Our mission is to KNOW Jesus, SERVE Jesus and SHARE Jesusobcbaptist.org/clientimages/44291/january 2018 newsletter..pdfAaron & Trina UPCOMING EVENTS: -Youth will continue to meet on

www.obcbaptist.org www.obcbaptist.org January 2018

Our mission is to KNOW Jesus, SERVE Jesus and SHARE Jesus

“Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!”

That familiar phrase reminds us that we are quickly

nearing the end of one year and the beginning of a

brand new one. Wow! Time sure does fly by,

doesn’t it? This is a great time for us to be reminded

that once time is spent it is gone forever. May the Lord help us each

one to make the very most out of the time He has given us. This is a

great time to set some personal goals. Let’s attempt to take care of

these bodies by eating healthier, exercising on a regular basis, and

getting enough rest. Break those habits that are killing you and start

a new journey now of allowing only God to be your master. Let’s

make this new year the best one ever.

I am looking ahead into 2018 with anticipation and expectation

as we continue serving together here at the Oak. The Dixons have

now been here for almost two full years. During these past 23

months, we have witnessed forty-five new members enter into this

church fellowship, half of which were new salvation decisions

reflected in 25 baptisms. We praise the Lord for the way He is

blessing His church. We are now reaching more people with our

Sunday morning services than ever before through social media live

streaming. Our new LIFE ministry continues to meet the first four

Tuesday nights of each month as we reach out to those struggling

under addiction. We have sixteen men registered to attend the Ignite

Men’s Conference at Liberty University in March. The new windows

in our church building look awesome as our beautification project

continues to make our facilities more inviting! Our Upward season is

now in full swing. We are looking to the summer months and a

mission trip opportunity to St Lucia (St Lucia’s Pastor Sammy will

actually be speaking at Oakdale on January 21 at 6PM!). We are also

getting closer to calling a Student Pastor. There are so many great

things happening at Oakdale Baptist Church. It is as if God has

breathed a burst of new life into this church body. There is a sense

of excitement and anticipation!

I want to encourage you to re-commitment yourself to serve

the Lord through this growing and exciting ministry. We need each

member joyfully and willingly serving, giving, and attending so we

can reach more people in 2018 than we have ever been able to reach

in any year prior. God has set the stage to make this happen! Just as

Joshua challenged the twelve tribes of Israel at the end of the Book

of Joshua, I also give you this challenge; "Now therefore, fear the

LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the

gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and

in Egypt. Serve the LORD!” (Joshua 24:14). Would you join me

in this commitment?

I love you,

Pastor Mike

JANUARY 1ST

Church Office will be closed

JANUARY 1ST

Upward practice resumes

JANUARY 9TH

6:30 PM-8 PM

Women’s Fellowship Mtg.

(Belmont Lake Community

Center-252 Belmont Way

Club)

JANUARY 6TH

First Day of Upward Games

JANUARY 9TH

6:30 PM

(Gardner’s BBQ on 301)

JANUARY 28TH

Baptist Men’s Day

NOVEMBER 2017

Monthly reports are placed in the literature racks by 10th of

month. If any questions, e-mail

treasurer @obcbaptist.org or call the church.

Outdoor sign balance as of 12-10-17

is $13,546.88.

Estimated cost is $19,638.50.

Reflect on what God has done for you, and give

accordingly.

Remember, tithing does not come before the

blessing, the blessing comes before the tithing.

If you haven’t picked up your 2018 box of

offering envelopes from the front pew, please pick

it up. Be prepared to follow God’s command &

tithe in the new year.

If you would like for your child/children to have offering

envelopes assigned to them, please notify the church office.

It is an opportunity for tithing training.

Income & Expenses

General Fund Income $22,453.87

November Expenses $22,988.72

Difference $( 534.85)

Designated Fund Receipts

November Only*

*Not account balances

Building Fund $ 5,040.00

Lottie Moon Offering $ 40.00

Mission Trips Income $ 3,493.00

SCLO $ 100.00

Upward Registration $ 2,425.00

Youth Income $ 25.00

I can’t find the words to say, that would be

enough, to thank each and every one of you.

