Midway Church of God will hold an Easter service Sunday morning. The service will be immediate followed by an Easter egg hunt for the children and finger foods for lunch. Everyone is welcome to attend. Midway Church of God is located at 2485 SE Midway Church Road, just off County Road 255, south of the interstate Lee exit, or off Highway 53, south of the interstate, Madison exit.
By Nell Dobbs
Guest Columnist
Friday is here! Easter is coming! And Jesus will rise as He promised!
“Why are you loosing my colt?” asked the owner.
“The Lord hath need of him,” the two disciples answered. Then they set Jesus on the colt and people spread clothes in His path and praised God for all the mighty works Jesus had done, but not everyone praised Him. Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem. The chief priests and scribes sought to trick Him and destroy Him, but He continued preaching and teaching what would be happening in the days ahead. He ate the Passover with His disciples, knowing Judas would betray Him with a kiss and for a pitiful amount of money.
He was taken to the high priest and mocked and hit, blindfolded, hit in the face, taunted and blasphemed against. As soon as it was day, the elders and the chief priests and scribes came together and asked if He were the Christ and He answered, “If I told you, you would not believe Me.” He was led to Pilate who said, “I find no fault in Him” until he learned Jesus was from Galilee and as soon as he knew Jesus was from there, which was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod. Herod was very glad for he’d been wanting to see Him for a long time because he had heard of Him and hoped to see Him do a miracle.
It was a custom for Pilate to release a prisoner and when he asked, “Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas or Jesus? “ Pilate’s wife sent him word not to have anything to do with that just man for she had a bad dream about Him. Pilate washed his hands and said he was innocent.
Preacher Law’s message was from this Scripture and was entitled “Fickle Folk” as he spoke of three attitudes: 1.) of the crowd. 2.) those who crowd out Jesus 3.) those who wash their hands.
Deacon of the week, Ricky Henderson, prayed the offertory prayer, thanking God for His love and mercy and praying for His work at home and around the world.
Music director Jim couldn’t have knee surgery Tuesday as planned and (in jest) that affected him because he couldn’t get the title of the choir special right. He kept saying “Precious Lord, Take Me Home,” instead of “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.” Bless him (and Beth) in his ministry.
Gracious hosts and hostesses for a church-wide Easter lunch and egg hunt after morning church were Ashley and Martha Beggs and their family! Everyone appreciated their efforts and the special time. Martha Register did an Easter story for the children. Thanks.
April 1-8 is the Week of Prayer for North American Missions and our goal is $2,800.
C.D., our brother, asked me how old Rudy (Hamrick) is and how he’s doing, so I called Ann Morrow and we had a good talk. Bless him and them. Bless Peggy Drummond and Al, Preacher and Mrs. Law, Preacher Jake and Judy Phillips, Louise Strickland with bad back, also Jeanette Mitchell, Iduma Smith at Smith Hospital, Stacey Frakes, Rosie Leggett, Gordon and Hettie Selman and all other ill ones – and all sad ones.
We give thanks for all the Holy Week services and today at the Good Friday services at our church.
Words I’ve thought of all week – hither and thither, here and there.
God is good, compassionate, generous, trustworthy, faithful, forgiving, loving and is calling us to do His will and meet the needs of those we can.
Amen.
The young girl knew that the king would soon be passing by where he waited at the bottom of the hill.
She had seen the king before. She had been there a few days ago when the king had made his triumphal entry into the city.
The girl had been there when the king had been brought before the court that was not only wanting to impeach the king but also to execute him. She could not believe such rebellion against a king.
She had been there when the governor had tried to release the king because he could see nothing wrong that the king had done. Instead, the crowd cried for the king’s blood.
She saw the crowd coming toward the hill. The king was being forced to carry a cross. She saw the blood dripping from his face where a crown of thorns was implanted into his skull, where a true crown, representing his royalty, that he did not wear should have been.
She saw the stripes on the king’s body. The king who had healed her, the daughter of Jairus, and raised her from the dead would be able to heal people for centuries to come. She recalled the words of the Jewish prophet Isaiah who had written, “By His stripes, ye are healed.”
The next few hours, she saw the king nailed to the cross. She saw him bleed and die. She cried with the others. She felt despair but something deep inside her told her that the king would be back.
A few days later, she heard the news that the king had arisen. King Jesus had arisen and was now King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
By Nell Dobbs
Guest Columnist
It seemed the theme for Sunday morning was “Blessed.” The first three songs were “Blessed Be Your Name,” “Blessed Be the Name of the Lord” and “Blessed Be the Name.” In Deuteronomy 28:2, “And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.” There are so many other references to being blessed and to blessing. Gabriel, the angel, said to Mary that she was highly favored because the Lord was with her and she was very blessed among women.
