A NOTE FROM RON... This next Wednesday evening (September 10) we will begin our new Wednesday-night schedule including FOOD SERVICE! This is an exciting new addition to our church programming. Each week the menu offered will be in the newsletter. The prices reflect the cost of the food. This will be a great time of fellowship with Susan Senser and team doing a great job planning the meals with volunteers. The programming to follow will continue to unfold as we go along. On the last Sunday of September (the 28th) we will begin offering The Lord’s Supper each Sunday Morning. It will be administered by our wonderful Elders and Ordained Ministers in the church from 10:20 to 10:40 a.m. in the Ordinance Room at the upper right corner of the Sunday, October 12, we will observe the ordinance of baptism in our worship service. Please call our office and let us know if you wish to be part of this special occasion. I am beginning a series on Developing Healthy Relationships. Sunday, September 7, I will be preaching from Luke 6:27-36, “Building a Foundation for Healthy Relationships”. 
A WORD FROM MIKE...
There are a number of new, very important announcements I want to bring to your attention...
While reading a story from a New Tribes Mission quarterly publication, I came upon a story I thought would be interesting to children who have just begun their new school year. Melody is a teenager whose parents live in a remote village in the rainforest of FOSA KIDS NEEDS
EXCITING UPDATE!!!!!!
"IRON SHARPENS IRON"
FOSA MEN’S RETREAT
October 3-5, 2008
Franklin Ranch
Our first FOSA Men’s Retreat – “Iron Sharpens Iron” - will take place Friday October 3-Sunday October 5. The goal for the retreat is simple: To grow closer to God, our family and each other. We have developed a program that helps us accomplish these goals, as well as provide plenty of free time to unwind, play golf, fish, shoot skeet or do nothing. We will begin on Friday evening, have a gathering on Saturday morning, a free afternoon for golf, fishing, shooting clays, basketball, hiking, etc, and a session Saturday night. We are excited to announce that Buckner Fanning will wrap it all up for us on Sunday morning. The cost of the retreat (including all meals, lodging and program) is $190.00 per person.
This retreat is going to be a fantastic, meaningful and spiritual experience for all, but our space is very, very limited. If you want to put your name on the "list" to hold a spot, please send me an email at mike@thefellowshipofsa.org and I'll put you down. We have already had a number of people sign up...so if you think you might want to attend, please send me an email today!
WEDNESDAY NIGHT SCHEDULE
We will resume Wednesday Night programming on September 10 and there are some new and exciting changes this fall.
* Dinner – We will serve dinner from 5:30-6:30 p.m. every Wednesday evening. The menu will change each week and as they say, the price is right!
* Prayer Meeting – Ron will continue his study on the gospel of John in prayer meeting from 6:30-7:00 p.m.
* Various committees (missions, education, business, personnel, etc.) and the Deacons will periodically meet from 6:30-7:30 p.m. In addition, we will be offering special programming as well. For example, special cooking classes in the new kitchen and seminars on financial planning will be offered as well as 3-4 week studies on biblical books and topics.
* Youth – The FOSA Youth will continue to meet from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Jon has planned some changes in the program for Wednesday, including a monthly Missions emphasis, new activities and games, and much more!
* Choir practice – The FOSA choir will practice from 7:30-9:00 p.m.
Please check out the weekly calendar for the FOSA Wednesday night menu and schedule.
FOSA “MISSIONS MOMENT”
This week, Mark Snider shares another "Missions Moment" with us. It is a fantastic example of how missions can truly change the world.
GREAT VIDEO!!!
The daughter of Mel and Susan Allick was recently featured on the 700 Club and I thought you would be interested in watching this video. It is a fantastic video and well worth watching. Christina and her husband have visited FOSA many times and, as Mel relayed to me in an email, “have appreciated the way their Bible Fellowship class welcomed her and her husband so warmly; and the nursery were so wonderful to the children while they were here.” Christina separated from the Air Force on June 27th to follow her husband and take care of her children. They now live in Chile.
Here is a brief description of the video…
Christine (Allick) Hopper: Bible Thumping Fighter Pilot
CBN.com – Major Christina Hopper has no ordinary job. Sure, she has a desk and a uniform, but she also has a company vehicle - an F16 fighter jet. Women like Christina are rare. In fact, she made history as the first African American female to fly a fighter jet during combat in a major war. Her groundbreaking feat landed her in magazines like Ebony and Good Housekeeping, and she’s appeared on several talk shows including Oprah. However, Christina says her success as a black woman isn’t what defines her. “My identity has been and always will be in Christ,” Christina said. “Being a child of God defines everything that drives my goals, everything that drives how I live and act on a day-to-day basis.”
