word at walnut street bryan mcalister
TRANSCRIPT
Most holidays are filled with traditions. For a very long time, my brother, sister-in-law, my Mendy, and I would share time together, along with the rest of our family, in celebration of the holiday. My brother and I shared a deep trait of sentimentality. Admittedly by his own word, his affinity for “days gone by” was intense. Allow me to share these words of his, and as was his wish, perhaps they will speak to your heart. We love you all, and wish you joy and warmth in heart and home this Christmas. Love, the McAlister “6”
RANDOM THOUGHTS ON CHRISTMAS DAY I detest change, and I suspect I'm not alone. I like for things to stay the way I have grown accustomed to them. For example, I'd like a new truck, but I really like the one I have and it has everything I want - power seats/windows/locks, CD and cassette player (yes, I said cassette!), air conditioning, cruise control, and is even my favorite color. I would like something with considerably less than a quarter million miles, but I like what I have - I understand it, I know its quirks and how to deal with them. New would be nice, but that would mean change. I think I'm fine for now.
I like the energy and mobility and strength I had when I was 25. I'm almost twice that age now, and I don't like that change either! I think I can still push as hard as I did back then - close to it, at least - but I do know it taxes me more than it used to.
I like holiday celebrations to stay the same as they were for so many years, but as I have gotten older, I've come to understand that changes, too. My brother and his family live in TN and have for over 10 years. Our youngest daughter is married, our oldest one will be in a couple of weeks, both are working more than one job, and this is our fourth Christmas without my dad. Oh, and our son? He's 15 now and still with us, running up the grocery bill... :-) All 3 children are hard-working, dependable, and faithful Christians. We're proud of them and blessed beyond measure.
I know Renee feels some of this melancholy, too. Christmas Eve was a big event for her family when her parents were alive. I remember many a Christmas Eve in her family's home: her 3 siblings, her parents, and me, all crowded in their living room, opening presents.
Christmas Day was a big day for my family, so for the first several years of our marriage, Christmas was a relatively easy holiday to figure out. My family would get up on Christmas morning, open gifts - sometimes MeMa and PaPa
would come over for that - not always, but we would all have a meal together. That's all provided we were here, because we spent a lot of Christmases in Seadrift, TX, with Dad's family. Sunshine and 70 degrees never felt like Christmas to me, but I sometimes miss that, too. I sure miss Grandpa and Grandma, Aunt Louise and Uncle Duane, who have left us.
I feel like I've rambled at length, but I guess what I want to say is: Holly flew in from TX yesterday. Our son-in-law is on active duty in the Air Force and unable to be with us. Katie has been at work since 9 this morning and when she's off work, will be spending the rest of the day with her future in-laws, dad is no longer with us, a friend of Katie's has been our houseguest since late September, and Christmas looks a lot different than it used to. Even so, I'm grateful for what has been, and what is: grateful that we'll be together with mom and Bryan's family in a few days, grateful for parents who loved my brother and me enough to show us what a strong, loving family looks like (thanks, Mom & Dad - we can never pay that back, but we'll spend our lives paying it forward), grateful we could, for the last few months, share some of that with one who is not our blood, but seems like she is, grateful for having 44 years with my father, grateful for my wife, grateful Holly and Katie have found young men of good character (who their mother and I love) to spend their lives with, grateful for a loving church family, and grateful for every other blessing God has seen fit to bestow upon us.
Not sure I really had a point with all of this, or if it even makes sense, but, for whatever reason, I feel better for having said it. Maybe it'll help someone else. Merry Christmas! - R.W.
Word at Walnut Street Bryan
McAlister Th
e
Thanking God for each of you and praying for His abundant blessings for you this Christmas.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Walnut Street Office Staff
Prayer Requests
• Mark O’Neal, who is recovering from back surgery • Eric Peeler, who is recovering from gallbladder removal surgery • Allison Kruse, who will undergo knee replacement this week • Frank Luther, who will undergo hip replacement this week • Ira Weatherspoon, who is at home; recovering from knee surgery • Rodney Baggett, (brother of Steve Baggett) who has returned
home; is recovering from a heart procedure • Criselle Compton, (sister of Candice Compton) who is recovering
from open heart surgery • Patricia Carr, (mother of Cindy Lambert) who continues to recover
from a recent car accident (The Woodlands, Room 205, 102 Woodchase Park Drive, Clinton, MS 39056)
Family News
We extend our sympathy to Lonnie and Cathy Walls in the loss of Lonnie’s mother, Barbara Wellons. Funeral services were held
Wednesday at Taylor Funeral Home.
