Greene Publishing, Inc.

By Nell Dobbs
We are so thankful for God’s greatest gift, His Son who taught us to love one another.

I think Jim’s favorite song is “Go Tell It On The Mountain” and we are to tell it everywhere.

We are very thankful for music, musicians and for Mark Branham touching us by singing “O Holy Night.” We are thankful that Bill Brown blessed up by praying the Offertory Prayer.

Preacher Hicks’ humor showed up again. He said he’d be preaching his message for the first time in his 66 years of reaching. His title was “The Mornings After-The Christmas Story” from Luke 2:1-20. He covered the events of His life, which began before the world began and did not end in the manger but continued to the cross and the empty tomb. It still continues today in the lives of His followers and in the blessed hope of His coming again.

He closed with Christmas Rossetti’s poem:

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I’d give
Him a lamb.
If I were a wise man, I’d do my part,
But what can I give Him?
I’ll give Him my heart.
Amen, I say and that is His heart’s
desire! That the whole world
should know him!
Amen!

Please lift up prayers for our deacons and their ministry, including ours – Ronnie (and Marilyn) Ragans; their visit was his prayer, a poinsettia, my birthday gift and their love and concern.

Pray for ministry of all kinds. Toy Stewart and Paula Ginn came and visited and the gifts they brought and their love was great. Pray for Jack and all their family.

Prayers for the ministry of Al and Gail Spurlock as they’ve volunteered to handle the food drive and those who are blessed in turn. Al Stands in the need of prayers for his health.

Prayers for Mr. and Mrs. Sweat, Ira Lee Richardson, Ruby Moyer, Preacher and Mrs. Law and all the many other ill ones.

Prayers for Cathryn Carver’s family, Sue Quick and the family in death of her brother Howard Grantham in Alabama, Martha Provan’s famly and all the many other sad ones.

Prayers of joy that our Nita and Berk are to be married in the spring and that he gave her a ring on Christmas morning. We’ll ask God’s richest blessings upon them.

Help us live this brand new year of 2012 with gratitude, joy and love!

Amen!

By Nell Dobbs

Christmas is almost here! God is love. He sent His son who was with Him before the world began.

The children’s “Christmas Pageant,” led by Martha Beggs and Martha Register and other was so beautifully done and touched our hearts. Bill Brown gave the offertory prayer that covered the world. The Worship Choir sang “Gloria! He is born!”

Our dad’s youngest sister, Aunt Helen Fligh, of Jacksonville, wrote a book in 1977, “Thinking Bet of God,” inscribed with “As love never fails, let’s keep on loving.” That’s what God does. He keeps loving us, as shown in every way. Our message Sunday morning by Preacher Manning Hicks was from John 1:1-18 and verse 29. He said it could have been entitled “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” In fact one year, I had a Christmas card about that. His cousin John came before Him saying he was not that light but loved witnessing of that light. It was sad He came to His own and they received Him not.

Preacher closed by reading one of Helen Steiner Ride’s poems about the man who received word Jesus would be his guest that day, so he got his house in order and waited. A beggar came by and he invited him in and gave him good shoes, and a coat.

A woman came by weary and worn and he gave her, a place to rest and food, night was coming – no Jesus. Then a little girl came crying. She was lost, so he helped her find her way home.

As he knelt to pray he was sad but was told “inasmuch as he had done it unto the least, he had it unto Him.” May we be led that way – to see needs and to meet our needs. Amen! We are indeed thankful Jesus came and came the way he did.

Some years ago our nephew, Gene Clyde Wall, of Atlanta wrote, “The Christmas Lamb” and said I could use it; thank you, His mother Sue, and he are visiting us now.

“The Christmas Lamb”
By Gene Clyde Wall

I used to think it very strange
A king should come this way;
Born in a stall with cows and sheep.
And in a Manger lay.
A king should come to palace warm
That’s made of stone not clay,
To gold and silk and silver spoons
And all suck royal array.
And servants to obey,
To dine and wine at tables fine
And hear musicians pay;
A baby king no doubt would have
Bright toys to make him gay,
And there’s a maid or two or three
To make his cradle sway.
But Christ was born within a stall,
Yes, where the cattle stay.
And it’s for sure His swaddling robe
No royalty did display.
This Babe was there amidst the flock
And lay upon the hay.
And instead of stately music sweet
He heard the horses neigh.
And this the King of Kings of Kings,
So men and angels say,
Was born within a humble barn;
Its walls were dark and grey.
But then the Lord a stable chose
A message to convey;
That in His eyes a baby Lamb
Is what was born that day.

