Morning Star Baptist Church

Women’s Missionary Union

morningstarbc — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:41:09 +0000

The WMU’s main purpose is to educate and involve adults, youth and children in the cause of Christian missions. Although originally geared towards women and girls, both genders have become active participants in WMU organizations and ministries today.

The mission of the WMU is to support the cause of Christ, coordinate activities of outreach to Morning Star members and the community, and assist individuals who faithfully support the WMU. Members of the WMU are active with the district, state, and national women’s ministries.

Information regarding the organization of the Missionary Society for Morning Star Baptist Church cannot be given with accuracy, written records or documentation has not been located. However, through the organizing of the mission, there were mission circles organized. Morning Star has five active mission circles; Elizabeth, Mission Possible, M. L. Sudduth, Queen Esther, and Willing Workers. To keep each mission circle’s history alive, each circle is asked to document the dates of service of all chairpersons, members past and present, take lots of pictures and document any information that would be valuable to future members who will want to know the origin of the circles. This information will be a valuable asset for years to come.

The following information regarding organization of mission circles came from members who were active from the beginning. No written records or documentation has been located.

Elizabeth Circle – Was organized in 1956 in the home of Helena Caldwell. The charter members for this newly organized mission were Helena Caldwell, Altoria Muldrow, Grace Long, Elizabeth Thomas, Fannie Bryant, Senia Crump, and Elizabeth Chappelle. Officers were elected before the name was chosen. To choose a name, members listed women of the Bible. The majority thought the name Elizabeth was the perfect name. After choosing “Elizabeth” as the name, the group realized they had two members named Elizabeth, but the name is biblical for it was named after the mother of John the Baptist. Helena Caldwell served as the first chairperson and there isn’t record of her time in office. Izora Guy served for one year after Mrs. Caldwell, who was re-elected to chairperson once again in 1990. Dorothy M. Lewis served as chairperson from 1991-1996. Latrisha White served one year, 1997-1998, and Evelyn Page has served as chairperson since 1998.

Mission Possible – Dr. T. Oscar Chappelle, Sr. organized Mission Possible between 1976 and 1980, the correct date is unknown. It was organized because the new age group between 20 and 30 did not have a place in the mission. The newly organized mission now had to come up with a name. Using the word “mission” and knowing they could make things possible, the group came up with the name “Mission Possible.” Elizabeth Chappelle served as the first chairperson and her tenure is unknown. Shirley Mikel was the next chairperson and the date she began as chairperson is unknown, although she did serve until 1983. Sandra Moses was elected and has served as chairperson since 1984.

M. L. Sudduth – This circle was organized by Fannie Bryant in 1984 under the leadership of the late Dr. T. Oscar Chappelle, Sr. The circle was organized in honor of Melinda L. Sudduth, who served as WMU president for 25 years. Mrs. Sudduth’s daughter, Juanita Wilson, served as the first chairperson of the M. L. Sudduth Circle beginning in 1984. Tenure dates are unknown for Terri Moses and Aline Clark. Cynthia Browne was chairperson from 2000-2001, Fannie Bryant served from 2002-2006. Anita Douglas has served as chairperson since 2007.

Queen Esther – The original organization date for the Queen Esther Circle is unknown. Connie Hopson was the first chairperson and it is believed she began in 1943 until 1955. A few charter members for this newly formed circle were Eva Harris, Connie Hopson, and Bernice Jackson. Estelle Eubanks served as chairperson in 1956. After Mrs. Eubanks, Willie Mae Thompson served for many years, and Blanche Johnson served for 3 years. Veronica Vargas was elected in 2003, and after a few months, she resigned from office which was filled by co-chairperson Victoria Sanders, who is still serving as chairperson.

Willing Workers – Organization and the first meeting of the Willing Workers are unknown and no written records have been located. In 1956, the chairperson for the circle was M. B. Fowler. Members at this time were Annie Bell Jones, Doris Freeman, Pimmie Green, Joann Smith, and Bernice Bates. Doretha L. Gray served as chairperson from 1977-1996, and due to illness, gave up her position as chairperson. Co-chairperson, Mary Jones, completed Mrs. Gray’s term and went on to be elected as the new chairperson and served from 1997-1998. Doris King has served since 1999.