Hearing Joel O’Steen on Sunday morning, he spoke from Galatians of going gently and telling the Good News! Then in morning church, Preacher Law’s message was from Timothy 1:1-7 about “Encouraging Others,” stirring up the gift of God within us, loving each other, remembering the father of our grandmothers and mothers. He also said one of the favorite songs is “The Longer I Service Him, the Sweeter He Grows,” which he doesn’t hear much anymore. It also was the favorite of Mrs. Audrey Wood, the mother of Mrs. Dorothy Heard and a staunch believer and very mission-minded.
Beautiful flowers were placed in loving memory of her parents, Otha and Henry Shaffer, by Doris Cowart, who is not well and stands in the need of prayer. Bless her family also. Once Otha and her sister, Otel Godwin and Edna Waldrep were all in our Dorcas Sunday School class and their sister-in-law, Winona Hudson, was in the Adult Woman’s Class. Prayers for Elma and Southern Living for Seniors, as well as Juanita Cruce, Ina Moore and Pauline Stokes too.
Todd Gordon touched us all as he prayed the offertory prayer. Jim said no longer is the Senior Adult Choir the Senior Adult Choir but JOY – Just older Youth. They sang “We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise” and added “For the Beauty of the Earth.”
Sunday night, we enjoyed the covered dish fellowship.
This Sunday, April 1, following the morning worship service, our annual Easter egg hunt will be held at the Beggs Barn.
Holy Week Services at noon April 2-6:
Monday, Grace Presbyterian
Tuesday, Shiloh Missionary Baptist
Wednesday, First United Methodist
Thursday, Mt. Zion Church
Friday, First Baptist Church
Many are ill among us. Manager are sad: Preacher Jake Philips, Preacher Larry Law and Diana, Will Rutherford, the Michael Sands Family of Buckville, Peggy Drummond, Jeanette Mitchell, The family of Adrian Craine of Perry, Al and Gail Spurlock, Ruby Moyer, Iduma Smith at Smith Hospital, Bill Roberts, Janice Luttrell (Billy’s sister), Mr. Clifford “Buck” Kelly, Jim Carey (knee surgery postponed) and all the other ill ones. We pray comfort for all the sad ones – sad because of the death of loved ones, because of ill health, because of lack of the world’s necessities, because of loneliness and all other reasons.
Life is short – or it may be short; therefore, may we live, love, laugh, give thanks to God and to others. Amen!
By Nell Dobbs
Guest Columnist
And we were all in one accord!
By unanimous vote on Sunday night, our church now has a preacher whose heart’s desire to visit those in hospitals, those who are shut-ins, all members of our church in our homes, to reach out to the community and meet any needs he an. He is Preacher Gabriel Krell, 34, and his wife is Andrea, their daughter isKatherine, 6, and their son is Matthew, 2. How he touches our hearts as he preachers from Romans 5:6-8, “What Does God Look Like?” Jesus came at just the right time.
When Jesus went into the synagogue on the Sabbath as his custom was He was handed the Book of Isaiah and stood to read and opened the book where it said “The Spirit of the Lord is upon men. And I am to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Then he sat down and said, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”
Those who heard him wondered at His gracious words until they realized He was Joseph’s son and then they tried to kill Him, but He just passed through them and went His way!!
How great was the crowd Sunday morning. Jeanette Mitchell’s son Matt from Japan and her daughter, Dawn, from Wisconsin, her daughter, Wendy, from Jacksonville, and Wendy remarked how warm and friendly our church is! We are indeed a loving church and given thanks for each of us and our visitors! Our music is great and our choir and Jim. Shellie Smith blessed me singing.
Deacon of the Week Bill Brown gave thanks for all God’s blessings and Lynne Sapp always teaches us with her playing. Worship Choir sang “Be Still and Know.”
Special thanks were given to all our Pastor Search Committee – Robin Hill, who had spent many hours in prayer, in meetings, in studying the many resumes and phone calls.
Beautiful flowers were placed in loving memory of Aubrey Blanton by Christians and family.
Prayers of comfort for the family of Jimmy Roebuck and thanks for his well-lived life.
Many are very sick – Preacher Jake Phillips, Rudy Hamrick now back home; Peggy Drummond able to be home a week from Shands; Preahcer Law still in need of prayers and healing, Stacey Frakes, Orlando, and all others.
As Jesse, Lil Jess and I were going to cemetery at Swift Creek in Lake Butler Monday I saw on the side of a big truck: “The Key to Happiness Is ,,,: but I couldn’t read the second line; however we all can think of many happy times and things and places.
May we always thank God for His love, mercy and grace.
Amen!
By Nell Dobbs
Guest Columnist
Time changes. Times change. Time changed last weekend. We sing “Change and decay in all around I see. Then Who changeth not abide with me.” God sometimes changes what He intended. Plans changed for us last weekend in that our prospective Preacher Gabriel Krell and family could not come as planned because his wife’s grandmother had died Friday morning, March 9.