I thank you for your prayers, cards, and

meals that you brought to us in our time of

need. Thank you all for the kindness you’ve

shown us. I’m so grateful to work for people who have

the love of Jesus. Thanks to each and everyone that I can’t

call by name.

Velma Brinkley

***********************************************

Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for the gift of money received from

your Middle School Sunday School class. Your donation

to the Ronald McDonald Houses of Eastern North

Carolina helps support our overall mission of providing a

home away from home for families while their children

are receiving treatment in the hospital or local medical

facilities.

We couldn’t provide a place for families to be near their

children without the generosity of supporters like you.

Our guests are truly grateful for the donations you provide.

Thank you again for your contribution and for helping

make our House a home.

Gratefully,

Meghan Woolard

Executive Director

***********************************************

Dearest Ladies,

Words can not express all that you all mean to us.

Thank you so much for all your cards and words of

encouragement.

Jimmy wanted to come and thank you himself, but

unfortunately, God needed him more.

Thanks again and may God continue to bless you all.

Sincerely,

Connie Hamlett

***********************************************

To My Oakdale Church Family,

Thanks for the prayers, visits, and cards during my

hospitalization and illness. Thank you, ladies, for the

prayer blanket you gave me. God has been good to me.

I love you all so much!

Christine Daughtridge

Stop by and see the lights at James and Peggy

Johnson’s Pepper Lake from

December 6, 2017 thru January 6, 2018.

Happy New Year! Where did the time go? Did you use the

time in 2017 wisely? How can you use the time in 2018 to serve

God? Ask Him to show you HIS plan for the New Year!

On Wednesday, January 17th, the children will

be baking cookies to take to first responders.

This will be during the regular time for Bible

Skills. We want to show our appreciation for

their service.

It is time to talk about Children’s camp at

camp Carraway. We are hoping to go from

July 23 thru July 27. A deposit of $75 is

due by March 11th. The total cost will be

$315. We will be doing some fundraisers

to offset the cost. We will be splitting proceeds from the

concessions at Upward games with the Youth. If you would like

to help with concessions, let Jessica Strickland or Lynn Eason

know. More information of other fundraisers will be

forthcoming.

Teachers are needed to sign-up for Bible Skills

and Thrills on Wednesday night at 7:00. Thirty

minutes will be class time and the other 30

minutes will be choir with Miss Angie. The

classes are K-2nd grade and 3rd-5th grade. New sessions start in

January and run in quarters. The sign-up sheet will be at the ta-

ble by the Welcome

Center.

WORSHIP KIDSTYLE

SCHEDULE

FOR JANUARY

(CHILDREN’S CHURCH)

1/7 Kelly & Andy Batts

1/14 Debra Calhoun & Amy Webb

1/21 Paula Taylor & Lynn Eason

1/28 Kathy Calhoun & Angela Spain

Please contact Jewel Calhoun at 567-7500 if you cannot

serve your Sunday so we can make alternate arrangements.

3:30 Student

Ministries

January is the start of a new year. Let’s make

2018 a great year in the life of Oakdale Baptist

Church and also in our own personal lives.

It has been a great privilege to be able to work

with the Student Ministry at Oakdale. We count

it all as a blessing to get to know each and every

youth so well. As we move forward in 2018,

with the addition of a new Assoc./Student Pastor,

there will be lots of new things and fresh ideas

for the Student Ministry. We will continue to

support the Youth Ministry and leadership. We

love each and every youth and only want to see

them grow and mature in their relationship with

God! Thanks for the opportunity.

Aaron & Trina

UPCOMING EVENTS:

-Youth will continue to meet on Wed. at 7 PM

-There will be a special meeting on Sunday, Jan.

7th. This will be a time to meet our new Assoc./

Youth Pastor prospect.

5:00 PM Meet and greet with church family

6:00 PM Meet with Youth only

-More information to come…..

