Those faithful 26 victims
Texas is on my mind. Twenty-six people murdered. Twenty-six innocent lives lost. Twenty-six, unsuspecting, God-loving worshippers breathed a last breath. In Sutherland Springs, the thief came in the night. On this quiet, peaceful Sunday morning, Devin Kelley, lived by bread alone and died alone. Twenty-five parishioners, seeking righteousness, lived by the Word. One, unborn, sought life and light. Twenty-seven are dead. Beyond opinions, what is left?
Reports from Sutherland Springs reveal Devin Kelley was known. Sutherland Springs First Baptist’s pastor, Frank Pomeroy, is quoted saying, “Kelley was not a good person to be around.” He also said, “How do I run him away from my church?” And who shepherds the 26? Who shepherds the one? There is a thought, a coping mechanism perhaps, when senseless death comes, we turn away from its demand to face it. Fear declares, “It could have been me.” Desensitizing, I declare, “It was not me.” Every effort to wash away grief’s intrusion wrings from my soul the urge to turn toward it. I tell myself, “Let time pass.” And time passes, undeterred. I grieve.
My mind frames the impressions, the confusion and the bewilderment into a collage attempting sense. There is none. In the breach between my belief and understanding is the overwhelming, silent, still, vast and uncharted expanse I can only call faith. Alone, my soul begs for God’s voice. I cry out, “Where are you, God?” I listen and wish not to wait. Grief is an uneasy fear. “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:1-2)
As reason vacates my mind, conscience remains. Agitation has come to stay awhile. I weigh the abyss between Frank Pomeroy’s heart and heat-packing parishioners. I ask, “Is any man irredeemable?” Can society be so ordered when I have not ordered myself? I realize faith is not just unseen, it is also unclear.
We cannot resign. Stepping toward grief, we hear the winds of 26 saints. Their same repentant path assures truth will embrace us, too. God assures us he will not deny himself. He will not deny the 26.
But our earthly home has been denied those loving lives, family rocks and shirts off their back, zany humor and high school sweethearts, fertile garden beds and sweet Belle, crazy fun tactics hiding up sleeves and 45th wedding anniversaries. Those faithful 26 lived by every word from the mouth of God.
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear. …” (1 John 4:18a) The Rev. Dr. Bruce Burton Sr., pastor of Saint James Baptist Church, speaks during a service in Milford, Va. The church is celebrating its 150th anniversary. The original bell from Saint James Baptist Church is on display in the fellowship hall.
Adairsville Church of God, 297 Old Dixie Highway, Adairsville, hosts Adairsville Church of God Kidz every Sunday morning at 11 a.m.
100 E. Fourth Ave., holds Sunday School for all ages at 9:45 a.m. Worship is held at 11 a.m. and broadcast on Comcast channel 44. For more information visit www.fbcrome.org. The church will host the Three River Singers, a 60 member community chorus, presenting “The Angels Sang on High” on Dec. 16 at 4 p.m. The concert will feature a collection of sacred and secular seasonal choral arrangements accompanied by piano, organ and chamber orchestra. Admission is free. For more information visit the Three Rivers Singers Facebook page, threeriverssingers.org or call Lynn at 706-232-7411.
209 E. Second Ave., holds Sunday worship (casual/business casual dress) at 11 a.m. Sunday School meets at 10 a.m. Morning Coffee is each Thursday from 7-9 a.m. For more information contact the church office at romedisciples@gmail.com.
1377 Chulio Road, will hold revival Nov. 29Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. nightly. Buddy Floyd, Don Jenkins and Keith Milner will be preaching. Brothers in Christ will be singing each night. For more information call Dennis Ledford at 706-728-2774.
401 Nixon Ave., will celebrate homecoming Sunday at noon and 4 p.m. Elder Howard Braziel will be the speaker in the morning service and Bishop Bobby Grier will be the speaker in the evening service. For more information call Minister Paula Johnson at 706-802-8634.
436 Branham Ave., will have a soup kitchen Saturday from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Joy Life Center.
is selling their third cookbook, “Feeding the Flock.” Cookbooks can be purchased from any church member. To receive a cookbook by mail, send $13 to Lyerly United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 152, Lyerly, GA 30730 and a church cookbook. For more information call JoAnn Mitchell at 706-895-2636.
1915 Huffaker Road, will host a Christmas bazaar on Saturday at 6 p.m. There will be over 30 vendors, door prizes and soup. Tickets are $5 in advance, $7 at the door. For tickets contact Sheila Lawler at 706766-9880, Sheryl Powell at 706-346-5530, Mary Womack 706-936-6968 or Roxanne Brinson at 706-346-0360.
30 Orchard Road, Adairsville, hosts Celebrate Recovery, a Christ-centered recovery program, every Monday night. Cross Talk Cafe at 6 p.m., large group worship at 7 p.m. and open share groups at 8 p.m. Visit www.northpointechurch.com or contact Kitty at 404-642-3605 for more information.
