FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK…
MATTHEW 13:3 – … Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
The world has sown many ideas on what the church should be. We should be quiet and keep our doctrine to ourselves. We should give comfort, funds, and food to the hurting, poor, and hungry, but not the gospel. Our houses of worship should not be architectural marvels of honor but faceless facades that match the uninspired monoliths of modern mediocrity. The world wants the church to mirror its failures; many have done so, as evidenced by prosperity preachers and false faith healers. They beg you to sow financial seeds and guilt you when you hesitate, draining you and filling themselves. They bring dishonor to themselves but, more importantly, to the Lord and His church. God will judge.
A Christ-following church does not prey on the weak, helpless, or hopeless or remain silent. It feeds the congregation with spiritual nourishment, worth much more than a sandwich or bowl of soup. The gospel has eternal consequences. Jesus said we would always have the poor or those in need with us, so there will always be an opportunity to minister to physical needs. However, Jesus’ primary goal was to save sinners from the penalty of sin. He left us the gospel of salvation and told us to go and teach God’s word to all nations.
I’ve asked God to save 1,000 souls at Beulah Ann in 2024. To worldly minds, this is an incredible request. But with God, all things are possible. I need you to sow your seed with our ministry, just not a financial one. Sow the word of God. Sow it with family, friends, and strangers. The church is a soul-saving station, a lighthouse in its community. Our burden for the lost is real, and I am inviting you to sow the seed of God’s word with me and prepare for the harvest of lost souls to come. ~~ Pastor Greg
JANUARY SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
January 7 126
January 14 106 (cold)
January 21 98 (snow)
January 28 124
4 (454) 114 Average
Your attendance is very much welcome at any time. Love to see everybody back!
FIND US ON MEDIA, OR CONTACT Web site: www.beulahann1874.org (Check the church calendar, find the latest bulletin, newsletter, service times, and more.
Facebook: Beulah Ann Baptist Church (Services live streamed.)
YouTube: Beulah Ann Missionary Baptist Church (available a few minutes after the close of service.)
Radio: WEMM FM, 107.9, Mondays at 7:45 am – a 15-minute program, “Child-like Faith.”
E-mail: BeulahAnnMBC@gmail.com. Also, prayer requests can be sent to babcprayer@aol.com and will be shared with a large group of prayer warriors.
Telephone: 304-743-5854.
BIBLE READING PROGRAMS
WVBC ABWM 5-year Bible Reading Plan:
February: Joel
March: Galatians
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.
CONGRATULATIONS to these who read the Bible from cover to cover in 2023: Mitzi Beckett, Paul Hinkley, Carrie Hunt, Rachael Hunt, Deloris G. Peyton, and Marilyn Scarberry. We are sure you were greatly blessed for your dedication.
OVER 80 BIRTHDAYS
Rose Thompson, Feb. 25, 94 years
Delores “Jean” Burks, Mar 15, 89 yrs.
OVER 50 ANNIVERSARIES
So sorry we missed this one in January:
Walt & Shirley Frye, Jan. 20, 52 yrs.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO NEWSLETTER FUND
Thru church treasury $50.00
Robin Nance $50.00
Willing Workers SS Class $25.00
Thank you for your generous support.
MISSION PROJECTS
In January, we gave in support of the Knights Great Hall at Cabell Midland High School. The School Counselors oversee the confidential giving to students in need, with food, personal products, and school supplies.
We contributed $725 to this worthy cause.
The MISSION PROJECT for February is New Beginnings Crisis Pregnancy Center, a non-profit organization in Huntington, WV offering compassionate peer counseling and assistance to women, teens, and parents during a planned or unplanned pregnancy. The center offers a variety of free and confidential services including pregnancy testing, parenting classes, and peer counseling. They are dedicated to providing education and resources to assist throughout the pregnancy and the healthy birth of a child. If you wish to make a donation, please write NBCPC on your check memo.
The ABWM Community Outreach Project
for January was collecting new or gently used coats, hats, gloves, and scarves for the Huntington City Mission. Thanks to all who brought these and other clothing. It was much appreciated. In February, we are collecting towels (bath, hand, or wash cloth) for Harmony House in Huntington, as well as diapers. Harmony House provides small apartments and many other services for people facing homelessness as step-up.
NOTICE: If you need a tax statement of your church giving in 2023, please contact Financial Secretary Brenda Lawson, or call the church at 304-743-5854, and we will give her the message.
CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF:
DONNA KAY DONAHOE BECKETT, 72, of Salt Rock, whose funeral was Feb. 2. She was an aunt of Jimmy Beckett.
CAROL ANN CALDWELL, 82, of Ona, whose service was Feb. 11. She is survived by her sister Ruth Caldwell, brother Ted (Karen) Caldwell, Uncle Gene Caldwell, Aunt Joyce Caldwell, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was a faithful member of this church.
ROBERT CONLEY, 62, of Milton, whose graveside service was Feb. 4. He was the fiancé of Bobbie Jo Scarberry, aunt of Chris (Erin) Carter.
