Special Easter Services

On Thursday, February 28th at 6PM we will celebrate a special Passover meal in Fellowship Hall. This is something we have done for the past several years and it’s a special time of worship followed by communion.

Bright and early at 6:30 AM on Easter morning, we will celebrate the resurrection with a special sunrise service as well as our regular morning worship service.

Details will be announced closer to time so just keep these two special times in your calendar.

A Note About Our Sanctuary Decorations

You may have noticed a change in our Chrismon Tree this year. The large tree standing behind me contains many symbolisms of the life of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  First and foremost this tree is an evergreen, to represent Eternal Life.  Just as John 3:16 says “ For God so loved the world, He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life… 

The tree is ablaze with over seven thousand lights, Chrismons, crosses, and other shiny  items reflecting light, just as Jesus is the Light unto our path.  John 8:12 tells us, “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I Am the light of the world, whosoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 

This humble tree bears sprigs of white berries to reflect Jesus’ pure words found in John 15 “I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me, and I in him, he will bear much fruit, apart from Me, you can do nothing.” 

The bows on the tree simply seem to say, “Blessed be the tie that binds.” 

Also hanging from its branches are 33 crimson red ornaments, each representing a single drop of the precious blood of Jesus, one for each year He walked upon this earth, leading, guiding, teaching, preaching, and ultimately dying for our sin, to be gloriously resurrected that we might be saved, to live eternally with Him. 

As you look at this tree this year, look beyond the earthly items so humbly placed, and look deeply into the effects of the meaning of each, that you might be blessed in the beauty and splendor of Jesus, of Christmas, and this season of celebration of Jesus, his birth, and His Love. 

Merry Christmas FBC. You are loved. You are appreciated! 

Silent Auction

Come join in the fun on Saturday, November 4, 2023 from 10 to 12 to bid on church memorabilia and furnishings. The deaconesses along with Howard’s assistance and skill are redecorating the parlor which has been due a facelift. With the purchase of new couches and chairs, the old furniture needs a new home.

Along with the parlor furniture, all floors have been searched for treasures not being used. Furniture, pictures, and decorations will be displayed in Fellowship Hall where you can peruse the items and place a bid. The deaconesses thought a time of sharing memories, laughter, and donuts would be a way to clean the church and make extra money for parlor refurbishing.

Each bidder will be assigned a number to identify their bid and a bid sheet will be attached to each item, where you’ll write your assigned number and bid amount. The winners will be announced shortly after 12 and you will be able to take your special treasure home with you.

We look forward to a day filled with laughter and a less cluttered church as a result.

Notes from the Church Office

Let’s be good stewards in God’s house.
When you’re working in the church during the week, please remember if you turn the lights on, turn them off. If you turn the heat on, turn it off. This may sound a bit trivial, but every penny counts.

We will be closing our financial books for this year on Friday, December 30th. Any contributions for this year must be in the office by noon that day.

The church office will be closed on Monday, December 26th and Monday, January 2nd in observance of Christmas and New Years.

Summertime is Wonderful

by Pastor Rick Watson

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.  Ecclesiastes 3:1

We are so blessed to live in an area where there are four seasons! Nancy and I lived in Alaska for four years and in Alaska there are only two seasons: winter and summer. Spring-time in Alaska will last only a few days and fall is the same way. It is either cold or hot in Alaska and yes it does get hot (85 to 90 degrees)!

West Virginia has many wonderful attractions that we can enjoy during the summer months. The Beckley area is famous for its Rhododendron Festival. My only regret is that this plants’ bloom is gone so soon! Did you know that this bouquet of beauty symbolizes beauty and energy? And it can also symbolize love and positivity?

As wonderful as summer is, as a pastor I have also learned to dread summer. You may ask why?

Even though I love the spring flowers, green grass and the warmth of the season. Even though I truly love Vacation Bible School, hearing the children talk and sing in the church, what I have come to dread is the summer time attendance at church!

