A woman who was willed an expensive fur coat by her aunt  wore it proudly to church.
While there someone asked her, "and what unfortunate creature had to die for you to wear that coat?"
Glaring at them, she responded, "my aunt!"
+++++++++++
A distraught senior citizen phoned her doctor's office, "Is it true," she wanted to know, "that the medication you prescribed has to be taken for the rest of my life?"
     "Yes, I'm afraid so," the doctor told her.
There was a moment of silence before she replied, "I'm wondering, then, just how serious is my condition because this prescription is marked 'NO REFILLS.'"
+++++++++++
     Last year I replaced several windows in my house and they were the expensive double-pane energy-efficient kind.
This week I got a call from the contractor complaining that his work has been completed for a whole year and I had yet to pay
for them.
     Boy, oh boy, did we go 'round.
Just because I'm getting old doesn't mean that I am automatically stupid.
     So, I proceeded to tell him just what his fast talking sales guy had told me last year . . .
"that in one year the windows would pay for themselves."
     There was silence on the other end of the line so I just hung up and I haven't heard back.
Guess I must have won that silly argument.

[Editor's Comment: It is amazing that this blog, "Lighten Up With Laughter," has become the most popular item in Hugh's News. I had resisted doing it for a long time. However, Lonnie Rex, of Spring, TX, a bedroom community of Houston, kept after me and I finally gave in. I was wrong, and Lonnie was right. It's good to have friends like Lonnie who are persistent and persuasive.]

​​Hello Alumni and Friends,
RING, RING, RING!!!   Over the past month, the Fall Phon-a-thon has been in action. For those of you we have been unable to reach by phone, we want to share with you an exciting challenge that has been offered as the grand finale of our current Phon-a-thon.
     An anonymous donor is offering $10,000 if we receive 100 additional donor gifts (large or small) for the Fall Phon-a-thon during the month of December. We recognize that many of you have received other end-of-the-year solicitations. However, we have been offered this unique challenge based on participation. Will you help by participating with a gift of any amount? 
     If we receive 200 responses before the end of the year, the offer is even better--it will be a $20,000 donation. As you can see, participation is what counts in this challenge.  I’m making a gift; will you join me? We would love to count you in this important number of responders. 
     The Phon-a-thon donations are vital in supporting Emmanuel students. These gifts are used for scholarships and other programs which directly impact the students! While other solicitations are important, this program is especially urgent because of this anonymous donor’s offer.
     Please join us today by making a tax deductible check made payable to Emmanuel College. Please note on the memo line for Fall Phon-a-thon.
     If you prefer, you may give online at www.ec.edu — then click on "give" at the top right. In the "special request box," please type "Fall Phon-a-thon."
     We, the board members of the National Alumni Association, thank you for answering this urgent Phon-a-thon request and for being a blessing to students at Emmanuel. We are looking for your response and hope to count you as one of the 200 donors!
     With gratitude,
 
     Bett Smith
     National Alumni Association
     Board Member

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
"Give me a light, that I may tread safely into the unknown!"
And he replied:
"Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way."
So, I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night
And He led me toward the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.

