I want to share with Hartselle Enquirer readers Shady Grove Baptist Church Pastor Tom Campbell’s Thanksgiving message from their church newsletter. The message “Falling Leaves, Unfinished Tasks – Jeremiah 8:20” reads as follows:

“Fall is an interesting time of year, provoking mixed thoughts. Our agricultural roots move us to thankfulness for the bounty of a harvest.

“Our pilgrim heritage is given to gratitude for places of religious freedom. Our political background incites appreciation of the freedom to chose our leaders and set for ourselves the direction for our nation.

“Perhaps for many it brings a bit of melancholy as we watch the trees turn in glorious color signaling the end of joyous activity-filled days soon to be traded for the quietness of dormancy. For the prophet Jeremiah, harvest brought about a sense of disappointment, urgency and need: The harvest is past, summer has ended and we are not saved.

“November is the last month of prime growth time for the year. As we draw closer to the winter months, when adversarial weather limits the activity of some and the enthusiasm of others may be sensitive to the burden of the prophet and move with dispatch to reach those who are yet unreached.”

On Sunday night, Nov. 30, Neel United Methodist Church had its hanging of the greens service. Music director Karen Randolph was in charge of the program.

Everyone enjoyed refreshments following the church service. The Rev. Jason Green is the pastor.

Danville High School’s Hawks will play Hamilton at Danville Friday night, Dec. 5. Hamilton and Haleyville are new opponents this season in Class 4A, Area 13.

Coach Scott Ellis expects his experienced players to assume more leadership as the games continue and to encourage new varsity teammates. Their assistant coaches are Joe Bailey, Bryan Ellis and T. K. Kinney. Good wishes go out to the team members and their coaches.

Danville’s Lady Hawks will also be playing Hamilton Friday night, Dec. 5. Coach Paul Wilson has encouraged the team to have the drive and will to win that the Danville High School volleyball team had. The keys to success, he says, are a “good work ethic, good health and being able to shoot the ball.”

Next week the Lady Hawks will play West Morgan there on Tues., Dec. 9, and Fri., Dec. 12, Fairview in Cullman County. Good luck to the team and Coach Wilson.

Corinth West Baptist hosted a senior citizens lunch and bingo Tues., Nov. 18. Twenty-seven area residents and two from Emmaus Baptist Church at Logan enjoyed the Thanksgiving program, meal and bingo games. Brother Glenn Miller, Jeff Reid and Paulette Wilhite delivered meals to shut-ins.

Doris Herring of New Cut Road, Massey, hosted her family’s Thanksgiving meal Nov. 27 at noon. Those attending were Ferrell and Pauline Anders of Fairhope, Bryan and Laura Lee, Anders and William of Celebration, Fla., Will and Robin Anders and Charley of Greensboro, N.C., Theron and B.B. Anders of Huntsville, Zeke Anders of Denver, Colo., Keliah Anders of Tuscaloosa, Larry and Nancy Anders of Sheffield, Stephanie Anders and Carlos Salazar of New Orleans, La., Corey Anders and Jennifer Anders of Birmingham, Barry Jolly of Steel, Janet and Ed Butler of Muscle Shoals and Kay Farrer of Hartselle.

The fifth Sunday night Singspiration for area churches was postponed due to Thanksgiving weekend. March has the next Fifth Sunday on March 29, 2015. Details about Singspiration will be announced.

Members of Shady Grove Baptist Church express Christian love and heartfelt prayers this week for the following people who are on the prayer list: Macky Vest, Evon Vest, Gary Taylor, Junior Taylor, Logan Coan, Edward Kelsoe, Glenda Keel, Sabrina Millwood, Annette Riggs, Tommy Jenkins, Shannon Garrison, Troy Johnson, Dale Boyd, Hovis Wynn, Sandra Blackwood, Jax Etienne, Nancy Justice, Thelma Thompson, April Griggs, Jake White, Mr. Bobby, Alinda, Laura, Faye and Deb and Mason.

