Berkeley Baptist Welcomes Pastor Sieglaff

New Pastor Installation Service held on Valentine’s Day

Sunday, the fourteen of February, made for a special day at Berkeley Baptist Church as the congregation welcomed their new pastor, Dennis Sieglaff. Transitional Pastor James Casey opened an installation service and delivered a message of dedication. Chairman of the pastor search committee, Daniel Hummel, introduced Pastor Sieglaff and his wife, Barbara and their family to the congregation. As Chairman of the Deacons, Dale McDaniel, read a brief history of Berkeley Baptist and the Covenant of Relationship between the new pastor and the church. Once confirmed, Pastor Sieglaff then delivered his first message as the Pastor of Berkeley Baptist Church emphasizing the importance of congregational unity. At the close of the installation service, Transitional Pastor James Casey presented Pastor Sieglaff with a shepherd’s staff symbolizing his role of pastoral leadership.
Pastor Dennis Sieglaff most recently served as pastor of the Black Rock Bible Church in Hagerstown, Maryland. He studied at Liberty University between 1978-1982, earning his B.S. degree in pastoral ministry. He has also earned his M.A.R. degree. For the last twenty-six years, Pastor Sieglaff has been serving in the pastoral ministry. His focus as pastor is to the Lord and the teaching of the Bible.
He is a native of Wisconsin and served three years in the United States Air Force. He and Barbara have three grown daughters and one daughter that awaits them in heaven. They are grandparents to three grandchildren.
Berkeley Baptist Church is affiliated with the West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists. Sunday activities begin at 9:30 a.m. Sunday School, 10:45 a.m. Morning Worship and 6:30 p.m. Evening Worship Service. Children/Youth activities and Adult Bible Study at 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday evenings. Everyone welcome.

Berkeley Baptist Welcomes Pastor Sieglaff

Valentine Happenings Rescheduled

Special activities planned to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Inclement weather stalled the planned activities for Valentine’s this year. Therefore, several dates have been rescheduled.

West Virginia for Life is sponsoring a Valentine tea for girls ages nine through fourteen. It will be held on Saturday, February 27th from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Maria’s Garden Restaurant. Call Carol Ambrose at (304) 258-9676 to reserve a place. Permission slips are necessary and a small donation is requested.

The Sweetheart Banquet will be now be held on Saturday, March 27th as a SPRING FLING. Couples are invited to spend the evening together with dinner, music and fun-filled activities with minimal cost. Please sign-up at the Welcome Center.

Haiti Disaster Relief

Special Offering taken for disaster relief in Haiti after earthquake.

The International Mission Board of Southern Baptist Convention get involved immediately when there are disasters around in the world. The earthquake in Haiti on January 12th was no exception. As a Southern Baptist church, we are privileged to have a part in this ministry. A special offering taken on January 17th and January 24th totaled $680.25. This amount will go entirely toward this ongoing relief. If you would like to give toward this ongoing need, please designate your check for Haiti relief.

40th Anniversary Photos of Guest Speakers

Photos of our guest speakers from the 40th Anniversary on August 9, 2009.

Guest Speakers at the 40th Anniversary Celebration on August 9, 2009 were Terry Harper, WVCSB Executive Director and Maxine Bumgarner, WMU Director with the WVCSB. Founding members, Nancy and Mike Pentoney were able to celebrate this event with Berkeley Baptist. Nancy presented the history of the events that brought about Berkeley Baptist Church. Berkeley Baptist’s former Pastor J. Harley Holt and his wife Mary made a return visit to celebrate our anniversary. Our youth from days past that have heard the call to preach came back to us to deliver the messages for the Morning and Afternoon Worship Services. Scott Hall and his wife, Aimee, along with Ricky Love and his wife, Audrey, blessed us through their messages.

