The Monthly Newsletter of Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church January - March, 2016 Volume 13 Issues 1-3 THEME: Speaking the Truth in Love Ephesians 4:15...but speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head Christ
From the Pastor The Contemporary World and How it Affects the Mission of the Church The world today is full of people who are broken by sin. Everywhere you look people are suffering because declining morals and racism. All of this is a result of people trying to live without a personal relationship with Christ. The nature of God is unchanging, but the world in which we live is everchanging. Therefore, Christians must change only in the sense that we become to all people what we must become in order to win them to Christ. But, it must be noted that this must not be done at the expense of the gospel message. The gospel must not be watered down! David Wells was right when he wrote that many in the church.have replaced character with a desire to be like others, to have what they see as pleasing, to be what they admire. Paul put it another way, we should free ourselves from the course of this world (Ephesians 2:2). In Romans chapter 12, we are told that we should not be conformed to the world, but we should be transformed. But, as we look around us, we see people seeking to become like the world. The church must stand up for the moral absolutes of the Bible. The minds of people are being polluted by the immorality of our day. The church must find a way to address this issue and counter Satan s attack upon our people. In regard to racism, Cone says, racism is deeply embedded in American religion and society. We cannot get rid of it by forgetting the past and simply urging blacks and whites to develop good will toward each other. Racism is a cancer. The only way to get rid of this cancer is be transformed by the Holy Spirit. God wants to rescue us from the madness and dominion of Satan. He sent His Son into the world and through Him we have redemption and forgiveness of sins. The task of the church is to evangelize and fulfill the mission of God. It is important that the church get busy addressing these issues because time is not as long as it has been. The Church is not a product of humanity. It was produced by God through Jesus Christ, and is empowered by Holy Spirit. God s mission to redeem humankind was started by Christ and carried on by His disciples. In other words, God sent Christ, and Christ sent the disciples (John 20:21). We should lead lost persons to Christ so they can be sent to lead others to Christ as well. The Church s mission is the mission of Jesus Christ. It is God s commission to His people through Jesus Christ, His incarnation, His life, His resurrection, and abiding presence in the life of His people. In the New Testament we can see that Paul s life was dominated by the personal Lordship of Christ, and all his efforts were bent on building the Churches of the Lord according to the teachings of the Master. The Church is a fellowship of redeemed persons who as individuals have found fellowship in Christ. Van Rheenen put it this way, The Church is the distinctive people of God called by Him through His mission and set aside for His mission. Page 2
Riyan Makenna Barnett Doris Caston Paul A. Chaney, Sr. Susan L. Chaney Garry Leron Clemons Gaileen Bentley Cockrell Gloria Shanice Gibbs Kamykel DaeSean Haygood Makale Darion Haygood Rollie Johnson Tracy Kennemer New To Our Church Family We welcome you, with the joy of the Lord, to the Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church family! It is our prayer that your faith will be strengthened as we learn and grow together. We invite you to explore the ministries of the church and ask God to show you where He wants you to get connected. We are truly excited you are here: ~~~~~~~~~~ Opportunities to Study Together Jacorey Leslie Dajah Monet Lomax Courtney M. Ross Cedric D. Ryans Michael Scott Streeter Jennyshia Rickieta La Shea Taylor Loren Justine Turk Godwin Hayes Ukwu Jordan Rene Watkins Terica Necole Watkins Amanda Myrshe Woodard Bible Study Join us every Wednesday Time Class Location 12:00 noon Mid-day Bible Study Fellowship Hall 7:00 p.m. Adult Bible Study Youth Bible Study Fellowship Hall Basement Sunday School Join us every Sunday at 7:00 a.m. & 9:30 a.m. Theme for March: Tests of Faith 03.06 Powerful Faith Mark 9:14-29 03.13 Simple Faith Mark 10:17-31 Collegiate Bible Study Conference Room (former Library) 03.20 Struggling Faith Mark 14:26-31; 66-72 ~~~~~~~~~~ Opportunities to Connect Word for Today Prayer/Meditation, Monday - Friday, 6:30 a.m.; Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - Conference access number: 1.218.486.1346, when prompted enter pass code 997246#. To reduce background noise, mute your phone (press the mute button on your phone or press *6). ~~~~ Union Chapel Livestream - in your web browser type Ustream Union Chapel or www.ustream.tv/channel/union-chapel-mb-church. ~~~~ Word Talk, hosted by Pastor O. Wendell Davis, WDJL (Love 1000 AM), Monday 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. 03.27 Resurrection Faith Mark 16:1-8 Page 3
