The fourth Sunday in May has a special meaning for my wife Geanell and I.

On that day, Barfield Baptist Church in Clay County, AL observes its annual homecoming and Decoration Day.

It’s the church both of us grew up in and still feel drawn to it at least once a year. It’s where Geanell’s parents, grandparents and several of her uncles and aunts were laid to rest. It’s also where we gathered with childhood friends to read Bible stories, recite poems on Mother’s Day, play roles in Christmas plays and eventually accept Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Now we take pleasure in going back to decorate family burial plots with flowers, renew old friendships, sit on the same wooden pews we sat on as kids, listen to some of our favorite gospel hymns and old-time Bible preaching and share a delicious, home-cooked covered dish dinner.

The names on the program have changed but the order of the program has changed little over the years.

Members and guests begin arriving an hour before the service, walking though the cemetery to observe the many colorful floral pieces decorating the grave sites and recalling fond memories of those resting there, dropping off fresh-cooked dishes of food at the fellowship hall and stopping briefly to exchange greetings with fellow worshippers or guests for the day.

Five minutes before the scheduled 10:30 a.m. start time, the church pianist belts out the opening refrain to the “Call to Worship,” reminding those still outside to enter and take their seats.

The head of the deacons, or his designated representative, gives the welcome, followed by a song from the church choir and a pastoral prayer.

The middle of the hour-long program goes something like this: song by congregation, song by guest quartet, cemetery committee report, song by guest soloist. song by congregation, offertory prayer, collection of offering, candle lighting memorial, song by choir, pastor’s sermon, invitation and closing prayer.

The dinner of all dinners is yet to come

Tables filled with home-prepared food from busy kitchens through the community stretch the length of the fellowship hall. They’re topped off with baked ham, fried chicken and cornbread dressing, followed by sweet potato. green bean, broccoli and cheese and apricot casserole. Side dishes include southern style cream corn, fried okra, field peas, lima beans and deviled eggs. followed by a large variety of salads. Last but not least, two tables filled with desserts offer the catch of the day. They include fresh strawberry cobbler pie and made-from-scratch coconut cake.

Some might argue that country church homecoming sand decoration days have outlived their time. But there’s proof in the pudding to the contrary for those of use who go back years after year.

Clif Knight is a staff writer for the Hartselle Enquirer.