Baxley area churches come together for a night of music, fellowship, and service
By Denise Rooks, South Central District Lay Leader
There is no better way to “Count Your Blessings” than spending an evening with sisters and brothers in Christ giving thanks, singing, and praising God together.
On Sunday, November 19, 2023, the United Methodist churches in the Baxley area (Appling County) came together to host a musical community Thanksgiving service. They connected for a night of music, singing, fellowship, and giving in the Life Center at Baxley First United Methodist Church. All of the area United Methodist churches - Baxley First, Bethel, Graham, Harper Chapel, and Surrency – were represented.
Every church made beautiful music as attendees glorified God. Several local groups - including the praise team from Harper Chapel UMC - shared their music. Also performing were Station #7, Keeping Up with the Jones’, and Dr. Neal Lovett. While the groups performed, attendees were treated with a plethora of Christmas cookies, coffee, and hot apple cider. Individuals were also asked to write down what they were grateful for on colorful leaves that were put together to create a Blessing Tree in the Life Center.
A highlight of the evening was being part of an act of giving back to the community. Organizers of the event had recently learned of a need in the community, and just as Jesus reminds us in Matthew 25:31-46 to feed “the least of these” they wanted to offer a way for attendees to give back.
“We collected snacks and donations for the local library to support the after-school programs there,” said Dr. Nita Crump, senior pastor of Baxley First UMC. “The items collected filled the back of a car and included $188.”
The director of Baxley’s public library was there for the event – even reading a book to the children – and was thankful for the donations and money to help with needs as they arise.
For the churches of Appling County, they were blessed and got to be a blessing to others. It was a night of joy and thanksgiving for the good things God has done in each of their lives, and they were thankful to do good in the lives of others.
"The connection in the UMC is a gift from God, and it reminds each of us that we are not alone and we need each other,” said Dr. Paula Lewis, District Superintendent of the South Central and North Central Districts. “It reminds us that we are called to bear one another’s burdens in the body of Christ; that when one of our churches needs help, because we are connectional, we can turn to each other through the connection for that help. But more importantly, it reminds us that the body of Christ is much larger than our local church and that we can do more together than we can individually."