Rosetta James Foundation Honorees Mother Betty Craighead and Deacon Richard Showers, Sr. are among seven (7) honorees for the 10th Annual Rosetta James Foundation Honoring our Elders Celebration. This prestigious event will be held Saturday, March 12 at 5:00 p.m. at The Jackson Center. Mother Betty Joyce Ford Craighead is the first of four children born to the late Walter and Lucy Steele Ford. Mother Craighead has been a faithful member of Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church for over 45 years. She has served in various capacities including the Mothers Ministry, Sunday School superintendent, teacher in the youth department, Vacation Bible School (VBS) coordinator and teacher, Senior Adult Ministry (SAM) coordinator, Intercessory Prayer Ministry, and Stitching and Quilting Ministry. Mother Craighead gives of her time unselfishly to numerous community/civic organizations including past Director of Rural Senior Services (Union Chapel Center), Executive Advisory Board and Planning Committee - Alabama Cooperative Extension System - Alabama A&M University Successful Aging Initiative, Alabama Alzheimer s Campaign representative and St. Jude Children s Research Hospital. Mother Betty Craighead Mother Craighead is married to Brother Willie Mack Craighead, they are the parents of two children, Karen McGlathery and Roderick and proud grandparents of two grandsons and three great granddaughters. Deacon Richard Showers, Sr. is the first of four children born to the late Charlie and Mary Showers in Lillian, Alabama. Deacon Showers has been a faithful member of Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church for over 45 years and serves as a member of the Deacons Ministry. Deacon Showers was elected to the Huntsville City Council in 1988 and currently serves as President Pro Tem. Deacon Showers has the distinction of being the first African American elected to the Huntsville City Council. He is a trustee at Selma University, Selma, Alabama; life member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Alabama A&M Alumni Association and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Additionally Deacon Showers is actively involved in the Alabama State Missionary Baptist and National Baptist Laymen s Movement. Deacon Showers is married to Sister Bettye Ann Showers, they are the proud parents of five children and eight grandchildren. Congratulations, Mother Craighead and Deacon Showers, for this providential recognition of your tireless service to humankind. Deacon Richard Showers, Sr. Page 4 Pa
Stitching and Quilting Ministry The Stitching and Quilting Ministry presented an exhibit entitled Stitches of Love on February 20 and 21. The display of quilts, crochet and sewing projects were made or collected by participants in the ministry. Special features in this year s exhibit included Family Memory Picture Quilts, CHRISTmas Splendor Quilts and aprons; a quilt frame was set up for attendees to try their skills at hand quilting. Quilt making was a necessary tradition in the homes of African American families during and after slavery. The early slaves frequently remembered art forms from their native lands and incorporated this heritage into their quilts. Slaves would use scraps saved from garments they had made for their masters and scraps from their own clothes which had worn out. There are many fine examples of quilts made by African American slaves still in existence. ~~~~~~~~~~ HBCU Career and Recruitment Day The Education Assistance Ministry held its Annual HBCU Career and Recruitment Day on Saturday, February 20. Approximately 30 colleges were present to provide information to prospective students and their parents. Page 5
