Old Greenbrier Baptist ChurchPO Box 456Alderson, WV 24910Pastor: Rev. Dr. Bill Bryan(304) 646-8631Ministers of Music:Dell & Nancy WoodDiana HalsteadCarolyn Holliday Treasurer:Charlotte MeltonCongregational Visitor:Peggy BollenbachOfficial Board, ChairBill HollidayOfficial Board, Vice-ChairJeff WillisStreet Address:301 North Monroe St.Church Phone: (304) 445-7854

Old GreenbriER

Baptist News2013

Non-ProfitPostage PermitNo. 32

Volume XV No. VI

Church website: http://oldgreenbrierbaptistchurch.typepad.com/

Forwarding Service Requested

FROM YOUR

PASTOR’S HEART

This month we welcome summer— we think. Our weather has been

unpredictable this spring. One day it’s freezing cold with snow, and two days later it’s burning hot with sunshine. As changeable as our weather has been, there are some things in life that remain unchanging—the love of our Heavenly Father for us, the call of Jesus to take up our crosses with Him daily, and the needs of people to whom the Holy Spirit directs us.

Our Father’s Love – Our Heavenly Father calls our earthly fathers to love and nurture us through self-sacrifice and godly example. “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:4, NIV). This month we honor our earthly fathers as we say thank you for their godly love, self-sacrifice, and spiritual instruction. Our Crosses – Jesus calls each of His disciples to “. . . deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mk 8:34b, NIV). Each of us has a cross—the work in God’s kingdom which He lays before us daily. Jesus’ cross was a beam of wood on which He willingly died for your sins and mine. Our crosses may be an opportunity to share the good news when we are afraid to speak; an opportunity to meet a need when it isn’t convenient; a circumstance when we must love someone who is unloving toward us. Like Jesus, we must daily sacrifice self for the good of others and the glory of God. We must pray to our Heavenly Father, “Yet not what I will, but what you will” (Mk 14:36c, NIV). Needs of People – If we are to be an uncommon church, each of us must keep our eyes and ears open as the Holy Spirit directs us to the needs of people around us in our church and community. We must be ready to respond to meet those needs in uncommon ways as we shoulder our crosses daily in response to our Father’s love.

The next Men’s Community Prayer Breakfast will be Saturday, July 6th at 8am at River of Life Church of God.

As we celebrate Father’s Day, we likely see traits in our dads (or other father figures) that we hope to be known for ourselves: integrity, gentleness, a great sense of humor, a love of learning, and a humble spirit.

Amy Grant’s song “Father’s Eyes” tells of a young girl who wants nothing more than for others to recognize her father—and her heavenly Father—in her. “When people look inside my life, I want to hear them say, ‘She’s got her father’s eyes.’”

What characteristics of God your Father are reflected in your eyes, heart, and life? And what godly qualities would you like to cultivate?

May others see our heavenly Father in us!

Like Father, Like Child

1 – H. R. McVey Carroll Willis 2 – Betty Fleshman Trista Jones 4 – Kimberly Reed 6 – Rick Simms 9 – Karen Lobban 11 – Holli Harris Madge Hedrick 12 – Jim Bowden 16 – Martina Highlander 18 – Allison Marie Goins 19 – Harriet Dancy 20 – Tom Roush 21 – Alice McCutcheon Tre Shepherd 22 – Pat Phillips 23 – Chad Thompson 27 – Deborah Bryan

1Men’s Breakfast JMUMC ~ 8amHoly Strollers ~ 8:30amAmanda Bowden 2

Communion SundayS School ~ 9:45amWorship ~ 11am

3 4 5Bible Study~ 6:30pmChoir ~ 7:30pm

6Ruth Thurmond Circle ~ 1pm

7 8Alderson Wedding ~ 3pm

9S School ~ 9:45amWorship ~ 11am

Official Bd. ~ noon

10LadiesBibleStudy ~ 6:30pm

11 12Bible Study~ 6:30pmChoir ~ 7:30pm

13 14 15

16Father’s DayS School ~ 9:45amWorship ~ 11am

17 18 19Bible Study~ 6:30pmChoir ~ 7:30pm

20Pack Food Pantry~9am

21Food Pantry~9am

SummerBegins

22Father’s Fun Day ~ noon

Sarah Wood Hampton Shower ~ 2pm

23S School ~ 9:45amWorship ~ 11am

24 25 26Bible Study~ 6:30pmChoir ~ 7:30pm

27 28 29

30S School ~ 9:45amWorship ~ 11am

“Faith Under Fire” ~ 3pm

Faith Under FireOn Sunday afternoon June 30, Old Greenbrier Baptist will sponsor

“Faith Under Fire,” a special event for our community. Dramatic monologues coupled with gospel

music tell the untold stories of faith from our nation’s Civil War.“Faith Under Fire” was written by Old Greenbrier Baptist member Mark Taylor. In a series of dramatic monlogues, Mark tells stories of faith from the lives of Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, Harriet Tubman and other leaders from one of the darkest periods of our nation’s history. Our church choir and other musical groups and performers will present gospel hymns to add to the presentation.This event seems especially appropriate since it will fall just ten days after the sesquicentennial celebration of West Virginia’s birth in the midst of our nation’s great conflict. It will also take place at the beginning of the week in which we celebrate both our nation’s birth and the continuing freedoms we enjoy as American citizens.There will be refreshments on the church lawn, weather permitting, after the presentation. This is an excellent opportunity for us to show our community that we care and that we are reaching out. A couple of weeks before this event we will be passing out flyers in our community. Please lend your support in getting the word out about this exciting, patriotic, faith-filled event. Make plans to be there and be sure to invite your friends, family, and neighbors to join us.

