Church News

Sunday, August 2, 2009
The Bible School was great and according to Robert Whitley the rain fit in well with what he taught. Happy Birthday wishes were sung to Lavera Winters. I counted 64 for our morning service. Bro. Michael Walker brought our children's sermon to a pew full of youngsters. He told the story of Noah and the flood with a small bag he turned inside out. For our sermon Bro. Michael chose Ezekiel 37: 1-6. Ezekiel the prophet has an experience. Bones were the children of Isarel hoping for the promise land. Jesus told everyday stories that have divine meaning. Have you ever been to the valley of trouble and faced a situation with no hope of recovery? Verse 14 tells us people still cling to their faith in troubled times. According to our announcements the Young and Young at heart have a full schedule in August. According to Max Lucado your past is no accident it is training for your future. A thought to ponder

Sunday, August 9, 2009
Our crowd was a little shorter with 46 for church services. Happy Birthday wishes were sung to Sondra Eddings and Renee Rutherford. Sandy Whitley brought the children's sermon. She told of how her dog's tag identified his owner. She read from 1 Cor. 6:20 how we belong to Christ. Sandy brought special Id's made for the children showing they represent Jesus. Bro. Don Cooper's great message from Matt. 26: 36-41 was titled "Just Go With Me A Little Further" and was a challenge to us all and a lesson for our young adults. We need to understand where we are is not the end of the road. We need to go just a little further for Christ. We do not know all God has in store for our life. It is dangerous out there take the word of God with you. On Thursday, August 13th at 7:00 p.m Randy Davis from the Drawing Closer Ministries is coming. You are welcome to join us. On Friday after funeral home visitation for our longtime friend, Dorothy Pierce, we encountered a bad wreck on the curve in front of our home. Thomas Hayes had been thrown from his truck. Please keep him in your prayers.

Sunday, August 23, 2009
Sally Baird reported a fun time by all 26 folks who went to Missouri to float the Current on Saturday. Happy Birthday wishes were sung to John Davidson and Jimmy Goad. We had a good crowd for our morning worship service and also for the night service. After hearing the equivalent of 4 sermons our church house was filled with the spirit. Kenneth Sims went to the pulpit and thanked God for saving him and sending Jesus. He requested that we not be afraid to tell others about Jesus. He said we are living in a wilderness of sin, but we have a promise land awaiting. Bro. Don is our Moses, and we are thankful for his teachings and service to us. For our children's sermon Sally Baird requested all who were starting to school to come forward, and that amounted to about two and one half pews. With her backpack she told about all the items required to start to school. Then she asked do you have your back pack ready for heaven. John 14 speaks of the mansion prepared for us and Matt. 24 says no one knows the hour. We know the day is coming. Is our heart and soul ready? On Sunday night with a hands on prayer time with the congergation, Bro. Don prayed for our students who will be facing life's challenges. Bro. Don started a series of sermons titled "What Jesus Really Has For You". His text was from John 8: 1-12 where the woman was caught in adultery, but his sermon was about forgiveness. He defined it like a fence. Get over it because life is on the other side. Failure to forgive imprisons and produces bitterness within us. Scripture says to whom much is given much is expected, and we all fit that description. You can feel the spirit at North Union. Come to our services and receive what Jesus has for you.

Sunday, August 30, 2009
Such a beautiful Sunday with fall in the air, and we got to spent time in worship. Sounds like a lot of fun was had at the car wash on Saturday. The church accepted the nominations for the Sunday School officiers and teachers. Our thanks go to Sondra, Sandy, and Michelle for their work. Several of the younger folks were promoted to the next class. Royce Turner announced she has a new great neice. We heard a beautiful testimony from a sweet young lady. Lexi Whitley told of some of the things she is thankful for. She was thankful for everything God had given her. This included her parents and for God saving her. Bro. Don said for us to tell what God is doing in our life. He would like to hear more testimonys. Happy Birthday wishes were sung to Little Libby Goad. We enjoyed special music by Sandy Whitley and Connie Cooper who sang "My Savior's Precious Blood". Bro. Don read Ephesians 5: 1-20 encouraging us to listen because what God says is important. He asked why do we fail to move forward in our relationship to God. We are not lucky. We are blessed. God needs some acknowlegement in your life. We are selfish and set in our ways. Thankful living does not come natural. We must make the choice to lead a thankful life. Have a good week.

