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Page 4B The Braselton News Wednesday, December 5, 2007 Church N e ws In the Eyes of the Father Parrish Myers eotf@comcast.net * (1W > VS - Don’t hold back, run into your Father’s arms I love Sunday mornings after church. Amy brings Chloe up from the nursery, and I see her looking for me. Once she sees me, her eyes light up. She breaks out into a huge grin. She runs toward me at full speed screaming, "Daddy! Daddy!" Sometimes I stand, sometimes I squat, but I open my arms wide to receive her. Now, here’s the best part. She’s built up a pretty good head of steam as she’s been running toward me. Just before she reaches me, does she slow down? Does she pull up short, then calmly step into my embrace? No. Chloe runs toward me — and into me — at full speed. Sometimes when I’m squatting down, the impact is enough to knock me on my . . . ahem, posterior. We collapse onto the floor in a mound of giggles. She loves it, and so do I. But sometimes I’m afraid she’s going to hurt herself. I’m afraid she’s going to trip and fall as she runs toward me. I fear her hitting my kneecap, my shoulder, my head or some other unyielding part of my body and bust ing her lip or nose. Chloe, however, has no such concerns. All she cares about is getting into her daddy’s arms. I wonder, are we as excited about being in our heavenly Father’s pres ence? Do we run headlong into His open arms? Do we crash into His embrace, with no regard for anything else but just being close to Him? Or, do we pull up short? Do we stop just as we get near him, because to be too close to God might make us uncomfortable? Because to be so close to His holiness and perfection might convict us of our sinfulness and imperfection? I can assure you, Chloe has no such reservations when it comes to me. There are plenty of things I can do, which she cannot. There are many areas in which I’m superior to her. Does she feel ashamed of that difference? Not to my knowledge. Do I constantly make her aware of the discrepancy between us? Absolutely not. To be sure, there are areas of Chloe’s life in which I want her to do better. I instruct her concerning those areas, and I expect her to change. But, I do it because I love her. And I never shame or berate her. This is what God does to us, too. There are areas of my life in which I miss the mark. There are times that I fall short of God’s perfect will for my life. And when I do, God lovingly corrects me. He never belittles me, berates me, or makes me feel less than who lam — a child dearly loved by his heavenly Father. Sure, sometimes I feel uncomfortable when I’m in his presence. But that discomfort comes from my own imperfection, not anything that He does. And, God provides the forgiveness I need, so that I can enjoy the time I spend with Him, without being distracted by my sin. So I run. I run toward my heavenly Father, never stopping, never slowing down, crashing headlong into His strong, capable arms, knowing that He will catch me and hold me in His loving embrace. We may even share a few giggles over the experience, too. Parrish Myers is a resident of Braselton, and is pastor of Pine Crest Baptist Church. You can e-mail him at eotf@comcast.net. His website is www. eyesofthefather. com. Mary’s 4SG0 Atlanta Highway, Bogart - Athens On* MHe West of Um J s CM> J70-715-4977 HUGE BOOT SALE 20 % - 50% OFF Lariat One Stop For All Your Animals & Pets! www.marystackfeedpet.com Christmas drama set Sunday at Hoschton Baptist Hoschton First Baptist Church youth will perform “Yo! Christmas Tree” on Sunday, December 9, beginning at 6 p.m. The Hope for the Hungry food distribution team will be at the church on Tuesday, December 11, to distribute food to anyone in need. The church choir will perform “The Gift Goes On” a Christmas program on Friday, December 14, at 7 p.m. and again on Sunday morn ing, December 16 at 11 a.m. For more information on any of these events, call the church office Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 706-654-2938. ‘On the Road to Bethlehem’ planned Sunday The town of Bethlehem will have its “On the Road to Bethlehem” on Sunday, Dec. 9, from 6-9 p.m. Guests may stay in their vehicles while driving through Bethlehem to learn the true meaning of Christmas. The entrance will be at Church Street. Center UMC plans Christmas services Center United Methodist Church announces the following special services: Sunday, December 16, at 11 a.m., children will present a musical pro gram, “Sing a Song of Christmas.” Teens will then present a humor ous skit entitled, “A Watt Family Christmas.” •Sunday, December 16, at 6 p.m. the adult choir and sdrama team will present the dramatic musical “The Christmas Shoes.” The drama is based on the hit single from the Christian group NewSong. A nursery will be provided during the musical. Contact Joy Mauldin at 706-654-2144 for childcare. A covered dish supper will follow the performance. •Thursday, December 20, at 11 a.m., a monthly luncheon will be held for "Super Seniors.” All senior