We have been getting some nice little rains lately. At least I haven’t needed to water my garden for over a week. Gary and I were awakened to quite a fierce electrical storm around three this morning. When I peeked out our window and saw that the sky was lit…
A good morning to all our readers. We hope everyone had a safe and good weekend. Lots of activities going on for the weekend. I guess everyone was too busy for any news to be turned in this past week. We send get well wishes to all the sick, the…
Danny and Mark Davis and Terry Nelson came down and cut and baled hay, last week in Dick Richard’s field. Dick and I attended the kids ball games last week and we visited with Helen Dobbins one day. Kenny and Seth Hunt spent the weekend with Norma Cross in the…
Sunday morning service was opened with music by Randy and Venita Brummet and Curly Rawlings. Good job guys. We then had praise and welcome, prayer requests and prayer. A beautiful special was sung by Curly and Deevalla Rawlings. Brother Roberts brought the message, another in the series of “Fruit of…
Rain showers have been northeast of this area recently. We are hoping for rain as its been very dry as these news are being written. Perhaps July will bring some rain, or even this last week in June. Judy Breyne and Charlene Johnson’s brother-in-law, who lives in Sweet Springs, Missouri…
Who is wise and he shall understand these things? Prudent and he shall know them, for the ways of the Lord are right and the just shall walk in them but the transgressors shall fall therein.” Hosea 14:9. Monday, Gary and I went to Ava and visited his mother, Maxine…
A man was robbed and beaten and left for dead. This actually happened to a friend of my father’s. Who knows how long he laid there. It was a well-known road and had a history of dangerous spots where, who knows, anything could and did happen. It was kind of…
A beautiful summer day this past Lord’s Day, if you didn’t have a wonderful Father’s Day, you certainly missed a good chance. We honored all of our fathers and enjoyed worship together with them. Our morning message was entitled “Be Strong,” taken from several different quotations in the book of…
It was Father’s Day and we thank God for the Godly fathers in our church. Each Dad received a mug and was prayed for by Frances Humbyrd. We are proud of you, Dads. Prayer concerns were for John Watson, Pat Dobbs, Donna Witchey, the Gerald Linder family, Claude Koenig’s family…
Sunday, June 19 was Trinity Sunday, marking the beginning of the Trinity season, the longest in the church year, during which it is the Christian’s duty to put into practice the teachings and example of Jesus, where life and works are commemorated during the other seasons of the church year…
It was going to be a long day at the temple. Jesus had just arrived and was met by the priests, teachers and elders. They challenged his authority and he gave them a question they dodged with a ‘We don’t know’. He then told them the parable of the man…
I’m praying for rain; how about you? It rained at our house about three a.m. one morning last week, but it didn’t amount to much. There was no mud puddle to be found anywhere around our house or in the road. Our family traveled to Colorado last week to attend…
A good morning to all our readers. We hope everyone had a great and safe weekend and that all the fathers had a good time on their special day. We had wished them the very best. We send get-well wishes to all the sick, the ones in the hospitals and…
Sounds like we are going to have a few days of cooler weather. I don’t think many people had problems getting there hay up this past week. Norma Cross and I spent some time with Peggy Jenkins at the nursing home Tuesday. She seems to be feeling better. We also…
Sunday morning service opened with the youth group leading a couple of praise songs. They did a really good job and I think they should plan to do that more often. We then had prayer requests and prayer followed by a congregational hymn. Sister Tillie Fowler sang a beautiful special.…
We are needing some rain now and I have had a tree frog that made its appearance through an opening where my new air conditioner was installed. The frog seemed to be begging for rain. Beulah Satterfield and Loretta Davidson shopped in Ava one day last week and had lunch…
Sunday, June 12 was Pentecost which commemorates the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the apostles on the day of the Jewish festival of that name. The word means fiftieth day and in the Christian tradition takes place approximately fifty days after Easter. Altar and vestment colors are red symbolizing…
Sunday morning was opened with prayer requests and prayer and welcoming. More hymns then Venita Brummet sang a beautiful special. Brother Roberts brought the message from Galatians 5:16-17, “Walking in the Spirit.” Brother Cody Prock brought the evening message from II Timothy 2:1 and Acts 16:16. Prayer requests were made…
“Take care of what God gives you the power to take care of.” A simple sentence uttered by our preacher during the sermon. Sometimes simple little sentences like that can just hit like a target right between the eyes. It got me to thinking. How many times have I passed…
The cicadas are quiet now compared to the first weeks of their “noise-making.” It’s time for them to leave the area as they usually do each “cycle” they are here. Best wishes to Paul Breyne who has shoulder pain. He had Ed Davis to mow his yard Saturday instead of…
The monthly meeting of the Vanzant Community Center was held on May 20th. About 20 people attended on the rainy night. Plans for the annual Vanzant Picnic are in the process of being made. The menu has been set which includes a fish dinner, along with the usual hamburgers, hotdogs,…
Today we celebrated the Second Sunday after Pentecost using the following Bible readings: Jeremiah 28:5-9, Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18, and the New Testament Romans 6:12-23, Gospel: Matthew 10: 40-42. “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me”, said Jesus, “and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” (Matthew 10:40, NRSV). Let us…
Our prayer chain was called this week for Debbie Pitts’ brother, Kevin Eubanks. Our devotional reading was from Deuteronomy 5. Prayer requests were for Donna Witchey, Amanda Evans, John Watson, Pat Dobbs and camp this week. Neal and LeaAnn are directors; other workers are Juanita and Harold Menzies, cooks, Cody…
June 13, 2011 Good morning to you. Such a beautiful day just couldn’t be beat. 67º and full sunshine. We’re supposed to get more rain in the next few days, but I won’t worry about that now. I finally got a good nights sleep last night. Which I really needed,…
R.E. Helsey visited with Tom and Jewell Johnson last week. Brenda Haden and Aletha Sullivan also visited. Their sons, Larry Johnson and Lowell Johnson, grandson, Kent, and other members of the family are Tom and Jewell’s daily help. Norma Stillings attended the Ladies Retreat June 8 to 11 at Camp…
A good Tuesday morning to all our readers. We hope everyone had a great weekend. We had a small shower of rain on Sunday at West Dogwood about noon. We have small splatters of rain here at Red Bud this morning. Here’s an update on the raspberry vine – I…
No rain this past week. We need a good soaking rain on the gardens and fields. May was such a wet month. It then turned off so hot. It nearly cooked the plants and young grass. Tony and friends returned home from their trip. They are tired, but they had…
There is much excitement in our community as Kindall Store is preparing for a grand opening of the new playground and volleyball court next to the old, historic store. I understand that the volleyball court has been the center of much excitement with neighbors playing until late in the evening.…
Today we celebrated the Day of Pentecost using the following Bible readings: Acts 2:1-21, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b, and the New Testament I Corinthians 12:3b-13, Gospel: John 20:19-23. Our lector was Jerry Johnson. Today we prayed for all the survivors and the victims of that terrible tornado in Joplin as well…
This has been a busy week and it has been hard to keep up as I have not felt good and had to make a trip to Urgent Care. It seems to have flown by though. I spent a couple of days with great-granddaughter Reagan Inman and had a real…
On this 7th Sunday of Easter we began with the Bible readings as follows: Acts 1:6-14, Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 and the New Testament 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11; Gospel: John 17: 1- 11. Our lector was Mary Ann Niemi. Today we prayed for all the survivors and the victims of that…
John 17 is a wonderful prayer that Jesus prays for his disciples. Beginning in verse 20 he also prays for believers. Not just the ones at that present time but for those in the future. His prayer is that those who believe might also, by their unity, show the world…
For all of you who have been praying for a let up in the rain, now start praying it won’t stop for to long. And while we are waiting for a cool shower, keep in mind that we are supposed to be about our Father’s business, until He comes again..…
Our prayer chain went around Sunday evening for Donna Witchey, who is in St John’s hospital. A report from her Mother, Chloe Wilson, is that she is doing better. We give the Good Lord the praise. We began with prayer time at 9:30 and at 10 a.m. we read our…
Sunday, June 5 was the Sunday after Ascension Day, which was last Thursday. Bishop Hartley based his sermon on the Epistle for the day, I St. Peter 4:7, “The end of all things is at hand” and St. Peter exhorts us to “be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.”…
Billy Fletcher and his aunts, Jean Daugherty and Mabel Everett, drove to Springfield to attend the memorial service for Tommy R. Gann, Friday evening, at Cherry Street Baptist Church. Tommy Gann was the brother of Paulette Fletcher, Billy’s sister-in-law. Norma Stillings attended the CHART meeting at the Missouri Ozarks Community…
Brother Randy Brummet opened the service with prayer requests and prayer then congregational songs and welcome. Brother Claude Robertson brought the special song, which was beautiful. Brother Roberts brought the message from Galatians 5:16-17, “Abundant Life Series, Walking In the Spirit.” Brother Cody Prock brought the evening message from Romans…
A good morning to all our readers. We hope every one had a safe and cool weekend as the weather was very hot during the day. Remember to check on the shut ins during hot weather. Always drink plenty of water while it is so hot. Our bodies need more…
” O praise the Lord all ye nation, praise Him all ye people for his merciful kindness is great toward us and the truth of the Lord endureth forever. Praise ye the Lord,” Psalm 117. Happy anniversary to Doyle and Peggy Turner, David and Donna Dodson, John and Jo Stephens,…
Hello again. Well, here it is, the seventh of June. Everyone is just settling down from one holiday and will soon be gearing up for another on the fourth of July. I’m sure that the tents are about to be or are already set up and ready to accommodate everyone…
We are having beautiful weather. I hope everyone is able to get out and enjoy it. Norma Cross and Seth Hunt and Juanita Herrell visited with Dick and I Thursday. We stopped to see Helen Dobbins Friday. We sure have had calls from kin folks in Wisconsin and Washington asking…
Highways were certainly busy with holiday travelers over Memorial weekend. Fathers Day is June 19 and July 4 comes up next, summer beginning June 21. So we may consider that we have had a short spring. It has been a difficult time for gardeners with adverse weather conditions. Now it…
6-6-11 – Good morning. It’s gonna be a hot one. We have a heat advisory out for today, Tuesday and maybe Wednesday. Then rain again the next few days. I’m going to try to stay inside all I can. I’m lucky I can do that. Walt said he will stay…
The Lord blessed us with a beautiful Lord’s Day and the decorations that came out to honor those who have gone before, festooned our cemetery and turned a solemn scene into a beautiful memorial for our loved ones. We appreciate all who came and decorated at Oak Grove Cemetery. The…
Sunday, May 29 was the fifth Sunday after Easter, commonly called Rogation Sunday. Bishop Hartley explained that the three days before Ascension Day are known as days of prayer for the successful flourishing of the crops; rogation means supplication or prayer. The importance of this period in the Christian calendar…
Jesus chose twelve disciples. One of them was Judas Iscariot. Iscariot is Greek for ‘a man of Kerioth’. Kerioth is no longer in existence but it was a city in Judah south of Jerusalem. The rest of the disciples were from Galilee, which lay north of Jerusalem. He must have…
Sunday morning service was opened with prayer then a few very good videos of recognition for our service men and women, past and present. We had several good congregation songs then a special by Margaret Rosseau. Brother Roberts brought the short message from I Corinthians 11: 23, “ Time to…
Billy Fletcher attended the McGill Reunion, Saturday. Sunday, Billy went to a birthday party for Carol Riggs at the home of Fred and Charlie Lindberg. Doris Holman and Stanley Goodrich were there also. Jean Daugherty visited with Billy, Monday afternoon. Freeda Holt visited with Tom and Jewell Johnson last week.…
We began with standing and reading our devotional from Ephesians 3. Prayer requests were shared for our service today, the city of Joplin, Lenora Burton, the revival at New Mansion, Imogene Ewing and, always, our loved ones, our nation, leaders and troops. Doyle Humbyrd prayed this prayer. Happy birthday was…
We are finally getting the sunshine needed for our gardens to grow and our hay to be mowed. My little tomato plants looks as if they might be coming out of shock from the cloudy, cold, wet, spring weather they have been subjected to lately. Sunshine is their only hope…
A good morning to all our readers. We hope everyone found a cool place to be while it was so hot. We send get-well wishes to all the sick, the ones in the hospitals, and the nursing homes. Our sympathy to all who have lost a loved one. May God…
We are having some beautiful weather at last. Things will really grow since it has warmed up. My brother in Texas said it was over a hundred degrees down there and very little rain. He lives in the drought area of Texas. He said every pecan tree has pecans on…
Our prayers go out to our many friends in Joplin this morning as new reports continue to surface about the terrible tornado that hit the area on Sunday evening. I just heard a news report that stated that 89 had lost their lives. May we all continue to lift them…
With so much wet weather and gardens under water in low places vegetables may be more scarce. If farmers market can’t provide folks with a supply then grocery stores will have to be the “next best” source. A helpful hint is to always visit your garden with a hoe in…
Hearing all about the Joplin tornado damage, injuries and death that took place over the weekend, gives cause for one to count their blessings. Viewing the television coverage of this horrendous storm would not have the same effect on one as actually being a victim of it or witnessing firsthand…
A good morning to all our readers. We hope everyone had a great and safe weekend as there were lots of rain and storms in different places. No damage here that I know of. We are blessed people. We send get-well wishes to all the sick, the ones in the…
Our hearts and prayers go out to all those people that were in the path of those tornados over the weekend. We got lots of rain but no wind. Georgia Sanders and Sue Johnson from Claremore, Oklahoma came up Friday from Oklahoma and drove all the way in the rain. …
5-16-11. Like I always say, it doesn’t seem possible it’s already the middle of May. My ear kept getting worse so I quit using the expensive medicine on it and started using triple antibiotic ointment on it. It started to heal some, but I called the clinic in Tipton and…
Sunday, May 22 was the fourth Sunday after Easter. Bishop Hartley based his sermon on the epistle for the day, St. James 1:17, “Every good and perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of light….” The greatest gift from God is grace, which we receive from…
