2005 Is Almost Here!

My Dear Church Family and Church Friends: I trust that Christmas was a very happy time for you and your family, and sincerely desire that 2005 will be a great blessing for you! I still have a difficult time just realizing that it will be 2005. But it will come, and perhaps this will be the year that the Lord Jesus returns for us in the Rapture. But, we need to continue to serve Him in every way until the fullness of time occurs.
Our hearts are heavy these days, especially in view of the disaster in Asia, with the tsunami waves and the death toll of more that 70,000 people. Thank the Lord that we, the USA, can and will help in this terrible time. These are nations of Islam, and it could be that there will be an opportunity to witness for Jesus.
We cannot forget that we are still at war in Irag, and need to remember our troops over there each time we pray. The future looks mighty bleak in Iraq, but we all know that God is still in control.
Our church was iced in for a bit last Sunday, and we had to cancel all Sunday morning activities, with a special worship service held at 5 PM Sunday afternoon, and no night services. The ice storm was beautiful, and transformed the landscape in North into a beautiful Christmas card scene. We were all very thankful that very few lost electrical power, so we were not cold or hungry. Most just stayed home and enjoyed the family fellowship, along with the leftover Christmas cookies and treats.
Things are going well at North FBC, and we encourage you to pray for this church and the ministry that God has called it to do. Attend if you can, and pray always for God's will to be done.
Please don't hesitate to call or email me here at fbcnorth@tds.net if I can help you in any way, the pastor and staff are here to serve the members of this church.
Best wishes for 2005 for you...
Bro. Don

ANOTHER GREAT GRAND!!

Excuse this old great-grandpop while I share with you that Carolyn and I now have another great-granddaughter, born early this morning at 4 AM to Charles and Michelle Edgemon, and who is named Charley Paris Edgemon , after her father and my father. We are excited, and will tell you that she is a beautiful child!! Aren't they all! This gives us three children, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
We had a great choral presentation last evening, as our choir presented the musical program called "Color It Christmas." A large turnout was on hand, even though it was a very cold negative.
Our appreciation to all our choir and the children and youth who made this program a success.
Speaking of Sunday events, our men and boys met at 8 am for our monthly breakfast. The guest speaker was Rev. Benjamin Smoak, pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church. A large word of praise for our men who turn out so early on a cold Sunday morning, and especially thse me who did the cooking for us. It was a great breakfast meal, and a great program.
And while we are talking about eating, don't miss the Church Wide Covered Dish Fellowship Meal on Wednesday night, Dec 22nd, at 7 PM. Please come, and invite a friend to come along.

CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS

The following article taken from the latest issue of the Baptist Courier is reprinted here for our reading. Bro. Tony Beam is thinking along the same lines as are many of us as we see the secular world seeking very diligently to render Christmas null and void.

Christmas from a Christian worldview

By Tony Beam

Merry Christmas … and I mean Merry Christmas. Not "Seasons Greetings" or "Happy Holidays" or "Happy Hanukkah" or "Merry Kwanzaa." This is the Christmas season. It is the time of year when we celebrate the fact that God was born a man in a manger. We rejoice because, in the words of the heavenly host, "today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11, NASV).

I mean no disrespect, and I have no wish to conjure up images of the Grinch, but if you see me on the street and you greet me with anything less than "Merry Christmas" you will get an earful of what I think about the all-out assault that is being leveled against the real meaning of Christmas. It has been building for several years, but this year, in particular, it seems that many people are becoming equal-opportunity offenders of the rights of Christians to celebrate the birth of our Savior.According to a recent Newsweek poll, 67 percent of Americans believe in the virgin birth. But from New York to California and everywhere in between, Christmas is being systematically removed from the public square. If you think I am exaggerating, consider the following examples:

In South Orange, N.J., even musical scores that have anything to do with religion will not be allowed. That means not only are the lyrics of songs offensive to the politically-correct crowd, but also any music which might cause someone to think about the lyrics. (Can anybody say "thought police"?)

In Colorado, the Elbert County Charter School is being sued by the ACLU because the principal refuses to censor Christmas. The ACLU alleges, presumably with a straight face, that any reference to Christmas during the Christmas season amounts to anti-Semitism.

Kindergartners at a public school in Oregon were invited to bring cards to a Christmas party, but a teacher barred one student from distributing his holiday greeting because it mentioned the reason for the season — Jesus Christ.

And finally, in Sacramento, Calif., teachers are being told that they are not allowed to say the word Christmas or to mention anything in relation to the Christmas season. One of the teachers said, "I don’t know if I want to go on teaching. People need to stand up to all these wackos." I couldn’t have said it any better. A lot of "somebodies" who understand that Christmas does not exist apart from Christ need to raise their voices against this anti-Christian madness. A distinctly Christian worldview demands that we refuse to join the innkeeper in Bethlehem who relegated the King of kings to a cave. We must keep Christ in Christmas so the world will know what Christmas is really all about.

Beam is director of the Christian Worldview Center at North Greenville College.

To read other interesting articles and Christian news, click on the Baptist Courier link in the right hand column.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

There is a movement across the land to remove Christmas from the Christmas season! Did you ever notice in the newspapers that Merry Christmas is seldom mentioned, but Happy Holidays and some such is replacing it? A few years ago, we all complained that XMas was leaving Christ out of Christmas, but what is our society doing now, but changing totally the Christmas season. No longer do we have Christmas trees, Christmas joy, Christmas presents, Christmas programs; no, now we have rules and regulations that limit the Christ in Christmas, and we Christians are supposed to calmly agree because after all, it might offend someone if we say Merry Christmas to them. Well, let's make a promise to say Merry Christmas as often as we can during this Christmas Season, when we celebrate the birth of Christ our Savior, and enjoy Christmas activities, parties, dinners, programs, presents, and all normal expressions of Christmas! So here I say: MERRY CHRISTMAS! MERRY CHRISTMAS! MERRY CHRISTMAS! MERRY CHRISTMAS! We thank God for CHRISTmas!!
We are still in the process of seeking a minister of music and youth, and have several good resumes which our personnel committee is evaluating. Of course, we are dealing with them one at a time, and will have as a guest in January a young man from Kentucky who will come and share with the committee and the church family. He will arrive on January 7 and spend the weekend with us. His name is Stephen W. Sims, and he is coming from Bardstown, KY. So please pray for our church as we seek God's man for our church. Stephen is single, and a graduate of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and is experienced in music and youth/children ministries.
Our schedule for this week includes the monthly men and boys breakfast on Sunday, Dec. 19 at 8:00 AM. Rev. Benjamin Smoak, the co-pastor of Calvary Baptist Church will be the guest speaker. All our men and boys are urged to attend.
On Sunday night, our Adult Choir will present the Christmas Music Program to the church family and friends. Program will start at 7:00 PM.
And, next Wednesday night, Dec. 22, at 7:00 PM, we will have our Christmas Covered Dish Supper for the church family and friends. Church families are urged to bring well filled covered dishes which we might share around the tables. Christmas is a time of good eats, and diets go by the board. We can always start back on our diet after the first of January, 2005, can't we? That's about it for this time, don't forget to do at least two things:

1. Say Merry Christmas as often as you can.
2. Always pray in the name of Jesus.

Love you all, IN Christ.... drr

Christmas Season of Joy and Blessing!