40th Anniversary Photos of Guest Speakers

Farewell 2009, Welcome 2010

Recalling the close of 2009 and looking into 2010…

The weather in December 2009 brought activities at Berkeley Baptist to a halt for two weeks (December 13 and 20). Back to back weeks of services were canceled and the mission trip to Ivydale had to be postponed until December 26th. Distribution of the Angel Tree packages were also delayed a bit. Many thanks to Lloyd and Josh for their time and effort to keep our hill open.

In case of any more inclement weather, listen to local radio stations WDHC (92.9 FM) and Lite (97.5 FM) or check the website for closings and cancellations.

Before the winter snow could slow us down, the Praise Club performed their cantata “Journey to Hope” on December 6th for our evening service. Refreshments were enjoyed following the concert. Thanks to Cindy and the hostess committee for providing such an elaborate spread of goodies.

A special thank you to all those who helped make Christmas brighter by providing a gift for the Angel Tree children. Twenty-four packages from Prison Fellowship Ministries and fourteen packages from within our church were collected and distributed for Christmas 2009.

We had a wonderful surprise in mid-December. A lady came in just ahead of the food pantry hours and handed our office manager, Betty, a bundle of bank envelopes with money in them. She wouldn’t reveal her name. She just wanted the money to go to the place that had helped so many people, many of whom were her friends. Our Treasurer, Misty, reports that a total of $351.73 was donated and that money will be designated for the food pantry. Many have brought in food from time to time for the pantry. This ministry has touched more lives than we know. Thanks for all your donations and please keep bringing in non-perishables! Also, thank you to the deacons for donating sixty roasting chickens and three hundred pounds of potatoes. Since we were not able to get any meat from the food bank in December, this was a special blessing. Everyone who came to the food pantry in December received a chicken and potatoes in addition to the other items we give them. Since we had received bakery items from the food bank, each family also received a dessert and as much bread as they could use. Praise the Lord!

A Special business meeting is planned to follow the Morning Worship service on January 10th for the purpose of approving the 2010 budget. A Family Game Night will be held on Friday, January 15th at 7:00 p.m. Bring your favorite games and some snacks. Movie Night will be Saturday, January 30th with snacks beginning at 6:00 p.m. and the movie following at 7:00 p.m.

Dates to remember for next month are February 13th, the Sweetheart Banquet is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. More details will be available for the Sweetheart Banquet at a later date. Also, on February 13th, the Singles Group plan to attend a dinner and a show at Antietam Recreation in Hagerstown, Maryland. Reservations are necessary for the singles outing and payment should be made by January 15th. The cost is $30.00 per person. Plan to leave the church at 4:30 p.m.

It seems just like yesterday that we entered the 21st century, and now it’s 2010! What does this year hold for Berkeley Baptist? As a church we are much stronger than we were a year ago. Our pastor search committee is actively seeking a pastor, our Sunday School is holding firm and our church is moving forward. Things are looking bright for the new year!

We pray that each of our personal relationships with the Lord grows in the year ahead by remaining faithful in attendance, prayer and giving. In doing so, we look forward to joining the Lord in what He has planned in 2010!

Christmas Season Upon Us

This December is filled with events and activities to see and do. Through it all, remember that Jesus is the reason for the season.

This Christmas season Berkeley Baptist Church will be observing the weeks of advent. Five candles have been placed on the Nativity Table: 3 purple, 1 pink and 1 white. On November 29th, the Prophet’s candle (purple) was lit and a figure representing the prophet was placed on the table. Week Two the pink candle will be lit, representing Mary, and figures of Mary and Joseph will be placed on the table. The third week another purple candle will be lit and the angel placed on the table. Week Four adds the shepherd’s candle (purple again) and the shepherd figure displayed. On Christmas Eve all five candles will be lit, and the white candle representing Jesus. Each week a different family in our church will help with the lighting of the candles and corresponding reading. The Burcham family presented the Prophet’s candle on November 29th. We hope this special part of the service will be a blessing to you as we celebrate our Savior’s birth.