Sin: David had too much time on his hands. He had given leadership of his army to Joab and was relaxing at his palace. That’s when he saw Bathsheba. It’s a well-known story found in II Samuel 11. The outcome was that David took up with Bathsheba and had Uriah,…
“Behold, I come quickly and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be,” Revelation 22:12. Congratulations to Austin Clayton and Amanda Ray. They graduated from Ava High School. While reading the Brown’s Cave article, I remembered my mother saying they had church meetings…
We were blessed with a beautiful, warm, clear Lord’s Day in the morning and the evening services was wet and windy. Thankfully, no tornadoes or hail damage. Join us this week in prayer for those who lost loved ones in Joplin and those involved in the clean up effort there.…
Nora Edwards visited with Tom and Jewell Johnson last week. Terry Stillings and his sister, Norma Lea Stillings, had a good visit with their uncle and aunt, Jody and Modeana Hall, and cousin, Anita, Saturday. They had come from Springfield to decorate some family graves. Norma Jean Stillings got to…
Sunday morning started with an Appreciation Breakfast in honor of Bill and DeDe Arrington. They have been a real blessing to Walnut Grove Church, but are having to leave due to job responsibilities in Ozark and Springfield. They promised they would come back occasionally when possible. They will be missed…
Saturday, May 14, about 80 people attended the Open House and celebration for Dane Humbyrd, who received a diploma from Bradleyville School at 7 p.m. that day. He also received a special award with all of his family in attendance, Doug Scott and all his family, Don Scott, Steve Scott…
Greetings everyone. This has been a very busy week for most folks. The school year is about to end, and there are a lot of activities going on. Graduation ceremonies have been very prevalent this week. I was privileged to attend at least one of them. Jeane Huff and I…
A good Tuesday morning to all our readers. We hope everyone had a safe and good weekend. The weather was a bit on the cool side and the wind was strong at times. A person sure did need a jacket to guard from the wind. Well so much for my…
It has turned cold again almost cold enough to frost. Surely it will warm up before long. I hope all the lightening strikes are over. Visiting me this past week were my brother, John Bricker, and oldest daughter, Sherry Jean from Mineral Wells, Texas. The weather is much warmer down…
Sunday, May 15 was the third Sunday after Easter. Biship Hartley based his sermon on the gospel for the day, St. John 16:16 in which Jesus tells his disciples “A little while, and ye shall not see me and again, a little while, and ye shall see me…” explaining to…
What if there were no more preachers to preach? No more churches to attend? No more Sunday services offered? Would it be missed? Would it even be noticed? The modern fast-paced world offers many reasons for pushing people of faith to the back of the bus—too busy, too much to…
Sunday morning service was opened with prayer requests, prayer and praise music. Brother Roberts brought the sermon from Galations 5:16-17, “Walking In the Spirit.” The evening service was opened with congregational songs then prayer requests for Cheryl Hopper, Delmar Rosseau, Donna Scribner and lost souls in our community. Brother Roberts…
No doubt early spring cleaning and putting away winter clothes had to be reversed for a week at least, with cold temperatures across mid-states and in our area. The chilly air doesn’t stop grass and weeds from growing. My sympathy to those who lost loved ones the past week. As…
The Vanzant Community Center held its benefit supper and auction on May 7th. It was a huge success. It was estimated that about 350 people attended. We have such a wonderful support for our community. We appreciate all that participated in any way in making our benefit a success. We…
“And unto men he said, behold, the fear of the Lord that is wisdom and to depart from evil is understanding, ” Job 28:28. Congratulations to Michael Gooley, who graduated from Lutie School Saturday morning. Tuesday evening, Gary and I went to Ava to visit his mother, Maxine Turner. Wednesday…
We were blessed with a cool, breezy Lord’s Day this week, but it was warm and dry in the sanctuary and we had a great time praising the Lord. Ella Faye Mitchell sang for us. Our morning message was “Loving/Judgment.” Was the God of the Old Testament somehow different, more…
5-9-11. A late “Happy Mother’s Day” to all the mothers. I had a good one. The weather was just perfect. Bright sunshine all day and temps in the seventies. Maybe a little heavy on the breeze, but not enough to spoil it by any means. Now that I think of…
Claude Robertson and James Degase visited with Tom and Jewell Johnson last week. Tom and Jewell’s son, Lowell Johnson, is still staying with them. Their other son, Larry Johnson, and grandson, Kent Johnson, are there often as they have for years. Larry’s wife, Shirley sends food. All this good help…
It was a beautiful Mother’s Day as we came to our Lord’s house. Each Mother received a rose for each child, grandchild and great-grandchild. Brad Siler prayed for all our Mothers. Pastor Neal preached from I Samuel, Hannah’s prayer. She came to the house of the Lord, weeping and praying. …
Picture someone standing at a cemetery. In front of him is the hole that has been readied to hold a coffin. It’s a dark hole and once filled, that’s it. Whose turn will it be? In Luke 16:19-31 it’s the rich man’s turn. It’s pretty sad, the rich man is…
A good Tuesday morning to all our readers. We hope all the mothers had a great day on Sunday. I guess the next big event will be graduation for the Seniors which will be this Saturday night. We wish the best as they start a new beginning after school is…
What a beautiful day we had for Mother’s Day. I’m sure there were lots of picnics, barbequeing and visiting going on. Kelly grilled hamburgers for our lunch, along with, potato salad, baked beans and corn on the cob. Brian and Amanda Levelle, Gus and Stetson came by to pick Montana…
Sunday morning service was opened with a welcome to everyone from Richelle Shelton. We had 210 in attendance on Sunday morning. There were several baptised then the youth took charge of the service. The little ones did a fantastic job of singing and acting out the songs. Then the older…
“Be not thou envious against evil men neither desire to be with them,” Proverbs 24:1. My condolences to Thelma Venezia. Her sister, Opal, passed away. Well, the heavy rain has stopped for awhile. Maybe some of us can get the house roof fixed. Some people couldn’t get to their homes…
May 8 was Mother’s Day by the calendar, but appreciation of many mothers should be celebrated the year round. Those of us who lost our mothers at an early age have had to adopt another and pay respects to the living. As some blackberries are blooming it is likely to…
This week has been busy with high school graduations as two of my grandchildren have graduated. We enjoyed seeing both Jeffrey Inman and Caitlyn Morris graduate. Jeffrey graduated from Ava and Caitlyn from Ozark. Congratulations to all of our graduates. Sunday we celebrated the high school graduation of Rosa Dobrick…
Trinity Lutheran Church of Ava, member of North American Lutheran Church, is delighted with the response to their annual fundraising breakfast this month. We’re glad the community weathered the storm to join us. You are greatly appreciated. Trinity recognizes and thanks Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for their gift of matching…
Sunday, May 8 was the second Sunday after Easter. Altar and vestment colors continue to be white and we have our Easter lilies and Paschal candle to celebrate the season. Now that Kip has restored the chimes on our organ he opens and closes the service with chimes, making our…
What a beautiful day for all our wonderful mothers. The sunshine and a pleasant breeze, not a rain cloud in sight. Our morning service began with the choir and congregational singing and then we were treated to the Mayberry Family Singers with Jake Mayberry accompanying on the piano, they did…
5-3-11. Well here we are in May and still getting down in the thirties at night. It’s 46 degrees now at 1:15 p.m. and cloudy and breezy. Yesterday was nice and sunny, but still with a cool breeze. But as I always say, I can’t complain too much. It could…
Billy Fletcher and his aunt, Jean Daugherty, drove to Mountain Grove, Saturday afternoon to visit with Dorman and Georgia Mae (Smith) Edwards. Georgia Mae lived in the same neighborhood as Jean when she was growing up. Billy took his good friends, Edgar and Sharon Stewart, for Mother’s Day lunch at…
It sure looks like it’s going to rain today, but it may hold off until tomorrow, according to the forecast. My husband and I have been working furiously to finish planting our garden. I’ve had my windows full of plants for several weeks now because it rained nearly everyday. My…
It was a great Mother’s Day as I spent the day with my family. Several of them joined me for church on Sunday morning and then I enjoyed eating with a few in the afternoon. A blessed day for everyone. We are starting to see more visitors to the Chateau…
Praise the Lord, if you are still able to read this letter then the wind hasn’t blown you away and the rain hasn’t washed you away, we still had plenty of seating at Sunday morning worship services so come, be our guest, first chance you get. Our morning message was…
We stood to read our devotional from I Peter 9. Prayer requests were given for Gary Duggar, the family of Bill Whittaker, Bob Siler, Joe Mason, the Willingham family, the names in our altar book and others. Mary Lou Hodges prayed this prayer. Happy birthday was sung to Juanita Menzies. …
Sunday, May 1 was the first Sunday after Easter. Altar and vestment colors continue to be white, the color of purity and we have the Easter lilies and beautiful seasonal decorations put up by our altar guild. Bishop Hartley based his sermon on the gospel for the day, St. John…
At last year’s revival the pastor made the statement that a mule can be led to water but can’t be forced to drink. However, put salt in his food and he’ll get thirsty enough to drink. The same can be said about studying the Bible. There are times the pastor…
Carl and Joan Fletcher visited with his brother, Billy Fletcher, Saturday. Billy and his Aunt Jean Daugherty went to Walnut Grove, Sunday afternoon, to hear the Heritage Singers. Janice Keith and Jo Stephens visited with Tom and Jewell Johnson last week. Their sons, Larry Johnson and Lowell Johnson, a grandson…
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…
A good Tuesday morning to all our readers. We hope everyone had a good weekend even with all the rain. We send get well wishes to all the sick, the ones in the hospitals and the nursing homes. Our sympathy to all who has lost loved ones. May God bless…
We are getting plenty of spring rain this year. The grass is so pretty and green. It will keep one busy mowing the yard this spring. Lisa Richards and Tony visited with me Saturday. I have had several phone calls this week. One was from my half sister, Vivian Henley,…
Sunday morning service began with music and prayer requests then prayer and congregational singing of hymns. Venita Brummet, Cheryl Hopper and Cindy Smith did a fantastic job on the special song. Brother Roberts brought the message from Galations 5:16-17, “Walk In The Spirit.” Sunday night we had the pleasure of…
May came in with more showers, along with thunder and stormy Sunday evening and a downpour of rain! With branches and creeks already flooding the area we have enough moisture for a time! I believe the road crews have enough overtime work also trying to keep country roads repaired from…
We enjoyed a pleasant, even if a might soggy, resurrection Sunday morning. Our choir gave a cantata which everyone seemed very pleased with, particularly a solo, “Watch The Lamb” performbed by Bro. Gary Martin and a duet, “I Wonder How Mary Felt” by Sis. Lola Mayberry and Sis. Phyllis Bentley.…
We praise Him for who He is on our Lord’s Resurrection Day. Prayer requests were given and Peggy Miller led us in this prayer time. Happy birthday was sung to Stan Humbyrd. A thank you note was read from Frances Doty. An Easter drama was done by the young adults…
Sunday, April 24 was Easter Sunday, the oldest and most important feast of the Christian church marking the birth of new creation through Christ. Bishop Hartley wore his cape and miter for this service, marking as a special day in the church year. He began his sermon with a history…
This isn’t the time for the church to be cast down and sad. This isn’t the time for the church to be silent. The church ought to be happy. The church ought to be excited. The church ought to be filled with the spirit of God. Because it is on…
I certainly hope everyone had a wonderful Easter like me. And such a happy hopeful day knowing that’s when our precious Jesus came back to life. We had dinner here and daughter Anita, grandson Jared, his wife Carrie, and their daughter Zoie, great-grandson Jacob all came out and we really…
Tom and Jewell Johnson did not have “new” news. Their boys were still seeing about them. Generally speaking that means that their sons, Larry Johnson and Lowell Johnson, and grandson, Kent Johnson help them in some way everyday. Shirley Johnson sends food and Tom says it’s not just a little.…
Hello everyone. I hope you had a Blessed Easter holiday. It was a rather wet Easter Sunday, but the spirits of those who attended Red Bank Church were not in the least bit dampened. All the little ones were decked out in their new spring dresses, bonnets, suits and ties…
A good morning to all our readers. We hope everyone had a wonderful Easter even with all the rain and storms. It wasn’t a very good day for an egg hunt outside, but I’ll bet the children found something to do. Steven’s children amused themselves by throwing the grass out…
Sunday morning at Walnut Grove Church began with a breakfast then Sunday school. We then had a video, which was very good. Bill and DeDe Arington and Candy Lane sang a beautiful special, then there was a baptism. Brother Roberts then brought the message from John 10:10 and Romans 8:11,…
A very unusual rainy and stormy time was over the weekend, making scheduled events uncomfortable and even treacherous as flooded roadways caused dangerous driving, not only in low areas but on higher elevations. Fences washed out and cattle were out and it was very hard to even get them taken…
“Grace by with you, mercy and peace from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the song of the Father, in truth and love,” II John 3. My sympathy to the Fern Erskine family. Thursday afternoon I visited with Sandy Richards and later with Rayford and Freda Clayton…
It has been a wet and storm weekend here. It has rained so much that in many places you are not able to travel. Grandson Nicholas attempted to reach Kindall Store on the afternoon of Easter Sunday and could not even get there for his chicken feed. We sure will…
Another glorious Lord’s Day at Oak Grove this past Sunday. We still have seating reserved for those of you who would come and be our guests, so please feel free to stop in and worship with us. The morning message this past Sunday was taken from Hebrews 12:3, entitled “Consider…
Guess which month is almost gone now? They sure don’t stay around very long do they? You’d never know what the date is by the weather. Over the weekend it got down to 30 degrees and really strong winds with rain and snow. The chimney on the house was pulling…
Dessie Miller visited with Tom and Jewell Johnson one day last week. Tom said that the boys had been in several times. Norma Stillings attended the Douglas and Ozark Counties RTA meeting Tuesday at noon. She attended the Hospice Compassus Volunteer Luncheon at the office in Mountain Grove, Wednesday. She…
To begin my article, I want to make an important correction from the church announcements that I shared with you last week. The Ava Pregnancy Clinic, “Walk for Life,” event that is scheduled to take place at the Ava City Park will be held on Saturday, April 21, from 4:00…
Last week I mentioned how pretty the dogwood trees were, well you should see them now. They are even more beautiful. We had to be in town on Tuesday. While having lunch at McDonalds, Dick got to visit with Raymond Bricker and Martin Hathcock and while I was in Town…
Last Weeks News – We began our service with prayer time at 9:30 a.m. with a few. Thank God the Bible says, “for where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them”. Prayer requests were given for Pat Nall, Loretta Stiles,…