Here it is December 9th already and Christmas activities are beginning to peak. Even though we know when Christmas is due, it still seems to sneak up on many of us. We are busy around the church and community, what with Christmas parades and parties. The children seem to get more excited each day, and are anxiously awaiting the big day.
We are planning a special Christmas Covered Dishes Supper at the church on Wednesday night, December 22nd at 7 PM. This will be a great time of fellowship and fun and food, of course. We Baptists know that we cannot have a church fellowship meeting without plenty of food!
We are still in the process of searching for a full-time minister of music and youth. Several promising resumes have been received, and the Personnel committee is busy evaluating and praying for the right person.
You are asked to pray for us in this matter, that our Lord is even now preparing the right person for this important staff position.

I am sorry to have to announce that brother Ray Gunter, faithful member of our church and a friend to all, has died and gone home to the Lord. Ray was a terrific man, a dear friend to me, and will be sorely missed. He was 78 years old. We have lost several dear friends in the past few months, and mourn their loss, even knowing that as born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, they are now with the Lord. But we do miss them very much. Please pray for their family in these difficult days of bereavement.

Some one has reported on TV that there is a movement to get people to stop saying Merry Christmas and say something like Happy Holidays or such. Don't do it. Do not ever feel embarrassed to say Merry Christmas to all! Just who do they think they are, those who would set themselves up to tell us not to mention the name of Christ at Christmas. And I trust that when you pray, you always pray in the name of Jesus, after all, it is not a prayer unless it is in His Name. One person can get offended by the name of Jesus, and our government then tells us that we must stop using His name. Can you imagine? Are we not truly in the last days just prior to the Rapture of the body of Christ? I believe we are. So let us keep on looking for that blessed hope, the return of our Lord.

God Bless One and All, Remember who loves you.....

THANKSGIVING EVE 2004

The older I get, the faster these holidays come around. I find it very difficult to comprehend that we are swiftly closing out the year of 2004 and will soon be in 2005. Can you imagine? 2005 years. Who would have thought that we would have lived in two different centuries and still be pressing on the 'upward way'!
I pray that you all will have a great holiday season this year. We in the church office wish you the best as you prepare to enjoy a day of thanksgiving tomorrow, and then to be caught up in the Christmas rush. It is still exciting to me to feel the spirit of Christmas. It reminds me when I was a little boy back in the late 30's and was enthralled by all the Christmas decorations, the fancy toys, the good eats, and the little bag of fruit and candy that my church would give out at the annual church Christmas party. We have so much more these days, but I was very proud to get the little bag of fruit, such as an apple, a banana, some nuts, and a candy cane. And often, there would be a little toy of some sort. Exciting days. I wish that we could all recapture those feelings now, here nearly 70 years later. Something has happend over the years, we have been accustomed to too much of a material nature, and our children will never have that feeling which we had. Today it is too much, too often, and very seldom truly appreciated. But, I do appreciate knowing you, and hope that these ramblings will show you that we are seeking to have an 'exciting church, where people really do love one another.'
Come regularly to our services if you are nearby, and if you are some distance away, when you go to your church to enjoy the Lord's Day, remember to say a little prayer for us at FBC North.
God loves you, and so do WE..

Thanksgiving Week is Here!

Welcome once again to our Web Log page. We are happily anticipating the big Turkey Day this coming Thursday. As one of our little children told me in church a few Sundays ago when I asked him what he was most thankful for during this season, "TURKEY"! I suppose we all are very thankful for the food that we eat and the clothes that we wear, and the great time of family fellowship around the Thanksgiving Day meal. But we should most of all be thankful for our Heavenly Father, who has given to us eternal life through Jesus Christ, His precious Son, and our precious savior. Now when this great week is over, Christmas is just ahead. Shall we be thankful and grateful for all that this season means.
Even with the situation in the Middle East, we can still trust in God to do what is right. Life goes on, and we are still challenged with the commission to tell others about Jesus.
Our church is an exciting place these days. Everyone seems to be fairly well satisfied, and only a few complaints from time to time about mostly insignificant happenings. We have rejoiced in the going home of our good friend and church member, Brother Windred Bolin. Words cannot express how much we admired him, and how much we shall miss him. We ask your prayers for his precious wife, Violet, and for the family members who are bereaved.
We are now in the process of searching for a Minister of Music and Youth for our church. This will be a full-time staff position, and we are going through a number of resumes that have been sent in response to our putting out the word. Will you join us in prayer that the right man will soon become available?
So, I pray that you will have a happy Thanksgiving Day celebration around your home and don't eat too much of that bird. As for me, I am looking forward to the ham!

THANKSGIVING MONTH

Well, good day to you all, and I trust that you are praising the Lord from whom all blessings really and truly do flow.
Last post I talked about the Homecoming, and now I can report that we had a great time of fellowship, preaching, food, and had a beautiful day for it all. A very large crowd attended, and the food line was out the door into the yard! Rev. David Laird did an outstanding sermon, and we enjoyed having him back. Just think, this church has been busy for one hundred and eleven years of service to the community and for the Lord
Since our Youth Minister resigned, I have been busy calling and writing to Baptist schools to see if we can get a new staff position of Minister of Music and Youth filled. So far we have received more than a dozen resumes from all over, and all seem to be well qualified for the job that have here. Now the personnel committee will have to sort them out, have them come for interviews, etc., and see which one the Lord has for us. We decided to combine the position of minister of music with the minister of youth into one full-time position, and will offer a fairly reasonable salary, along with a nice home, just behind the church. Please join us in prayer that this position will be filled very quickly. And pray for the Personnel Committee in their deliberations over the resumes.
A dear church member and friend has gone to be with the Lord. Brother Windred Bolin died Sunday, and will be buried on Thursday, Nov. 18th. Windred was a precious soul, a great man, and a good friend. He and his wife, Vi, were a blessing to our church. Now we need to remember Vi and the children in our prayers in the days to come.
Hope you have a nice Thanksgiving Day celebration around your home next week. We have so many things to be thankful for, especially for our Lord and Saviour. Would you believe that my sweet wife already has our Christmas tree up and decorated! There is something special about this season of the year.
Until next time, may God be with you in every way,
Sincerely Bro. Don

