Good morning. The first of December has arrived. According to the calendar, winter will arrive on Dec. 21. From the temperatures we have been experiencing lately one would think that winter is already here. But, we haven’t seen the likes of winter until after January. We will have more temps in the 50’s and 60’s until then, so we need to be thankful for that fact. I remember one December day, years ago, that the temperature registered in the 70’s. I remember it well because there was a wedding that day at the Red Bank Church. After the wedding, some of the wedding attendants brought a long board in the back door, grabbed the groom, placed him astraddle of the board and proceeded to carry him across the road to a well known pond and threw him in. I have a picture that shows the groom flying through the air, and the bride standing along side the pond, dressed in her full wedding attire, holding his shirt and boots.
The Thanksgiving Day festivities are over, but the memories are still very vivid in our hearts and minds. It was a day that many families came together to enjoy visiting with each other, eating a wonderful meal together and taking time out of their busy lives to thank God for providing for them so abundantly.
Our pastor, Les Hallmark, and his family traveled to Illinois to spend their Thanksgiving holiday with some of Eloise’s family. I was able to catch a few other church members and ask them where they spent their holiday.
Tattie and Jerry Maggard said that they ate an afternoon, Thanksgiving meal with Jerry’s parents and an evening meal with Tattie’s parents.
Pat and Margie Gates attended a family get together in Mansfield Mo. for a Thanksgiving meal.
Bill Holland said that he and Pam also entertained family that came to visit them for the holiday.
Guest in the Gary Lirley home for a Thanksgiving meal was their son, Les, and family Jeanine, Ryker, Ryan, and Hannah Lirley; Maxine Lirley; Jeane and Jerry Huff and Jake Hampton.
The flu bug has caught up with several of our congregation. Margi Gates was ill with the flu or a very bad cold a couple of weeks ago; Pam Shell came down with the flu a week before Thanksgiving, and Maxine Lirley was attacked by a stomach virus last Friday. She said that she felt fine that morning, but suddenly became violently ill before noon that same day. We are thankful that she is feeling much better now.
Our Sunday church service began with a welcome to members and guest by Jerry Huff. Morning hymns were led by Jake Hampton. Birthday greetings were sung to Jerry Huff, Willene Adams and Robert Adams. Business meeting was announced for Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 7:00 p.m.
The morning sermon was taken from Mark 10:46. As Jesus, his disciples, and a great multitude was leaving Jericho, a blind man called Bartimaeus, who was sitting along side the road begging, called out to Jesus saying, “ Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Vs. 47) Even though the blind man was warned to be quiet, verse 49 tells us that Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.” When Jesus asked the man what he wanted him to do for him, the blind man asked that he may receive his sight. Jesus replied, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” The Scripture goes on to say that the man received his sight immediately and followed Jesus on the road. (Vs.51-52) The point that Brother Les made, using this Scripture, was that when Jesus healed the man because of his faith, and told him to go his way, the man chose to follow Jesus on the road. Bartimaeus realized that not only was Jesus his only hope for healing, but following Jesus was his only hope for a life worth living. Brother Les reminded us that Jesus knows our needs even before we ask. He is waiting for us, in faith, to call out to him because we have need of his forgiving grace and his healing power. Then we, like Bartimaeus, need to keep our eyes on Jesus and follow him on the road where he leads.
Until next week, take care and know that Jesus cares for you.
