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Pleasant Valley UB (Lake Odessa, Mich.) will host a concert by the Huntington College Choir on Sunday, April 27, at 6:00 pm. Come support the students and enjoy an evening of fine music. The church is located on highway M-50 eight miles west of Lake Odessa.
Every February, Prince Street UB (Shippensburg, Pa.) holds a banquet as a money-raiser to help families in need. A Sunday school class pays the expenses–food, decorations, etc. This year’s theme was “Under the Sea.” The fellowship hall was adorned appropriately–lobster traps, fish shells, a giant whale, and a shipwrecked boat built by two members of the class.
Pastor Ed Calhoun provided the entertainment, performing a magic show through which he presented the gospel. This year’s event, held February 1, raised $1,450, which was divided between two families.
Associate pastor Craig Mickey started a men’s ministry. They held Wild Game Nights in January and February, with about 80 men each time. Each man was to prepare his favorite dish from the past hunting season. Non-hunters were encouraged to bring a dessert and help in other ways. In February, a state wildlife conservation officer brought updates on new laws affecting hunters.
Whenever school is canceled for a scheduled holiday, the church holds a Kids’ Day Out. This event was started by Cherie Finkey, chairperson of the Christian Education Commission. Children sign up ahead of time. The church doors open at 7 a.m., with breakfast at 7:30. During the morning, games and activities are held in the fellowship hall. The afternoon usually features a field trip.
Children in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited. The event is a help to working parents, who know the children are enjoying supervised activities in a safe environment with caring people. The day usually ends at 4:30.
Greg Reed, pastor of Morning Star UB (Kokomo, Ind.) has become a certified instructor with Walk Thru the Bible. He has been given permission to test a new plan for offering the Old Testament seminar in churches with an average Sunday worship attendance of less than 300. He explains:
“As a new WTB instructor, I can offer the same seminar and give special pricing and a much lower financial commitment for a local church. A variety of formats are available: Friday night and Saturday morning, all day Saturday, Sunday afternoon and evening, etc. ”
About the seminar: “In just five action-packed hours, the world’s most popular Bible-based seminar will help you understand, like never before, 4000 years of life-changing, godly wisdom. Using hand motions, catch phrases, and group review, you’ll grasp the special messages and meanings of Old Testament characters, themes, places, and events. You will integrate your knowledge of all 39 books, 929 chapters, and 23,214 verses, trace major geographical movements on a giant map made up of the people attending the seminar, and rekindle your desire to read the Bible and pray daily.”
Joe Leighton is serving as interim pastor of Salem Chapel, Junction City, Ohio.
James Fitz has been named senior pastor of Fountain Hills Community UB, Fountain Hills, Ariz.
Don Ross resigned as pastor of Morocco UB (Temperance, Mich.).
In January, 44 people from Calvary UB (Saginaw, Mich.) went on a ski trip in Cadillac. The trip was hosted by the church’s Bible quiz team.
A new outreach ministry brings food and clothing to needy people in the Saginaw area. A local business let them use their parking lot every Saturday to hand out these items.
Dennis Hunt, a pastor in California Conference (and formerly in Arizona Conference), died February 15 after suffering a severe heart attack. Memorial services will be held Thursday, February 20, at the Lake Hills Community Church in Laguna Hills, Calif. The address is: 2331 Moulton Parkway.
Ten people from the Idaville, Franklintown, and Salem UB churches in Pennsylvania will go to Honduras February 2-14. They will work on the Mt. Hebron housing project outside of La Ceiba.
On Sunday, January 12, Living Water UB (Clarksburg, W. Va.) celebrated its second anniversary. The guest of honor was Bishop Paul Hirschy, who delivered the morning message. More than 90 people attended the service. A luncheon was provided in the school auditorium where the church worships.
During the morning service, two elementary students were presented with “Ten Verse” certificates as progress markers in their Sunday school’s “100 Verse Challenge.” Living Water averaged 84 in worship attendance in its second year of ministry.
Central Conference is promoting January 26 as a Day of Prayer for Church Planting. Says Superintendent Tom Brodbeck, “We’re seeking the movement of the Lord on the hearts of our healthiest churches to catch a vision for reproducing ministry. We pray that God will launch several churches through this format in the next several years.”
