FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK…
“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” Rev. 22:13.
Our Wednesday studies have focused on Eschatology, the Last Things. My intent wasn’t to dive deep, but the Lord impressed me to do so. Some knowledge of the end times can drive people to fear. Our prayer is that by laying our hand to the plow of eschatology, we will discover the true meaning of prophecy and remain faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ. The end of time is not the end of life for saved sinners!
Most of us have watched movies or read books dealing with the apocalyptic destruction of the world. Some of them are incredibly entertaining, others not so much. However, one thing they all generally share is the panic of humanity in the face of death. It seems no one ever considers the cataclysmic end of the world a real possibility. Yet, the Bible has pointed to the end for over 3,000 years! Peter writes, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10). Do you believe the Word of God?
Through our study of Last Things, you will learn God has an eternal plan for those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Has it all been revealed to man? No, we’re not intelligent enough to comprehend it all. However, we have enough of His revealed Word to know that In Christ, we shall be saved. 1 Corinthians 5:1 says, “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” The last thing is eternity with Christ! ~~ Pastor Greg
APRIL SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
April 2 120
April 9 165 (Easter)
April 16 146
April 23 146
April 30 127
5) 704 (141 average)
If you cannot attend, all services are streamed live on Beulah Ann Missionary Baptist Church’s Facebook Page. Services are also posted on our YouTube channel “Beulah Ann Missionary Baptist Church.”
Prayer requests may be sent directly to the prayer line which is maintained by Sharon Chapman at babcprayer@aol.com, or called into the church at 304-743-5854.
Offerings may be mailed to the church at P. O. Box 247, Ona, WV 25545. Please mail Sunday School Class (and other groups) offerings directly to your class treasurer.
Your attendance is very much welcome at any time. Love to see everybody back!
OVER 80 BIRTHDAYS
Rosemary Walker, May 21, 82 yrs.
Dennie Dailey, May 23, 81 yrs.
Ruth “Peggy” Chapman, May 25, 85 yrs.
Edith Clagg, May 31, 94 yrs.
Keith Cooper, June 2, 82 yrs.
Richard “Buddy” Beckett, June 12, 93 yrs.
OVER 50 ANNIVERSARIES
Richard & Fay Jackson, May 21, 57 yrs.
Eddie & Debbie Dillon, June 8, 50 yrs.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO NEWSLETTER FUND
Thru church treasury $40.00
Willing Workers SS Class $20.00
Norma Mount $20.00
Norma writes, “I enjoy your newsletter very much. I am sending a small donation and my new address. Thanks very much.”
Nina Nowlin $20.00
In loving memory of my Daddy, the late Homer Nowlin, on his birthday, May 22.
Thank you for your generous support.
BIBLE READING PROGRAMS
WVBC ABWM 5-year Bible Reading Plan:
May: Lamentations
June: I Kings
Evangelistic Outreach Bible Reading Calendars give an Old and New Testament selection to read each day of the year.
A chronological Bible Reading schedule is also available. All these plans are on the front foyer table.
MISSION PROJECTS
In April, we focused on the Huntington City Mission. It is a full-service shelter where homeless persons can have a safe place to sleep and get a warm meal and be shown and told about the love of Christ. We sent them $1,121.
Our mission project for May is the Eastern Cabell County Humanities Organization (ECCHO), where they organize the collection and distribution of food and clothing donations for those in need. To give, mark ECCHO on the memo line of your check. Thanks!
CONGRATULATIONS:
To Jozi Morrison and Brad Adams, who were married on April 30. Jozi is the daughter of Danny and Joan Morrison, and granddaughter of Patty and the late Jim Morrison, and the late Pastor Paul and Caroline Meadows.
To Leslie Turley, who is retiring from American Baptist International Ministries as Area Director of Southeast Asia and Japan on May 31.
To Kimberly Miller, who has retired from the United States Geological Survey. She will now devote more time to her position as Discipleship Pastor at Teays Valley Church of God.
NEXT MONTH we will be telling you about our graduates, and other school news. Please give info to Jo Ross about your student’s achievements, whether academic, sports, band, and extracurricular activities, from kindergarten on up! We like to brag about our kids.
The only thing worse than hearing your alarm clock go off is not hearing it.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Baby Nursery workers for Sunday mornings. See Boo Meadows. Also, Children’s Ministry workers are needed.
Safety Team members. See Rick Webb.
Bus/Van drivers. See Pastor Greg. (You need to have a valid driver’s license and be under the age of 70 due to insurance requirements.)
Today’s Forecast: God Reigns and the Son Shines!
CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF:
LEONARD BURKS, 92, of Ona, passed away May 9. He was an uncle of Judy Lawson and John Rimmer.
LLOYD G. CARTER, 87, of Granite Falls, NC passed away April 1. He was an uncle of Karen Bias Elkins.
OKEY LEE CHILDERS, 93, of Ona, whose graveside service was April 18. He was the husband of Della Black Childers, father of Dennis Childers (Becky), grandfather of Jared Childers (Samantha), and Mary Childers (Cathy), and great-grandfather of Abby Ella, Brooklynn and Okey Childers.