Our church has been an exciting and interesting place since I posted last. We are busy getting ready for the annual Homecoming Celebration Day, which is day after tomorrow, November 7th. As is always the case, we are looking for a large crowd of members, former members and friends of the church from all over. This church will be celebrating one hundred and eleven years of existence, and has had a great number of folks who will be coming for the fellowship and worship program, to be followed by the dinner-on-the-grounds, which is not on the grounds any longer, but in the large and comfortable fellowship building that has been especially prepared for this great day. Rev. David Laird, former member of this church, and now a retired minister, will be our guest speaker. If you are nearby and can, please come on and join us. If not, please pray for us on this special day.
We are in a state of surprised shock what with the recent resignation of our Minister to the Children and Students. Yes, John and Karla Mew have decided to leave us and we are all so sad, because John has done an outstanding job with our youth and children since his coming on staff. They are a sweet couple, and our love and prayers will surely go with them into their new ventures. That is the problem oftentimes, just when you are getting to know someone, they move away. We really do hate to see them go, but are trusting in our Lord to care for them in the days to come.
Activities picking up now that we are in the fall season, not only Homecoming, but we have had a great Fall Festival for all [planned and led by John Mew] and we will soon be getting ready for Thanksgiving, and then, of course, Christmas time!
Please continue to pray for us as we now are seeking a Minister of Music and Youth, a combined position that we would like to have filled soon. Pray that our Lord has a music and youth staff member picked out for us, and we will have him or her on staff very soon. All the winter programs that have been planned are still on schedule, and the Youth are going snow skiing in early 2005. I believe that Brad and Lori Creech are going to lead that group trip.
Well, guess that is about all for now, just wanted to keep in touch and let you know that the FBC of North is praying for each person that reads these words, especially and I praying for you. Please pray for us, and send us an email from time to time telling us what God is doing in your life, we would be glad to share it with you. fbcnorth@tds.net
Just click on that and write us a note.
Till later, May God bless you and yours, and may we serve Him as never before.

COOL AIR HITS NORTH!

Wow, was it cool this AM when I came to the church. Sweater time, and does it feel good? You bet it does. Sure is nice for a change. Of course, we all know that all this is temporary, because in SC, our weather never stays the same for long.
Several things on my mind today, especially the Sunday activities here at our church. First of all, we are having the monthly Men and Boys Breakfast at 8:00 AM, with Rev. Dr. Kimmett Lott, pastor of nearby Providence Baptist Church as our guest speaker. We try to encourage our men and boys to attend regularly, and have different speakers and programs. It is always good to enjoy the fellowship around the breakfast table.
Sunday afternoon, we are hosting the annual Blood Drive for the American Red Cross. Sign-ups have been very slow this year, but we are praying for a good turnout to provide the needed blood for the Red Cross. I would that folks would turn out to give their blood as well as they did Thursday at the Health Center to get the influenza shot. What a crowd, old and young, lined up to receive the injection. I was one of the several hundred that were lined up at 9 AM. And, was very grateful to be able to get it. The wife and I are both in the elderly category, somewhat past 65 years, so we qualifed, but I am afraid that many will not be able to get the protection they need for this flu season. Please pray for those who may wind up with the flu.
OCTOBER FESTIVAL TIME: We are busy getting ready for the Fall Festival this year, which will be held on Sunday night, October 31st, in the Youth Building. John Mew, our Minister of Students and Children has proposed a great program, with lots of food, fun and games. I trust that all our church family, as well as friends in the community, will come and share with us. More details later.
I wanted to thank all those who worked out the moving and setting up of my new office in the church. For sometime I was in with Joan, our ministry assistant, and it was a bit crowded. I know Joan was glad to see me move down the hallway and around the corner to office space of my own. I share this room with the Sunday School and Discipleship Training general officers on Sunday, but during the week, it is all mine alone! So once I get it arranged as I would like it, I will be very happy. Doesn't take much to make an old preacher happy!!
So long for now, I pray for the readers of these ramblings, and trust that you will feel that someone is praying for you..

A BEAUTIFUL FALL DAY IN CENTRAL SOUTH CAROLINA

WHAT A GREAT DAY! The week is starting off in a great show of fall colors and falling leaves. It is difficult to believe that the year is going so fast, and that it is the fall in all its glory. Cooler temperatures early in the morning, bright sunshine showing all the details of the landscape, and a touch of nostalgia to an old timer like me! Growing up in Shelby, NC, I remember how great it was to be a young lad in the fall of the year. Football practice, games on Friday nights,leaving school in the afternoon and walking home with the cool air blowing in my face. And then there was the county fair. We lived for the fair, and got so excited that the night before we couldn't sleep. What a thrill to go to the fair. And all the fall activities at the churches, Halloween festivals, Homecomings, Youth trips, and all the emphasis on the weeks leading up to Christmas. Of course, I am talking about sixty years ago for me, back in the days before young people had all the DisneyLands and Six Flags and such to attend. Now the young person has seen it all, and then some, but for the youngster in the early forties, it was an exciting time to be alive, even though the Second World War was starting and gaining speed over all the world. It is difficult to explain to our young couples and teens today, but in spite of the war, those days really were the best days of our lives.
I spoke to a group of children in church yesterday, and told them that in a few short years from now, they would be saying that the early days of the 21st Century would be the best days of their lives! Especially if they give these days to the Lord and begin now to live for Him.
Back to the present, we had a great day for the Lord on Sunday. We had 99 in Sunday School, and a larger number for the morning worship hour. We celebrated the Lord's Supper, and remembered Jesus as we confessed our sins and failures, and asked Him to use us in a special way in the days to come. Our pastor closed out the day with an in-depth look in Revelation. In the afternoon, Mz. Carolyn and I traveled to nearby Fellowship Baptist Church, where our son, Donnie is pastor, as that church celebrated Homecoming with Dinner on the Grounds. It was good to see all our friends there, and to see our children, granddaughters, and our great grands. There is nothing finer than to fellowship with a group of Christian brothers and sisters.
Lots of things going on at FBC, we are hosting a Red Cross blood drive next Sunday. We also have our monthly Men and Boys breakfast, wtih Rev. Kimmett Lott, pastor of Providence Baptist Church as our guest speaker. More later, God Loves YOU...

