It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in our beloved Dry Creek Valley. Beginning with Georgia Hawker’s residence, its lighted with candles in windows, lights, Christmas trees in yards, in houses, poinsettias, crosses and all kinds of Christmas decorations are displayed in the homes of the Wayne Storeys, the Nokes, Hendrixson, the Jim Cripps, the Wrights, the Crooks, the Joines, the Hendrix, the Fraziers (thanks to Lisa), the Womack house, the France and possibly others on up in the valley.
Several dedicated ladies spent last Saturday decorating Dry Creek Baptist Church, the fellowship hall and its surrounding area. Thanks to the ladies for a job well done. The church is beautifully decorated inside and out.
Today we have sweet memories of past years at Christmas time with our children excited about what Santa would bring them. Now they are grown parents, some with grandchildren, and our two sons gone to their eternal home.
The two tall white pines and two tall fir trees are reminders of those past Christmas seasons. “Thank God for memories.”
Special people are on our prayers list this week. Please remember them in your prayers. Estell Ferrell, recovering at home from knee surgery; Joe Ayers, home from DeKalb Community Hospital with pneumonia; the George Clayton family in his death; Audrey Frazier, Sarah Walker, Linda Fuston, aftermath of shingles; Georgia Hawker, Becky Nokes, Faye and Harold Elrod, Jimmy Midgett, Glen and Cindy Faircloth, Debbie O’Conner, Jim Cripps, Bobby and Mary Joines, Joe and Carolyn Dickey, Vena Fuston, Peggy Pursell, Carroll Thomas, Wayne Blair and Wayne (Buddy) Fuston.
This long list of people who are sick or shut-ins need to be remembered in this special time of the year, and we ask God’s blessings to be with them.
After being with her mother, Helen Burt, for the past two weeks, Debbie O’Conner has returned to her home in Goodletsville. After surgery, she received therapy while she was here.
Our prayers, love and best wishes go to Debbie as she continues to recover.
A dear lady, and native of the Dry Creek Valley, Audrey Vandagriff Frazier, widow of the late Jim Roy Frazier and daughter of the late Floyd and May Vandagriff of the Dry Creek Valley. She lives with Harry and Sherry F. Williams in Knoxville, but maintains her house in Smithville, where she visits when she can. We say hello to Audrey and hope for her to have a happy birthday when she celebrates Dec. 12.
Other December birthdays are Danielle Reynolds also on Dec. 12; Shannon Malone, Dec. 17; and Max Barney Dec. 25, Christmas Day. That’s good for Max’s wife, Jewell Barney, maybe just one gift. Happy birthday to these nice people and our congratulations to all who have birthdays in December.
Dry Creek Community extends sincere sympathy to the family of Mr. Ben Ferguson of Smithville in its time of sorrow. May God comfort and bless the Ferguson Family in the loss of its loved one.
Eleven seniors from Dry Creek Baptist Church enjoyed a day out with pastor, Bro. Don Owens, with dinner at Cracker Barrel in Manchester and a visit to the Russell Stover Candy Store. We were delighted to have a deacon, Jimmy Kimbrell, his wife, Judy, grandson, Levi and Danny Agee, in the group. The candy store was okay for those who love chocolates and give them as gifts.
Bro. W.L. Baker, 104, we believe of Lebanon, was guest speaker at the evening worship service at Dry Creek Baptist Church on Sunday.
From now until Christmas, Bro. Donald Owens will be bringing messages about Christ and his mission here on earth.
Dates to remember at Dry Creek Baptist are Dec. 15 Children’s Church to Jumpsville in Cookeville; Dec. 16 there will be church music and a drama program; Dec. 19 there will be a Christmas dinner and a Christmas tree; Dec. 23 the church will take up its second Lottie Moon Christmas offering during the morning service then at 5:15 p.m. will have The Lord’s Supper; and on Dec. 26 there will be no service.
Everyone is welcome to be at Dry Creek Baptist Church the little big church in the Dry Creek Valley which has been the spiritual Lighthouse in the valley for over 120 years. Please make a visit. You will be spiritually blessed.
Christmas-The true meaning-the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Bro. Donald Owen, pastor.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope. (Romans 15:13 NIV.)