On the 19th from 1-4, there was an Open House at the Middle Florida Baptist Association Building, to meet our new Director of Missions, Mike Miller and his wife Jan.

Christmas Caroling was Wednesday the 21st.

Christmas Eve, we will have a candle light service and the observance of the Lord’s Supper on the 24th at 5 pm.

Congratulations to John Mack Smith on graduating from FSU and thanks to everyone for prayers, for him and his parents. Give God thanks for their son. Flowers were placed in his honor.

We need prayer of comfort for the family of Catherine Carver, and all the other sad ones.

We have a prayer of thanks. Our preacher Larry Law is healing and is home. We would like to pray for all the others who are ill.

Thanks to the Youth, of our church for their wonderful Christmas Program Sunday night.

My God bless us, one and all! Amen!

Nell Dobbs

December 16, 2011

We receive many showers of blessings and one blessing was the rain Sunday night, which we really needed.

Blessings for our cousin Alex Agner’s 91^st birthday celebration at Barbara Memorial, with 27 present, with both daughters, Helen Frances, of Utah, and Mary of South Carolina; four brothers, three sisters, nieces, nephews and cousins; one brother was not able to attend.

We are thankful for a praise report about Ansley Beggs Rogers, and for Mike Woods being in church and being prayed for. Preacher Manning Hicks also did praying for his many health needs, as requested by Preacher Gene Stokes. Again, what a wonderful timely message about “The Cost of Christmas.” After he welcomed many guests, his message was like our Christmas musical, “Hope Is Born, Emmanuel.”

Thanks to Jim for the beauty of it and all those who had a part in it. God is good and gave His greatest gift, as a baby who grew to be a man, lived, died, rose again, intercedes for us and will come again for us, whether dead or alive, to be with Him forever. Amen!

We are thankful for Jim who welcomed someone brand new in church. He welcomed precious tiny Sawyer Smith with his parents, Joey and Shellie.

Pray for Preacher Law who is returning to the hospital again, because he is very ill.

We had beautiful flowers Sunday in memory of Mark Quick by his Aunt Betty Nabors of Montgomery, Alabama.

Please pray for John Mack Smith as he graduates this night with a degree in Criminal Justice from FSU and prayers for him to find the right job.

Prayers also need to go to Will Rutherford, who is recovering from back surgery, and for his family, Jacob Bembry and his recovery, and for all needy families.

Prayers for the family of Steve Bevan, Wayne Williams and Jane Simmons and for the family of the woman that was killed by a pit bull.

May we forever rejoice, meet needs as we can, and give thanks for God’s love, grace and mercy! Amen!

By Nell Dobbs
God is great and greatly to be praised! Amen!

It is impossible to number our blessings though we are to give Him thanks and be like the one healed leper who turned back to thank Jesus. Thanksgiving has passed and now we turn to Christmas and give God thanks and praise for His greatest gift – Jesus!

We look forward to Sunday, Dec. 11, at 6 p.m. for our Christmas cantata, Immanuel: Hope is Born with churchwide social following.

Happy 94th birthday was sung to Jargo Clark and then to Lois Wainright (95 on the 3rd) with beautiful flowers to her – their “Gangie” – from the Beasley, Putnal and McGriff families. Prayers for Jack Stewart on his 89th on the 1st and for his health and his family. Each of us has a birthday and we give God thanks for life!

Robert Stokes prayed a touching offertory prayer.

Worship choir sang a different version of “I Heard the Bells.”

How blessed we were to hear Ben Stewart speak of the Gideons, the history most interesting; how George Washington wanted to give every military person a Bible, but the Revolutionary War ended before he could do that; from the beginning and how God has blessed as His Word has been placed in so many places all over the world – 194 countries, in the military, hotels (every room), hospitals (every room), fifth grade classes (even though now limited), prisons, jails and He has promised His Word would not return to Him void. Amen!