To view the video, click on Christina's picture above of the following link - Christine (Allick) Hopper Video 
Replacing your laptop computer? Want to find a good home for your old one? If you have a laptop that is old, tired and collecting dust, please put it to some great use teaching children about the Bible. FOSA Kids could sure use them!!! We have access to some great Bible software that the kids could use on Sunday, but we need computers to run them. Older computers are just fine, but they need to be laptops because we have no place to store desktop computers. The software requires the following laptop configuration: Pentium II 200 MHz or higher microprocessor, Windows or later, 32 MB of RAM, 640 x 48 SVGA 16 bit color monitor, 4X CD ROM drive, 16 bit Windows Compatible Sound Card, 10 MB Hard-Disk Space. Please include the electrical cords and other items that will keep it running and don’t forget to delete your personal documents, etc. from the computer.
LINKS TO THE PAST
HEZEKIAH’S TUNNEL
One of the most fascinating places in all of Israel is a site known as Hezekiah’s tunnel. Originally constructed over 3000 years ago by the the original inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Jebusites, it was expanded by David around 1000 B.C. and again by King Hezekiah in the 8th century B.C. The tunnel originally directed water from the one and only spring in Jerusalem, the Gihon Spring, to a shaft where the inhabitants of Jerusalem could draw their water. When Jerusalem was under threat in the 8th century B.C. by Sennacherib, king of Assyria, King Hezekiah expanded the tunnel to direct the water to the Pool of Siloam inside the walls of the city and thereby protect the water supply. Inscriptions discovered later revealed that two sets of diggers started on opposite ends of the tunnel and worked their way through solid rock meeting halfway.
It has always been a mystery how exactly they did that. Below is a link to an article addressing this issue once again. I have also included a link to a video I shot when I was in Jerusalem a few months ago walking through this 3000 year old tunnel. I hope you enjoy these very real and tangible “links to the past”.
Hezekiah Tunnel Story
Hezekiah Tunnel Video
Offering 08/31/08.............36,344.26 General Tithes & Offerings..17,654.26 YTD Tithes & Offerings (48 weeks)....985,916.98 2007-08 Budget...........................1,097,000.00 YTD Tithes & Offerings Budget.......1,012,615.38 Over (Short)..................................(26,698.40) Designated...........................3,885.00 CELEBRATE CAMPAIGN.........14,805.00 Celebrate! Campaign Pledges........3,444,329.12 Contributed to Date......................2,443,538.28 Pledge Balance............................1,000,790.84 
FOSA FINANCIAL UPDATE
Please remember to drop your tithes and offerings in one of the olive jars located around the worship center. Your faithful and consistent giving to The Fellowship helps us carry on daily operation, ministries and missions.
Offerings are received in the Olive Jar located in the foyer. You may also mail contributions to our office:
The Fellowship of San Antonio
23755 Canyon Golf Road
San Antonio, TX 78258-4926
(210) 402-3672
ONLINE GIVING!!!
Click on the following link to contribute online to FOSA - FOSA Online Giving
MEN’S MINISTRY
There are many opportunities for men to get involved in fellowship and Bible Study at The Fellowship. As you can see below, there are morning and evening groups that meet through the month…some every week and others once a month. Please take advantage of these opportunities to get to know other men at The Fellowship. Here is a list of the meetings:
"IRON SHARPENS IRON"
FOSA MEN’S RETREAT
October 3-5, 2008
Franklin Ranch
Our first FOSA Men’s Retreat – “Iron Sharpens Iron” - will take place Friday October 3-Sunday October 5. The goal for the retreat is simple: To grow closer to God, our family and each other. We have developed a program that helps us accomplish these goals, as well as provide plenty of free time to unwind, play golf, fish, shoot skeet or do nothing. We will begin on Friday evening, have a gathering on Saturday morning, a free afternoon for golf, fishing, shooting clays, basketball, hiking, etc, and a session Saturday night. We are excited to announce that Buckner Fanning will wrap it all up for us on Sunday morning. The cost of the retreat (including all meals, lodging and program) is $190.00 per person.
