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Maybe Christmas perhaps means just a little bit more!

Maybe Christmas perhaps, means a little bit more! There are many Christmas movies that we love and look forward to, but there is one that has become a modern-day classic, and that movie is Elf. It is a holiday tradition for many, and it is no wonder since it is the perfect combination of comedy, feel good, and romance all neatly tied up into a beautiful Christmas package. The movie contains so many iconic quotes, you would be hard pressed to go through the holidays without hearing some repetition. One in particular came to mind recently as I was spending time with my grandchildren. ...

1968: An important year for MC Library

Last week, I wrote about the desire and the need for a new library building because the Redevelopment Authority wanted to level the library at South Brown Street for a parking lot. Additionally, the library in the old Knights of Malta Temple building was, to quote Mrs. Stuckenrath, the librarian, “literally sagging with thousands of books it cannot properly house.” This quote is from a Sentinel article dated Sept. 29, 1968. A library building must be built in such a way that the building is able to support the weight of the books in the library’s collection. A newly built ...

Welcome aboard the JC Library Board of Trustees

Do you believe in the power of libraries and want them to continue to make a difference? Join our board of trustees! In August 2024 we will have two openings on our nine-person board of trustees. We will also have another opening in November. These individuals serve three-year terms (with the option for a second term) and are tasked with strategically placing the library in the community. They do not micromanage the day-to-day happenings but look for ways to cement the library in its community. Here are some examples of what the trustees have accomplished: Began the lifelong learning ...

When God comes to town

Luke 1:26-38,46-56 God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth to speak to a young virgin named Mary. “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” And what was Mary’s response? It was a very human response, she was both troubled and stricken with fear. The fear is understandable, I mean, an angelic being from God was standing right in front of her. But Mary was also troubled by his words because she couldn’t understand how God could so greatly favor a person like herself! Have you ever felt this way? I have. One of the biggest obstacles that gets in the way of ...

Trust that Jesus is always in control

Good morning, friends. This morning, let’s have some baby talk. Luke 1:69,70 tells us: “...and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old.” Zechariah’s song, a Christmas song. When he was prophesied about the “horn of salvation” that God has “raised up,” he was declaring what this little baby in the manger was coming into the world to do...to deal with and defeat our enemies! Just as David said many years earlier, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, ...

Church service variety good for our churches

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together – Hebrews 10:25 If church attendance is not the same as righteous living or serving God, then why am I in favor of a traditional (conventional) church with a variety of services? If I am not going to obligate myself to attend all those services, then why am I in favor of them? The answer to that question is very simple and should not be hard to understand. I think we should have them as an outreach (ministry) of the church. Because of the different age groups and lifestyles of the people, the church becomes their family and a source ...