ROBERT “ROBBIE” DAVIS, 59, of Milton, passed away May 8. He was a nephew of Donna Clagg.
KENNETH ROBERT DENNISON, 72, of Ona, whose service was May 18. He was the husband of Sandra Kirby Dennison, step-father of Chip Floyd (Amy), and brother-in-law of Greg Kirby.
BLANE SCOTT EVANS, 65, of Milton, whose funeral was April 15. He was a retired member of the Ona and Milton Volunteer Fire Departments, and he was a friend of Duane Adkins and several in the church.
LAWRENCE SCOTT MCDERMITT, 60, of Letart, passed away May 4. He was the nephew of Jerry Zerkle (Clara).
RONALD RAKES, 72, of Branchland, whose funeral was May 6. He was an uncle of Mollie Perry (James).
JESSIE SALMONS, 93, of Dunlow, WV, passed away April 26. He was the grand-father of Pastor Jason Salmons.
SPRING REVIVAL
Well, it has been a long time since we have been able to have a revival. This one came at the right time and with the right evangelist. Pastor Tim Messinger of Lighthouse Baptist Church in Milton, who came from our own church, preached great messages May 1-5. We had visiting choirs from Lighthouse, Union, and Barker Ridge. Our own Blessings also sang one night, and our own Grace Abounds sang the final night. The best news is that one young man was saved!
Owning dogs prepares us for babies.
Owning cats prepares us for teenagers.
GOOD NEWS NUGGETS
J The fourth Sunday night Children’s Ministries awards program was on April 23. The Bible hero they had been studying was Jesus! Many children had memorized Matthew 1:21, and they did marvelous when Pastor Greg quizzed them.
J A very generous anonymous donor paid for new paving of the road at Camp Ona. What a wonderful gift! The road is like new from Howell’s Mill Road to the dining hall.
J Our Pastor is teaching a series on Eschatology on Wednesday nights. On May 10, he provided us a helpful guide for his teaching. Don’t miss the Wednesday night service, you will learn a lot and get your mid-week refueling.
J For the first time since the pandemic, our Sanctuary Choir sang at another church! Susannah Baptist Church on Fudges Creek invited us to sing at their revival on Thurs., April ??, where Paul Michael Booth was the evangelist. Twenty-four were in the choir, and several more in the congregation. Great fellowship.
J Our Sunday School Superintendent Tom McComas, is the bus driver for the Jesus Kids. (Also, proud grandfather of Keeley Carter, who sings with them.) The kids sing twice at Paramount Senior Living on second Sunday afternoons. First, they sing in the Memory Care Unit, then move to the Assisted Living building. On April 23, Tom shared with us what a blessing he felt the previous Sunday when the Kid sang to the Memory Care patients. As they sang the old hymns to them, some lips began to move and some toes began to tap. The Kids were reaching them! Praise God for their ministry!
J Blessings presented wonderful Easter music and a dramatic presentation of the crucifixion and resurrection on the Sunday after Easter.
Very powerful. Thank you so much.
J Lots of folks came out on Saturday, May 6 to help spruce up Camp Ona and get things ready for the camping season. Lots of cleaning and painting. Thanks to everyone who helped in any way.
J Our annual Community Appreciation Dinner was May 6. The ABWM, with lots of help, prepared turkey and ham and most of the dinner. Ladies brought some side dishes and desserts. Thanks to Sue Short and Half Way Market for the potted flowers that decorated each table. The oldest lady at the table got to take the flower home. The men delivered lots of dinners to shut-ins around the community. It was a wonderful event.
J We had a tie for the oldest mother present on Mother’s Day Sunday. Rowena Bonde and Viola Adkins, both 92, were given gifts by Adult Ministries. Beautiful mothers, both of them!
WOW ACTIVITY
Some of Beulah Ann’s WOW group (widows, widowers, and singles) attended a special breakfast hosted by Kandi Messinger at the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Milton. It was a time for giving as well as receiving. Each of us donated a needful item for the Huntington City Mission. In return we were served a delicious breakfast of assorted rolls and fresh cut up fruits. After eating we were blessed with two wonderful speakers, Linda Close and Linda Leese. Our thanks to Kandi and all who helped prepare the food and for the beautiful table decorations. Also, thanks to Lighthouse’s Youth Group for the cute clay pots of pansies which were given to each of us to take home. ~~Rowena Bonde
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY NEWS
Jesus Kids have been busy. They sang to Paramount Senior Living patients on April 16th. Residents & their families love to hear the kids sing. Then on the 4th Sunday of April the Jesus Kids sang during the Children’s Ministry Awards upstairs in church. The children love learning about their Bible Hero that month and playing trivia with Pastor Greg on questions about that Bible Hero. (I think He enjoys it too). For memorizing this month’s Bible verse the children receive pins for their sashes which they wear on award night. The children are learning as they earn their pins.