Sunday, April 17 was the Sunday next before Easter, or Palm Sunday, which commemorates Christ’s enty into Jerusalem to be crucified accompanied by crowds waving palms, a symbol of victory in Roman times. At St. Francis we begin the Palm Sunday service with the blessing of the palms in which…
Churches can be considered kingdoms. Really small kingdoms; but, when they’re all lumped together in the end; wouldn’t this be Christ’s church? The one He speaks about calling to himself. Thinking along this line Romans 14:17 makes sense. This section talks about what the kingdom of God is and is…
Sunday morning service was opened with prayer requests and prayer. We then enjoyed some good picking and grinning while welcoming everyone. The beautiful special was presented by Curly and Janice Rawlings. Brother Roberts brought the message from Luke 23:33, “Calvary.” Sunday evening service was our monthly singing. We enjoyed lots…
In Missouri if you want a change in the weather, just wait until tomorrow, is a likely remark. Hopefully no one had put away all their warm clothes, or blankets off their beds! Or that they got “carried away” with too early gardening as replanting some seeds may be needed.…
“Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself, handle me and see for a spirit hath not flesh, and bones for as ye see me have, “Luke 24:39. Happy Easater for Christ is alive. Gary and Gloria Evans had a moving sale last weekend. They sold their…
You could see many of our friends and neighbors actively working away in the yards and gardens this past week. Despite some chilly weather, several took advantage of the warm weather on Sunday after church. Members of our family enjoyed attending the surprise birthday party for Jerry Diehl at Elkland.…
Tom and Jewell Johnson had several phone calls and visitors on the occasion of his 96th birthday this week. Tom and Jewell’s “kids” came in and out as they usually do. Tom preached Sunday morning at Springcreek Church, which is a blessing for the people of Springcreek Church. Gene and…
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…
A good morning to all our readers. We hope everyone is enjoying the warmer weather. No news last week as none was turned in so will try to make a report this week. We send get well wishes to all the sick, the ones in the hospitals and the nursing…
Hope everyone got some rain this weekend. The gardens need showers to make them grow. Those visiting me over the weekend were Lisa and Tony Richards. They thought they would find mushrooms, but didn’t get any. They shopped all day Saturday in Springfield. They were give out Sunday. Braxton Richards…
The little ones performed the praise song with actions. They did a really good job and we are so blessed to have the caring and active teachers for that age group. Good job, ladies. Sunday morning service was opened by Randy Brummet, with prayer requests, prayer, music and welcoming. Special…
More signs of spring with trees getting their green leaves and dogwoods joining the other early blooms making a show for tourists driving the highways. They certainly are a pretty sight this time of year. In March it was sassafrass root time and a memory of John Zook who really…
Many prayer concerns are always given. Among those were Joe Mason, the family of Gary Evans, the family of James Doty, the Hoskins family, our lost loved ones, leaders, our nation, troops and today’s service. We are a needy people always. Shannon Wilson prayed this prayer. Happy birthday was sung…
4-4-11. Three words for the weather this morning – dark,windy and chilly. We went from 83 degrees yesterday to 43 degrees today. But it could be much worse. We had a severe thunderstorm warning and tornado watch yesterday evening. We were prepared to go to the basement if need be,…
Sunday morning service opened with prayer requests, prayer, welcoming ,and congregational hymns. Sister Tillie Fowler sang a beautiful song for the special. Brother Cody Prock brought the message from Genesis 5:15-23 and Revelation 3:15-22. He brought the evening message from Joshua 1:9, “Faith.” Happy Anniversary to Kirby and Mary Mackey.…
Praise the Lord what a beautiful Lord’s Day. We sang and studied together, as usual and then the morning message was from I Peter 2:9, 10. God’s blessings to his own people, when they are obedient and pliant to His will, as well as His gracious offer to all who…
Sunday, April 10 was The Fifth Sunday in Lent, commonly called Passion Sunday. This designation is unique to the Anglican tradition and commerates Christ’s physical suffering. It is a fairly recent addition to the liturgical calendar, dating from the 19th century and first incorporated into the 1928 edition of the…
We had a beautiful, although windy Lord’s Day, this past week, but we were blessed with guests and enjoyed worship services very much. Chelsea and Justin Gilmore were our guests and Lary and Linda Chase brought their lovely daughter, Malinda, who blessed us with a very special song. If you…
Sunday, April 3 was the fourth Sunday in Lent, known in the Anglican tradition as Rose Sunday, which represents a lessening of the penitential character of Lent and the altar and vestment colors are rose; this is the only Sunday in Lent in which altar flowers are permitted. Bishop Hartley…
Donald Fletcher of Fair Grove, Missouri visited with his brother, Billy Fletcher, Thursday. Jean Daugherty visited with Billy, Saturday afternoon. I was honored to receive the John Dickison award for community service at the Ava Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet, Saturday evening. An honor like this is especially nice when…
I’m glad that the sun finally popped out today. I think that a cold, cloudy, windy day like yesterday, affects our disposition somehow. Anyway, I feel much better with the sun shining brightly. Sunday was a little windy, but it was still a warm, sunshiny day. One could also see…
Besides the fear of earthquakes, this time of year is noted for tornadoes. On April 18, 1890, Marshfield, MO. was almost blotted off the map as a tornado killed 92, injured 200 people and only a dozen out of 200 buildings were left standing. My father’s family lived there and…
After this manner therefore, pray ye, “ Our Father which are in heaven, Hallowed by thy name. thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead…
We got a good shower of rain this morning. The grass will grow now. There is nothing like the spring of the year, flowers blooming and grass growing tall. The trees are leafing out. Cathy Cornett, Tyler and Kayla stopped by one day and visited with me. The kids were…
There’s a lot of disagreement in biblical circles about the word perfect. Yet, it says in Matthew 5:48 ‘be ye perfect’. Of course, on the heels of that is ‘as your Father in heaven’. Even looking at it from the broadest of possibilities, one has to admit that earthlings start…
Elijah was from the highlands of Gilead. It was far removed from the big city centers of Israel and was one of the few places that Yahweh (God) was still worshipped and the old traditions were followed. These Israelites scorned the introduction of the fertility gods, which King Ahab had…
It has been a busy week in our home as we have helped in baby-sitting grandchildren and great grandchildren. We enjoyed watching Reagan Inman (our great-granddaughter) while her parents, Nicholas and Sarah Inman packed and moved to their new home near Marshfield. We will all miss them here in the…
On this 4th Sunday in Lent we began with the Bible readings as follows: I Samuel 16: 1-13, Psalm 23; and the New Testament, Ephesians 5: 8-14, Gospel: John 9: 1-4. Our lector was Hulda Tipton. Pastor Wayne Strohschein’s sermon today was based on the gospel of John. We don’t always see…
Joyce Inman I cannot believe that it snowed last night! However, many have been saying that it was supposed to snow the last week of March. The citizens of Fordland are looking forward to the annual Easter Parade and Easter Hunt on Saturday, April 23. Line up for the parade…
Rosie Miller All of the congregation at Trinity Lutheran want to say how much we appreciate the Ava Fire Department and Ava Rural Fire Department, and every one of you firefighters, for a great job and a job well done in saving our church from the fire. On this 3rd…
Norma Stillings, who serves as a volunteer ombudsman for the residents of the Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center, attended the 2011 Volunteer Ombudsman training conference “Portrait of an Advocate,” Monday and Tuesday, March 21-22 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Columbia. There were sessions on Mental Health, Loss and…
We enjoyed a glorious Lord’s Day, with the spring like weather and new and old friends joining us in worship services. Our morning message was, “Get In The Game” with an emphasis on the similarities between the successful sports team, dedication, enthusiasm and individual members doing their specific tasks well.…
In Luke 10:1 Jesus has appointed seventy to go by pairs into every city and place. He has given them a set of instructions for when they are gone and has also told them to heal the sick. When they return in verse 17, they are feeling really good. They…
Last Weeks News – I was sorry to lose another dear friend last week, Ethel Posey. She will be missed by so many people. Our neighbor, Jim Bracken, came down to visit with Dick Richards one evening last week. Julian Cavalier, another neighbor, has been here a couple of times.…
Sunday, March 20 was the Second Sunday in Lent and we continue to replace the morning prayer segment of our worship service with the chanting of The Litany or General Supplication for God’s mercy. Fr. Glen based his sermon on the Epistle for the day, 1st Thessalonians 4:1 “we beseech…
Sunday morning service was opened with prayer requests and prayer and praise along with welcoming everyone. Special song was done by Margaret Rosseau. Brother Roberts brought the morning message from Mark 16:15, “Share The Good News With Everybody Everywhere.” It was good to see Billie Taber and Cheryl Hopper back…
It is a windy March, fruit trees blooming and fear of freezing weather yet to come! Daffodils and forsythias are beautiful, and other flowering shrubs. Apricot and plum trees along with pear, aplle and peaches are in danger of freezing, yet so pretty now. Some early gardeners planted potatoes on…
Prayer requests were many as always. Among those were Mike DuBois and children, Roman and Robbie Sidykin, Joe Mason, Jerry Pitts’ aunt, Jerry and Scott Nall, the unsaved, leaders, troops and missionaries. Doyle Humbyrd prayed this prayer. Happy birthday was sung to Chloe Wilson. Brad Siler and Clay McFarlin received…
Hello folks. How many of you are suffering an allergy reaction from trying to enjoy the outdoors and the beautiful weather we have been having? Well, that would include me. My sinuses are giving me fits. Evidently the doctor’s offices are filled with like sufferers, because I couldn’t get an…
3-21-11. Well, I guess spring is here and I welcome it with open arms. It’s a huge relief. Now we’re going into the stormy weather. Daughter, Anita said she would meet us on Wednesday the 16th which was my birthday and buy my lunch. I was happy to see her…
We were blessed this last Lord’s Day with a visit and report from Dr. Paul Pritchert, who is one of our missionaries to Africa. Dr. Pritchert brought us a wonderful message from the sixth chapter of Galatians. The text centered around the text in Galatians 6: 9, 10; “Do Good…
Sunday, March 27 was the Third Sunday in Lent; we continue during Lent to replace the Morning Prayer section of the Sunday Service with the chanting of the Litany or General Supplication for God’s mercy. Fr. Glen based his sermon on the Gospel for the day, St. Luke 11:14, in…
There’s an old song called You Never Mentioned Him To Me. It talks about standing before the throne of judgment and hearing lost souls make that statement. Sounds like a wake-up call. Imagine hearing someone on the south-bound train to nowhere cry out these very words when they see their…
“And as ye would, that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise,” Luke 6:31. Sympathy to the families of Norma Frye and Nuel Thomas. Nuel was our milk hauler when I was growing up. Our family didn’t have a car, so when we needed to go…
Carl and Joan Fletcher of Bois D’arc stopped by for a visit with Billy Fletcher, Saturday. Jean Daugherty visited with Billy, Sunday afternoon. Janice Spicer and Claude Robertson visited with Tom and Jewell Johnson recently. Tom and Jewell Johnson are both in their nineties, stay in their own home, go…
We were truly blessed to have many of Chloe Wilson’s family with us. They came to help her celebrate her birthday. Chloe, I know you had a great day and were glad to have them with you. We were also glad they came. Many prayer requests were shared. Among those…
It looks as though we have taken a little back set; weather wise at least. We got a little bit of snow this week. We will be fortunate if we don’t get a larger amount of snow yet. Oh well, that’s what makes life exciting. Brother Jerry Huff gave the…
A good Tuesday morning to all our readers. How about that skiff of snow yesterday morning? I think we were blessed again as other places had more. Saturday night in Mansfield they had ice on porches and cars. Well, so much for the weather update. No news last week as…
We got a good rain over the weekend. We can always use a good rain. It is quite a bit cooler though. Spring isn’t here yet but we get to thinking it is. We also got hail. I think it was Saturday. Cody Richards brought Braxton by Saturday a while.…
Sunday morning service was opened with prayer requests, prayer, praise and welcome. Brother Roberts brought the message from Matthew 5:41, “Living The Second Mile.” Evening service was opened with congregational hymns and prayer. Sister Maxine Lund brought the message, the last in a series of four, from ll Corinthians 3:5-6,…
What a hailstorm we had Saturday morning and sleet mixed in! It beat pear and peach blossoms, which were in full bloom here. Richard Blackburns visited their son, Rick and family in Harrah, Oklahoma last week, from Wednesday to Sunday. His home was saved, but the town of Harrah was…
We begin with a note of praise this week from a former member of this community. Many of us have known Shirley (Copeland) Smith since childhood and she recently reported that she had not been able to reach her granddaughter in Japan. She has been teaching there and they were…
Joyce Inman The Finley River is up again as I write this weekly report, you can see that it is almost ready to cross the bridge. It sure did rain a lot around here. However, we are hopeful that it is a nice sign that spring is here. It was…
A good Tuesday morning to all our readers. We hope everyone had a good week. Saturday was a beautiful day in the afternoon. We hope no one was caught out in the rainstorm that we had on Sunday. We also had some pea size hail in some places. Well so…
“A wise man is strong, yea a man of knowledge increaseth strength, ” Proverbs 24:5. Monday morning I went to Gainesville nursing home to visit with Lee Roy Clayton and Roberta came later. I also saw Debbie Degase for a few minutes. In the afternoon Gary and I went to…
Well if I live two more days, I will have another birthday. And the weather is supposed to be nice for me. We plan to go to Muscatine that day and Walt will buy my lunch for my birthday. And I will get to see granddaughter Lisa and the other…
The time change may have been the main reason for the lower attendance at Red Bank Church this Sunday. I know that it had an effect on me. My husband got up Sunday morning and told me it was 7:00. I sleepily got out of bed and made my way…
If folks get too much “into spring” we might remind ourselves of the year 1988, when we had a 16” snow on April 15th, and we should remember “settled” weather doesn’t usually happen until after Easter time, and that is April 24th this year. It was nice to hear from…
The season of Lent began on Wednesday, March 9 with our Ash Wednesday service consisting of the Litany or General Supplication followed by the imposition of the ashes. The Litany is a service asking for God’s mercy which is chanted by the priest with responses by the congregation; chanting is…
