It’s a bright, sunshiny day out today. We’ve been getting some nice rains lately with more expected this week. That’s alright though because we need the rain to fill our ponds and make good pasture and hay for the cattle.
Sunday was a beautiful day for worshiping the Lord. Brother Jake Hampton opened the morning service at Red Bank by leading the congregation in hymns. Brother Les gave the morning welcome because Brother Jerry was not yet able to be back in church. He had a slight set back in his healing process and had to make another visit to the hospital for a few days. However, Jeane reported that he is doing much better and might be able to be back with us next Sunday. We pray that will be so. Brother Bill Holland is another that has been missed in church for several Sundays now. He is also doing much better and is looking forward to being back to worship with us very soon. Our prayers are for his recovery. Let’s not forget to remember Jeane and Pam in prayer for strength and help as they look after their loved ones.
Celebrating a birthday was Zorianna Maggard. When asked how old she was now, she held up two of her fingers, and with a big smile on her face said, “Two!” Jerry told me that they had a family get together for her birthday party. Her cousins, Noah and Abby Moreland were there to help Zori celebrate. He said they played outside all day Saturday until they were about to drop. I could tell they were all pretty tired in Sunday school Sunday, but they still enjoyed the flannel graph story, singing songs and play time.
Announcements were for the revival coming up on April 21-23, a covered dish lunch being held on Easter Sunday after church service and the Pregnancy Center Walk-A- Thon coming up on April 16 at the City Park. Everyone is encouraged to take part in each of these important events.
Brother Les read scripture from Matthew and Luke as reference to the Lord’s thoughts and example on faithfulness in attending church and in soul winning. In Matthew 9:35 we find that Jesus went about the cities and villages, teaching and preaching in the synagogues. And, he was healing every sickness and every disease among the people. He was moved with compassion for the people because he found, that, “they were, weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd,” as was stated in verse 36. We, like Jesus and his disciples should, faithfully, be about our Father’s business. This should be the most important aspect of our lives. We should never be weary of doing good, and we certainly should not be scattered apart so that God’s work in our communities is weakened. The devil loves it when we separate ourselves and our families from the strength and blessings we receive from attending church, worshipping the Lord in truth and fellowshipping with each other. It is God’s plan that we do so
Jennifer Lakey, representing Red Bank, recently, traveled with Joyce Baxter, representing the First Southern Baptist Church of Ava, to attend the State, Girls Auxiliary Conference in Mount Vernon Mo. While there, they attended several mission oriented conferences. Jennifer gave a report on how they benefited from this event.
Visiting with Maxine Lirley Sunday afternoon was Gary and Alice Lirley and Jeane Huff. When Gary and Alice arrived at the Healthcare Center they found Maxine, her sister, Willene Adams, and another resident playing a type of scrabble game together. They said that they try to keep a dictionary handy to make sure that the words they come up with can actually be found in one. They are two pretty sharp girls. I doubt if I could win while trying to playing that game with those two experts. Maxine told them that she was making progress in overcoming the fall she had recently. She can now put weight on her injured leg. The next step in her recovery is to take steady, painless steps. She has also begun painting pictures again. Everyone enjoyed viewing her recent painting of a camp site. Keep up the good work, Maxine.
Until next week; let’s remember Jesus’ words and examples. If we follow them closely, we will find ourselves closer to Him.
