CELEBRATE!

Have you ever gotten news that was so exciting you just had to celebrate? Maybe you found out your spouse was expecting your first child. Maybe it’s the announcement of another grandchild. Maybe it’s a new job you’ve been wanting. Just seems that you need to celebrate. Ever wondered what causes God to celebrate? Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. we will be discussing what makes our God to celebrate. We meet at 400 Main here in Hemphill and would love for you to join us. We also have Bible study at 9:30 a.m. where we are studying the book of Acts. The following poem shows a little about when God celebrates.

THE LAMB, THE COIN AND THE SON

Luke 15

Jesus often taught in parables, He had a specific lesson He wanted to teach.

He wanted people to know the Father’s love, He had lots of people He wanted to reach.

One day He was talking to sinners, and the religious leaders thought He should stop.

He told them these three little stories, three stories of love, what a beautiful crop.

First, He told them of the faithful shepherd, the one who had a hundred sheep.

He told of how when one was lost, the shepherd would search both high and deep.

Then when he found this little lost sheep, the shepherd would carry on shoulders so high.

Rejoicing with friends from both far and near, “I’ve found my sheep!” what a jubilant cry.

Then He told of the woman and the loss of her coin, although nine others she had in her hand.

She searched all through her house and then she swept it out, she dug through the dirt and even through the sand.

Then when she found her coin she called her friends, to share in the joy that she had.

She wanted them all to understand, that now her life would not be so sad.

Then lastly, Jesus told of a boy who was last. Disgruntled, he left his father for a distant land.

He spent all the money his father had to give on unrighteous living, on life built on sifting sand.

Then tragedy struck this erring boy, and famine was prevalent with little to eat.

The boy began to feed the lowly hogs, animals he couldn’t even use for meat.

Now starving the young man began to find, that even his father’s servants had more than he.

So he started home to make amends, willing to be a servant if that’s all he could be.

Then Jesus told of this loving father, one who always watched for his son each day.

Of the way he ran to greet his son, his loving embrace, the things he had to say.

These powerful lessons we all need to see, how God, the Father, loves each of us so.

How we find in Him forgiveness so sweet, of His mercy and grace we all need to know.

We need to realize the Father’s loving mercy, and how the battle with Satan can be won.

For there’s great rejoicing in heaven above when sinners are found, like the lamb, the coin, and the son.