Pastors preach identical sermons

There's a song I sing called "The Old, the Old Story Will Never Grow Old" and it's so true with the story of the birth of Jesus. We never ever tire of hearing of his birth, and praising him. We heard two almost identical  sermons on this very subject on Sunday. Butch took his message from Micah 5:2 and from Luke 2:1-12 telling us that Jesus never traveled far from where He was born, never had his picture taken, but never has there been a person so well known and spoken of. Micah said more than 600 years before that Jesus would be born and when he was born in Bethlehem, the first to hear were the shepherds. His outreach has been for everyone; kings brought him gifts: gold for royalty,  frankincense, a healing balm and myrrh, which was a fluid. Gifts fit for a King in that day. He came to us, to die for us, for our sins; this was the only way.
As we did not have services on Sunday night due to so much sickness among our members, James and I visited at Lone Oak where Rev. Heck Davis preached almost the same sermon, in verse 8, saying "this day is born to you, a Saviour."
 Even with all the sick we had a full house on Sunday, with several visitors. We are so glad you chose to come again.
 Several have the flu-crud that is raging. Ramsey hasn't felt good and with Becky in the hospital, I know he has a rough time. Ricky Stovall is sick,  Ruby Guinn is better but still has no voice, Blake Stewart is sick. Russ Johnson went home early sick, so many.
 Christmas Day is gone and I hope that each of you had a most joyous Christmas spent with your loved ones.
 Eleanor Johnson as usual cooked a big dinner but had several absent from her table; Andy and Greg  were visiting grandparents in North Carolina. Betty and Cliff Walker had their family dinner on last Sunday. 
  I know that every table was loaded down with special dishes fit for any king.
 There was a good crowd that went caroling last Saturday night, going several places but the main one was visiting the Oconee House and several of our shut-ins.
 Alice and Jack Waddell had Nathan's sister down for a few days to visit. And did you hear what Santa brought Jack? Ask him, he'll tell you.
 The Jackson family enjoyed going to the Alliance Theatre to see "A Christmas Carol." I think this was a special gift for Miss Mary Ruth. What a nice gift.
 We recently lost Don Patterson, husband to Wendy. His memorial service will be on Jan. 6 at 1 p.m. here at Sugar Creek Baptist Church. 
 My family will begin congregating here this Friday leading up to my grandson's wedding on Jan. 1.
 I will probably have to space out more corners to make room but it's so much fun to have so many family members together for such a happy occasion. Someone had gotten word to me and asked the question if this grandfather to Curtis was the same man that pastored Beacon Heights Baptist Church many years ago. Yes, it is. Rev. J.C. Arwood Sr. did pastor Beacon Heights and I'm sure many of them still remember him, especially the younger ones at that time.
 This fifth Sunday night, Sewell Methodist will have their regular singing with the Jordan Family from the Griffin area. Starts at 6 p.m. Also Lone Oak will have their fifth Sunday night singing. It begins at 6:30 p.m.
 Can you believe that 2013 will be here when you receive this paper? New Year's wishes to all my readers.
 Happy birthday to Ricky Stovall on Jan. 1, 2013, Danny Bell on the 2nd, and  Brenda Morrow on the 3rd. Happy birthday to my son-in-law Jimmy Holmes on Jan. 2.
 As I close I want to send New Year's wishes from our house to yours, with hopes that we see a better year in 2013. Trust in Him.
  So until next week, may the Lord bless you real good.

Printed in the January 3, 2013 edition