From the desk of Jamey Herd: Pleasant Ridge enjoyed a wonderful Holiday Dinner on Saturday. There was so much food we enjoyed it again on Sunday for lunch. We appreciate everyone who brought side dishes and attended this festive occasion. Sunday the little ones sang “Merry, Merry Christmas” and Wanda Dugan sang a special. Laveta Ray and Susan Dugan had seven little ones in Children’s Church. They are preparing for their Christmas program on Dec 19th. Pleasant Ridge will be having their Wacky Gift Exchange on the 19th also. The gifts are bought and wrapped for the nursing home residents and will be delivered shortly. We appreciate Joan for all your work on that and to Pam Cobb for getting the names.
It is sure feeling like winter. The wind sure has a bite to it.
News is short this week, so until next time God’s blessing to one and all.
Carol Boeddeker-Genet had to say goodbye to granddaughter Rachelle early Sunday morning as she was heading back to her base at Gulf Port, MS. Rachelle was able to spend much of the past two weeks with sister Regina, brother Rex and mother, Arlene and I know they had such a good time cooking, working, visiting and catching up on the past few years.
I am tired of this upper respiratory thing going on and imagine I am not alone in that. Sleep has been elusive and food has certainly brought no joy. Oh well! The scales have made me smile. Friends from across this nation have reported similar discomforts so it isn’t just the Ozark air.
The sermon at St. Leo’s Church on Sunday was what some might call “fire and brimstone”. Perhaps it was even a little too graphic for very young ears. However, we need reminding not only of the love of God, but of the terrible wrath of God for those who refuse to listen to His Word and to put sin behind us. We are to think before we act and to remember that Christ died for our sins. We must thank God every day for this sacrifice, and for the many blessings we receive.
Susan Sinclair submits that the new church building is progressing steadily. The framers have completed most of their work. We have yet to complete the electrical, plumbing and drywall installation.
As pleased as we are with the beautiful new building, we recognize that the real church are the people, the ones who love Christ and know him as their Savior, who want others to know God because it is the absolute best relationship a person can ever have, to know and to love God, and to know God loves us. The Bible says that you shall know my disciples because of their love for one another. I thank God for our church family, who love and encourage each other through our joys and our sorrows, who come together each week to worship Christ our redeemer, who reach out and tell (using words as necessary) those about what Jesus has done in their lives after they became born again and before they were born again.
Born again is a Bible term for someone who believes that Jesus paid the price for our sin and who receives the free gift of salvation from Him. When someone receives salvation their inner spirit (we are made of body, mind [our will and emotions], and spirit) is born again.
Our mind and body remains the same, but when we receive by faith the free gift of salvation, the Spirit of God comes to live in us with our spirit, so we are spiritually born again. Because our minds and bodies remain the same, it is vitally important for the new Christian to learn of Jesus by reading what the Bible says and apply its truth to our everyday lives. He told us to make disciples, and that is another Bible term for someone who is a student of Jesus. Jesus said, “I am the way the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except by me”. Let’s continue to help one another learn from Jesus. He loves you and so do I. Until next time, God bless you and your loved ones.
