Union Hill Baptist News
by Mickie Bigbie

On Sunday, December 3rd, Mikel and Ashley Kirby led in the lighting of the second Advent Candle, the Candle of Faith. Last Sunday the Rodney Boyd Family lit the third, The Candle of Peace, preceding a beautiful morning service at Union Hill. The evening service was one we all looked forward to as it was an evening of Christmas music.

This coming Sunday evening, the 17th, the children will present their Christmas program. We invite you to come hear the youngsters beginning at 6:00 p.m. Members of the church family are asked to bring finger foods for a fellowship after the program.

For those of you who shop at Brookshire’s in Chandler, guess you’ve seen some very familiar faces for the past two Saturdays, ringing the bell for the Salvation Army. The youth of the church rang the bell last Saturday and The Wheels of Mercy will be there this Saturday.

Time is drawing near for Jill’s trip to visit the kids in the hospitals. If you can provide a new or gently used stuffed toy to be given to a child in the hospital at Christmas, please bring it to the church office. If you have questions, see Jill Callahan.

Ladies, don’t forget the Exercise Classes that are being held in the church gym at 6:30 p.m. each Tuesday evening. It kinda balances out eating all those Christmas goodies that are so tempting!

During this beautiful season of the year, when we should all be joyously celebrating the birth of our Savior, there is much stress, much heartache, much sickness and uncertainty. I ask that you join us in prayer for those in need and those lost in despair. It takes just a moment out of a busy day, and remember, God hears your prayers. Thanks to you visitors for coming to be with us and we hope you will come back.

While shopping last week, standing in a long line, I found myself wishing folks would hurry with their purchases so I could be on my way too. When it came my turn and the little cashier bagged my purchases and gave me my change, she smiled and said, “Merry

Christmas.” It took me by surprise, because they usually say, “Happy Holiday” so as not to offend anyone. I gratefully told her that I appreciated the ‘Merry Christmas’ and from behind me in line, I heard somone say AMEN. Looking around, I saw a big burly man with an armload of puchases, waiting just as I had, smiling back at me and the little cashier. His simple reaction had brightened my day and from the grin on her face, made the little cashier’s day brighter too. Keep in mind that what you say or do in just the blink of an eye, might affect someone else. You never know who’s watching and it never hurts to remind folks to keep Christ in Christmas. Bye for now. See you on the hill.