“Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in His commands. Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.” (Psalm 112:1 – 3)
How do you feel about celebrating your birthday? When I was younger, I couldn’t wait. Since my birthday was in June and school was out. I liked it that way because I didn’t have everyone coming to tell me “Happy Birthday” all day long. With a summer birthday, you hear “Happy Birthday” from your family, close friends, and neighbors in addition to the birthday cards with some money. (Oh yeah!) I was given a few bucks to spend as I wanted, and of course, the rest went to the savings account.
Now that I’m older, the birthday celebration itself isn’t as big a deal as it was in my childhood. However, it is good that I can celebrate…a nice meal and a little cake and ice cream. That sounds pretty good to me!
Well, one of our Pickens Baptist Association churches, Ethelsville Baptist Church, to be exact will be celebrating their 200th anniversary on Sunday, September 8 from 10:30 am until. Dr. Rick Lance, the Alabama State Board of Missions Executive Director/Treasurer, will be the special speaker with “Faithful Friends” as the special musical guests. Of course, there will be food galore. You can’t have a birthday party without food and drink!
It’s hard to believe that 200 years ago a small group of South Carolinians came to this section of Alabama near the Tombigbee River and began not only its first church but two more besides – one in 1850 that eventually became Mineral Springs Baptist Church and the other in 1890 which became Hickory Grove Baptist Church. Although the group was small through the 19th Century, it was faithful to meet weekly for Sunday School and once a month for worship.
In the 20th Century with the coming of the train to the Ethelsville area, the church began to grow. In the 1950’s, the church had a membership of more than 100 people. These numbers continued higher until it has reached more than 150 resident members. It was like a parable…where there were small beginnings, the church grew and touched many people’s lives in the community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
If you are not busy or overly involved in your local church, I invite you to participate in the 200th Anniversary of Ethelsville Baptist on Sunday, September 8 from 10:30 am until ?? May Ethelsville Baptist Church continue forward for 200 years more!
Until Next Month,
Bro. Lyle