The rain was a blessing as we gathered to worship Sunday morning at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Doug Cory greeted the congregation, and special prayers were requested for Wayne Johnson, Gene Buchite, Polly Ritter, Mickey Kuhn, Diane Penn Cope, Eileen's brother and Jim.

"The Need to Be Loved" was the devotional that Linda Abercrombie shared with the congregation as she read Hebrews 13:20-21. We can get into a trap of craving universal love and want to be accepted, no matter what, to avoid conflict. We become motivated by fear, not love. We need to speak the truth and have the integrity to do what is right regardless of what others think.

Tyrel Lett asked God's blessing upon the offering and he and Wayne Holly served as ushers. Congregational hymns included "Where The Soul Never Dies" led by Becky Johnson and Karen Gardner.

Our pastor, Brother Mark Hall, continued the sermon series on the relevance of the stories in the Old Testament with Sunday's message, "A Case for Grace." Scripture was from 2 Chronicles 33:1-17, the story of Manasseh. Brother Mark began by asking, "How much sin is too much, how much bad is too much bad and how low down and awful can you be and still turn to God? Sometimes the worst sinners can become the best saints, like Manasseh." In Luke 7:47, Christ says, "Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." Brother Mark's message looked at Manasseh, his sins, salvation and his service.

Brother Mark told us that Manasseh's sins were many as he departed from the faith of his father. "He had it all and blew it. He had faith and spiritual inheritance but departed from faith and headed for destruction. He erected altars to false gods in God's house and sacrificed his own children, an abomination to the Lord. He defiled the temple of the Lord and built altars for everything. He deceived the people, tolerated, permitted and encouraged evil. Manasseh also disregarded the word of the Lord. The Lord spoke to him, but he would not listen. If you have departed from the faith, the Lord will continue to call until you refuse to listen. You then end up in a hell of your own making, like Manasseh."

Brother Mark talked about Manasseh's salvation. "He was raised in faith, turned and ignored God's call. The Lord shackled Manasseh to get his attention and then he humbled himself. Sometimes people hit rock bottom for God to get their attention." 2 Chronicles 33:16 says that then Manasseh, "repaired the altar of the Lord, sacrificed peace offerings and thank offerings on it and commanded Judah to serve the Lord God of Israel." Brother Mark told us that it was then that Manasseh sought people to serve the Lord and became a soul winner.

In closing, Brother Mark asked how the story of Manasseh was relevant to us. "Have you told people about heaven who seem doomed for hell like Manasseh? God wants to call them back. Are we telling them about mercy and grace and answering God's call? Sometimes we forget what God can do for us. It can be a life changer. Remember that the worst sinners can sometimes make the best saints. Our responsibility is to share the good news like Manasseh when God called him back. There is too much wrong in the world. We need a revival and God's grace."

Our hymn of invitation was "Only Trust Him," and Steve Mason gave the benediction.

Mill Creek Baptist Church will celebrate 114 years of worship with a homecoming on Sunday, Aug. 19. Springstreet will bring special praise music, and lunch will be served at noon in the fellowship hall. Everyone is welcome.

We invite you to worship with us on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. Mill Creek Baptist Church is located three and one-half miles east of Noel, just off Highway 90. For information, call 417-475-7633 and leave a message.