DEATH OF BONNIE (CROSSNO) CURTIS

Sister Bonnie (Crossno) Curtis died early this morning. Sister Curtis was a member of the Huntingdon church for many years and is survived by sons, Manuel and Ray Crossno. Each time Karen and I visited with her we felt a warm welcome and noted her fervency in prayer. She would tell us that that she would love to be in church and ask how things are going each time we visited. Thank God for senior members such as Sister Bonnie who have labored faithfully for many years in the work of the Lord.

The following is the verbatim obituary from the Dilday Funeral Home .

Mrs. Bonnie Crossno Curtis, 86, of Huntingdon, Tennessee, died Saturday December 30, 2006, at Huntingdon Health & Rehab.

Funeral services will be conducted 5:00PM Sunday December 31,2006, in the Chapel of Dilday Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Bethel Cemetery Monday January 1,2007. Brother Milton Gordon officiating.

Mrs. Curtis was born March 5,1920 to the late George and Francis Holt Williams in Greenfield, Tennessee. She was a member of the Church of God of Prophecy, retired clerk for Fred’s Dollar Store, preceded in death by her husbands Wyman Curtis and Elbert Crossno, her children Raymell Gardner, Linda Crossno, Eugene Crossno and James Crossno.

She is survived by two sons Manuel Crossno of Huntingdon, Tennessee, Ray Crossno of Nashville, Tennessee, seven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and seven great great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 2:00PM until 5:00PM on Sunday December 31,2006, in the Chapel of Dilday Funeral Home.

SISTER BONNIE (CROSSNO) CURTIS

Everett Fulmer

Karen and I were saddened to hear of the death of Everett Fulmer. He attended church at Pelham Valley when we pastored there. He was a great blessing and help to us there. He will be greatly missed. We are sorry we were unable to attend the visitation or the funeral. We continue to pray for the family. Karen and I visited the family and Brother Fulmer a couple times in Vanderbilt Hospital. We look forward to seeing him again in that heavenly realm.

More information on the funeral can be found here at the State Church site.

SUNDAY, DEC. 24 & CHRISTMAS TRAVEL

For the past five days Karen, Jason and I have travelled to be with family during the Christmas season. Sunday after a great time of reading the Christmas story and singing several Christmas songs, we left for Karen's family Christmas. We enjoyed being with her family at Steven's home (Karen's youngest Brother). We had a great meal and enjoyed the fellowship and family contact. They asked me to offer the prayer for the meal. Karen and I continue to pray for her family that they will get involved in church. They have a respect for the Christ and Christians and we believe that God will open their hearts to get involved in attending worship - we pray that it will be so.

After visiting with Karen's family we left to visit with my mother. We enjoyed being with my Sister and her husband and my Brother and his family on Monday. Of course we enjoyed the great time of eating and family interaction. It was just great. After being together for several hours in the afternoon, my brother and sister and families left for home. Jason went and visited with my brother and family. Karen and I took mom to see the movie, "The Nativity." We enjoyed the movie. It was very well made and very much biblical. I never tire of hearing or seeing the message of the birth of Christ. I would recommend this movie to anyone.

Tuesday was a day of rest for all of us. Karen, Mom and I rested, enjoyed conversation and ate the leftovers from Christmas day. What a great day of rest. Thank God for rest.! Wednesday morning, I helped do some things around Mom's house trailer. We rested more on Wednesday afternoon as well. Karen and I went to the Petros area late Wed. evening to get Jason and visited with my Brother and family for a while. We left for home at around 12:30 pm today. We came through Nashville and stopped at 3 pm for Karen to have some tests done. We left from Nashville at around 5:30 and dropped mom off at my Sister's in the White Bluff area and visited for a while. We left for Huntingdon and arrived home at 8:45 pm. Thank God for keeping us safe on he highways and thank God for this great time of being with family and celebrating the birth of our Lord. We sang Happy Birthday to Him as a family. He is worthy of all our praise.!!!!

HUNTINGDON CHURCH SCHEDULE FOR THE SEASON

The following schedule is for the next couple weeks during Christmas and the New Year.

No service was held on Wednesday evening, December 20th.

Sunday Morning December 24th will be the scheduled services of Sunday School at 10 am and worship at 11 am.

Sunday Evening December 24th, Christmas Eve, no service.

Wednesday evening, December 27th, no service.

Sunday Morning, December 31 will be scheduled services of Sunday School at 10 am and worship at 11 am. Quarterly Business Conference (TBA) will be held on Sunday Morning after church or Sunday Evening after devotion and worship.