REV. BOBBIE LEE DAILEY, 89, of Barboursville, whose funeral was Feb. 8. Among his survivors is his son, Jeff Dailey.
FRED R. DAILEY, 87, of Milton, whose funeral was Feb. 6. He was a former Cabell County Deputy Sheriff, and a friend to many in the church.
JANICE EDMONDS, 54, of Fraziers Bottom, passed away Feb. 4. She is survived by her husband Julio Guzman-Viveros (Three Amigos) and daughter Alexandra. She was a cousin of Serena Hibner.
BOBBY ELSWICK, 81, of Milton, whose funeral was Feb. 5. He was a friend to many in the church.
ELMA J. CLINE HATFIELD MINTON, 94, of Barboursville, whose funeral was Jan. 24. She was the grandmother of Jennifer Hatfield.
DONALD F. McCROSKEY, 85, of Ona, whose funeral was Jan. 27. He was a member of Antioch Baptist Church and was the person who kept our church pianos in tune.
CONNIE SHULL, 76, of Milton, whose funeral service was Feb. 13. She was a friend of Serena Hibner and many in the church.
MARY MAXINE TURLEY, 94, of Milton, whose funeral was Feb. 10. She is survived by sons David (Leslie) and Dana (Brenda) Turley, and daughter Martha Turley, brother-in-law Gene Caldwell and sister-in law Patty Morrison, and a host of grand and great-children, nieces and nephews. She was a faithful member of Milton Baptist Church.
“When someone helps you while they are struggling too, that’s not help, that’s love.”
Morgan Freeman
SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AWARDS
Sunday School Superintendent Tom McComas presented attendance certificates on Jan. 28 for perfect and faithful attendance (3 or less absences) to the following dedicated souls:
For 2022 – Perfect – Sharon Hayes; Faithful – Willie Rose, and Tommy Nance.
For 2023- Perfect – Sharon Hayes, Clara Zerkle, Bill Ryder, Joyce Ryder, and Gene Caldwell; Faithful – Linda Hayes, Willie Rose, and Tommy Nance.
Harkening back to when John Rimmer was Sunday School Superintendent, and gave out silver dollars for perfect attendance, Tom also gave Gene Caldwell a silver dollar for his amazing achievement of perfect attendance in his 100th year of life!
NEW MEMBERS
On January 28, Ronnie and Julie Clagg, husband and wife, were saved and presented themselves as candidates for baptism, which will be scheduled very soon. On Feb. 4, Seth and Brooke Neal, husband and wife, presented themselves for membership by Christian Experience. Also on that day, Karen Morrison presented herself for membership. Welcome to all these wonderful folks!
GOOD NEWS NUGGETS
J Corey Clark was our special guest singer on Sunday evening, Jan. 21. He did a wonderful job as always, and his six-yr.-old daughter Braley surprised us with a song, “Let Me Tell You About My Jesus.”
J On Feb. 4, Teresa Jeffries returned to bless us with her beautiful voice. She writes many of the songs she sings, including “Blessed by the Best.” Such a spirit filled service!
I was on my way to church and was almost there when I looked at my cell phone and it said, “NO SERVICE” …so I turned around and went home.
THANK YOU
To my church family, thank you so much for the calls, cards, texts, but most of all for your prayers. I appreciate them so much. Please keep them coming. I miss being in church but looking forward to getting back soon. I am halfway through my treatments and doing well. God has been good, and I am truly blessed. Thank you again – Love you all!
Dorey Rose
Thank you to John Hagley for clearing the snow off my driveway, and to Steve Maynor for cleaning my sister Betty Byrd’s driveway. You were a great help!
Nellie Gillespie
Thank you guys so much for your support of our Knight’s Great Hall. We rely on your generous donations to help members of our community to meet basic needs. Again – thank you!!
Sincerely, Tracy Urian, CMHS Counselor
CONGRATULATIONS
To Colton and Jenny Kisner on the birth of their third daughter, Rory, on Jan. 19. Jenny is the daughter of Glen and Karen Dailey. We are so happy they have moved back to our community!
To Luke Lunsford, son of Pastor Greg and Jeanne Lunsford, who was featured on the front of the sports page in the Herald-Dispatch on Feb. 8. They reported, “The Cabell Midland senior won the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:04.21 Saturday at the Region 4 meet at Marshall University’s Fitch Natatorium to qualify for the state championships Feb. 16-17 at West Virginia University’s Aquatic Center at Milan Park in Morgantown. Lunsford owns the Knights record in the 50 and 100 free and is an All-Mountain State Athletic Conference selection. He qualified for the state tournament in each of his four seasons, all the more impressive since he didn’t swim competitively until his freshman year.” The story also included Luke’s testimony and a great picture.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY NEWS
What a wonderful sight to see when parents bring their children to church. That’s where it begins. Children learn to love God and the B-I-B-L-E just like their parents do. Thank you parents, God Bless you!
We have started an attendance contest with the children. For attending, bringing their Bible, saying their Bible verse and singing in the Jesus Kids they receive stars. The contest lasts for two months. Then the next month a nearby trip is offered to those who have stars. Preschool and younger has a party at church on that day.
