What a great December we experienced. Guest speakers included the Reverends Duke Johnson, Patrick Overton, Ric Gorden, and Brad Smith. We enjoyed a great time with our Christmas party and Christmas caroling on the hay wagon. We passed out 28 Christmas food baskets and helped provide Christmas gifts for many others. Our New year’s Eve party was excellent with Christian comedy by the Reverend Gene Summers and Holy Communion as we began the new year. (Thanks to Devon Vasquez and Vicky Cobb for planning and executing their ideas for New Year’s Eve!) We love Christmas so much that it has been suggested that we participate in two during 2011 – I have heard of Christmas in July!


On January 2, we enjoyed the ministry of Evangelist and Mrs. Gene Summers. What great messages they brought of hope, living an overcoming life, and experiencing the personal power of the Lord. People were blessed and encouraged in these special services and are looking forward to the Summers’ return.


Joane and I celebrated our Wedding Anniversary with a quiet day on January 8. We will be helping Joane celebrate her birthday next Sunday evening. If you think our January’s are dull, come spend one with us!


Fisherman’s Bible Institute is back meeting again each Tuesday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the parsonage. Those seeking a more in-depth study of God’s Word are welcomed to come and be a part of this three-year introductory study of the Bible. One can call Joane at 983-2619 for further information.


Friday Night Youth is back in full swing after the holidays. During the Christmas season, we had several of our youth participate in our Christmas party and caroling, as well as some attending the New Year’s Eve party.  But now we again focus on Friday Night Youth from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. each Friday, except the first Friday of each month. Bring your friends and let’s have some “safe sun” on Friday nights at the Chapel!


The Sea Academy is offering its first class of 2011 beginning on January 28 and going through February 6. All those interested in becoming a boat captain are urged to call the Sea Academy at 888/649-6184 and get all the details so you can become a part of the graduates from here at the Chapel. The instructor, Captain Robert, will again help all those who attend to get their Coast Guard approved licenses.


Fisherman’s Chapel is committed to helping this community focus on eternal issues. We believe Jesus is the answer to the world’s problems and will help those wanting help find a personal Savior in Jesus Christ. We are an interdenominational congregation who urges all to, “Come, grow with us!”

Seadrift – Rachel Lorene Beaver, 97, of Seadrift, passed away on December 17, 2010. She was born on August 17, 1913, in Des Arc, Ark., to the late George Washington and Myrtle Jane Harvey Carter. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Seadrift. She loved her family, fishing, gardening and flowers. She married Fred “Blackie” Beaver on February 26, 1933.


Rachel was preceded in death by her husband, Fred “Blackie” Beaver; parents; daughter, Vandlean Wittnebert; grandson, baby Danny Clark; brother, Richard Carter; and four sisters, Marie Carpenter, Opal Middaugh, Clara Bagwell, and Ruby Smith.


She is the loving mother of son, Joseph “Joe Baby” Beaver Sr. and wife Mary Ethel of Seadrift; two daughters, Evelyn Clark and husband Gary of Aransas Pass, and Vivian “Bido” Sprague and husband Martin Sr. of Seadrift; son-in-law, Dennis “Poodle” Wittnebert Sr. and second wife Mary Jane of Seadrift; cherished grandmother of 15 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren, and 53 great-great-grandchildren.


Funeral services were held on December 21 at First Baptist Church of Seadrift, Brother Dennis Wittnebert Sr. officiating. Internment followed at Seadrift Cemetery.


Memorials may be given to First Baptist Church of Seadrift Food Pantry or First Baptist Church of Seadrift Youth Building Fund.

Seadrift – Meredith Moore Haass, 69, of Seadrift, passed away December 14, 2010 in Port Lavaca. She was born November 4, 1941, in Beaumont. She very much enjoyed fishing and spending time with her family.

She is survived by her husband, Leo Haass of Seadrift; three daughters, Debbie Colorado of Rosharon, Laurie and Bruce Holzle of Shore Acres, and Susan Parker of Rosharon; three sons, Kent and Linda Kohlaffel of Cuero, Chad and Bobbi Kohlaffel of Woodlands, and Terry Haass of Fort Worth; two brothers, Sid Moore of Maryville, Tenn. and Adrian Lee of Falsom, La. She is also survived by eight grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Isabel Moore.

Memorial services were held at Heritage Funeral Home with the Rev. David King, pastor of John Wesley United Methodist Church in Victoria, officiating.

Port O’Connor – Lewis “Good Spot” Johnson, 85, of Port O’Connor, passed away Tuesday, December 21, 2010, in Port Lavaca. He was born April 4, 1925, in Kopperi, to the late Aron Blake and Leafy Smith Johnson.


Lewis served on a destroyer escort, the U.S.S. Harverson DE 316 during WWII, serving in the U.S. Coast Guard. Lewis was a proud member of the VFW and American Legion.


He worked for over 40 years as a hunting and fishing guide in the Port O’Connor area, and was widely known for his abilities. He was the subject of several articles that were written in Field and Stream magazine, as well as local newspapers.


He was also an ultra-light pilot who enjoyed flying ultra-light aircraft with his buddies in the area. He also served with the Port O’Connor Volunteer Fire Department, serving as assistant chief for several years back in the 50s and 60s. He was a devoted member of First Baptist Church. Lewis was a private man who enjoyed spending time with his family and friends doing the things he loved so much.


Lewis was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Cecil Johnson; stepson, Billy Shotwell, and grandsons, Shane Row and Ebdon Verdin.


He is survived by his wife, Janet Johnson of Port O’Connor; two daughters, Deborah J. LaBoeuf and Leafy Ann Johnson of Port O’Connor; two sons, Charlie Cecil Johnson of Port O’Connor and Walter Shotwell of New Philadelphia, Ohio; two sisters, Lorene Alsup of Grand Prairie and Pauline Stewart of Waco; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.


Memorial services were held Friday, January 7, 2011, at the First Baptist Church of Port O’Connor with the Rev. Marcos Gohlke officiating.


Memorial donations may be made in Lewis’ name to the Port O’Connor Volunteer Fire Department or to the First Baptist Church.

A 30 cubic yard roll- off bin will be located behind the fence on 16th & Harrison for MUD customers to bring bulky waste to be hauled off.  The bin will be there for two days, on Friday and Saturday, January 21 and 22.  The bin may be used from 8 am to 5 pm each day.  MUD customers only may deposit large items like carpet, furniture, mattress, stove, etc.  We will have someone to collect auto batteries outside the bin.  MUD customers must sign in with their name and Port O’Connor physical address.  Please, no commercial waste; this is for residential waste only.  Do not put any refrigerators, a/c units, paint, tires, gas cans or any unacceptable waste in the bin.  Do not place anything outside the bin.