Passage Ministry Ceremony of this opportunity. The Passage Ministry Pre and Post- Passage Ceremony was held Wednesday, February 17. The Passage Ministry welcomed 23 new candidates to Phase I and the Accelerated Phase. Sister Candice Howell, Phase II Girls Instructor, served as mistress of ceremonies. Brother Razak Arunaogun gave words of encouragement from a parent s perspective; his son Rahim Arunaogun served as keynote speaker. Rahim urged the candidates to stay in Passage and echoed his father s sentiments to see the Passage Ministry as a blessing and to take advantage Razak Arunaogun Rahim Arunaogun Presentations were made by Pastor and Sister Davis to each candidate graduating out of Passage. The ceremony closed with a special prayer of blessings over the candidates, parents and Passage leaders by Pastor Davis. Scout Pinning Pictured from left, Joshua English, Pastor Davis and Marc Williams ~~~~~~~~~~ Two Passage candidates received the Boy Scouts Religious Emblem for Scouting after successfully completing four years of religious instruction in the Passage Ministry. Pastor Davis conducted the pinning of the candidates on Sunday, February 21. Congratulations to Joshua English (Second Class Scout), the son of Brother Daryus and Sister Tammy English, and Marc Williams (First Class Scout), the son of Minister Anthony and Sister Renetta Williams. Member in the News Congratulations to Sister Carla R. Clift on her recent appointment to the Huntsville Public Library Board of Directors. Sister Clift has over 30 years experience in librarianship and currently serves as director of library services at Drake State Community and Technical College. She is responsible for managing 21,000 volumes and over 150 periodical subscriptions located in the S.C. O Neal, Sr. Library and Technology Center. Page 6
Memories in Pictures Deacon s Ordination Service - January 27, 2016 Deacon Jerome Collins Deacon Marcus Crutcher Revival Services February 8-10, 2016 Deacon Michael Malone Deacon Sampson Gholston Deacon Michael Stevenson Deacon Jerry Tibbs Trey Flowers (New England Patriots) February 14, 2016 Gospel Recording Artists - Immeasurable February 14, 2016 Sister Dora Davis Birthday Celebration - February 24, 2016 Page 7
Monthly Ministry Meetings Ministry Time When SUNDAY Intercessory Prayer Line 7:00 AM 8:00 AM Every New Members Orientation 9:30 AM Every Prayer Line Ministry 8:00 PM 9:00 PM Every MONDAY Intercessory Prayer 6:00 PM 7:30 PM Every Stitching and Quilting Ministry 6:00 PM Every Cancer Support Group 6:00 PM 1st Progressive Matrons 6:45 PM 1st Revised Version Choir 6:00 PM 1st/2nd/4th Trustees Ministry 6:30 PM 1st Missionary Ministry 6:00 PM 2nd Ushers #1 Ministry 7:00 PM 2nd Youth Ushers Ministry 6:00 PM 2nd Deacons Ministry 6:30 PM 3rd Deaconess Ministry 6:30 PM 3rd Mothers Ministry 10:00 AM 12 Noon 3rd Grief Ministry 6:00 PM 4th Men s Ministry 6:00 PM 4th TUESDAY Senior Adult Ministry 1:00 PM 1st Cub Scouts 6:30 PM 1st Matrons 6:30 PM 1st & 3rd Church Choir 7:00 PM 1st & 4th Gospel Choir 7:00 PM 2nd Laymen Brotherhood 7:00 PM 2nd Community Care 6:00 PM 2nd Recreation Ministry 6:30 PM 2nd Women's Choir 6:00 PM 3rd Ministers Wives 6:30 PM 3rd Male Chorus 7:00 PM 3rd WEDNESDAY Intercessory Prayer 11:00 AM 12 Noon Every The Passage Ministry 5:45 PM Every Sign Ministry 5:45 PM Every Sunday School Teachers 6:00 PM Every Education Assistance Ministry 5:30 PM 3rd THURSDAY Church Choir 7:00 PM 1st & 4th Gospel Choir 7:00 PM 2nd Tour and Hospitality Ministry 6:00 PM Women s Choir 6:00 PM 2nd & 3rd Male Chorus 7:00 PM 3rd Executive Ministry Meeting 6:00 PM 3rd Young Women s Ministry 5;45 PM 3rd Ushers #2 Ministry 7:00 PM 4th SATURDAY Minister s Ministry Meeting 8:00 AM 2nd Wellness Ministry 9:00 AM 2nd Boy Scouts 8:00 AM 3:00 PM 3rd Street Ministry 10:00 AM 12 Noon 3rd Community Care Outreach Ministry 11:00 AM 4th Progressive Matrons 10:00 AM 4th Girl Scouts 10:00 AM 11:30 AM 2nd & 4th The above ministry meeting schedule does not supersede your internal ministry calendar that has been previously posted. The Herald is a monthly publication of Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Members are encouraged to submit all newsworthy articles by the 10th of the month to newsletter@unionchapel-hsv.org. All articles are subject to editing for clarity and grammatical correctness. CHURCH ADDRESS 315 Winchester Road Huntsville, AL 35811 256.852.1150 256.851.6949 FAX OFFICE HOURS: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. WEBSITE: www.unionchapel-hsv.org EMAIL: unionchapel@unionchapel-hsv.org \ O. Wendell Davis, D.Min., Pastor Early Worship Service 7:45 a.m. Sunday Sunday School Hour 7:00 a.m. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Morning Worship 10:45 a.m. Sunday Bible Study Monday - Wednesday 12:00 Noon Wednesday 7:00 p.m. RADIO MINISTRY WEUP AM 1700 RADIO Sermon 1:30 p.m. Sunday TELEVISION MINISTRY Each Sunday WAWB TV 7:00-8:00 a.m. Comcast Cable 3 TV 8:00-9:00 p.m. Mediacom Cable Channel 11 (WAMY) 7:00-8:00 a.m. (Check your local cable services for more broadcast times)