93 Pine Grove Road, Cartersville, will hold its annual Count Your Blessings service on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Kenneth and Juanell Stepp and Nicole Orton will be the guest singers. The Rev. Jacky Waits of Calhoun will be bringing the message. For more information call the Rev. J. Clinton Green at 706-235-1287.
5603 Alabama Highway, holds prayer every Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. The church will host Shack-a-thon on Nov. 24. The church is selling 1-pound bags of pecans for $10 each. Call 706-2324431 for more information. Artifacts from various points in Saint James Baptist Church’s history are on display in the fellowship hall.
Photos by Mike Morones,
202 E. Third Ave., offers contemporary worship in the Garnett M. Wilder Center at 9 a.m. and traditional worship in the historic sanctuary at 11 a.m. Sunday School and small groups for all ages meet at 10 a.m.
42 Ash St., meets Sundays at 9:30 a.m. For more information call 706-506-1241.
911 N. Broad St., offers Saturday vigil Masses at 5:30 p.m. in English and at 7 p.m. in Spanish; Sunday Masses are 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. in English and at 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. in Spanish. The Annual Ladies Auxiliary Cake Sale fundraiser takes place Saturday evening and Sunday in the church narthex after all Masses. LIFETEEN high school group will meet Sunday at 4 p.m. in the John Paul II Center. Our bilingual Celebration and Songfest for the Feast Day of St. Cecilia will take place on Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the church. Featuring all of the Parish’s musical ministries, join us as we sign some favorite Mass hymns. For additional information on any church activities or programs contact the church office at 706-290-9000 or at DeaconNeslin@smcrome.org.
106 E. Sixth Ave., will have its Young Peoples’ Division and Women Missionary Society program Sunday at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Raushanah N. Butler, associate pastor of Turner Chapel A.M.E. Church of Atlanta, as the guest speaker. Lunch will be served at 1:30 p.m. For more information call 706-506-4475, 770-910-3599 or 706-232-9054.
428 Pleasant Valley Road, Silver Creek, will celebrate Family & Friends Day on Sunday at 11 a.m. A barbecued rib lunch will be served.
3329 Morton Bend Road, will hold Musicians Appreciation Day on Nov. 26 at 3 p.m. All choirs, groups, soloists and praise dancers are invited to join. For more information contact Sister Ella Roberts at 706-2902274 or 706-266-7138.
101 E. Fourth Ave., offers services of Holy Eucharist at 8:30 a.m. in the chapel and 10 a.m. in the church each Sunday. A service of Holy Eucharist in Spanish is offered Sundays at 5 p.m. in the chapel. Midweek Eucharist services are held on Tuesdays at 12:15 p.m. and on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. in the chapel. Nursery is offered during the 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist. Children’s Chapel is also available for children ages pre-K through third grade during the 10 a.m. service. Christian formation and Sunday School are offered for children, youth and adults at 11:15 a.m. on Sundays. For more information visit www.stpetersrome.org or call 706-2919111.
The Free Lance-Star via AP
6 Old Rockmart Road, Lindale, holds Sunday School at 10 a.m. The Rev. Camille Josey will lead the 11 a.m. worship service. The sermon title is “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need.” The Old Testament scripture passage is Deuteronomy 26:111 and the New Testament scripture passage is 2 Corinthians 8:1-7. For more information call Janet Farr at 706-3467268.
and will host Silent Night, a drive-through Nativity experience Dec. 9-10 from 6-8:30 p.m. nightly at 2636 Chulio Road. Admission is free. Rain dates are Dec. 16-17. For more information call 706-234-1220 or email springcreekbc@bellsouth.net.
1981 Kingston Road, will celebrate its 148th anniversary Nov. 26 at 3 p.m. Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, presiding prelate of the 6th Episcopal District AME Church of Georgia, will be the speaker. Dinner will be served at 1:30 p.m. For more information call the Rev. Dr. Sherryl Powell at 404-3740955 or the church at 706-235-7113.
304 Coker Drive, will celebrate Holy Eucharist on Sunday at 11 a.m. On Wednesday, Al-Anon will meet in the parish hall at noon and there will be a public service of healing with Eucharist at 6 p.m.
2261 Pleasant Valley Road, Silver Creek, will host BrotherHood & SisterHood on Monday at 7 p.m. Pastor Danny Tucker, of Faith Baptist Church, Cedartown, will be preaching. Kay Rampley, of Doyle Road Baptist Church, will be the Lady Speaker. Supper will be served. For more information call Betty Proctor at 706-844-8628.
1941 Shorter Ave., will hold a Thanksgiving service at 9:15 a.m. on Nov. 23. The Rev. Greg Lund will share the story of the first Thanksgiving. Sunday School for all ages meets at 9:45 a.m. and worship is at 11 a.m. on Sunday. Lund will preach a sermon titled “Ready for the Coming Day.” A nursery is provided. For further information call 706-235-8561.
1003 Shorter Ave., will hold services at 11 a.m. on Sunday. The sermon, “Overflowing with Thanksgiving to God,” will come from 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. For more information visit www. westromeumc.org, call 706-234-6214 or email wrumc@bellsouth.net.