1301 N. Portland Ave Okla. City, OK 73107 (405) 942-5539 www.portlandavenue.org

Baptist Messenger

Special Edition

Periodicals Postage Paid

Dr. Walter L. Mullican, Senior Pastor Tony Mullican, Student/Community Minister Cody Boyer, Music & Senior Adults Gina McKean, Preschool & Children

August 11, 2016

Inside This Issue: Page 1— Pastor’s Article Page 2—Senior Spirit Page 3—Parent Connection Page 4—This and That

Pastor’s Perspective

It has been an incredible summer of ministry here at PABC! Missions in Africa, Ukraine, and Guatemala. Locally, missions through Bible Clubs in two local parks as we partnered with In the Gap ministries, a mission VBS with Rockwood Baptist Church here in OKC, back-to-school supplies to 600 children at Buchanan Ele-mentary, fresh fruit and vegetables provided to almost 900 people this summer, our dental clinic helped close to 120 people this summer, and now Whiz Kids kicks off again in a few weeks where we will engage 30+ kids a week in reading litera-cy. If you’ve never tutored in Whiz Kids this needs to be your year to begin! How does an urban church like ours stay vital in ministry? To be vital we must do the work of revitalization. What do I mean by that? It simply means that we must always be looking at our-selves as a church to see what God wants us to do and then adjust ourselves and our structures to do His will. We are taking part in something this fall that I believe can bring revitalization to our church and it will take place through our Sunday morning Bible Study. Connect>1 is an emphasis to equip and engage every church member in personal evangelism through our church’s Sunday School. It involves: 1) a wonderful 6-week Bible Study of the Gospel during Sunday School at 9:30; every member learning the Connect>1 gospel presenta-tion; and each member participating in the 3151 Challenge. The 3151 challenge is: 3> Pray daily for 3 lost friends to come to Christ; 1> Learn one gospel presentation; 5> Invite 5 unchurched people to your small group; and 1> Share the gospel at least 1 time during the campaign. If the average attendance of adults and students for a typical Sunday this summer of 170 did these 4 things here’s what would happen. We would pray for 510 lost friends; 170 people would learn a gospel presentation; 850 people would be invited to our Sunday School; and the gospel would be shared 170 times. That would have a huge impact in the kingdom and would bring a fresh wind of revitalization to our church. It can happen. I Love You!

Thank You

Notes of appreciation have

been received from

the following:

Jeff & Pam Goodner

Bill Thompson and Family

The Family of Beulah Anderson

In Christian Sympathy

The Portland family extends

Christian love and sympathy to:

Family & friends of Beulah Anderson

Bill Thompson in the loss of his wife, Louise

Wednesday Night

Fellowship Dinner Menu for August

Served from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m.

Adults—$3.50 Children—$2 Family Plan —$12

Aug 3—Taco Salad, Chips & Dessert

Aug 10 — Chili Dogs, Chips & Dessert

Aug 17—Spaghetti, Salad, Bread & Dessert

Aug 24—Chicken Tenders, Potatoes & Dessert

Aug 31—Lasagna, Salad, Bread & Dessert

Saturday, August 20th at the Connection Center

Appointments required.

Call 946-9497 beginning at 9am Thursday, August 18th to

schedule an appointment.

Summer Missions Celebration

Sunday, August 14th at 6 p.m.

Hear first hand testimony of how God worked in and through mission endeavors this Summer!

KARATE CLASSES Come join us on Tuesday, August 9th at 6 p.m.

as we start a new semester of Karate at Portland Avenue.

Classes are designed for 9 year olds to 90 year olds! Try a couple of classes for FREE and see if Karate is for you.

Cost is $10 a month when you decide to join.

Class meets every Tuesday at 6 p.m.—Connection Center. Contact Tony for more info.

Sunday School Conference designed to equip small group and Sunday School leaders!

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20th 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

First Baptist in Moore

$5 per person—includes lunch and conference materials.

Sign up at the Welcome Center by Sunday, August 14th.

Teach me Your way LORD and I will live by Your truth. Psalm 86:11

Portland Children’s Ministry Worker’s Luncheon & Informational Meeting

Sunday, August 21st at 12:15 p.m. in Fellowship Hall

This luncheon is for all our current workers (and their families) as well as those interested in becoming INVOLVED

in our MINISTRY to children and families.

Lunch provided. Please sign up at the Welcome Center.

Jesus said, let the children come to me . . . Matthew 19:14

Whiz Kids Helps Children Gain Confidence In Reading and More!

Whiz Kids focuses on reading due to our state’s alarming illiteracy rates. In Oklahoma, 74% of fourth graders read below grade level. Most of the tutoring hour is spent reading to/with the child or listening to the child read. The Portland Avenue site meets on Thursdays during the school year from 3 to 5 p.m.