Each year our church participates in Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree Ministries. Lyne Keenan, our coordinator, has displayed a tree in the vestibule with two angels representing a child whose parent is incarcerated. Each angel on the tree contains the information for clothing sizes or requests for a special gift or a Christmas toy. The gifts are given in the name of the parent who is in prison. Also on the tree are angels representing children in our community whose parents are struggling financially. The majority of the angels have been taken and those gifts should be returned on or before December 20th.

The 2009 National Goal for the Lottie Moon Christmas offering is $175 million. These funds will be used for international missions. Berkeley Baptist WMU has set our church family goal at $1200. Prayerfully consider your gift to this ministry. One suggestion to meet our church goal for Lottie Moon is fore go the giving of Christmas cards to our church families and instead give that money saved to the Lottie Moon offering.

The Praise Club will present the Christmas cantata titled “Journey of Hope” at Berkeley Baptist Church on December 6th at the Evening service at 7:00 p.m. The Praise Club is directed by Wayne Shade and consists of local born again Christians who love to sing, sing, sing for the glory of God. They rehearse each Tuesday at our church and have performed here on many occasions. Hope you won’t miss this blessing!

The mission trip to Ivydale, West Virginia is planned for Saturday, December 19th. A team will be taking the shoe box gifts and sharing a meal with the local community there. Thanks to all those who have taken boxes to fill. They are piling up in the foyer! Deadline for their return is December 10th.

This year’s Christmas Eve service is scheduled for Thursday, December 24th at 6:00 p.m. We hope you will join us for this special service to celebrate the birthday of our Lord.

The month of December will also see the annual Too Late for Christmas, Too Early for New Year’s fellowship on December 30th at 7:00 p.m. White elephant gift exchange along with food, fun and fellowship for all.

Check out the moon twice this December 2nd and December 31st (the “blue moon”).

There is a little something going on all month long. As each event comes and goes, remember “Jesus is the reason for the season”. Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Have you filled a Shoebox?

Put a smile on a child’s face this Christmas by filling a shoebox.

The WMU has challenged everyone to fill a shoebox (or two) for children in Southern West Virginia to open this Christmas. Shoeboxes are available at the church with a detail list of ideas for filling them. Some of items that would be appropriate are school supplies, small toys, hygiene items and other items like socks, flashlights (with batteries), sunglasses, hair clips and hard candy (doubled bagged). Do not include: used or damaged items, chocolate or food, or any breakable items. Each box should be wrapped and labeled with a tag indicating whether it is for a boy or girl and their age. Please return filled shoeboxes to the church by December 10th. They will be delivered to Lighthouse Baptist Chapel in Ivydale, WV on December 19th.

Berkeley Baptist 40-Year Milestone Celebration

Berkeley Baptist Church celebrated its 40th Anniversary on Sunday, August 9th. Members and guests began the event with continental breakfast.

In lieu of a Sunday School, members and guests shared an hour of fellowship. As one of the original members, Lyne Keenan welcomed visitors and the guest speakers. Mrs. Keenan also led an activity as members both past and present shared testimonies. Nancy Pentoney recounted a brief history of how the church was established.
During the Morning Worship service three original members that still attend Berkeley Baptist Church were recognized. Those three were Freeda Wood, Crystal (Redick) Morris and Lyne (Scully) Keenan. Former Pastor Edward Rogers led a Prayer of Thanksgiving. The choir sang “The Hand of Our God” for special music and the message was given by guest speaker Scott Hall. Former Pastor J. Harley Holt closed the morning session with prayer.
Jim Close kicked off the Afternoon Worship service with special music and was joined by Karen Reed. On the piano, Brian Close performed a jazz version of “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”. Greetings from the West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptist were shared by Maxine Bumgarner, Director of WMU, and the Reverend Terry Harper, Executive Director. Karen Reed and Josh Place sang the song “Life’s Railway to Heaven” and the message was given by guest speaker Ricky Love. Interim Pastor James Casey closed with a Challenge of Renewal and prayer.
Souvenir bags were available to everyone that attended. The church also recognized the milestone with a cookbook and forty-day prayer devotional booklet. For more information about Berkeley Baptist Church, contact the church office at (304) 258-4101. Berkeley Baptist is located at 172 Winchester Grade Road, Route 13 just off Route 522 south of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia.