Father’s Fun DayOn Saturday, June 22 fathers and children of all ages are invited to a fun day of games and

grillin’. We will meet at noon on the lot across the street from the church. In case of bad weather, we will reschedule for a later

date.

The church will provide hamburgers, hot dogs, buns, and drinks. Bring a favorite side or dessert to share. Also bring your favorite yard game like ladder golf, corn-hole, or

horseshoes. We will have fun while honoring our dads.

Holy Strollers Raptor HikeOn Saturday, June 1 everyone is invited to participate in a hike to the Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory in Monroe County. We will meet at the church parking lot at 8:30am to car pool, or you can meet us at the trailhead at 9:15am. We will have lunch at Yoder’s Cheese and More before returning to Alderson. Those who just want to enjoy lunch can meet us at Yoder’s around 11:30am.

AMA Summer Work Teams UpdateOur Alderson Ministerial Association (AMA) will sponsor three work teams in our community this summer and will send one team to New Jersey.

Calvary Baptist Church, Seaville, NJ – This group of American Baptists was with us from May 1-5. They worshiped with us on Sunday, May 5. They installed new windows in two homes and repaired, scraped, and painted the exterior of a third home. They did an amazing amount of work in just four days. We thank God for their efforts and friendship.

Alderson Work Team – A work team comprised of Bob Holliday, Sam Groves, Anthony Carter, and Pastor Bill will travel June 2-7 to the Tom’s River area of New Jersey in response to a call for volunteers to help repair Hurricane Sandy damage. This work, “Coming Together for New Jersey: Rebuild, Renew and Restore,” is coordinated through our ABC, USA Home Mission Society and ABC, New Jersey. We are accustomed to having teams come to our area to do repairs. This is a groundbreaking trip as we go out to meet the needs of others. Pray this will be the first of many opportunities.

First Presbyterian Church, Honesdale, PA – This group will be with us from July 14-19. Led by Chris Scheuerll, they will consist of about twenty high school students and their adult leaders. They are open to help with a variety of projects. Pastor Bill will coordinate this group of volunteers.

Oaklyn Baptist, Oaklyn, NJ – This group of friends will be back with us from July 21-27. Their team of fifteen adults is led by Fred Daugherty. They have been coming to Alderson for several years and are a seasoned and well-skilled team. We look forward to the return of our friends from NJ.

Pray for AMA leaders and volunteers who will facilitate the teams’ efforts during their weeks of service.

Pray for the teams to have safe travel and safety as they work. Pray for God to be glorified in all that is done in His name.

Prayer is a direction of life, a focusing of one’s most personal and deepest attention Godward. The purpose is to love God and learn to know him so well that our wills, our actions, will be more and more aligned with his, until even our subconscious reactions and purposes will have the mark of his love, his life, about them. Prayer is no longer an “activity.” It [becomes] the continuing language of that relationship God designed to fulfill a human life.

–Keith Miller, The Taste of New Wine

??? Bible Quiz ???June is a popular month for weddings. The Gospel of John tells about a wedding Jesus attended in Cana. At the reception, he offered a special gift.What was the gift Jesus gave?

A. MoneyB. PotteryC. HealingD. Wine

Real Prayer

Answer: D (See John 2:1-11.)

Prayer Needs as of May 19th

Family of Mary Davis(sis of Richard Honaker)Pastor Saeed Abedini and familyDavid Adkins (Friend of Mark Taylor)Roscoe AliffMiranda BattaileMichelle Blackburn (niece of L. Lewis)John & Shelia Borosky (Friends of Taylors)Cleveland Bradley (brother of Joe Bradley)Nathan BradleyRebecca & Steve BraggAnn Brown (friend of Peggy Bollenbach)Carrie Burkel (daughter of Gayle LaRue)Beth Canterbury (Sister of Anne Parker)Teresa Catron (Jo Honaker’s friend)Darius Christian (C. Grimmett’s brother)Bill Cohenour (Rose Carter’s brother)Libby Copeland (Mary Godby’s great niece)Danny CraftTravis Darby (son of Maggie Darby)Genevieve Freedman (Friend of Carla Willis)Mike Fugate (friend of Chad McCallister)Dana Godby (Bro-in-law M. Godby)Doris Godby (Sis-in-law M. Godby)Vivian Gonzales (Jo Honaker’s aunt)Susan GriffithDiana HalsteadDan HeartAngie Henson (co-worker B. Battaile)Betty HighlanderJill HighlanderJean Himes (friend of Diana Taylor)Charles HollidayBetty HollidayRichard & Orah HonakerMadelene Howard (Carolyn Knapp’s sister)Patty HunterJames Ingle (son-in-law of Maggie Darby)Jimmy Jackson (Dreama Carters’ brother)Jim JonesBobby Kennedy (Anne Parker’s nephew)Rodney KnappAngel KnightJeff Lakey (Donna Simm’s nephew)Rebecca LaRueCharlie Lester (friend of Bollenbachs)Sue Lester (friend of Anne Parker)Joe Lusk IIJohnny Lynch (friend of Chad McCallister)Stephanie MasseyKristen McCallisterMark McCallister (Chad McCallister’s father)Brenda McCurdy