Teenagers, especially young teens, will go to great lengths to be liked. Popularity is a must. It is important to be noticed and thought well of in whatever group teens move in. Adults carry some of this same need for approval with them, too. For instance, a neighbor some years…
Harold and Kay Hutchison visited with Tom and Jewell Johnson one day last week. Janice Keith also visited with them in the week. Billy Fletcher has had quite an experience. He had been out for supper with friends at Larkin’s last Tuesday evening. When he returned home and stepped out…
Brother Roberts brought the morning message from ll Kings 7:3-9, “Do We Care About Those Left Behind?” Sister Maxine Lund brought the evening message from Psalm 15:2-5. The second of a series of four dealing with Behavior, “The five things that influence our behavior are Speech, Thoughts, Attitudes, Beliefs, Values…
If you did not have a wonderful Lord’s Day this past Sunday you certainly missed a good chance. We enjoyed the beautiful day and had a joyful time in the Lord, “We wish you had been here to share it with us.” The morning message was from Ezekiel 22:20. God…
“A wise man is strong, yea a man of knowledge increaseth strength, ” Proverbs 24:5. Monday morning I went to Gainesville nursing home to visit with Lee Roy Clayton and Roberta came later. I also saw Debbie Degase for a few minutes. In the afternoon Gary and I went to…
On Tuesday, March 8, our church was much involved in the funeral of Dorothy Siler. She was truly a pillar in our church. She served as Church Clerk for 35 years; as deacon’s wife, she did many things to fulfill those duties; as Sunday School teacher for many years and…
3-7-11. Well we made it to March. I’m sure glad to see it here even though it is just a few more days until my birthday. Then I’ll be 39 again. We have sure had a bad winter, but that’s been all over. I don’t remember a time in my…
Good morning to everyone. It’s a cloudy, rainy, windy morning, but it is still a good morning since it is the beginning of another day that the Lord has given us to use for His glory. No matter what comes our way, there is always something we can do to…
A good Tuesday morning to all our readers. We hope everyone had a safe and good weekend. The weather is some what better, but still cold winds, that is strong at times. God has blessed us again as the storms and quakes are all around us and no real damage…
Last week was a busy one for me and Dick. We praise the Lord for the good rains and they finally graded our road. The Rome road was getting almost impossible to drive on in some spots. The flu bug and strep hit the Thompson house for over a week,…
Daylight Savings Time begins March 13, so get ready to turn clocks ahead an hour and St. Patrick’s Day is just ahead on the 17th. The “annual” concert of Green Valley Grass now Bob Hammons and Wildwood will be at Mammoth Church on Saturday night, March 12. The March Lilly…
“Finally brethren pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified even as it is with you,” II Thessalonians 3:1. My sympathy to the Ed Jackson family. A week ago Tuesday when I was at Ralph and Dana Brazeal’s home Dara, Howard and…
What? That’s how it starts. I Corinthians 6:19 begins with that single word. One can almost imagine how incredulous Paul is when he writes that in a letter he is sending to the church at Corinth. Don’t tell me, you’ve had a little brain lapse and forgot that your body…
Sam Frye visited with Tom and Jewell Johnson one evening last week. Sam talks by phone with his sisters, Lena Sears in Rockford, Illinois, Hester Ranick in Rochelle, and Maxine Levan in Bettendorf, Iowa. They are still doing pretty well. Sam had also talked with sister-in-law, Lois Pellham in Moses…
Morning service was opened with prayer requests, prayer, music and welcoming. Sister Tillie Fowler sang a beautiful song for a special. Brother Roberts brought the message from Luke 8:26-39, “Go And Tell.” Sister Maxine Lund brought the evening message, the first in a series of how we should live our…
The Lord has blessed us with some much needed rain, wonderfully mild weather and His beautiful good news of salvation. This Lord’s Day our morning message was taken from the fifth chapter of the gospel of Luke. We looked at the “Before And After” examples of men’s lives from the…
Sunday, March 6 was Quinquagesima, or the Sunday next before Lent, approximately 50 days before Easter. It is an ancient Christmas tradition to celebrate just before the beginning of the austercity of Lent resulting in such traditions as Mardi Gras (French for Fat Tuesday) in New Orleans and Carnival in…
Rosie Miller On this Transfiguration of Our Lord, March 6, we began with the Bible readings as follows: Exodus 24:12-18, Psalm 2 and the New Testament 2 Peter 1:16-21, Gospel: Matthew. Our lector was Laura Wittorff. Pastor Wayne Strohschein’s sermon today was based on the lesson from Matthew 17:1-9, there is an…
Joyce Inman We are ready for spring in this area of the world! I keep hearing folks say that the Farmer’s Almanac in calling for another bad spell at the end of the month. I sure hope they are wrong about that! I am sorry that we missed the event…
It was great to have our visitors; please come again. You are always welcome in our Lord’s house. We began with reading from Isaiah 2 followed by singing. We sang happy birthday to Rick Crum and Jim Harris. We sang happy anniversary to Judy Wilson. Prayer requests were given for…
“Let there be light.” It’s right there in Genesis 1:3. It’s the first mention of light. Light and the desire for it has held center stage on this earth for centuries. Man’s quest to obtain it and have it is just as meaningful today as it was in the early…
George and Donna Dale, Jean Daugherty, and Billy Fletcher drove to Lebanon for a visit with Ray and Janet Davis, Saturday. Carol Riggs, Doris Holman, Stanley Goodrich, and Billy Fletcher went to the home of Fred and Charlie Lindberg for Pizza, Sunday. Norma Stillings made her usual visits to the…
Hello everyone. We had a little bit of scary weather lately, but prayers were again answered and we were protected from it all. Anyway, it is a beautiful, warm, calm day today. We should be thankful and honor our God who provided it for us. I am not only thankful…
Dick and I stopped to see Helen Dobbins one day last week. It was one of those cold, rainy days. She is doing pretty good, like the rest of us, waiting for warmer weather. We stopped to see Peggy at the nursing home to see how she was, but Randy…
Here we are going into March, which we hope will be a good month, all 31 days! Though we are getting spring fever we will have to postpone some early planting until weather is settled and the ground is warmer. Daffodils, forsythia and early bulbs can take colder weather, and…
Church business elsewhere caused the pastor to be in services south of the border this last Lord’s Day (the Arkansas/Missouri borader that is), so Brother Ray Dobbs graciously came and brought a message from the story of the blind Bartimeus, at the end of the tenth chapter of Mark. Before…
“But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the son, but the Father, ” Mark 13:32. I received word Monday that my aunt, Roxie Marie Clayton Roberts in Kennewick, Washington died at the age of 94. She was my…
Sunday, February 27 was sexagesima (Latin for 60th) or approximately 60 days before Easter, second in the three “gesima” Sundays in the ancient church tradition of a pre-lenten season. Altar and vestment colors continue to be dark blue in keeping with the solemnity of the season. Fr. Glen based his…
Sunday morning service was opened with prayer requests and prayer. Brother Bill and Sister DeDe Arington and Brother Randy and Sister Venita Brummet led the praise songs and welcome service. Brother Roberts brought the morning message from Malachi 3:8-10, “Stewardship Of Our Money.” There were several people out with sickness…
The Finley River is almost over its bridge on Z Highway as I write this report. Sounds like several communities were hit hard by this early spring storm. We are thankful that we came through everything alright. Sunday we celebrated my husband’s birthday with cake after church. We were joined…
On this 8th Sunday after Epiphany we began with the Bible readings as follows: Isaiah 49:8-16a, Psalm 131, the New Testament: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Gospel: Matthew 6:24-34. Our lector was Jerry Johnson. Pastor Wayne Strohschein’s sermon today was based on the lesson from Matthew 6:24-34 where Jesus tells us, “Don’t worry.” It seems…
Anyone called to preach has a special burden and a special responsibility. Paul was set on such a path. Jesus, the caller, filled this man’s heart with the desire to bring the gospel to everyone who would hear him. That’s the responsibility part. The burden part is knowing that there…
-15-11. Happy Valentine’s Day – a day late. I didn’t go anywhere yesterday or do anything special. Walt and I exchanged cards and he gave me a little box of chocolates. I gave him a shirt, but it didn’t fit so I gave it to my son-in-law for his birthday…
Sunday morning service was opened with music, praise and welcome then prayer. Brother Waylon Souder did a beautiful job on the special song before the message. Brother Roberts brought the message from II Peter 3:9, “The Lord Is Not Slack Concerning His Promise.” Sunday evening service was opened with congregational…
Praise the Lord, didn’t He give us a most beautiful weekend. If we didn’t know it was still February we might have been convinced that spring had sprung. Our only regret this Lord’s Day was that some of you enjoyed the beautiful weather so much that you either stayed home…
(Last Week’s News) We had many visitors, family and friends of Pastor Neal, come to surprise him celebrating his 10th year as Pastor. He greeted them with “good morning, so glad you are here”. He was surely surprised so LeaAnn, Mom and Dad did a good job. Many prayer requests…
Freeda Holt, Larry Haden, and Bill Haden visited with Tom and Jewell Johnson last week. Of course they had family coming and going as well. Norma Stillings went to the Ladies Bible Study last Thursday morning at Bethany Baptist Church, she attended a Hospice Volunteer meeting that afternoon at the…
Sunday, February 20 was Septuagesima, Latin for seventy, meaning approximately 70 days before Easter, a pre-Lenten season of three Sundays before Lent, an ancient Christian tradition observed today only in Anglican churches. Altar and vestment colors are dark blue in keeping with the solemnity of the season. Fr. Glen based…
A good Tuesday morning to all our readers. We hope everyone had a great weekend. It is kind of on the cool side this morning. May be warmer as the day goes on. We send get-well wishes to all the sick, the ones in the hospitals and the nursing homes.…
Hello everyone. It’s a beautiful day out today. I took a walk to my mailbox and back to get a little exercise and some fresh air in my lungs. The air was a little brisk outside, but the sun was shining so I didn’t mind. I felt much better by…
We had another week of nice weather. February is almost gone and March will be here before we know it. Tony and Cody Richards were here over the weekend. Also Buddy Quessenberry of Seymour was with Tony. Buddy was a young boy when he came here and fished with Jack.…
We celebrate President’s Day on February 21, and spring begins just a month away on March 20 according to the calendar. Norine Loftis had her brothers and sisters dropping by and her children also as she celebrated a birthday this Tuesday, the 22nd of February. Karen K. Davis and I…
Happy Birthday to my husband, Junior. We will be celebrating his birthday this week and I wish him a special birthday wish. Sunday afternoon, I had the best time with friends after morning worship service. We ate at Grillo’s with daughter, Jeanette Evans; grandchildren, Nicholas and Sarah Inman; great granddaughter,…
On this 7th Sunday after Epiphany we began with the Bible readings as follows: Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18, Psalm 119:33-40 and the New Testament 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23, Gospel: Matthew 5: 38-48. Our lector was Donna Hamm. Pastor Wayne Strohschein’s sermon today was based on the lesson from Matthew 5:38-48. He focused on…
At last the snow is almost gone and the weather is so much warmer. It stayed so bitter cold so long. It is a while before spring. We know we will have more winter weather yet. Every day will bring us closer to spring. Sunday visitors were Tony Richards, Cody…
“What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:37. My sympathy to the families of Eddie Turner, Colleen McCoy, Betty Riley, Linlie Turner and Edwina Schrock. I wish for better health for my cousin, Lee Roy Clayton, who is in Mtn. Home, Arkansas hospital now and to…
Well, I stepped my foot outside the door today and, sure enough, I caught it. Yes, I think I have a bad case of Spring Fever. I found myself looking longingly at my garden spot and was having definite thoughts of where I could plant some spring flowers. I even…
A sure sign that spring is on its way is that robins are here and very busy in my yard and garden after, the grub worms. The ground hasn’t stayed frozen for long. Also the sun is rising to the north in the Eastern sky each morning instead of so…
Peter was to become the leader of the first century Christian church. At the beginning, though, he started life as a fisherman. When Jesus met him, he changed his name to Cephas (John 1:42), which means ‘rock’. Cephas is Aramaic. The Greek word for rock is Peter, hence the name…
Odie Kresse visited with Tom and Jewell Johnson last week. Norma Stillings went to Rocky Ridge in Mansfield and Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center last week to play the piano and visit with residents. Most residents prefer the old hymn and gospel songs that they heard when they were…
If you didn’t enjoy a beautiful Lord’s Day this last Sunday, you certainly missed an enormous opportunity, it was the next best thingsto spring. Our morning message was “Signs of Idolatry” from the text of II Kings 17:33. We explored several ways our modern society “worships” things, other than the…
Sunday, February 13 was the sixth Sunday after epiphany and marks the end of the epiphany season with its theme of the showing forth or manifestation of Jesus to the world. Fr. Glen based his sermon on the epistle for the day, I John 3:1, and the gospel for the…
Sunday morning service was opened with the little ones singing and praising God. Such a blessing, they are, letting us know how we should be excited in serving and praising God. We then had welcoming and praise which was led by Bill and DeDe Arrington. Several were mentioned for having…
A good Tuesday morning to all our readers. How about the weather yesterday? What a beautiful day in the Ozarks. It kind of gave me garden fever, not really just dreaming, but it would be nice to be able to do that again. No news last week as your reporter…
We read our devotional from Luke 3 followed by singing led by Stan Humbyrd with LeaAnn Crum at the piano. Doyle Humbyrd gave a tribute to Eddie Turner, whose funeral was on Saturday at Clinkingbeard’s chapel with Pastor Neal, Randy Dalton and Frances Humbyrd doing the service. He was buried…
God is love. It says so in I John 4:8. It doesn’t say ‘God loves’ as though it was a potion that He handed out. It’s a much stronger statement than that. It says God IS love. Is is an interesting word. Only two letters but it implies all kinds…
The weather forecasters say we have another snow storm headed our way today. It’s coming to us via Arkansas so this area may receive about three or four inches of what they describe as a white fluffy, dry snow. Well, at least it will be great for some more snow…
Last weeks news – There was a couple of good ballgames last week. One against Ava Victory Academy on Tuesday night and with Mark Twain Thursday night. We went to town Tuesday for lunch and did some shopping then stopped by the nursing home to visit with Peggy Jenkins and…
We still have a seat for you if you don’t have a church home and if you will come and be our guest we will try our best to make you feel at home. This last Lord’s Day our morning message was, “ A Fixed Heart,” from our text in…
A small but determined group of worshippers gathered at St. Francis on Sunday, Feb. 5 in spite of the snow and ice. I appreciate the Connell family for giving me a ride in their four-wheel drive since I would not have been able to go otherwise. Feb. 5 was the…
