FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK…
LUKE 24:47 “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
Jesus is alive! But he died on the Cross. Jesus is alive! But he was buried. Jesus is alive and no longer in the tomb! The resurrection demonstrates the power and authority of God over sin, death, hell, and the grave. So, what now? We are to go and preach repentance and remission or forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name. Preaching repentance is unpopular because the preacher must step on toes and address sin. Most people don’t like their faults and failures brought into the open. Yet, Jesus came to save, not condemn. He calls us to evaluate our lives, put away our sins, and follow Him.
There’s a lot of preaching in the world. Not all of it is in Jesus’ name. Some preach in the devil’s name. Others preach in their own name. Still, others preach in the name of their church or denomination. There’s only one name worthy of the gospel, and that name is Jesus – Yeshua, in Hebrew. Peter faithfully proclaimed in Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby ye must be saved.” The name is Jesus!
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, sweetest name I know! In Jesus’ name, we preach repentance – turning away from sin and turning to Jesus. In Jesus’ name, we will preach the precious blood, the cleansing agent for sin, and the purchase price for redemption. Consider the ransom God paid through His only begotten Son. The suffering and shame Jesus endured on the Cross on behalf of sinners; He is worthy of all honor and glory! Friends, don’t be offended by the preacher who rails against sin, be offended by your sins which separate you from the Father. Repent and believe in Jesus. ~~ Pastor Greg
MARCH SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANC
March 5 146
March 12 134
March 19 133
March 26 131
4) 544 (136 average)
The church is thoroughly cleaned between all services. If you cannot attend, all services are streamed live on these Facebook pages: Beulah Ann Missionary Baptist (church building is the profile pic); Greg Lunsford; and Erin McComas-Carter and broadcast live on FM radio 89.5 which can be heard from the church parking lot. Immediatelyafter services, you can watch on 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 in to 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
Pat Grass, April 30, 82 yrs.
Ed Watson, May 10, 91 yrs.
Leoma Shaw Venoy, May 10, 81 yrs.
OVER 50 ANNIVERSARIES
Richard & Peggy Chapman, April 28, 72 yrs.
Jerry & Clara Zerkle, May 2, 57 yrs.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO NEWSLETTER FUND
Thru church treasury $90.00
Thank you for your generous support.
I hate it when people try to sound intellectual and talk about Mozart, when they haven’t even seen one of his paintings!
BIBLE READING PROGRAMS
WVBC ABWM 5-year Bible Reading Plan:
April: Jeremiah
May: Lamentations
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 March, our project was Global Outreach servant Bobby Bowen. Although she has not been able to return to Uganda after having to leave due to the pandemic, she still manages the food program and other work via the internet. The need in Uganda is great. We contributed $853 for this cause.
In April, we are focusing 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. If you wish to make a contribution, please write HCM on your check memo. Thanks!
The ABWM Community Outreach Project in March was disposable diapers for Branches Domestic Violence Shelter for Women in Huntington. Thank you to all who participated in this project.
We are still needing many addresses updated 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!
CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF:
ROY JOSEPH “JOE” BOOTEN, 80, of Huntington, whose funeral was April 2. He was the husband of Edna Mae Dailey Booten, and father of Sherri Booten-Mears and Joseph Edward Booten, and related to several in the church.
LLOYD G. CARTER, 87, of Granite Falls, NC, whose funeral was April 5. He was an uncle of Karen Bias Elkins.
ROSEMARY VIRGINIA HENSLEY, of Milton, whose service was April 7. She was a sister of Freddie Hayes (Linda).
CANDICE “CANDY” LAMBERT JOHNSON, 65, of Huntington who passed away March 18. She was a daughter of Rosalee and the late Ed Lambert.
HELEN LINVILLE, 91, of Huntington, passed away March 25. Among her survivors is her brother, Wayne Woodard. She attended this church several years ago.
JOHN “JACK” MCKENNA, 84, of Barboursville, who passed away March 7. He was very active in Little League Baseball in this area.
EDWARD MILLER, JR., 81, of Barboursville, who passed away April 5. He was a well-known umpire in Little League sports, as well as high school and college sports.
DEBORAH “DEBBIE” RAYBURN, 67, of Barboursville, passed away March 10. She was a high school classmate of Tom McComas.
CHARLES “CHUCK” SANFORD, 50, of Huntington, passed away March 8. He was the husband of LeeAnn Beckett’s co-worker, Alicia.
STACY RENEE MUSIC SMITH, 42, of Kenova, passed away April 2. She was a friend and co-worker of Erin McComas Carter.
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.)
