The holidays are almost over. We had a lot of activity going on around here in preparation for the Christmas celebration at church and at home. Our Christmas play went well, in spite of the fact that we very seldom had a practice with everyone in attendance. Of course, there were nearly 20 people in the play cast so that was to be expected. The children loved being in the play so it was all worth the effort. I told them that giving of their time and talents was a wonderful gift to give to Jesus on his birthday. Everyone enjoyed sharing in the fellowship meal after the program. Christmas came on Sunday so Red Bank had an eleven o’clock service which consisted of congregational Christmas hymns led by Brother Jake Hampton, special music presented by Eloise Hallmark and our family quintet made up of Cindy, Dale and Allison Jerrell along Gary and Alice Lirley.
Brother Les brought a message based on Acts 4. The Church was then invited to take part in a communion service to commemorate the last supper that the Lord had with his disciples before his crucifixion. It was a beautiful time to come together to remember His birth, death and resurrection. In Luke 22:19-20 we read that Jesus served the meal of broken bread and the fruit of the vine to represent His body and blood that he was about to give and shed for remission of sin. After He gave thanks, broke the bread and gave it to them He said, “This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” As he gave them of the cup to drink, He said, “This is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.”
Now that the play practice is over, the C. i. A. mission group will resume their meetings every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. There is also an adult Bible Study going on during that time. We, at Red Bank, invite you to come join us. On Sundays, we have Sunday school that begins at 10:00 a.m. and Worship service beginning at 11:00a.m. For the children, we have Sunday school and Children’s church available.
There were many thoughtful gifts coming from area churches to those who were unable to take part in the Christmas festivities because of illness or other problems. Pam Shell and Bill Holland were so grateful for the Christmas carols that the Goodhope General Baptist youth and leaders sang for them. They also left them many food goodies to enjoy. Pam told me that many other neighbors and friends came to visit and brought with them gifts and other food items. The gift of love through sharing was their greatest gift in Pam and Bill’s eyes though. They appreciate everyone for their thoughtfulness. It made their Christmas both, enjoyable and memorable. They ask everyone to please keep them in their prayers throughout this coming, New Year.
Visiting with Gary and me for the Christmas holidays is our daughter, Cindy, her husband, Dale, and their children, Allison and Aaron. They live in Florida so they had to travel about 19 hours for this special visit. Their last visit was two years ago when they came for our fiftieth wedding anniversary celebration. Also visiting with us for a few days to enjoy Christmas with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren was Maxine Lirley. She spent part of Christmas Day visiting with James and Debbie Lirley and their family. She was so happy that she got to visit with Michael Lirley and his family and was given a grand tour of their new house.
To make our Christmas holiday even merrier was Jerry and Jeane Huff, Willene Adams and Jake Hampton, who came to visit and share in our traditional, Christmas meal.
Eloise Hallmark said that their family celebrated Christmas by having a perfected, traditional holiday meal planned by their daughter, Elise.
Take care, and stay safe during the New Year Holiday. I’ll visit with ya all again next year, “If the Lord’s willing and the creek don’t rise;” as Mae Kennedy McCord used to say.