     May I take a few moments of your time on this New Year's Eve and share what is on my heart?
I am now 83 years of age. God has blessed me with a long life. It is in part the fulfillment of the first of the 10 Commandments with a promise which is actually the fifth commandment. It reads like this:
     "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you" (​Exodus 20:12, NIV).
My parents taught me to honor and respect the Sabbath Day, which we, who are Christians, believe it is Sunday. I have good friends who think it is Saturday. Whatever day you keep, God will honor you. Those who honor God, He will honor and bless. 
     My parents taught me to go to Sunday school and church. The only time we ever missed, as I recall, was when we were sick. That was rare, and our attendance at church each Sunday was expected and required. I have always loved to go to church, except for a brief time when I was a young Marine I thought I didn't have to go, no one was watching me, and I was no longer under the authority of my parents. That attitude and mindset didn't last long. 
     A young Methodist Navy chaplain assigned to the Marine Corps at Quantico got out of his office and visited us where were were. His ministry of presence with the cross of his uniform reminded me that God was watching--the God to Whom I gave my heart and life to at the age of six,  and I had a choice to make. I remembered what Joshua said to the Children of Israel, He told them they had a choice to make: "Choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15, KJV).
     I chose God and I stood on the side of Joshua the servant of the Lord and the leader who followed Moses.
I do not understand why some Christians can choose not to attend church. It is beyond my thinking and understanding. 
     I need God every moment of every day. I need to be with the people of God who come to Sunday school to study the Word of God, and to pray together and for one another. I need to learn how other Christians are living their lives for Jesus. I need their encouragement and their testimony of faith in God.
     Then, I need to worship, to sing the hymns and spiritual songs of the church, and the songs that are being written and put to music by younger people. I need to join in and learn those songs too. When I do, my spirit is bolstered and I experience the presence of God in a special way as I sit next to Melvine, my wife of over 55 years.
     I need to hear our pastor preach. I take notes on what he says, and it helps me keep my focus on the message God has given him for us. It is wonderful thing to realize that God has called young men and women to preach. I thank God for my new pastor, Brad Cooper, who prepares to preach, and he seeks the Mind of God for what He wants us to hear. My soul is satisfied, and I think about what my pastor preaches all week. I am grateful, too, that the Holy Spirit applies in my life the Word I received from God's servant my pastor.
     My role now is to be present, say Amen, as the pastor preaches. I remember well how the Amen's helped me to preach.  I want to be the pastor's best friend. I am not there to tell him what he should or not do. He is to follow the Lord and do what He directs him to do.
    I know that 2016 will be the best year of my life. I have placed my hand into the Hand of Jesus, and wherever He leads me I want to hold His hand. I need balance, stability, and His presence in my life. He comforts me and leads me in paths of righteousness for His Name Sake.
     Let me close with the benediction that Jude, a half brother of Jesus, gives in his brief book in the New Testament, the book just before the Book of Revelation:
     Jude 24, 25
"To Him Who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy-- 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." 
NIV
    Who will you choose in 2016?

     The Rev. Mr. J. C. Sorrow, 85, of 128 Avondale Road, Greenwood, SC, husband of Claudine Reynolds Sorrow, passed away Sunday, December 27, 2015 at his home in Greenwood, SC.
     Born in Calhoun Falls, J. C.  was a son of the late Hoyt Francis Sorrow and Inez Boggs Sorrow.  J. C. earned his theology degree at Holmes Bible College where he was a board member. Pastor Sorrow was ordained into the Upper South Carolina Pentecostal Conference in 1949 and was the oldest surviving ordained minister in the conference at the time of his death.  During the fifty-three years of his pastorate, he ministered to eleven different churches, most recently at Reedy Grove Pentecostal Holiness Church; Ware Shoals. Other churches include: Highlands Ave Pentecostal Holiness Church, Batesburg, Tryon Pentecostal Holiness Church, Tryon, NC; Reidville Road Pentecostal Holiness Church, Spartanburg; Newberry Pentecostal Holiness Church, Laurens Pentecostal Holiness Church; Grendel Pentecostal Holiness Church; Terry Creek Pentecostal Holiness Church; Glendale Pentecostal Holiness Church, Spartanburg County and Pacolet Pentecostal Holiness Church.  He was an avid gardener, a diehard Atlanta Braves fan and loved hunting and fishing. J. C. was a chartered member of “The Barnyard Crew.”
     He was preceded in death by two sons, Boyd Keith Sorrow, Officer James Russell Sorrow; a grandson, Justin Chandler Sorrow; and three brothers, William Sorrow, Norman Sorrow and Leroy Sorrow.
     In addition to his loving wife of 62 years of the home he is survived by two daughters, Donna Milford and her husband, Frankie, and Micki Sorrow, all of Greenwood; a daughter-in-law, Joy Barden Sorrow of Ninety Six; a sister, Betty Berry of Greenville; two brothers, Lander Sorrow and Benji Sorrow, both of Calhoun Falls; three grandchildren, Melissa Amick and her husband Chris, of Prosperity, Carrie Rudisail of FL and Matthew Sorrow of Ninety Six; four great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
     Services will be held at 1 p. m. on Wednesday. December 30, at New Life Pentecostal Holiness Church with the Bishop Ray Boggs, Rev. Tim Ellenberg and Rev. Eric Boggs officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens, Abbeville.
     Pallbearers will be Frankie Milford, Chris Amick, Andy Sorrow, Ken Boggs, Dale Boggs, Ron Boggs, Donnie Teems and Bobby Fisher.  
     The family received friends at Harley Funeral Home on Tuesday from 5 to 8 p. m.
     Memorials may be sent to Holmes Bible College, 4901 Old Buncombe Road, Greenville, SC 29617.  
     The family is at the home of his daughter, 151 Kingston Road, Wellington Green, Greenwood.
 Messages of condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.harleyfuneralhome.com. 

