Baptism Sunday - September 4, 2016: A Record Turn-out

After Pastor Joseph Flippin finished preaching a couple of weeks ago during service, he extended his usual invitation to the congregation to accept Christ as Savior and be baptized as a public testimony of our faith and to fulfill all righteousness. "If you're recently saved and need to get baptized, I invite you to join us on the first Sunday in September.  Maybe you got baptized as a kid and didn't really understand what it was about, I invite you to get baptized as an adult.  Or maybe you got baptized because your friends were getting baptized and you didn't want to be left out.  Or if you got 'sprinkled' as a baby, I invite you to join us because we believe in full immersion. Or maybe you've been a Christian for awhile but haven't taken the next step in your walk, I invite you to get baptized.  Hey, we're a Baptist church, that's what we do:  We baptize and re-baptize!"

In the book of Matthew, John the Baptist tells the people in 3:11, "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance:  but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear:  he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire...."  Later, in verses 14-15, Jesus approached John so that John could baptize Him.  "But John forbad him, saying, 'I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?' And Jesus answering said unto him, 'Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.'"  In Mark 16:16, Jesus says, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."

Romans 10:9-11,13 says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. ...For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."  Baptism is a public proclamation that we are saved:  We have admitted we are sinners, repented of our sins, and have asked Jesus to come into our hearts to be our Lord and Savior.  Baptism is a way of saying, "I am a Christian!"

Several congregants stepped forward that Sunday to be baptized for the first time.  Some wanted to be re-baptized, considering it a "re-dedication to the Lord," similar to a "vow renewal" between a husband and wife.  Some wanted to show their dedication to God as well as their Brothers and Sisters in Christ.  Whatever their reason, Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church had a great turn-out for baptisms on Sunday, September 4, 2016!

If you are looking to get baptized for the first time as evidence of your accepting Christ as Lord and Savior, or wish to get re-baptized as a symbolic way of "renewing your vows" to God, we encourage you to see Pastor Flippin, Reverend Gwen Warren, or one of the deacons for more information on getting this done.  We welcome you into the Kingdom of God!

If you have photos that you would like to have added to this post, please email them to stepmercjohn@hotmail.com.

Church Announcements - September 4, 2016

EVERY TUESDAY:  Please join your church family for A CALL TO PRAYER by accessing our Conference Call Line every Tuesday at 6:00 a.m.  The number is 302-202-1112, Access Code 801177.  These calls will last 15 minutes and our goal is to have 50 members on the Prayer Call every week, so SET YOUR ALARMS!

CONFIDENTIAL PRAYER VOICEMAIL AND EMAIL:  Please submit your confidential prayer request by calling 641-715-3900, Access Code 784459 or by emailing your request to oakgroveprays@gmail.com.  Only Pastor Flippin will have access to this voicemail and email and will respond promptly.

MEMBERSHIP EXPECTATION CLASS is held every 2^nd and 3^rd Sunday at 9:30 a.m.  This class is for new members and serves as a refresher class for existing members.  A Certificate of Completion will be given after attending both classes.  For more information, please see Rev. Gwen Warren.

EVERY WEDNESDAY:  Bible Study resumes Wednesday, September 14, 2016, at 7:30 p.m.  Lesson printouts are available in the wall tray located outside Pastor Flippin’s office.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11:  NFL Sunday is back!  Team up with Oak Grove by wearing your favorite football jersey!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25:  Pastor Flippin and the Oak Grove Family are the special guests at Mount Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 8705 Gilroy Rd., Nanjemoy, as they give honor to their Seniors of 75 and over.  Dinner will be served at 1:00 p.m.  Service begins at 2:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 & 20:  Youth Choir Rehearsal will be held this Tuesday, September 13th, and next Tuesday, September 20th, at 7:00 p.m.  All youth ages 4-18 are encouraged to attend.

POTOMAC RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION:  Pastors and Church Leaders Conference will be held on September 17, 2016, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the True Gospel Tabernacle Baptist Church, 4201 Wheeler Rd. SE, Washington, D.C.  Rev. Reginald Farmer will be the Host Pastor.  For registration and more information, please visit www.potomacriverba.org.

ANNUAL COMMUNITY OUTREACH DAY will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2016, on the Nanjemoy Land on Friendship Landing Road.

NEXT EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING will be held Saturday, October 29, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. at Ritchie Baptist Church, Upper Marlboro, MD.

ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM SISTER CHURCHES

MOUNT HOPE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 8705 Gilroy Rd., Nanjemoy

Women’s Conference, September 20, 2016, 8:00 a.m., Breakfast will be served.  Registration Fee:  $20.