Some have enjoyed the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park Light Tour and there are two more tours planned. Teresa Gallegos drives the bus. Thanks.

Bless Alan and Gail Spurlock as they have a heart to handle the Food Drive, giving to those less fortunate.

“Tis the season for deer…!” Thankful no one has been hurt – Kathy McCollum hitting one Saturday night near Pinetta; my Nita near their home in Hampton, Ga.; and Lil Jess and me hitting one Halloween morning. My friend in Pennsylvania says 200 have been killed in the City of Philadelphia.

Continue giving thanks and prayers for the McCollums; for the family of another very special friend, Jane Simmons; for the Robin Braswell Hill family in the death of her aunt; for the family of Mrs. Joe Davenport. Continued prayers for our ill Preacher Law, still in the hospital. and his family and for all the many others.

Congratulations to Shellie and Joey Smith as Sawyer joined lil sister Evie on Nov. 30.

Very neat favors from Christine Blanton, thanking everyone for celebrating her 80th birthday in such a fantastic way.

Thankful for Sara Dene writing “Happenings” last week and the comments from many of you.

May we ever be led to be Jesus’ Hands, Feet, Voice! Amen!

By Sara Dobbs Gwin, Guest Columnist
For those of you who read Mom’s weekly article about the news at Madison First Baptist and the entire Madison community, you know she always ends with May you be blessed.

In addition, she uses the same ending phrase for the almost-daily phone conversations my family and I have with her. I moved to Mobile, Alabama, in 1986 for a “big” job, married a local yokel in 1988 (a sweet Baptist deacon who has put up with me these past 23 years), and I have lived here ever since. I cannot even imagine how many times I have spoken to Mom, Dad and other family members on the phone throughout the years! Plus, my car goes on “autopilot” as we regularly make the 311-mile trip from Mobile to Madison, a trip I’ve made numerous times through the years!

My husband, Bobby, sons, Rob and Rhett, and I were fortunate to be in Madison for the Thanksgiving holidays last week and I thought about how blessed I really am. Here’s a list of things I am thankful for:

My sweet mom, Virginia Nell Agner Dobbs, is still with us. She taught many of you at Madison Primary School “back in the day” or was your librarian. To this day, I am still asked sometimes, “Are you Mrs. Dobbs’ daughter?” It is funny to have that as my “claim to fame,” but I am blessed to have that. I remember how Oadie, Jesse, and Nita and I would go with her after school years ago to visit some of her students. She was a great teacher. In fact, Rosie Knox Nixon, now an English instructor at North Florida Community College, wrote a tribute to Mom recently about her recollections of Mom as her second grade teacher the year her father died. Thanks, Rosie, that meant a lot to Mom.

Mom’s sense of community and love for each of you. Every morning when I talk to her she fills me on all the “Madison news.” When I remind her I have not lived in Madison since 1982 and do not remember who is related to whom, particular folks who married, and other key events of Madison County, she says, “Of course, you do!”

Mom’s willingness, interest and ability to continue writing her weekly column for you all. Though she did take a short hiatus while caring for Daddy at home from 2006 to 2008, she was happy to resume the writing of her column. I believe she told me she has been writing it for about 10 years. When I’m home, so many of you tell me how much you enjoy reading her news and learn so much about people from her. (I’m not sure if that’s good or bad – ha ha!)

•The Madison McDonald’s. When I grew up in Madison in the 60’s and 70’s, there were no fast food restaurants. I think we had The Dairy Bar, later called Hillcrest Restaurant, which was owned by the John Waring family. Their oldest son, John, was one of my classmates. And, of course, Ken’s Bar-B-Que was one of the other restaurants. I’m thankful that when I go into McDonald’s now I see former schoolmates and when I remind them who I am, I am no longer a “stranger” to Madison.

In fact, I was in McDonald’s last Friday night doing graduate work (Mom doesn’t get Internet connection “way out in the country” where she lives) when students, band members, and others came into McDonald’s after the Friday night football game. The Cowboys had just beaten a Catholic high school, according to one of the young people, and they were loud and rowdy. I spoke to one of them and said, “Hey, I’m not as old as I look. I used to be in the Madison High Band and played the clarinet. Then, we were the Madison Cougars at the old high school.” You know the look one gets from young people when they hear a comment like that!