This retreat is going to be a fantastic, meaningful and spiritual experience for all, but our space is very, very limited. If you want to put your name on the "list" to hold a spot, please send me an email at mike@thefellowshipofsa.org and I'll put you down. We have already had a number of people sign up...so if you think you might want to attend, please send me an email today!
MEN’S BREAKFAST OUTREACH
WHAT: Thursday Breakfast Meeting
WHEN: Every Thursday morning
TIME: 9:00am
WHERE: Blanco Café – A quarter mile south of 1604 on Blanco Road next to the Wash Tub Car Wash
MEN’S EVENING GATHERING
WHAT: Evening Men’s Gathering
WHEN: The 3rd Tuesday of every month (Not meeting during the summer)
TIME: 7:00-8:30pm
WHERE: Location TBA
Order YOUR FOSA Family Recipes Cookbook!
COOKBOOK: $12.00 each
Place your order Sunday following Worship Service in the gymnasium!
Please make checks payable to FOSA.
A SWEET GATHERING
2009 DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED!!!!
FOOD FOR THE SOUL UPDATE... Food for the Soul is stocked with chicken cobblers, chicken divan, cherry crumb pies and apple crumb pies in the freezer. If you'd like to take a casserole to someone in need, ask Susan Senser or Bill Pagani on Sunday or Jan Carnes any weekday. There is a sign-out sheet on the kitchen bulletin board and a donation box in the freezer to help the ministry continue. Suggested donation is $5.00.
SIGN UP TO BRING FOOD ON SUNDAYS!
We need YOUR help! If you would like to bring munchies for the Fellowship Hall on Sunday mornings, please call Mary Potts at 210-826-7091. Thanks.
WHAT: MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) MOPS COORDINATORS: Jenni Blacklock & Gina Weikel
WHEN: First and Third Thursdays each month (September through May)
TIME: 10:00am - 12:30pm
SPECIAL NOTE: Please bring a sack lunch for your little MOPPETS. They are fed lunch during our meeting
For More Information Contact: Gina Weikel (830) 980-5259 or weikel@gvtc.com
MOPS 2008–2009 Meetings & Speakers
September 18 – Family Traditions
October 9 – TBA
October 23 – TBA
November 6 – Steve Leavitt – Your Child’s Love Language
November 20 – Operation Christmas Child
December 4 – Holiday brunch & ornament exchange
January 8 – Spa Day & Pamper Yourself
January 22 – TBA
February 5 – Angela Gilbert – Respect
February 19 – Financial Planning
March 5 – Magnificent March Makeovers, Katy Fulkerson, makeup artist
March 19 – Parenting Panel
April 2 – CPR
April 16 – Self Defense
GET CONNECTED @ FOSA
Click on the picture above to learn how to "Get Connected" at The Fellowship. You will find information about our Sunday Worship schedule, Bible Fellowship classes, music, missions and many other opportunities to get involved.
We have a tremendous collection of Bible Fellowship classes that meet on Sunday morning from 9:15-10:15 am. If you have not been to one of these classes lately, I want to encourage you to try one. It is a great way to get to know other folks in The Fellowship as well as participate in some fantastic Bible study led by some incredible teachers and directors!
Here is a list of the classes. Campus map showing where they meet are located on the web site as well as by the olive jar on Sunday mornings.
Nursery (Infants/toddlers-age 3)
Preschool (Age 3-5, not in Kindergarten)Children (Kindergarten-5th Grade)
Youth (Middle and High School Students)
Young Adults & College Students
Single Adult Class
Young Couples Class
Mike Fanning’s Class
Eddy & Mary Hall’s Class
Marti Amos & John Koiner’s Class
Greatest Generation Class
FOSA VIRTUAL PRAYER ROOM
If you have a prayer request, please click on the picture above to be linked to our Virtual Prayer Room page, take advantage of the prayer journal on Sundays or contact one of our Prayer Ministry coordinators: Shirley McBroom 684-7795, Zively Kitchen 830-981-9414 or Mary Gates dgates1@satx.rr.com.
WELCOME NEW MEMBER!!
Ron Cantrell FOSA Wednesday Night Gathering 
BEGIN MAKING PLANS!
Our annual Scott Wenzel Memorial Golf Tournament will be at Canyon Springs Golf Club Tuesday, October 7, 2008.