Psalm 24
A Psalm.Of David. 

The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it; 
2 for He founded it upon the seas 
and established it upon the waters. 

3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD?
Who may stand in His holy place? 
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to an idol 
or swear by what is false.   
5 He will receive blessing from the LORD 
and vindication from God his Savior. 
6 Such is the generation of those who seek Him,
who seek Tour face, O God of Jacob. 
Selah  (Think about it . . . meditate upon these words of Holy Scripture)

7 Lift up your heads, O you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in. 
8 Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
the LORD mighty in battle. 
9 Lift up your heads, O you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in. 
10 Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty — 
he is the King of glory.
NIV

[Editor's Comment: When I was a pastor, an Air Force chaplain, and a college president it was my practice to give the benediction at the close of every worship service. In those days, I stood tall and measured 6 feet 4 inches in height. My arm reach is extensive and I would lift my hands high above my head and look at my congregation from left to right and wait silently as I did that. Then, I would speak these words in the form of a question: "Will You receive the Benediction?"  The choice to receive or reject the benediction is the decision of the worshiper in that congregation. I have memorized many benedictions in the Bible and some not written there, like the Irish Benediction for which I was noted as an Air Force chaplain. Many people would not dare leave church or chapel without the benediction. It had meaning and significance to them.
     The Holy Spirit revealed to me many years ago that I should memorize Scriptural benedictions after I understood the Aaronic Benediction recorded in Numbers 6:22-27. When I understood that it was the Words of Scripture that God uses to bless His people, and I obeyed God by memorizing many in the Bible, God anointed me to give them in such a way that it literally affected and effected those who received the benediction. What God does internally in the believer through His Word is supernatural and cannot be fully analyzed by the human mind. God reminds His people of His love and provision for them in spite of adverse circumstances. God does care for us. 
     The leadership of worship should be directed by the pastor. He may certainly delegate certain aspects of it to his lay leaders. When a pastor takes seriously the meaning and purpose of the benediction he will want to be the one to pronounce the blessings of God upon the congregation he has been given as a sovereign act of the Lord Jesus Christ. 
     I do not claim to have memorized all the benedictions in the Bible. I am not sure that there is anyone who knows all of them. I find them constantly as I read the Bible for my own personal spiritual edification. I often think or say, "I never saw that before." The Bible is a gold mine of truth. We will never be able to discover it all. It is indeed a continual process of adventure and blessings God has in store for us.
    We are called to bless others. We are constantly being blessed by God, and so we should be going about blessing others with the Word of God. Often when I pronounce a benediction in private to an individual in person or on the phone, that person will bow his or her head in reverence to God Who gave that Word, and they will let me know how much that it meant to them. God's Word is powerful and can meet any need one might have.
     As we approach the new year of 2016, let us be forever blessing others as the Holy Spirit directs us. Our lives will be blessed as we bless others.]