Now their plans are to be with us Thursday at 6 p.m. for pizza in the Fellowship Hall. On Saturday, there’s to be an ice cream social at 1 p.m. Then at 7 p.m., there’s to be a Young Adult Cookout at the home of Nathan and Amy Kendrick. At morning church, Preacher Krell will preach and then there will be a covered dish lunch followed by a question and answer time. At 6 p.m., we’ll have our business meeting and will vote on calling him to be our preacher.
We are so blessed to be in such a wonderful, loving caring church where God’s love is felt and known and shown. It’s great to see everyone there. Bless us one and all. We began services by singing “God is Good All the Time.” Then we welcomed each other and afterward sang “Nobody Fills My Heart Like Jesus.”
We are happy for choir members and for Jeannette Mitchell and Kara joining the choir, and Billy Washington, Deacon of the Week, praying earnestly for our church. The Worship Choir sang “Glorious Day.” It was wonderful to see Lee and Glenda Gordon and family in church and the beautiful flowers in memory of their loved one June Gordon.
Geoff Hill blessed us as he used only one verse, Matthew11: 28, at his message, where Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” Somehow, he manages to touch us all. He said the devil will make us wonder what we’re saying and doing; he’ll make us judge others and criticize them; and he will try to make sure we never read the Bible! It is our duty to read the Bible and know it and reward is eternal rest!
We are blessed that Brian and Julia Townsend and their Zachary and Braxton came into our church last Sunday (my apology for failing to mention them last week.)
What a message as many of us saw the movie “Courageous” Sunday night, stressing the importance of fathers in a family as well as each person living a life for God.
Continued earnest prayers for our many very ill ones – Preacher Jake Phillips in South Georgia; Preacher Law at home; Peggy Drummond at Shands Cancer Center with at least an expected month longer; and congratulations to Al and her as they are celebrating 50 years of marriage! Amen! Jimmy Roebuck at Madison; to Rudy Hamrick, down south; to our sister Sue, very ill with first-ever earache; Will Rutherford not doing well at all; and a host of others.
Jesus was unique. Each of us is “one of a king.” Mary was troubled at what Gabriel told her about Jesus’ birth. The shepherds were “sore afraid” (terrified) at what they heard the angels say or sing but went in haste to find that baby! Many we do the same. Make haste to live for Him.
Bless all newborn babies. Bless Lil Lester as he has joined Mary Jane and Christina and Lester Helton and grandparents and great-grandparents. Amen!
Lifesong sings at their album premiere party held at Shelby’s Restaurant in Madison on March 8.
By Nell Dobbs
Guest Columnist
Time changes. Time changes. God never changes. He promised the seasons and a new one is coming soon and with it all the beautiful leaves, flowers, growth, fruit and beauty.
Nothing is impossible with God for He can handle anything at anytime for anyone. Amen. “Through it all, we can depend upon Him for He knows all about us, He thinks about us, He calls us by name, and He’ll give us a new name on day.”
Our Dorcas Sunday School class thought it unusual to be studying the birth of Jesus at this time. Mary was troubled at first about the news Gabriel told her about having a baby – and especially not the usual way. And in the news today there are many unusual procedures going on concerning babies.
A very busy weekend is planned in anticipation of Preacher Gabriel Krell and family being with us, beginning tonight at 6:30 with pizza, then, on Saturday, at 1 p.m., an ice cream social. He will be our guest speaker in morning service on Sunday. Afterwards, we’ll have a covered dish lunch, with fried chicken provided by the church followed by a time of questions and answers. In night church, we’ll have a vote on whether he will become pastor or not.
Before Sunday School, there was a special breakfast for Kara Washington, with much of the expenses required for a mission trip to Mexico being received. Amen! And amen with prayers for the group going and may people come to know the Lord.
Geoff led music in Jim’s absence. Last week, he was the preacher. We are so blessed Robin, Josh and he are among us and love the Lord so. David Fries sang “The Bells are Ringing! He’s Alive” and we were happy to see Sharon and Danielle were back in church. Bern Smith, Deacon of the Week, prayed a touching offertory prayer and especially for all those affected by all the bad weather. Worship Choir sang “In Christ Alone.”
Preacher Gene Stokes again blessed us as he preached from Ecclesiastes 12. We know we will all die; therefore, the message is to be prepared. He is always such a blessing as he reminds us of God’s Way. How we appreciate the work Geraldine and he have done among us through the years. Amen.
Beautiful flowers were placed in loving memory of Maddox Jackson Page, infant son of Ernie and Jennifer Page, and grandson of Ernie and Marguerite Page.
Earnest prayers for the many, many ill ones – Jimmy Roebuck in Madison Hospital; Rudy Hamrick in an Orlando hospital; Will Rutherford not so good; W.C. Copeland not so good; Preacher and Mrs. Law as he’s not good; Peggy Drummond at Shands Cancer Center; Clifford Jackson, Cindy Brown’s sister, at North Regional; Lois Wainright’s granddaughter, Amber; Al Spurlock now home; Peggy Stokes’ mother at Shands Heart Center; Dr. John G. McCall, who had just called Sandra. I’d like to hear him preach and pray again.
