Good morning everyone. We have beautiful weather today. The sun is shining and that should do wonders for our mental and physical health. It sure helps mine. Anyway, we needed a break from all the chilly, cloudy, rainy days we’ve been having lately.
There were not many out for church Sunday. I counted four families missing from our midst. Illness was the reason that some had for missing services. We pray they will soon be well and able to be back with us. Brother Jerry Huff opened the services with a hearty welcome to members and guest. Eloise Hallmark led the early morning hymns. We did have several guests with us this week. Mr. and Mrs. Bill Coats and Glen Dale Robertson were in attendance. Bill and Glen Dale were the Gideons that we invited to speak at our church this Sunday. They presented a wonderful program of music along with an interesting message of how lost souls have been saved because they happened to open and read scripture from a Gideon Bible that had been distributed by Gideon members with funds collected from donations. Many times it only took reading John 3:16 for people to realize that God loved them so much that He gave his only Son to die for their sins. These Bibles are complete with scriptures that present the plan of Salvation along with scriptures for every situation of life that one may need help with. Our church was blessed with the privilege of giving to this worthy cause. As Bill said, “Every penny donated goes for buying Bibles. The Gideons never receive any money for their time and effort. In fact, they finance their own travels and needs, and are more than willing to do so.”
There was no one celebrating a birthday or anniversary this Sunday, however, I was remembering my Mother’s birthday this week which was on May 1. She would have been 100 years old. She was born in 1911. She had become quite ill before her death, and it was her wish that she live until she was at least 91 years old. She knew that she wouldn’t live much past that age. She died on her ninety first birthday, May 1, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. God was so gracious to grant her wish. From the age of 17, she spent her life loving Him and serving Him. She was always quick to give testimony of God’s love and power in her life. She also never wasted time in asking everyone she met, if they knew Jesus as their Lord and Savior. That last day of her life, we provided her a birthday party. I told her that we were going to do what she always did; feed everyone that came to her home and tell them about Jesus. I’m sure that she somehow knew what was going on in her home that day even though she was in a comatose condition. It was her party, and she didn’t leave it for the home she had in Heaven until 7:00 that evening. Seven is God’s perfect number, you know.
Jake Hampton led the congregation in singing hymns in prelude to Brother Les bringing us word from the Lord. For this message he read scriptures taken from Matthew 18:15-35 which teaches us how Jesus felt about forgiveness. Brother Les shared this fitting definition of forgiveness that he had once read, “Forgiveness is surrendering our rights to hurt others for hurting us.”
A group from Red Bank provided a service of music and testimony for the residents at the Heart of the Ozark Healthcare Center on Sunday afternoon. The residents that attended were happily singing along with all the special music and the songs that they had requested to be sung.
It was announced that the monthly business meeting scheduled for Wednesday evening, May 3, will be postponed until the next Wednesday, May 10. It was also brought to everyone’s attention that the Fifth Sunday Singing will be held at the Dogwood Nazarene Church the last Sunday of this month. That date will be May 29. I hear that they are now conducting services in their new church building, so that will be a wonderful treat for everyone that attends. Plan to be there. Everyone is welcome to attend and share their talents at this special, community church singing.
Bill Holland is doing much better and was able to leave the Healthcare Center where he was convalescing. He is so happy to be back home. Bill sends his appreciation to everyone who sent cards and visited him during his stay in the hospital and in the Healthcare Center. Gary and I visited with Bill and Pam one day last week. They were sitting out on their deck enjoying the fresh air. We enjoyed our visit with them. Les Hallmark and his daughter, Miranda, also spent time visiting them Sunday afternoon.
Visiting with Maxine Lirley last week was Ralph and Barbadeen Laughlin, Pam Shell, Jeane Huff and Alice and Gary Lirley. Maxine said that she was really enjoying all the great foods that Pam Shell had baked and brought for her to eat. She also brought Willene Adams some tasty treats too. Pam is a great cook and a great friend.
I understand that we are getting some more new neighbors. Glen Dale Robertson told us that their son, David, and his new bride will soon be moving to acreage across the highway from where we live. They will be a wonderful new addition to our community.
Don’t forget to support our Goodhope Fire Fighters and attend the pig roast to be held at the Plainview School Gymnasium Saturday, May 7. I believe the food will be served at 5:00 p.m. They use the money they raise to buy more, up to date, equipment so they can better assist their community. We owe our help and gratitude to these young folks. They care and they serve.
Take care this week. In closing I’ll share something I read lately that I know is very true. “A day stitched in prayer, never comes unraveled.” (Author unknown)