The WMU celebrates their annual day each year on the 3rd Sunday of September. This is an all day celebration with services beginning at 10:45 a.m. with a guest speaker, an afternoon service at 3:30 p.m. with speaker and music, ending with an elaborate reception in our Fellowship Hall. The Annual Doretha L. Gray Prayer Retreat is held the first Saturday of April.

Each circle has the option to feed the homeless at the Salvation Army Adult Day Center, adopt a family, school, college student or an organization that could use assistance (Domestic Violence Intervention Services, Cancer Care and Children’s Center). This service is scheduled for the 2nd Saturday of each month and each circle is allocated $100.00 for their project.

Senior/Junior Usher Ministry

morningstarbc — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:40:44 +0000

Any adult member of the church is invited to be a part of the Usher Ministry. Youth, sixth through twelfth grade, comprise the Junior Ushers. Each Usher is assigned to work on certain Sundays, along with all evening services, special services, funerals, etc.

The purpose of this ministry is to protect the worship service from unwarranted distractions as much as possible. Also, provide comfort, convenience, and keep control and order at all times. Be a special aide to the pastor. Ushers welcome visitors, as well.

Ushers are to help prepare the church for the worship service, circulate programs, offering envelopes and fans, as needed, by the congregation.

Ushers from several New York churches met and organized the first church usher association in 1914. It was therefore an added service to the operation of the church.

Annual Usher Day is held the 3rd Sunday of February of each year.

This ministry works closely with the Citywide, District, and State Ushers. Representatives are sent to various meetings and workshops and annual days of local churches.

Ushers develop and maintain a pleasant personality and good attitude. Ushering accomplishes putting people to work in the church and enjoying the service.

United Friends

morningstarbc — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:40:20 +0000

The United Friends ministry is comprised of members who united with Morning Star Baptist Church in 1953 from the Rose Hill Baptist Church, along with their descendants.

The purpose is to keep our dedication to the pioneers who were instrumental in organizing this ministry and to the families/descendants for continuing to support and uphold the legacy of the “United Friends.”

The mission is to keep the legacy of Rose Hill Baptist Church and Rev. Keith alive and to keep life in the United Friends by actions and interests in our community welfare. The United Friends are a spinoff of the Rose Hill Baptist Church, which was organized in 1923. With a membership of 20, originally called, “The Willing Workers,” the United Friends continues to grow, adding new members to support our theme, “United We Stand, Divided We Fall.”

The merger of Rose Hill and Morning Star brought about a name change and we became the United Friends. Our group grew under the dynamic leadership of Maggie Smith, Eva Harris, Bessie Brown, Aline Clark, Jeanne Rolle and presently, Mable Jones. Dr. T. Oscar Chappelle, Sr. worked steadfastly with our group encouraging us to stay together and we saw 39 years of praying together and staying together. Our 40th year to our 55th year brought about new direction from Dr. T. Oscar Chappelle, Jr. We began our 56th year with new leadership from Rev. Herbert D. Edmondson, III.

We celebrate United Friends Day each year the 4th Sunday in April with a special guest speaker.

Our Outreach Ministry visits the sick and shut-in members of Morning Star as well as non-members. We give food, clothes, cards, monetary donations, and small gifts of love and food baskets to families during holiday seasons, to people in need. We also hold meetings at the homes of shut-in United Friends members to keep them informed, this lets them know they are still and always will be a part of this ministry. A monetary gift is given to a member if in hospital or has lost a loved one.

Six-T Fellowship Ministry

morningstarbc — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:39:45 +0000

Six-T Fellowship Ministry membership is opened to Morning Star members who are 60 years of age or older. We celebrated the home going of our oldest member on December 10, 2008. She was 102 years old.

As seasoned seniors, we celebrate the seasons of life and glorify the abundance of God’s goodness by doing for others in sharing, caring, giving and showing love to our church family, community, and the various charitable agencies of our city such as Goodwill Industries of Tulsa and the Community Food Bank of Oklahoma.

