The Town of Terry and The James Foster Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will present “Ringing the Bells Across America” to celebrate Constitution Week at Terry City Hall at 2:30 p. m. on Sunday, September 17th (this weekend!). All church bells in the community will ring at the 3 o’clock conclusion of the program and will be ringing throughout the American land.

All are invited to bring your families with flags and bells to ring at this educational, patriotic observance. All ages invited!

September 17 is Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. This day commemorates the September 17, 1787 signing of the United States Constitution. It is a time to reflect on the importance of the United States Constitution and the many ways that it secures the blessings of liberty. The day was chosen because that is when delegates at the Constitutional Convent-ion of 1787 signed the final document that they had worked on for nearly four months in Philadelphia. It was certainly an important day. Benjamin Franklin said that day that throughout the convention, he had often noticed a little carving of a sun on the chair in which George Washington sat. He had often wondered, he said, whether it was supposed to be setting or rising, “but now at length I have the happiness to know,” he told his colleagues, “that it is a rising, and not a setting sun.”

The First Baptist Church on Raymond Street is holding a fall revival! It will begin on Sunday morning, and scheduled to preach are Andy Fullington on Sunday morning at 10:30 a. m., Matthew Fancher on Sunday evening at 6:00 p. m., Jerry Smith on Monday evening at 6:30 p. m., Daniel Hall on Tuesday evening at 6:30 p. m. and Chris Goolsby on Wednesday at 6:30 p. m. (No weekday morning services are planned.) I have attended many fall revivals of this church, and Iam sure that these services will inspire active members of the church to gain new converts and to call sinners to repent. We pray that that the power of the Holy Spirit will transform both believers and nonbelievers alike. Through revival meetings, people sense the power of God and are called to prayer and repentance. Rev. Gary White of Crystal Springs is the church’s interim pastor.

Also on Sunday morning, The Terry Grove Missionary Baptist Church on Raymond Street plans its 158th church anniversary. The theme of the anniversary celebration is “158 years of God’s Word Built on a Solid Foundation.” (based on Matthew 28:18-19). The church’s pastor is Dr. Dion Porter. I had a brief and pleasant visit with Dr. Porter a few weeks ago, and our town is fortunate to have such a Godly person leading one of its churches!

The Mission Committee of the (Episcopal) Church of the Good Shepherd on Claiborn Street will meet on September 24th following the congregation’s refreshment hour. Rose Mary Foncree will preach and share the Holy Eucharist on that Sunday.

The suggested readings for this weekend (published weekly for any reader, but especially for shut-ins or others who will be unable to attend services in person) are Genesis 50:15-21 (the kindness of Joseph), Exodus 14:19-31(the escape through the Red Sea), Psalm 103 (the forgiving God), Psalm 114 (God’s deliverance of Israel), Romans 14:1-12 (the law of liberty) and Matthew 18:21-35 (the parable of the unforgiving servant).

Recently celebrated birthdays include these: Sept. 11 - Diane Bailey Tercott, Kaley Rose Blumenberg, Nancy Breazeale Thaxton, Ashley Curtis Feyh, Rebecca Wilkinson, Marlow Stewart; Sept. 12 - Officer Betty Rouson; Sept. 15 - Gus Dulaney; Sept. 16 - Courtney Geiselbreth, Rev. Van Carter; Sept. 17 - Rev. Michael Beazley.

I have read online that the Terry High School football team defeated the Calloway High School Chargers last Friday. The final score was 34 to 18. Terry High School will plan Vicksburg High School this Friday evening (beginning at 7:00), and it will be Military Appreciation Night.

Congratulations to Miss Kimberly Robinson upon her being designated as the Terry High School Volleyball Player of the Week! She is # 11 on the team.

I close this week with the words of the American hymn “Jesus, I Live to Thee.” These words were written by one of the students of Lowell Mason named Isaac Baker Woodbury.
“Jesus, I live to Thee,
The loveliest and best;
My life in Thee, Thy life in me,
In Thy blest love I rest.
“Jesus I die to Thee,
Whenever death shall come;
To die in Thee is life to me
In my eternal home.
“Whether to live or die,
I know not which is best;
To live in Thee is bliss to me,
To die is endless rest.
“Living or dying, Lord,
I ask but to be Thine;
My life in Thee, Thy life in me,
Makes heaven forever mine.”

As usual, I welcome your informing me of omissions and/or corrections.