Day Of Dedication
Wayne Johnson greeted the congregation and visitors as we gathered to worship Sunday morning at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Special prayers were requested for Doug Cory, Dwayne Womack, Wayne Johnson, Linda’s niece Debbie, Clint Rutlidge and those traveling.
Linda gave the devotional “Gratitude-Sharp and Sweet” with scripture from Psalm 148:3-6. She shared a story about the joys of living in the northern climate and the anticipation of spring and its wonders.
“We sometimes don’t know what we have until we lose it. Everything is a gift. Life brings darkness and light. The losses we suffer can show us light when life is difficult. We need to live with our eyes wide open to God’s many blessings.”
With Becky Johnson at the piano, Jerry Abercrombie led the congregation in singing the great hymns including “How Great Thou Art” and “Blessed Assurance.”
We were blessed with special music from Jerry as he sang “God on the Mountain.” Tyrel Lett asked God’s blessing upon the offertory and he and Rick Lett served as ushers.
Brother Tom Sharp filled in at the pulpit for our pastor Mark Hall as the Memorial Day sermon focused on the sacrifices of those who fought for our country in contrast to the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for us. Scripture was from Psalm 48. Verse 14 says, “For this is God, Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death.”
Brother Tom told us Memorial Day is a day to honor our soldiers. It is a day of dedication to honor fallen service men and women. The Day of Dedication evolved into Memorial Day to pay honor and remember all of the loved ones we have lost.
“Everyone gone has contributed something to those around them while they were here. Our Savior is the one we honor as He died for us so that we might have eternal life. Do we really stop and think how great our Lord is? Do we stop a few moments everyday to dwell on how good the Lord has been to us and to thank Him for what He does for us?
“As Christians, we will spend eternity with Him, but we need to appreciate His greatness on earth as well.”
Brother Tom shared childhood memories of his father. “We all have memories of those we have lost that gave all they could to their family while they were on this earth. Our Heavenly Father can go so much farther. Jesus Christ gave His life for those that don’t even love Him and said, ‘Father forgive them.’
“That’s the kind of love our Heavenly Father can give us. No matter where or what time, God is still the Father.”
Brother Tom continued by reading Psalm 48:3 which tells us God is our refuge. “He is our place of safety. When we ask Jesus Christ to comfort us and lift us up, we have a God we can look up to and rely on. We can have hardships and sorrows, but if you know Jesus Christ, you have that promise of eternity.
“God wants us to remember our loved ones that are gone, but He also wants us to remember those loved ones still here who don’t know Jesus Christ. We must pray for them, but we must also strive to tell others about Jesus Christ, too. We are to reach out to the lost and unprepared. Christ is our refuge and our comfort.
“We accept Him as our personal savior and we see Him through our faith. What a memorial and a tribute. When we think of those loved ones we have lost who have helped show us the way, ask Jesus Christ to thank them for helping guide and direct us.”
In closing, Brother Tom said “God is truly our guide even to death. This Memorial Day when we pay tribute to our loved ones not with us anymore, thank God for the opportunity and the memories He gives us of them.”
Our hymn of invitation was “Without Him.” We invite you to worship with us at Mill Creek Baptist Church on Sunday mornings at 11.
Sunday school begins at 10. Everyone is welcome.