CURRENT EVENTS AT FBC NORTH

Don't know about you, but I had a great day last Sunday. My youngest son, David, is pastor of the Double Branch Baptist Church in Orangeburg. David was invited to return to a former church in Cross Anchor, SC to preach in the 200th Anniversary, and he asked me to fill in for him in the AM service. We had a great time and the church was filled to overflowing. David is building a great work there, and this makes Daddy very proud. I have preached there several times, and led the Adult Vacation Bible School in the summer. It is a real joy for a pastor/teacher to go to different churches and share the Word of God.
Our pastor, Bro. Larry Shull, added the topping in his evening sermon from Revelation. Do you believe that we are in the last days of God's earthly plan. Signs are on every hand. How exciting it is to see prophecies fulfilled right before our eyes. Come Quickly, Lord Jesus!
Sent most of you a special note today about the Red Cross Blood Drive, which we are hosting on Sunday, October 17 from 1-6 PM. Sign up sheets in the vestibule, or you may call us in the church office, 247-2711 and we will schedule you. We can take two donors per hour. If you drop in, I am sure that you can be worked in. Please pray about this, even if you cannot give, pray that others will be led to give. In my confinement in the hospital with five operations on my knee, I received 5 units of blood, and I appreciate those who gave for me. I needed it..
As I write these notes from time to time, most of the time with my laptop on my lap, I try to picture the faces of those who are on my email list. I want to personally direct these thoughts to you, because are always in my thoughts, in my prayers, and in my heart. I pray that our Father will continue to bless you in countless ways.

Time to stop for now, but remember your church and Christian brethren in your prayers.

The Sound of Music

As you know, we have been searching for a music man [person] for our church, to lead our music program and choir ministry, plus working with the youth and children. So far we have had two applicants, interviewed one, but now we are overjoyed to learn that our former music director is going to continue her ministry with us. Due to her work in our church, as far back as I can remember, the music program has been outstanding. We thought that her health would cause her to retire, but the doctor has given her a clean bill of health, so with some assistance from the choir members,she is back with us again. The Lord sent us the right person for the position, one we had all along, and we rejoice in what has happened. The North church family is an exciting church, and we just praise the Lord for all that He is doing with us.
What is your idea of a theme for our church family? For the first thirty years of my ministry, I used the theme, "Preaching the Old Fashioned Gospel to a New Fashioned World." It worked for me. As I was thinking of the old days, I thought, why not a theme for us? Can you think of something we might use? Email me at fbcnorth@tds.net if you have an idea.Think about it.
Our monthly newsletter, The Messenger, is in the mail for our church members. If you would like to keep up with our church, and not currently on the mailing list, drop us a line, email or snail, and we will add you to the list.

First Baptist Church
PO Box 189
North, SC 29112

So long for now...God loves you, and so do I.

CAN YOU HELP US?

Do you know anyone who might be interested in being a bi-vocational music minister, about 20 hours each week, to work in an exciting church with great music potential. We have recently lost our music director due to health problems and really do need someone to take her place. North FBC is a small town First Baptist church, with about 375 members and budget of about $230,000 and room for growth. We are looking for someone who lives close enough to commute back and forth on Wed. and Sundays for the worship services, working about twenty hours or less each week. With adults and youth and choir practice, etc. Someone in the midlands area of SC would be ideal. We have advertized in the Courier and on-line and with the local state colleges and universities, but so far only have had two replies. Perhaps you know of someone you think would be a suitable candidate. Please join with us in prayer that the Lord will send the right person to meet our music needs.

God Loves YOU and so do I......

Sorry, but I am getting behind in my posting to this blog. Lots of things happening around our church and community, but I just haven't taken time to jot anything down for you. We are in the process of seeking a minister of music, and have been busy interviewing and checking references, etc. Please pray with us that the Lord will send us his music director who will be a rich blessing to our church family. There is a spirit of excitement among our membership, and we are excited about how the Lord is blessing us with these activities and ministries. Our pastor has been feeding us in depth in his preaching these days, and Sunday School and Discipleship training seems to be growing. And of course, John Mew, our minister of youth and children is doing an outstanding job in leading our kids in these different areas. The new Jr. Church Kids children's Church for preschoolers is going extremely well, and we are seeking to encourage young parents to bring their preschoolers on Sunday for this time of worship for the kids, while the parents enjoy the moments of worship and praise.
We have recently elected seven new deacons for the next two years, and have been blessed by having experienced deacons available to serve. So, these are a few of the things I have missed sharing with you, but promise that I will add more to this in the next few days. Support your church, pray for one another, sing praises to the Lord, minister to the lost and disciple the saved, and see what our God has in store for us. For all who read these words, 'remember who loves you, God plus me...
Bye for the moment....

Sad Day at Church last Sunday [tongue in cheek]

Yes, it was a very sad day, as we mourned the loss of our two state football teams, USC and Clemson, and our local team at SC State. For football fans in our community, and all over the state, it was a sad and difficult weekend as they watched these teams fall on the gridiron. So sad, we can only say, wait until the next game....and the next... and so forth. Wonder why we get so wrapped up in sports, especially football, that the losing of a game seems so serious? And wonder how many of those more than 85,000 at each school, Clemson and USC, made it to their local church the following day? And if they did, was there as much enthusiasm in going to God's House to be with God's People, doing God's Things, as there was going to Williams Brice Stadium or Clemson's Death Valley? And considering the cost of tickets to the game, the transportation, the price of food and refreshments, and the general out of pocket expenses, wonder if they gave their tithes and offerings generously [hilariously]to the offering plate as it was passed by the ushers?
We did have a great time of worship last Sunday, with Sunday School attendance of 103, lots of enthusiam in our singing and preaching time, and just plain good fellowship around the church. Our services were full, and we even had a church conference and passed on the Budget for next year, elected seven new deacons, and approved the Nominating Commitee report on new officers for the new church year.
Thanks to all of our church family who make our church an exciting place. We do love and appreciate you and all that you do...

Another Exciting Lord's Day!