Comfort Geneva Massey and Dorothy Hubble and families in the death of their sister and in the illness of both brothers.
May God help us not to miss out on His blessings because we fail to rejoice when He blesses others. Amen.
GENESIS MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
2062 Colin Kelly Highway ~ Madison, Florida
GENESIS MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
DEACONESS
PRAYER BRUNCH
The Genesis Missionary Baptist Church Deaconess Board would like invite all deaconesses to join us:
SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 2012
10:00 AM – 12:00 NOON
PRAYER BRUNCH.
SPEAKER: MINISTER JOYCE TAYLOR
SPECIAL GUEST:
“THE SPIRITUAL PRAYER WARRIORS” OF JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
Ruby Barfield-Rose, Deaconess Board President
Mack Alexander, Deacon Board Chairman
By Nell Dobbs
Guest Columnist
In concluding our Sunday School study of Numbers and Deuteronomy, it was sad that for one act of disobedience, Moses was only allowed to view the Promised Land but not to enter it! What a man he was! What a leader! He had loved God’s people and had entreated God to forgive them or take his name off His list. At 120, he was as strong as ever and his eyes were as good as ever. God buried him. Where? Only God knows! Only God knows!
How blessed we are for all the music at church, each song; for Jack McLeod’s touching offertory prayer; for Lynne’s beautiful “Brethren, We Have Met to Worship;” for Worship Choirs “I Must Tell Jesus” and “Blessed Assurance.” – my mother’s favorite, “I Must Tell Jesus.”
What a message we heard though, not from a preacher but from a teacher/band director he kept telling us! That was Geoff Hill! What a blessing he’s been to us all the years in every way he has served. His Robin spoke as chairman of the Pastor Search Committee about a prospective pastor, Gabriel Krell, who is to preach here on March 11 and all the activities planned that weekend for us all to get acquainted and Geoff and we should express gratitude to the committee members (and to their spouses since he’s one of them) who truly gave of themselves to do their job. He also spoke of and named several in church who had not waited until we got a preacher but who did what needed to be done. He spoke of Preacher Phil and Dorothy Heard who knew the Word, preached the Word, who began the church council. He spoke of Preacher Roy and Judy Saint (musical talents or he could have) and his explaining the symbols in the 10 stained glass windows and that he’d like to hear about them again. He spoke of the Laws and his quick wit and messages and their need of healing for him!
We pray for all the other very ill ones – Peggy Drummond at Shands; Jessica Gallegos; Vivian Welch by Toy Stewart, fellow teacher of long ago; Doris Cowart; Cindy Brown’s sister, Clifford Jackson at North Florida Regional; Mike Woods; and on and on the list goes.
Comfort the family of Tommy Greene and all other sad ones!
An invitation to come for a fundraiser breakfast on Sunday, March 4, from 9-9:45 a.m. for Kara Washington as she plans to become one of the group, “In His Arms,” on a mission trip to Monterey, Mexico, June 16-22.
And we join the family of Gean McCullough’s sister, Loretta Gallagher, in Joplin, Mo., in giving thanks they are moving into their new home in May. The tornado had gone through.
May God bless us one and all and grant us to show and share His love, mercy and grace.
Saturday, February 25th, Hanson United Methodist Church will host the reknown Dan Schall.
The concert starts at 6:00 p.m. There is no admission charge, but a love offering will be taken.
Hanson United Methodist Church is located on Hwy. 145, 7 miles north of Madison.
Everyone is invited!
By Nell Dobbs
Guest Columnist
We are to love the Lord our God with all our hearts and souls in order that we might live. Death will come to us all unless Jesus comes first.
The service for Rosalie Russell in the 1898 Sanctuary on the 15th was very touching as the four family members who spoke caused us to smile and be joyous. Niece Rosemary Clark Stiefell told of growing up with her and of her taking credit for her becoming a famous artist. Nephew Harry Rotter told of her special love and support for him. Son-in-law Steve told of her loving him in spite of him being a Yankee from New York and how Ann and he had looked forward to many years together as she’d moved to Sarasota only a month before, but that was not to be. Son Van told of how her faced showed such happiness the last time he’d seen her Thursday. He’d never opened her Bible until after she died and found all the verses she had marked – with the date and her concerns and near the end, wondering what God’s purpose was for her life.
Our hearts are sad about Tommy Greene, who was indeed one of a kind and we pray comfort for his family and many friends. Amen!
Sad with our Hospice worker, Cheryl Register, and her family in the death of her dad, Mr. Mixon, two weeks ago. She preached his funeral. Her mother at Madison Nursing center not well.
Peggy Drummond is very ill at Shands and we pray for her and her family and all the many very ill ones.