Sometimes we think we know a great deal about the people we meet and with whom we serve in the church.
     Although I am sure I met Harold and Marie Green Kelley several years before I became their pastor in Birmingham, Alabama, I have learned many significant facts about the gifts and talents of Harold that I did not know that have blessed me in recent months after almost 38 years of my association with him, his wife, and family.
     No one could ever miss noticing Harold and Marie Kelley. They both played a prominent role of leadership in the Pentecostal Holiness Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Marie was active in Women's Ministries (which was called Women's Auxiliary) and served on the Alabama Women's Auxiliary Conference Board. Harold served as Superintendent of the Sunday school, and was President of Sunday school for the conference for several years. In addition, he served on our church board as a deacon for many years.
     It was Harold’s aunt, Ruby Kelley Pate, who introduced Harold and Marie Green. Harold had moved from Fayette, AL, to Birmingham. Ruby who was married to Vernon Pate, the Superintendent of the Alabama Conference, invited Harold to attend the First Pentecostal Holiness Church that was then located in Norwood in an old Methodist church our congregation had purchased. Ruby wanted Harold to meet Marie Green. Harold accepted the invitation the Wednesday night the Emmanuel College Singers sang their concert. It was there he met Marie, and the rest is history. They were married and God gave them two beautiful and intelligent girls, Lisa and Kalani. Today, they have 10 grandchildren.
     Shortly after we moved from Oklahoma City into the church parsonage in Hover, Alabama in 1977, Harold and Marie came to visit us. Harold plowed up a space for a small garden in our back yard and planted tomatoes and other veggies for us to enjoy.
     The Kelley family and the Morgan family bonded immediately in a relationship of love and appreciation for one another. We attended the annual River Springs Camp Meetings in south Alabama as resident campers. Our children participated in Junior and Senior Teen Talent, and we attended those talent sessions, as well as Sunday school Conventions, and General Conferences. Those times of fellowship and interaction will never be forgotten.
     I introduced our congregation in downtown Birmingham, the Good Shepherd Pentecostal Holiness Church, to the Bill Gothard Youth Conflicts Seminars, and a whole host of our people attended each year at the Birmingham Civic Center within walking distance from our downtown church. Harold took the teachings to heart and applied the dynamic Biblical principles he learned in his life and ministry. He continues to use those principles today.
     Let me share with you a story I recently read and talked with Harold Kelley about. The story was written by Bo Black, Associate Editor of the Times Record in Fayette, Alabama. The following is the fascinating story of a young high school athlete who achieved great things during his basketball career at Fayette County High School.
     "Fayette, AL—A trio of teammates from FCHS (Fayette County High School) basketball teams ranging from 1956 to 1958 along with a member of the 1958 state championship team were inducted into the Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame Saturday, August 9, 2014.
     "Melvin Howard, Harold Kelley and Jerry Lawrence all had fond recollections of a 20-18 win over Scottsboro in 1957 AA semifinals after being blown away by more than 30 points earlier in the season against Scottsboro.
     "'That was back when there were no three-points, no shot clock and we played like that,'" Howard said.
     "After defeating Winfield by one point, the team came in the following Monday to prepare for the state tournament. Kelley said Coach J.B. McClendon didn’t focus on the first team they would face. He didn’t focus on the second team. The team they focused on was Scottsboro.
      "'He said we’re going to freeze the ball,’ Kelley said of his coach’s strategy. 'He showed how we were going to do it and we planned it. The game went to two overtimes.'"
     "Kelley said the arena was packed with Scottsboro fans and ‘they didn’t appreciate it. They were 32-0. Hardly anyone had come close to beating them."
     "Lawrence continued with his memory of the game.
     "'I was assigned to play nose-to-nose against Pat Trammell. Pat and I were not very friendly,' he said. 'At that time I wore glasses when I played, and the whole game he was right in my face and he questioned me about my family tree.'
      [Editor's Note: Pat Trammell played quarterback for the Crimson Tide of Alabama when Bear Bryant was the head football coach. They won the National Collegiate Football Championship in 1961.]
     "Kelley was a three-year starter and was the leading scorer of the 1957 season.
     "He was voted as the Outstanding Player in 1957, along with being All-Region and All-State.
     "Harold Kelley went on to play semi-pro basketball for 10 years."