Hurricane Frances was heading our way, it was Labor Day weekend, many of our members were away on vacation trips, and yet for those who were here, we had an exciting time in North FBC. We had 82 in Sunday school, which was expected because of the weekend holiday. But the weather was beautiful, Frances was still a ways off, the sun was shining, and everyone seemed to feel an excitement in the air. After all, both Univ. of SC and Clemson won their respective football games, so there was no conflicts between Gamecocks and Tigers. Rev. and Mrs. Charles (Nina) Hoblitz, Baptist missionaries to St. Petersburg, Russia were with us, and led in the Sunday Morning Seminary class by sharing many of their experiences as they minister to Russia.
During the morning service, Rev. Charles Hoblitz spoke to the church family and continued to share many experiences and needs for his field of service. Our church was pleased to share with them, and to share also financially with them in their work. We are surely aware that we should be very grateful to Almighty God that we live as free men and women in this wonderful country of the United States of America. Brother Hoblitz extended an invitation to all of us to come to Russia and visit with them, and spend a week with them in their ministry and in their Bible School. Sounds like an interesting trip, and one that I would like to make. According to reports, the cost round trip to St. Petersburg is about $750. Charles said that if we could pay our airfare, that they would take care of housing and feeding us while we are there. Anyone interested in going? Let me know.
Lots of activities going on this week. We have a special program for the senior adults as we have a lady who has been here before who impersonates "Minnie Pearl." I understand that she is very good. The senior group, called the XYZ Club, will meet on Friday night at 7:00 PM for a covered dish meal, and then entertainment to follow.
John has the youth and children doing many things, and we are proud of our youngsters.
Still searching for a minister of music for our church, and have started advertising in the local area and also in the state Baptist Courier newspaper. Please join us in prayer that the Lord will send the right person for our church.
God bless each reader of these words, and know that you are in our prayers. If our church can be of any help to you, please let us know. Our email address is fbcnorth@tds.net
and we will be very happy to share with you in prayer.

All Tied Up....

I am falling behind in my posts these days. I seem to be all tied up with things to do around the church and the home. So please bear with me, and I will fill in the void when I get back to the office and have a few minutes to spare. We are still having exciting times around the church and there is lots I want to tell you about. Please keep checking this blog, and if you have anything that you think I could use in these pages, send it along. Will b e glad to consider it. In the meantime, remember that God loves you, and so do I.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

We enjoyed another exciting Sunday on the 22nd, with good fellowship, good teaching, and great preaching. The only downer was that the latest edition of our pastor's series of sermons on the book of Revelation did not record on the cassette tape recorder. Guess our adversary was not too happy with the series, and didn't want our shut-ins to hear it.

We copy and send out audio cassettes of the Sunday sermons, and the Sunday school lesson. In this way, we can minister to several groups of our homebound friends. But, sometimes the recorder fails and the process misses a great sermon.

Ice Cream supper on Sunday, August 29th, immediately following the evening worship service. This service will be led by the Truth, our church Youth group, with contemporary music, and a message by John Mew, or Minister to Students and Children. We appreciate the great job that John is doing with our youth.

On Sunday, September 5th, it will be my privilege to preach in both services . Please remember me in prayer as I prepare to preach to the church family. It is always a joy to preach to the fine folk of North FBC, and see your happy faces and hear the good singing.

Also, on that same Sunday, remember that we will pass out a list of our men for you to examine and pray over, then to come on the following Sunday, Sept 12th, to select 7 men of good report to be deacons for the next two years.

We are still praying for a music minister/worship leader to serve our church in a part-time capacity. If you know of anyone in the immediate area who might be interested and available, please have them contact me by phone or email or regular mail.

Today is Wednesday, and we look forward anxiously to another great time of prayer and Bible study in the church sanctuary. We pray for many people, and you are included in our prayers, as we designate a portion of our prayer list to what we call unspoken requests, meaning that we don't name anyone, but we pray for the needs of those who are asking and receiving of God.

See you later here on these pages, and at church, I hope.....God Bless...

DOG DAYS?

The topic of conversation the past several weeks has been the extreme heat we have endured, then the cooling down, and then, back up to 100+ heat index. Some of the old timers, including yours truly, call these times "dog days" of summer. But when asked to explain what we meant, we confessed that we didn't really know. So, with the amazing power of cyber communicating, the good old w.w.w. was consulted, and the following definition was found:

Meaning: Very hot days.

Origin:The ancient Romans noticed that the hottest days of the year, i.e. in late July and early August, co-incided with the Dog Star (aka Sirius, aka The Great Dog) being in the same part of the sky as the Sun. They thought the star contributed to the heat of the day.

I found this in a web site at: http://phrases.shu.ac.uk/bulletin_board/6/messages/229.html


This site is good for finding explanations for all sorts of phrases we use in every day speech. Check it out.

Ready for Sunday

The North FBC family has had a good week here in mid August. And we are ready for another exciting time of Bible study, worship, Bible preaching, dscipleship training on the Lord's Day, prayer and filled with singing the hymns of our faith. Isn't it great to be a Christian? God is so good to His children.
The Messenger, or monthly newsletter, is ready to be mailed and will go out next week. Please notice all the announcements about the many activities of our church. And don't forget to attend as many as you are able.
Have received several new email addresses in response to my requests in the weekly
bulletin and the newsletter. Also am sending out an email Messenger once in a while, and we call it the E-Messenger. As I have said before, I am still learning how to get all this together and out to you. Please share this page address to your friends and ask them to view our writings and pray for our church family.
Happenings next month include:

1. First meeting of the new church year for the Senior Group, the XYZ [Extra Years of Zest] on Friday night, September 10 at 7:00 PM. Our special guest will be "Minnie Pearl," whom you will remember from some time ago. All seniors are urged to attend and bring well filled covered dishes for the fellowship meal.
2. Deacon election: a list of eligible men will be provided to the church in business conference the first Sunday in September, and election will be the following Sunday. Seven deacons will be replaced.
3. Homebound Members Sunday School lesson will be recorded and delivered to each shut-in by the Sunday School each week. The ladies Sunday School class will tape and deliver these lessons on cassette tape.
4. We also have a preaching tape of both services each Sunday that is delivered to our folks who are sick at home, or shut-in.
5. A great number of Children and Youth activities going on in our church. John Mew, our Youth Director is doing a great job.
6. We will start a pre-school children's church the first Sunday in September, also a new Sunday School class for Grades 6-8 for boys and girls will start.