Meeting the first and third Tuesdays

of each month at Oakdale Baptist Church and the

second and fourth Tuesdays at Peace Makers

from 6:30-8:15.

L.I.F.E. DINNER SCHEDULE

FOR JANUARY

January 2nd Deborah & Phil Wood

January 16th Theresa & Tony Lassiter

UPWARD NEWS Thank you all for stepping up and answering

the call to coach a team. We have 16 teams

and 1 cheerleading squad! If you are not

comfortable being a coach, there are plenty

of other ways you can help with Upward

Basketball and Cheerleading this year. We need referees,

devotions presented, concession stand volunteers, and

volunteers to help clean up.

Practices resume the first week of January with our first

game Saturday, January 6th, 2018 starting at 9 am. I would

like to invite you all out to pray for us and with us before

that first game at 8:30am. Please help us to maintain the

focus of sharing the good news of the Gospel with these

kids and their parents.

Key dates to remember:

January 1st, 2018 – Upward practices resume

January 6th – First Game (Prayer before at 8:30am)

February 25th – Award’s Night

In Jesus Name

Glenn Howell

Thank you all for your support and remember, “It’s not the

shoes, it’s the SOULS.”

ATTENTION!

Please let the church office

know who the chairmen of the

committees and ministry teams are as soon as

possible. Thank you!

STUDENT PASTOR/ASSOCIATE SEARCH TEAM NEWS!

Over the past several months, our Student/Associate Pastor search team has reviewed several resumes and even

conducted a few telephone interviews with prospective candidates. We are so thankful for your prayerful support

through this process and for your patience as we seek God’s will together. On Sunday, December 10th, the search

team, along with Pastor Mike, met with Aaron Laskey, who is a 2017 graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological

Seminary. Aaron was recommended to our search committee by a professor at Southeastern Seminary. Aaron is 28

years old, and currently residing in Wake Forest, NC. The search team, pastor, deacons, and personnel ministry team

are working together to extend an invitation to Aaron to consider joining our ministry team. We have arranged an

opportunity for everyone to meet this young man on Sunday, January 7th at 5:00 PM, as we will sponsor an informal

“meet and greet” in the fellowship hall. We have also invited Aaron to lead our youth group that night in a special time

of worship and study beginning at 6:00 PM. If all works well, we may be presenting Aaron to our congregation soon

for a church vote as our new staff member. Our committee is recommending that this position begin as a part-time

position with a 90 day probationary period. Following the initial 90 days probationary period, we hope to move this

position to fulltime. We look forward to what is ahead for Aaron, our youth, and our church. If you have questions,

please see a member of the search team. Thank you for your continued prayers and support.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 New Year’s

Day

Church

Office Closed

Upward Practice

2 6:30 PM

Women’s

Fellowship Mtg.

6:30 PM-8:15PM

LIFE Addiction

Recovery Program

Upward Practice

3 7:00 PM

Children’s Choir

Practice/Bible

Skills

7:00 PM

Regular Schedule

4

Upward Practice

5 5:30 PM

Stewart Davis S.S.

