Our church family was shocked and saddened Sunday night to hear of the sudden death of Clarice Reynolds in Ohatchee, Ala. She was a cousin of Peggy Harper. Clarice came the first part of June and visited Peggy and James for two weeks when Peggy had knee surgery. She seemed to be doing good then but we never know when it’s our time to go.
    Margie Ward visited Lois Harper Monday morning at Morgan Memorial Hospital.
    Peggy Harper attended the funeral of Clarice Reynolds in Ohatchee, Ala. Our Christian sympathy goes out to her family during this time.
    Margie Ward visited Peggy and James Harper at their home Tuesday night.
    Wednesday morning Margie Ward went to St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens to be with Lovie and Bryan McGiboney while Lovie’s mother, Betty Bailey underwent reconstructive knee surgery. Our prayer is she will do well and heal quickly.
    James Harold and Ellen Smith visited Betty Bailey at St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens Thursday night.
    Have a happy and safe Fourth of July!

Our Flag Numbers 1:52
Our Flag is a glorious ensign,
Our nation in epitome;
Its red – our blood,
Its stars – our world,
Its blue – our loyalty!
It is the Mayflower Compact;
It is Washington at Valley Forge;
Declaration of Independence
From the rule of tyrannical scourge;
It is Lawrence aboard the Chesapeake.
Calling, “Men, don’t give up the ship!”
And MacArthur’s grave “ shall return!”
Stout heart, proud mine, and firm lip.
It is Eisenhower winning a beachhead;
And doughboys longing for home;
It is Flanders Fields with white crosses spread;
And Old Glory over Capitol Dome!
To the strains of the Star-Spangled Banner
Loyal hearts of all 50 states
Swell with pride as they sing of the splendor
And valor this epic relates.
But it is more than emblazoned emblem,
Or poem of our Land’s history;
It is a prayer for continued freedom,
And prophetic of what we can be!
Our Flag is our great Constitution;
It is Lincoln’s Gettysburg speech;
A brilliant banner of freedom
To sing, pray, worship and preach.
Of God’s Son our blessed Redeemer,
Who died for us on the cross
That we might know Him as Savior
From sin and all of its dross.
Now, with this liberty threatened,
We must keep faith with our Flag;
Give our best to God and our country
And never let our interest lag.
We must pledge to it new allegiance,
The Republic too, and then stand
One nation, under god, indivisible,
With justice for all in the land.
Our Flag is far more than a bunting,
This poem and prayers, prophesy
Is a Nation le of Almighty God,
America, Land of the Free!
– By Jessie Whiteside Finks

Printed in the July 5th, 2012 edition.