Memorial Day 2012

This is Lynn Murray's annual Memorial Day message:

It’s  Memorial Day weekend which means that once again it’s time for me to remind you that this holiday is a time set aside to pay homage to those brave young American men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to maintain the freedoms we hold so dear.  Somewhere over the past year or so I came across the following and it conveys the message I endeavor to send to you each year:

“We need to remember that God created this vast and glorious world for us to live in, freely, but also at great sacrifice.  Let us never forget from the Revolutionary War to the current War on Terrorism and all the wars in-between that the sacrifice of others has reserved our freedom. Remember to pray praises for this great country of ours and for those who gave their lives that it might remain great and free.  Also pray for those still in murderous unrest around the world.  STOP and thank God for being alive and being free at someone else's sacrifice. God Bless You and God Bless America.”

 So I remind you to find a brief moment sometime this weekend to pause and remember those brave and heroic young men and women who gave their very life to preserve the rights and liberties we so often take for granted.

The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away

He said,

“ Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked I shall return there.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21

In the past 2 months, my family and I lost my Granny and my uncle (her son). The Lord took away two special people in our lives. We are grieving but the Lord also gives. Our family also received blessed news. A week after my Granny passed my cousin Brittany found out she was pregnant. In our time of loss the Lord gave us something to smile about and to look forward to. We are excited to add a new member to the family.  Granny and Herman would've enjoyed this wonderful addition as much as anyone. 

The Lord will give strength to His people;

The Lord will bless His people with peace.

Psalm 29:11

Memorial Benches

In memory of my Granny, my family decided to place benches on the side entrance of the church.  Granny always said she need to take a little rest for a moment.  The benches seemed very fitting to us.  We hope everyone enjoys these benches.

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.- Matthew 11:28

Mother's Day 2012

Happy Mother's Day!

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Blurred Vision

Easter 2012

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Jesus wept...

One of the first verses children learn is, John 11:35, "Jesus wept." It's the shortest verse in the Bible but those words pack a mighty powerful punch when you study them. Jesus, our Lord and Savior, wept. He didn't just cry a little... He wept as in sobbing tears. These two words bring comfort to me at this time. I've just had to give up my Granny and my heart is saddened. My Savior knows this feeling. He lost his friend and wept for him. Granny is in heaven which is a glorious place. I know that my heavenly Father understands my grief and that I miss her. In Matthew 5, the Bible says, "Blessed are those that mourn for they shall be comforted." My family and I will be comforted.
I will miss a lot about my Granny:

• hugs (they felt like sunshine)
• her humor
• her honesty

Two things Granny always taught us.

1. She may not have liked what we did, but she always loved us.
2. Love is the most important gift you can give!

Granny

I believe this is the most difficult thing I've ever had to do. My beloved Granny has passed away. There is so much I wish that everyone could know about her... like how when she hugged you it felt like sunshine or that she never had a bad word to say about anyone. The most important thing about Granny is that she taught that the most important gift you can give is love. She loved each and everyone of us and we never doubted that. I have always said that I have never doubted there was a God because 1 John 4:8 states that God is love...and I have ALWAYS known love.

Margaret Louise Andrews, age 95, of Newport, went peacefully to be with her Lord, Thursday, March 15, 2012, surrounded by her loving family.. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Charlie Andrews; mother, Barbara Ann Jenkins; nine brothers and sisters; Gladys Worley, Nellie Mae Holt, Lucille Jenkins, Emma Jean Harrah, Jim, Austin, Roy, Raymond and Cecil Jenkins; grandchildren, Chad and Jaycee Chesteen. She leaves behind her brother, Charles (Betty Jo) Jenkins and sister Barbara Ann (J.R.) Boles; children, Kermit (Imogene) Andrews, Edith (Paul) Hudgens, Lois (Richard) Meadows, Herman Andrews, Charlotte Webb (Jimmy Blazer), Colleen (Jackie) Styles; grandchildren, Bill Andrews, Janella Snapp, Shari (Wesley) Webb, Donnie Ray (Arbie) Webb, LuAnn Meadows, Amy (Daniel) Hall, Brittany (Charlie) Hall, Kari (Adam) McNeil, Mark (Tammy) Hudgens, Melissa (Tommy) Sterry, Mechelle Woodson (Gary) Brian (Shantal) Chesteen and Jennifer Andrews; great-grandchildren, MacKenna and Bailey Andrews, Taylor and Alec Philpot, Gretchen, Grant and Grayce Webb, Kylie and Tyler Hall, Bryson Conard, Braydon and Covan Hall, Matthew, Marah, Kaydence and Coy McNeil, Michael, Mark and Lauren Hudgens, Tara Marks, Adam Sterry, Dustin White, Tyler Woodson, Cameron Wilson, Chelsea, Caitlyn, Carson, Emily, Laura and Sara Chesteen; great-great grandchildren Kendrick Mason White, Jayleigh Chesteen and Carlie Ford. She will be sadly missed by her friends, church family at First Christian Church, and by all those who simply knew her as “Granny.” The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm Saturday March 17, 2012, at Manes Funeral Home. The family will also receive friends from 12:00 noon until 2:00 pm Sunday, March 18, 2012 with funeral services to follow at 2:00 pm in Manes Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Martin Stump officiating. Burial will follow in Union Cemetery. Pallbearers will be, Bill Andrews, Donnie Ray Webb, Alec Philpot, Daniel Hall, Adam McNeil and Charlie Hall.

Valentine's Banquet 2012

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Helen Grooms

We lost a very dear member of our church family today. Helen Grooms passed away February 24, 2012. She was beloved by all. Helen loved her family and church family with all of her heart. Her "boys" always were her pride and joy. She will now watch all of them from above. She will be dearly missed.

Obituary: Helen Wheeler Grooms, 83, of Newport a devoted member of the First Christian Church entered her heavenly home Friday morning, February 24, 2012 at Fort Sanders Regional Hospital in Knoxville. She was a devoted member of the William Cocke chapter of DAR. And was retired nurse having worked for Dr. Drew Mims and Dr. Fred M. Valentine, Jr. One of her great joys was being able to help people. She was a U.T. Vol fan and very proud of her great grandson Kris Cates. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Grooms, daughter, Jane Ann, parents Roy and Pearl Matthews Wheeler, sister, Anna Lou Smithpeters, brother, Reece Wheeler, son in law, Ronald Cates, granddaughter, Donna Cates Verdi, grandson, Michael Cates. She is survived by her loving sons and daughters in laws, Bobby and Carole, Reece and Cheryl, Jimmy Dale and Tammy and daughter Jo Cates, grandchildren, Brian and wife Terry, Travis, Josh, Cody, Jake, Rhonda, Reece, 8 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren, brothers and sisters in laws, R.J. and Polly Wheeler, Guy and Faye Wheeler, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends and neighbors and her church family. Funeral service will be 8:00 p.m. Sunday, February 26, 2012 at the Manes Funeral Home Chapel with burial 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012 in the Union Cemetery. Family will receive friends 6:00 until 8:00 pm Sunday prior to the service.