By Margie Ward

Our church family was saddened on Friday afternoon after hearing of the death of George Wilkes of Oconee County. He was the father of Shelia Thomas and Stacy Pritchett that go to our church. Our Christian sympathy goes out to his family during this time.

On Sunday morning we had a good attendance at church. We missed some regular members who were out. Some were sick and others were traveling. Hope they will all be back next week. We did have visitors. We hope they were blessed by coming and will come again and be with us. They’re always welcome. Our special in song was, "If You Just Praise His Name," by Denny Pickett. Bro. Jeff’s message was "An Example to Follow and a Destination to Reach" from Phil. 3:17-4:1. Some characteristics of people to avoid: enemies of the cross, those controlled by an appetite for fleshly things, those who glory in their shame, those who find honor in their dishonesty, ones that set their minds on earthly things, and those whose end is destruction. People who engage in these things bring disunity to the church. Following Paul’s and others’ examples will help maintain unity, harmony and love within the church! Both Paul and the Philippians suffered. Paul demonstrated what it means to put the interest of others ahead of his own. One day Paul and others will stand before God to give account of themselves. Paul hopes all will stand pure and blameless. How well do we follow Paul’s example? How well do we represent Christ?

On Sunday night at 6 p.m. the attendance was good. Bro. Jeff’s message was "What Is Our Calling"? from II Cor. 5:17, Rom. 8:1-2, Mark 12:28-31, Deut. 10:12, and Matt. 28:18-20. We’re a new creation, no condemnation to those set free, and we have a new commitment. We have power
to resist the enemy, and we are to love the Lord our God with all we have and love our neighbors as ourselves. Take up new challenge, and God will see you through. It’s our reasonable service to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God, and it’s a new challenge to be in the world but not of the world, follow a new calling be reconciled to God through Jesus. Go into county, state and world and take the gospel, reach people with the love of Christ and see a change from the inside out. After church we had called conference.

The beautiful flowers in the church on Sunday were from the Moon-Richards wedding on Saturday. Those attending the wedding from Brownwood were Kathi and Keith Scott, Chris Fillingim, Ann Hawk, Deanne Rhoades, Demmi Stephens, Debbie Harper, Tim, Dana and Hannah Chaffin, Margie Ward, Dorothy Bumgarner, Millie and Amanda McNair, Danny Atkinson, Laura and Katie Sims, Rev. and Mrs. Jeff Rogers. Congratulations go to Patty Moon and David Richards on their marriage.

On Saturday night these are the ones I know of from Brownwood visiting with the family and friends of George Wilkes at Oconee Chapel Funeral Home in Watkinsville: James Harold and Ellen Smith, Virgil and Dorothy Bumgarner, Ronnie and Lynn Maynard, Margie Ward, Denise Hilsman, Laura, Kelly and Katie Sims and Denny Pickett.

Mr. and Mrs. Ed Moss, Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Bumgarner and Chris Fillingim attended the funeral of George Wilkes at Antioch Christian Church in Watkinsville Sunday afternoon.

Church wide workday will be held Saturday, March 29, starting at 8 a.m.

Youth Lock In is Friday night, March 28, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. in the community building.

Brownwood Brotherhood will go to Bonner’s on Thursday night, March 27th at 7 p.m.

ace="Times,Geneva"> Martha Barnes visited Margie and Albert Ward Thursday afternoon.

Please join us as we pray for President Bush, our leaders, military men and women on foreign fields and the ones at home just waiting to go. I don’t have sons over there, but we do have nephews, they all need our prayers and support.

Others on our list are: Jeri Baughcum, Dorothy Bumgarner, Betty Rice, Martha Kenny, Kate Parks, Louise Atkinson, Gussie Knight, Laurence Hopkins, Bessie Walker, Lucille Barker, Lily Martin, Jodie Harrison, Clarence Broach, Rudy Bohata, Fred Mullins, Nolan Smith, Buddy Evans, Justin Stewart, Joe Rogers, nurse care residents, doctors and nurses, missionaries and their families, our schools, students, teachers, workers and county leaders. Thanks for your prayers. God is in control, and He knows all the details where we may not.

POSITIVE COUNT

Count your blessings instead of your crosses,

Count your gains instead of your losses,

Count your joys instead of your woes,

Count your friends instead of your foes,

Count your courage instead of your fears,

Count your laughs instead of your tears,

Count your full years instead of your lean,

Count your kind deeds instead of your mean,

County your health instead of your wealth,

Count on God instead of yourself.

Pray Pray Pray

Have a good day.