Sheri White and Ashley White were celebrating birthdays as a large crowd gathered to worship Sunday morning at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Wayne Johnson greeted our visitors and welcomed back Tom and Mildred Sharp. Special prayers were requested for the James Headley family, Stephanie Powell, Shelley's friend, the Mason's great-grandson, Ed, and Debbie Taylor.

Jeannette Easter shared a praise and thanked everyone for their help with our Old Timers Day float, "Fishers of Men." Brother Mark presented a story Bible to Laney Hamilton for her first visit to church.

Linda Abercrombie shared the devotional dedicated to our graduates. Be not afraid of change. It is the place in between that we fear. Let go of what's behind and anticipate the future. Don't be afraid or apprehensive, for you have the power of Christ in you and His wisdom. You have a safety net which includes your family which believes in you when you doubt yourself. We are never in control, anyway; God is is control. Trust your creator for all your unknowns, for He is there to guide you. Scripture was from Philippians 2:13.

Tyrel Lett asked God's blessing upon the offertory, and he and Rick Lett served as ushers. Congregational hymns included, "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms," led by Karen Gardner and Becky Johnson. We were blessed with special music from Jerry Abercrombie, who sang "Thanks to Calvary."

"Hang In There" was the title of Brother Mark's message as he read James 5:7-11. James speaks to us about where we are right now. Brother Mark told us that the number one quality he sees in a person is the ability to stay cool and not lose it when stressed. "Life is too short to be too wound up all the time. My mom and dad had a couple of sayings they reminded us of when we were growing up. They would tell us to "hang in there" and "this too shall pass." We hear people ranting all the time about things that later on will never matter. Christians should be known to be calm. The number one thing the world doesn't have that Christians do is hope. How much more hope should we have as a Christian than the rest of the world? We should have more because we have today, tomorrow and all eternity. The Bible gives us two purposes for hope. It brings us to God for salvation through Jesus Christ -- that is our blessed hope -- and to give us hope." Brother Mark referenced 1 Thessalonians 4:13, "But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope." Brother Mark also read Romans 15:4, "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope."

Brother Mark told us that according to James in the scripture, there are three things we should have, a patient anticipation, a patient disposition and a patient imitation. Brother Mark told us we need patience as we wait. "It is not something we are blessed with but something we learn through opportunities to be patient. It is like the farmer who waits for his crops. The promise of Jesus' return is our blessed hope. No matter what the world throws at us or how bad the day, we still have hope even if things don't turn out like we planned. No one can take away our hope. Our hope is not based on circumstances, but our hope is in our Lord and Savior." James 5:7-8 tells us, "Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."

The second thing the book of James tells us is that we are to have a patient disposition. Brother Mark said the most important quality in a church is unity. "Grumbling is like blackleg in the herd or blight on the tomatoes. Loving each other is a command. When someone quits a church, they better find another one somewhere." James 5:9 says, "Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold the Judge is standing at the door!"

The third thing the book of James talks about is patient imitation. James 5:10-11 says, "My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord -- that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful." Brother Mark told us the key to keeping cool when we think things are out of control is to have trust. "Keep your cool in chaotic circumstances. Remember who is in charge, who is in command and who is coming back. God is in control and Jesus is coming back. Have you been trusting God lately?"

Our hymn of invitation was "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow" and Tom Sharp gave the benediction. We then gathered in the fellowship hall to honor our high school and college graduates with a luncheon. We are proud of them and their accomplishments and wish them God's blessings in their future endeavors.

Shelley announced that Friday, May 25, is the last day to sign up for the church trip to see "Sampson."

Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. and the worship service at 11 a.m. Everyone is always welcome at Mill Creek Baptist Church, which is located three and one-half miles east of Noel, just off Highway 90.