Friday, February 24, 2012

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.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

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

Sunday, January 1, 2012

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

Saturday, December 24, 2011

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.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Christmas Simply Put

The four children at the end of the song are my cousins. They are participating in a program entitled "Christmas Simply Put"

Sunday, December 11, 2011

One of my favorite Christmas songs is "Mary Did You Know" by Mark Lowry. I know that she was told he was the son of God but did she really understand what all that meant. Mary had to watch her little baby boy die on a cross. We are about to celebrate the birth of Jesus and each year as I read the scripture I always note that Mary ponders it in her heart. I think that night she probably held him just a little bit harder because for a moment he was just her baby and not the Savior of the world. Today is my mom's birthday. I know if she could keep me from suffering any pain she would. Mary watched Jesus, her baby boy, die on cross for all of us. What a pain that must been for her. Today, on my Mom's birthday, I salute Mary for she endured as well. Reminding you: Two weeks until we celebrate the birth of our Lord.
Happy Birthday Mom!! I Love You!