Oak Level Baptist Church

Church News

Sharing the Journey

Greetings in the Name above all names, the Name of Jesus Christ!

As I sit here and write this, we are in the latter part of the month of February. We’ve seen some winter weather, there’s been sickness, there’s been power outages for a lot of people, there’s been hospitalization; even now if I look out the window there is heavy fog over the landscape. It seems like a dreary way to begin a church newsletter, doesn’t it?

On the contrary, we can see the dreary things around us but that doesn’t mean we’ve been neglected or forsaken. Far from it! Christian, even on the foggiest morning, even in times of sickness and despair, even when the night seems to never end, we have the love of God in Jesus Christ our Savior! I’m reminded of the words of God: I will never leave you, nor forsake you. What a wonderful promise!

Thinking about this I’m reminded of the story we find in Exodus 15, just after the crossing of the parted Red Sea, Moses led the children of Israel into the wilderness of Shur and there was no water, then to the land of Marah where the waters were bitter. What did the children of Israel do? The same thing we all do: complain. Verse 24 says, And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? I sure am glad that Moses, being the man of God that he was, didn’t throw up his hands and say, “I don’t know.” Verse 25 says, And he cried unto the Lord… Here’s the challenge for us, people of God: when we seem to be up against a wall (the name Shur means “wall”), and it seems like dread is enclosing on all sides, and there’s either too much water (Red Sea), no water (wilderness of Shur), or bitter water (Marah), call upon God and He will show you the way. Once again, does this mean we’re excused from the difficulties of life? No, but what it does mean is that we have a loving and all-present God to trust the difficulties with; and He will walk with us through them and show us the way. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9: We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. Dare I say it again? What a wonderful promise!

Looking forward to all the blessings in store as we go into the months of March and April. The Branches are coming on March 30, then of course we will be in our Easter celebration later in April. Currently we are in a sermon series on the cross that will lead us to a 2-part series on the resurrection in the month of April. You don’t want to miss those blessings! I pray you have a wonderful March and April coming up, looking forward to sharing in the love of God together!

Daniel
Philippians 4:13

Spring Forward
Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed on Saturday, March 8th!

SPRING FELLOWSHIP
A covered dish Spring fellowship meal will be held on Sunday, March 23, after the worship service in the Church Fellowship Hall. Everyone is invited to attend and bring your favorite dish to share as we take time to strengthen friendships and to celebrate God’s goodness to us and OLBC.

SPECIAL MUSIC EVENT
On Sunday, March 30, at 6:00 PM there will be a special gospel concert presented by the Branches. John 15:5 says, “I am the vine, you are the Branches. He that abides in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit. For without Me, you can do nothing.” This is the Bible verse on which Brancheswas created. Singing a blend of contemporary and traditional music, the group’s goal is to bless all ages and walks of life, exalting Christ and keeping Him at the core of all they do. Be sure and spread the word! Flyers are located on the church foyer table for you to distribute.

JONES SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Through the generosity of Inez and Casey Jones, assets have been set aside by Oak Level Baptist Church to provide scholarships to students attending institutions of higher learning. Beneficiaries of the fund shall be limited to active members of Oak Level Baptist Church and their immediate families, children, grandchildren, step children, etc. The applicants must also be a verifiable active member of a church. If you would like to apply, please call or e-mail the Church Office for an application. The deadline to receive completed applications is April 1, 2025.

CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING
The Church Council will meet Wednesday, April 2, at 6:00 PM. 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.

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE
Isaiah 53:5 states, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Join us Friday, April 18 at 6:30 PM, to commemorate the death of Christ on the cross. Because by His death, Jesus became the final and complete sacrifice for our sins.

EASTER EGG HUNT
Oak Level Baptist Church will host an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 19 from 1:00 until 3:00 PM. Children ages 9 and under are invited to attend! Those attending will need to bring an Easter basket to collect eggs. There will be crafts, food, prizes, and a special “treat” bag to take home. Pastor Daniel will also share the Easter story with the children.

DO YOU HAVE ANYONE GRADUATING?
If you know someone that is graduating from high school or college this year, please call the Church Office at 276-629-7973 to give your information or email the church at olbc@comcast.net by April 27th. Graduates will be recognized during the worship service on Sunday, May 18th.

WMUV
Meetings
Tuesday - March 25 – 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday - April 22 – 6:30 p.m.

FOCUS ON WMU

THANK YOU
On Super Bowl Sunday in February, the church collected the listed items for Grace Network in Martinsville and canned food items for Heavenly Manna Foodbank in Rocky Mount. These items have been delivered. Thank you for your support of these two organizations. Remember to check the back of the bulletin for the Grace Network items needed and maybe as you grocery shop you can include a couple of these each month. In March, OLBC will be collecting dish detergent, deodorant, and laundry detergent.

Thank you for the 25 readers and sunglasses and 30 toothbrushes that were forwarded to the WMUV office and packed to take to Mully Children's Family campus in Ndalani, Kenya. These will be distributed during the medical missions trip in March to include general medical evaluations, dental treatment, eye care, labs, physical therapy, and pharmacy.

BEREAVEMENT BAGS
The OLBC WMU have Bereavement Bags on hand at the church. These bags include a little extra supply of daily items to help in a time of loss. The bags include such items as paper towels, paper plates, cups, plastic utensils, storage containers, tissues, and foil wrap. Be sure and pick up one of the bags if you know of someone who has lost a loved one.

Pure Water, Pure Love
Pure Water, Pure Love (PWPL) has a three-fold mission: to supply missionaries with water filters, to provide the people they serve with wells that offer clean water, and to supply missions teams with water filters for use on short-term missions trips. WMUV is sponsoring a life- changing mission trip to Cajamarca, Peru, from July 11-19, 2025, alongside Villa Milagro and Monte Sion Baptist Church to support marginalized communities. They will engage in food and water filter distribution, crafts, games with children, and first aid workshops for women. With your help and the help of hundreds of churches, PWPL provides thousands of water filters to missionary families and helps fund clean water projects like the mission trip in July. We will take a special offering for PWPL on Sunday, March 23. Our goal is $600.

March 21-23, 2025 CrossRoads Camp & Conference Center!
Come join girls high school age learn about missions, give to missions, and pray for missions. You can register online at wmuv.org/events/shine2025.

Mom & Me
Friday, April 25, to Saturday, April 26, or Saturday, April 26 to Sunday, April 27 Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center
Bring your elementary-age daughters to an overnight retreat to learn more about being on mission for God. Come meet a missionary, take a hike, make a craft, learn a dance, and worship with other girls and moms or leaders. You can register online at wmuv.org/events/momandme25.

CrossRoads
Each year in the Spring CrossRoads hosts a statewide Volunteer Event. It’s a great opportunity to fellowship and serve with other Christians across the state of Virginia. You’ll work hard during the days, and in the evenings enjoy time together in worship, fellowship, playing games, roasting s’mores and telling stories by the fireside. Anticipated projects include deck and porch repair, clearing trails, organizing/relocating equipment and supplies, and more! Have a specific skill set? We’d love to know… we might have a project waiting for someone with exactly your gifts! There is no cost for this event. CrossRoads provides your lodging and meals as a small token of their gratitude. This year’s Spring event is scheduled Friday, 4 PM – Sunday, 3 PM, May 16-18, 2025.You can register for this volunteer service by calling 434-277-8465.

"The Branches" in Concert!
DATE: SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2025
TIME: 6:00 PM
PLACE: OAK LEVEL BAPTIST CHURCH 7720 OAK LEVEL ROAD BASSETT, VA. 24055
Pastor: Dr. Daniel Collins

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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