Bless W.C. and Frances Copeland and their being in church. Ruby Lee is still ill.
You know I say over and over Dad used to sing the first three of us and the last three of us to sleep. Our favorite was “The Little Gypsy Boy.”
Hearing Preacher Law preach Sunday morning from Philippians about a caring church and how that is not always so. When they lived in Ocala years ago, only one man in their church ever talked to him about why he didn’t go to church for seven years. A Psalm says, “No man cared for my soul.” The song says, “Tell it again, ‘til none can say of the children of man, No one ever the story has told. Tell it again. Tell it again.”
Sunday night in business meeting, it was brought up at Preacher Gabriel Keel, 34, of Louisiana will preach for us on March 11 and will be voted on the 18th and that his heart’s desire is to visit. Amen! And may he be blessed and may we all, too.
Special thanks to everyone who came and supported the Pine Tree Quilters Quilt Show and Brunch on the 18th and made it the success it was! Thanks.
By Nell Dobbs
Guest Columnist
God is good all the time and may we give Him thanks for His goodness, grace and mercy! He has loved us with His undying love and has granted us the joy and blessing of living in this good land. Selecting the right leaders is one of the most important decisions we make. God did not want His people to have a king but finally gave in to them. We are to be fair and just and honest.
Beautiful flowers were placed in honor of Letha Hicks in celebration of her birthday by her family. They all have been such blessings.
We love doing motions with “Love Lifted Me.” Todd Gordon gave a touching offertory prayer. Worship Choir sang “Walk Like Jesus.”
What blessings for all of us that Preacher Law was granted God’s healing and strength to be back in the pulpit. He gave us the message and purpose of the Lord’s Supper and then we partook.
We were so blessed to have heard the six Ark Singers on Wednesday night and enjoyed their telling briefly of their lives and the ministry they are in and we pray souls for their hire. Their last song was “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,” and “oh, the joy of a newborn baby.”
There’s been another loss in our church, Mrs. Rosalie Russell. We give thanks for a life well-lived and pray comfort for her family. We give thanks for Mrs. Sally Johnson and the faith to come back so soon and also Kathy McCollum, who did likewise. Pray for Kay Browning in the loss of her sister and for the family of Mavis Buchanan and for Cathryn Carver’s family and all other sad ones.
Prayers for healing of the many ill ones. Peggy Drummond to be at Shands a week; Tommy Greene, home from Shands; Melvin Agner, home a week Monday from shoulder surgery and finally able to lie down; George and Barbara Whittle with so much illness in their family and a death. I saw him at Dr. Schindler’s office one day. Geneva Massey and Dorothy Hubble and their brothers and sisters; Epp Richardson; Rudy Hamrick; C.D. Agner (our brother) and all others with viruses.
So very happy to see sisters Floree Williams and Mary Bell in the same day – friends of old!
Congratulations to Susanne (Sanders) Griffin on her recent honor. Sweet and smart as always.
What a wonderful Friendship Banquet Sunday night, hosted by the young people who were perfect waiters and waitresses. Many thanks to the chef, Teresa Rutherford and to Beth and Jim Carey. (We love you and thank you.)
An invitation to attend the Pine Tree Quilters Brunch and Quilt Show on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:15 Our daily prayer under Mrs. Mary Davis in fifth grade.
By Nell Dobbs
Guest Columnist
Our Sunday School lesson was “Be Different.” God’s heart is sad and always has been for the world and for the nations. As followers of Christ, we are to have a prospective life like God’s and live unlike the world. He gives definite rules for living by giving God His portion and by giving willingly to the poor who will always be among us!
Our guests were Dr. and Mrs. Floyd of Baptist College of Florida in Graceville, twenty years as minister of music, twenty years as pastor. He told of “Mama Ruth” of Boston, Ga., whose favorite scripture was Psalm 13 and it took him 35 years to understand why. His message was very touching and he closed by using the last verse, 6, as he sang unto the Lord who has dealt bountifully with him. “I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free, For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.” That was our mother’s favorite song though she never sang. Our dad was the one who played piano and sang every verse of every song and had everybody who came to see us sing and sing every verse of every song.
As I called Oad for the words of “His Eye Is On the Sparrow,” he said, “Let me tell you what happened today. Someone called me. He had left an accordion at Flint Institute of Music and wondered if I wanted it. Of course. When I went to pick it up, there was a stack of music on it and on top was ‘I Wouldn’t Take Nothin’ for My Journey Now.’” That was one of Daddy’s favorites. Oad is always thoughtful and giving. He sent Nita a beautiful congratulatory arrangement as manager of Cosmo Prof in Stockbridge, Ga.
Preacher Floyd mentioned there is even a degree in Aviation because so many fields can be reached only by planes. Our niece, Libby Dixon (Devin’s wife) is on a two week medical missionary trip to the Philippines and the news is bad – quakes there. Prayers for all the world and for them.