Childhood and community friends. Our dear Hanson friend, John Troyer, who we first met at Pine Grove Baptist Church in the 70’s, preached at Hanson Methodist Church for the Sunday morning service. Mom, his mother Pat, John’s “best friend” Vicky Walker, her friend, Bob, and I went there to hear him preach. It was good to see community friends: Archie and Opal Strickland (I remember they were high school sweethearts), their Mom, Pauline, their uncle and aunt, Elmer and Louise Strickland, Glendyle Little (our neighbor down the road on Highway 254 – we loved her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Odom who we attended church with at Pine Grove), the Newsberrys, including Heidi, who encouraged everyone to go see her father’s new head stone, Laura Pulliam (also our neighbor on Highway 254) without Mr. Jim, who was not feeling well that morning, and too many others to mention. John is a great preacher and we enjoyed the community spirit of the congregation very much.
Special friends of Madison First Baptist. Mom and I attended the 80th birthday party of Christine Blanton (hope you don’t mind me putting your age in print, Mrs. Blanton) at the church and it was good to see so many old friends. Years ago, we used to see Mrs. Blanton at Dr. Gibson’s dental office where she worked. And, I worked with Dyan, her daughter-in-law, many years ago at Gulf Life Insurance when I was at home that first year after college.

Mom and Dad’s love for gardening and sharing with others. Mom insisted that I bring back satsumas and kumquats from their farm; I believe my family and I had about 50 of each in the car with us on our way back to Alabama Sunday night. Daddy was always so excited about his ability to grow citrus in Madison and wouldn’t let anyone have a piece until “Sister” (yes, that’s me) came home and picked all she wanted. I currently work at Taylor-Wharton Cryogenics in the south part of Mobile County as their global marketing coordinator. I brought some of Mom’s fruit in to the office today and everyone enjoyed eating them. I told them the fruit was compliments of my sweet, 83-year-old mom.

So, you see, I too am blessed. In fact, I am very blessed to have had Virginia Nell Agner Dobbs as my sweet mother. A few years ago, I was telling Oadie that I was getting just like Mom: I was saving plastic bags, making sure I got all of the extra liquid out of a can before I threw it away, and other “Nell characteristics.” To which my brother replied, “Oh, no, you will never be half the woman Mom is!” And he is right…

I love you, Mom, and so does all of Madison County!

By Jacob Bembry

Greene Publishing, Inc.

New Testament Christian Center will hold its annual Christmas party at the home of Pastor Pat Doyle and his wife Elaine, off SE Corinth Church Road in Lee.

Guests are asked to bring their favorite food and favorite desserts.

The fun will be held on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 5-8 p.m.

There will be a bonfire, hayrides, chuckwagon rides, roasted marshmallows, food, fun and fellowship.

By Nell Dobbs

“’Tis the season to be thankful!” Preacher Gene Stokes’ message for us Sunday morning as he spoke from Jesus’ message in Luke 17 about the ten lepers. Jesus was entering a certain village. The ten men stood far off and in a loud voice they asked Jesus to have mercy on them and He did. He told them to show themselves to the priests and as they went, they were healed! One, when he looked at himself, and saw that he was healed turned back and in a loud voice glorified God, fell on his face at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Where are the nine? Your faith has made you whole!”

The message for us is to give thanks in everything and to everybody and to have an “attitude of gratitude” always.We give thanks for the Awana Cubbies (13 present of the 15 members) under Gina Rutherford and her helpers as they blessed us singing “Jesus Loves Me” and their theme song with actions.

We also give thanks for 16 Christmas shoeboxes, finally reaching our goal of 100 shoeboxes for three years – 116 total and from the Association churches 314 and pray God’s loving hand upon each child who receives a box.

We give thanks to Jargo Clark and family for the beautiful flowers in memory of Dr. William Clark, a memorial of sadness and of joy.

Our church-wide Thanksgiving meal was enjoyed greatly after morning service and appreciated! Thanks to all.

