Reminders
Care Group 4: Please look for an email from “Walter Hill Church No Reply” which will contain a link to the page where you can sign up for care group assignments.
The church office is closed on Thursdays and is accessible by appointment only.
Message
by Justin Morton
Jesus loved to tell stories. Those stories, often called parables, were moments where Jesus took something His hearers were familiar with and used it to teach a powerful spiritual lesson. In Mark 4:26-29, Jesus told a parable that was unique to the Gospel of Mark. In that parable, Jesus used the picture of a farmer scattering seed to teach us the importance of the Word of God in growing His Kingdom.
As Christians, we are called to scatter the seed. According to Jesus, the seed is the Word of God (Mark 4:14; Luke 8:11). Notice, we are never asked to create the seed or even to begin germinating the seed. We are simply told to “spread” the seed, the Word of God, all around, to every creature (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15).
Jesus expects His disciples to be people who go about sowing the seed in our daily lives. And while this is something we are called to do, many followers of Christ struggle to faithfully live out this important command. There may be a multitude of reasons why disciples struggle to sow the seed, but perhaps one of the more common reasons is because many people feel they are incapable of “leading someone to Jesus.” They feel as though they don’t “know enough” to help bring someone to faith in Christ. The problem with this attitude is that it places power in the wrong source. The power is not in the individual scattering the seed; the power is in the seed itself.
In the parable of the growing seed (Mark 4:26-29), the farmer scattered the seed and then Jesus said, “He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how” (Mark 4:27). The man scattered the seed and then went about his business. He did not know how the seed grew. The reason is because the power is not in the farmer, but in the seed itself.
The Hebrew writer said, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). The power is in the Word of God!
Our job is not to figure out how to get the seed to grow. Our job is simply to sow the seed and watch what happens because of the power of the seed. We must never forget the power God’s Word can have on a person’s heart. Let’s stop relying on our own ability and power to try to save people, and instead rely on the power of the Word of God.
Sermon Topic
07/06/2025
“Come to Jesus”
Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:18-22
Youth In Action
Remember In Prayer
Gayla Jones will have knee replacement surgery on August 20.
Susan Horton has been discharged from Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital and is now home. (July 2)
Elijah Phillips had appendix surgery on Tuesday, June 24, at Vanderbilt. His surgery went well. He was discharged from Vanderbilt on Tuesday afternoon and is now home. (June 25)
Please keep expectant mothers, Devan Archer, Emily Elrod, and Michelle Warnack (daughter-in-law of Brad & Lisa Warnack), in your prayers.
Christy Wakefield, Marla Gregory, Marshal & Susan Horton, Marie Clark, Faye Pistole, Terri Bradford, Wanda Nelson, Rita Hill, James Richardson, Helen Warren, Juanita Brewer, Ashley Jones, Greg Ashburn, Sepal DeBerry, Mary Jane Argo, Helen Phillips, Butch Eades, John Sellers, Jackye Stanfield, Barbara West, Rubin Horton, Timothy Ashburn, Jackie Gentry, Ken & Shirley Cobble, Roy Bradley, Rob Martin, Eddie Harris, Dawn Markum, Kevin Lawson, and George Schimpf. Cancer: Lou Money, Bruce Bradford, Hector Cortez, Mary Creech, James Stanfield, Jimmy Woodard, Beverly Hines, Dickie Mitchell, Bobby Teems, Jeff Henson, Eric Burr, David Shaw, Phyllis Miller, Lisa Crowell, Kathy Vincion Givens, and Jennifer Collet. Kidnapped children of our Christian family in Nigeria: Asabe Lawa, Sarah Nkeki, Lugwa Samuel, Tabitha Sila, Saraya Amos, Hauwa Abdu, Rejoice Shaki, Esther John, Kauna Lalai, & Ruth Fillow.
News
M.A.G.I. (Making A Godly Impact) Boxes are in the main lobby for those who would like to participate in this ministry! Our goal is to fill 100 boxes this year! Please take a box or two, and take the info sheet on what can go in the boxes and money for shipping! If you don’t like to shop, but want to participate, money can be donated and the committee or the youth group will shop for you! Deadline to return filled boxes is August 3. Contact Ruth Anne Estes, Alissa Cary, or Tiffany Cooper if you have any questions.
Baby shower (It’s a Girl) for Emily Elrod on Sunday, July 20, 3:30-5:00 p.m. at the church building. She is registered at babylist.com.
Wedding shower for Samantha King, daughter of Howard & Susan King, on Sunday, July 13, 3:30-5:00 p.m., at the church building. She is registered at Target, Amazon, Walmart, and Zola.
Mark your calendars for the weekend of August 22 as we return to Horton Haven Christian Camp for Retreat! Sign-up sheets are posted on the WINGS’ board in EDW. Total cost is $125 with deposit of $75 due July 1. If you have any questions, please see Ruth Anne Estes, Roxy Norwood, or Mary West.
Several years ago the Walter Hill congregation put together and published a cookbook of favorite recipes of our members. We still have copies of the cookbook available if anyone would like a copy or copies. They are $8 each and make nice gifts. If you would like a copy or copies, please contact Judy or Barbara Money.
Keep In Mind
Calendar
Pantry Item This Month
Canned Ham / Macaroni & Cheese
Please place donations in the basket located in the lobby.
Bible Classes
- Bible Classes
Sunday 5:30 pm
Auditorium – Romans – Matt Lanius
Adult 2 – Written in Stone: A Study of the Ten Commandments – Justin Morton & Trampas McCracken
Young Families – Room 109 – Harmony of Samuel, Kings and Chronicles – Matthew Norwood
Wednesday 7 pm
Auditorium – I See The Goodness of God – Guest Speakers
June 11 – In His Creation – Demetrius Desnoes
June 18 – In His Law – Mike Baker
June 25 – In His Holy Spirit – Craig Evans
July 2 – In His Providence – Jerry Morton
July 9 – In His Son – Bryan Hayes
July 16 – In His Discipline – Chuck Mullins
July 23 – In His Salvation – Ralph Richardson
July 30 – In His Church – Phillip Heffington
August 6 – Back to School Prayer Service – No Class
August 13 – In His Second Coming – Wayne Miller
August 20 – In His Judgment – Chuck Morris
August 27 – In His Reward – Cody Boston
Attendance
06/29/2025
Sunday Morning — 310
Sunday Evening — 188
Wednesday — 177
Finances
06/29/2025
Weekly Budget: $14,500.00
Contribution: $19,092.00
Year to Date Budget: $377,000.00
Year to Date Contribution: $451,459.00
Birthdays
Birthdays within the next 14 days:
Name | Birthday |
---|---|
Betty Chambers | 10th Jul |
Drew Clark | 10th Jul |
Kayla McCracken | 10th Jul |
Jacob Vick | 10th Jul |
Ruth Anne Estes | 14th Jul |
Edward Phillips | 15th Jul |
Nicole Lanius | 15th Jul |
William Heringlake | 16th Jul |
David Cary | 17th Jul |
Virginia Cherry | 17th Jul |
Anna Hines | 17th Jul |
Eric Qualls | 18th Jul |
Peggy Hollandsworth | 19th Jul |
Gerri Laureigh | 7th Jul |
Anniversaries
Wedding Anniversaries within the next 14 days:
Name | Wedding date |
---|---|
Bill & Linda Cooper | 7th Jul |
Andrew & Merett Lykins | 17th Jul |
Paul & Lisa Richardson | 17th Jul |
Mark & Shelby McClish | 21st Jul |