The Thanksgiving holiday is over, but the state of thanksgiving in our heart and in our mind should never end. There are many things to be thankful for. If one doubts that, all one has to do is just look around. They will come to the conclusion that many others have more troubles than they.
Our family was very thankful to be surrounded by loving family members on Thanksgiving Day. Our son, Les, and most of his family traveled here from Oklahoma City to visit us. His son, Ryker, could not leave his job to come with them. We missed him very much. He is a super, young man.
Others visiting in our home for Thanksgiving were: Maxine Lirley; Jeane and Jerry Huff; Danny, Kari, Emma and Kate Hampton; Jake Hampton and Jerry Myers and friend, Carolyn.
Jerry and Carolyn, who are special friends of Les and his family, drove here from Branson where they had been performing vintage, country western and gospel music throughout the area. As a special treat, they sang and played guitar and piano for us that evening. Also visiting in our home Thursday morning was our pastor, Les Hallmark.
Eloise Hallmark and daughters, Miranda and Elise, traveled to Illinois Friday morning to visit family for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Tattie and Jerry Maggard said that they had Thanksgiving meals in both their parent’s homes and, of course, one with their church family at Red Bank.
Enjoying a Thanksgiving meal with Maxine Lirley at The Heart of the Ozark Healthcare Center, last Tuesday was Gary and Alice Lirley and Jeane Huff.
On Sunday, Gary Lirley opened the Red Bank Church service by leading in hymns. Jerry Huff gave the morning welcome and introduced the Sunday school lesson called, “God Is Worthy.” The Bible text used was Deuteronomy 32:1-4. Brother Les chose text from Matthew 16; 13; Galatians 1; and John 14:6 for the morning sermon. Paul, in a letter to the church in Galatia, wrote that he was not chosen of man to preach Jesus Christ. He had neither received it nor was taught it by man; but that God called him by His grace, and revealed His Son to him that he might preach Him among the heathen. Those that knew how Paul had previously persecuted the early Christians because he did not believe that Jesus was, indeed, the prophesied Messiah, realized that Paul had truly been touched by the hand of God to have changed so completely. In John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Like Paul, our lives can be completely changed, but only through the shed blood of His Son, Jesus. Romans 10:9-10 is a perfect guide to accepting Jesus as Savior; have one’s sins washed away, and be changed forever as a new creature in Christ. He did it for Paul and He will do it for you.
The Christmas Season is upon us soon. The children in our church are working very hard to present a Christmas program that tells the Good News of Jesus’ Birth. That’s the kind of presents that Jesus loves to get on His birthday.
Come join us as we worship Him together. Sunday school begins at 10:00 a.m.; church service begins at 11:00 a.m. We have a children’s church from 10:00 a.m. through 12:00 noon. The evening service on Sunday and Wednesday begins at 7:00 p.m.
Take care and be always thankful; even for the smallest blessings that come your way.