So, thank you for reading these ramblings, and please pray for us. Remember, God loves you, and so do we!

SUNDAY REPORT August 15 2004

Sunday afternoon of a great day of church fellowship and worship. The men and boys started off the day with a good breakfast and a meaningful testimony given by our guest speaker, the Rev. Sam Warwick, newly arrived minister of the North United Methodist Church. We pray that Bro. Sam will be in our commnunity for a long time as pastor of our neighboring church.
Sunday school numbered 97 today, with some of our regulars away for the final trip of the summer. We have a good time in these classes, and urge those who are not in our S.School to come and get involved. There is a class for all ages. We have started two new classes this year, and plan on a new class of 6th-8th graders in the coming year which will begin in October. Also, in the planning, is a pre-school worship service for all the little ones starting soon. If you are interested in helping with these classes, please talk to John Mew. We really do need helpers from the church family.Pastor Larry Shull brought an exciting and thought provoking message from 1 John about seeking to live a perfect life for the Lord. If you are not attending the preaching services, then you are missing a blessing. Pastor Shull is an outstanding preacher who clearly exposes the Word of God for all who are willing to hear.
This is being written on Sunday afternoon and my wife Carolyn and I have just returned from the 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration for Sidney and Mildred Livingston. Sidney is our Chairman of Deacons, and Mildred is one of our faithful leaders. Their children gave them the drop-in reception at the Calhoun County Country Club in St. Matthews, SC. We are very proud of Sidney and Mildred, and wish them many additional years of joy together. And we are very appreciative of their children for sharing this moment with the North church family and Carolyn and me.
Now, we are getting ready for our Discipleship Training Class, and in starting a new
subject of study tonight. We are getting into "Godlessness In The Last Days," based on events as outlined in 1 and 2 Timothy, among others. It is my joy to be a part of that class as we share and discuss biblical ideas and doctrines.
Following that, we will go into the evening worship hour and continue our study of the Great Tribulation events in Revelation, led by our pastor. God is so good to us here in North, SC, as I pray that He is wherever you are.
More chatter later, just know that God loves you, and so do we....
Sincerely, In Christ

THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE!!

Greetings to you in the precious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. It is a wonderful day here in beautiful downtown North, SC, and we wish only God's best for all who have come across these writings.
We are always excited here on Wednesdays, as we prepare for the mid-week prayer and Bible study time tonight. Our pastor leads is to consider the prayer needs of our church family and friends, and then shares an insightful time of Bible study. We have a great time, and then the choir remains and practices for the Sunday services.
My hearts desire is to see our church as full on Wednesday night as it is on the Sunday meeting times.
Here is an interesting link for you, if you are concerned about the voting rules and procedures this year. You might have already seen the article in the current Baptist Courier about this. It is an interesting site, just go to www.ivotevalues.com and check it out. Many people are confused as to exactly what we can do, legally, in the matter of public elections.
God Bless and Keep You.....

To rise up with wings of eagles 

GOD IS SO GOOD!

We had another exciting day of worship and praise in the Lord's House last Sunday. Though attendance was a bit down, only 80 in Sunday School, the 'spirit' was there for us as we shared in Sunday School and Worship.
GYM OPEN: please remember that the gym will be open each Tuesday evening at 6:30 PM for basketball [ages 14 and up, including adults.]

PRE-SCHOOL WORSHIP SERVICES: We are planning to start a Preschool Worship Service for our little ones soon. John Mew, our Children's Director, is asking that all who are interested in helping with this new project come to a covered dish luncheon immediately following the services Sunday, Aug 22. Please bring covered dishes, share them with others, and discuss the beginning of this class. Let John know, 247-2711, if you can come.

NEW SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS FOR 6th to 8th graders, starting on September 5th. John Mew will be the lead teacher.
We have started several new Sunday School classes during the past church year, and all seem to be doing very well. Our appreciation to Sarah Wannamaker for her leadership in the Sunday School ministry.

A special invitation to all who check in to this Blog. We need you to be a vital part of our church and urge you to come and share with us in our Sunday School, worship services, and the Discipleship Training class. We have a full ministry in our church, with great programs for all ages, little ones up to us older ones! I especially invite you to drop by the Sunday School class which I lead each Sunday, we call it the Sunday Morning Seminary, and we do have a great time of fellowship, fun, discussion, and even coffee and donuts from time to time. Don't let the title scare you, it is not a demanding class, just discussion and sharing. We talk of various subjects each time. Please come and give us a try if you can.

Reminder...don't forget the Fifth Sunday Ice Cream Fellowship on the 29th of this month. Home churned cream and good fellowship as we enjoy this special treat on warm [hot] summer evening after church. Come and bring a friend.

Our church office is in the process of searching for a new copy machine. Due to the lightning storm several weeks ago, we lost two circuit boards in the old copier. The problem is that they are so old that replacement is not available. So we are taking bids on a new machine. As you can imagine, this is a difficult decison to make, so we ask you to join us in prayer that we will make the right decision. The copy machine is a valuable tool in the ministry of our church and we are seeking one that we feel is the right one. We never consider anything without bathing it in prayer.

Our Youth Group has a new name, TRUTH. You will be seeing that name more and more in our news items and youwill know that it is the name of a faithful group of dedicated youth, led by John and Karla Mew. Please pray for the TRUTH group in our church.
Enough for this time, remember, God loves you, and so do I. Will see you in Sunday School and church. Call your church staff if we can help you in any way...

Another great day of worship and praise in the FBC of North. Attendance was down a bit, which, I suppose, is because so many are taking their last fling at summer vacations and such. Our pastor shared two exciting messages with us, as we considered the wonderful forgiveness which our Lord showers upon us in the words of John in 1 John 1:9. Then, in the evening service, we continued our journey through the book of Revelation. What a blessing to know that the Christian will be spared from the trials and tribulations outlined in the Revelation of Jesus Christ which was given to the apostle John on the Isle of Patmos.
Let me know of any email addresses which you would like to be included in the E-Messenger newsletter which we will be sending out from time to time.
To our church family, don't miss the last Sunday of this month as we have An Ice Cream Social following the evening worship hour. Home churned or purchased, there will be ice cream for every taste. Come and invite a friend.
God Bless for now...