A few weeks ago in Sunday morning worship I mentioned that June should be the month of commitment. Committed to serve, to give and to attend all church activities. What June has become is the month where everyone plans their vacation to the beach! I love vacation time just as you do but I also love the church and worshipping God and I know you do too! So what I am asking is when you are in town be sure and be in church. We miss you when you are gone.

I mentioned that the blooms on the rhododendron symbolize beauty and energy, also love and positivity. When people are looking for a church to attend, often times they look for the church with a “full parking lot” on Sundays. The assumption is that this is a good church, one you would want to be a part of. Conversely, an empty lot speaks volumes as well!

Help us fill the parking lot this summer revealing the beauty-energy-love and positivity of Christ and this church. We need you to be an active participant and attender at Beckley First Baptist Church.

Ecclesiastes 3:9-12 says “9 What do workers gain from their toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet[a] no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.”

Come and be blessed and then be a blessing to someone! My favorite song “I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God.” What about you?

Hope to see you this Sunday with a smile on your face and a song in your heart.

Pastor Rick

Pulpit Committee Update

As Pastor Sisson shared with us in March, this is a process that we have to be patient with and wait for the right person that God has picked to be our next pastor. We ask for your patience and prayers as we move through this process.

Wednesdays Starting in March

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY is resuming on Wednesday, March 2nd at 6:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Pastor Rick is anxiously going to be sharing with us what God has put in his heart to say to us. Please make a point to be here on Wednesday evenings.

CHOIR REHARSAL will be following Bible Study at 7:00 p.m. in the Choir Room. The Bible says to make a joyful noise – it doesn’t have to be pretty – just joyful. We hope to see many of our former members as well as some new faces.

BUSINESS MEETING – We will be resuming our monthly church business meetings on March 16th at 6:00 p.m. We need 35 people to make a quorum. We need your input as to several important items that need to be discussed. Come and be a part of what’s going on.

Lots of Great Christmas Gifts – Thank You!

Christmas has come and gone but I am sure our Backpack Children received lots of great Christmas gifts. We shopped foChristmas has come and gone but I am sure our Backpack Children received lots of great Christmas gifts. We shopped for 24 children this year and purchased clothing and toys for each one. I want to thank everyone who shopped for our children: Linda Ramsey, Jane Smith, Mary Gregory, Tracy Salango, Verna Andrews, Sharon Volpe, Debbie Vanaman, Connie Neil, Nancy Hall, Katie Cook and Jennifer Stump. You all did an awesome job! Thanks to everyone who has donated food, cash or prayed for our Backpack Children. May God bless each of you.

For the month of January please donate cans of pork and beans.

Summer is Coming

by Rev Tim Mitchem

We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)

May brings flowers, graduations, promotions, pools opening and the beginning of SUMMER. It has been a crazy winter, and a wet spring so far. But with students graduating and being promoted and knowing I was going to write an article, I found myself praying this proverb. We can make our plans, what college we plan on going to, what next year’s school is going to be like. What we want to do over summer break, who we want to hang out with and the list goes on and on.

We are good at making plans, and even good at breaking plans. But we are reminded that it is the LORD who determines our steps. We can make all the plans in the world and they can be changed in just a second. Sometimes we begin making plans in our own way of thinking. I remember being a teen and making plans to be wealthy and own businesses and having everything I thought I wanted in my future. But God has a way of ordering our steps in ways we are not thinking.

Students, be praying about what you desire and ask God to show you the plans He has made for you. Jeremiah 29:11 says he has made plans for your future, Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. God has a special plan for each of you, I hope as we go into the summer months of 4th floor Worship and bible study we can begin that focus; What’s God got planned?

Summer is coming, and I hope to have a planning meeting for all the fun we are going to have, kicking off summer with a Lock-in, fun times together and a trip to Carowinds!!! Plus an awesome week at Camp Cowen, Where we will learn how to Live Loved!!! We are just getting started on our journey together, so don’t miss an opportunity!!!!