Martha Asherbranner of Mt. Nebo community hosted her family’s Thanksgiving lunch Thur., Nov. 27. Those attending were Phillip and Wilma Asherbranner, Pam and John McDonald, Nathan and Emily, Ronny and Jenny Asherbranner, Melinda and J. P. Haynes, Carson and Avery, Matthew and Alex Asherbranner and Luke and Julie Asherbranner.

On Fri., Nov. 28, the Willingham family had their holiday reunion and meal at the home of Paulette Wilhite in the Corinth community. They enjoyed their lunch at 1 p.m. and visiting in the afternoon.

The late Cornice and Mildred Whaley Willingham were their parents and grandparents. Paulette and the late Glenn Wilhite’s family members attending were Jason and Janey Wilhite of Corinth, Jeff and Diane Wilhite of West Point.

Also attending were Dale and Tammy Willingham Hendrix and Luke Hendrix of Double Springs and Eric Lott of Birmingham. The late Scotty Willingham’s family members included Bryan and Amanda Willingham and A.J. of Danville, Bruce and Leslie Willingham, Brady and Jade of Corinth and Barry and Dana Willingham and Taylor and Garrett of West Point.

Members of Shady Grove Baptist Church express Christian love and heartfelt prayers for the following soldiers: Brian and Rocia Terry-Army, Brandon Jones-Baghdad, Derek Jones-Marines, Wes Parker-helicopter train, Justen Terry-Navy, Jeremy White, Anthony Thomas, Charlie Hill-Afghanistan, Jimmy Frisbee-Guam, Jodee Vick-Afghanistan and Lee Thompson and Brad Wallace.

God bless all of our soldiers and their families.

Shady Grove Baptist Church members express Christian love and heartfelt sympathy to Maxine Franklin and family in the death of her brother, John Paul Ballew.

Mike and Sallye Swafford of Hartselle and Brannan and Rowe hosted the family Thanksgiving meal Thur., Nov. 27. Those attending were Lucy Slater of Cherokee Ridge, Andrea Cottens, Jasmine and Journey of Owens Crossroads, Suzanne Horn of Arkansas, Paul and Frances Rowe, Pick and Mandy and Rowe and Maeleigh of Massey.

Heartfelt sympathy goes out this week to the family of Jenny Warren Hames of Decatur, formerly of Hopewell. Also, heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family of John Day of the Mt. Vernon community. John was married to Coletta Braswell of that community.

Members of Shady Grove Baptist Church remember in loving memory this week: Ruha Roberts from Nov. 9, 1919, to June 28, 2009; Pauline Moore from Nov. 18, 1915, to Jan. 23, 2008; Carole Sue Ramsey from Nov. 13, 1942, to Aug. 7, 2011; and Bertie Price from Nov. 19, 1921, to Aug. 15, 2004.

On Sun., Nov. 23, at 5 p.m., nine church congregations met at Corinth West Baptist Church for a joint Thanksgiving service. They included the host church, Oak Grove, Friendship of Upshaw, Mt. Vernon, Piney Grove, Pleasant View, Andrews Chapel, Macedonia and Corinth West Methodist churches.

During the service, Jeff Reid led the singing and Shanda Garner was pianist. Nikki Shedd presented the special music. Bro. Ricky Ball, pastor of the Pleasant View Holy Church of Christ, was the speaker.

Bro. Donnie Carrell, pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, gave the invocation. Bro. Billy Gable, pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church prayed the benediction and asked for the blessing of the food.

Those attending enjoyed a bountiful Thanksgiving meal in the fellowship hall and gym. Jeff Reid and Bro. Glenn Miller prepared the ham and turkeys. Many brought covered dishes.

Corinth Baptist Women’s group decorated the gym in autumn and Thanksgiving items and colors. Leaves and fall flowers of orange, rust, red, gold and yellow, horns of plenty with fruit and vegetables, table covers and runners, napkins and candles completed the decor. Corinth Baptist plan to make this a tradition for the area churches and communities.