To download a tournament brochure, click on the following link - Scott Wenzel Tournament.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNER
COMING UP!!
Beginning Wednesday, September 10, we will be serving dinner 5:30-6:30 p.m. If you would like to help in the kitchen on Wednesdays, please sign up on the bulletin board in the main hallway at church Sunday or email jan@thefellowshipofsa.org.
Dinner Menu - SEPTEMBER 10
MAIN MENU:
Roasted Corn Chowder with Potatoes & Bacon
Crusty French Bread, Small Tossed Salad, Dessert
Iced Tea or Coffee
Fixed price: $5.00
Lighter fare for Children or Adults:
Lunch Meat Sandwich: $3.00
Dinner Salad: $2.50
Peanut Butter/Jelly Sandwich: $1.00
Corn Dog: $1.50
Beverage: $0.50
GOLF CART DRIVERS NEEDED!!
We need to increase our staff of golf cart drivers on Sunday mornings. If you (male or female) would be available to drive a cart on Sunday on a rotating schedule (not every Sunday), please call Bob Caldwell at 210-375-5549 and let him know. We would really appreciate some more volunteers for this task. Thanks so much!!
CHOIR REHEARSAL UPDATE...
Happiness is singing in the choir, but not during the month of August! Choir is on summer break. Rehearsals resume Wednesday, September 10.
ONLINE GIVING AVAILABLE!!!
Effective immediately, you now have the opportunity to contribute to God’s work at FOSA by making financial donations online. Simply click on the picture above or the link below to make donations to FOSA from your bank account or by debit/credit cards. The process is secure, safe and very easy to use.
FOSA Online Giving offers you a number of options.
* You may make a one time donation or set it up to make a donation once a week, once every two weeks, once a month, twice a month or once a quarter.
* You may designate your contribution to the General Tithes and Offerings, the Celebrate! Building Campaign or make a Special Designated Gift.
* You may make a contribution from your bank account or from your debit/credit card.
Here is a little more information about each option:
1. Bank Account - This option allows you to safely transfer money from your bank account to the church via electronic funds transfer without writing a check. You can make a contribution from either your checking or savings account. It is very secure and safe.
2. Credit/Debit Card - This option allows you to conveniently pay your donation via a major credit/debit card. There are many advantages to paying with a debit or credit card (i.e. frequent flyer miles, consistent billing, etc.), but we do want to add one word of caution. We would advise you to use this option if you pay off your credit cards monthly. We do not encourage or condone credit card debt.
We hope you take advantage of this convenient and easy way to make your donations to The Fellowship. And once again, thank you so much for your faithful stewardship.
Click on the following link to contribute online to FOSA - FOSA Online Giving
NEW UPDATED PHOTOS - 5th Year Anniversary & Easter 2008!!!
Click on the links below to check out pictures from some of our latest events!! The tabs on the left hand side of the page will link you to pictures from the following events...
Easter 2008
5th Year Anniversary 2008
Sweet Gathering - 2007
Scott Wenzel Golf Tournament - 2007
Children's Family Fun Day - 2007
Youth New Orleans Mission Trip - 2007
Easter - 2007
Sweet Gathering - 2006
Scott Wenzel Golf Tournament - 2006
UPCOMING EVENTS
To view all FOSA calendar events, please click on the following links ...
www.thefellowshipofsa.org/Calendar.html
calendar.yahoo.com/fosabfcs
Flowers Sunday, August 31, are given by Shera Lee Davis and Clifford Lee Bowman in celebration of their wedding Sunday evening at FOSA.
SUNDAY FLOWERS
You may provide flowers for Sunday worship commemorating special occasions or in memory or in honor of someone. Please reserve and confirm requests/dates at 210-402-3672 with your information. Minimum is $75.00 per arrangement. We will purchase and arrange flowers.
LISTEN TO WORSHIP SERVICES ONLINE!!!
To listen online to the worship services at FOSA, please click on the following link and then click on the date of the service you would like to hear.
FOSA Sunday Services Online
BUSINESS DIRECTORY AVAILABLE
We have updated our FOSA Business Directory with companies, services, products, etc. listed from FOSA members who have submitted their information. This directory is updated periodically. If you wish to change your information or be included in the next directory, please email Jan jan@thefellowshipofsa.org or drop your business card into one of the Olive Jars. You may access the Business Directory by clicking on the following link (FOSA Business Directory) or picking one up from the table in back of the Worship Center.