Bless all who thought about and provided the free Thanksgiving Day meal at Pinetta Elementary and those who served and worked hard. May all truly be blessed.

Continued heavy hearts in the sudden death of Mark Quick and prayers for his family.

Sad heavy hearts in the death of Roger McCollum – a brief illness. Prayers for his family.

Sad for Dan Campbell and all their family in the death of his mother, Mrs. Dallas Campbell. Prayers for all and for Dan with heart problems.

Prayers for the many others I don’t know about.

Prayers for the many, many ill ones – our Preacher Larry Law in North Regional Gainesville and his family in his long recovery; for George Osborne in his illness (heart, eyes, feet) and for Estelle and their daughter, Georgette Martinez in her long recovery from a bad fall; for Jane Simmons at South Georgia Medical Center; for Gordon and Hettie Selman (who fell and broke her right wrist and isn’t doing well at all); for Kevin Townsend; and for all others.

May God help us know we are accountable to Him for every breath we make and every action we take.

Let us thank Him for guiding us and providing for us. Amen! and for all His blessings.

By Jacob Bembry

Greene Publishing, Inc.

Midway Baptist Church is currently selling Boston butts to raise money for cancer victim Tracy Fox.

Tracy’s doctors diagnosed her with colon cancer on Tuesday, April 19. Since Tracy isn’t working, her sister, April Leonard, set up an account in her name. Money deposited into Tracy’s account will go for medical treatment, as well as travel and other expenses.

Tracy said that she had been out of work with an injury and was set to return to work when she was diagnosed with cancer.

Tracy and her husband, Albert Keith Fox, have one son, Toby.

The Boston butts are available for $25 each. Tickets may be purchased from any church member or by stopping by Suwannee Insurance at 348 West Base Street in Madison.

Pickup for the Boston butts will be Saturday, from 8 a.m. until noon, at Studstill Lumber, located at 702 South Duval Avenue in Madison

For more information or to place your order, please call (850) 973-8312.

An account has also been set up for Tracy at Madison County Community Bank. Simply go into the bank and tell one of the clerks that you wish to deposit money in the account for Tracy Fox’s cancer treatments.

By Jacob Bembry

Greene Publishing, Inc.

The Lighthouse Children’s Home Choir will appear live in concert on Sunday evening, Nov. 27, at 6 p.m. at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, located on Highway 53 South in Madison.

There will be a time of singing and the girls sharing their testimonies.

Everyone is invited to go to the service for a special blessing.

Admission is free. A love offering will be received for the Lighthouse Children’s Home.

For more information, call (850) 973-2070.

By Nell Dobbs

Guest Columnist

“Let us give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.” Psalm 118. “In everything give thanks.” We learned Psalm 100 in sixth grade with Miss Louise Watson. Verses 5 and 6 say, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courses with praise; be thankful unto him and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.”

We sing, “God is good. God is so good all the time.” Let us be aware of needs of others and help as we can. There are so many needs of all kinds. We receive so many blessings. God’s love, grace, mercy, His promises and provisions on earth and in Heaven, forgiveness, faith, fellowship, food, friends, family, freedom, safety, seasons, the Bible; for all men and women of faith today and of old; thinking of Mr. and Mrs. Van H. Priest and the beautiful flowers given in loving memory of them by their family, only Jargo Clark in attendance these days and their love for the Lord; our church, community and businesses.

A special dedication of the hundred plus Christmas shoeboxes by Judy Phillips and the poem she read, written by Vernelle B. Allen, “Blessings in a Shoe Box.”

The Veterans’ Day program at Pinetta was fantastic and a special thanks to everyone involved. Recognition was given in our church to those who served and then to the families of those who served with prayers for those now serving. Ricky Henderson, in the offertory prayer, also prayed for protection for all now serving and expressed thanks for them.

Preacher Law’s morning message was from the book to the left of Revelation – an easy way to find Jude, which is not een one chapter. We are to keep ourselves in the loved of God; be concerned about everyone; seek out through Sunday School, through deacons, through following, be an encourager and be fishers of men. God love us all so much.