citizens are invited to come enjoy fellowship at this very special gath ering. •Monday, December 24, at 6 p.m., a candlelight communion service will be held on Christmas Eve. "Please come join us as we thank God for His incredible gift - His Son Jesus Christ,” organizers said. Candles will be available to light in memory of a loved one. "We invite the community to these services,” church leaders said. The church is located at 7641 Jackson Trail Road in Hoschton. The interim pastor is Howard Banks. Hoschton UMC announces holiday event schedule Hoschton United Methodist Church announces the following Advent and holiday season services: •December 14, “Prime Timers" Christmas dinner at 11 a.m. •December 23, church choir Christmas cantata, at 11 a.m. ser vice. •December 24, Christmas Eve candlelight service, 6-6:30 p.m. The church is located at 12 Mulberry Street. For more informa tion, call 706-654-1422. The Vine plans special series The weeks leading up to Christmas are often called the "Advent Season.” The Vine, Braselton, will present a special series called “ADVENTure" during this time. “Advent is an Arrival, an Intersection, and an Adventure,” leaders said. “Advent is about mov ing toward Jesus as He is moving towards you. When the two of you meet, the ADVENTure begins!” Topics include: “Hope,” December 2, “Peace,” December 9, “Joy," December 16, and “Love,” December 24. The second annual Chateau Elan Christmas Eve candlelight service will begin at 6 p.m. on December 24. Gospel singing planned Saturday The Church of Jesus Christ, Winder, will host Bobby Allen and local church talent for a gospel singing on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 7-9 p.m. Refreshments will be served in the church’s fellowship hall after the singing. The church is located at 1438 Hardigree Road. For more informa tion, call Bobby Allen, pastor, at 770-725-5818. Local church services, addresses The following is a list of address es and service times of churches in the Braselton, Hoschton and Mill Creek area. •A Call to Salvation Church: Sunday worship, 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.; Sunday children’s church, 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.; Wednesday night Bible study, 7 p.m.; “Demostration Youth” for ages 13-18, Mondays, at 7 p.m. The church is located at 1295 Jackson Trail Road, Jefferson. Arlene Smith is the senior pas tor. For more information, call 706-367-9612 or visit www.acall- tosalvation.org. •New Liberty United Methodist Church: Sunday worship, 11 a.m., with children’s church and nursery available. The church is located at 26 Charlie Smith Road, Braselton. Jamey Prickett is the pastor. For more information, call 706-654-2406 or visit www.new- libertyumc.org. •Mulberry Baptist Church: Sunday worship, 11 a.m.; Sunday school, 10 a.m.; singings, second Sundays, 6 p.m.; youth choir prac tice, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. The church is located at 5970 Thompson Mill Road, Hoschton. The Rev. Ollie V. Hayes is the pastor. •Hoschton First Baptist Church: Sunday worship, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Sunday school, 9:45 a.m.; Wednesday night worship ser vice, 7 p.m. The church is locat ed at 99 East Jefferson Street, Hoschton. For more information, call 706-654-2938 or visit www. hoschtonfirstbaptistchurch.com. •Hoschton United Methodist Church: Sunday worship, 11 a.m.; Sunday school, 10 a.m. The church is located at 12 Mulberry Street, Hoschton, at the corner of Bell Avenue and Mulberry Street. The Rev. Luis Ortiz is the pas tor. For more information, call 706-654-1422. •Crossroads Church of Jackson County: Sunday worship, 10:30 a.m. The church meets at the Jefferson Recreation Department, located at 2495 Old Pendergrass Road, Jefferson. Rod Zwenke is the pastor. For more information, call 706-658-0243 or visit www. check-out-church.com. •The Church of God of Prophecy is located at 8187 Pendergrass Road, Hoschton. Thomas C. Holmes is pastor. For prayer or information, call 706-658-2625. Church News Policy Church news is due by Monday at noon. Items received after the deadline may not be published. Fax items to 706-387-5430 or e-mail to churchnews@ mainstreetnews.com. For questions, call April Reese Sorrow, at 706-387-5401. (706) 335-4944 321 Pottery Factory Priv'tf, Commerce - acro&o from GUT&ACK GTEAK House 5 SIMS 6 COMPANY SALON 706,335.2123 Greg andTrina Sims former salon owners and stylists from Atlanta w/over 40 years experience open Sims & Co. Salon in Commerce. Specializing in French Layered Haircutting, Texture Cuts and Balayage Highlighting. Open Tues. through Sat. simsandcompanysalon. com *Massage Appointments Available* Take An Alpaca Farm Tour This Holiday Season! Sign Up Now For Knitting Classes Starting In January! 770-601-7376 Gilliland's Heritage Alpacas 1587 Dee Kennedy Road • Hoschton, GA 30548 www.georgia-alpacas.com Visit Our Gift Shop For Christmas! • Hand Felted Hats • Hand Knitted Scarfs • Socks • Stocking Caps Alpaca is 99% hypo-allergenic and makes great unique gifts!