Class at Dan &

May’s house

Upward Practice

6 Upward Games

Begin

7 8 10:00 AM

Missions Prayer

Group at OBC

Upward Practice

9 6:30 PM

Men’s Supper/Mtg

6:30 PM-8:15 PM

LIFE Addiction

Recovery Program

at Peace Makers

Upward Practice

10 7:00 PM

Children’s Choir

Practice/Bible

Skills

7:00 PM

Regular Schedule

11

Upward Practice

12

Upward Practice

13 Upward

Games

14

4:30 PM

Deacon Meeting

15

Upward Practice

16

6:30 PM-8:15PM

LIFE Addiction

Recovery Program

Upward Practice

17 7-8 PM

Children-Bake

Cookies

7:00 PM

Regular Schedule

18 2:00 PM

JOY Group

Upward Practice

19

Upward Practice

20 Upward

Games

21 Sanctuary of

Life Sunday

6:00 PM

Pastor Sammy

Philbert-St. Lucia

22

Upward Practice

23 6:30 PM-8:15 PM

LIFE Addiction

Recovery Program

at Peace Makers

Upward Practice

24 7:00 PM

Children’s Choir

Practice/Bible

Skills

7:00 PM

Regular Schedule

25

Upward Practice

26

Upward Practice

27 Upward

Games

28 Baptist Men’s Day

29

Upward Practice

30

Upward Practice

31 7:00 PM

Children’s Choir

Practice/Bible

Skills

7:00 PM

Regular Schedule

USHER TEAM FOR JANUARY

BRENT GRIFFIN

TONY MEDLEY

BRAD SUMMERLIN

TONY LASSITER

SECURITY FOR JANUARY

1/7 Rickey Murray & Justin Hipskey

1/14 Bert Peele & Wayne Walston

1/21 David Wells & Nick Andrews

1/28 Steve Sturgill & Jeremy Holloman

1/1 Mack Ruffin 1/23 Angela Hill

1/4 JoElla Webb 1/23 Deryl Lewis

1/5 Joshua Calhoun 1/23 James Walston

1/6 James Johnson 1/24 Melissa Causey

1/6 Becky Vester 1/24 Glenn Howell

1/7 Kelly Bentley 1/25 Tony Medley

1/9 Kim Joyner 1/26 Peggy Holloman

1/15 Susan Cobb 1/26 Scott House

1/15 William Smith 1/28 Pastor Mike Dixon

1/16 Gavin Moore 1/30 Isabelle Clark

1/16 Amanda Murray 1/30 Ruth Townsend

1/16 Paula Taylor 1/30 Lisa Whitley

1/17 Velma “Toni” Griffin 1/31 Meghan Murray

1/20 Joey Batts

JANUARY 2018

January Nursery Coordinator-Kim Wells-382-1985

Please contact her if you are unable to serve on your

Sunday so that she has plenty of time to find coverage.

1/7 Babies-Terin Chapman & Justine Wells

1/7 Toddlers-Meghan & Kendall Smith

1/14 Babies-Kim Wells & Alex Wells

1/14 Toddlers-Nick Andrews & Samantha Wells

1/21 Babies-Judy Mooring & Kelly Bentley

1/21 Toddlers-Andy & Kelly Batts

1/28 Babies-Susan Sturgill & Anna Rhodes

1/28 Toddlers-Trina & Aaron Rhodes

JOY GROUP NEWS

JOY Group Breakfast

January 4, 2018

Restaurant is driver’s choice

Van will leave church at 8:30 AM

JOY Group Meeting January 18, 2018 at 2:00 PM

Oakdale Baptist Church Fellowship Hall

Devotion-

Program-”Beans & Bingo” Party

Games & Snacks Everyone is Welcome

First, I want to thank everyone who made the music

ministry so successful in December. From the Raggedy-

Book concert to the Children's play and finally the

cantata. We had a great time of worship to the Prince of

Peace.

January is a great time for new beginnings. Why don't

you consider coming out and joining us in the choir? We

meet on Wednesday nights at 8:10 for the most delightful

and fun-filled time of our week. We'd love to have you!

Angie Ruffin

MISSIONS

BAPTIST MEN

Oakdale Men,

I have often heard that opportunity often knocks only

once. Opportunity knocks and knocks when it comes to

opportunities to serve our Lord and Savior. Stay

positive in the hope He gives us! If you miss one

mission trip sign up opportunity, just look for the next.

If you miss a chance to jump in and help the men work

around the church, don't sweat it, because there is

plenty work to be done. If you missed last month’s

men's meeting when we ate well and shared in

fellowship as we discussed plans for Men's day in

January, or how we can support the LIFE mission work,

don't worry. We meet the 2nd Tuesday of each month

at 6:30 PM. Mark your calendar. Maybe you can make

it next time. If you missed the Ignite Men's Conference

sign up in December for March, don't worry, the East

Coast Bible Conference is in March as well. If you

want to give a devotion at Upward, great! We are

planning a day to give devotions. Be looking for the

sign up sheet!

