Oak Level Baptist Church

Church News

Sharing the Journey

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ. As I write this, we are nearing Christmas; in fact, this is being written just before the second Sunday of Advent. Advent is that season where we prepare for the coming of Immanuel – God with us. At this time of year, we also contemplate the beginning of a new year. This newsletter article will be read at the new year, so I have a thought for us as we enter the new year.

We read Psalm 23 most often in the context of funerals. I don’t undermine this because it’s a necessary passage to provide that comfort when we are grieving the loss of a loved one. I sure am glad, however, that this Psalm speaks to us day by day as well if we consider its meaning and let it speak to us. Think about the opening words of the 23rd Psalm: The Lord is my shepherd… That’s a personal distinction. If you know Christ as your Savior, then the Lord is YOUR Shepherd. …I shall not want The Lord as your shepherd will make sure you have all that you need (sometimes He’ll see fit to bless you with some wants, but He will always see to your needs). He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. Your personal Shepherd will lead you to those “pastures” and “still waters” where you will be nourished and refreshed. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. He will guide you to righteousness (remember as I’ve said many times: we are not righteous in and of ourselves; we are declared righteous through our faith in the shed blood of Christ). Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Even when the valleys come (and they will), you can be sure that your Shepherd will be right there to guide you through them. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Your Shepherd protects you and anoints you. Because of all this: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Ask yourself this question: Is there a more capable shepherd than God? Can anyone aside from God provide for the flock better? As we enter into this new year, may we be encouraged by our PERSONAL Shepherd and His capacity to see to all our needs (even when that need is discipline). Privileged to be the “Under shepherd” to this flock. God bless you!

Daniel
Philippians 4:13

BUSINESS MEETING
The quarterly business meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 15, at 6:00 PM. Please plan to attend this important meeting because a quorum is needed and your input is vital to the routine business of the church.

CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING
The Church Council will meet Wednesday, January 8, at 6:00 p.m. Come prepared to plan events for the church calendar through September 2025. Those on the church council include: Pastor, Deacons Chairperson, Music Director, Stewardship Chairperson, Sunday School Director, and WMU Director. Other committee chairpersons are encouraged to attend if they have items to add to the calendar.CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING The Church Council will meet Wednesday, January 8, at 6:00 p.m. Come prepared to plan events for the church calendar through September 2025. Those on the church council include: Pastor, Deacons Chairperson, Music Director, Stewardship Chairperson, Sunday School Director, and WMU Director. Other committee chairpersons are encouraged to attend if they have items to add to the calendar.

SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY
On Souper Bowl Sunday, February 9, please bring non- perishable food items to be donated to the Grace Network and Heavenly Manna. A box will be in the church foyer to place your “soup.” Grace Network is our local food pantry and resource for financial help. Heavenly Manna is a food bank located in Franklin County. We will collect items throughout the month of January until February 9.

THANK YOU
As we close out this year, we do want to Thank You for your support this past year in our many projects and missions giving. This year the WMU and OLBC has:

Sent reading glasses, sunglasses and toothbrushes to Kenya • Made and have on hand bereavement bags
Donated $590 to Pure Water, Pure Love
Donated $730 to the Crisis Pregnancy Center • Collected food and toiletries for Grace Network ($200 Value)
Donated backpacks and clothing items to HumanKind ($400 Value)
Gave $1005 to Alma Hunt offering for VA Missions
Packed and shipped 66 Samaritans Purse Shoeboxes ($3300 Value)
Donated $738 to Disaster Relief

Donated $374 to Good News Jail Ministry Hope Packs

Without the support of each and every one of you, these ministry needs would not have been met.

WMUV
Meetings
Tuesday - January 28 – 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday - February 25– 6:30 p.m.

FOCUS ON WMU
FEBRUARY 9 – 16, 2025
OLBC WMU wants to engage our church in mission’s discipleship and radically involved all age groups in God’s mission. WMU provides opportunities to pray throughout the year for missions, as well as opportunities to apply knowledge and passion through giving, serving, and supporting missions.

LEARN-WMU promotes missional living by teaching church members of all ages to see the world through God's eyes.

PRAY-Through WMU, believers learn how to apply the power of prayer for the spread of the gospel and pray specifically for needs around the world as they learn of missions needs and current social issues as we also pray daily for missionaries on their birthdays.

GIVE-By encouraging gifts to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the Alma Hunt Offering for VA Missions, WMU supports these and other mission personnel as they share the gospel at home and abroad.

SERVE-WMU ministries provide opportunities to engage in redemptive, loving service in the name of Jesus to people who need to hear the gospel.

SUPPORT-mission efforts through, Samaritan Purse Shoe Box, Grace Network, Good News Jail Ministry, and many more.

All ladies are welcome to join us on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 6:30PM as we study about missions around the world and pray for our missionaries. We have a fun time of fellowship as we plan our events throughout the year.

WMU WATCHWORD: “Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” —1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NIV)

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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