Celebrating 98 Years!

Sis. Olivia Portis, a woman dedicated to God and her family, was honored at her 98th birthday party held at Hallowed Hills on Saturday, October 20. Arriving at the celebration in a luxurious limosine, she was greeted by her family and friends. Her first surprise was a visit by the Grover Cleveland cheerleaders, coached by her granddaughter Ebony Small. Several cheers for "Granny" resounded through the building!

A delicious buffet dinner prepared by her granddaughter Celily Johnson and other family members was then served. All present were impressed by the decorations made by family friend, Jill Dalton. One of Sis. Portis' best presents was a dance presentation by her young great-grandchildren: Orianna Small, Kiah Johnson, Kenya Caliman and Paris Caliman.

What A Party!!!

From beginning to end, Sis. Ruth McDonald's 90th Birthday Party was a great success. The more than 150 in attendance were treated to a delicious buffet dinner catered by Delicious Caterers, a local business headed by our own Sis. Clata Sowers of the Apostolic Christian Church and served by the local saints. Sis. Sharon Farris, First Lady of Apostolic Gospel Church and a close friend of Mother McDonald, and her helpers expertly decorated the room and tables. Large, attractively framed scriptures were hung around the room to honor this Woman of Scriptures. Also, at each person's place setting there was a card displaying a different scripture...over 150 different scriptures!

The emcee of the afternoon was Min. David Mayle, ably assisted by Elder James McDonald who represented the family. Nine of the ten McDonald children were in attendance: Helen, Patricia, Frank, Esther, David, Rachel, Nathan, James, and Rebekah. S. Bishop McDonald, Sis. McDonald and the family were especially delighted to have Sis. Rachel there and were very appreciative to Bro. Michael Goins for his efforts in bringing her to the party. Several of the grandchildren were also present: Ben, Michael, Jonathan, Jaymin, Jarrod, Jordan, and Anna. It was noted by Elder James that S. Bishop McDonald is 94 years old, Sis. McDonald is 90 years old and all of the McDonald children are college graduates and are still living.

Many of Sis. McDonald's friends from around the state, nation and world were in attendance. Words of praise for Mother McDonald came from Bishop James Gaiters, the P.A.of W.'s bishop in charge of missions, and Bishop Leo and Sis. Myra Simpson of Liberia, Africa. Sis Patricia Daniel, International Executive Director of Music for the P.A.of W., and Sis. Mary Young, the Ohio District Council Health Director, honored this great woman of God with their expressions of love and admiration.

Among the many who honored Sis. McDonald was Sis. Barbara Caliman who sang "By the Holy Spirit's Power ", one of Sis. McDonald's favorite VBS songs from years ago. Sis. Rebekah McDonald Lampley presented an outstanding PowerPoint presentation of various hymn titles and explained how each related to her mother. We were also treated to a liturgical interpretation of the song “Lamb of God” by Sis. Andrea Richard and Sis. Nathania Johnson of the First United Pentecostal Church.

Of course, we can’t forget the band, which played wonderfully throughout the afternoon. Bro. Bert Robinson of Columbus played the keyboard, Bro. Jonathan Lampley was outstanding on the trumpet, Bro. Michael McDonald was first-rate on the drums, Bro. Morris Davis of Columbus skillfully played the guitar and Deacon David McDonald was exceptional on the trombone. Elder James McDonald frequently joined in with his incredible trumpet.All in all, the afternoon was sensational.

Mother McDonald is greatly appreciative to all who attended and to all who were not present but have sent cards and gifts.

"Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised!"

The In-Charge Guy

Proud of Grandma

Visiting

Music!

And more music!

Such a good time!

A Woman of Scriptures

The Apostolic Christian Church cordially invites you to join us in celebrating the

90th birthday

of

Sister Ruth McDonald

Saturday, August 4, 2007

2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Hallowed Hills Campground

3129 East Pike

Zanesville, Ohio 43701

Please RSVP by July 31

Email: ApostolicChristian@columbus.rr.com

or

Call Sis. Lois Freeman at 740-297-0722

If you cannot attend, please send your cards, gifts or special messages to:

P.O. Box 3424

Zanesville, OH 43702-3424

There's A New Name Written Down In Glory!

Sis. Janet Lee Singer, 57, of Zanesville, went to be with the Lord on Sunday morning, April 1, at her residence after a long illness. She was born on June 1, 1949, in Columbus, the daughter of Gloria (Richard) Herndon and Raymond Singer.

Janet was a 1967 graduate of Mount Vernon High School. After attending Ohio University-Zanesville, she began working at Ohio Bell (Ameritech) in Zanesville. At her retirement 30 years later, she was a designing engineer in the records department.

Janet was a loyal and faithful lifelong member of the Apostolic Christian Church where she served in many capacities through the years. Among her numerous jobs, she typed the weekly bulletin for the publicity committee, was the secretary for the Junior Sunday School Department and the Church Board and was also the treasurer of the Missionary, Choir and Sunday School. For the past three years, Janet has been the pastor’s secretary. Since 1990 Janet has also been the Administrative Assistant for Hallowed Hills and secretary of the O.D.C. Campground Administration Board. For many years, she traveled to the national P.A.W. conventions to work in the administrative office. Her love for her church and Hallowed Hills was evident to all who knew her.