There is truly so much Christian men can do to love

others and live out worshipping God. Won't you please

join in, men of Oakdale? Yes, opportunity to serve

abounds, but time will cease as we know it when our

Lord decides it is so.

Is the next mission trip one you can join? Is the next

time of fellowship and planning your next chance to

jump in and be a part of the Men's activities?

I look forward to seeing you at the door when the next

opportunity to serve God knocks on your hearts.

In the Hope He gives.

Tony Lassiter

Men's Director

Happy New Year!

We are so looking forward to this coming year and all

that we can do for the Lord! Thank you to all who

came to celebrate with us during our annual

Christmas party. It was a wonderful time together!

If you have not been joining us NOW is the time. We

will start meeting on the 2ND Tuesday of each month.

Our next meeting is January 9, 2018 at Belmont Lake

Community Center at 6:30 pm. The address is 252

Belmont Club Way. If you need directions please let

us know. We are looking forward to seeing you ALL

there!

In HIM,

Karen Murray

MISSIONS 2018 UPDATE

We have a request to send a mission team to St Lucia

for a 7 day mission trip (during the last half of July-

specific dates to be announced later). The team's

focus will be to assist with a Gospel centered Sports

camp and to help lead tent revival meetings

(preaching). We need coaches (Basketball, Soccer)

and a couple of players for the sports. Counselors are

also needed to help within the sports camps. If you

are interested in learning more about this opportunity,

there will be an interest meeting on Sunday, January

14th, at 5PM in the sanctuary.

Oakdale Staff Pastor: Pastor Mike Dixon

Music Director: Ms. Angie Ruffin Secretary: Mrs. Sharon Lynch

Oakdale Baptist Church 13037 US 64 ALT WEST HWY Rocky Mount, NC 27801 252-442-6587 [email protected]

https://twitter.com/obcbaptist Address Service Requested

The Good News of Salvation

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon ME, because the LORD has anointed ME to proclaim good news to the poor; He has sent

ME to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom to the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners. To proclaim the

year of the LORD’S FAVOR, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn. Isaiah 61: 1-2.

There is a popular praise and worship song entitled “Do Something” by Matthew West and the lyrics are something to this ef-

fect…

“I woke up this morning and saw a world full of trouble and thought God why don’t you do something. He said I DID…I cre-

ated YOU!” The refrain goes…

“If not us then who…if not me and you…right now, it’s time for us to do something! It’s not enough to do nothing…it’s time

for us to do SOMETHING!!”

As we start 2018, we need to remember the promise of Christmas is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of Christ

in our lives! With that assurance, we can’t sit on the sidelines and expect everyone else to step up and do what God has called

us to do. The writer of Isaiah stated it very clearly in the verses above…the spirit of God is upon ME…the Lord has anointed

ME to proclaim the Good News…He has sent ME to heal the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom to the captives and shine HIS

light on the prisoner and to comfort all who mourn.

Insert your name wherever there is a ME in the scripture above…would that make a difference? Perhaps it would help to insert

someone’s name you know who is lost and bound for hell where it says it is up to ME to proclaim the good news to____(you fill

in the blank). How about where it says it is up to ME to heal the brokenhearted? Do you know someone who is hurting and

needs a friend…why not you? Can you think of a name who may be a “captive”? Maybe not someone who is being held physi-

cally in bondage against their will by someone else, but what about the person you know that is in the bondage of addiction?

What are you doing to help free that person?

The question still bears asking…why not ME? God has enabled all of us with special abilities, but He has sent His son and has

given us the Holy Spirit to enable us and give us the boldness it takes to stand in the gap this year. Our resolution for 2018

should be…I AM GOING TO DO SOMETHING!! As an individual and collectively as a church, WE can make a difference!!

Jeff Eatmon

Prayer Coordinators

Melissa Dixon-252-560-5096 (Primary)

May Howell-903-2983 (Backup)

DEACON BEACON—News from Deacon Ministry Team

A guiding light to the rock