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.

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.

07/06/2025

“Come to Jesus”

Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:18-22

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.

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.

Canned Ham / Macaroni & Cheese

Please place donations in the basket located in the lobby.

06/29/2025

Sunday Morning — 310

Sunday Evening — 188

Wednesday — 177

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