New Requests: Adam and Kristin Shaw Families
Continuing Requests:
Cancer Patients: Earl Cooper, William Jordan, Angie Bussell, Tara McCann,
Kathy Sower, Edith Westfall, Alexandra Mason, Ramona Lyle, Tammy Stone
Elderly and Shut Ins and their Families: Maxine Soards, Helen Dixon, Ina Hurst,
Sammy Ginn, Gardena Ginn, Flora Wells, Charles Riley, Donald Lykins, Sr.,
Lance O’Cull, Teresa Gibson, Jenny Gilbert, Jim Vergne, Reno McGlone, Jack
Esham, Malcolm Roe
Our Web Prayer Requests, Our Troops, Unspoken Needs, Missionaries, the
“Lost”, the Emotionally, Physically and Spiritually Troubled
Happy Birthday or Anniversary
May 13 Owen McCann
May 15 Jerry/Carmaleta Miller
May 17 Tammy Cox
May 18 Lynda Greene
REMINDERS
Bible Study Tonight—1st Corinthians—6:30
Bring in napkins for Sugarloaf during the months of April and May
Aills Christian Church Services
Sunday School—10:00
Mother’s Day Program
Announcements
Dismissal Prayer to classes
Classes
Church Services—10:45
Hymn—262
Prayer Hymn— 478
Hymn—503
Sermon—” Appreciating Mother”
Invitation Hymn— 55
Communion Hymn—317
Closing Remarks
Closing Verse—”Lord Lay Some
Soul Upon My Heart”
The Journey Of A Mother
The young mother set her foot on the path of life. “Is this the long way?” she asked. And the guide said “Yes, and the way is hard. And you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning”
Since the young mother was happy, she would not believe that anything could be better than these years. So she played with her children, she fed them and bathed them, and taught them how to tie their shoes and ride a bike and reminded them to feed the dog, and do their homework and brush their teeth. The sun shone on them, and the young Mother cried, “Nothing will ever be lovelier than this.”
Then the nights came, and the storms, and the path was sometimes dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them with her arms, and the children said, “Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come.”
And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary. But at all times she said to the children, “A little patience and we are there.” So the children climbed, and as they climbed they learned to weather the storms. And with this, she gave them strength to face the world. Year after year, she showed them compassion, understanding, hope, but most of all… unconditional love.
The days went on, and the weeks and the months and the years, and the mother grew old and she became little and bent. But her children were tall and strong, and walked with courage. And the mother, when she lay down at night, looked up at the stars and said, “This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned so much and are now passing these traits on to their children.”
And when the way became rough for her, they lifted her, and gave her their strength, just as she had given them hers. One day they came to a hill, and beyond the hill, they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide. And mother said: “I have reached the end of my journey.
And now I know the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk with dignity and pride, with their heads held high, and so can their children after them. And the children said, “You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates.” And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. And they said: “We cannot see her, but she is with us still. A Mother like ours is more than a memory. She is a living presence.”
Your Mother is always with you. She’s the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street, she’s the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick and perfume that she wore, she’s the cool hand on your brow when you’re not feeling well, she’s your breath in the air on a cold winter’s day. She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep, the colors of a rainbow, she is Christmas morning. Your Mother lives inside your laughter. And she’s crystallized in every tear drop. A mother shows every emotion… happiness, sadness, fear, jealousy, love, hate, anger, helplessness, excitement, joy, sorrow… and all the while, hoping and praying you will only know the good feelings in life.
She’s the place you came from, your first home, and she’s the map you follow with every step you take. She’s your first love, your first friend, even your first enemy, but nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space… not even death!
A Mother
A Mother is a special person In the eyes of Jesus Christ,
Who cherished His own mother To the very end of life.
Mothers have hands so gentle, To soothe away the pains;
Ears to hear all problems, And help set them right again
A Mother’s heart is open When a wayward child returns;
Forgiveness shows a part of love For which her child now yearns.
Mothers never do give up On any straying child
But teach them courage as they grow, Remaining meek and mild.
A hug is always ready, Waiting at the door
When the grown child comes home To mother’s arms once more.
God bless you today dear mother For the trials you’ve been through
To raise your baby, now full grown May God the Father honor you.
