New Year’s means lots of food and lots of family visiting

Sunday morning, the first Sunday of the New Year our attendance was off somewhat, but we have several members out due to flu, virus, heart problems surgery etc. We want each one to know we are praying for you and hoping all will be well soon. We have visitors that come each week and continue to be a blessing to us by their presence. We pray they are encouraged and blessed each time they come worship with us. Visitors are welcome to come to any of our services.
It was good to have James Harold Smith back with us today. He recently had knee replacement surgery.   
The choir special was, “It Is Well With my Soul.” Another special, “Jesus Baby Jesus,” by Peggy Harper. Our church theme for 2013 is, “All In For God.” This means we’re all in for Him because He’s all in for us. Bro. Ron brought the message surrounding the theme using scripture from Eph.1, Romans 11:33-36 and others. God wants our all. Where is our commitment for Christ? There are people around the world dying for the cause of Christ. We can’t repay Him for all He’s done for us. God does exist, He’s our heavenly Father, our relationship to Him is prayer, and we are heirs of God. Some people live as though Christ doesn’t live. God the son our position in Christ, Christ in me, we’re blessed with all spiritual blessings according to His riches in glory. We are to share the son, Jesus with others through serving, loving and caring for them, the love of God constrains us, gives us what we need to care for the body of Christ. The Bible tells us to go and make disciples. The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity lives in us as believers and is the source of our existence. In this New Year we must die to self, help others, yield all personal rights to God and dedicate our lives to the Lord. All we have to give back to God He has already given to us.
Sunday night at 5:30 p.m. we had a conference to approve the proposed budget for the coming year. At 6 p.m. attendance was good for evening services. Bro. Ron’s message, “Judgment Seat of Christ,” II Cor. 5: 1-10; 4: 13-18 and other scriptures.   
Margie Ward visited James Harold and Ellen Smith Friday, Dec. 28.
Monday morning, Dec.31 Margie Ward visited Rev. Clyde Carter at Morgan Memorial Hospital TCU.   
Tuesday, Jan. 1 Peggy Harper had a family Christmas gathering at her house. They enjoyed a wonderful meal and exchanged white elephant gifts. Twenty-two were present and everyone had a good time.
January 1 Margie Ward had the annual New Year’s Day and Christmas get together at her house for family and friends. Everyone enjoyed the traditional New Year’s day meal, then some collards, black-eye peas, chicken dumplings, ham, chicken, meat loaf, broccoli casserole, dressing and gravy, Mac-cheese, tater tot casserole, corn, fruit salad, blueberry salad, corn bread, biscuits, desserts, tea and soft drinks. I probably forgot something but we had plenty as always. There were 29 present, some were sick and others had to work. Those here were Alice Cheatham, Doyle and Laynette Wood from Athens; Laurene, Vesta Ann and Ronnie Hopkins from Griffin; Laurie, Scotty, Sophia and Kai Weaver from Macon; Doris Nelms, Donald and Cheryl Cheatham, Tanya and Andrew Wood from Watkinsville; Mark, Joy and Blake Nelms from Farmington; Lisa and Brenda Jones from Bogart; Julie and Billy Phillips, Sonny, Mary, Rebekah, Rachel and Zach Wood, Ansley Shultz and Margie Ward. Even though it was raining everyone had a great day eating, opening Christmas gifts, drawing names for this year. The kids sure missed the hayride and inflatable. There is nothing like family get together.
Wednesday night, Jan. 2 Margie Ward, Mary, Rebekah, Rachel and Zach Wood were among the large crowd visiting with the family and friends of Ila Richardson at A. E. Carter Funeral Home. Miss Ila was a wonderful lady she will be missed by all that knew her. Our Christian sympathy goes out to her family during this time.
Peggy Harper was among those visiting with the family and friends of Vera Cranford Thursday night, Jan. 3 at Vining Ivy Hill Funeral Home in Eatonton. Mrs. Cranford was the sister of the late James Harper of Madison.
Mary Ward visited Betty Bailey Thursday afternoon, Jan. 3.
James Harold and Ellen Smith visited Rev. Clyde Carter Thursday, Jan. 3 at Morgan Memorial Hospital TCU.

Message of The New Year
I asked the New Year for some motto sweet,
Some rule of life with which to guide my feet;
I asked and paused;
He answered soft and low;
“God’s will to know.”
“Will knowledge then suffice,
New Year,” I cried;
And ere the question into silence died,
The answer came:
“Nay, but remember, too,
God’s will to do.”
Once more I asked, “Is there no more to tell?
And once again the answer sweetly fell;
“Yes! This one thing, all other things above,
God’s will to love.”

Happy New Year to All!

Printed in the January 10, 2013 edition