News

At every Sunday service, volunteers read aloud to the congregation the Scriptures to be discussed in the Sunday sermon. This reminds us that the teachings of the church are based on the Bible and introduces the central theme of the Pastor’s message. These readings prepare the hearts and minds of listeners to more effectively receive the message of the preached Word and help apply it in order to grow in their Christian walk. The reading of the Word promotes the idea that church members are active participants in the worship service, increasing a sense of fellowship within the church family. The photos were taken from February 23 through June 1, 2025.

We gathered together for our annual Sunrise Worship Service this Easter Sunday at 5:45am across from DeFazio’s Orchard on North Road in Dayville. Church family, friends, and neighbors joyfully greeted one another with “He is risen, He is risen indeed.” Hundreds of daffodils in full bloom along the sides of the road were a welcoming harbinger of spring, renewal, and rebirth. As we watched the sun rise over the hills to the east, Pastor Antonio read from John 20:11-18, the account of Jesus’ resurrection and his appearance to Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb. We closed the service by singing “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,” a beautiful hymn connected with Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” It was wonderful to have so many fellow Christians welcome in Easter morning in this beautiful setting.

In the fall of 2024, UBC organized a winter clothing drive, collecting donations from church family and friends and many others in the community. We received new or gently used clothing such as coats, hats, gloves, scarves, boots, socks, and winter trousers and sweaters. We sorted them into men’s, women’s, and children’s categories and then sized them. On January 4, on the tables in Fellowship Hall, we set out all the clothes which were distributed to individuals and families in need.

Every year we gather to decorate the Church Sanctuary to celebrate the Christmas season. This year, 7 members donated time on Saturday, November 30th, 2024. We had coffee, donuts, and Christmas music playing for a fun and productive morning.

Pastor Bill Pearl led the parade again this year! The Church set up a food stand, and served passersby hamburgers, hotdogs, brownies, snacks, and water. Many people along with their children stopped to eat and some took tracts. We even handed out goodies to people, who were stopped on the road in their cars.

Today, we welcomed Pastor Timothee Afangbedjee to Union Baptist Church and were honored to have him as our guest preacher. Pastor Timothee's ministry, Good News Soldiers, is based in Togo, West Africa. Pastor Timothee has made the long trip from his home several times to visit our church and give us updates on all his accomplishments. His ministry benefits youth and children in Togo and in surrounding countries. He describes his mission using the acronym “WISE:” to Win souls for the Lord, to Invest in People, to Serve people, Everywhere. He is a missionary and “church planter,” and preaches the Word of God wherever he goes. Currently, Pastor Timothee is studying in the U.S. and is a sophomore at Appalachian Bible College, majoring in Pastoral Studies. This summer, he plans to visit Togo again and go to Liberia to plant a new church there. God Bless you, Pastor, for winning souls for Christ.