growing wonderfully. In our weekend worship services we are engaging more and more of our international friends with over thirty nationalities represented in our mother congregation. In the next few weeks we will begin to translate my sermons simultaneously into French for our growing Congolese community in our 11:15 service. Our Missions Committee identified forty-two ideas in the 2020 Report and divided them over the seven years, tackling six each year. Our Facilities Committee is praying over the priorities which came through the Facilities subcommittee. Kitchen equipment upgrades have already taken place. My new intern Joshua Barrett has accepted responsibility to serve as liaison for Discipleship Ministry working with staff and lay-leadership. The Personnel Committee has identified and prioritized the new staff positions needed and set aside money to add a staff member to be determined later this year.
I want to offer special thanks to Chairman Keith Booth and our Finance Committee for weighing and discussing the financial implications of 2020 in their preparation of this year's budget. They see that we could in fact pay off the remainder of our building debt potentially by the end of this year. They have also guided us through the completion of our fiscal year with the goal that we end the year "in the black". This Sunday we will vote on the 2014-2015 budget as a congregation. Will you join me in doing something special this year in preparation for the vote? Melanie and I have a long practice of tithing going back to before the time we met and married. As I read the New Testament, I find that Paul does not carry over the "rules" for giving from the Old Testament. Instead he teaches principles for giving which guide us. He asks the Corinthians to make a personal decision about how they will give, to give regularly, then to give proportionately as God has blessed them, and lastly to give cheerfully in gratitude for God's gracious unspeakable gift of his Son. You will find his teachings in 1 Corinthians 16 and 2 Corinthians 8-9. Before we vote this weekend, will you join Melanie and me in analyzing our giving and asking God in prayer how he wants us to give this new year. Here is what we know: God's work done in God's way never lacks God's supply. Let's pray over the budget and our own giving and watch God work among his people at Tallowood in this new year. Greater things are yet to come; greater things are still to be done in this city of Houston through this Community of Joy.
We love giving life to our city with you!
Duane
Missions Conference 2014
 Join us on Friday, October 24 at 6:30 p.m. in the Tallowood gym for the 2014 Tallowood Missions Conference: One City, One Purpose, One Way to God. The purpose of this year's conference is how we can reach internationals in our very diverse city with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Houston is home to 315 people groups, 220 spoken languages, and 2,000,000 unchurched. Wherever you live in Houston, you encounter people from countries around the world who need to hear the good news about Jesus. Find out how your witness can make the eternal difference.
Our dynamic speaker will be Afshin Ziafat, pastor of Providence Church in Frisco, Texas, who was born and raised as a Muslim and converted to Christianity. Tickets are $15 per person (which includes dinner) and can be purchased at tallowood.org, on Sunday mornings, or in the Mission Office during the week. Childcare is available with reservations.
Pipes & Patriots
On Tuesday, November 11 at 7:00 p.m., we will gather in the Worship Center to honor Veterans and those currently serving in the military. We are blessed to have Monte Maxwell, Organist of the United States Naval Academy, to give a musical performance you won't soon forget, and the University of Houston ROTC Color Guard will post and retire the colors. This is a community-wide event and everyone is invited. Take this opportunity to invite friends, co-workers, and the whole family and help educate our children on the value of freedom.
If you or a close relative (your parent or children) served or is currently serving in the military and you would like them to be included in the program, please drop off pictures and descriptions (we will return all original photos) at the Welcome Desk by Sunday, October 12. If you have electronic copies, email your information to apullin@tallowood.org. If you have any questions, please contact the Outreach Office, 713.468.8241, ext. 8171 or stop by the Welcome Desk.
Make a new friend at Face2Face on October 8
Make a new friend over a cup of coffee at Face2Face as we develop ways to connect with God in prayer. We meet the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the Loft which is directly above the Welcome Center. Contact the Prayer Ministry at rdrew@tallowood.org or 713.468.8241, ext. 8154 with any questions.
"The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend." Exodus 33:11
October Events for 55+
Golf Tournament:
Thursday, October 16, Tallowood Seniors will tee up for their monthly golf tournament at The Golf Club at Cinco Ranch in Katy. The $45 entry fee is due by Sunday, October 12. Players will follow the enjoyable "Tallowood Scramble" format beginning at 8:00 a.m. Range balls will be available at 7:00 a.m. for warmup, then teams will share cart partners, a fun game, lunch and prizes.
Afternoon at the Movies:
Friday, October 17, 1:30 p.m. in ET300. This month's movie is Heaven is for Real. No registration required.
Lunch & Learn: Holiday Market:
Thursday, October 23, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Gym. This month we will host a Holiday Market. Cost: $5, payable at the door (includes lunch with advanded reservation only). Register by October 20 at tallowood.org or call Barbie Batura, ext. 8147.
Tallowood Holiday Market
Thursday, October 23
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Gym
Tallowood members, gather your holiday crafts and handmade items and reserve your space. Booth cost is $10.00. Contact Barbie Batura at 713.468.8241, ext. 8147 or bbatura@tallowood.org for more information and to obtain a booth reservation packet!
(Booth = 1 table, 2 chairs, approx. 8'x10' space.) Sponsored by the Senior Adult Council.
Free Space at The Point
Free Space is our after school program for all middle school students on Tuesdays and Thursday this fall from 3:30-5:30 p.m. (except on days of early dismissal the hours are 2:00-4:00 p.m.).The Point will be open after school for middle school students and will be a safe place for students to have fun and do their homework. For more information regarding The Point's monthly schedule or to book events in The Point contact our new Point Coordinator, Laura Barrett at lbarrett@tallowood.org.
