Thanks to all our Children’s Ministry leaders! We had a large group of younger children this Sunday and it was a joy to watch them go to Children’s Church to hear more about Jesus!!
Sunday night Feb. 10, our Deacons Meeting, Fellowship Meal and Business Meeting will take place.
You have seen a list in the bulletin of people for whom we are seeking contact information. Please help by calling the church and leaving information with one of the staff or on voice mail. If you can, email the information or send a note, Attn: Church Secretary, Tonya Kirkland!
This information will help our Deacons find a way to minister to more families in our fellowship!
Most of the time when a person passes on a service is held to honor their memory. Usually a minister is called upon to say appropriate things about the departed.
It’s not always a simple matter to say the kinds of things that will honor the deceased and comfort those who remain. Sometimes it’s actually very difficult to choose the right words and make a difference for the family.
We often rely on the comments offered by friends or family at the previous visitation. Or, if we knew the deceased very well, our own recollections would help. If the individual had a history known to the people of the community, that would be of benefit to the message.
The very best funeral sermons I’ve heard came as a life well lived by the deceased. You and I really ‘preach’ our own funerals every day that we live. Those are more powerful messages than the spoken ones at a gathering.
Years ago after preaching a funeral for his own dad, the minister’s uncle said, “I want you to speak at my funeral.” The minister, knowing the wayward life of his dad’s younger brother, said, “Please give us something to say. Christ can give meaning to your life.” A few years later the two of them talked again and the uncle told how he had trusted Christ as his Savior.
Not many years later, the minister/nephew had the sad, yet joyful honor of officiating his uncle’s service and sharing of his salvation.
This is the most comforting thing that can be shared with a family; that their loved one is in the presence of the Lord. May God help us to be concerned about our testimony not at the end only, but all along the way!
Pray about your part in Bells ministries. This is a very important time in the life of our church! The Lord is at work and His Coming is at hand!!!
It’s hard to believe, but it’s 2019! “Nothing Routine in Twenty Nineteen!”
I remain grateful to serve with you!
Bro. Wayne