Returning VOLUNTEERS MEETING, Thursday, Aug. 18th,

3:30 p.m. at Heritage Baptist Church followed by dinner at Joy Fischer’s house.

Transportation provided to and from the meeting. Bus leaves Portland Avenue at 3 p.m. and returns by 7:30 p.m.

PLEASE let us know by Sunday, August 14th if you are able to attend.

First week of tutoring begins on August 25th. Call Gina at 942-5539 or email gmckean@portlandavenue.org to find out how YOU CAN be a part of making a difference in the life of a child as well as making a positive impact in our community.

The ability to read has been shown to be one of the

KEY indicators of

future success.

Greetings! On Tuesday, August 21, 2012, I stepped off of the Weatherfords tour bus after 5 years of ministering with three wonderful people. It was the close of an important chapter in my life, one that had taken me to many places and had introduced me to many people who would have a huge influence on my life. The next morn-ing I walked into the office at PABC and began a brand new chapter. It is hard to believe that it has now been four years ago. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to serve at a wonderful church and to lead a body of believers in corporate worship every single week. I’m thank-ful to serve under a pastor who stands on the truth of God’s word and lives it out every day. I’m also thank-ful to serve with a staff who are more than just co-workers, but who are friends that can be turned to for wis-dom and prayer. I wanted to take this space and say thank you for four wonderful years, and I’m looking forward to what the Lord has in store.

Cody

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

- 1 Thessalonians 5:18

CONCERT Saturday Sept. 10th

At Crossings Community in OKC

Join legendary writer Bill Gaither (Because He Lives, He

Touched Me) and his Vocal Band for an evening of wor-ship! Contact Cody for infor-

mation regarding tickets.

PABC will provide free transportation

An evening with the

From My Heart to Yours . . .

It has been such a busy summer! We’ve enjoyed VBS inside and outside, been to Mission Camp, Worship Arts Camp, had the pleasure of conducting outdoor Bible Clubs at two local parks AND distributed school supplies to over 600 students at Buchanan Elementary School. At EVERY activity/event, children heard the Good News of Jesus Christ. Our time is limited and opportunities are becoming fewer and fewer, which makes our “church” time with kids so vitally important. Our Sunday Morning Learning time as well as Wednesday nights involves age-appropriate teaching materials that help build a foundation and will help kids trust Jesus as their personal Savior and seek HIS WILL in their daily lives. Wednesday Night BLAST officially begins on Sept. 12th. We’ll have Bible Skills, Music and Crafts that will aide boys and girls in memorizing Scripture and develop Godly Character. Our “New Christian Class for Kids” is under the direction of Shelly Brandon and will meet on Wednesday evenings, beginning Sept. 12th. We will be contact-ing the families of children who have recently accepted Jesus with additional information. However, if you have a child or grandchild that has been asking questions about becoming a Christian, this class would be a good fit for them too! Sometimes people mistake church preschool classes as simply childcare, it’s SO MUCH MORE than physical care, it’s SPIRITUAL CARE as well. Learning takes place at EVERY AGE level and our Children’s Ministry is dedicated to utilizing our time wisely as we engage preschool-ers in activities that constantly point them to our Heavenly Father.

With a grateful heart,

Gina

Our Very Newest . . . Congratulations to Cory and Traci Goodner on the birth of their daughter, Tenneesselynn Hazel Nicole, born Aug. 5th weighing in at 6.6 pounds. Proud big brothers are Chance and Cash and big sister Tessalynn, and grandparents Jeff and Pam Goodner.

Buchanan Says

THANK YOU!

Notes of appreciation have been received from the students and faculty of Buchanan Elementary School. They loved their supplies and appreciated the generosity of the members of both Portland Avenue and Heritage Baptist Church. Thank you also to the many who helped with assembling supplies, setting up, prayer walking and distribution. The principal, Ms. Brackeen, requests our continued prayers for the students and leadership of Buchanan.

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

1 David Holman

2 Dean Williams

3 Walter Cochran

4 Terry Geis

8 Myrtle Cockrell

Dorothy Echols

14 Dan Daughety

17 Virginia Moyer

Darrell Smith

Glora Venters

18 Sharon Banta

Shirley Winters

19 Betty Douglas

20 Kimberly Miller

23 Joyce Warren

25 Debi Sheline

29 Janice Leverett

30 Barbara Brightwell

31 Len Kramme

SEPTEMBER (first 2 weeks)

2 Judy Young

3 Jack Young

6 Stella Crupper

Charles Rayshell

10 Jean Sevier

11 Judith Mowery

12 Kathy Boyer

14 Richard Troxel

15 Jackie Vaughan

Senior Adult Birthday missing from the list? Call the church office at 942-5539 and let us know.