THANK YOU
Thank you so much for your generous and kind donation to our Knight’s Great Hall. We appreciate your support for our community and we know it helps us to be able to provide for those in need. ~~Tracy Urian, CMHS Counselor
God bless all of you at church. Be there as soon as I can. ~~Jim O’Lynn
LADIES ACTIVITIES
On March 25, God’s Masterpiece Spring Retreat Day at Beulah Church in Proctorville, OH was attended by sixteen ladies form BAMBC. The retreat included praise songs, drama skit, three ladies who testified and shared their story about how God had changed their lives. The food and fellowship were wonderful. The retreat ended with communion.
Ladies Bible Study completed a five-week study on the book, “He Choose the Nails” by Max Lucado on Monday, April 10, with Pastor Greg sharing information about what John saw and when he looked in the tomb where Jesus was buried. Great fellowship and of course our “snacks” were great!!!! Ladies Bible Study will be taking a break until fall. Hope to see everyone back. Everyone is welcome to join with us. Thank you to all the women who attended and participated. ~~Connie Chapman
MOUNTWEST COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROJECT SUCCESS
Ashley Armstrong, who is a business student at Mountwest Community College, recruited help from the church to join in a community clean-up project in the Fairfield East area of Huntington on Thurs., April 6. Many people showed up that morning, mostly college students. Not quite in that age bracket, but Pastor Greg, Duane Adkins, and Ed Braley participated. The three of them managed to fill 15 trash bags, in the rain! Good job guys!
CALENDAR
**Sun., April 16, 2:45 pm – Jesus Kids will sing at Paramount Senior Living.
**Tues., April 18, 25, 10 am – Sew Blest, Family Center.
**Wed., April 19, 7 pm – Quarterly Business Meeting.
**Thurs., April 20,27, 6 pm – In Stitches, Family Center.
**Thurs., April 20, 7 pm – The Sanctuary Choir will sing in revival at Susannah Baptist Church. The evangelist is Paul Michael Booth.
**Sun., April 23, 7 pm – Children’s Awards.
**Fri.-Sun., April 28-30 – Spring Camp–a–Rama, at Beech Fork State Park. Join us for supper on Saturday around 5 pm.
**Sun., April 30, 8 pm – 5th Sunday Night Sing with the Bobby Bowen Family Band.
**Mon.– Wed., May 1 – 3 – Spring Golden’eers Conference, Parchment Valley. See Alliene Caldwell if you are interested in attending.
**Tues., May 2,9,6,23,30, 10 am – Sew Blest, Family Center.
**Mon.-Fri., May 1- 5, 7 pm – Spring Revival with Pastor Tim Messinger. (Pending Church approval at Quarterly Business Meeting.)
**Wed., May 3, 5:30 pm – Family Dinner Night. Come enjoy a Mexican Dinner in the Family Center before attending Revival.
**Sun., May 7, 12:15 am – VBS Planning Meeting, Children’s Area downstairs. See Boo for more details.
**Sun., May 7, 6 pm – ABWM, Family Center Dining Room, ABMM, Caldwell Classroom.
**Mon., May 8, 7 pm – Board of Deacons Meeting, Family Center.
**Thurs., May 11,18,25, 6 pm – In Stitches, Family Center.
**Sat., May 13, 6 pm – Community Dinner. Men will furnish ham, turkey, etc., and women are asked to bring desserts.
**Sun., May 21 – Baccalaureate Service.
**Sun., May 21 – Jesus Kids End of Season Party, home of Tom and Susan McComas.
**Sun.–Thurs., June 25–29, 5:30-8:00 pm – Vacation Bible School – “Zoomerang VBS!”
BLESSED EASTER
Beginning with a Son Rise Service presented by Youth Ministries, Easter was so glorious! This was followed by a light breakfast provided by Adult Ministries. Then we had 165 in Sunday School, the highest count since covid. The church was packed for our 11 am worship service, which started with a wonderful quartet – Bethany Beckett, Jeanne Lunsford, Tom McComas and Duane Adkins, who sang, “It is Finished!” The Sanctuary Choir brought thrilling Easter songs, then Blessings completed the musical presentations with two moving and meaningful songs. Pastor Greg preached from Luke 24:1-5, then we had a solemn Communion Service. As Pastor Paul would have said, “We’ve been to church!”
GOOD NEWS NUGGETS
J On the fourth Sunday night of each month, Children’s Ministries have an awards program. We love to see the children lead in the pledges to the American flag, Christian flag, and the Bible. They have sashes for their award badges for learning scripture verses, and some of them are covered! On March 26, many children received their badges for learning Deuteronomy 6:5-6. Then Pastor Greg challenged the children and the adults to a trivia contest on facts about Joseph. As, usual, the kids won!
J Vera Miller played the sweet melody of Amazing Grace on the violin March 12. So peaceful and comforting. Thank you, Vera.