     "Harold thanked his family of 30-plus who attended the ceremony."

"'It really means a lot to me for my family to be here to support me,' he said.

     "Kelley said that basketball started in the second grade for him. At that point, he made his own basketball goal because his family couldn’t afford one. Kelley said he shot pairs of socks into his bucket.
     "'I appreciate Fayette,' Kelley said. 'It means so much to me. I got a great education here. I had some wonderful teachers. I could name all of the teachers I had in high school. They mean so much to me. The one thing I regret about that is I left Fayette and I’ve never come back to tell those teachers how much they meant to me and what they did for me in my life.'
     "Kelley said Coach McClendon was one of the best coaches ever and that he did have an opportunity to visit with his former coach in Atlanta, and it was 'one of the best days ever."
     "Harold Kelley told those gathered when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame, 'that he had won many trophies for his basketball playing days. I have some of those trophies in the attic of my house, a few are tarnished, some have been given to Goodwill, and dust is on the ones I have.
     "'They aren’t worth very much today. However, the greatest award I have ever been given was when I invited Jesus Christ into my heart and life. I was given eternal life and a future in heaven after this life. My life was transformed and God has directed my life."
     Harold Kelley told the story about Albert Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, he reached in his vest pocket. He couldn't find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets.
     It wasn't there. He looked in his briefcase but couldn't find it. Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn't find it. The conductor said, "Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I'm sure you bought a ticket. Don't worry about it."
     Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket.
     The conductor rushed back and said, "Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don't worry, I know who you are; no problem. You don't need a ticket. I'm sure you bought one."
     
     Einstein looked at him and said, "Young man, I too, know who I am. What I don't know is where I'm going.”

     Harold told the audience that as a minister and a chaplain he often ministers to elderly people who are near to the end of their earthly life. Many of them do not know where they are going. I hope you do who are here tonight. You can when you give your life to Jesus.
     To hear Harold’s testimony you may go to this video on YouTube by Clicking Here.

     Harold Kelley has another ministry God gave him. It is called “The Cup of Cold Water.” It started in October 2012. Harold said, "I know God spoke to me about starting a ministry of baking cream cheese pound cakes. I give them to families that have a death, families who have someone in the hospital, families who need encouraging, assisted living and nursing home patients, new visitors in the church, friends, neighbors and whoever the Lord tells me to give one. Sometimes, I ship one out of town, even out of state.”
     When I spoke with Harold on Sunday, December 27, 2015, he told me of this ministry of baking cheese cakes he had record of  750 cakes he has given away. Several months ago, Harold sent Melvine, Greg and me a cake. We can give testimony to how rich and good they are.
     Harold and Marie have laying hens. Marie’s contribution to this exciting ministry is that she is the one who gathers the eggs from the hens. She talks to them and compliments them when they produce eggs. Harold puts six eggs into every cake he bakes. We can tell you Harold’s cake was the best pound cake we have ever eaten. They are so rich and tasty. They will put a smile on your face, a spring in your step, and a song on your lips.

     For Father’s Day in 2013, Lisa and Kalani gave him a Kitchen Aid Mixer.  
 
     Oh, my, there is so much more I would like tell you about Harold Kelley and his family.
     Let me share just a few more nuggets of information.
     God’s gracious hand has been upon Harold Kelley and his family.

