June is a busy summer month, and we are finally feeling the heat! Make sure your summer plans include daily time alone with God. Only He can give you the strength to persevere through these long days!
During the first week in June, Bro. David and I traveled with eight Union youth to William Carey University for MS Baptist Student Week. We enjoyed the music by Scarlet Solution, as well as the messages by Gary Permenter. Faye Lott, Summer and Samantha Gable, Brittney Fuller, Halie and Michael Blakeney, and Sammy and Matthew Gable attended youth camp. All renewed their commitments to live for Christ daily. The youth shared their camp experience with the Union church family on Sunday, June 7th. Each spoke about various fun and spiritual aspects of the week.
Last week the children at Union rode The Boomerang Express as the youth took a Rock and Reef Tour of Australia! Over ninety children, youth, and adults participated in Vacation Bible School this year! Thanks so much to all of the teachers, and especially VBS Director Rhonda Bryant! We praise God for an outstanding week of fun and learning. The Bible lessons, food, music, and worship came together with an incredible impact on the students as they learned that “It all comes back to Jesus!”
At the end of this week our family, along with Brantley Smith, will join around sixty others around the county for a mission trip to Georgia. The mission team will use sports camps and servant evangelism to share the gospel of Christ. Please pray that God will use each member and that the hearts of the people will be open.
Also near the end of June, four of our Union children will join children from Salem Baptist and travel to Central Hills Baptist Retreat in Kosciusko for a three day camp. Please pray for their safety and spiritual growth.
Congratulations to Shea Gable and Alison Smith on the birth of Hagen Shea! Hagen was born on June 5th weighing eight pounds and three ounces.
Continue to pray for Heath Walley as he recovers from heart problems. Also continue to remember Pat Smith and her family in their loss.
Union News May 22
Marsha B. Hays
Union celebrated Mother’s Day with a pancake breakfast cooked by our men. Each mother also received a red or white carnation and devotional booklet. Thanks so much to God for all the godly mothers in our church and community, as well as for the privilege of being a mother!
Bro. David did not preach a traditional Mother’s Day message, but focused on the previous week’s revival. Using the example of the early church in Acts chapter two, he urged newly saved or revived Christians to continue in Bible study, fellowship, and prayer. These things will insure lasting effects from revival services.
Jim, Rhonda, and Michael Blakeney joined our fellowship of believers at Union on May 11th. We welcome them officially to our church family as they join their daughter Halie who was baptized last month.
After much prayer Martha Ashley resigned as Union’s worship leader. She and Terry plan to spend some of their retirement traveling together and spending time with their family. We appreciate Martha’s years of dedication to ministry at Union and look forward to seeing God continue to use and bless her in other capacities.
Thanks to Scott Walters and Mark Tullos for preaching in Bro. David’s absence May 17th. Our family enjoyed a trip to Louisiana for our nephew’s graduation, then spent a few family days at Roosevelt State Park. We took time to slow down and take a deep breath before the busy summer begins!
In Louisiana, we attended Crossroads Church with Bro. David’s sister Tammy. During the Children’s Church ministry, our nephew Brandon Hays accepted Christ as his Savior! We rejoice with Jay and Amanda as their family commits their lives to Christ.
Remember Pat Smith and her family in their loss of Billy C. Smith. He will be greatly missed in the Union Community.
All ages are invited to take a journey of faith through Australia at our Outback Express Vacation Bible School! Students from toddlers through adults will study the Bible, make crafts, learn fun songs, and worship together. Vacation Bible School will be held June 8th - 12th from 6:00-8:30 pm each evening.
Union’s Youth Golf Tournament, postponed because of rain in March, will rescheduled for the fall. Most teams were not able to participate on the make-up day. A date will be announced soon, as we continue to seek players and sponsors.
The theme of the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation is God’s redemption of His people. We celebrated a crucial part of this plan with Easter, but the story is far from over. Now it is our job to share the message of redemption through the blood of Christ as we look forward to fulfillment His great plan.
April 3rd and 4th, Chris Webb of First Baptist Jackson led a parenting conference at Union. Although the crowd was light, those present enjoyed learning discipline techniques and understanding the “love tank” concept” with children and teenagers, as well as receiving motivation to be better parents. 3-2-1 Magic for Christian Parents is available in Christian bookstores. For more information and parenting help, visit the Family Coaching Clinic at www.familycoachingclinic.com.
Sunday, April 5th, Union’s worship service began with a beautiful call to worship sang by the adult choir. Then, Union youth shared a unique worship experience as they painted the hands, feet, and face of Christ on 4x6 foot panels with the Passion version of Jesus Paid It All in the background. Martha Ashley shared a solo celebrating the unconditional love of Christ. Bro. David’s message focused on the thief on the cross who believed in Jesus. He portrayed the thief’s conviction, confession, and conversion, then related it to people today.
Union also celebrated Easter with an Easter Egg Hunt and Picnic on April 5th! The light rain sent the dinner indoors, but did not dampen the fun! Taylor Tullos and Haley Ballard found the prized golden eggs for their age groups! The children also had their pictures made with a creative Easter backdrop of hay bales and flowers. Thanks to Fleeta Blackwell and the Children’s Ministry Team for planning the event!
We continued the celebration of the risen Savior on Easter Sunday with early morning worship. Bro. David’s message titled Emptiness Full of Promise, focused on the empty cross that promised forgiveness, the empty tomb that promised life, and the empty grave clothes that promised a relationship with God. Everyone enjoyed the excitement of reliving the resurrection and celebrating that Jesus is still alive today!
