Watch Night Dec. 31

Greetings from The Springs. Hopefully you all had a wonderful Christmas and you are looking towards having a very prosperous New Year.
Don’t forget Watch Night Service will be held December 31 starting at 10 p.m. This year’s observance will focus on testimonies as we prayerfully enter into 2013. All are invited to come and worship the Lord with us.
For those that have not memorized all 66 books of the Bible there is still time. You will have time to recite them at Wednesday Bible Study. We have had a great time encouraging each other with this task so don’t miss your opportunity.
As this year ends often people will start planning what they will do once the New Year begins. They make various goals to positively change their lives. Join me as I take my own advice and start right now at this very inst ant. Glory Be To God!

Printed in the December 27, 2012 edition

“Here I am to worship”

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Here at Centennial Baptist Church, God moved mightily. The weekend of our Living Christmas Tree Musical was well attended with a standing room only crowd on Sunday night. The best thing about the performances was when three people, that we know, prayed to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior. I praise God for those folks who sing in the Celebration Choir. Come join us!
This season I used one of my favorite praise and worship songs in a Christmas congregational worship set. The song was “Here I am to Worship.” In the opening lines of the first verse, we are reminded of the great Advent themes of light and darkness. Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12), and He has stepped down into our world of darkness (Isa. 9:2). Just as the Magi did 2000 years ago, “I am here to worship.” I am going to bow down and proclaim to the world that You are my God! Will you?
My prayer is that you have a Happy New Year,

Donnie Compton,
Associate Pastor and Minister of Music

Printed in the December 27, 2012 edition

Thankful for some much-needed rain lately

Have you enjoyed these "showers of blessings"  we have received? It was wonderful and the grounds and trees and all living masses rejoiced as the rain gently fell to refresh.

Last Sunday Butch brought his message after a good singing service in which specials of the season were sung by Lorri Stacy, our own Dr. Butch and myself. He spoke to us from 1st Peter 1:3-12 with the title "A Gift Envied by Angels." Everything is only possible because of the resurrection.

Peter wrote here to let them know that they were His people– strangers scattered. We need to display God's grace throughout eternity.

We were blessed to have several visitors, some have returned and we hope they might make the decision to become one of our church family but also we missed those that were not able to be with us.

 The "cruddy" bug has bitten so many, me being one of them. I hope that each of us will be well and strong by Christmas celebration time.
 We send our deepest sympathy to the family of Don Patterson, who left earth for his heavenly home on Saturday. Wendy, you and the family have our love and support. There will be a memorial service for Don on Jan. 6 at 1 p.m. at Sugar Creek Baptist Church. 

Columnist: “The best gift of all is free!”

And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of  David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you;  Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men.”  Luke 2:10-14
In this scripture God says do not fear, I bring you Good news.  That good news is found in John 3:16,  “For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  This same Jesus that was adored and worshipped as a child lying in a manger, was to be nailed to the Cross and suffer and pay for the sin of all mankind.
For God so loved... imagine He so loved me and He so loved you, and He was willing to let His only son Jesus, die for us!  What a wonderful gift!  Can you imagine buying a gift for someone that you love dearly this Christmas and them refusing to accept it.  That would break your heart.  Well it also breaks the heart of God, when we refuse to accept the greatest gift ever given.
Our prayer here at Centennial is, this will be the time in your life when you see the need of a Saviour and accept Jesus Christ, as your Lord and Saviour.

Printed in the December 20, 2012 edition

The escapades of columnist’s cat, who just happens to love water

Give love at Christmas!