FRANKFORD W.Va. (WVDN) – The Ladies of the Henning Church of God held their Christmas celebration on Tuesday, Dec. 3, in the church fellowship hall. Joan Vance presided and guest Pastor Robert Hefner Jr. led in prayer. The ladies provided the following report:
“Dyan Hefner brought the devotion, ‘Comfort at Christmas with the names of Jesus,’ with scripture reference Philippians 2:10. During Christmas we may find comfort in old ornaments, old recipes and other things. We may also find comfort in the many names of Jesus. In Isaiah 9:6 some of the names of Jesus include Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father and The Prince of Peace. Jesus was and is somebody. Handel’s Messiah mentions one of his names. All the names of Jesus are comforting. Ornaments with names written on them are comforting. Each Christmas we are drawn to the ones that have family names on them. Names bring them closer to us like the many names of Jesus. Messiah is the one that was promised to us in the Old Testament. Christ and Messiah seem the same and bring comfort to us. The Shepherd is the lovely part of the Christmas story. In Luke 2, they were herding, tending, and guarding the sheep. In John 10:14, the savior of the world guards us as sheep. The name Jesus was told to Mary by the angel in Luke 1. Power, joy, and salvation will be received in the name of Jesus. Everyone will bow down someday to this name. The angel proclaimed another name as Prince of Peace. Jesus can give us peace, unlike the world. (John 14:27) Another name is Redeemer because he came to redeem us for our sins. This is why we have Christmas. Jesus was born to take on the sins of the world. One aspect of the Lord is to bring us peace. And comfort us. He will always be there and do the right thing. (Philippians 9:11) Names are what we say and are used to show ownership and identity. We need to greet Jesus by his name in our prayers and when we are calling him. Christians use his name for joy and comfort. The world uses his name in a demeaning manner. How are you using his name? The group sang ‘There Something About That Name.’ written by Bill and Gloria Gaither. Dyan led in prayer and blessed the food prepared by the members.
“Joan thanked members for bringing donations for the food pantries in Renick and Williamsburg. The group will purchase clear totes to store decorations in the new storage building. Cari Nelson is taking care of the nursing home gifts. The group will be serving the Maxwelton Ruritans on December 19. The Christmas play, “A Christmas Reunion” will be held Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. at Henning Church of God. The church choir will be presenting the Christmas cantata, “The First Noel,” on Sunday, Dec. 22, at 11 a.m.
The next meeting will be held on Jan. 14.
Attending were Alice Coff, Alyssa Carpenter, Angie Scott, Barb Seldomridge, Cari Nelson, Cindy Fleshman, Donna Scott, Dyan Hefner, Fran Spencer, Jamie Harvey, Joan Vance, Marty Burns, Michelle Carpenter, Pauline Perkins, Patty Owens. Guests Pastor Robert Hefner Jr., Sherri Coulter, Dani Rae Judy and Juanita Barber.
