Care Group 3: 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

Have you ever been fishing?  My first experience with fishing was in the pond behind our house; a pond I knew very well.  Not only was it just 50 yards from my back door, but over the years I had lost several baseballs in that pond.  Despite that familiarity, I had never spent much time fishing.  Then one day, all that changed.  My uncle came to visit and decided to teach me the finer points of the sport.  He spent time teaching me about the various baits, the technique of casting the line into the water, and the actions to take once you hooked a big one.  Within minutes, I had caught my first fish, a bass.

As thrilling as it was to catch that fish, what stands out most in my memory is the fish’s struggle for survival.  The fish fought and desperately wanted to return to the water, it’s essential source of life.  Once a fish is out of water, it is unable to survive for very long.

Sometimes I feel as though Christians have a lot more in common with fish than we realize.  Like fish, we sometimes allow ourselves to be drawn away from our source of life into a world that threatens our spiritual well-being.  James writes, “You adulterous people!  Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?  Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4).

As Christians, we often find ourselves like fish out of water.  We allow ourselves to be enticed by the bait the world dangles before us, leading us away from obedience and faithfulness to God.  In doing so, we give our friendship and loyalty to the world, making ourselves adversaries of God.  Like fish, we take the bait and are drawn into a world that not only threatens our well-being, but our eternal survival as well.  God does not want His people to be conformed to the world (Romans 12:1-2).

Although the bait may look appealing to the fish, it is merely a deception.  By the time the fish realizes its mistake, it is already gasping for air and struggling to survive.  Let us remain vigilant so we do not take the bait and become like fish out of water.

07/27/2025

“Blessed Assurance”

Scripture Reading: 1 John 5:11-13

Darren Dickerson will have nose surgery on Monday, July 28, at Vanderbilt.

Marie Clark was admitted to Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital on Tuesday, July 15.  Neither the CT scan nor MRI showed deep infection.  She was discharged Thursday, July 17, and referred to wound care and primary care doctors for follow-up.  (July 18)

Pat Phillips will have cataract surgery on August 7 at MMC.

Wanda Nelson had complete shoulder reverse replacement surgery on Monday, July 21, at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital.  Her surgery went well.  She was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday, July 22, and is now at home.  Her shoulder is painful, and she needs lots of rest.  She has a long recovery ahead of her.  (July 23)

Gayla Jones will have knee replacement surgery on August 20.

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.

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.

07/20/2025

Sunday Morning — 278

Sunday Evening — 193

Wednesday — 237

07/20/2025

Weekly Budget: $14,500.00
Contribution: $16,784.00
Year to Date Budget: $420,500.00
Year to Date Contribution: $506,105.00