FOSA KIDS SEPTEMBR ROTATION BIBLE STUDY Elijah and the False Prophets of Baal 1 Kings 18: 16-46 Memory Verse: “You were shown these things so that you might know that the Lord is God; besides him there is no other.” Deuteronomy 4:35 NIV What we will learn: t The Lord is the One true God. t God has ultimate power over the world. t We are called to trust in only God for everything. t God asks us to choose only him and then helps us make that choice. t We are called to worship God. What is happening in FOSA Kids Workshops? t Act out the story and learn how to identify true and false prophets in DRAMA t Decide who are false prophets today in GAMES t Dig for story clues and spark a bit of lightening in SCIENCE/ARCHAEOLOGY t How strong was Elijah’s faith via VIDEO Workshop Rotation Leaders: Mozell Richie, Ginger Hicks, Robin Nelson, Kurt & Sherry Wehner WORKSHOP ROTATION Shepherds: Kay Bernard,
KINDER-5TH GRADE CHILDREN
TEACHERS NEEDED!
If you would like to teach in our Children's Ministry, please contact Bev Golden, 210-497-4440 or bev@thefellowshipofsa.org. You will be blessed by the joyful spirits of our FOSA Kids as you make friends with the future.
Sep. 3rd - Youth Wednesday Nights resume Oct. 7th - Scott Wenzel Memorial Golf Tournament Oct. 12th-13th - Student Leadership Retreat Oct. 26th - Ski Trip Meeting Nov. 1st - $50 Ski Trip Deposit due Nov. 8th - Enchanted Rock Hiking Trip Dec. 1st - $115 Ski Trip Payment due Jan 1st - $115 Ski Trip Payment due Feb. 1st - $115 Ski Trip Payment due Mar. 1st - $180 Ski Trip Payment due Mar. 7th-13th - Ski Trip Late June (TBA) - Camp Mid-Late July (TBA) - Mission Trip
YOUTH NEWS!!!
THANK YOU NOTE
Thank you to all of the people who helped make the Lasertag Lock-in such a huge success: Chris Borzych for staying up all night with us at the lock-in, Kenny Bradfield for helping out at Mini golf and during the movie, Phillip Valadez for donating the pizzas, Mike Fanning and Eric Lewis for setting up the movie, and all of the parents who helped us with transportation.
SKI TRIP INFO
Spring Break Ski Trip ‘09
March 7th-13th (Sat.-Fri.)
PRICE: $575 per person
PACKAGE INCLUDES: Charter bus, 4 nights lodging at Trail West Lodge in Buena Vista, 3 day lift ticket on Monarch Mountain, 3 day ski rental, 4 dinners, and 4 breakfasts (lunch not included)
PROGRAM: includes speaker and worship each night
The first Parent Meeting concerning the Ski Trip will be held Sunday, October 26th immediately following worship. This meeting is informational and anyone interested must be in attendance.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE:
Nov. 1 $50 deposit
Dec. 1 $115
Jan. 1 $115
Feb. 1 $115
March. 1 $180
If you have not made a payment by Dec. 1st, then we cannot guarantee you a seat on the bus.
5th ANNUAL SCOTT WENZEL MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
This tournament takes place every year in memory of Scott Wenzel to benefit our youth. Scott was a passionate young man, who longed to see young people spread the name of Christ all over our world. Portions of the proceeds from this tournament go toward youth missions in our church.
If you or any of your friends golf and are interested in playing in this tournament, please contact Melanie Evans or Jon Hart.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP RETREAT
This year the Student Leadership Retreat will be held Sunday, October 12th-Monday, October 13th (which is a school holiday). This is a great opportunity for high school students to learn the tools needed to become a student leader. This one night retreat is going to be full of fun games and activities that focus on developing leadership skills.
ENCHANTED ROCK HIKING TRIP
More information to come soon!!!
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS AND SUNDAY MORNINGS
As a reminder, Sunday School starts at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday and Wednesday-night activities are 7:00-8:00 p.m.
For the rest of this semester, our youth will be using a new curriculum that focuses on the life of Jesus. Most Sundays your students will receive a Parent Page to bring home that has a devotional for your family as well as activities that reflect what we have learned in Sunday School that week.
Wednesday night has some upcoming changes, including: Mission Emphasis Wednesdays, new activities and games, and much more!
YOUTH CALENDAR