Those of our number who are expectant mothers: Katie Daniel (12/3); Katherine Donegan (12/21)
Note of Thanks: Knowing Augusta is at peace, no longer in pain, and your lovely cards
and thoughtful prayers are comforts to us.
Thank you, Larry, Joyce, Ashley Crownover
In Memory...Continued Josh Becker - Frank & Edee Becker
Neal & Marie Garton - Earl & Debbie Davidson
Beatrice Larkins - Earl & Debbie Davidson
Robert & Carrie Tidwell - Earl & Debbie Davidson
Betsy, Robert, Jimmy Porter - David Porter
John Henderson & James D. Williams - Debbie Henderson
Anita Porter & Jennifer Porter - David Porter
CE & Veleta Pringle -Vonita Gray
Clay Young - Jane Young
Dan & Emma Hall - Brian & Carol Ragan
Vernon & Rebecca Wyburn - Brian & Carol Ragan
Floyd & Mary Hall - Brian & Carol Ragan
Donna Siegal - Brian & Carol Ragan
James Scruggs - Brandy Scruggs
Mary Bates - Mary Ruth Burke
Glenn & Barbara Hicks - Will & Julie Hicks
Kate Downey - Will & Julie Hicks
Vina Mitchell - Will & Julie Hicks
Clyde & Clara Clifton - Lisa Davidson
D. Ellis Walker - Larry & JoAnne Brown
Lorene Hickerson, June & Harry Leathers - Martha Harris
Bill & Laura Speight - Alice Hernandez
Bessie Bradley - Laura Reid
Elton Johnson - Tommy & Cynthia Marvin
Peggy Marvin - Tommy & Cynthia Marvin
Loretta Derra - Farrah Lowery
Dan & Nelda Spencer - Bob & Sherrie Spencer
Clayton & Juanita Estes - Bob & Sherrie Spencer
Mavis Beasley - Barbara Beasley
Anne Crafton - Jessica Southerland
Dave & Ruby Riesland - Jan Street
Tanya King - Brandon King
Poinsettias...In Memory Carley Grove - Danny & Terri Williams
Maxine Tidwell - J.C. Tidwell
Prince Aydelott - Sherman & Becky Cline
Ann Aydelott - Sherman & Becky Cline
Julou Dodson - Sherman & Becky Cline
Walter & Betty Massie - Jerry & Pamela Massie
Melvin & Odell Harris - Jerry & Pamela Massie
George Wright - Virginia Wright
Ruth Wright - Virginia Wright
Emma Page - George & Sara Caudill
Jeanette Page - George & Sara Caudill
Wilbur McCasland - Phyllis McCasland
Lawrence Thompson - Debbie Horsley
Roy & Lucille Thompson - Debbie Horsley
Lottie Burgess - Larry & Patti Garton
Doyle Garton - Larry & Patti Garton
Elmer Dunn - Larry & Patti Garton
Wendy Beasley - Larry & Patti Garton
Marcee Garton Bone - Larry & Patti Garton
Donald Williams - Susan Williams
Holland & Annie Laura Berry - Sue, Pat & Peggy Berry
Bill & Deanie Sears - Sue, Pat & Peggy Berry
Leora Lewis - Liz Graham
Lorene Gilmer - Liz Graham
Mark Whitaker - Lori Whitaker
Donna White - Charles & Ava White
Maudine Barnett - Jean Gooch
Charlene Warbritton - Jean Gooch
Lynville Gooch - Mark Gooch
In Memory...continued Bobby Prosser - Bettye Prosser
Tony Gonzales - Kay Gonzales
Andy Wall - Bob Wolcott
Tom Leach - Steve & Cindy Leach
Mildred Morgan, Edna & Jesse Clifton - Bobby & Regina
Cathey
Rosalee Cummings - Bobby & Regina Cathey
Wendell & Geraldine Daniel - Mike & Brenda Burgess
Dick & Florance Burgess - Mike & Brenda Burgess
Matt Baggett - Steve & Pam Baggett
Rodney & Kathryn Baggett - Steve & Pam Baggett
Roy & Marie Burkhart - Steve & Pam Baggett
Rick Poole - Alice Poole
Laura Lazenby & Christine Lazenby - Alice Poole
Terry Adkins - Evelyn & Joy Adkins
Nancy Ragan & Anne Crafton - Evelyn & Joy Adkins
James Hill - Robyn Lampley
Robbie Blalock - Robyn Lampley
Lumis Terrell - Jennie McLay
James McLay, Sr. & James McLay, Jr. - Jennie McLay
Ricky Gray - Ashley Fussell
Mary & Grady Hall - Christine Hall
Mary & Con Vrailas - Christine Hall
Henry & Nancy Ragan - Randal & Barbara Lamastus
Roy & Mai Ragan - Randal & Barbara Lamastus
Prince & Ann Aydelott - Randal & Barbara Lamastus
William & Katherine Stacey - Sherrie Turbeville
Horace & Maggie Turbeville - Sherrie Turbeville
Bill Wood & Dale Donegan - Barbara Donegan Wood
Robbie Blalock - Paula Hill
Darrell Mitchell - Debra Mitchell
Thomas Bensen - Laura Reid
Lucille Hunsaker - Susan Steidl
Gary Wilson - Laurie Billingsby
Marie Seaton, Billy & Rowena Shelton - Ron & Beverly
Seaton
Ray & Julia Russell - Steve & Cindy Leach
Connie Wright - Virginia Wright
Kenneth Bullington - Bernadette Bullington