When the ice, sleet, and snow fell a week ago, Norma Stillings was happy to be safe inside, and stayed there until Friday. She is fortunate to have a son, Dan, and grandson, Alan, who are not afraid to go out on the ice. They were able to clear part…
Sunday morning services were changed due to the weather and only the second service was held. A few brave people ventured out to attend. Sunday evening was food, games and of course the Super Bowl Bash. We are sorry to hear of so many who are sick in our community…
There is a good supply of moisture now with snow and more snow! Nature’s prediction with “kernels the shape of spoons in last falls’ persimmon seeds” is being fulfilled whether it is fact or fiction! The snow covered trees are beautiful. What a fluffy snow! Snow ice cream isn’t near…
Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. Fate awaited Him there and He knew what He was going to. Yet, on his way there between Samaria and Galilee he stopped off long enough to heal ten lepers. The story is in Luke 17:11-19. Leprosy, which is called Hansen’s disease today,…
Toni VanDyne visited with Tom and Jewell Johnson last week. They have received lots of phone calls, visits, and help from friends and family members lately. Tom preached Sunday morning. Norma Stillings attended a meeting of CHART, last Thursday at the conference room at MOCH Clinic. Friday, she drove to…
Sunday morning message was brought from Proverbs 3:1-10, “Stewardship Is Lordship.” Sunday evening message was from Revelations 21:1-4, “Heaven, Land Of No Tears.” Tillie Fowler sang a beautiful special. There were several out with sickness this week. We pray for their quick and complete recovery. On Wednesday evening, the youth…
Our prayer chain went around on Friday for Lisa Mitchell. We are praying for Lisa and her family. Other prayer requests were for Brandon Murriel, Jeff Dalton, Joe Mason, Faye Humbyrd, Mary Lou Hodges, Larry Hampton, Carol Gott and Rick Crum’s brothers, Roger and Keith. Kevin Hodges prayed this prayer. …
January goes out this Monday and February is again bringing us unpleasant weather! On Wednesday Mr. Groundhog “may” come out of his hole in the ground and see his shadow, depending on what part of the country he is in, and in Pennsylvania “this” is a weather prediction. Kathy (Cowart)…
Our congregation was missing a very important member this past Lord’s Day, our Sunday school superintendent, Tom Bentley, went through a heart attack and is now recovering and getting his strength back. He seems to be doing very well. Please join us in thanking the Lord for his swift and…
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time,” I Peter 5:6. My sympathy to the Loraine Bradshaw family. Wednesday evening Tom Bentley had a heart attack. Phyllis and Travis got him in the car and drove to Ava St. John’s Clinic…
Sunday, January 30 was the fourth Sunday after epiphany. Fr. Glen based his sermon on the gospel for the day, St. Matthew 8:1 in which Jesus heals the servant of a Roman soldier, a centurion who has come to Jesus for help. This passage continues the theme of the epiphany…
1-18-11. I guess I’ve worn out the words I just can’t keep up with the time. It just rolls along so fast. It makes me feel like the horse who says I’ve fallen and can’t get up. Well, the temperature got up in the thirties and we got snow and…
For over four thousand years, Jewish and then Christian scribes have gone to great lengths to accurately copy the manuscripts that have become the Scriptures contained in the Bible. They have been so precise that when the Jews were separated and spread throughout the Middle East and Europe over a…
We have just started planning to have a friend day, on the thirteenth of February and we really would like for you to come and bring a friend. I will try to give you more details in next weeks “Church News.” Our morning message, was taken from Galatians 5:16, the…
Sunday, January 23 was the third Sunday after epiphany; altar and vestment colors continue to be green and our hymns are the beautiful epiphany hymns, which are always sung during this season. In the Anglican tradition all elements of the service – music, vestments, scripture readings – are integrated and…
Sunday morning service began with some instrumental music. We had prayer requests and prayer then welcoming and greeting everyone. Brother Cody Prock read a scripture then Brother Roberts brought the message from Matthew 9:27-30, “Expecting the Best In Life.” Sunday evening service was our monthly singing and we enjoyed several…
A good frosty Tuesday morning to all our readers. We hope everyone had a safe and happy weekend. The weather was some what better then early in the week. The snow is almost gone here at this time. Jerry and his helpers did a great job clearing the sidewalks on…
Claude Robertson visited with Tom and Jewell Johnson last week. Tom and Jewell have family members coming in giving them all kinds of help. Norma Stillings had a colonoscopy in Springfield last Wednesday. That meant that all day Tuesday was spent getting ready for the procedure and all day Thursday…
Plainview School got in one evening of basketball games this week on Tuesday night. They will be making up the Thursday evening games later. They won all their games. The snow came in Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Dick got ready to take DeAnn Thompson in to work Thursday morning,…
Last fall when cutting open some persimmon seed, and finding kernels in the shape of a spoon, we were thinking of the prediction (or myth), that we would have a lot of snow this winter. The melting snow will provide moisture, which is needed, as there hasn’t been enough rain…
Several from church attended the funeral of Sister Marie Long on Wednesday at Clinkingbeard’s Funeral Home. Our prayers are with George, Pat and Keith. We know what a vacancy is there when we lose our Mothers even when we know she is with Jesus. Our devotional reading was from Hebrews…
Greetings to everyone. It’s a little chilly outside today, but the weatherman says a warm up is on its way soon. We hope for the warmer days. Hope is what keeps one going and striving for better days ahead. God gave hope of better days to come to those who…
This has been a emotional week for Webster County as we have all mourned the loss of Sgt. 1st Class Robert Wayne Pharris. Sgt. Pharris is the first Webster County casualty of this war that I am aware of and he was a resident of the south side of this…
1-10-11. We are into 2011. It’s already going fast. I appreciate the Douglas County Herald for the nice article they put in there for me being the correspondent of the week. It made me feel good. I graduated from Ava High School and still think of Ava as being my…
“For if a man think himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself,” Galatians 6:3. I got my last Christmas card Monday the 3rd. The card was mailed December 21st from Summit, Mississippi. I guess it takes longer for mail to get from Mississippi. Friday afternoon the…
Why do bad things happen to good people? A question many have tried to answer. In fact, a book was published with that title some years back. ‘Why?’ ‘Why me?’, ‘How could this happen?’; searching for answers to life’s difficulties usually begins with a why or a how. The end…
We have a small Women’s Prayer Group, which meets each Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m. and we would be pleased as punch if more ladies would come and turn it into a Large Women’s Prayer Group, all are welcome. This Lord’s Day we took our text and our message from…
Sunday, January 16 was the second Sunday after epiphany. Fr. Glen based his sermon on the gospel reading for the day, the first chapter of St. Mark, which relates the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. Fr. Glen explained that the gospel readings for epiphany concentrates on the theme…
Several prayer requests were given for sick. Among those were Marie Long, Zella Menzies, Joe Mason, Lonnie Combs, Weldon Sanders, lost people, hurting people, our nation, leaders and military. Danny Johnson prayed this prayer. Happy birthday was sung to Jerry Pitts. We are glad to have Jerry and Debbie with…
Albert and Doris Elliot and Freeda Holt visited with Tom and Jewell Johnson last week. Jewell said that the “kids” are always coming in. Tom attended church with them, Sunday. Sam said that he did not have any news to report. He has been eating at the Senior Citizens now…
Sunday Morning service was opened with prayer requests followed by prayer then songs of praise and welcoming everyone. Brother Cody Prock read a scripture from Psalm 65:9-11. Brother Roberts brought the morning message from I Samuel 17:3-11, “Facing Your Giants.” Brother Cody brought the evening message from Acts 17:1-7, “May…
A good Tuesday morning to all our readers. We hope everyone had a great weekend. The sun is slow on coming up this morning and it looks kind of dreary here to say the least. It looks like good weather for ducks. We want to send get-well wishes to all…
Last weeks news – While Dick and I were in town last week, we rain into Randy Jenkins and Susan. We visited with them while having lunch. They had returned from Nebraska Sunday evening. Susan has folks out there. After that we all visited with Peggy in the nursing home.…
This January weather is no respecter of persons. It has been a rude awakening for anyone who wasn’t prepared for the cold blast! Wednesday night service was called off at Lilly Ridge Church because of the cold temperatures. Anna Larson enjoyed a weeks visit from her daughter, Diana Woodward, of…
It looks like Old Man Winter is about to take center stage again. Everyone around here is getting more firewood ready for another round of cold weather. Four or five degrees above zero are not exactly the heat wave temperatures that we’ve been dreaming of lately. Well, like I told…
Our prayer chain was called this week for Veronica and Miracle. As we came together on our Lord’s Day, we read our devotional from Exodus 15. Many prayer requests were shared for sick and hurting people, lost loved ones, our nation, troops and leaders. LeaAnn Crum prayed this prayer. Happy…
Is it possible that the first half of January is almost past? It seems as if the holidays were just yesterday. Yes, time passes fast and we should make everyday count by serving the one that gives us each and every day. The Lord our God has given us life,…
Sunday was a beautiful Lord’s Day at Oak Grove. Our morning message was “The Providence of God” taken from the book of Esther for our text. Our evening message was from Luke 5:26 in regard to the many, “Strange Things” spoken of in the Bible, how we are to understand…
Sunday, January 9 was the first Sunday after epiphany; altar and vestment colors are green, the color of growth and new life. The word epiphany is from the Greeks for manifestation and commemorates the manifestation or showing forth of the Christ child to the world as represented by the Magi,…
It’s important to make a living. Anyone trying to carve a place first concentrates on food and clothing. The challenge to have both is attacked with sincerity. But, it says in Matthew 6:25-32 not to worry about food or clothing. God takes care of those things. After all, isn’t He…
A good snow and cold Tuesday morning to all our readers. We hope everyone had a safe and good weekend. We send get-well wishes to all the sick, the ones in the hospitals and the nursing homes. Our sympathy to all who have lost loved ones. May God bless you…
Morning service was opened with the little ones doing a praise song for the congregation. They did an awesome job, thanks to their leaders. We had a beautiful special about all of the wagon tracks being gone from around the church. Brother Roberts brought the morning message from Matthew 26:…
R.E. Helsley of Mansfield and Gary Emrick of Ava visited with Tom and Jewell Johnson last week. The family comes in all the time and are very good to help Tom and Jewell with everything from providing good food to taking them to doctor visits. Their son, Lowell Johnson, is…
Several prayer concerns were shared. Among those were Weldon, Joe, Veronica, Lonnie, Carol, Bonita tornado victims, Eddie, Melissa’s grandpa, Marie Long and the names in our book on the altar. Doyle Humbyrd prayed this prayer. We sang happy birthday to Melissa Dalton. Brad Siler and Aaron Dalton received our Lord’s…
1-3-11. Well, we’ll never see 2010 anymore, will we? I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas, a happy new year and a good 2011 all year long. My family did our Christmas early this year due to all their work schedules so that was good that we all got together…
Friday, on New Year’s Eve morning, we were still in bed when our neighbor called to make sure that we were aware of the tornado warning that was for our immediate area. Of course, we knew nothing of what was going on. That was one rude awakening that was most…
We enjoyed a crisp, Lord’s Day at Oak Grove this 2nd day of the New Year. Our morning message was “Grass and Grain” from the parable in the 13th chapter of Matthew, about the “tares in the wheat.” The point being that we are not to engage in pulling tares,…
Sunday, January 2 was the second Sunday after Christmas Day. After a Sunday of red for St. Stephen’s Day, altar cloths and vestments are white for Christmas. Fr. Glen based his sermon on the reading for the epistle, Isaiah 61, in which the prophet tells the Hebrews that God has…
Billy Fletcher went out to the home of Charlie Lindberg on New Year’s Day. Billy’s brother, Donald Fletcher, of Fair Grove visited with him, Monday. Tom Stillings and Joyce Greenwood of Ozark, Harlan and Cathy Lupton of Billings, Cliff and Debra Bohnstedt of Springfield and Stanley Stillings of Squires had…
Sunday morning service was opened with prayer requests, prayer and welcoming while singing praise songs. Brother Roberts brought the morning message from Revelation 3:14-22, “Spiritual Reality Check.” Evening service was presented by Brother Roberts as a devotion of encouragement for living a better Christian life in 2011. Bob and Nora…
It’s simple. Motivation is everything. It says in Luke 6:45 that a good man has a good heart and a bad (evil) man has a bad heart. Good people do good things and bad people do bad things. Let’s refine it a little more. In Colossians 3: 24-25 there will…
A good Tuesday morning to all our readers. We hope everyone had a great weekend. We send get-well wishes to all the sick, the ones in the hospitals and the nursing homes. Our sympathy to all who have lost a loved one. May God bless you in your time of…
We got some rain out of the two storms that come our way. We are so lucky not to get a tornado like some got. Some things cannot be replaced such as pictures and many keepsakes. Charlie Hampton and Tony Richards came by for a short visit Sunday. They went…
“But by the grace of God I am what I am and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain, but I laboured more abundantly than they all, yet not I but the grace of God which was with me, “ I Corinthians 15:10. Ted and Linda…
12-27-10 – Happy birthday to my daughter, Anita, today and many, many more to come. If she keeps on she going to catch up with me. The kids came out here on Saturday the 18th to have our family get together. It was so good to have them all here…
Last Weeks News – Another Christmas time has come and gone and wintertime weather has moved in. No falling weather hindered traffic here, though many states in the east were snow bound. The west has mudslides, which destroyed homes and roads. We were fortunate. As Paralee Rea had acquired a…
We trust that you had a blessed Lord’s Day. We certainly did, and just to bring you up to date, we also had a great midweek time in the Lord when we went Christmas caroling Wednesday afternoon and evening. The morning message this Sunday morning was taken from Judges 17,…
Sunday, December 26 was the first Sunday after Christmas and is also the feast of Saint Stephen. The church was ablaze with the color red with poinsettias around the altar and red vestments and altar linens in honor of the martyr Stephen; red is used on the feasts of martyrs.…
New Year’s Eve is this Friday. Consider this your invitation to join us for our New Year’s Watch, which starts at 10 p.m. Friday and will go until…until it’s over. Some of the ‘oldies but goodies’ don’t think they can stay awake that long. So, napping is okay. There are…
If you were dreaming of a white Christmas, your dream came true; barely. It was a nice treat to look outside and see the white stuff, beautifully, coming down on Christmas morning. Our family had a wonderful Christmas Day together. How about you? There was no gift exchange, but we…