We celebrated Valentines Day on Sunday Feb. 11th with a party – we like to eat. Also, Jesus Kids showed their love at Paramount Assisted Living. The residents love those kids.
If you would like to help in the Children’s Ministry, please see Boo. We would love for you to help us in this ministry of sharing God’s love to the children.
~~Childrens Ministry Team
SUPER SOUPERBOWL
Youth Ministries once again stood at every entrance on Sunday, Feb. 11, with their soup pots, to collect for the Souperbowl of Caring. They designated this offering for the Huntington City Mission. Youth leader Mitzi Beckett told us that this activity is nationwide and was started in 1990 to give locally to help the hungry. One hundred percent of the offering stays in the community. The Huntington City Mission provides over 2,000 meals a day, to men, women, and children. Youth Ministries hosted a BBQ dinner the Wednesday before and raised over $800, and with the Sunday offering, the total was $2,089. Thanks to everyone for your generosity.
I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. Abraham Lincoln
CALENDAR
**Sun., Feb. 18, noonish – Chili/Soup Cook-off, Family Center.
**Mon., Feb. 19, 5:30 pm – Ladies Bible Study Fellowship, Family Center. Soup and sandwiches will be on the menu. All ladies are invited to attend. “Fill My Cup Lord” will be the title of the devotion, and all ladies are asked to bring their favorite cup or mug.
**Sun., Feb. 25, 7 pm – Children’s Ministry Awards.
**Sun., March 3, 6 pm – ABWM Meeting, Family Center, and ABMM Meeting, Caldwell Classroom.
**Mon., March 4, 7 pm – Board of Deacons Meeting, Family Center.
**Tues., Mar. 5, 12, 19, 26 – 10 am – Sew Blest, Family Center.
**Thurs., Mar. 7, 14, 21, 28 – 6 pm – In Stitches, Family Center.
**Fri., Mar. 8, 6 pm – Movie Night, “Jesus Revolution,” starring Kelsey Grammer, Family Center.
**Sun., Mar. 10 – Newsletter Deadline.
**Mon., Mar. 11, 7 pm – Board of Christian Education Meeting, Family Center.
**Fri., Mar. 15, 9 am – Newsletter work party. Volunteers needed.
**Mon., Mar. 18, 6 pm – Ladies Bible Study series begins.
**Sat., Mar. 30 – Easter Egg Hunt.
**Sun., Mar. 31, 6:30 am – Easter Sonrise Service, Family Center, presented by Youth Ministries, followed by a light breakfast.
LOVE IS
Slow to suspect – quick to trust;
Slow to condemn – quick to justify;
Slow to offend – quick to defend;
Slow to expose – quick to shield;
Slow to reprimand – quick to forbear;
Slow to demand – quick to give;
Slow to provoke – quick to conciliate;
Slow to hinder – quick to help;
Slow to resent – quick to forgive.
From the Facebook page of Sarah McCloy, young International missionary in Japan, studying Japanese: I was in my apartment speaking Japanese. Suddenly, my Amazon Echo said, “Would you like me to translate?” I was so startled!!
CRITTER DINNER SUCCESS
When you publicize you are going to have a “Critter Dinner,” you draw a pretty big crowd! People turn out to taste what they either have never tasted, or something they haven’t had in a while. Can’t list them all, but we had deer, elk, raccoon, squirrel, rabbit, frog legs, bison, wild turkey, wild boar, blue gill, wild salmon, and many, many other critters. Thanks to the American Baptist Men’s Ministries, led by Roger Kingery, for all the hard work they did to make this dinner a success. This year, the Big Buck award went to Jeremy Cooper, whose buck’s antlers were so big, there was no need to measure any others. He got it in Webster County. He was awarded a beautiful hunting knife. Young hunters (16 and under) who were awarded certificates for their hunting success this year were Okie Childers, and Ella Childers.
VALENTINE’S DINNER AT LIGHTHOUSE
Several of the widows and singles of our church went to Lighthouse Baptist Church on Feb. 12. We enjoyed a Valentine themed meal. Linda Close provided our program, entitled, “The Heart of God for Widows.” Her husband, Victor Close, sang some love songs to us. Linda asked us to bring a picture of our late husband and talk about him. We all forgot except Patty Morrison. She did really well talking about Jim and testifying about going to heaven. We were given some small Valentine gifts and had a good time. All widows are invited when we go.
~~Alliene Caldwell
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made;
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16.
PRAYERS FOR ISRAEL
In their most recent newsletter, Christian Missionaries Simcha and Bella Davidov in Ashdod, Israel, ask that we join them in prayer:
Please pray for Prime Minister Netanyahu – strength, health, divine guidance.
Pray that the objectives of this war are accomplished.
Pray that the objectives of the Lord concerning the salvation of souls will be accomplished.
Pray for our soldiers, our hostages, and the many wounded, widowed, and orphaned by the war.
Pray for the evacuees who are unable to return to their homes.
Pray for those of us called to pray, that we will not grow weary but continue in strength to intercede as we see things unfolding.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
Beulah Ann Missionary Baptist Church 