“Welcome to The Little Town with a Big Heart
Inspiration for the week: A Christmas Miracle
It was six months ago, and a day, when her husband passed away. The doctors said there’s no more to do, so she quit her job to help him through. The child was sleeping when his father died, to tell her son, oh how she tried. The little boy cried that night, full of fear, full of fright. And on that night she lost her faith, his Dad were there.
Tears were filling people’s eyes, saddened by the young boy’s cries. As the months went by, things got rough, she went back to work, but it wasn’t enough. With no food, no money, and bills to pay, she just couldn’t bring herself to pray. Before she knew it, it was Christmas time, and she wasn’t able to save a dime. She felt so bad that she had no tree, for all he
r son’s friends to see. On Christmas Eve, they slept together, she promised her son, she’d be there forever. He asked her if Santa was coming tonight, she whispered no, with tears in sight. Her son would sulk, it wasn’t fair, she hated to see him in despair. She wanted to give her son some joy, oh how she wished she had a toy.
The mother got to her knees to pray, asking the Lord to hear her say. She asked for help to return a smile, to the face of her little child.
On Christmas Morning, the boy was screaming, she saw his eyes were wide and gleaming.
At the door were games, toys, even a bike, and a card that said “for the tyke.”
With a great big smile and eyes so bright, he kissed his mom as he held her tight.
She learned that a charity heard of her plight, and frantically scrambled through the night.
The mother got to her knees to pray, thanking the Lord for hearing her say.
She thanked the Lord for returning a smile, to the face of her little child. -- by Paul R. MacPherson.
On Wednesday Dec. 13, the Children and Youth of Grace United presented their Christmas Program “Red Letter Christmas” which was awesome, they did a fanstatic performance.
Thank you, Michelle Addy, for your hard work with the children it paid off, they are great children and youth. The adult choir presented “Miracle in a Manager” on Sunday morning which was an outstanding performance, directed by Addy.
My deepest sympathy is extended to the family of Bobby Alexander, 73, of Hickory, services was held at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec 18 at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home, with Bro. Jamie Leach officiating. Burial will be held in the Mississippi Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Newton. He served his country for two years when he was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps. He received a letter of appreciation and a National Defense Service Medal for his service to his country.
He was employed for more than 15 years with A and B Electric. Mr. Alexander loved his family. He survived by his five siblings, Johnny Alexander, Elsie Gray, Dorothy Irby, Mary Cochran of Meridian, and Betty Bronnenberg of Orange Beach, Ala.; five children, Wanda (Jay) Gartrell of Atlanta, Regina King of Meridian, Alishia (Bradley) Johnson, Angie (Jason) Rowzee of Hickory, and Amanda (Jeremy) Pierce; 14 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of
30-plus years, Sharon Diane Alexander; his parents, Charlie W. and Annie Alexander; and his brothers, James Alexander and Billy Aexander. Pallbearers were Chris Currie, Jason Rowzee, Bradley Johnson, Jeremy Pierce, Zachary Rowzee and Jimmy Mullins.
My deepest sympathy is also extended to the family of Philip Morgan Spann, 65, of Ridgeland, who passed away on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, after battling cancer for over 13 years. He is survived by wife, Sue Starnes Spann; three sons, James Spann (Leigh), Timmy Spann and Nick Spann; and a granddaughter, Adelynn Spann. He was preceded in death by parents, John and Irma Spann; a brother, Keith Spann. Memorial services for Philip Spann was held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 14 at Hickory Baptist Church with Bro. Brian Wright officiating.Prayer requests go out to James Daniel’s family, Bobby Alexander’s family, Billy Joe Hurst, Billy Spence, Barbara Blass, Betty Whitman, Donis Gomillion, Stephanie Wright, Ally Gressett, Dannie Walker, (John Stogner from Bogalusa, La.), Norman Snowden, Rindy Pierman, Gerald Goodin, Carol Ann Alexander, William Redd, Jack Graham, Marie Eason, Bonnie Walker, Bill Matlock, John Patterson, Doyle Gibbs, Doyle McMullan, Cili Norman, Micheal Roland, Janie McMullan, Stephanie Roland and Stacy Stevens.
Shut-ins are Earlene Everett, Christine Herd, Johnnie McMullian, Mary Stamper and Abertine Walker.
Birthday wishes for the week for Dec. 20 go out to Bro. Wayne Griffith; for Dec. 22 to Tyler Acord and Lavon Cochran; for Dec. 23 to Jay Hayes; and for Dec. 25 to Ms. Annie Rucker and Bro Rodney Anderson, a Hickory pastor.
Anniversary wishes for the week for Dec. 20 go out to Bro. Jamie and Kristy Leach, Butch and Tammy Meaders, Roger and Margie Brown; for Dec. 23 to Jim and Dianne Gallaspy, former Hickory residents; and for Dec. 24 to Ralph and Frances Chaney.
Recipe for the week: Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients: 2 cans (14.5 ounce each) cut green beans, drained, 1can (10 3/4 ounce) condensed cream of mushroom soup, 2cups shredded Cheddar cheese (8 ounce), 2jars (4.5 ounce each) sliced mushrooms, drained, 1cup milk, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/4teaspoon pepper, 1can (6 ounce) French-frie onions, chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Directions: 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
2. In large bowl, mix all ingredients except onions and parsley. Stir in half of the onions. Spoon mixture into baking dish.
3. Bake uncovered 30 minutes. Sprinkle remaining onions over top. Bake 5 minutes longer or until bubbly and onions are golden brown. Garnish with parsley.