A good Tuesday morning to all our readers. Another holiday has passed and the next one is to come then a new year will be here. We hope everyone had a safe and good weekend. The weather was somewhat warmer and the wind not so strong, but still cold. We…
Sunday morning service opened with welcoming a new addition to our church family, Little Mister Aaron Michael Hampton, He is such a beautiful (handsome) little fellow. Congratulations Mike and Regina. Prayer requests were given then prayer. Special song was wonderfully done by Sister Joyce Erickson. The morning message was brought…
“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in day of Herod the king, behold there came wise men from the east of Jerusalem saying, where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and are come to worship…
Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center invited the families of all their residents to join their loved ones to have lunch last week. I sat with Peggy Jenkins, my sister-in-law, and two of her children and their spouses, Oliver Lee and Liz and Randy and Sue. The food was great…
Last Weeks News – We stood to read our devotional from John 4 as we began our Sunday school. Prayer requests were given. Among those were Joe Mason, Donna Dale, Tammy Call, our soldiers away from home this Christmas and the names in our book on the altar. Peggy Miller…
Dan Stillings sang a special song Sunday morning and the Jubilee Singers sang one in the evening. Pastor Bob Sorensen brought a message from the book of Jeremiah 18:1-6, “Broken in the Potter’s Hands” Jeremiah lived in the days when Judah had become so caught up in idolatry, corruption, moral…
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Ghost,” Matthew 1:18. My condolences to Kindrick and Mary Leschinsky and Ben Horton children. Michelle, you will be sadly…
A good Tuesday morning to all our readers. We hope everyone had a safe and warm weekend as the wind was strong and cold. I didn’t get to go to church as the truck would not start and it was too cold to walk. We want to give a special…
A good Tuesday morning to all our readers. We hope everyone had a safe and happy weekend and the weather is somewhat warmer. The wind is not as gusty as the weekend before. We send get-well wishes to the sick, the ones in the hospitals and the nursing homes. Our…
Not a lot has been going on the past couple of weeks. Last week Dick Richards met his cousins, Randy and Max Utchman in Fordland, MO. They all went to see Chester Utchman in the Mt. Vernon hospital. He has been there for some time. After leaving there they drove…
Christmas 2010 will be history by this time next week and every one can get back into their routine. Christmas time is a wonderful time of the year. If we will remember Christ made it possible for us to have the best gift every given, that is everlasting life through…
Sunday service was opened with prayer, praise and welcoming. The special song was done by Bill and DeDe Arington and Candy Lane. Morning message was brought by Brother Roberts from Luke 2:18-24, “Where is the line to see Jesus? The true gift of Christmas is Christ. Keep Christ in Christmas.”…
Sunday, December 26 was the first Sunday after Christmas and is also the feast of Saint Stephen. The church was ablaze with the color red with poinsettias around the altar and red vestments and altar linens in honor of the martyr Stephen; red is used on the feasts of martyrs.…
From all of us to all of you, Merry Christmas. Our morning message was taken from the second chapter of Luke with an emphasis on the “confirmation” of all the prophecies related to the birth of Jesus. We enjoyed a wonderful time in the Lord this Sunday with our morning…
Sunday, December 26 was the first Sunday after Christmas and is also the feast of Saint Stephen. The church was ablaze with the color red with poinsettias around the altar and red vestments and altar linens in honor of the martyr Stephen; red is used on the feasts of martyrs.…
Donald Fletcher of Fair Grove visited with his brother, Billy Fletcher, Saturday morning before the funeral service of their Uncle Howard McGill. Billy Fletcher and Carol Riggs attended the Nimble Fingers Quilting Club’s Christmas Party at the Squires Community Center, Saturday evening. Billy’s Aunt Jean Daugherty visited with him, Sunday.…
After 61 years of worshipping in our sanctuary with 3rd, 4th and 5th generations of families coming together, we moved into our new sanctuary on Sunday morning, December 12th, and the spirit of the Lord came with us. We are not finished yet, but we needed our old sanctuary as…
Lowell Johnson is still staying with his parents, Tom and Jewell Johnson, to help out for a time. Tom and Jewell have had lots of phone calls and visits. Lenora Burton, Gary Streight, Paul Welch, Raymond and Naida Haden, and Nora Mae Edwards all have visited in the last week.…
Saturday night and Sunday cold wind chilled the December shopping, and church attendance also, as it was hard to wrap up enough to keep warm. Roger and Lanell Long and Rhonda Newton made a trip to Georgia in November and visited Rhonda’s cousin, Renee (Lewis) Melton. They went on to…
This Lord’s Day was a windy, winter day, but the warmth of Christian fellowship made it a wonderful day in the Lord. Our morning message came from Luke 1:26-38 and our focus was on the “Preparations” that were made for the coming of the Lord. We make extensive and elaborate…
I wonder how many people have a welcome mat that says “Merry Christmas!” I know I don’t. I think my New Year’s Resolution will be to get a “Merry Christmas” mat. I found it as a suggestion in a little book called, “101 Ways to Have a Christian Christmas”. Sometimes…
Last Weeks News – Sunday morning service was opened with congregational singing of Christmas carols. Brother Roberts brought the message from Matthew 1:18-25, “Problems and Promises of Christmas.” Tillie Fowler did a beautiful job of singing a special. At 11:00 A.M., the children between 3-10 years of age, gave a…
Erna Marie was her name. She was a playmate from childhood. Somewhere in the early years, she began to get sick. A lot of times she could only sit. There was no energy in her for anything else. But, she was always pleasant, and it was just nice to sit…
Christmas is almost here, but I feel like I have experienced the joy of remembering the Birth of our Savior several times lately. My husband and I attended the Christmas concert benefit for the Pregnancy Options Clinic on Saturday afternoon at the First Southern Baptist Church of Ava. The Christmas…
Well, we finally fired up the wood furnace this week to counter act the blast of very cold, wind driven air that came our way. It felt good too. There’s nothing like wood heat to warm a house. We don’t use it all the time, but we certainly can tell…
Sunday, December 12 was the third Sunday in advent, known also in the Anglican tradition as Rose Sunday as the altar and vestment colors are rose symbolizing a lightening of the advent penitence as well as the new life we look forward to in Christ. The third candle on the…
We really would have liked for you to have been in our morning worship service this past Lord’s day. Our message was drawn from Matthew 20:20-22 with the emphasis on our personal responsibility to hear God’s word and submit to His will in our lives. After morning worship we adjourned…
On Monday, December 6, Pastor Neal and Rick Crum along with Jerry Pitts and a friend traveled to Jackson, Missouri to get the pews for our new sanctuary. The carpet is all laid so now we lack doors and trim. Van Menzies and Danny Johnson have been working on the…
Christmas is in the air. One can feel it, see it, and hear it everywhere one goes through the crispness of the air, the beautiful Christmas decorations hanging in window fronts, in yard trees and elsewhere, and the sounds of Christmas carols resonating over the airways and in big department…
11-29-10. I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. I know I did, twice. We went to my daughter, Anita and her husband, Carl’s for dinner on Thursday. I really enjoyed visiting with them again. Grandson, Jared, was there and Lisa came later on. Carl’s brother was there as well. We…
Billy Fletcher visited his uncle, Howard McGill, at the Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center, Friday, to help celebrate Howard’s 98th birthday. Howard passed away Monday morning just three days after his birthday. Carl and Joan Fletcher of Bois D’arc visited with Billy Fletcher on the way to the farm,…
John and Peter were fishermen. It says in Acts 4:13 they were unlearned and ignorant. Because of this, the Sanhedrin were mystified about how they could perform a miracle. A man, born crippled, was now able to walk. This miracle was no easy task. It was well known that the…
A good frosty Tuesday morning to all our readers. We hope everyone had a happy and safe weekend. We send get-well wishes to all the sick, the ones in the hospitals and the nursing homes. May you be up and about real soon. Our sympathy to all who have lost…
“And Jacob begat Joseph, the husband of Mary of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ,” Matthew 1:16. Last weekend Kurt, Sonya and Clara Jaques were visiting Sonya’s parents, Edgar and Sharon Stewart. Eddie and Linda Sears visited Eddie’s mother and his side of families last weekend. Wednesday Gary…
The cold wind really moved in last week and is causing us to “bundle up” when going outside, getting used to winter time. Here’s to “better” U.S. Postal Service deliveries! Hopefully, I won’t get more mail damaged as I received the past week, an envelope shredded with a card or…
John and Peter were fishermen. It says in Acts 4:13 they were unlearned and ignorant. Because of this, the Sanhedrin were mystified about how they could perform a miracle. A man, born crippled, was now able to walk. This miracle was no easy task. It was well known that the…
A good Tuesday morning to all our readers. We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday and I bet the turkey wasn’t the only one who got stuffed. We send get-well wishes to all the sick, the ones in the hospitals, and the nursing homes. We hope your road to…
Georgia Sanders hosted a Thanksgiving noontime meal in the Jenkin’s building in Goodhope Thursday. Those attending were Norma Cross, Randy Jenkins and Sue and Peggy Jenkins; Scott and Missy and Megan Richards from Cape Girardeau, MO.; Gerride and Kate Reeves; Josh and Luke from Cape Girardeau; Ron and Shelia Sanders…
Sunday morning service was opened with instrumentals by Randy and Venita Brummet, Linda Stillings and Margaret Rosseau. The congregation then sang a hymn then three new converts were baptized. Tillie Fowler sang a beautiful song for a special. Brother Roberts brought the morning message from Matthew 22:34-40, “Making the Best…
There was a chill in the air Sunday, but plenty of sunshine. December comes in on Wednesday. Our White River Valley Electric Co-op gives us suggestions for saving energy costs and they are appreciated when power outages come to get power back quickly. Paralee Rea and Lunetta Murrill went to…
“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering for he is faithful that promised, “ Hebrews 10:23. Paul and Honie Johnson visited us this week. Rainy Thanksgiving Day, Gary and I went to Rayford and Freda Clayton’s at Longrun. We got back before the little snow and…
Last Weeks News – Several prayer requests were shared as we came together on our Lord’s Day. Happy birthday was sung to Makinna Humbyrd, who will be 5 years old on Thanksgiving Day. Testimonies were shared. Pastor Neal prayed and read from II Peter, II Timothy and Hebrews 10. He…
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…
Praise God, isn’t He good to us? We trust you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends, food and fond memories. We did and there was so much to be thankful for. This Sunday our morning message was about “Success”, how we see it and how God sees it.…
Sunday, December 12 was the third Sunday in advent, known also in the Anglican tradition as Rose Sunday as the altar and vestment colors are rose symbolizing a lightening of the advent penitence as well as the new life we look forward to in Christ. The third candle on the…
11-22-10. What? Well as usual I can hardly believe this month is about over then it’s the big Christmas month, our dear Lord Jesus’ birthday and all the hectic shopping up to the last minute, but not me. I don’t think I have to do any shopping, I hope, unless…
Larry Johnson, his son, Kent Johnson, and grandson, Kodie Johnson, had lunch with Tom and Jewell Johnson one day last week. Bob and Janice Keith visited with Tom and Jewell, Saturday evening. Tom and Jewell had Thanksgiving Dinner with Kent and Kim Johnson’s family, Thursday and then another big dinner…
Last Weeks News – Kailey and Kinsey Thompson had to miss school last week due to a bug going around and I came down with it a couple of days. Dick and Pauline Richards went to Plainview School Thursday to watch the students sing several songs to honor Veteran’s Day.…
This Thursday most folks will enjoy family and friends, giving thanks to our forefathers who made America, our land, not forgetting our supreme sacrifice for Thanksgiving. A belated anniversary wish to Harold and Velma Strain. Harold shared his good turnip crop with many folks at Tuesday night music party and…
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. As I write, I am looking forward to having many of our family members share a Thanksgiving meal with my husband and I. We enjoyed sharing a special, Thanksgiving meal with our church family at Red Bank last Sunday afternoon. The food was so delicious that…
You really should have been there! We enjoyed a wonderful Lord’s day of praise and worship with our message from Psalm 18, “I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” Following the morning service we had communion and…
11-15-10. I hope everyone is doing okay. I know everyone isn’t but that’s a bit of wishful thinking. It was cold and rainy over the weekend. It was in the twenties last night, but has stopped raining. It went back up to 48 degrees this morning. The rainy cold weather…
A good Monday morning to all our readers. We hope everyone had a great weekend. We send get-well wishes to all the sick, the ones in the hospitals and the nursing homes. May you be up and about real soon. May God bless you in your time of sorrow. Our…
Last Weeks News – Sunday morning we woke up to a heavy frost then headed to church where the service was opened with prayer requests then prayer and praise while welcoming everyone. The morning special was beautifully done by Venita Brummet, accompanied by her husband, Randy Brummet. Brother Roberts brought…
“O give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the people,” Psalm 105:1. Gary and I visited his mother, Maxine Turner and David Wednesday in Ava. Gary visited Rayford and Freda Clayton. Gary has been killing a lot of armadillos around their place at…
There is a story about a new pastor. He had accepted a pastorate in Houston, Texas. After being there for a while, he had an occasion to ride the bus downtown. Getting on the bus, he paid the fare and got his change. When he got back to his seat,…
Sam Frye has been keeping up with his sisters and kids in Illinois and Texas by phone and they are doing about the same. Sam was planning a trip to Texas to visit his daughters and their families there. He’s been going to church and other community events. Sam said…
The Midianites were dessert warriors who raided the Israelites at harvest time. Riding camels they would swoop into the northern farm country and take whatever they could. It says in Judges that their numbers were like the locusts. The farmers had little protection and the sight of the raiders on…
11-8-10. So far, so good. We haven’t had any real bad weather yet, just down in the twenties a few times at night, but still decent during the day, but we know it can’t last much longer. At least the longer it waits to turn bad the less time we…
We had a crisp Sunday morning this weekend, but our ladies put together a wonderful lunch after morning worship services before having a first practice session for the annual Christmas program. Our Women’s Prayer group will meet at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday the 17th, everyone is welcome. Our morning message…
