From the Pulpit this Sunday, May 1, 2016

There is no story in the Bible more widely known than the Prodigal Son.  Yet, the Bible never calls it that.  Through the years we have focused on the son who requested his inheritance and then left for a wild life only to end up returning home repenting and being embraced by a loving Father.

But this story is not about a son, instead the Father.  And for the next two Sundays (May  and May 8, I want to look at what these story shows us about our Heavenly Father in a two-part message "Coming Home to Grace."

I have never preached this story like what God has showed me in these past few days.  I look forward to sharing with you the next two Sundays about our gracious Father.

Our Spring Puppet shows begins this Sunday which means there will be no worship service this Sunday night, Wednesday night or Sunday night of May 8.  Remember, you must have tickets to see these shows.  Go to our web site at www. rainsvillefirst.com to register.  Thanks to Bro. Keith for his enormous amount of work he has put into assuring persons who come have a seat.

If fact, as a member of Rainsville First, you might wonder why we are doing tickets.  You might be afraid we are going to turn people away.  Well, that may happen, but the ticket process assures people who "plan ahead" to know if they arrive at least 15 minutes before the show begins they will have a seat.  The whole purpose of tickets is a positive one, not a negative one.

This Sunday morning, we are joining with eight other churches to have a joint prayer for the healing of Savannah Willingham.  What a joy to join with Rainsville Community Church, Rainsville Church of God, Trinity Methodist, Robertson's Chapel, Plainview Church of God, Fort Payne Church of God, Broadway Baptist and Nazareth Baptist to pray for Savannah and her family.

I am looking forward to sharing God's Word with you this Sunday.