Beautiful flowers were placed in the church by Jean McWilliams in loving memory of Buddy’s parents, Clayton and Selma McWilliams and Jean’s mother, Edna Phillips. As we think of them, we indeed have many “Precious Memories.”
Lee Gordon blessed us with his offertory prayer. Worship Choir blessed us with singing “Your Grace Still Amazes Me” and that is so true. I was happy. Natalie, our granddaughter, was home for the weekend and in church with Angie and me.
Many enjoyed Sunday night’s Super Bowl – the game, the fellowship and the BBQ cook-off.
There is a men’s Bible study group for six weeks, taught by Bill Brown and Jim Carey on David Platt’s book, Radical, on Monday nights from 7-8 p.m.
The Ark Singers were at our church Wednesday night, Feb. 8, at 6:30 p.m. and our prayers are with them as they spread the gospel around the world.
The youth group is hosting the Friendship Banquet, Feb. 12, at 6 .m.
The Associated WMU Rally will be held at Macedonia on Tuesday, Feb. 14, at 10 a.m.
We’ll pray for the many ill ones.. Melvin Agner – shoulder surgery on Monday; Ruby Lee was very ill with bronchitis; Rudy Hamrick in Madison Hospital; Robbie Beasley on a special mission; Iva Lee Davis, sister of Dorothy Hubble and Geneva Massey; for Calvin Eddins, brother of Dorothy and Geneva; for Tommy Greene and family in his illness; for strength for the Bill Johnson family; and for Preacher and Mrs. Law as he returns Feb. 12 to preach for us.
Help us know God knows all about us and loves us! Amen.
By Nell Dobbs
Guest Columnist
Give thanks! Rejoice! Sing! Study! Walk in God’s way. Teach our children about Him as we sit in our houses! As we walk by the way, when we lie down, when we get up, and write His ways on our doorposts and on our gates. Amen! (I want to do that!)
What a blessing as Chandra Smith and other leaders led the Awana Sparks in a delightful singing of John 3:16.
We sang:
“He’s my Savior, He’s my Savior.
“He is worthy. He is worthy.
“I will praise Him, I will praise Him!
“Allelulia! Allelulia! Allelulia.”
The 29th as Jim prayed earnestly for ill ones memories came of the day 31 years ago when our dad, Dean Agner, died at our sister Di’s and Wayne’s home in Lithonia, Ga. Both Mother and he got sick over Christmas and when they came down, Wayne asked Daddy if they would go home with them and he said, “Ask Mother.” She didn’t want to go, but they did – and they both got worse and worse. Allen seven of us living ones got there and were with him when he died.
Then, on that same day in 1996, our sister Sue’s son, Lee, died at their home in Powder Springs, Ga.
A very touching offertory prayer by Doug Finney.
Worship Choir sang “Amazing Grace” with Shellie Smith singing the last verse – such a comfort “The Lord has promised good to me” and indeed He has kept His promise.
Again, Preacher Hicks blessed us with his wit and message, “God’s Super Bowl.” He mentioned the four downs in a football game as he commented on many of Jesus’ parables:
God looked down
God came down
Jesus laid down His life
Jesus sat down at the right hand of God and makes intercession for us.
Thinking about teaching our children about God’s Way. I gave thanks Sunday for Mike Peacock who opened the door for me at Dollar General and then spoke to me and so I sat in the car and and asked if I remembered him from library days – surely – Barbara’s and Willie’s son and I’m so proud of them and of him. All of us need to keep our children and our schools and our parents in our daily prayers! Amen!
By Nell Dobbs
Guest Columnist
How blessed indeed we are for Sunday School and church, and being able to gather, study His word, sing praises to Him, bring the tithes and offerings, hear touching offertory prayer by Justin Davis, and to see the beautiful flowers placed by Mark and Jennifer Browning, and the worship choir special, “My Life Is In Your Hands.”
Our guest speaker was Dr. Mike Miller, who is our Director of Missions of the Middle Florida Baptist Association. The title of his message was, “Winter Is Coming,” which brought to my mind the Easter message, “Friday Is Coming.” Paul was writing to Timothy about the most important things in life..living a pleasing life to God; praying for the lost; praying for the young (because 80 percent of the people who are saved accepts Christ by the age of 13); praying for our families; and praying not to miss an opportunity to tell about Jesus’ love and forgiveness.
In the Spring of 1952, I interned in sixth grade with Louise Watson here in Madison, and then began teaching sixth grade in Raiford. Daddy’s sister, Aunt Edith Summers of Providence, told me of the opening and Shep Thomas, Superintendent hired me. The strange thing is almost 60 years have gone by and I was writing Marjell’s neice, Barbara Yarbrough Roberts, who was in that sixth grade class. I did not meet Marjell for a good while. The saying was girls went to teach in Raiford and found husbands and Carlena Grambling found Lacy Cason, Myrtle Lee Leslie Grambling found Drew Sweat, Dorothy Horne wanted to marry Marjell, but I did. I believe there were others.