Prayer concerns shared were for our nation, leaders, troops, lost loved ones, Scott Nall, who is going to Saudi Arabia for a year, Janet Dalton and others. Patty Siler prayed this prayer. Billy Hodges thanked the church for our prayers this week as he had tests, a procedure and a…
Sunday, November 14 was the twenty-fourth Sunday after trinity. It was also the annual Harvest Festival at which time we collect items for the Food Harvest of the Ozarks and a good number of items were brought to the church as donations. As always the altar guild under the leadership…
The stop signs have been changed in our neighborhood in order to slow traffic coming off of Highway 5. This has not slowed traffic coming up and down 13th Street, but it should make it safer for children and the elderly who walk on or near 4th and 9th avenues.…
A good Tuesday morning to all our readers. We hope everyone had a great weekend. I had a lot of frost on the pumpkin Sunday morning in the bottom at the farm. I’m sure it was nice and crisp for the deer hunters, but still no rain in sight. On…
“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save, neither his ear heavy that it cannot hear, “ Isaiah 59:1. I am thankful for veterans like my grandpa, Louin Fry, who served in World War I in France; my uncle, Virgil Fry, who served in the Korean War;…
Hello to everyone again. Are you ready for the Thanksgiving holiday? I finally bought my turkey and a few other fixens, as they say. By the time we attend all the Thanksgiving meals we’re invited to, we will probably feel like stuffed turkeys. I guess that’s why turkey doesn’t get…
We were thankful for our visitors as we began our services. Some were absent due to the bug going around. Prayer concerns were for Harold Menzies, Sonya Hodges, Rick Crum, the family of Bob Gerdes, Randy Dalton in revival this week in Moberly, Missouri, our nation, leaders and troops. Brad…
“Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and bless the Lord,” Psalms 134:2. Last month on the fourth Sunday afternoon they had a singing at Oak Grove Church. It was another good one and on the 31st the church had an afternoon hayride and later a weenie roast. November had…
Pete and Anna Goos of Lees’ Summit, Missouri and their granddaughter, Juhi Goos, of Marlboro, New Jersey visited in the home of Norma Stillings, her son, Dan Stillings, and grandson, Alan, last Wednesday morning. Juhi visited with some of her cousins on the Goos side of the family in the…
The rain passed us by last week. It will get here sometime. I am sure as it always has. Visiting me today was my sister-in-law, Betty Bricker. She has been making pear butter with the pears that John brought from Texas. Tony Richards and Charlie Hampton also was here for…
It is still dry and dusty with no rain showers yet, at this writing. We gained our “lost hour” of sleep Sunday morning. Some folks forgot to turn back their clocks and made it in time for Sunday school, one of them being Lanell Long. You are encouraged to do…
Revival is in the air. I’ve noticed several churches announcing that their church and community is planning special fall revivals. The “Old-Fashioned Camp Meeting and Revival,” made up of churches in this community, is in full swing. Each meeting we have been able to attend was phenomenal. God’s Word is…
We got our clocks set back an hour and had a wonderful, although a little chilly Sunday morning. We looked at the comparison between the state of the wicked and the righteous in Psalm 37 in our morning service, along with the admonition in Hebrews 4:13 which reminds us that…
In II Chronicles 20:7 Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, refers to Abraham in a prayer as a friend of God. Now this is worth noticing. Even Josephus, the famed historian, had great reverence for Jehoshaphat and said that he ‘imitated’ David. Here, in this prayer, he is calling on God and…
1-1-10. It is another new month. We’ve been having fall weather lately. Two weeks ago the temperature got up to 89 degrees then the week after it got down in the twenties one night. We’ve got two big frosts and some less than that. We brought the hanging pots of…
Morning service was opened with prayer, Praise and welcoming everyone. Brother Roberts brought the morning message from Psalm 90: 1-2-4-10-12, “Family Time.” Miley Elizabeth Hamby was dedicated after the message. After the dedication, Bill and DeDe Arington and Candy Lane sang a beautiful song about babies. It was good to…
Sunday, November 7 was the twenty-third Sunday after Trinity. Fr. Glen based his sermon on the gospel for the day, St. Matthew 22:15. In this passage the Pharisees – the Jewish religious authorities ganged up with the Herodians – the ruling dynasty appointed by the Romans – and try to…
A good Monday morning to all our readers. We hope everyone had a good weekend. The afternoons was nice for outside playing or yard work or whatever needed to be done. We send get well wishes to all the sick, the ones in the hospitals and the nursing homes. May…
Another week has passed with no rain. Maybe this week we will get some rain. The weatherman is giving rain for this week. It is getting awful dry. Tony and I spent Friday in Springfield. It was time for my doctor’s appointment. It wasn’t too good. He said I was…
The forecast was wrong again. It rained! We asked, believing, and our prayers were answered. Praise the Lord for his faithfulness to answer the prayers of his children. The weather forecasters seemed puzzled at the fact that this area received a good, soaking rain. The winter season is at hand. …
October’s bright blue skies were enjoyed but the dry dusty earth had to be “dealt” with and caused sinus problems since we didn’t get rain showers. Belated October birthdays to Loretta Davidson and Natalie Pleasant. Natalie killed her deer in bow season. Phyllis and Alva Hollingsworth had her brother, Melvin…
Last Weeks News – We enjoyed a glorious Lord’s Day at Oak Grove, the only thing that would have made it better is if you had been there with us. The message from the Lord was taken from Titus, the whole book – don’t panic, it’s a short book. The…
Sunday, October 31 was the twenty-second Sunday after Trinity as well as the eve of All Saints Day. Fr. Glen based his sermon on the gospel reading for the day, St. Matthew 18:21, in which Peter asks Jesus, “Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me and I forgive…
Nebuchadnezzar was an empire builder. He was really, really good at it, too. At one time, his vast empire covered most of the Middle East. Not bad for one who was little more than a teenager when he began his reign in 605 B.C. References show that he was a…
10-25-10. Good morning, what a beautiful fall day we have here. It won’t last long, but we’re thankful for it while it’s here. Friday night and Saturday we got five inches of rain. We needed it this time though. It had been a little while since we got any and…
Several prayer concerns were shared as we began our service. Among those were Warren, the Brown Family, Zella and our lost loved ones. We read Psalms 3 as our devotion. Jim Harris prayed the offertory prayer as he and Brad Siler received our Lord’s tithes and offerings. Doyle Humbyrd, our…
The frost hit the last of the tomatoes, zucchini, and green bean plants and brought an end to the summer garden at Norma Stillings’s home in the Rainbow Ridge neighborhood. The only things that are left are some lettuce and onions. Norma had time to dig up some ferns Wednesday…
A good, damp Tuesday morning to all our readers. We hope everyone had a safe and good weekend. We appreciate everyone who helped to make Saturday night a huge success. We had about 132 spooks that visited our activity room plus the adults that came with the children. We had…
Sunday morning service was opened with the little ones singing a praise song. They do a very fine job and the teachers do an awesome job with them. We had prayer and then praise and welcome time. Tillie Fowler and Venita Brummet did a beautiful job singing a special. Brother…
Did any of you hear that storm hit around 2:00 a.m. this morning? The wind was huffing and puffing like it could be a tornado. Then all of a sudden everything fell silent. I thought, “Uh oh, we’re in for it now!” But, nothing happened, except that it began to…
A good, damp Tuesday morning to all our readers. We hope everyone had a great and safe weekend. The weekend was great for a picnic or cookout. We send get-well wishes to all the sick, the ones in the hospital and the nursing homes. Our sympathy to all who have…
We still haven’t got any rain so far. It will start before long. We will wish it would stop probably. I certainly can say we have had beautiful fall weather. The trees are so pretty with their different colors. The leaves are gone off the trees most of the time…
How dry and dusty it has been up to now. Being the last week in October perhaps we will be seeing a change of weather before November. Won’t everyone be glad to get elections over this coming week? Also we turn our clocks back for Sunday morning, Nov. 7 and…
“Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee O Lord thou art great and thy name is great in might,” Jeremiah 10:6. Gary and I visited with Gary’s mother, Maxine Turner and David on Monday. While we were there Gary’s sister, Vicki Goodman, came. Vicki had just come from Rubie…
Many of you may remember the old cartoon where the little boy is playing and all of a sudden the little devil with the pitchfork appears on the little boy’s shoulder. The little devil whispers in his ear and tells the kid to do something mean. Then all of a…
10-15-10. Again I will try to write this. I wrote it once, but was in a hurry and didn’t do a very good job. I probably won’t this time either. I have an appointment in Tipton at 11:15 and it’s almost 10:00 and I haven’t started to get ready yet.…
Daylene Robertson visited with Tom and Jewell Johnson one day last week. Billy Fletcher said that he had not had any visitors this last week. He had attended the D.O.W. Homemakers Clubs’ Achievement Day that was held in Ava, last Tuesday. Norma Stillings attended the D.O.W. Homemakers Clubs’ Achievement Day,…
Last Weeks News – Sunday morning service was opened with several instrumentals with piano, banjo, mandolin, guitar, violin and standup bass. We had congregational songs then prayer. Brother Roberts brought the message from James 4: 13-17, “God’s Plans-My Plans.” Wednesday evening was Youth night and adult Bible study. Brother Cody…
Happy birthday was sung to Aaron Humbyrd and Elijah Dalton, who was one year old. Aaron, I won’t tell how many. Prayer requests were for Makinna’s Grandma, Cindy, Glenda, our Lord’s service, our nation, leaders and military. Frances Humbyrd prayed this prayer. Pastor Neal challenged us to share our salvation…
Hello Folks. I’ve been waiting patiently for the beautiful fall colors to arrive, but so far change is yet in the future. I think we have experienced too much sunshine for the green chlorophyll pigments to fade out and let the leaves return to their natural colors. Perhaps some rainy,…
We have been blessed to have nice October weather up to now, but it has been dry and dusty. Fall blooming mums need rain badly. Edith McKinnon’s brother from Independence, Kansas, visited one afternoon and took her to Fred’s Fish House in Mtn. Home that evening along with Edith’s granddaughter,…
No rain again this week. It is getting dry now. We have had some heavy frosts last week. It will cloud up and rain before long probably. The timber is getting pretty now. The leaves will be falling soon and before long it will be snowing and winter will be…
Sunday, October 17 was the twentieth Sunday after trinity. Fr. Glen based his sermon on the epistle for the day, Ephesians 5:15, in which St. Paul admonishes the Christians at Ephesus to “walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise…” This means that a Christian life is one of awareness…
Five generations of the Tom and Jewell Johnson family ate lunch together, Sunday, after church at the Sonshine Café. Tom and Jewell are thankful for the support of their family and for the blessing of being able to stay in their own home. Billy Fletcher met Sue Hartgraves for dinner…
The Lord truly blessed us with a beautiful weekend this last Sunday and we made the best of it by coming together to worship the Lord. Our morning message was “The Simplicity of Christ” from the text of II Corinthians 11:3. the message, the life, the teachings and even the…
God’s Little Instruction Book contains a saying, which goes like this: The heart of a man cannot be determined by the size of his pocketbook. Take, for example, the rich young ruler who asked Jesus what he could do to inherit eternal life. From reading the passage in Mark 10:17-22…
“God is a Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth,” John 4:24. Last Saturday, the 9th, Ella Faye Mitchell went with her daughter, Dara Strong, to Mountain Grove to the home of Dara’s daughter, Tafi Shannon, for Tafi’s son, Eli Shannon’s birthday party.…
A good Tuesday morning to all our readers. We hope everyone had a happy and safe weekend. How about this beautiful weather? The days are warm and the nights are good for sleeping. Isn’t God’s creation great. We send get well wishes to all the sick, the ones in the…
Olga will be bustling with activity this weekend as we partake of several items on our calendar. First, on Saturday, Oct. 16 at 10 a.m. the Elkland Independent Methodist Church will be hosting grandson, Nicholas’, ordination service. Nicholas was actually ordained in 2008, however, we were in the middle of…
Just do it. The famous Nike slogan is over 20 years old. Advertisers have long said that ‘it pays to advertise.’ A main premise is that a slogan must be short, easy to remember and tied to a strong product or benefit. That makes sense. Coke has ‘it’s the real…
Sunday morning service was opened with prayer and praise and welcoming everyone. Margaret Rosseau sang a special. Brother Roberts brought the message from James 4:1-12, “How to End Wars.” It was a continuation of A Journey to Christian Maturity. The evening service was opened with congregational singing and prayer. Brother…
A good Tuesday morning to all our readers. We hope everyone had a great weekend. The weather was good for cookouts and picnic outings. We send get-well wishes to all the sick, the ones in the hospitals and the nursing homes. Our sympathy to all who have lost loved ones.…
No rain this week. It is getting awful dry again. The leaves are getting pretty now. This time of year is so beautiful. Tony and I were in town Friday. He had some business to do and I grocery shopped. Cody and Braxton Richards visited me on Sunday. Braxton is…
Black walnuts cover the ground at my home and have to be raked up before mowing the grass. The price of $11.00 per hundred pounds is being paid. In past years we were glad to get $4.00 and let none stay on the ground. Lilly Ridge fall revival was well…
Hello everyone. This is one of those days that don’t turn out like you expect it to. For instance, I planned to do some of our laundry, and rest up a bit from a very busy day yesterday. But, as it turned out I actually spent the day helping my…
Sunday, October 10 was the nineteenth Sunday after trinity. Fr. Glen based his sermon on the epistle for the day, Ephesians 4:17, in which St. Paul instructs the new Christians in the church be founded at Ephesus on leading a Christian life and “henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk,…
We had a glorious day in the Lord this last Sunday. The morning message was “Preaching Christ,” from the text in Acts 8:5, when Philip went to Samaria and as it says, “preached Christ to them.” His emphasis, should be “our” emphasis. We need to always remember, our goal is…
Several prayer requests were shared as we came together on our Lord’s Day; among these were a friend of Trish Menzies, George, Ruth, our nation, leaders, military, and new ministers, Van, David and Corby. Judy Wilson prayed this prayer. Happy birthday was sung to Bill Hodges and Lane McFarland. Juanita…
Jean Daugherty visited with her nephew, Billy Fletcher, Saturday and Sunday afternoons. They went out for breakfast, Monday morning. Norma Stillings visited at Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center a couple of times last week and went to Rocky Ridge at Mansfield, Friday, to play the piano and visit residents…