Rosemary Brown, Bobbie Corlew - Bernadette Bullington
Louise Grimenstein, Imogene Oakley - Bernadette
Bullington
JC & Odessa Erranton - Dan & Val Erranton
Donald & Charlotte Strayborn - Dan & Val Erranton
Bennie Graves - Joe & Barbara Hughes
Tommy Thompson - Kay Thompson
Allene Rial - Kay Thompson
In Memory...continued Margaret Gray & Mabel Walker - Carolyn Gray
Billy Gentry & Tracy Wooten - Elva Gentry
Bill Caldwell - Patsy Caldwell
Irene Garton - BJ & Cindy Garton
Jane Marrs - BJ & Cindy Garton
Allon White - Kasey Dickerson
Charles & Vara Kimbro - Debbie Fuller
Avagene Moore - Steve & Anita Moore
Lorene Jarnagin- Steve & Anita Moore
Don & Anna Jo Peery - Mary Beth Peery
In Honor: Mary Leach - Steve & Cindy Leach
Lynwood & Vonnette Smith - Larry & JoAnne Brown
Margie Albright - Debbie Albright
All the Men & Woman serving our great country - Steve &
Judy Ragan
Connie Wright - Pat & Virginia Wright
Aline Estes - Dan & Val Erranton
Eloyce Reed - Dan & Val Erranton
Bud & Cindy Lambert - Sue, Pat & Peggy Berry
Bill & Helen Lambert - Sue, Pat & Peggy Berry
Patricia Carr - Sue, Pat & Peggy Berry
Howard Mangrum - Mary Mangrum
Those who purchased
poinsettias may pick those
up following the 6 PM
worship service.
Poinsettias that are not
picked up will be donated
to local nursing homes.
Welcome ....................................................................... Ted Williams
Song Leader................................................................. Chip Haslam
Song # 797 .................................. Lord, We Come Before Thee Now
Song # 63 .................................................... I Will Call upon the Lord
Song # 711 ............................................ Blest Be the Tie That Binds
Prayer.............................................................................. Mike Yates
Song # 374 ......................................................... There Is a Fountain
Lord’s Supper Meditation - Bobby Denton
Lord’s Supper
Scripture Reading – Hebrews 9:23-28 ...................... Roger Chester
Song (screen) .............................. Be the Church in the World Today
THE GIFT OF THE SHADOWS Bryan McAlister
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Song # 903 ........................................... There Is Power in the Blood
Song # 860 ......................................................There Is a Habitation
Prayer.......................................................................... Troy Williams
Check in with us today!
SUNDAY MORNING - DECEMBER 19, 2021
Walnut Street’s Church Office will be closed December 24-27 and January 3.
Christian Childcare Center will be closed December 23-24 and December 31.
SUNDAY EVENING - DECEMBER 19, 2021
Online Giving Online Check-in
Welcome ..................................................................... Ted Williams
Song Leader ................................................................ Chip Haslam
Song # 514 ..................................................................... Redeemed
Song # 517 ..................................................... Heaven Came Down
Song # 490 ................................................... It Is Well with My Soul
Scripture Reading - Hebrews 10:35-39 ............... Samuel Woodard
Prayer ......................................................................... Troy Williams
Song # 538 ................................. My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less
Children up to 2 years go either to the nursery or child care hallway, children 3 to 3rd grade go upstairs to Bible Hour
A CONFESSION THAT HOLDS
Bryan McAlister
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Song # 919 .......................................Behold a Stranger at the Door
Song # 250 .................................................... The Great Redeemer
Those wishing to take the Lord’s Supper may go to the chapel during this song.
Prayer ......................................................................... Farris Tidwell
Counters for December
Sunday AM - Joey Holley
Sunday PM - Joe Purvine
Wednesday PM -