Guest Speakers for 40th Anniversary Celebration

On Sunday, August 9, Berkeley Baptist Church will welcome guest speakers Nancy Pentoney, Scott Hall, Maxine Bumgarner and Ricky Love.

During their 40-year Anniversary Celebration of Renewal on Sunday, August 9, Berkeley Baptist Church will welcome guest speakers Nancy Pentoney, Scott Hall, Maxine Bumgarner and Ricky Love.
Nancy Pentoney, one of the founding members, will present history on the establishment of the church following a 9:00 a.m. breakfast. In May 1969, Nancy and her husband Edgar, Jr., and their son, Page, joined Calvary Baptist of Morgantown, the mother church to Berkeley Baptist, which was the official start of the Berkeley Baptist Chapel.
Scott Hall will bring the message during the Morning Worship service beginning at 10:45 a.m. Scott attended Berkeley Baptist from his youth in 1989 until leaving for college. In 1997, he began a two year term at the Word of Life Bible Institute in Upstate New York and remained there on staff for another two years. In 2002, he married is wife, Aimee, and transferred to Baptist Bible College of Pennsylvania to complete his Undergraduate studies as an Education Pastor. He worked within the Family Ministries Division of Parker Hill Community in Church before moving on to pursue church planting. Today, Scott and Aimee are currently the leaders for a church development team that will launch a new church in Scranton, Pennsylvania in January 2011.
After lunch, Maxine Bumgarner will be speaking on behalf of the West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptist. She is the Director of Church and Community Ministries/Women’s Missionary Union. She started in December 1979 with the state convention and will be retiring soon. Maxine has spoke at Berkeley Baptist numerous times and has offered her support to several church activities.
Ricky Love will bring the Afternoon Worship message. Ricky first came to Berkeley Baptist in December 1999 after hearing Garrett Kell preach at Berkeley Springs High School during Christ Night. At that time, Ricky was a high school dropout involved in drugs and alcohol. He made a new start and in the Fall 2000 he began classes at Potomac State College in Keyser, West Virginia. After a year, he transferred to Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, to pursue full time ministry. Ricky graduated from Liberty University in 2004 with a Bachelors in Biblical Studies. From there he moved to Louisville, Kentucky to attend The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. In May 2009, he finished his Master of Divinity in Theology. Ricky and his wife, Audrey, now live in Louisville, Kentucky, where he is the shift leader at the Brooklawn Child and Family Services.
Anniversary activities will begin at 9:00 a.m. with a continental breakfast. No Sunday School will be held. Instead, there will be time to hear details of the establishment of the church, share testimonies and form prayer circles. A potluck lunch is planned. Everyone is welcome to join this milestone event.
Berkeley Baptist Church is located at 172 Winchester Grade Road/Route13, just off Route 522 south of Berkeley Springs, WV. For further information, you may contact the church office at (304) 258-4101.

Youth Travel to Centrifuge

On July 13, six youth and their Youth Pastor, Dennis Chappell, traveled to Buckhannon, West Virginia, for the church’s first trip to Centrifuge in a long time.