We are pleased to announce that grandson, Nicholas’ book has just been released. The book “Our Neighbors” features the stories of 44 individuals. They include: Willis Case, Cobe Shields, Bill John, Perry Shook, Ellis Jackson, The Dickerson Ranch, Mickey Carroll, Fay King, Polly the Parrot, Virgil Young, Quentin Marlin, Alverta…
What a beautiful weekend we enjoyed here in the Ozarks. I spent the weekend with family and on Saturday morning our house was abuzz with activity, as many of us gathered here before starting on our day. Youngest son, Jay, was working on a vehicle. Daughters, Jeanette and Janice were…
October’s bright blue sky and cooler temperatures are certainly a change from summer. Lilly Ridge Fall Revival started Sunday evening and continues through Thursday night. Everyone is invited and good crowds are expected. It will start at 7 p.m. Lots of outside yard work is taking place since the weather…
Hello again. Well here it is, a week into October already. I don’t know about you, but my husband and I have been very busy trying to prepare our house for winter. I painted all six of our porch post last week. My husband has been checking our roof to…
‘For every action there is a reaction.’ Most everyone has heard the quote or something like it. It’s not exactly quoted here but the meaning remains the same. Isaac Newton, who believed that God was the master creator, coined the quote. He is thought to be the greatest genius of…
A frosty good morning to all our readers. We hope everyone had a safe and happy weekend. I sure have enjoyed the cooler weather. Some have turned their heat on to knock the chill out. It soon will be time for Halloween, so keep in mind the little children who…
Sorry, but I missed church this week. I was on my way back from camping but listened to a good message on the radio. I was along the same subject that Brother Roberts has been preaching for a few weeks, about the “Journey to Christian Maturity.” On Sunday evening there…
Food Harvest items were collected for the Heart of the Hills Food Harvest. Prayer requests were for Coleen Shockley, HK and Suzanne Gaulding, our nation, leaders, military and our names in the book on the altar. Happy Birthday was sung to Amy Hodges and Patty Siler. Testimonies were shared about…
Norma Stillings did a lot of resting this last week, but she did make her visits at the Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center Tuesday afternoon and Saturday morning. She worked in the yard Wednesday went to a dental appointment, Thursday afternoon. She took her friend Paulette Walls to get…
We had a heavy frost here this morning. The ground was white. Tony Richards took me to Ava Friday and I did some shopping. Cody Richards saw his first bear in the wild Monday evening. He had started home from work. It came out of the woods and ran down…
10-4-10 – It’s a beautiful fall day in this part of the Midwest. A little on the chilly side, but sunny and bright and hopefully it doesn’t get windy again. If not, what a super day. I think the little humming bird finally left. I hope so even though I…
“Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulations, continuing instant in prayer,” Romans 12:12. Eddie and Linda Sears visited with their sons and family, Terry and Zane Sears, Timothy and Edward’s family. Edwards baby was in the hospital a few days in Iowa. Edgar and Sharon Stewart visited with their son, Leroy…
We enjoyed a beautiful, cool Sunday morning at Oak Grove this last Lord’s Day and every indication is that summer is over and fall is upon us. We also had a guest speaker, Bro. Greg Mosley brought us a message, entitled, for both morning and evening services and his message…
Sunday, October 3 was the eighteenth Sunday after trinity. Altar and vestment colors continue to be green, as trinity is the “green season” of growth, both physical and spiritual. Fr. Glen based his sermon on the gospel for the day, St. Matthew 22:34, in which the Pharisees ask Jesus “which…
Last Week’s News – Sept. 18 was the fifty-second Applegate reunion. The first one was at Melvis and Berthie Applegate’s home on T highway. After a few years it was moved down at the Swan Creek Bridge. In 2001 it was moved to the Jenkins-Applegate Pavilion. In 2007 it moved…
I hope everyone is doing well on this beautiful fall morning. The temperature is just right to enjoy the outdoors. Red Bank Church services began with greetings from Brother Jerry and hymns led by Brother Gary in absence of our song leader, Jake Hampton, who reportedly was suffering from a…
9-27-10. Good morning! It’s a beautiful fall morning here at the farm. We got a lot of rain again on Saturday, then yesterday was a fine day. We went out and shot some arrows yesterday and I really enjoyed it. It has been a long time since I had shot…
Fall is here with thunderstorms, falling leaves, cobwebs everywhere I walk, outside from the porch to shade trees and a harvest moon. A belated birthday wish to Lawrence Strickland who celebrated his 81st birthday, Sept. 20 with dinner at Rockbridge Trout Ranch and the new Hootin An Hollarin queen, Darian…
A good Tuesday morning to all our readers. We hope everyone had a great weekend and how about this cooler weather? Isn’t God good. He knows just what we need and the beauty that He made. We send get-well wishes to all the sick, the ones in the hospitals and…
Why did the rich man go to hell? Or, better yet, is the story in Luke 16:19-31 a parable or a true event? Still again, is there really a hell? Let’s begin with hell. Hell is mentioned in Deuteronomy 32:22, II Samuel 22:6, Job 11:8 and 26:6, Psalm 9:17, and…
Sunday morning worship was opened with praise, prayer and welcoming. Bill and DeDe Arington and Claude Robertson sang a beautiful special song before the message. Brother Roberts brought the morning message from James 3:1-12 , “The Power of Words.” It was the #7 part of A Journey to Christian Maturity.…
Several prayer requests were given as we began with prayer. Among the requests were Coleen, Cathy, Joe, Nancy, Andrew, Ed and, as always, the names in the book on the altar, our nation, leaders and military. Doyle Humbyrd prayed the opening prayer. Happy birthday was sung to Dane Humbyrd, our…
Freeda Holt visited with Tom and Jewell Johnson one day last week. Tom and Jewell attended the wedding of their great-granddaughter, Kylie Johnson, and Tyler Loftin last Saturday afternoon. Billy Fletcher went to the Senior Center for the “Miles for Meals, Biscuit and gravy breakfast, Saturday morning. He listened to…
Sunday, September 26 was the Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity. Fr. Glen based his sermon on the Epistle for the day, Ephesians 4:1, in which St. Paul refers to himself as a “prisoner of the Lord and discusses the responsibilities of the Christian life, humility and avoidance of arrogance. God demands…
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil to give you an expected end, “ Jeremiah 29:11. Ralph and Dana Brazeal went to Hot Springs, Arkansas for their vacation. Charles McFarland went with a brother to their sister’s…
Greetings I hope everyone got out and enjoyed the beautiful weather this weekend. Our family attended the Wilder Days in Mansfield, MO. on Saturday. We took in all there was to see at the famous, “Rocky Ridge Farmhouse,” where Laura Ingalls Wilder, her husband, Almonzo, and their daughter, Rose, lived.…
Connie Johnson prayed for the requests that were shared as we began our Lord’s Day service. Prayer requests were for Elane Crum, John Watson, Wendy Donley, Katie Aid, Glendon Brown and our nation, leaders and military. Happy birthday was sung to Trish Menzies and Rhonda Dobbs; just how many, girls? …
9-20-10. I’m sorry I took so long to write. I’ve been busy, but so is everyone else, so that’s no excuse. Yesterday was a nice quiet day around here. Saturday Walt’s daughter, Berta and her fiancée came out here at 7:30 a.m. and started working on a portable garage we…
Just when we thought the August heat was over, we have had more 90 degree temperatures! Saturday was hot for the Hootin An Hollarin parade for sure and some of the band members got too hot for a while and had to be treated. Best wishes to Denise King-Hambelton who…
Doubt hinders. If Thomas Edison had doubted, kerosene and candles might have become our only sources of illumination. If Abraham Lincoln had doubted, America might have split and become two countries. If the engineer Henry Ford had doubted, automobiles would not have been mass produced and buggies might still be…
You should have been there, Saturday our ladies hosted a Women’s Prayer Brunch. There were fifty ladies in attendance and 16 area churches represented. The food was copious and delectable. Music and testimony by Nola Jean Moyer and an inspirational message from Maxine Lund were high points of the program.…
Sunday, September 19 was the sixteenth Sunday after trinity. Fr. Glen based his sermon on the Epistle for the day, Ephesians 3:13, in which St. Paul addresses the new Christians at Ephesus in the form of a prayer on his knees and prays that they be strengthened by the Holy…
“Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall comforted,” Matthew 5:4. My sincere condolence to Sandy Trepasso. Terry lived longer than the doctors said he would with that cancer. It was unfortunate the picture was not Terry. My sympathy also to Debbie Snelson and the Paul Evans families. Monday, Gary…
Bob Levey and Larry Fletcher came Friday and stayed overnight in the home of Billy Fletcher. Billy’s Aunt Jean Daugherty stopped for a visit Saturday. Monday, Edgar and Sharon Stewart, Sue Hartgraves, and Billy Fletcher drove to the Lake of the Ozarks for the day. R.E. Helsley of Mansfield visited…
A good Tuesday morning to all our readers. We hope everyone had a safe and joyful weekend and the weather was great for cookouts and picnics and cooler nights for sleeping. We send get-well wishes to all the sick, the ones in the hospitals and the nursing homes. Our sympathy…
Last Week’s News- Sunday morning service was opened with prayer and songs of praise. Welcome was extended to everyone. Bill and DeDe Arington and Candy Lane did a beautiful job of singing a special. Brother Roberts brought the morning message from James 2:1-9, “ Treating People Right.” Sunday evening message…
It was a great weekend and the weather was so enjoyable. Even though we had some rain! The Apple Festival at Seymour was a huge success and I enjoyed being there campaigning for oldest grandson, Nicholas. He is running for Recorder of Deeds in Webster County. He I worked his…
Vegetation has really revived since around five inches of rain fell last Thursday. My crepe myrtle bushes are now budded ready to bloom again after such a hot August! Fall gardens should produce some good vegetables, even late planted turnip crops. My sympathy is expressed to the Mildred Shipley family…
Greetings on this beautiful rainy morning. The rain is softly coming down as I write. The sun may pop out later this afternoon. Sunday was a beautiful day for worshipping the Lord. Brother Jake and Brother Jerry were on hand to begin the service with hymns and a warm welcome…
What nice weather we are having after the rains. It reminds me of fall, which is just around the corner. I had a call from my grandson in St. Louis. He said he planned to come down the first week of deer season. I hope everything works out for him.…
On Tuesday, September 14, Judy Wilson, Church Clerk, had surgery; Eddie Turner also had surgery; John Watson had a doctor’s appointment. Other prayer requests were for Joe, a friend of Elane Crum, Mike Harris, Cindy Todd, Bob Siler and Mr. Brown is having cancer surgery. He is the father of…
You should have been there! Sunday morning we were pleased to have Oake and Rocky Teske to come, sing, play and witness for the Lord. They brought violins, mandolins, banjos, and guitars, along with their vocal talent. We were inspired and uplifted by their music and testimony. You really should…
Sunday, September 12 was the fifteenth Sunday after Trinity. Fr. Glen based his sermon on the Old Testament lesson for the day, Deuteronomy 7:6-13 “For you are a people holy to the Lord…” which discusses Israel’s relationship to God as chosen people and the responsibilities and blessings that come with…
“For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee” Romans 11:21. Monday, Marti Yost left the hospital to stay with her dad, Justin, for a week. Monday afternoon I went to neighbors, Gary and Janet Martin’s home, for a cookout. Other guest there…
Sam Frye got a call from his daughter, Nancy Hooten, in Texas. The Texas kids and grandkids are doing okay. Sam called his sisters, Lena Sears and Hester Ranick, in Rockford and Rochelle, Illinois and they are also doing okay. Carl and Joan Fletcher of Bois D’arc stopped by for…
Sunday morning service was opened with prayer and songs of praise. Welcome was extended to everyone. Bill and DeDe Arington and Candy Lane did a beautiful job of singing a special. Brother Roberts brought the morning message from James 2:1-9, “ Treating People Right.” Sunday evening message was, “Think on…
A good Tuesday morning to all our readers. We hope everyone had a great weekend. How about this cooler weather? Aren’t the nights wonderful for sleeping? We are glad to have Ellis Stephens, John Paxton and Matthew Kaisersatt home from the hospital on Thursday the ninth. We had our monthly…
Ah, what a nice rain that the Lord provided last week. It’s beginning to cloud up again. We may receive some more, much needed, rain toward the end of this week. God answered our prayers before and He will again. Just pray and believe. Sunday services were opened with hymns…
How soon our weather changed from August heat to fall weather of September. We are back to mowing grass since the good showers last week. There were many travelers on the highways over Labor Day weekend. Keith and Jaycee David visited me Monday afternoon for a short time. Maxine Smith…
“Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me,” John 14:1. Last week I visited with Tiffanee Satterfield and daughter, Zoe Shull. Also visiting with her was Fanya Scott, Dara and Bailey Strong. Monday, Gary Nasif fell broke both of his feet. Early Tuesday, Aug.…
“How many of us could use more of the love of God in our hearts?” What a question! Well, of course we could always use more love. Watch out! It’s a trick question. Our dear preacher was speaking to the selfish side of man’s character. And, just naturally enough, the…
Billy Fletcher went to Donald and Paulette Fletcher’s home at Fair Grove, Saturday, for a fish fry. Norma Stillings and her friends, Bobbye Priddy and Betty Moore, went to Silver Dollar City, Tuesday, for a day at the Southern Gospel Picnic. It was a beautiful day and there was good…
We trust you had a glorious day on this past Sunday, if not you certainly missed a good chance at one. We had a great time in the Lord in our morning worship service. The message was from Isaiah 54:2, entitled “Lengthen Thy Cords, and Strengthen Thy Stakes.” Addressing the…
Well, I am sorry but, I missed church this week and spent time at the lake, camping with family, so, I have no church information this week, but lots of other news so, here goes. The week started out with some rain, which we really needed. The rain came too…
A good Tuesday morning to all our readers. No news turned in last week and your reporter was out of town due to a doctor’s appointment. My report turned out great all has healed, okay and back to my normal things. We will start our exercise classes today at three,…
We trust you had a glorious day on this past Sunday, if not you certainly missed a good chance at one. We had a great time in the Lord in our morning worship service. The message was from Isaiah 54:2, entitled “Lengthen Thy Cords, and Strengthen Thy Stakes.” Addressing the…
At last we got a good rain not as much as some did. The grass is getting greener. Tony mowed the yard again. It won’t have to be mowed too many more times as frost will get it. Those visiting me today were Cody Richards and Lisa. Cody visited with…
Sunday, Sept. 5 was the fourteenth Sunday after Trinity. Altar and vestment colors continue to be green. Fr. Glen based his sermon on the Old Testament lesson for the day, Micah 6:1-8, in which the prophet criticizes Israel for its lack of obedience to God and points out all the…
In Loving Memory of Gene Chandler Over the past three years, events and news items from the Prior and Vanzant communities have been provided by correspondent Gene Chandler. Last month, following a sudden illness, Gene, age 72, passed away. Born July 21, 1937, Gene was raised in the Hartville and…