The same afternoon Kathleen Pinkard Kinsey called me. She was going through a box of treasures and found a picture of her class in 1952 with Louise Watson and a letter I had wrote her on September 19 telling her I was teaching sixth grade in Raiford with 19 students. She’s going to sendme the pictures to have it enlarged so we can tell who was in that class.
Not long ago I’d written about Daddy’s youngest sister, Aunt Helen Fligh, writing Thinking Better Of God. Then I found it strange to read in Madison County, Florida Volume I, edited by Elmer Spear, about her husband Uncle Moses Aaron Fligh, born in Homs, Syria, October 3, 1938, who married Aunt Helen Oct. 6, 1937, and lived in Jacksonville and owned and operated a grocery store. They had children. He died February 13, 1955 and was loved by all us nieces and nephews.
There are so very many ill ones: Willa Branham’s dad, Mr. Johnson in South Georgia Medical Center; Terry Rykard’s mother, Rosie Leggett; Tommy Greene; Ruby Moyer; Sara Dene’s mother-in-law, Lillian Gwin; Marjell’s nephew, E.R. Crumps; Charlie Wynn; and Iduma Smith; W.C. Copeland; and Sue Downing.
I Timothy 2:15, “Study to show thyself approvedunto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of God.”
Amen!
By Nell Dobbs
May God help us do the things we should by telling oh His love, mercy, grace, and truth everywhere we go and doing what we can.
Beautiful flowers were place in church Sunday by Preacher Jake and Judy Phillips in honor of their twelfth wedding anniversary and we pray for their health and give thanks for the blessings they are to all of us in church and in the community.
The Worship Choir special was “Through it All” (on of my favorites) with a solo part by Lynne Hicks. Preacher Hicks again gave us much food for through in his message.
There are so many ill ones with a virus-Alex Agner, Carl Rushing, Jr., both in Madison Hospital. Charlie Wynn, very ill. Many with broken ankles-our niece Melissa Agner in Kingaport, Tenn. She slipped on the ice. Hettie Selman in Consulate Health with a broken ankle and broken wrist and not good at all.
Happy 93rd birthday to Gordon on the 18th also at Consulate. Eduma Smith with a broken ankle, Ruth Herndon and Norma Jean Hendry. Al and Gail Spurlock as both of them have been very ill.
Marjell often said when you lose your mother you lose your best friend. His died at 62 in 1963. We have two families in our church who have just lost theirs and we pray for them. The family of Faye Browning and Suzanne Peavy and all of their families. What precious memories they have, and we have. Marjell wrote this poem April 18, the night his mother died.
Soft rain in our life has
Now fallen and left our home
So lonely and dreary.
A gentle choice in Heaven was
Calling, “Welcome Home.”
Sad was your leaving, Mama.
A link in the family chain
Is now broken.
We’ll think not of soft words
And sweet phrases left
forever unspoken.
Please, burn a beacon or
Light a candle for me in
A window of your cabin built
By the Carpenter from Galilee.
Amen! And may we all so live that our family circle will be unbroken in Heaven.
Amen!
By Sara Dobbs Gwin
Guest Columnist
Mom, the regular writer of this column (aka Nell Dobbs to her readers) asked me to fill in for her this week as she’s been in bed with the flu for the past several days. Please keep her in your prayers and give her a call. You know Mom – she won’t want to miss any news of her friends, relatives or church family simply because she’s sick! Plus, she’ll want to put the news in this column next week when she returns. When I’m home, many of you always tell me how much you enjoy reading the news about people in her column.
Saturday, December 31, 2011 was a special day for Hilda and Jimmy Dixon, my aunt and uncle and Mom’s second youngest sister. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a county-wide buffet lunch at their home on Maplewood Drive off Dusty Miller Road. You know you’re from a small community when you open up the “Madison County Carrier” from your home in Mobile, Alabama and find an invitation from your aunt and uncle extended to every reader of the paper to attend the celebration. And many did come to celebrate their 50 years of wedded bliss.
I jokingly said to Mom when I learned Aunt Hilda had invited everybody to come, “You know, Aunt Hilda. She won’t stress out if she runs out of food at her party. She’ll just open up jars of pickled okra and boiled peanuts to feed them or maybe a bag of blueberries.” I hope that many of you – like her family members – have been blessed throughout the years to receive canned goods from Aunt Hilda. She has an extra-generous spirit (so does Uncle Jimmy) and is always sharing bounty from her garden with others.