We enjoyed a great day last Sunday as we gathered to study God’s Word and to worship Him. It was good to have John and Karla Mew unite with our church on transfer of their membership from sister churches. John has been our Minister of Youth and Children for the past several months, and he and Karla were recently married. They wanted to wait until they were married so that they could join the church together. We look forward to having these young folks with us for a long time. John is doing an excellent job as the leader of our children and youth.
I have been trying to collect email addresses from anyone that is even remotely interested in the ministry of the North  First Baptist church, so if you have someone you would like to be on our E-Messenger  e-mail mailing list, please send me a note at
fbcnorth@tds.net      or     royster@aikenelectric.net. 
Also interested in having input to this Blog Page, so if there is anything, within reason, that you would like to see published here, send it along, and I will try to use it. Our plan is to make this a two-way communication tool, and as soon as I learn a bit more, I hope to have a comment section here on the page, so you can leave your message and comments. But, I am still learning….

Sermon titles for Sunday, August 1 are:
AM:  “Did You Know That You Can Be Forgiven For Anything?” 1 John 1:8-10
PM:  “The Day It All Breaks Loose.”    Rev. 9:1-12

You are urged to attend and hear Brother Larry Shull, our pastor, as he preaches the Word to us.
Remember: “Jesus Christ is Lord now and forever! Glory to His Precious Name!

I do appreciate the good reports we have received about this Blog Spot about our church. As I have already said several times, it is still under construction and I have great hopes that we will be able to really communicate with our members and friends. This is the beauty of computing. Just imagine, from this little office, we can publish information that goes around the world in seconds. One of our friends, Bill Courtney,Jr., is in Iraq and will be able to read this there. We pray for you, Bill, and all your buddies there. Thank you and them for your service to your country and to your God.

STILL LOOKING FOR ADDRESSES:
Send me your email addresses of those who are interested in the North Baptist Church activities, and I will add them to the mailing list.

PASTOR CELEBRATES TENTH YEAR:
Bro. Larry Shull has been the pastor of this church for ten years  this month and we have been blessed under his ministry and leadership. What a precious family they are, Larry and Brenda and" little Larry" and how thankful we are to have them. Be sure and greet them and tell them how much you love and appreciate them each Sunday.

YOUTH  AT EDISTO BEACH:
John Mew has had our church youth at the beach all this week and we are anxiously awaiting their return. The purpose of the trip was evangelism, and we a praying that they had many professions of faith for their efforts. We should hear all about it on Sunday.

SEE YOU IN CHURCH?  I pray that we will. God Bless.

 

It is a beautiful day in the neighborhood in North, SC. here are a few announcements for the church family to consider.
 
CHURCH DIRECTORY PLANNED FOR 2005
Plans are for our church to have a new Olan Mills directory of all the church family next summer. So in this next year, we would ask that all you camera buffs begin to take pictures of the different activities around the church, and let me have them so that when the time comes we will be able to have a large collection to choose from. I will be around taking pictures also. If you have a digital camera, we can upload the pictures from your camera to the church computer. Let’s try it and see how it works.
 
WILLING WORKERS NEEDED
Our Nominating Committee is busy, so if you are interested in a place of service for the new church year, let me know and I will get your request to the right place. I would like to see us start a new members class on Sunday morning, so if you are a mature and experienced Christian, you can serve the Lord by helping teach the Survival Kit  Program to our new members as they come in this next year. Let me know, please.
 
ICE CREAM  FELLOWSHIP!
Put this on your calendar…August 29, following the evening services, we invite you to join with us by bringing a churn of your favorite ice cream [or some store bought if you cannot churn]. We will have more to say about this as the time approaches. Plan on making this a great summer Sunday treat.
 
DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING  CLASS
We have an exciting time each Sunday evening in the hour prior to the evening worship service. There is a class for the children and youth, and the adults meet in the TEL classroom just off the sanctuary. I would especially like to invite you to attend the adult class. We have just finished an in-depth study of Spiritual Warfare, and will be starting another interesting subject soon. Please come and join with us, we promise an interesting 45 minutes of discussion, laughter and study.

Had a great week of VBS...a fun weekend of fellowship and worship, so I feel 'right good' today. I normally don't go in to the office on Monday, but just enjoy  relaxing at home and watching the morning movies on TCM or AMC, and the Western channel of course. I watch old movies that I remember seeing years ago when they first were shown in the movie theaters. Of course, they all look so ancient now, as do I.
Our VBS had a high attendance of 105, average attendance of 96, and my Adult Class averaged 14. A number of my adults were involved in other classes.  But, sad to say, we had zero professions of faith in Christ. It seems to me that VBS over the past few years had developed into a time of fun and recreation for the children. '
Please pray for our personnel committee as they begin the arduous task of finding our church a Minister of Music. Our current leader, a sweet lady, is having to retire after six years due to health difficulties.
Still looking for email addresses for those who might be interested in receiving
the "E-Messenger" newsletter which I hope to send out frequently. What a great way of keeping some of the church family and friends up to date on happenings around here. Our church is moving and growing and we ask you to keep us in your prayers.

God Loves YOU...and so do I....

Summer is rolling right along these days, with many church activities and meetings and such. I am finding that it is difficult to keep this blog up to date with the church news,but plan to do better [I hope!]
We are in the midst of Vacation Bible School this week, and have been having a great time with the Rickshaw Rally theme for this year. We have had a good crowd of children, willing workers, and food preparers. Our adult class is down somewhat, with only 11 adults involved each night. But, a number of our regulars are involved in helping in other classes.
Highest attendance so far has been 105, total students including staff members, which is great for our church.
I am still trying to learn how to add pictures and links to this page, so bear with me. I plan to also have an ELetter going out to those for whom I have an emailaddress. WE are still trying to develop a church web page, but that will take a bit longer.Let me know if you are willing to add your expertise to keeping all this going in the days to come.
Please join with us in our worship services this Sunday. We will have the church conference and also the Lord's Supper in the AM services. Come and bring a friend.

Another exciting Sunday at FBC! We honored the veterans of our congregation in the worship hour, and had a contemporary worship service on Sunday evening, thanks to our Minister of Students, John Mew, and all those who helped him. Our hearts desire is that our church be an exciting church where people love the Lord, love to sing and pray, and love to fellowship in God’s Spirit.
We are sending an email to all on our email list to alert them to this web blog and to help us in adding information which will be beneficial to the church family. This will be sort of a journal of our church activities and ministries.
Please let the church know your email address if you are interested in being a part of the email family. Send to royster@aikenelectric.net and he will add it to the list.