Sunday, September 9, 2009
It was a sad time at North Union as two of our church families were faced with death this week. The Harris family lost a mother. I have good memories of Cindy Harris as a mother in our church with her children and in later years as she participated in our Bible Study. The Sims family lost a father. For our children's sermon Sally Baird asked are you prepared. Only two weeks ago Kenneth Sims gave his testamony. Sally told the children we know where Mr. Kenneth is, and we need to be sure of ourselves about where we are going when we die. Each one of us needs to step up and live by his example. Bro. Don saw our grief and said we should talk about it. With tears in our eyes many stood and told what Kenneth had meant to them. Robert Whitley told how blessed we were to have had such a church and family heritage all our life. Kenneth stood up for what he believed in. Sandy Whitley's prayer was that God would mold me, fill me, use me like he did Kenneth. Bro. Don summed it up by saying Kenneth not only showed us how to live, but he showed us how to die. He finished well. Bro. Don preached two great sermons and brought a caring message at Cindy's celebration of life service. Bro. Don's message for our labor holiday weekend told of how we labor in vain physically. The Bible says you cannot serve God and things of the world. Think about the things that are taking your time away from God. Do something meaningful. Whatever it takes to put Jesus first.

Sunday, September 13, 2009
Congratulations go to our Gibson County Band students who were winners in their class - 1st Color Guard, 1st Percussion, and 1st. Band. They were 3rd. overall out of 14 bands. Happy Birthday wishes were sung to Tiffany Harris. For our children's sermon Sally Baird told how you could move so easily on the Current River except in this one spot where you were stuck. She then read from John 15 about being connected to Jesus the true vine thru Bible study, church, and accepting Christ. Then you are not the branch that is pruned off and put in the fire. She advised the children to stay with people that are doing the right thing. Laureen Whitley gave her testamony recounting how she almost had a wreck. This encounter caused her to think about her life and what she needs to be fulfilled and focus more on God. Bro. Don read from Philippians 2:16. Our problem is we show a lack of emotion, and we are indifferent. God speaks to us thru the Word, our Church Family, and the Holy Spirit. Paul says hold forth the word of God. God has scripture for us. God can do somethng about your day. Life is full of conflict, and God can give you peace and power. Don't lose the day because of circumstances. Read Psalms 86.

Sunday, September 20, 2009
All our love and sympathy goes to the Quast Family in the loss of their 4 month old grandson. Happy Birthday wishes were sung to Lindsey Whitley. For our children's sermon Chelsea Joyce told of how it would be great to live in a big house or even win the lottery. Sometimes she even blamed God when things went wrong. She remembered and reminded us that God is there for us and repeated Jeremiah 29:11 where God's plan for us is for good and not evil to give us a future and a hope. In Bro. Don's absence for our service we had a time of testimony. Kenneth Sims started this shortly before he passed away, and somehow we are trying to fill his shoes. As Randy Baird, Michelle Goad, and Connie Cooper gave us the story of their road to Christ we shed tears of joy. We are thankful for their lives as they minister to us at North Union. Our church calendar of youth events is full.

Sunday, October 4, 2009
To catch up on our news we are celebrating birthdays of Danielle Rickman, Royce Turner, Terry Whitley, Robert Joyce, Laureen Whitley, and Sarah Allen. For our children's sermon last week our own Elvira talked about our heros and what made them famous. This week yours truly talked on Jesus being a farmer and sowing seeds. Last week Bro. Welch administered our communion and brought our sermon about the seasons we encounter in our life. His text was from James 5: 12-19. This week Bro. Don's sermon was from Galations 5 titled "What Has Jesus Got For You" His sermon centered on fruit the Holy Spirit will produce in us. All our love and sympathy goes to family of Eunice Cunningham. We have some winners. Ally Goad got 2nd place in the Art Contest at the Davy Crockett Cabin and Jaxon Hays got King at the Harvest Festival at Dyer School.

Sunday, October 11, 2009
We welcome to the world Tripp Michael Hays, brother to Jaxon and son to Jeffery and Paige. Happy Birthday wishes were sung to Nathan Quast and Robert Clint Joyce. Sandy Whitley brought our children's sermon telling about our place of ministry in the church and how we are God's representatives by taking God's Holy Spirit out into the world. Connie Cooper sang so beautifully, "Down On My Knees". Bro. Don brought a much needed sermon on the fruit of the spirit from Gal. 5:22. His sermon filled with scriptures about kindness, goodness, thankfulness, and gentleness. We must have patience to exhibit this fruit. 1 Cor. 4:21 says the word of God is not to punish but to save our soul. Only Christ can give you gentleness. We must be trained to be strong and gentle and rid ourselves of anger. Our fall festival will be on Oct. 24th.