Pearl McCurdyDebbie McInelly (Donna Simm’s sister)Mary Ann Milam (friend of P. Bollenbach)Sharon Mullens (Carolyn Holliday’s sister)Jerry Murphy (Frank Godby’s first cousin)Frances Neely (Leonard Carter’s aunt)James Adrian ParkerJimmy ParkerCylee Pinnell (grandaughter of Carla Merritt)Levi Pugliani (grandson of Bob&Gayle LaRue)Glenna QueenRaymond Reed (Evelyn Reed’s son)Evelyn ReedRebecca Rexroad (Jewell Smith’s gdaughter)Jackie Rhodes (friend of Anne Parker)Kevin Richmond (Christine Smith’s grandson)Vern Richmond (Karla Merritt’s father)Iona Ryan (sister of Hugh Harris)Chris Saylor (Christine Smith’s grandson)Cali ShaferBrittany ShaferKatie Shaw (friend of Deborah Bryan)Margaret SheltonDavid Shield’s grandsonJuli Simmons ShaferChristine SmithEarl Snedegar (Harriett Dancy’s son)Joy Snead (Leonard Carter’s cousin)Sarah Stevens (Curtis & Bev Pauley)J. P. Stoddard (C. Smith’s grandson)Meredith Stoddard (C. Smith’s granddaughter)Eileen & Sandy Sweet (Lori Taylor’s parents)Brenda Thomas (friend of Becky Godby)Vicky Thompson (niece of Anne Parker)Charlotte Tobin (M. Shelton’s gdaughter)Louise UtterbackMary Vandimber (Anne Parker’s sister)Danny VaughnPam Vines (Friend of Chad McCallister)Lyndall Wiley (cousin of Leonard Carter)Stephanie Williams (niece of Donna Simms)Melanie Whitaker (Barbara Taylor’s sister)Carol WillisBarbara Wolfe (Friend of Anne Parker)

ALL TROOPS In Our Armed ForcesBrian Belcher (North Carolina)Mark Dunbar (Gayle LaRue’s son, home)Randy Fleshman (Germany)Katie Hunter (home)Jess Phillips (Afghanistan)Brent Taylor (Greg & Barb Taylor’s son, Grandson of Dorothy Taylor)

Church Family Shut-inMary Lou Bowden Ernestine LightFrances Canterbury Juanita RookstoolMamie Copeland Louise UtterbackHarriett Dancy

One Great Hour of Sharing OfferingSharing brings joy! The phrase rolls easily off the tongue, but it is no trite

cliché! Rather, it expresses profound spiritual truths—truths about a loving and caring God—truths about a joyous generosity that circles ‘round and dances into and through the human experience as we relate to others and to the Holy One! This year concludes our One Great Hour of Sharing three-part emphasis on the dynamic theme.

Sharing brings joy to us. Generous giving practiced as a regular spiritual discipline, teaches us about joy. We learn to see ourselves as vital parts of a cooperative sharing effort which expresses God’s love for the world. We see the delight of recipients and experience our own gladness. Grateful for God’s extravagant gifts, the great happiness of others, and our experience of such delight, we discover we want to be more generous, and so we are drawn into the circular rhythm of sharing that brings joy upon joy.

Sharing brings joy to others. For 64 years, recipients of One Great Hour of Sharing assistance, relief, and support have known comfort and joy through your sharing.

families displaced by natural disaster or political unrest rejoice to receive food, shelter, and the comfort of a safe place to begin rebuilding their lives;

a woman who has had to walk miles for potable water for her family smiles as she draws water form a clean well near her home;

children arrive excitedly for the first day of class at the village’s new school.

Sharing brings joy to God. We know that God is always in the midst of our joy, but we also know that “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:7). Can you imagine God’s joy when we share? Can your mind’s eye see those things that cause rejoicing in the heart of the Divine? Scriptures tell us what brings God joy: steadfast love, justice, and righteousness, says Jeremiah 9:24, and the well-being of God’s people (Ps 35:27b). Certainly any manifestation of agape love, such as a generous hand outstretched to help others (Mt 22:37-40), brings gladness to God.

Our goal for our One Great Hour of Sharing offering is $1,500. As you make your offering this year, remember the many ways your gifts bring joy—to you as God’s precious child, to all of God’s other cherished children, and especially to the Holy One. May your worship be joyful. May your sharing be delightfully abundant. May God be made glad by your cheerful generosity!