Easter 2012

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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

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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.

Welcome to the World

We would like to welcome Dillan Ray Haney into this world.

He was born December 15, 2011, 7 lb. 11 oz, 21 in. long.

He is the son of Daniel Ray and Autumn Haney.

Grandparents: Wayne and Karen Brinson.
Danny and Tammy Haney

Great-Grandparents: Lonnie and Florence Hoefler

I Am The New Year

My Mom received a poem in a Christmas card. that seemed so poignant that it needed to be shared.

I am the new year. I am an unspoiled page in your book of time. I am your next chance at the art of living.

I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months.

All that you sought and didn't find is hidden in me, waitin for you to search it out with more determination.

All the good that you tried for and didn't achieve is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires.

All that you dreamed but didn't dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have- these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose.

I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to Him who said, "Behold, I make all things new."

I am the new year.

A Year

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Smoky Mountain Christmas

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Merry Christmas

My mother has repeatedly told me that a baby changes everything. I have never questioned her on this, however, I never realized how meaningful that statement was. Christ came as a tiny, precious baby yet he was the Savior of the world. His birth changed everything.

Luke 2
1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” 15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.