BISHOP BUFORD M. JOHNSON

The Reverend Buford M. Johnson, 85, a resident of Cleveland, Tennessee, passed away on, December 21, 2006. He was a retired Bishop of the Church of God of Prophecy, licensed in 1941.

I did not know Bishop Johnson personally but read many of his writings - in the White Wing Messenger, in books he wrote and in Sunday School literature. I have some of his books in my library. He was a prolific writer and a dynamic minister in many ways and in the positions that he served in the Church of God of Prophecy.

More can be read about this spiritual giant at Tennessee State Overseer E. C. McKinley's site. Click here .

Quotes

Nothing is easier than self-deceit. For what each man wishes, that he also believes to be true. Demosthenes

The turning point in our lives is when we stop seeking the God we want, and start seeking the God who is. Patrick Morley

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM/PLAY

Huntingdon is very "proud" of the directors, cast and staff of the Christmas play this year. God blessed as we presented the play "The Clues of Christmas." The children quoted poems and we sang Christmas carols before, after and in between the four scenes of the play. Huntingdon has plenty of "the clues of Christmas" and we thank the Lord for approximately 60 who came to see the play. We are continuing to seek the Lord as we go, go, go and grow, grow, grow for the glory of God.

Part of the cast singing the last song - "Go Tell It On The Mountain."

The other end of the line of those in the cast singing the last song as Brother Stanley Reynolds videos.

Part of those who came to see the program/play.

A back view of those who came to see the Christmas program/play.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM/PLAY

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM/PLAY, "THE CLUES OF CHRISTMAS." HUNTINGDON CHURCH OF GOD OF PROPHECY, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17TH AT 10:30 AM AND 6:30 PM. BANQUET AFTER THE EVENING PLAY IN THE DINING HALL. . .

The directors and staff continue to work diligently on the upcoming program and play. The children, teens and adults are enjoying this time of getting ready to present the true message of Christmas. We pray that God will help us portray the birth of our Savior, Lord and King. We welcome one and all.

Milton Gordon, pastor

MORE PICTURES FROM FAMILY CHRISTMAS

Here are more pictures from our family Christmas at Sarah's house in Manchester, Tennessee.

Sarah, the youngest on the left and Danita the oldest on the right. I think they like the dolly's and play toys - huh?

This is Tito Brown, Sarah's and Chris's male Boxer. Tito is about 7 months old and very playful and loving.

This is Bella, Sarah's and Chris's 8 month old female Boxer. She is quieter and more reserved but very loving. All of us enjoyed playing with them and petting them.

Covered with presents and konked out. Jason stayed up too long the night before. Heather is lost in thought. Karen is saying, "Don't you take that picture." Too late. . . .What a great family!

UPDATE - YESTERDAY AND TODAY

Karen, Jason and I left for my daughter's house in Manchester last night. We enjoyed our family Christmas time together this morning at Sarah's house along with Danita, Heather, and Jason our four children and with Keyante', Courtney, Caleb and Aviana our grandchildren. This was our day to celebrate the birth of the Savior together. We had brunch aroung 10 am, played Christmas music and gave the grandchildren their gifts. We enjoyed a great time togther. Some pictures below.

Jason, Karen and I headed back to Huntingdon for Christmas play practice at 4:30 pm. We practiced until 6:30. I am praying for a good memory since I have a short part in the play and will be helping with the stage settings. I am praying for those who have a longer part as well.

Sarah and Chris did a great job with their tree. Heather and Caleb in the front left corner.

Aviana with her Dora phonetic books. She likes Dora.

Caleb was not in the mood for taking pictures. He turned just as I snapped the picture.

Keyante gets his gift of two toy guns that shoot soft nerf-like ammuntion. Courtney and Keyante played with them for a long time.

Courtney our oldest grandchild with the toy gun. She got clothes mostly for Christmas. She is now nine years old.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER, 10, 2006

Thank the Lord for anthor great Sunday. We continue on the series of messages on "The Messiah." Today's message was "The Messiah - Old Testament."

Pictures of the season. . .

Susie Reynolds and Josie Rivera decorate the dining hall for the banquet after the play Sunday evening.

Nice work and beautiful setting ladies. . .

The children love Brother Stanley and they love to ride on his speed-chair. Stanley enjoys giving them a ride. . .

