Brother Mark Hall opened our Sunday morning service with prayer at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Special prayers were requested for Mary McCain, Ethan Hatfield, June Sherman, Janet Chaney, Dell Hawkins, Adalyn, Carrie, Velda Armstrong, Frankie Garvin and Susan Johnson. Jeanette Easter shared a praise, and Mitchell and Abby Lett shared appreciation and thanks to the church congregation for the wedding shower and gifts.

Janet Chaney read the devotion, "King's Highway," a story about a race down the road. There were complaints at the end of the race from those who didn't finish because of the pile of rocks and debris at the finish line that hindered their race. Only one finished the race because he removed the pile of rocks and debris. In doing so, he found a sack of gold and took it to the King, who informed him that it was his prize because he cleared the road. The moral of the story: "He who travels the road best makes the road smoother for others who travel it." Janet also read a humorous story about "The Helicopter Ride."

In celebration of our 242nd year of independence, hymns in recognition of the Fourth of July included "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "O Beautiful for Spacious Skies," led by Becky Johnson and Karen Gardner.

Tyrel Lett asked God's blessing upon the offering, and he and Rick Lett served as ushers.

As we prepare to go see the story "Samson," Brother Mark gave us a reading assignment to read the story of Samson in the book of Judges. His sermon highlighted the story of Samson as he read Judges 2:7-10 and Judges 17:6. "In that day, there was a generation of surrendered and serving Christians who were all about God's glory and not their own, particularly in Joshua's house. But then, in the next generation, there was no one to step up and fill their shoes when they passed. The next generation didn't know the Lord and how to fill in (Judges 2:6)."

Brother Mark told us, there was a recent poll in the U.S. and some people said that the word of God was not relevant in today's world. Brother Mark said, "Without the Bible, we have no guide. We have a generation that doesn't know the word and work of God."

Brother Mark talked about the story of Samson in Judges, chapters 13-16: "Samson had power, but we have power also to be witnesses. Samson was born to be a man of God and then he sinned." Brother Mark talked about the four aspects of Samson and his sin: the compromise of sin, the contagion of sin, the consequences of sin and the collateral damage of sin." Judges 14:1-3 tells us that Samson was to free his people from the Philistines, but he found a Philistine woman that he wanted to have for his own. Because of his disregard for the honor to God, Samson's sin brought a storm."

Brother Mark talked about the contagion of sin. "Once you sin, it is hard to stop. Sin will take you farther than you want to go and keep you longer than you want to stay. Sometimes sinning once is all it takes to make it contagious. And then there are always the consequences of sin. After Samson met up with Delilah, the Lord departed from him and he hit rock bottom and ended up in a Philistine prison. The compromise of sin is shame and humility and the contagion of sin is pride."

Fourth, Brother Mark talked about the collateral damage of sin. Judges 16:31 tells us the real damage of Samson's sin as his family took him to bury him and mourned. "Samson brought shame to them and broke their heart. We need to thank God every day for the good in our lives and family. There is always collateral damage to sin, and it will bring a storm to you and your family."

In closing, Brother Mark asked, "Do we have a generation that doesn't know the Lord and His words? Why don't friends and neighbors come to God's house? Is it because of what we do that we shouldn't? Break the cycle of sin so others see the proof of faith in your life."

Our hymn of invitation was "Kneel at the Cross," and Doug Cory gave the benediction.

We invite you to worship with us on Sunday mornings at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. and worship service at 11 a.m. Everyone is welcome. We will hold vacation Bible school on Saturday, July 14, at the church from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. All children, ages four and up, are welcome and encouraged to attend. There will be crafts, games, music, story time and lunch. "Gone Fishin'" is the theme and each child will receive a fishing pole and a T-shirt, along with crafts and prizes to take home.

For information, call 417-475-7633 and leave a message or visit our booth Friday evening on Main Street in Noel from 6 to 9 p.m.

Mill Creek Baptist Church is located three and one-half miles east of Noel, just off Highway 90.