Tom and Johnnie Sue Gaddis enjoyed the company of their granddaughters during the week of Easter. Kylie, Ana, and Miki spent time in Raleigh last week.
Remember James Blakeney who is recovering from surgery. We are thankful to see Ginny Ivy improving, but continue to pray for her full recovery. Continue to remember the Earl Myers family in their loss, as well as Tom Gaddis and Annie R. Sullivan in the loss of their brother.
Union Youth are hosting a Lunch and Auction on April 26th after morning worship to raise money for youth camp. We are requesting donations of crafts, baked goods, and other items to sell. Everyone is invited to enjoy the free lunch, and participate in the auction at 1:00 pm. Among other items Included in the auction will be the hands, feet, and face of Christ painted by the youth.
Spring Revival will be held at Union May 3rd-6th with evangelist Chad Grayson of Airline Baptist Church and Nolan Bishop of Magee. Special guests Perry Robbins, Nolan Bishop, and Hosanna will share before the service each evening.
Sunday, September 21st, the service began with the ordinance of baptism. Union celebrated with the angels as Bro. David baptized six new Christians, Gary and Cathy Shaw, April Fuller, Jacob Ivy, Candy Payne, and Taylor Stevenson. Colleen Butler did a great job leading worship in the absence of Martha Ashley. Betty Currie and her son Josh shared a worshipful duet, then Bro. David continue his sermon series titled, Changed From the Inside Out–an appropriate message for new believers as well as all who know Christ.
After the morning service we enjoyed a ham and vegetable lunch and accepted donations for our youth fund. Thanks to all who cooked and gave–especially to those who did both!
During Discipleship Training our youth were introduced to their upcoming Christmas musical: Extreme Christmas-Not a Silent Night! Faye Lott and April Fuller could hardly stand the suspense before our surprise announcement. Those who practice faithfully and participate in the program will go to the Xtreme Winter Conference in Gatlinburg during the Christmas holidays.
Sunday evening Bro. David continued preaching about prayer. After the message Josh Currie, Bro. David, and I traveled with eleven youth to Home Wood Baptist Church for a Youth Late Night. The youth of Home Wood shared several entertaining skits and worshipful songs, then Bro. David shared the gospel through his illusion ministry. Several youth made decisions during the invitation time. Over three hundred youth attended this Scott Baptist Association youth event.
Mize Baptist Church held a Pre-See You At the Pole Rally on September 23rd. Mickey Quarles and I took nine Union youth to the event. The band Holyfield led worship and Luke Johnson, former USM punter brought a powerful message.
After returning from the rally, my six-year-old Zoe Grace, jumped out of bed and handed me a note. She had written, "can I go to see you pole, plese," on a paper decorated with Arthur and a butterfly. Of course, I had to take her–and Jasper–to Raleigh High School at 6:45 Wednesday morning! They enjoyed running around soaking their tennis shoes in the dew as the students gathered. Zoe Grace and Jasper, along with most of the world, were nearly oblivious to when the prayer time started and ended; however, Heaven took notice, for where two or three are gathered in Jesus’ name, He promised to be in their midst.
For pictures and upcoming events, visit our website at www.ubcraleigh.org.
Union News
June abounded with activities and ministry at Union!
Saturday, June 14th, Union youth with perfect attendance in Vacation Bible School, traveled with Josh Currie and I to Hattiesburg. The group watched The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, then enjoyed pizza at CiCi’s. The movie, based on the book by C.S. Lewis, though not overtly Christian, did implement principles of faith and following God even when following alone.
The Union ladies provided a potluck breakfast on Father’s Day. Taylor Tullos shared a special Father’s Day song and the Praise Team led worship, then our Baptist Men took charge of the service. Brantley Smith sang Word of God Speak, then several men shared a word of testimony or message from scripture. Curtis David Hegwood, Dennis Ford, and Mark Tullos spoke about responsibility, ministry, and following God. Thanks to these godly men for sharing what God laid on their hearts.
Union children enjoyed a trip to the Museum of Natural Science on June 16th. They enjoyed the life-like dinosaurs and live aquarium animals. Thanks to Sonja Tullos for driving the bus!
June 19th, Union youth gathered for a fun night of volleyball and pool! Darrell Ashley and Drew McCallum won bragging rights in our pool tournament!
Betty Currie, Brantley and Anna Smith, and our family (kids included!) traveled to Perry, Ohio, for a mission trip June 21st-28th. We joined thirteen others from Smith county, and together led an Upward Basketball Camp, painted fire hydrants, distributed free water on the beach of Lake Eerie, and prayer walked in the Ashtabula community. Our group also marveled at the awesome sight of Niagara Falls and learned much at the Creation Museum. Thanks to all who prayed for our group. Continue to pray God will grow the seeds planted in the hearts of children and adults in Perry. See www.ubcraleigh.org for pictures and a link to our Upwards video.
Josh Currie filled the pulpit while Bro. David ministered in Perry. During one service, the message came before the worship through music! The Union congregation enjoyed hearing God speak through Josh.
Everyone is invited to an Independence Day Celebration at Union on July 4th, beginning at 6 pm. We will have food and activities for all ages, including an inflatable slide for the kids and a big fireworks display. Come praise God for America!