J On March 19, Blessings was scheduled to sing, but for several reasons, they couldn’t, so Bethany Beckett, a member of Blessings, sang all by herself. How could it get any better than her rendition of “How Great Thou Art.”
J Our Pastor’s wife, Jeanne Lunsford, is blessed with a great singing voice, and got us ready for Easter with “Oh the Blood of Jesus is My Victory.” Wonderful job.
J The sanctuary is blooming in beautiful Easter lilies and other spring flowers. Our decorating committee always does wonderful work. Thanks, we appreciate it.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY NEWS
The Easter Egg Hunt on April 8th at the church turned out wonderful. We hid lots & lots of eggs and they were all found!! The day was a little cool but the kids didn’t care. Before they hunted eggs, we sang songs and the kids told the Easter story and Pastor Greg was there too and brought a devotion. Kids love our Pastor. The kids then enjoyed a warm lunch and some snacks. Thank you to Dale & Debbie Napier for the use of their yard. They are always so gracious. Thanks to everyone who brought eggs and candies for the Easter Egg Hunt. Thanks to all those who volunteered and helped with the hunt and the clean-up.
Easter Sunday started with Sunday School rooms overflowing. More chairs were needed PTL!! Then in children’s church 31 kids attended along with a couple in the nursery PTL!! What a blessed Easter it was.
The Jesus Kids will be singing at Paramount Senior Living on April 16 at 2:45 pm. The Kids have practiced and this will be one of the last times they sing before summer break. Thank you, Jesus Kids!
Vacation Bible School – “Zoomerang VBS” is being planned too for June 25th – 29th, 2023, at 5:30 – 8:00 pm. We have had one volunteer meeting so far. We are planning a couple more in the next 2 months. Please pray about volunteering. See Boo or anyone on the Children’s Ministry Team and we thank you.~~Children’s Ministry Team
BAMBY NEWS
The youth enjoyed a spaghetti dinner followed by a flashlight egg hunt at Camp Ona on Good Friday evening. We all had a great time playing games and just hanging out. Mitzi presented a devotion, “They Wanted Him Alive” and Sam shared what he had learned from Dr. Yingling, about the medical aspects of the crucifixion. Thanks to the parents who donated the drinks and desserts.
The next morning, Reese Hunt, Rebecca Hunt and Caleb Hanson “egged” Gracie Black’s house, leaving her lawn covered with eggs and special treats. I think she was surprised and I’ve been told her favorite part of it was the eggs containing notes from the teens. ~~Mitzi Beckett
TEN TIMES FASTER
“Imagine you are ordering a new internet connection or cable TV or maybe something new from Amazon and you get a message saying, “Your town is too remote and we can’t serve your area at this time. We might be able to do this someday, but it will take at least 20 years.” Frustrating, right?
For the last 50 years, that’s what millions of people who need a Bible in their language have been hearing. They want a Bible badly, but the historic model of Bible translation has suffered from limited capacity. The translation model was dependent on sending highly trained experts to the language area; they spent their resources on a limited number of translation projects.
unfoldingWord’s tools are helping isolated and marginalized people groups get the Bible faster by equipping and training them to translate it for themselves. Amos, a quality assurance checker from a people group in South Asia, explains how. He uses unfoldingWord’s Bible translation alignment software, translationCore, every day. “translationCore was a dream come true for me. I never thought we would have software enabling us to focus on a singe word and do a word-for-word match with the Greek and Hebrew. I feel very privileged to work with it. If you are checking translation manually, it takes a whole day to check a few verses. With translationCore, we can check 100 verses per day.”
(Article reprinted from the March 2023 Newsletter from unfoldingWord. Our church supports Russ and Jan Perry, who work for unfoldingWord. We are helping spread the Gospel through this wonderful organization.)
FAIREST LORD JESUS
Fairest Lord Jesus
Ruler of all nature
O thou of God and man the Son!
Thee will I cherish,
Thee will I honor,
Thou my soul’s glory, joy and crown.
Fair are the meadows,
Fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring;
Jesus is fairer,
Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.
Fair is the sunshine,
Fairer still the moonlight,
And all the twinkling, starry host;
Jesus shines fairer,
Jesus shines purer,
Than all the angels heaven can boast.
Beautiful Savior
Lord of all nations
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, Praise adoration,
Now and forevermore be Thine!
Anonymous 17th Century German Hymn
A customer left his cell phone in my store. I found a number on it for “Mom” and dialed it and told her what happened. She said she would take care of it. A minute later, the cell phone rang. It was “Mom.” “Son,” she said, “You left your cell phone at the store.”
Beulah Ann Missionary Baptist Church 