Our Blog

Worship Ministry - September 2023

Testify 

“⁸ Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, ⁹who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, ¹⁰and which now has been manifested through the  appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, ¹¹for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, ¹² which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. ¹³Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” 2 Timothy 1:8-14 

It is easy for us to stay quiet, going with the flow to not create any awkward situations or conflicts. We can live moral lives, being good people without ever really telling the world we belong to Jesus; never telling our neighbors our salvation story or inviting them to church so they can hear the truth of God’s redemption plan. We just let them assume we are Christians and hope that is good enough. 

Why? 

We all have a story to tell, a song to sing. God is good and has shown His blessings to each one of us in one way or another. God is loving and has helped us in our loneliest times of life. God is powerful and has shown His might when we needed to feel His presence. God is a provider and has shown up when we didn’t know where that next meal was coming from or how we were going to pay that bill. Without thinking too hard, I imagine each one of us can rattle off many examples of God’s presence in our lives. This is the story we tell to the world. This is the song we sing. 

All throughout scripture, as in the letter of 2 Timothy, the people of God testify of who He is, what He’s done, and what He is going to do. We are encouraged in 2 Timothy 1:8 to “not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord.” We are encouraged, too, through songs like “Blessed  Assurance” with choruses like, “This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.” 

So be not ashamed to tell the world what God has done in your life. Even when there is fear in you, God is worth overcoming that fear. Let the world hear the “song” God has placed in your heart, and worship Him in all places, all times, always. 

I love you and mean it!

Lyric of the Month
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.

2 Timothy 1:12
But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.

Women On Mission - September 2023

A Blast From the Past

In a 2018 conversation with the late Martha Boultinghouse and her daughter Bonnie Beckham, they shared memories of the early days of Oakhill.  Their family had attended the Rescue Mission downtown for a number of years when Maurice noted that they passed a Baptist Church every Sunday on their way into town.  He thought they could attend a church closer to home that would provide more for their children.  In 1961, they began attending Oakhill.  Cindy was 9, Bonnie was 8, and Judy was 7. Penny was born in 1963.

Oakhill met in a 3 car garage and small residence at the present location.  When they moved into a new building in 1965, Martha helped organize the nursery and kitchen.  They had to start from scratch as far as furnishings were concerned.  Not a lot of money was available to them.  Dishes were purchased from a dime store at Lawndale (Kresge or Woolworth).  The ladies chipped in to make the purchase.  Economy Market had a deal giving silverware when you purchased groceries.  Port-a-cribs were bought for $10.00 each.  Martha served in the nursery from 1964 to 1979.   Bonnie served since she was in her 20’s until 2022.  Her husband Larry worked with her.  Martha recalled that in the early days, the members took turns cleaning the church.  Nothing was hired out that could be done by members or the pastor.  Rev Bill Carter did the weekly bulletin, cleaned snowy drives and walks, mowed grass, whatever needed to be done.

When the church voted to build, the Boultinghouse family was 1 of 7 who put their homes up as collateral.  We are blessed to have charter member Bonnie Beckham still at Oakhill.  We appreciate the Boultinghouse’s years of service and faithfulness.  They have touched and continue to touch many lives.

Women on Mission will meet Thursday, September 7th at 1:00 pm in the Grace classroom.
All ladies are invited to be with us.