Columnist is thankful to be able to be back at church

What a thrill it was that I was able to be back in church on Sunday to again receive my feeding. I’m so thankful that I am over this stuff that had taken hold of me.  After a great singing service Butch opened up reading Leviticus 16: 29-34 telling us that the book demands the most holiness from us. God cannot and will not dwell in anything that is not holy.

So many visitors Sunday morning with several returning for the night worship. Thank you Lord for our visitors.   

After the morning service a bus load of our youth left to attend Winter Jam, so with a light crowd we had a beautiful testimonial and singing service on Sunday night. Gathering around the piano brought back memories of how it used to be.
The beautiful flowers were placed at the altar and piano by Eleanor Johnson in memory of her mother and brother who both would have celebrated birthdays. Thank you Eleanor for always making sure we have pretty flower arrangements.
What a way to celebrate a birthday especially 86 years young. Cliff Walker recently celebrated and with a delicious fish fry hosted by his family and prepared by Shondia and Herman at their home. Again happy birthday Cliff.

Grace Bible Church to host missionary Chris Grove Feb. 17

Sportsman’s Night Out!

I am excited to let you know about a very special event coming to Madison on Feb. 21.  Centennial Baptist and Hope Church of Madison are partnering together to bring "Sportsman’s Night Out" to our community.
The speaker for this event is Jimmy Houston. Jimmy was inducted into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Legends of the Professional Bass Fishing Hall of Fame in 2002.  In 2008, he was inducted into both the IGFA Freshwater Hall Of Fame and the Legends of the Outdoors Hall Of Fame.  In 1989, he was named ‘King of Sports’ for fishing and his TV program, "Jimmy Houston's Outdoors" has been successful for 30 years.
Jimmy is a tremendous speaker and has a powerful testimony.  'Sportsman’s Night Out' will be held at Heritage Park in Madison.  There will be BBQ with all the fixings and great prizes to be given away.  You do not want to miss this event.
Tickets are available online at:  www.centennialbaptist.org for $10 each or $75 for a table of eight.  I look forward to seeing you there!  God Bless!
We invite you to join us anytime at Centennial Baptist Church.  Sunday school starts at 9:15 a.m., morning worship starts at 10:30 a.m. and evening worship at 6:30 p.m. God cares… and so do WE!
For more information, feel free to contact any of our staff here at Centennial Baptist Church, 5321 Brownwood Road, Rutledge, GA.   Or call 706-557-2120 or visit our website at www.centennialbaptist.org to see all the worship opportunities for you and your family!

Printed in the February 14, 2013 edition

Celebrating with a Dr. Seuss-themed party

Two sweet little girls turned one here on Baldwin Dairy Road this past Friday, Feb. 8th.  I can't believe a year has gone by!  Bob and Danielle Bruces’ twin girls, Rylee and Harper celebrated their first birthday with a party for close friends and family on Sunday afternoon.  The theme of the party was taken from Dr. Seuss and they each had their own little cake with "Thing 1" and "Thing 2" wrote on the top of them.  The girls also had on Thing 1 and Thing 2 outfits to match the characters from the book.  Danielle said it was the first time that the girls had tasted sugar in anything and Rylee dived into hers but Harper just looked at hers, wanting nothing to do with it!  Everyone else loved their cupcakes and other refreshments!  Grandma Connie and William Zachary gave the girls their first tricycle, which they loved.  The only set of great-grandparents, Melvin and Ruth Stapp, also got to come and enjoy seeing the little ones.  Happy Birthday, Rylee and Harper!

Sermon focuses on worry

Sunday morning attendance was good for the worship service. We missed all the ones that were not there including our music director and his family. Their four-year-old-son had to be put in the hospital Saturday night and was given medicine through IV’s, but I understand Sunday night he was a lot better and may get to go home. God sure does answer prayers and we thank Him for all He does. We were blessed to have visitors they are real faithful in their attendance and we hope they received a blessing by coming. The choir’s special was, “When the Morning Comes.” Bro. Ron’s message, “Worry,” Phil. 4: 4-13, 19. Paul ministered with the church at Philippi, he said preach those things that have sound doctrine they helped support him, they learned from him how to have love, joy and true friendship. When they learned he was in prison they worried about him, he told them not to worry about him but rejoice in the Lord, not in circumstances. Our greatest consolation is knowing God is with us. We choose to worry or not to worry, worry will rob us of our joy. We can surrender to God in each situation we sometimes live our lives as if the Lord is not near. Prayer is the cure for worry. We are to pray for others with needs. God is bigger than any problem. God is the source of peace; the word of God is the engine that runs our life. Peace brings two things back together. Paul knew God was near him wherever he was so he was content being able to share Jesus in or out of prison wherever he was. Paul said in Phil. 4: 19 but my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Sunday night at 6 p.m. Bro. Ron continued the message on Book of James.

On commercial: “So God made a farmer”