Thank you to the ladies and gentlemen who have volunteered to help us during Children’s Church and Vacation Bible School. We are busy planning for our Vacation Bible School coming up this June. We are going to the Outback. Zoomerang (Australian theme). We are returning to the value of Life. If you can help in any way, please contact one of the Children’s ministry team ladies. We promise you will receive a blessing ~~Children’s Ministry Team
A life without God is like trying to dribble a football.
CALENDAR
**Sun., May 21, 11 am – Baccalaureate Service with guest speaker Jacob Marshall. See Mitzi Beckett for more details. There are information sheets on the foyer table.
**Sun., May 21, 2 pm – Jesus Kids End of Season Party, at the home of Tom and Susan McComas. (No more practice until August.
**Tues., May 23, 30, 10 am – Sew Blest, Family Center.
**Sun., May 21, 7pm – Children’s Ministry Awards.
**Thurs., May 25, 6 pm – In Stitches, Family Center.
**Thurs., June 1, 12:30 pm – ABWM Picnic, in the Picnic Shelter behind the Beaver Building. All women are invited. Lunch will be furnished.
**Sun., June 4, 12:15 pm – VBS Planning Meeting, downstairs in the Children’s Ministry area. See Boo for more details.
**Sun., June 4, 6 pm – ABMM Meeting, Caldwell Classroom.
**Mon., June 5, 7 pm – Board of Deacons Meeting, Family Center.
**Tues., June 6, 13, 20, 10 am – Sew Blest, Family Center.
**Sun.–Thurs., June 25–29, 5:30-8:00 pm – Vacation Bible School – “Zoomerang VBS!”
FIFTH SUNDAY NIGHT SING
The Bobby Bowen Family Band sang and played for us on April 30. Bobby on guitar, and his wife Becky on uke bass, daughter Faith aged 17 on mandolin, and son Justice, aged 12 on box drum, make up the band. Two older children have grown up and gone, and they miss them, but they still do a great job. Daughter Gracie, age 24, who is wheelchair bound, is their faithful cheering section. They sang many great songs, such as “Old Rugged Cross,” “Blessed Messiah,” “I’ll Rise Again,” “When I See the City Lights,” and “Land of the Free.” (Our own Bobby Bowen, missionary to Uganda, was also in attendance and had her photo taken with him. Ha!)
I have a smart phone, smart TV, smart fridge, smart thermostat … Essentially, I am the dumbest thing in the house.
ADULT MINISTRIES hosted a Mexican Dinner before church service during revival, May 3rd. We had a Taco Bar, Mexican casseroles, salads, and desserts. The food was wonderful and delicious. We served approximately 50 people. Great evening for food and fellowship before Rev. Tim Messenger presented God’s word. Adult Ministry appreciates everyone who brought food, helped with set up and clean up. Thank you for coming and sharing your evening with us during our Mexican Dinner. ~~Connie Chapman
CAMP-O-RAMA FUN
April 28-30th was our Annual Spring Camp-O-Rama. We had a really good time. We had only eight campers this year but still had a wonderful time of fellowship with each other. The weather was rainy and sunny all weekend. But we still had an amazing time enjoying what God has created.
Saturday evening about forty-five of us came together and ate hot dogs and hamburgers with all the fixings. There might have been a few deserts also!!!
We missed several of our campers this year, but it was a very good trip!!! ~~Erin Carter
We still need many addresses updated for both newsletter mailing and for the church directory, due to the 911 Addressing Project. (The government’s deadline for you to have your address changed is August, which will be here before you know it! Mail without the new address on it may not be delivered.) If you live in the Ona area, and the address we have for you has “Route” and “Box” in it, it is probably out of date. Please let us know your new address. Our contact information is on the top of page one. Thanks!
Every family has at least one weird relative. If you don’t know who it is, it is probably you.
WHIPPOORWILL COVERED CAMP FIRE DEDICATED MAY 6, 2023
If you have attended Camp Cowen, you have very likely enjoyed a service in the covered campfire. Now the West Virginia Baptist Convention Center at Parchment Valley has one! It is called the Whippoorwill.
Frank Miller, Director of Operations, recalled how just before the pandemic, a young man attending Brother’s Keeper camp at Parchment Valley was depressed and considering taking his own life because of a car crash that had taken the life of his friend, and he felt responsible. At campfire, fellow campers prayed for him, and he was saved! This experience and more caused Frank to be aware of how powerful campfire experiences can be. He had a great desire to have a year-round campfire ministry, where inclement weather would not be an issue.
Funding came from faithful members of WV Baptist Churches. (The American Baptist Women pledged $6,000 toward the bleachers, and our ABWM donated towards this goal.) The name came from some early volunteers who loved hearing the Whippoorwills in the woods at Parchment Valley. The blueprints came from the covered campfire at Camp Cowen. The Bowhunters Group that meets at PV has donated a 12-foot cross made of 150-year-old barn wood. The Whippoorwill Covered Campfire will seat about 350 people with a 15×20 stage.
Beulah Ann Missionary Baptist Church 