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 -