Music was an important part of Janet’s life. She enjoyed being a part of the Apostolic Christian Church Choir and, being inspired by her favorite singer Andrea Bocelli, she took voice lessons to develop her soprano voice. Along with her voice lessons, she also renewed her interest in the piano. Janet was very creative and artistic and began taking art lessons during this past year. Computers were an important part of her life. She loved using graphic programs to create phenomenal products. She was always willing to help others with their computer questions and spent a lot of time on the phone talking them through their problems.

Generosity was Janet’s middle name. She was always willing to give of herself, her time and her means to anyone. She has blessed many of her family members, her pastors, the saints and friends. When she would find interesting and unique things, she would order one for herself and one or more to give to others. She had a passion for helping!

Surviving are her only brother, Richard (Wanda) Edward Singer; three beautiful nieces, Erica and Olivia (twins) and Kimberly; one nephew, Jerry DeLaroche; her 97 year old grandmother, Sally Olivia Portis; her stepmother, Karen Herndon; her uncle, Charles R. Portis; five aunts, Marlene Drummond, Sally Cook, Sue Ellen Tate, Barbara (Thomas) Caliman, and Sherry (Harold) Small; her Apostolic Christian Church family; her family in Mt.Vernon; a special friend, Lois Freeman; and a host of other family and friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her grandfather, Richard Cecil Portis; her uncle, Richard Cecil Portis, Jr.; and her special great-aunt, Demaris Rogers.

Janet will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Gifts From Janet

by Sis. Sally Cook and Sis. Lois Freeman

My love for my grandmother to my nieces, nephews and cousins

My love for my family to my brother, Dickie

My love of art to my nephew, Doug

My love of music to my aunt, Barbara

My love of buying to my aunt, Sally

My generous spirit to my friend, Clata

My love of helping to my friend, Michelle

My love of computers to my friend, Lois

My calm and gentle spirit to my friend, Bro. Freeman

My organizational skills to my pastor, Elder Nathan

My love for dining out with friends to my friends, Donna and Geraldine

My love for Hallowed Hills to my friend, Elder James

My love for the Lord to all of my family and friends

It was God’s will that I left you so early. I will miss you all dearly.

Love,
Janet

Friday Night Lights!

WOW! The brothers really outdid themselves Friday night! Instead of having their regular meeting, they held a service titled "He Had to Do It That Way" based on the story of the prodigal son. Ministers Sam Felix and David Mayle planned and coordinated the events of the evening. We were honored to have the brothers from the Apostolic Church of Christ with us.

FIVE inspiring short messages from FIVE excellent men of God were a royal treat for the saints and visitors! St. Luke 15:11-24 was the basis for each message, and each minister focused on a section of the story in the order it is told.

Minister Michael Brown from Greater Apostolic began with verses 11 - 13.

• Don't let anyone uproot you from where God has planted you.
• The pastor is the angel to the church.
• When you are loyal to your pastor, you're being loyal to God.
• We've been taught too well to leave the place where God has put us.

Minister Sam Felix pointed out what the young man gave up.

• You don't realize what you have until you lose it.
• The young man could have invested his money wisely, but he wasted it.
• He was reduced to eating the garbage of the swine.
• All of his friends disappeared when his cash was gone.
• It was then that he began to realize what he had done.

Elder James McDonald pointed out the lessons learned by the son and his father.

• At home there is consistency and predictability.
• The excitement and unpredictability of the street is attractive to men.
• When the young man had lost his money, he was no longer the center of attention. His heart turned toward home.
• The boy learned that we are all dependent upon others and love is unconditional at home.
• The father learned he had not given the son the attention and love that he needed.

Elder Nathan Oyelaken, visiting from Columbus, exhorted us to do the things God expects.

• The Father sees us when we're doing our own thing.
• In my Father's house there are many mansions.
• If we're not doing the things we need to do, it's time to come home!
  

Pastor Nathan McDonald summed up the story and the night.

• We can be like the prodigal son who came to himself and realized he was a son. God had given him that position.
• When he tried his way, he repeatedly failed.
• When you have a repentant spirit, God reaches out His hand to you.
• The elder son had stayed with his father, but he had an attitude problem.
• We need to support each other. When others have problems, wrap your arms around them in love.

It was a wonderful evening of listening to God's Word! Afterwards, we were treated to a delicious dinner prepared and served by the brothers!

Welcome!

Welcome to the Apostolic Christian Church Blog!

Our church is dedicated to spreading the good news of salvation through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that everyone must be born again to enter into the Kingdom of God. (St. John 3:3,5) We also believe that to experience this new birth you must repent, be baptized in water in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ by immersion and be baptized with the Holy Spirit with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues as the Spirit of the Lord gives utterance.

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38

Our Pastor and First Lady, Elder Nathan and Evangelist Cassandra McDonald, invite you to contact our church for further information about the true way to salvation. You may email ApostolicChristian@columbus.rr.com or write to Apostolic Christian Church, 1148 Ridge Avenue, Zanesville, OH 43701.