ZION BAPTIST CHURCH, 8105 Annapolis Wood Rd., Welcome

Women’s Ministry 16th Annual One-Day Conference, Saturday, September 10, 2016, 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Breakfast will be served.  Registration Fee:  $20.

MACEDONIA BAPTIST CHURCH, 2645 Marshall Hall Rd., Bryans Road

Fourth Pastoral Anniversary of Pastor Samuel King, Jr., Sunday, September 11, 2016, at 3:00 p.m.  Guest Preacher is Rev.  Eric D. Barksdale, Sr., of St. Charles Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.

PLEASANT GROVE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 5560 Pleasant Grove Rd., Marbury

Men & Women Prayer Breakfast, Saturday, September 17, 2016, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.  Guest Preacher will be Rev. Jamila Woods-Jones of Jabez Christian Church.

One-Day Women’s Conference, Saturday, September 24, 2016, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Men’s Day Service, Sunday, September 25, 2016 at 3:30 p.m., Guest Preacher:  Pastor Lionel Pointer from Round Oak Missionary Baptist Church.

NEW LIFE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 6635 Indian Head Hwy., Indian Head, MD

Family and Friends Day will be held on Sunday, September 18, 2016 at 4:00 p.m.  Special guest preacher will be Pastor Garry M. Brown from Pilgrim Baptist Church, Locust Grove, VA.  (Yes, that’s when the Cowboys play the Redskins at home, but come at 1:00 p.m. to enjoy the game, have dinner at 2:30, and wear your sports gear if you like!)

TRUE GOSPEL TABERNACLE BAPTIST CHURCH, 4201 Wheeler Rd., SE, Washington, DC

Revival during the month of September, hosted by the newest member of PRBA, Pastor Reginald R. Farmer

September 2 at 7:00 p.m. – guest preacher Pastor Roderick McClanahan

September 9 at 7:00 p.m. – guest preacher Pastor Lloyd Fox

September 18 at 2:00 p.m. – guest preacher Pastor L.B. West

September 16 at 7:00 p.m. – comedians Robert Richardson and Eric Wade

September 23 at 7:00 p.m. – guest preacher Pastor Anthony Maclin

September 30 at 7:00 p.m. – guest preacher Pastor Rodney Teal

Facebook Testimony

This testimony was recently shared on our Facebook page.  To God be the glory!  May we continue to be a shining light in our community of Nanjemoy, Maryland.

For the month of July, Pastor Joseph C. T. Flippin has been preaching on the theme of "Sticking Together." This past Sunday's topic was "The Church of Nanjemoy": We must be a church of God and Christ--Jesus is the center, and we must be linked up to the community. We must speak with power, truth, and authority, and be united with one purpose. We must be one body in Christ, be strong in our prayer lives/ministry/worship, have the same faith/doctrine/mission, and not allow the spirit of rebellion to come against our church. We are connected through the Ultimate Unifier: Jesus Christ, and we will have a solid foundation if we use our gifts to serve the church and community of Nanjemoy. God has given us a blessed hope and promise and we must share the good news with our neighbors. This all ties in with our church's vision: To be an ALIVE Christ-centered church focused on SERVING our community through LOVE and with a message of HOPE.

After Pastor Flippin finished preaching, Reverend Gwen Warren called for a special time of prayer. Normally we have intercessory prayer in the very beginning of service, but this day, we ended in prayer (and of course an altar call to accept Christ as one's savior and an invitation to become members of the church) before the benediction and dismissal. We all gathered around the sanctuary to pray for our church, our community, and our nation. I confess that I peeked during this time of prayer to look around at my Brothers and Sisters in Christ: all holding hands, heads bowed, united in one accord. I was overwhelmed by a feeling of joy and gratitude at this family of believers! Overwhelmed to the point of tears!

You see, ever since I set foot in this church, my mother and I have been welcomed with open arms. From that first day back in August when I was alone, broken, and desperate to be reminded of God's love for me, I felt nothing but love and acceptance from everyone here! Before I even got out of the car, a Sister greeted me and welcomed me to her church. The ushers were glad to see me, I was greeted by many members as I made my way to the front row, and Reverend Gwen Warren and Minister Jacqueline Swann deliberately came down from the pulpit to hug me and welcome me to OGMBC. During Rev. Warren's VERY POWERFUL intercessory prayer minutes later, I broke down in tears, thankful that I found my way through these doors. Sister Bridget hugged me afterwards (probably for as long as I needed, even though I didn't want to hold up church service!), telling me everything was going to be okay and reminding me how much God loved me. I was showered with love from the minute I walked in to the minute I left. Most importantly, Pastor Flippin made a point to personally come to me and welcome me to the church and ask me my name, which he has never forgotten (no pastor has ever done this before, and I've been to a LOT of churches in my lifetime!), and greets me every chance he gets. When I brought my mother with me the next Sunday, she received the royal treatment as well, and the love has not stopped!