Culinary Ministry
Wednesday Night Menus:
Starting at 4:45 p.m. in Fellowship Hall East
$7.00 adults / $3.00 child
Oct. 1: Herb-roasted Pulled Pork or Thai Chili Chicken
Oct. 8: Chipotle Home-style Meatloaf or Lemon Chicken
Tuesday Lunch Menus:
Starting at 11:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall East
$7.00
Sept. 30: Baked Tilapia or Chicken Tagine
Oct. 7: Roasted Kalua Pork or Coconut Chicken
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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Hudson Mann Prayer Breakfast
Thursday, October 9, 6:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall West. A time of fellowship, intercessory prayer and sharing of Christian testimony. Speaker: James Sailors. Cost: $6. Register at tallowood.org, or call Christie Walker, 713.468.8241, ext. 8134.
Annual Meeting of Texas Baptists
November 16-18, 2014
Waco Convention Center
If you would like to represent Tallowood as a Messenger, please contact Cindy Lutz at ext. 8131. For more information, visit texasbaptists.org/annual-meeting.
It's Turkey Time!
Please bring your Randall's Community Bucks to the Missions Office now through November 1. We have so many friends who need our help this year. Contact Debra Hogue at dhogue@tallowood.org for more information.
Kingdom Basketball Registration Opens October 1
Pre-K thru 9th grade girls and 10th grade boys learn basketball and play with church, school and neighborhood friends! Games are in January and February. Register at tallowood.org or turn in a registration form and fee at the Church office. For more information, contact Dick Fenn at 281.660.5078 or dickfenn@hotmail.com.
10-10-10
Do something to fight human trafficking by joining other believers to pray against trafficking that takes place along I-10. The prayer group will meet on Friday, October 10 at 10:00 a.m. at the covered gazebo in the Taste of Texas parking lot.
New Monthly Women's Ministry Newsletter
Check out our new Women@Tallowood Newsletter. Starting in October, you can find this monthly newsletter at tallowood.org/women.
Tallowood Bookshop Sidewalk Sale
September 29 - October 10
Prices reduced 50% or more.
Congratulations to
Pat Uhlin, Childcare Director, on 25 years at Tallowood! Thank you for your service to Tallowood's children and families!
Seafarers' Christmas Boxes
Please bring your women's shoe boxes to the church reception desk as soon as possible and start looking for specials on men's full size personal care products such as shampoo, toothpaste, and deodorant. The collection boxes will be out starting October 5. Plan to help us pack and wrap on Saturday, October 25! Questions? Contact Charlotte Mitchell through the Missions Office.
Lasagna Sales
Culinary Ministry will be taking orders for lasagna, October 1-15. Lasagna will be frozen and ready for pick-up the week of November 11. Cost: large pan (feeds 12) is $20.00 and small pan (feeds 6) is $10.00. Orders must be received by October 15. Payment due at time of pick-up. To order, please call Jan Smith 713.468.8241, ext. 8151 or jksmith@tallowood.org
Women's Annual Fall Event
Save the date! We will be having our Annual Fall Event on November 18 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. More details and ticket sales coming in October.
Donate the Gift of Life
The next blood drive will be held in the gym on October 5. Please consider giving the gift of life.
BAPTIZED-
September 14: Lashun Webster, Louvenia Webster, Claire Childress, Gus Johansson
September 21: Glenda Barnes
SYMPATHY TO-
Neva Kufeldt on the death of her father
Bronwyn Alsup on the death of her uncle
CONGRATULATIONS TO-
Eli and Brooke Lopez on the birth of Kadence Brielle on September 13. Kadence weighed 8 lbs, 10 oz.
Wesley and Jenny Berridge on the birth of Lincoln Mark Montgomery Berridge on September 17. Lincoln weighed 7 lbs, 14 oz. and is the baby brother of Jenny Wren Jr.
ENROLLMENT
for September 21 - 4,441
ATTENDANCE
Saturday:
Sept.13 - 81; Sept. 20 - 75
Sunday:
Sept. 14 - 1,765; Sept. 21 - 1,632
International:
Sept. 14 - 346; Sept. 21 - 307
Totals:
Sept. 13/14 - 2,192
Sept. 20/21 - 2,014
FINANCIAL REPORT
Budget, Oct. 2013 - Sept. 2014: $8,953,416
Dec. Requirements (15% budget): $1,343,012
Budget Requirements YTD: $8,794,866
Receipts Fiscal YTD: $8,654,423
Fiscal YTD Budget Excess/(Deficit): ($140,443)
Budget Receipts:
9/14/14 - $164,080
9/21/14 - $129,057
Requirements (weekly): $158,550
Excess/(Deficit)
9/14/14 - $5,530
9/21/14 - ($29,493)
DEBT RETIREMENT REPORT
Debt Balance 8/13/2014: $590,410
Debt Retired thru 9/3/2014: $58,571
Debt Balance 9/3/2014: $531,839
September 13 & 14, 2014
Claire Childress - PF
James Hayes - SF
Sarah Hayes - SF
Gus Johansson - PF
Trinity Westbrooks - PF
Tyree Williams - PF
September 20 & 21, 2014
Joshua Cruz - SF
Conley Martin - PF
SF = Statement of Faith
PF = Profession of Faith
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