     God gave Harold a brilliant career with Sears. His leadership gifts were evident to all who were in authority. When he retired he was the District Sales Representative for some 10 Sears stores that were all successful. Harold was even tempered. I can never recall any time when he ever lifted his voice, and he treated everyone with respect. He just knew how to get along with everyone.
     One of the significant things Harold and Marie Kelley did, and there were many, was they found the property for our church the congregation desired to build, Good Shepherd Church, It is located at 2250 Blue Ridge Blvd Hoover, AL 35226-3134, It is the site we eventually purchased near the Alford Avenue  Exit just off of I-65 in Hoover, Alabama, over the mountain from Birmingham.
     After serving Good Shepherd Pentecostal Holiness Church for many years, Harold and Marie, felt led of God to move their membership to Garywood Assembly of God Church where John Loper was the senior pastor.  John Loper, in my opinion, was one of the finest men I have ever known and was a prince of pastors. John asked Harold to serve as the Church Administrator at his large and growing church, and he served in that position for some sixteen years. In addition, he served as the Christian Education Director for a number of years at Garywood as well.

     Whatever Harold did he did with excellence.

     Meanwhile, the Holy Spirit led Harold and Marie Kelley to Metro Church of God where Dr. Kirk Walters serves as the senior pastor. The church facility is magnificent and is a prominent landmark on the 459 by pass of Birmingham near Hoover and River Chase, and the Galleria, near the largest indoor mall in the Southeast. Raymond Culpepper was the pastor when this magnificent church was constructed.  He was a pastoral friend of mine during the time of my pastorate in Birmingham.. He later went on to elected as the General Overseer of the Church of God in Cleveland, TN, a sister denomination to the International Pentecostal Holiness Church.
     Meanwhile, Harold Kelley never stopped pursuing a desire to be ordained for ministry in the church. Today, Harold is in the process of obtaining  ordination in the Church of God. He currently serves as a pastoral care minister, as well as the Community Chaplain.

     Most of all, Harold Kelley is a soul winner. On his business card he has these words printed on the back:

“If you were to die today, Do you know without a doubt you would go straight to Jesus! Call me and let’s talk.” He gives his telephone number.

     I know of no other man who has served with honor and distinction in all three major Pentecostal denominations as Harold Kelley has . . . the Pentecostal Holiness Church, the Assemblies of God, and the Church of God. He has maintained a love and appreciation for each of these denominations while continuing to minister wherever God has planted him and his family. God has indeed enlarged his borders, coast, and territory.

     I am honored to be a friend to Harold and Marie Kelley and their family.

     Harold and Marie came to our 50th Wedding Anniversary in August 2010 that Greg and Stephanie gave us at the lovely fellowship building of the Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Bethlehem, Georgia. Then, they came to the visitation, memorial service and graveside service when Stephanie died in August 2012.

It is my prayer that this tribute to Harold Kelley will be a blessing in your life, and his testimony inspire you to serve God with the gifts and talents He has given to you.

     I am highly honored to name Harold Kelly as the 2015 Hugh's News Man of the Year.
 
 

Melvine and I want to say "Thank You" for all of your birthday cards, letters, greetings and Christmas cards. You made our birthdays, one day apart, one of the most memorial occasions in our lives.
     Just knowing that you care and love us and have stayed faithful to your membership as a subscriber to Hugh's News for 18 years is indeed overwhelming.
     We want to thank Greg, our son, who wrote to engage you in the birthday project that was a great success. We receive a little over 100 birthday cards, plus Christmas cards and letters. We have prayed for each of you who send cards or letters, and gave by Credit Card.
     As of this date, December 29, 2015, you have given a little over half of the goal of $7,000. We are trusting God to provide the money that is needed to fully fund Hugh's News. You have never failed to help us reach every goal.
     It is not too late to send a check and or a money order in the mail. To get credit for 2015, make sure you date your check by December 31, 2015. We are blessed to have a 501 (C) (3) IRS Tax Exempt Status. So, your gifts and contributions are tax deductible. We are registered with the Georgia Secretary of State as a non-profit corporation. When giving by check please give me your email address so I can respond immediately without having to prepare a letter of receipt.
     In giving by Credit Card you will see icons in this newsletter to click on to give. It is a safe method of giving. When you complete the transaction, Merhants Services of our Bank will notify me electronically of your contribution.  I will send you an email promptly thanking you for your gift.
     We wish you a Happy and Prosperous New Year, and we hope you all had a Merry Christmas with your family and friends. We want to thank God for our church family and our new pastor, the Rev. Mr. Brad Cooper, his wife, Kiki, and four beautiful and bright children: Karis, Micah, Joshua and Caleb.  Our church was beautifully decorated for the Advent season and for Christmas. Our church choir presented a wonderful cantata. We had the lighting of the Advent wreath each Sunday. In addition, we had several other events that brought us together to share good food and fellowship. 
     Our pastor is leading us in January on a 21-day fast.  God will honor this ministry as we join him in fasting and prayer.
     If you want to be a part of an alive and growing church, I want to invite you to visit our church, Christian Life Worship Center, located at 125 Kathwood Drive, one mile north of the Athens Perimeter 10, just off US Highway 129.