So, fast forward to this past Sunday and prayer concludes. Two more people step forward to become members, and we are encouraged to hug our neighbors and tell them we love them, which we all did joyfully. A Brother in Christ hugged me and asked if I was okay as I wiped away my tears. I assured him I was, but the truth is, I wanted to break out in shouts of joy at how happy I am to be part of this church!!! With all the racial tension going on these days, I have never felt any animosity or prejudice from any of my church family. It doesn't matter that I am one of few Caucasians, I am accepted and loved and appreciated as a Sister in Christ! I serve when and where I can, and am so thankful for all the help I've received (especially from Rev. Gwen and Deacon Frank Tibbs!) over the last year, especially after my knee injury and surgery.

This church is a PRIME example of how the ENTIRE WORLD needs to be! We are living out Jesus' second greatest commandment of loving our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:29-31). Because let me tell you, how are we supposed to LOVE our NEIGHBOR and our COMMUNITY if we can't even LOVE the person sitting in the pew next to us??? Well, this church DOES!

So, I just want to thank Pastor Flippin and First Lady Kendall for the excellent job they are doing of leading this church, to all the Deacons and Trustees, and to all my Brothers and Sisters in Christ: THANK YOU! Thank you for accepting me into The Fold, thank you for loving me and my mother, and thank you for being wonderful examples of Jesus Christ. Together we can reach the community, and hopefully the world.

GOD bless you ALL!!! I love you all so much!

Church Announcements for September 28, 2016

EVERY TUESDAY:  Please join your church family for A CALL TO PRAYER by accessing our Conference Call Line every Tuesday at 6:00 a.m.  The number is 302-202-1112, Access Code 801177.  These calls will last 15 minutes and our goal is to have 50 members on the Prayer Call every week, so SET YOUR ALARMS!

CONFIDENTIAL PRAYER VOICEMAIL AND EMAIL:  Please submit your confidential prayer request by calling 641-715-3900, Access Code 784459 or by emailing your request to oakgroveprays@gmail.com.  Only Pastor Flippin will have access to this voicemail and email and will respond promptly.

EVERY WEDNESDAY:  Bible Study resumes Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.  Lesson printouts are available in the wall tray located outside Pastor Flippin’s office.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11:  NFL Sunday is back!  Team up with Oak Grove by wearing your favorite football jersey!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25:  Pastor Flippin and the Oak Grove Family are the special guests at Mount Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 8705 Gilroy Rd., Nanjemoy, as they give honor to their Seniors of 75 and over.  Dinner will be served at 1:00 p.m.  Service begins at 2:30 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS:  We are in need of Sunday School teachers and assistants.  If teaching is your gift, please see Sis. Cecelia Minor or Trustee Martin Matthews.

MEMBERSHIP EXPECTATION CLASS is held every 2^nd and 3^rd Sunday at 9:30 a.m.  This class is for new members and serves as a refresher class for existing members.  A Certificate of Completion will be given after attending both classes.  For more information, please see Rev. Gwen Warren.

ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM SISTER CHURCHES

MOUNT HOPE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 8705 Gilroy Rd., Nanjemoy

Thankful Friday, September 2, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.  Special guest:  The Gospel Soul Seekers.

Women’s Conference, September 20, 2016, 8:00 a.m., Breakfast will be served.  Registration Fee:  $20.

ZION BAPTIST CHURCH, 8105 Annapolis Wood Rd., Welcome

Women’s Ministry 16^th Annual One-Day Conference, Saturday, September 10, 2016, 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Breakfast will be served.  Registration Fee:  $20.

MACEDONIA BAPTIST CHURCH, 2645 Marshall Hall Rd., Bryans Road

Fourth Pastoral Anniversary of Pastor Samuel King, Jr., Sunday, September 11, 2016, at 3:00 p.m.  Guest Preacher is Rev.  Eric D. Barksdale, Sr., of St. Charles Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.

PLEASANT GROVE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 5560 Pleasant Grove Rd., Marbury

Men & Women Prayer Breakfast, Saturday, September 17, 2016, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.  Guest Preacher, Rev. Jamila Woods-Jones of Jabez Christian Church.

One-Day Women’s Conference, Saturday, September 24, 2016, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Men’s Day Service, Sunday, September 25, 2016 at 3:30 p.m., Guest Preacher:  Pastor Lionel Pointer from Round Oak Missionary Baptist Church.