North FBC hosted the graduation of the Livingston Christian Academy on Friday evening and it was an inspiring event. Those little children are so precious, and all did their parts so very well. They sang, quoted scriptures, were dressed in patriotic dress, and made us all so very proud. Our appreciation to Ronda Smith and her staff for the outstanding ministry they provide in providing Christian education. Please pray that the school will continue to grow in number of students and in spiritual teachings. My heart was blessed when four of the older girls stated, from memory, all of Hebrews 11:1-40. Can you imagine, memorizing 40 verses of scripture!

In services this morning, we had 109 students in S.School, with a good crowd in the preaching service. We are encouraging all our members to be faithful to all the services, and especially to be much in prayer for the ministries of our church family. So many Christians these days are staying away from churches for what ever reason. Surely this must grieve the heart of our Lord.

We have a number of members and friends of the church who are on our prayer list. We hestitate to publish their names here on the Blog, but when you pray, please remember to pray for them. The are listed on the back of the weekly bulletin. We covet your prayers for the church staff also.

Another exciting day at church, and I mean all day! We started this Lord's Day with a special family breakfast at 8 AM. With a crowd of family members [estimated to be nearly 100] we saw nearly every seat in the fellowship hall filled. The men of the church did an outstanding job with a full course breakfast meal. Entertainment was provided by three sisters, called the Fralick Sisters, who blessed us with a number of old time hymns. In addition, young Lance Fogle, age 16, thrilled us with two inspiring hymns.
During the morning worship hour, the church was called into special conference to vote on several personnel positions to be filled, one of which was concerning me. The church family voted to call me as Minister of Education and Administration. This is a great blessing for me, as it will allow me to continue a ministry of serving the Lord even though I am nearly 72 years old, and have slowed down quite a bit. I am excited and looking forward to working on the staff with our pastor, Rev. Larry Shull, John Mew, our Minister of Youth and Childen, and Joan Buckheister, the ministry assistant. Plus, a great church family. I covet your prayers for the days to come. I will be reporting on a regular basis for those who read these blogs.

At 4PM, we had a drop-in wedding shower for John Mew and his fiance, Karla York,who will be married in mid June. Two very happy young people. John has really done an outstanding work in his first months of ministry to our youth and children.

Then, to wrap it all up, we enjoyed our Discipleship Training classes. I am privileged to teach the Adults in DT and we are working our way through an in-depth study about Spiritual Warfare. Following DT, our evening worship service closed the day with a presentation from our puppet ministry, and several songs from our small children. Of course we had an outstanding sermon from pastor Larry Shull about the church that makes God sick, the Laodicea church of Rev. 3:14.
God is truly blessing. Please pray for my church family.
God Bless you...

Mother's Day was a great time of worship and recognition of our mothers. In addition,we had an infant dedicated to the Lord, and the parents committed to training up the child in the way he should go. May God bless this child in days to come.
Plans are complete for the Family Breakfast next Sunday, May 16th. Eating will start at 8:00 AM, followed shortly by the Fralick Sisters singing for us. Following the program,we will meet in Sunday School at 9:45 AM.The Fralick Sisters are members of the Double Branch Baptist Church, whose pastor is my son. How exciting it is to have both my preacher boys so close to us!

CALENDAR OF COMING EVENTS:
Mom's Day is next Sunday, May 8th. You are encouraged to attend the worship services that morning as we honor our mothers on this special day. Pastor Shull will also be leading in the baby dedication services that morning. We are very proud of our babies.
On Sunday, May 16, the Men of the Church will host a special family breakfast for all the church members. This is to honor the mother's as vital members and leaders of our church. We are expecting a great time, with good breakfast treats, and special music by the Fralick Sisters of the Double Branch Baptist Church. These sisters, well known in our area, sing a variety of Christian songs, mostly without music and with great harmony. They just recently cut a CD and cassette with some of their favorites. You will enjoy them, I am sure.
And don't forget that June is the month to celebrate dear ole dad!!
That is all for the moment. God Bless YOU in a special way.

Needed!!! Would like to have the email addresses of our church members and friends who would like to be put on an email newsletter mailing list from the church. Send your address to royster@aikenelectric.net. Thanks to all.

Sunday was a great day in the life of our church! And, we even had some rain for the dry and thirsty land....Sunday School attendance was up, and everyone seemed to be excited and happy. Announcement was made of the forthcoming marriage of our new youth and childrens minister, John Mew, to Karla York. They will be married in June, and a bridal shower will be given for them in the church fellowship hall on Sunday, May 16. This will be sort of unusual because men and women are invited to the shower.
Also on the same Sunday, there is a special called church conference to vote on calling me, DRR, as Minister of Education and Administration as a paid staff member. Who ever said I could retire...? Retirement sure does get boring, and now I can have another ministry for as long as the Lord allows me to go on. I covet the prayers of all who read these words, and pray that, if I am called, that I can be an effective and faithful minister of our church. I am looking forward to working closely with our pastor and with the minister of children and youth. This is a humbling experience for me, and I can only give God the praise and glory for allowing me to continue serving Him here in my "golden years".

North First had a big yard sale today to raise monies to finish paying off the new Youth Gym. Sure was lots of 'junque' and treasures there, and as members brought their donations, they looked around and bought someone else's! When the final tally is made, the sales will have netted more than 5000 dollars, which will pay off the gym. God is so good, all the time.

When I get the blog going good, I plan on entering the schedule of activities, worship services, etc., so that all computer buff members can check out the program schedule. Also, I plan to have an E-Mail Newsletter as often as needed to keep the church infomed.

Sunday. May 16th will be a great time of Breakfast Fellowship as the Men of the church host all the men, wives and children for a special breakfast meal, starting at 8 AM. Our guests will be the Fralick Sisters from nearby Double Branch Baptist Church as they sing for us. All church members are invited to attend, but you must sign up so that the cooks can know how many eggs to cook, bacon strips to fry, and coffee to make. As you enter the vestibule of the church next Sunday, use the sighup sheet that is provided, or just call the church office at 247-2711 and let the secretary know how many of your family are coming.

Hi, still getting in tune with this blogging theme. It will take some time before I can be familiar enough with the tools and procedures before I will feel comfortable. Anyhow, we have put this on line as mentioned before, to get the attention of our church members and those friends that are interested in the ministry of our church. More about all of us as time goes by. May God bless this work, and all those who happen to come across these ramblings.

Starting this new blog for the use of church members and friends to keep up-to-date with the programs and activities of the church.