On July 13, six youth and their Youth Pastor, Dennis Chappell, traveled to Buckhannon, West Virginia, for the church’s first trip to Centrifuge in a long time. The weather was wonderful and the trip up uneventful. There were over 300 youth and adults who enjoyed the fun-filled week. The rooms were very nice; however, there was no air conditioning. With temperatures predicted to be in the 90’s most days, they immediately went on a “mission trip” to the local Wal-mart in search of fans. Each day started with breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and activities, games, Bible study, and rallies throughtout the day and evening until lights out at 11:30 p.m. Camp participants were divided up by age into eight “teams”. Each team met together in Bible study each morning and competed against each other during recreation time. Meals were provided by WV Wesleyan College, and everyone seemed to enjoy the “buffet” at every meal. Although there was a wide variety of good food, pizza was always a favorite and there were long lines each day it was served. The afternoon activities allowed students to participate in several “tracks” of choice, including softball, water games, film making, jewelry making, duct tape art, and a variety of outdoor games. The theme for the week was “Faith on the Move.” The speaker for the week was R.D. McCleneagan. He challenged the youth each day (morning and evening) to put their faith into action, just as Moses did when he led the children of Israel to the Promised Land. An invitation was given on Thursday and Friday nights, and well over 30 youth responded to the challenge. From our group, there was one profession of faith! Praise the Lord! What a great way to wrap up a week! We are already making plans for next year’s trip! Thanks to all of you for your financial and prayer support of our youth. Continue to pray for those who made decisions as they deal with the realities of the world and the peer pressure they face every day. Pray that youth will continue to keep their faith “on the move”. (As submitted by Dennis Chappell, monthly newsletter)

Berkeley Baptist Church Welcomes Pastor Casey

Berkeley Baptist Church is pleased to announce that of Rev. James Casey of Gaithersburg, Maryland has agreed to serve as interim pastor effective April 5, 2009.

Most recently, Rev. Casey served the Greencastle Baptist Church, Berwyn Baptist Church and his home church at Redland Baptist church as interim preacher. He has served as a transitional pastor for Fellowship Baptist Church in Fairfield, PA, an Associate Pastor for Education in two Southern Baptist churches, volunteered as Sunday School Director and small group administrator while in the military. Rev. Casey served twenty-three years in the U.S. Army before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He received his seminary training at the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Rev. Casey also attended the University of Southern Mississippi and the Florida Institute of Technology. Currently, he serves on the Church Services Strategy Team for the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware. Since 1980, he has served as deacon, ministry team leader or a committee member in each church he has been a member. He and his wife, Vicky, are the parents of four children and grandparents of two grandchildren.

As an interim/transitional pastor, Rev. Casey shall serve the congregation in the same manner as a permanent pastor in addition to providing a clear understanding concerning the responsibilities and expectations of the church. Berkeley Baptist Church constituted as a church back in August 1969. In recognition of their forty-year milestone, the church plans to host a Celebration of Renewal on Sunday, August 9th. More details will be announced at a later date. For more information regarding the church or to contact Rev. Casey, please contact the church office at (304) 258-4101. Berkeley Baptist Church is located at 172 Winchester Grade Road, just off Route 522 South of Berkeley Springs.

Christ Night at BSHS

Christ Night featuring former NY Giants running back Speaker Keith Elias as the guest speaker will be held March 28, 2009 at Berkeley Springs, HS.

Saturday, March 28th at 7:00pm Berkeley Springs High School Gym
Featured Speaker is Keith Elias, former NY Giants and Ind. Colts running back
Testimonies by Jon Yost and Matt Bartges
Live Music by Praise Team of the Living Church
Free, Everyone welcome
Further details available from Bob Donadiau 304-258-3778
Sponsored by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at BSHS

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Mission Trip to Orangeburg, South Carolina

Food Pantry

Berkeley Baptist Church is providing food boxes to those in need as requested. A designated time to pick-up food boxes has been scheduled on Tuesday and Wednesday between 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

We are accepting the following items for the Berkeley Baptist Church Food Pantry: soups (not creamed), canned fruit & vegetables, pancake mix and syrup, macaroni & cheese, canned meats, jams & peanut butter, boxed potatoes, puddings, jello, ketchup and mustard. In general, the basic non-perishable food items. All donations are greatly appreciated as the word is out that we have food. The request for food is consistent each week.

The church receives delivery from the food bank on the first Thursday of the month. Helpers are needed for this large task.

If you are willing to help prepare boxes or need to schedule a donation drop-off, please contact the church office.

In 2009, 597 boxes of food and meat were distributed to over 200 families from the community that requested help. What a blessing to have the food pantry to minister to their need!

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