The Harvest Festival Saturday from noon-3 p.m. was really fun and greatly enjoyed by many. Thanks to all involved. The baby shower for Shellie and Joey Smith was good Sunday.

Bless the Quick family in the sudden death of Mark, who was young and our youngest brother Lew’s friend’s family in Cantonment. Lew too his friend to the eye doctor and ten feet from the door, he fell and died seven hours later. Lew’s friend was 77.

Bless all the other sad ones. Bless all the ill ones and families. Roger McCollum is now home under Hospice care; Jane Simmons is in ICU at South Georgia Medical Center; and our niece, Virginia Denman in Arizona.

On Sunday, Nov. 20, there will be a churchwide Thanksgiving dinner.

We thank God for guiding us and providing for us. Amen and amen!

By Nell Dobbs

On this Veteran’s Day, we give thanks that we are favored of God to live in this fair land – highly favored by God. As we studied Romans 13 in Sunday School, we are told we must submit to the governing authorities, for there’s no authority except from God. We are to do what is good. We are to meet our obligations; to pay taxes; pay tolls; give respect to those we owe respect; and honor to those we owe honor. There are 12 on our military list and we need to pray earnestly for them (and all others) and write them as we can. We are to love everybody!

Todd Gordon prayed a touching offertory prayer. Lynne touched us playing “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.” Worship Choir sang “Sinner Saved by Grace.”

Think about BRING! Preacher’s message was from Malachi, Chapter 3, about robbing God by not bringing our tithes into the storehouse. Bring them in and prove God when He said, “I will open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it,” We sing “Bringing in the Sheaves.” We think of the four who brought their helpless friend to Jesus by way of the roof.

We are indeed so blessed to have Preacher and Mrs. Law and his timely messages. Night message was from James, his favorite book about counting it all joy when we fall into divers temptations. (I think that was our dad’s favorite verse, which he often quoted. He died in 1981 and is still missed,)  The verse doesn’t make sense without the conclusion that “faith worketh patience and patience helps us be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. And I add that if we lack wisdom to ask God and He will give it to all of us liberally!” Amen. “Without upbraiding us.”

Harvest Festival will be tomorrow (the 12th) from noon-3 p.m. A day of fun!

Harvest Day is the 13th as we give thanks for our many blessings and as we share canned goods, as we bring family and friends to Sunday School and church, and as we give a special Harvest Day offering. There will be, as we give a special Harvest Day offering. There will be a special dedication of the Christmas shoeboxes – all 100 plus.

Also, on Nov. 18, there is to be a walk-in baby shower for Lil Sawyer Woodrow, due around Thanksgiving. Parents are Shellie and Joey Smith, and sister, Evie.

Jim and Beth are so excited over two beautiful granddaughters and I’m still rejoicing over our Natalie, who turned 21 on Nov. 9, born to Nita and Kurt (a sister over in the Gulf at the time.) Doctor had told Nita it’d be a boy – and big – not so – four pounds, nine ounces – and a girl.

On Nov. 20, we are to be blessed with a churchwide Thanksgiving meal.

Let us pray for all the ill ones – especially Jimmy Roebuck and Roger McCollum; Timmy Raines (Pat Raines who is missed very much in our church while being thankful she’s in church with Timmy and family); Ansley Rogers, surgery on Nov. 9 at Mayo Clinic; Red Swift, surgery on the 4th; Jean Coleman in Lake Park of Madison; all our nursing home people; all those homebound; my homebound friend, Nancy in Pennsylvania not doing well at all; Lily Grace Premorel; Shawn Burnett; my niece, Virginia Denman very ill in Arizona; and all the many, many others.

Prayers of comfort for all sad ones – the family of Christine Blanton in the loss of a brother-in-law and nephew just a few days apart; the family of Mrs. Driggers; and others.

This year marks the fifth anniversary of Mrs. Willie Clare Copeland’s homegoing. The History Committee has asked that anyone who would like to give a special offering in honor or in memory of a loved one to the 1898 Sanctuary Fund, it would be greatly appreciated.

An aside – she is the reason I’ve been writing “Happenings” since Oct. 12, 1998, except for the time Kristin Finney wrote and wrote so well! Bless her. Bless us all! Amen!