Friendship Baptist Church will host “Down by the Creek Bank.”

“Down by the Creek Bank” is the summer children and youth’s musical production at Friendship Baptist Church near Danville. Ladona Gentry has been directing the play this season since May 3, one night each week. Rehearsals will end July 23. Everyone is invited to the grand finale Sun., July 26, at 5:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. Refreshments will be served in the fellowship hall afterward. Brother Don Gentry is pastor at Friendship Baptist and welcomes area children and youth. Sunday school is at 9:45 a.m., and church is at 11 a.m.

McKendree UMC held their Thrive service Sun., July 12. Members and area visitors met at the Bridge Center on New Cut Road. Everyone felt blessed by the praise singing, and Brother Mike’s program theme was Sunday sundaes. He used Galatians 5:22 for the scripture. He compared the similarity of the ingredients for ice cream sundaes to our life as Christians. Just as brownies and vanilla ice cream are ingredients, as a Christian, the main item is seeking first the Kingdom of God, then being led by the Holy Spirit. Refreshments were sundaes with homemade ice cream.

Vonee Mitchell and Mae Sue Wallace were hostesses for the Neel UMC women’s meeting Wed., July 1, at their home in the Neel community. Connie Merrill presented the program to 12 members on welcoming a sustainable future. Everyone enjoyed the refreshments and fellowship after the program and business session. Rev. Scotty Reeves is their pastor.

Hattie Mae Stover Hardin was honored on her 97th birthday at Summerford Nursing Home conference room Mon., July 13. Hattie Mae spent her adult and married years in the Evergreen community at Massey. Nieces, nephews, other relatives and

friends visited with her on her special day.

Hattie Mae and Elton Hardin and Doris Summerford and Wil-

liam Anders had a double wedding in Cullman Nov. 13, 1937. Many unrelated people call Hattie Mae ‘Granny.’ She has shared her garden vegetables and fruits with many neighbors and family. If you haven’t had one of Granny’s prepared meals, you have missed a delicious treat. She was happy to be able to attend church service at Mt. Nebo Baptist, where she has been a longtime member, Sun., July 12.

Those attending Hattie Mae’s very special celebration were Jimmy Wayne and Karen Stover; Junior Stover; Belveline and Donnie McDonald; Helen and Billy Kirby; JoAnn Robbins; Terria Morris Penn; KatySue, Barry, Tina and Mac Hardin; Susan McAbee; David and Terry Stover; Shelia Stover Piertle; Donna Stover Terry; Alyssa Brooks; Emma Brooks; Allison Keenum; and Frances Rowe. She also received many phone calls and cards.

Special congratulations go out this week to Justin ‘Bo’ and Kristen Sparkman on the birth of their daughter, Tatum Rae Sparkman. Tatum was born June 12, weighing 8 pounds 1 ounce and measuring 19.5 inches. Tatum’s proud grandparents are Boyd and Lisa Sparkman and Larry and Vonnie Sparkman, and her great-grandparents are Faye Sparkman, Darlene Lanford, Phillip Anders and Richard Sparkman.

Round Top Community Church mens’ group enjoyed their second Sunday breakfast July 12 at 8 a.m. The designated chefs prepare the meal, and others have clean-up duty each month. They meet and eat in the Family Life Center. Their minister is Rev. Pearl Jenkins.

Congratulations and best wishes go out this week for Luke and Briana Callahan Hannah. They were married June 13 at St. James UMC in Florence.

The members of Shady Grove Baptist Church remember lovingly this week Florence May Painter, from July 29, 1938, to July 28, 2009.

Mike and Beverly Durand enjoyed a quiet 50th wedding anniversary June 25. William and Larissa Partlow hosted a celebration for them Sun., July 12, at their home in Massey. Good wishes to Mike and Beverly for many more years.

The Fun in the Sun Luau was the theme for Sisters in Christ’s summer meeting and supper for the Forrest Chapel UMC Women’s Day group. The 25 women of the combined units met Thur., July 9, at 6:30 p.m.

Renee Stephenson was hostess and spoke on don’t flip flop on your faith. Renee also gave Biblical references for strengthening our faithfulness. In conclusion, she remarked “When you put on your flip-flops this summer, stand firm in your faith. Don’t flip flop.”

Renee’s daughter, Christen Hines and Leah Stephenson assisted her with a delightful summer supper of grilled chicken, assorted vegetables, pineapple spear kabobs on rice, dinner rolls, tropical fruits and mini cheesecakes.

Each member received a flower lei, and many were dressed in muu muus or other island tropics attire. Their new pastor, David Teel, and the women members enjoyed the special evening very much.

The Glory Road Quartet and the Rev. Michael Mason provided music and evangelism for New Life; God’s Church revival July 12 – 15. Everyone enjoyed special music and Brother Michael’s  inspirational and spirited sermons. Brother Phillip Hardin and Brother Tony Johnson are the New Life pastors.

Belated happy birthday wishes go out this week to Junior Hyatt on July 9, Wayne Hardin on July 16, Janis Spinks and Kaiden Irwin on July 20 and Elizabeth Clark on July 21.

Happy birthday wishes to Lakyn Alberti and Allison Kichler on July 22, Monica Doherty on July 23, Phillip Prater on July 24, Hunter LaRoche and Charlee Blanton on July 25 and Kenneth Hardin on July 27.

The Missions director of Westside Baptist Church in Cullman, Brother Dennis Trimble, was the evangelist for Corinth West Baptist Church’s revival July 12 -15. Sunday morning worship service was at 11 a.m. and was followed by a potluck meal in the fellowship hall. Jeff Reid is the music leader, and Shanda Garner is the pianist. Brother Glenn Miller, the women’s group and men’s group appreciate everyone’s help and support during the week.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Carmen DeButy who is undergoing chemotherapy before having surgery. Many know Carmen from her cheery greetings as cashier at Mister Henry’s Restaurant and from her real estate work.

Christian love and heartfelt sympathy go out this week for the family of Joe Hardin of Falkville. He was interred at Jones Cemetery near New Life Church after a long battle with esophageal cancer. Joe’ s wife Paula is the daughter of Falkville High School principal Alston from Addison. Joe and Paula met in high school. Our prayers are with Paula as she is still fighting illness.