Oak Level Baptist Church

Church News

Sharing the Journey

Greetings in the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ! I pray that you are doing well during these hot days of summer. I pray that since our last newsletter you have had a happy Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, and Father’s Day, and I pray they have all been wonderful celebrations! Shortly now we will celebrate Independence Day and enter into the “dead of summer.” I pray everyone stays well, stays cool, and stays encouraged!

The other day my Bible app on my phone had Colossians 1:12 as the verse for the day. Paul tells us, …giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. Think about that term “qualified.” When we see that term, I believe we naturally think to things such as education, training, etc. that will “qualify” us for some specific job or function. No doubt whatever we go into in life takes some education and training. I sure am thankful though, that the only thing we need to do to be “qualified” to inherit what God has for us is to have faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior. Most of you have heard me say before, God loves us unconditionally. That means we don’t have to meet some kind of standard to earn God’s love. However, God does require conditions of us in that love. For example, John 3:16 tells us that God loved us so much that He gave His Son. But it doesn’t end there; it tells us that we must believe if we are to have everlasting life: condition. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us that in order to have direction we must trust: another condition. I could go on and on pointing this out, but I believe we get the point. Bottom line up front, when we trust (condition) Christ as our Savior, God qualifies us to inherit all He has for us. What an encouraging thought. Christian, you are qualified – now go and let others know the love of God so that they can be qualified as well!

We are continuing in our sermon series on Victory on Sunday morning, engaging Bible studies on Wednesday night, Sunday school on Sunday morning; many opportunities to come and worship Him who has qualified us and seeks to qualify others. Come on out and celebrate our Victory! God bless and keep you!

Daniel
Phil. 4:13

Nominating Committee
The nominating committee will be doing their yearly work of nominating God's people to serve in different roles in His church. Remember our motto: "Serving a God that Still Can!" Folks, since we serve a God who still can, certainly His people can do something for His church. Prayerfully ask and discern, "What can I give God's church this upcoming church year?" Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you about what you can do, and then when asked by the nominating committee to serve, say an emphatic "YES!" Remember, as long as you have breath on this earth through God's blessing, you can do something for His kingdom!

Church Council
The Church Council will meet Wednesday, July 2, at 6:00 p.m. Come prepared to plan events for the church calendar through December 2025. Those on the church council include: Pastor, Deacons Chairperson, Music Director, Stewardship Chairperson, Sunday School Director, WMU Director, and Youth Coordinating Chairperson. Other committee chairpersons are encouraged to attend if they have items to add to the calendar.

Business Meeting
The next Business Meeting will be August 13th at 6:00 PM. A new slate of Officers, Teachers, and Committees will be presented for the church’s approval. The Nominating Committee is beginning to work and needs each member to consider where they can serve. God has certainly gifted everyone with something that they can do in His service. Prayerfully consider where you want to serve and be ready to let the committee know.

Operation Christmas Child
August will be back to school and an excellent time to pick those school supplies on sale for the 60 Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes. If you are willing to commit to pick up a quantity of a particular item, please let Betty Jo know. While you are shopping, please purchase a few of the following: Pencils, pens, glue sticks, rulers, calculators, composition books, crayons, colored pencils, markers, scissors, paint sets, toothbrushes, underwear, combs, hair brushes, hairbows, washcloths, tools, sewing kits, coloring books, jump ropes, yoyos, balls, matchbox cars.

Sunday School
There’s a place for you in Sunday School! Join us at 9:45 a.m. each week as we study the book of Psalms June through August. Psalms is the Bible’s “songbook that offers wisdom, comfort, encouragement, and healing”. The lessons “will draw us close to God and challenge us to become more like Him”. (Explore the Bible, Summer 2025)

WMUV
Meetings
Tuesday - July 22 – 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday - August 26 – 6:30 p.m.

FOCUS ON WMU

OPPORTUNITY FOR MISSION GIVING
In July, the WMU of OLBC will be sponsoring a food pantry fundraiser to help support the Grace Network of MHC. Our items to donate in July are laundry detergent, toilet paper, feminine products, and deodorant. Of course, you can donate any non- perishable items, such as canned vegetables, soup, potato products, pancake mix, spaghetti sauce, or apple sauce. You can also make a monetary donation. Please have your items in by Sunday, July 27.

FBC COLLINSVILLE HOSTING MISSIONARIES
Ladies, please come join us as we travel to 1st Collinsville on Tuesday, July 29, to hear from Mrs. Rebecca Beachy regarding their work in Mexico. Also sharing their missionary stories will be Lisa Adams (Peru & Thailand), Megan Chilton (China), and Samantha Harris (Ecuador). We will hear firsthand about the mission work that we pray for regularly. We will leave OLBC at 5:30 p.m.

Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who donated to the WMU Missions Project for the Pregnancy Care Center in May. The church donated $740.65 to this effort.

Mark Your Calendars!
There are two WMUV events upcoming that may be of interest to you. CrossRoads 40th Anniversary Homecoming | October 17 (Extended celebration package available through October 18) and Women’s Getaway | November 7–8

SCHOOL CLOSINGS FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER
The Wednesday evening service is NO LONGER tied to the notice of schools closing for inclement weather. The church office will send out an email IF there has been a decision to cancel Wednesday services or you can call the office or a deacon to verify the cancellation. For announcements concerning Sunday Morning Services, listen to B99 FM radio or watch TV Stations, WDBJ, Channel 7 or WSLS, Channel 10, for possible church cancellations.

THE GRACE NETWORK OF MHC
OLBC is just one of over one hundred congregations and other groups that partner with Grace Network to help families in crisis in Martinsville and Henry County. “Grace Network strives to give short-term assistance and to help find long-term solutions.” Each month we can help needy families by giving nonperishable food items, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and paper products. Check out the church bulletin to see what OLBC has pledged to give. You can be a part of this ongoing mission when you donate to this worthy cause. Visit their website at www.gracenetworkmhc.org to learn more.

Sharing the Love
Each week our folks are visiting friends throughout the community to let them know we love and care for them. Sometimes it is to sit and pray with someone suffering from injury or illness and unable to get out. At other times it's to get to know neighbors in the area and to introduce them to the ministries of Oak Level, if they do not have a church home of their own. In every instance it is another opportunity to go in the name of Jesus in order to be an ambassador of love. If you have never experienced the joy of visiting others or meeting new friends in this way, please know that you are more than welcome to join us. Visitation times are flexible according to your schedule, and there are plenty of folks that you already know who would be honored to go with you. Contact any deacon or the pastor for more information.

Newsletters
We publish our newsletter at Oak Level Baptist Church every two months. If you would like to have a copy, please feel free to download one of the newsletter PDF files.

For older PDF newsletters, please click to visit our Archive page.

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