Golden Valley Christian Church
“Listen, my children, and you shall hear of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,” is the opening line of a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, a famous nineteenth-century poet in America. Perhaps, the most famous Longfellow poem is “The Song of Hiawatha.” Longfellow also wrote a poem, set to music, that we sing at Christmas time. During the American Civil War, Longfellow’s seventeen-year-old son, Charley, ran away and joined the Union Army. On November 27, 1863, Charley was shot, the bullet nicking his spine, and coming close to paralyzing him. In December, Henry found his son and took Charley home, sat at his son’s bedside, and nursed him back to health. On Christmas day, Longfellow was feeling depressed and despondent, when he heard the church bells ringing. To him, the bells were saying, “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep.” A poem formed in Longfellow’s mind, and today, that poem, “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” is sung across the world.
Christmas is rapidly approaching for 2021. On December 24th, at 6:30 PM, GVCC will have a Christmas Eve service. All church members, as well as visitors, are encouraged and welcome to attend this special service. We all know family Christmas functions are essential, but we should also take time to honor and celebrate the birth of Jesus. The Charity Crafters meet on Tuesdays at 10:00 AM, but Wednesday-night Bible study is postponed until later in January.
Brother Elmer concluded his messages from the book of James with Chapter 5:13-19. Why was James’ valediction different from most of the other writers of that day? James wanted to keep the focus of early Christians on the path of truth. He also stressed the need to pray, even ending with the story of the prophet, Elijah, and the drought God put on the people. It took Elijah’s prayers for rain, to end the drought. We know God does not always answer prayers the way we like. Even the Apostle Paul acknowledged this in his quest to be rid of “the thorn in my flesh” (2 Cor 12:7-9). However, God always answers prayers in the way that is best for us.
Golden Valley Christian Church meets at 611 South Third Street in Clinton. Sunday School classes begin at 9:30 AM, and the morning worship service is at 10:30. Our interim minister is Elmer Fuller, and our website is www.goldenvalleycc.org, where you will also find links to access our Facebook page and YouTube sermons. We are happy to invite you to attend our services, where you will always receive a warm welcome.
