When someone gives you a gift, what is the first thing you might say? How thoughtful of you, or perhaps, oh how sweet? No, a response to a gift is “Thank you.”

But yet how often as Christians even after God has given the ultimate sacrifice, the gift of salvation, do we try to work our way to God? Because of this wonderful gift of salvation, do we try to work our way to God. Because of this wonderful gift we should respond with our gratitude, our praise and our joy. In Ephesians, 2: 8-9, the scriptures tell us “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast. Out of gratitude for God’s free gift of salvation we are not saved just for our benefit only but that it will result in acts of service to Christ and the church.

Christian love and sympathy is extended to the family and friends of James Brock. He was also a former deacon of New Center Baptist Church.

Happy anniversary wishes go out this week to Matthew and Pilar Stark on Oct. 16, and Allen and Teresa Boyer on Oct. 16.

Happy birthday wishes go out to Laura Ray Parrish, Milford Cobbs and Patrick Crowder on Oct. 13, Sandra Broden and Mary Gladden on Oct. 14, Margaret Yeager, James Holt and Amanda Shaneyfelt on Oct. 15, Eula Francis Downs and Roland Burris on Oct. 16, Aundra Musch, Cody Robbins, Javon Alldredge, Ronnie McGill and Dwight Taylor on Oct. 17, Michael Davis, Dione Hatfield and Barbara Hawkins on Oct. 19.

Happy 50th wedding anniversary wishes to James and Barbara Maze.