Aunt Hilda and Uncle Jimmy were tickled pink to have relatives from Aunt Hilda’s side come, the Agners, family from Uncle Jimmy’s side, the Dixons and the Blairs, and a host of friends from their church, First United Methodist, and community friends. Their three children were all present: daughter Gina and her husband Eugene and their eight children, Grace, Faith, Noah, Hope, Joy, Glory, Isaiah, and 11-week old little Daniel from King George, VA; son Devin and his wife Libby from Cumming, GA, and three of their four children, Jessica and husband Robby, Jarod, and Melissa, daughter Emily and husband Kevin and little Evelyn from Albuquerque, New Mexico, were unable to come, but they wished their grandparents well via Skype; and son Marlin from the Atlanta area.
Both the newspaper editor Jacob (who I’m glad to hear is back at work many mornings after his recent health scare) and Mrs. Mary Ellen have promised to run pictures from the anniversary celebration as soon as (my cousin) Devin can get some to them. Thanks.
Though I’m still from Florida at heart, I have lived in Alabama for the past 23 years, so let me take a few brief sentences to commend the Crimson Tide for their January 9 win of the National Championship. According to my hubby Bobby, a real avid, rabid football fan, this is the Tide’s 14th championship – not that I’m bragging or anything. So all you Gator and Seminole fans, let me say Roll Tide. When my good friend from Madison, Debbie Parrish Nicolle, met Bobby a few months after our engagement in 1988, they just happened to strike up a conversation about football. Afterwards, she said to me, “Do you have any idea of how much he really loves football?” Now this is from a woman who planned her own wedding on an open FSU date, October 6, 1985, so she wouldn’t have to miss a ‘Nole’s game! Can she say anything about Bobby? Smile! Debbie and her son, Thomas, Nina Reeves Watts and hubby Bill, Caron Holton and her family, and Robin and Lee Peavy and children regularly tailgate in Tallahassee for FSU games and I know they have a blast.
Nina and Bill are thrilled to report that their daughter Samanatha, an English Education major at FSU, made the honor roll and the symphony orchestra her freshman year.
And to give the University of Florida equal billing, I’ll mention that another high school classmate of mine from 1977, Mike Norfleet and his family are big Gator fans. In fact, he missed the class reunion we had last October at The Lunch Box Restaurant to attend a Florida football game. We missed him and Nida and sure hope they’ll make the 35th class reunion we plan to have this year! Hint, hint, Madison classmates, Judy Townsend, Angela Culpepper, Terry “Badcock” Olive, Larry Smith, Cindy Coody, and Terry Martin, we better get going on the planning meetings for it.
As I wrap up this column, Mom wanted me to make mention of many needed prayers for a number of sick friends and family throughout the community. Right after the anniversary celebration, Uncle Jimmy was hospitalized for pneumonia, though he is home now. John Troyer, our special friend, didn’t get to come to the celebration because he was sick with the flu. And I’m sure you all know of many others.
Though football is a lot of fun and brings many good memories, let’s make sure we keep our eyes on the Lord this year, stay in touch with family and friends, and do all we can to help those in need.
And as Mom would say, “May you be blessed.”
By Nell Dobbs
A very blessed year of 2012 to all of us! We are to walk with the Lord and talk with him and be confident that he loves us and cares for us. David said, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil…for surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Amen!
God has been so very good and blessed us in so many ways. We’ve been touched and loved over the holidays as we’ve celebrated Jesus’ birth and the reason for the season with many activities. With much rejoicing, we give thanks for the many memories with family being together, with much family and many friends celebrating Jimmy’s and Hilda’s golden anniversary at their home on Dec. 31; for Oad playing the organ at church Sunday; and for Mark Branham joining him on trombone playing “Danny Boy” for offering; for all the music and musicians; for preacher Larry and Diane being in church and for his words of appreciation to the entire church and all who have shown love, care, support and prayers for him during his very serious illness and recovery; for the special from the choir; for preacher Hicks’ timely message; and for the one who came forward and for his needs.
We give thanks for our deacons and their ministry and pray for them. Thanks to Ronnie Ragans (and Marilyn) who blessed us with a visit, poinsettias, and prayed for us. A Christmas card came to our church saying, “To the members and friends of the First Baptist Church of Madison, thank you very much for the lovely poinsettias that was brought to my door by the McLeods last week. I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness. Sincerely, Jeanette Mitchell. Jeanette is truly a wonderful person and friend. She is a member of the Lee United Methodist Church, and a member of Pine Tree Quilters. She lost her husband, Eugene, this past year. Prayers for her and thanks for the note.
Prayers go to the family of Mr. Sharon Blanton, and especially for them as he is buried tomorrow. His sister Eleanor called me about him and how close they’ve always been. I told her that just recently Sue, our sister, and I were talking of their mother, Ms. Leila, as she taught us English at Pinetta and how she taught the two- And taught her Latin so they could get into nursing school. Another example of good deeds being done and living on. Sue went to Emory; Anabelle went to another school in Jacksonville.
We’ll pray for the many, many ill ones and all sad ones, for God’s will to be done in their lives and in ours as well.
Amen!
