October is “Pastor Appreciation Month”. This month we are pleased to have as our interim pastor, Brent Few and his wife Tana, from Edna. Although we are a small town church, the pastor still has many responsibilities to the members, besides Sunday preaching. Be sure and let them know how grateful we are to have them with us.

We’ve had several people provide us with information on our First Baptist Church history. The very first Baptist Church in Port O’Connor was the Landmark Baptist Church, organized in 1913, mainly by the Cannon family. This church building was destroyed in the terrible 1919 hurricane. For the next several years, the Methodist Church was the meeting place for Port O’Connor Baptists. It wasn’t until 1938, that another Baptist church was organized, with seven charter members, originally known as the Landmark Baptist Church. Within two months, the church was renamed the First Baptist Church of Port O’Connor. This church was mainly organized through the efforts of two families, Mr. and Mrs. P.L. Lewis and Mrs. H.P. Clark. For many years the unofficial name of the church was the Lewis and Clark Expedition! Descendants of these two families are still very active in the church today. Stay tuned for more facts next month.

The church wants to pass along a very sincere thank you to the Port O’Connor Community Service Club. They recently held their October garage sale and generously donated several items to our Sunday school program. Twice every year for the past several years, when these events are held, they have made donations to our church. Please remember to support this fine organization when you have the opportunity. Their projects cover every corner of our town.

Another reminder about the Community Thanksgiving Service on November 17, at 6:00 p.m., at First Baptist Church. A wonderful meal will follow the service. Please mark your calendars and bring the family.

We are waiting to welcome you to our church. We hold several services and activities each week. Church services Sunday at 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Sunday school for all ages at 9:45 a.m. Prayer meeting on Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m. Youth church Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. Children’s church the second Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday Bible study (women) at 4:00 p.m. and (men) 7:00 p.m. You do not have to be a member to attend any of these events and we don’t require reservations! Please visit us.

“We’re blessed, we’re blessed, we are blessed…” is a song written by a friend, and that sums up the way we feel! What a blessed September! Ladies Retreat in Kerrville; Ladies Meeting here; Leadership Tour in Hallettsville; Empowerment Conference in Houston; “Feed the Patrons” in LaVernia; Sea Academy Classes with Captain Robert; and then off on Vacation for a few days! We got to visit Waco and see Magnolia’s grandeur and Pioneer Woman’s place in Northeastern Oklahoma. The temp one morning was 55 degrees! BUT, there is no place like home!

This month we will attempt to follow the same pattern of blessings. We enjoyed a great Fellowship Meeting in Yorktown,; Pastor Joane began our Fisherman’s Bible Institute (FBI) Classes; had a Ladies Meeting in El Campto; a Ladies Leadership Conference in The Woodlands; and are looking forward to the Men of Spring First coming for a Retreat.

If you had not heard, Patrick Overton is getting married on October 26. The love of his life, Trish, is from the Brazoria area and they will be making it their home. We sincerely pray for this new couple as they begin a lifetime of blessings.

Just today I learned that the Corpus Christi Chi Alpha are sending a team here on November 1 and 2 to work on our Executive Retreat Center. The large building that we had moved in that sits just to the east of our Chapel will be an addition to our present Retreat Center. It will be able to house up to 18 additional folks and will be handicap accessible. We need to build a porch and skirt it. We do not know how far we will get on these days, but any help we can get is always appreciated!

Men, do not feel that we have overlooked you! We are hosting a Men’s Breakfast on Saturday, November 9, at 9:00 a.m. All men are welcome to come and enjoy the food and fellowship. I have been asked if I will again cook the gravy from the Old Indian Secret Recipe, and I have agreed. This morning will be, not only an opportunity to have fellowship with other men, but able to enjoy a delicious meal and hear some inspirational words from God’s Word.

Can you believe that it is almost Thanksgiving time again? Our Community Service will be hosted by First Baptist, with everyone participating. It will be a great time to gather as a community and lift up the Name of Jesus! There will be congregational singing, special music, an inspirational message, and a time of fellowship (food) in their Fellowship Hall. We trust that we will “pack the pews!” Also, a special offering will be received to assist with the Port O’Connor Community Benevolence Fund, which provides the funding for the Thanksgiving and Christmas Gift Baskets for needy families in our community. You help is so needed again this season.

Those families with special needs are welcomed to contact 361/218-6693 not later than November 10 to get on the list for Thanksgiving Food Baskets. The Baskets will be given our on Tuesday, November 19.

Fisherman’s Chapel is an interdenominational congregation that seeks to minister to the needs, both spiritual and physical, of the people in the Port O’Connor area. One will always find a warm welcome at the Chapel and all are urged to, “Come, grow with us!”

Please join us for the 4th annual Trunk or Treat, sponsored by the POC Chamber of Commerce. We will gather at King Fisher Beach from 7:00pm – 8:30pm, on Saturday, October 26th, for some fun and trick or treats!  This event welcomes our community and weekenders for some safe Halloween fun. Bring your DECORATED vehicle, golf cart, boat, tent, and yourself and join us in passing candy or treats to everyone. We will be parked along Park Avenue around the pavilion area.

Last year’s Trunk or Treat was a blast, bringing around 200 trick or treaters to the front beach. Kids came right over after the school carnival and continued celebrating. We had decorated boats, cars, golf carts, and even a haunted tent. There will be a PRIZE of $100 for the best decorated. Bring the kids, grandkids, and friends for some safe, fun, POC Halloween fun!!