The gift hung on the tree, not under the tree

Greetings from the Springs. I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas. Thank God for a great 2012.
The Deacon Ordination Service on Sunday, Dec.23 was simply beautiful. Pastor Terrell laid hands on each deacon and their wives and blessed them as he prayed the Holy Spirit to saturate them. It was quite a powerful and poignant experience to witness this event.

The new deacons, John Clements Jr., Leonard Goss Sr., James Green and Patrick Meadows went through a rigorous training with Pastor Terrell to ensure that they would be well prepared for their new position. The Lord will use them well.

Last Wednesday Bible Study we focused on the books of Leviticus and Numbers. The pace is a little quick but we are receiving a great deal of information with a heavy focus on how each book points to Christ. Pastor Terrell as usual is presenting this series, ‘the Books of the Bible” in such an exciting and thought provoking manner that I wish everyone could attend. There is always an open invitation for all of our neighbors to join us for worship services and Bible studies.

USBC service times:
Sunday School starts at 9 a.m.; Sunday Morning Worship starts at 10 a.m.; and Wednesday Night Bible Study starts at 7:30 p.m.

Here is a question for you. Do you know exactly why the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 days? Read Numbers 14:34 for the answer.

Shaunice Baker, daughter of Tony and Jamie Baker of Covington was the Drama Contest winner awarded by the Newton County School System. This talented young lady attends Cousins Middle School and her certificate was presented on December 5. When you see Shaunice tell her to keep up the great work.

Remember the “reason for the season”

“What can God do?... Send His son to save the world”

Reflecting on Newtown tragedy

Christmas didn’t sneak up on us

Just a few days until Christmas, our news has to be in on Wednesday, Dec. 19. Also on this day school will get out for Christmas until January 3. Time really moves fast but we can’t say Christmas slipped up on us because it’s been the same time for 2000 years. I will say when I was a child it seemed like Christmas would never come and we really appreciated everything we got, which wasn’t much back then. We didn’t get something new every week like most kids do now. They never know when Christmas comes or how to appreciate it.

George, Millie and Amanda McNair joined other family members on Sunday at the home of Pattie Keener, George’s sister, in Acworth for Christmas.

Julie and Billy Phillips visited Alice Cheatham in Athens on Tuesday.

Margie Ward visited James Harold and Ellen Smith on Tuesday afternoon. Continue to pray for him as he recovers from surgery.

We have many on our prayer list. We would appreciate you joining us as we lift these friends and loved ones up in prayer knowing God hears our prayers and will answer them in His time and way; Ozell Moss, Florine Ward, Hattie Head, Mary Jo Collins, Paul Austin, Dot Stewart, James Harold Smith, Rev. Clyde Carter, Peggy Harper, Betty and Frank Bohannon, Julie and Billy Phillips, Charlie James and Mark Harville. Also be much in prayer for our nation, leaders and all our local leaders and all in authority.

Sunday morning, Dec. 30 we will have communion service at Brownwood and also a special observance for the year’s end, “God Has Been Good To Me.”
Sunday night, Dec. 30, at 6 p.m. we will have Fifth Sunday Night Singing.

Candlelight service Sunday night

Billy and Donna Hinesley were married a year on December 23. Happy one-year anniversary!
Almedia Smith has a birthday on December 26. Happy birthday to you.   
Frieda and Christie White will celebrate Christmas with the white family at the home of Col. Charles (Snip) White Jr. at Hartwell.   

Chuck and Miriam Foster went to Callaway Gardens to see the beautiful Christmas lights.
The Buckhead Baptist Church will have a candlelight service on Sunday night. There will be communion too. This will be a service that will be very touching. Why not make your plans to attend?   

Donna and Johnny Johnston and daughter Megan from Louisiana plan to come this weekend to see Chuck and Miriam Foster for Christmas.

Beatrice and Linda Smith from Eatonton came to visit with Earl and Almedia Smith on Tuesday.   
Johnny Tanner has a birthday on December 28. Bill Smith has one on January 2. Happy birthday to you both.

Chuck and Miriam Foster will have their cousins on December 26 for supper to play cards.   
The Wrestling will be on January 12 at the Buckhead Fire Station. Mark your calendar for this event. The cost is $7 for adults and $4 for children with one dollar going to the fire department. Come early to get a good seat. The doors open at 5 p.m. with it beginning at 6 p.m.

Here we are at Christmas. After all of these years I still get chills going up my spine at the loud voice that I heard that was supposed to be Santa Claus. You see we have to have the column in early, so I had to stop to think about it.