Our mission is to provide fellowship and spiritual support to all seniors of Morning Star Baptist Church and seniors in the community through prayers and service.

Six-T was organized under the late Dr. T. Oscar Chappelle, Sr. with emphasis on its members being excellent role models, seasoned senior leaders, and dedicated Christian men and women of MSBC. It continued to be a strong foundation of the church under the late Dr. T. Oscar Chappelle, Jr. We are now in full bloom under the leadership of Pastor Herbert D. Edmondson, III, exploring and getting involved in new challenges, and exploring new charitable and productive events in the area of church and community service through outreach, activities, and programs.

We are actively involved and attend many programs and workshops given by other ministries of the church and have plans for our own programs and workshops in the near future.

Outreach plays a big role in the life of our Six-T Ministry. We are actively participating in the national “Make a Difference Day,” a day dedicated to helping others. In 2008, Six-T, with the help of all the members and ministries of Morning Star, the First United District Association, and other community churches, collected 726 pounds of food for the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma and several binds of clothing for Goodwill Industries of Tulsa. This year our outreach will continue. We are also collecting items to donate to help our Tulsa SPCA to help a great cause in our society for the prevention of cruelty to animals. Six-T’s outreach to our church family consists of visiting, sending cards, calling and taking gifts to our sick and shut-ins. We give cards, food, flowers and/or money to our own Six-T members who are hospitalized for 3 or more days. Our home shut-ins receive cards, and the families of our deceased Six-T members receive cards and flowers or money.

Six-T activities vary from year to year.

Summer/Spring Activities

Tours of the Annual Azalea Festival at Honors Heights Park, Muskogee
Tour of Oklahoma’s first capital in Guthrie, Oklahoma, visit Black Art Museum, have lunch, shop antique stores
Tour Langston University and have lunch at the campus White House
Annual spring or summer Fish Fry and Fellowship

Fall/Winter Activities

Tour of Oklahoma City’s Murrah Federal Building, Bricktown, Crystal Bridge
Tour of Greenwood Cultural Center and view Race Riot documentary film; tour Mable B. Little House; dinner
Christmas Light Tour; Dinner

Singles Ministry

morningstarbc — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:39:05 +0000

The Singles Ministry is designed for members 30+ years of age; single, never-married, widowed, divorced.

Our purpose is to provide a spiritual environment where Christian singles may praise and worship the Lord, hear and practice the Word through Christian ministry, and fellowship with one another through socialization and wholesome activities. Morning Star’s Singles Ministry encourages single adults to realize their unique value and gifts.

This ministry provides specialized needs, instructions, and support to singles to focus on spiritual concerns of today’s troubles; reinforcing God’s word to encourage a person to know his/her worth and observe all things that Christ commanded for their lives.

The Singles Ministry began in 1995 under Dr. T. Oscar Chappelle, Jr.

Their programs include Singles Worship Night Out and Blues in the Night.

We believe that God gave His Son, Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice for our sins and works through us with the power of the Holy Spirit. The Singles Ministry provides a host of ongoing outreach activities such as attending, assisting, and worshiping with other single ministries.

New Members Orientation

morningstarbc — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:38:42 +0000

The New Members Orientation Class is designed to stress the great opportunities for fellowship in the finest company that can be found to promote Christian growth, development, and training through the various ministries of the church.

New members are made aware of the inescapable obligation to make the church and its work first in our lives. Our time and our talents must be used for the glory of God, considering it an obligation to support God’s work with our presence, our influence, and our means.

Our mission is to inform each member of our responsibility and need to be consecrated, trained, and enlisted in active service.

The New Members Orientation Class was formed under the leadership of Dr. T. Oscar Chappelle, Jr. and is a part of the Sunday School.

Programs of this ministry will be coordinated through the Board of Christian Education. Special emphasis will be placed on The Church Covenant, Article of Faith, History of Baptists, history of Morning Star Baptist Church and all its ministries.

