Beech Tree News Network

On Sunday, July 13, 2014, Morgantown First Baptist Church celebrated Clara Lee Matthews Day.  Clara and her husband, Harold, were international Missionaries from 1957 until 1992.  During these 35 years they served in the Philippines.
    Shortly after the Matthews family arrived in the Philippines, ladies of Morgantown First Baptist Church adopted Matthews as their Mission Family and organized the Clara Lee Missionary Circle.  The Circle has been active for 57 years and is still serving the Lord today.
    Clara, her son Tim and his wife Paula, and her daughters Beth and Faith, were guests of First Baptist on this special day.  Dr. Tim Matthews shared how that he traveled as a two-year-old boy with his parents to their new assignment and lived in the Philippines.  He also told how appreciative he is to the Clara Lee Circle for their support throughout those years.  He especially appreciated the yearly Christmas gift box which the Circle sent each year with gifts for each family member.  While the Matthews lived in the Philippines, four more children were born to the family.  These are: Beth, twins Faith and LeAnn, and Drew.
    Members and guests of First Baptist enjoyed hearing Paula Matthews play the piano during Prelude and sing with Faith and Beth while Clara played the piano during special music.  The benediction included Beth singing while Faith performed an inspirational movement.
    The Matthews family was treated with a pot-luck meal by church members and visitors.  Each Matthews’s member was also given a basket of Butler County breads, honey, and jellies.  These were presented by First Baptist Youth on Mission, R.A.s, G.A.s and Mission Friends and their leaders.
    First Baptist Church is thankful for the service rendered by the Matthews family.  Harold was a former Ohio County resident.  He passed away in 1997.

Pictured above:

Row 1- Alma Jean Hocker and Faith Muller

Row 2- Jean Evans, Linda Wood, Peggy Drake, Clara Lee Matthews, Mary Cook, Norma Clark, Faye Dalton, Barbara Hatcher

Row 3- Beth Pahler, Cilicia Burden, Ann Barthalomew, Linda Keown, Beverly Bonilla, Wanda Embry, Anne Scott, Louise Forsythe, Paula Matthews, Tim Matthews