Sunday, September 18, 2009
Our own Chelsea Joyce and Robert Joyce helped the Putman County Structured Athletics for Challenged Children participate in a special needs rodeo recently. For our children's sermon Elvira played hide and seek. She asked us to sing out of our heart in dedication to Kenneth Sims the song "Heaven Came Down". Kenneth often asked us to repeat a song, and this is what Elvira did. She emphatized God is watching us, and we are it for him as in the game of hide and seek. Since it is pastor appreciation month we gave Bro. Don and Ms. Connie hand written cards from the congergation telling of our appreciation for them. Sandy Whitley testified in singing a song, "It is My Desire". Little Libby Goad sang "I'm A Nut". Bro. Don's scripture was from John 3: 1-8. The gifts God gives us are not much good if we don't have confidence in God to use them. We gain confidence from security. Secure in our relationship with God. Often we are to concerned with our ability. Have you decided to follow Jesus? Feed on God's word. At 6 p.m on Sunday nights Bro.Don is teaching in the book of Revelation. Please come and join us. Come to our fall festival on Saturday night,Oct. 24th, starting at 6 p.m. There will be food, bingo with prizes, a big bon fire, and a hay ride.

Sunday, October 25, 2009
My drive to church is made prettier as I gaze upon the changing colors of the trees. Our very own Danielle Rickman and Lauren Whitley with The GCHS Marching Pioneers went to Hoover Invitational recently. Congratulations to GCHS Marching Pioneers for superior in band, field commander, percussion, and color guard, and also 1st in color guard. They brought home 5 trophies, and we are very proud of them. I think everyone had a good time at our Fall Festival. There was a big spread of food and some nice bingo prizes. Outside Robert Whitley had a big fire going for roasting and keeping warm. William Sims had a trailor of hay ready for a ride. Happy Birthday wishes were sung to Phyllis Joyce, better known as Elvira. Our own Elvira had charge of our children's sermon. You just have to see her in action because I can't find the words to describe this actress. Her point was we all have gifts. You never get to old to share your gifts. Never be afraid to show the world your gift. Bro. Don's text was from Acts 17: 10-15 and 1 Cor. 12. We need to stir up our spiritual talents in the church. The spirit of God needs to be moving among the people. If the church is not excited why should anyone else be. There are those who really want to know the truth. Also there are those who are running from Jesus, and are afraid of the gospel we preach. Our testimony is very encouraging to others. Testimony tells others we have heard from God, and he is working in our lives. What is God doing in your life today? Every Sunday evening and Wednesday night is Christmas Choir practice. Also we are studying in Revelations on Sunday night and will be in Acts 5 on Wednesday night. Come and join us. ?

November 1, 2009
I think everyone is ready for the rain to stop and the farmers to continue to harvest the crops. Happy Birthday wishes were sung to Mike Cardwell. Sally Baird had charge of our Children's Sermon, and she talked about sin. With a thin piece of wood she told of sin being brokenness. Asking if anyone had ever broken something and tried to hide their sin. By breaking the wood she was able to make a cross. Because of the cross we can receive forgiveness for our sins. Sandy Whitley asked us to prepare our hearts to be in God's presence so we would receive what God had for us, and we would not be the same as we were when we came in. Then she and Lindsey Whitley sang,"We are Standing on Holy Ground". We were in awe and felt the spirit as they sang so beautifully. Bro. Don's text was from Romans 11:29, 12:6, and 1Cor. 12, as he continues speaking about our gifts and talents. He says gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. When God calls you he is not interested in your opinion. There are two kinds of spiritual gifts. Ministering gifts and miracle gifts for the benefit of all. If you are so afraid and embarassed to find out what your gifts are, you don't know what embarassment you will face when you come before the Lord. Our Homecoming and Thanksgiving Potluck dinner will be November 22nd.

Sunday, November 7, 2009
As long as I can remember above the entry to North Union Church are the numbers 1909. On Sunday November 22nd we are hosting a Homecoming and Thanksgiving Pot Luck dinner following the morning service. Come and join us as we celebrate 100 years in our building. Congratulations go to the Gibson County Marching Pioneer Band. They finished 7th in the state. Happy Birthday wishes were sung to Liz Quast. Sally Baird did a great children's sermon as she talked about the various schools having Veteran's Day Programs. She told how we should give respect to the folks who served in the military service in our country. She read a long list of names of veterans from our church and our church families who have served our country. Bro. Don continues to lead us in fiquring out our spiritual gifts. His text was from Matt. 11: 28-30. The yoke teaches us an important lesson. Once you know yourself the gifting and leading God gives you can help you find a place to work in the Kingdom. Bro. Don has compiled some 96 questions to unwrap your spiritual gifts and some 24 gift definitions and scriptural references to help us. Ask yourself what am I capable of doing, and what am I doing now for God?