Morning Star Federal Credit Union

morningstarbc — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:38:04 +0000

The Morning Star Federal Credit Union (MSFCU) is an associational faith-based federally chartered Credit Union. Each account is insured up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), a US government agency.

The purpose of the MSFCU is to provide its members competitive rates on share (savings) accounts, share certificates (CDs) and loans.

The mission of MSFCU is to serve its membership by offering higher savings dividends and lower interest rates while assisting the members in gaining some measure of financial success.

MSFCU was established in 1961 by the late Dr. T. Oscar Chappelle, Sr. and 9 boys. The boys sold copies of The Oklahoma Eagle, a weekly newspaper, and Dr. Chappelle encouraged them to save; thus these 10 became the charter members of the credit union, which currently has over 500 active members and assets in excess of $600,000. MSFCU is served by a voluntary Board of Directors and is governed by the Supervisory Committee assuring all federal and state rules and regulations are adhered to.

MSFCU offers Share (savings) accounts, Share Certificates (CDs), new and used vehicle loans, consumer goods and computer loans, and line of credit (signature) loans. To be eligible for membership in MSFCU, one must be a member of Morning Star Baptist Church and their immediate family members.

Health/Wellness Ministry

morningstarbc — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:37:33 +0000

The Health/Wellness Ministry is comprised of members in health-related fields, as well as members trained in wellness skills, such as, aerobics, diet, etc.

This ministry provides health and wellness information to the church and community.

The Health/Wellness Ministry collaborates with all ministries and the surrounding community entities to increase the awareness of health issues affecting African-Americans throughout the country and world.

Health awareness has been a program of our church for years, but as of January, 2009, it was officially named a standing ministry.

Its programs include “Go Red for Women’s Heart Health,” Youth First Aid and CPR, Men’s Health. The ministry also provides a Healthy Food Recipe monthly for the church bulletin.

They work with health ministries and mission groups of other churches, as well.

This ministry invites the desires of others who may wish to participate in or request specific health information needed to provide to the congregation.

“Have fun while learning to maintain your Temple of God!”

Deaconess Ministry

morningstarbc — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 15:23:06 +0000

The Deaconess Ministry is responsible for enhancing the spiritual matters of the church, always creating peace, love, and Christian unity in membership.

Duties of the Deaconess include preparing the Communion elements and table, preparing candidates and assisting in baptismal service, visiting sick and shut-in members, assisting in delivering Communion to the sick and shut-in, carrying out duties that may be assigned by the Pastor.

The mission of the Deaconess Ministry is to meet the needs of the church under the spiritual guidance of the pastor, promoting the spiritual growth in the church as spiritual caregivers within the body of Christ.

The Deaconess Ministry of Morning Star Baptist Church has been a very active ministry for a long time. The Deaconess counsel young women of the church, are Sunday School teachers, and mission workers.

Outreach involves evangelizing to the unsaved, feeding the less fortunate, and visiting the sick and shut-in.

Deacon Ministry

morningstarbc — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 15:22:53 +0000

This ministry is comprised of men who have been set aside and observed by the pastor. After a period of observation and trial by the pastor, they are presented to the church body as candidates for ordination. During the Ordination Service, the men are voted on by the church membership.

The deacon is to serve the church and be an assistant to the pastor. The deacon is set apart to serve. He is committed to serve God and his fellowman. The office of deacon is not one of authority, but one of service. The original purpose for the establishment of deacon service was significant to preserve the spiritual fellowship of His church.

Deacons should perform the following tasks:

To serve the needs of the members of the church.
To be ready, prepared and available for the opportunities and responsibilities to serve Christ throughout the church.
To serve as an assistant to; subordinate to; responsible to; and in cooperation with the pastor of the church. **

The need for deacons can be traced back to the early church. Scriptural reference for deacons can be found in I Timothy 3:1-3 and Acts 6:1-6.

The Deacon Ministry of Morning Star delivers Communion to the Sick and Shut-Ins on the first Sunday of the month, assist in leading Prayer Meeting, along with other duties assigned by the pastor.

**Portions of this information are based upon “The Role of the Deacon in the Black Baptist Church” by Dr. G. Calvin McCutchen, Sr.