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM/PLAY PRACTICE

Karen and I were at the church today at 10:30 to begin helping with the stage set-up, setting, play practice, etc. Today was getting final touches on the Christmas play (setting, stage set-up, practicing the play, etc.). We are exited about the opportunity to portray our Savior's birth in this program and play. The director, assistants and all the cast are doing their best to present this for the glory of God. We enjoyed a great day. Karen and I made a pot of homemade chili and brought hotdogs. Others brought drinks, etc. We enjoyed a great time of working together, eating together, fellowshipping together and, of course, the fun of practicing the play with all the blunders, bloopers, etc.

We finished the day at about 5:30. We are blessed to be able to present this effort to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. The play is also having a positive impact on the cast, especially the younger ones. We pray that it will impact those who come to see it.

VISIT

Karen and I went to visit with the Chris Spivey family in Camden. They attend here at Huntingdon. We were sorry they were not at home.

PRAYER, CHRISTMAS PROGRAM/PLAY PRACTICE & NEW FAMILY

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM AND PLAY DECEMBER, 17TH, AT 10:30 AM. THE TITLE IS THE CLUES TO CHRISTMAS, BY MARLA PEREIRA.

We thank the Lord for another good season of prayer tonight. We also thank the Lord for those who are working diligently in the Christmas Program/Play. Below is a picture of one of the families who are helping in our play. We are thankful for the Jeff and April Davis Family. They have been coming to church now for about 9-10 months.


Front row, l to r, Jonah (9), Jordan (3) and Jacob (13) are the children of April and Jeff Davis. Jonah and Jacob are the in the play. Jordan is memorizing two poems and Jeff and April are helping with the Christmas Songs.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Ragene Burks is requesting prayer for her mother who lives in Oklahoma. Ragene says that she is very sick. Also remember Ragene as she may need to travel to Oklahoma to visit her mother since she may not live very long. Lets pray for this request.

Sister Bonnie (Crossno) Curtis is very sick and has been unable to get up the past couple weeks. Karen and I visited the other day and she is desiring prayer.

Sister Lillie Grooms, Sister Jennie Sanders, Sister Mildred Stacy and Sister Lennie Mae (Crossno) Sells are also in need of prayer. These sisters are homebound mostly and desire our prayers.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2006

Today was another great day of worship. God's presence was very close and evident as we gave our hearts in praise and worship. The message today, first in a series, was The Messiah - Eternity Past. This time of the year we are flooded with much commercial information about Christmas but to us Christmas is all about the Messiah - Jesus Christ.

We are thankful for new visitors who seem to be coming each week and we thank God for them.

Above from left to right are newer ones who have visited and/or are coming to our services. Montana and Dakota Maness are two youth that have attended the past two Sundays. They desire to be involved in youth work and are inviting their friends. Next is Randall Waddell who visited us for the first time today. He is from New Johnsonville. We we were so glad that he visited with us today and extend an open invitation to be with us any time. Next is Sister JoAnn Blow who has been attending now for about two months. She has joined right in to our worship and has testified of the blessings of God in her life. We thank God for her Christian testimony.

Look at this one and his mother. This is Little Kenau and his mother Tricia. Tricia has attended church at Huntingdon since she was a few days old. Now she is bringing her little ones. She is the daughter of Kathy VanMeter and Don VanMeter. She is the granddaughter of J. E. and Marie Moore.

Here is another little one and mother. This is little Nashtosha and mother, Jessica. Jessica is also the daughter of Kathy and Don VanMeter. Jessica has been attending church here since she was a few days old and now she is bringing her little one. She is the grandaughter of J. E. and Marie Moore.
Karen gets in on holding the little ones. She is one of several who held little Kenau and Nashtasha. Karen must have some memories, memories, memories. . . . .

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM/PLAY PRACTICE

We are thankful for the opportunity to present the message of the virgin birth of our Savior with a Christmas Program/Play on Sunday morning and evening, December 17th at 10:30 am and also at 6:30 pm. Below is the Program/Play Director, Donna Crossno (back 4th from left) and Assistant Delilah Mummel (3rd from left) along with part of the cast. We desire to present this performance to glorify God and emphasize the awesomeness of the Messiah's birth.

Christmas Program/Play staff. Front Row, l to r, Tyler, Jason, Brooks, and Santana. Middle Row, l to r, Brandon and Mariah. Back row, l to r, Jimmie, Cathy, Delilah, Donna and Lori. Not pictured, Jacob, Jonah, Dakota and Montana.