Vol. III, # 23, Jan. 14, 2005

Prayer Rounds

Tom Hicks, George Davis' sister's husband, underwent surgery yesterday at a local hospital for a mass attached to his small bowel. The pathologist's report is pending. Keep Tom Hicks and his family in your thoughts and prayers

Rob Brown is still undergoing a restful recovery from his cervical spine surgery. In addition Donna Brown accompanied her sister to Guatemala to bring her sister's newly adopted child back to the USA.

Gordon Thomson sent PH the following E-mail:

I'm not sure if you know Don Retzer, but maybe several in your class might know him from over the years as well as teaching the Explorers Class before taking a pastorate at a local community church. Here's some info from a current e mail.

Gordon

Dear friends and family,

The surgeon's report that we received just before Christmas was not
as optimistic as the original post surgery news on December 14th. Even
though, the cancer appears localized in one part of Diane's body, the
pathology report shows that it is more extensive than first identified.
Diane is scheduled for further surgery on Thursday, January 13th. We are
deeply appreciative of your prayers and concerns and hope you will continue
to remember us in the weeks ahead.

Don and Diane Retzer

Remember in your prayers: Tom Hicks and his family, Rob and Donna Brown, Diane Retzer, Beth Wilson and her aunt's family, the family of Dr. William Deyerle, Jackie Everett, infants Loyal Clark Davis and Paige Elizabeth Newcomb and their respective mothers, the VCU BSU, Ellen Gwathmey and her father, Shoney's employee Vivian Martin and her husband Ray, Roger Beck, Cecil and Dot Sherman, Peggy Harris and her family, Kim Williams and her family, Rick and Linda Mears, Donald and Barbara Deer, Audrey Thomson's sister Sharon Ruben and Sharon's family, Jared Oliver, Julia Tyler and her parents, Mary and Julian Pentecost, Kay and Bob Culpepper, John and Margaret Oliver, the Church clergy and staff, our military and civilians in harm's way, those in peril in Asia and those only known to you.

Shepson Beth Wilson Has A Good Idea

Oh, my goodness! I am surprised that some thought Samuel was Saul's father. They obviously didn't attend Southern Baptist Sunday School. We studied the Bible and knew all the Bible stories. The church I attended was very different from River Road, and I wouldn't be happy attending there now, but I do appreciate the education I received there. I also think fondly of the people in the church. They were good souls. Mr. Johnny sat up front because he was deaf. He had a little "fish house" where he sold fresh fish. I can remember his wrapping them up in newspaper. The thing I liked most about him was that he always had Juicy Fruit gum for the kids on Sundays. We would be sure to go over to speak to him so we could get some. I remember Mr. Zack Deal, too. (One of his sons was a missionary in South America.) His hand shake would all but break the bones in your hand. Then there was Mr. Furman Cutherill who would always request "Amazing Grace" when we would have requests on Sunday nights. Mrs. Florence Forehand was our organist. She didn't play very well, but what she lacked in talent, she made up in enthusiasm. You know what would be fun some time... Have class members tell about their early church experiences. I would just love that! Take care now, PH. Beth

Any Shepson who would like to share an early church or Sunday School story has that opportunity any week in PHA. If you would like to share a story and remain anonymous, let PH know. PH believes that Shepsons Fowler, Oliver and Pentecost would probably have some good stories.

The SSBSC Will Host CARITAS This Thursday, January 20

CARITAS Sign-Up List

NEEDED: 8-10 people to prepare food at church from 5:30 - 7:30 PM and 6 people to serve food from 7:30 - 8:30 PM.

To prepare:

1, 2. Charlotte and Bill Simpson (they need eight disciples to join them)
3.
4.
5.
6.
7
8.
9.
10.

To serve:

1,2. Charlotte and Bill Simpson (they need four prophets to join them)
3.
4.
5.
6.

To stay from 8:30-11:00

1. Bill Simpson (he needs other apostles)

Remember that our January Mission Project is still ongoing. Contributions to the Central Virginia Food Bank will be appreciated. If you would like to contribute to the Asian Tsunami Relief effort, you may do so through the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, the Baptist World Alliance and the International Mission Board. Specific addresses are in this week's Spire.

Improve Your Outlook

Miller and Kitty Alvis pass by the Goochland Baptist Church every time they come to RRCB. Goochland Baptist has a rather large church sign and weekly there is a message on the sign that can be read by motorists who ride by. Some months ago the sign read, “If you give the devil an inch, he will soon become your ruler.” Last Sunday the sign said, “Improve your outlook by looking up.”

The New Year's Eve Jigsaw Puzzle Remains Undone

Shepson Brenda has been working intermittently on the Monet New Year's Eve jigsaw puzzle, but she still has not completely solved it. Any Shepson who is headache free is welcome to come any time and help her solve the puzzle. Mike and Vivian Clingenpeel solved this same puzzle on their honeymoon.

Donald Deer Solves a Polar Puzzle

Roald Amundsen (July 16, 1872 - June 22, 1928) was a Norwegian polar explorer who was the first person to fly over the North Pole in a dirigible (May 11-13, 1926) and was the first person to reach the South Pole. He was the first person to reach both the North and South Poles.

Was he, then, the first person to be bipolar?

Donald S. Deer
607 Leyden Lane
Claremont, CA 91711-4236
E-mail: db.deer@verizon.net

Lots of Shepsons Turn Twenty-nine Next Week

Tomorrow Doris Curtis and Jim Slatton will be twenty-nine. Nancy Werner will be twenty-nine on Sunday. TeeVee Gene Cox will be twenty-nine on Monday and Julia Tyler will be twenty-nine on next Friday. Today Sheila and Terry Marsh are celebrating twenty-one years of marriage.

David Is Lurking

Before Teacher Bob and some of his family members leave for down under, we are encouraged that David will make his appearance this Sunday as we will begin chapter sixteen of I Samuel.

Invocation

Last Tuesday night Shepson Carolyn Thomas offered the Invocation at the annual inaugural meeting of the Richmond Academy of Medicine. Carolyn was president of the Academy in 2001. Carolyn does not take total credit for the authorship of this prayer. The prayer reads:

O God, in the course of this busy life,
give us times of refreshment and peace;
and grant that we may so use
our leisure to rebuild our bodies and renew our minds,
so that our spirits may be opened to the goodness of your creation.

Renew within us the ties of mutual regard which form our civic life.
Energize us to contribute compassionately to our community and most
specifically to guard the health of her people.

Bless also, the new leadership of the Richmond Academy of Medicine.

Surround Robert Call, Barklie Zimmerman, George Thomas, Tom Moffatt, David Wilkinson, Johnny Wong, Claiborne Irby, John Andrako, Ken Brown, JT Christmas, John Deitrick, Chiwon Hahn, Judson Frye, and Corinne Tuckey-Larus with your love.

Enable them to serve the medical profession and their peers with competency, compassion and foresight.

Help them to find creative ways to energize physicians with differing
talents to work for the future of their profession.

Amen

Shepson George Thomas is the current President Elect of the Richmond Academy of Medicine. Next January George will become the 186th president of the Academy. Attached to this PHA is a photo taken of Carolyn and George at a past Christmas Social.

PH

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