     The chief had two sons---Pointed Arrow and Falling Rocks.
     Unable to decide who would take his place, the chief sent both sons out into the forest. Without weapons or food, they were to test their hearts and nature.
     The first one back with a brown bear would be the new chief. Seven months later, Pointed Arrow returned, on his back a huge brown bear.
     Falling Rocks did not return. To this day they are looking for him. Everywhere you will see this sign: "Watch Out for Falling Rocks!"!!!!!

“Behold, the virgin shall be with Child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us" (Matthew 1:23, NKJV).\
     However you celebrate Christmas this year, Melvine and I, along with Greg, pray you’ll pause to think about the awesome reality of Jesus’ birth—God Himself coming to earth in human form.
     Thank you for partnering with me to produce Hugh's News for 18 years as we have endeavored to share the full Gospel of Jesus Christ all over the world. 
     God has blessed us to reach over 5,000 readers in some 20 countries including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America. God has given us about 100 Canadians who read Hugh's News regularly. I am grateful for the friendship of Bishop Gordon McDonald, the General Superintendent of the Pentecostal Holiness Church in Canada. He is faithful supporter of Hugh's News.
     I am happy to announce that we have readers and subscribers in Hong Kong. Donavan Ng gave a promo of at the first dinner banquet in Hong Kong at the 5th IPHC Global Assembly.
     May this Christmas of 2015 be the best ever. Enjoy your special time with family and friends.

​     Campus Crusade for Christ/CRU co-founder Vonette Bright died two days before Christmas. She was 89.  
Earlier this month, her family released a statement saying Bright was close to the end: "Her prayer is that she will simply become weaker, fall asleep and wake up in the arms of Jesus," they said. 
     Bright died from complications from acute leukemia. 
"In all of life, she celebrated well and boldly invited others into the kingdom to celebrate with her," reads the CRU website. "Thus Vonette was as at home in Buckingham Palace as in a meeting of the Christian Motorcycle Association—where she served as an honorary chair. Cab drivers and U.S. presidents were treated equally: 'Oh, honey,' she'd say as she greeted each one." 
     Bright and her husband, Bill, who died in 2003, founded Campus Crusade—later called CRU—in 1951, Charisma News previously reported. 
Campus Crusade for Christ is a worldwide, interdenominational Christian evangelism and discipleship organization. Since its founding, Campus Crusade for Christ has become one of the largest Christian organizations in the world. The organization currently is served by more than 25,000 full-time and part-time team members in 191 countries around the world and is comprised of 29 different ministries. 
     Vonette received numerous honors and recognitions, as well as six honorary doctorate degrees from universities such as Colorado Christian, Taylor University and Liberty University, according to her biography. 
     She founded the Great Commission Prayer Crusade and National Prayer Committee in 1972, according to the website. She served as chair of the Bright Media Foundation, chair emeritus of the National Prayer Committee and honorary co-chair of the Mission American Coalition.  

     Oral Roberts will always be a favored son of the Pentecostal Holiness Church. I have always loved and revered him as a person and as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. From the very beginning of his ministry he took the Great Commission of Jesus seriously and endeavored to carry it out to the fullest extent by preaching the Gospel and healing the sick.
     Dr. William M. Wilson, President of Oral Roberts University brings a Christmas greeting and has one of the female students sing "O Holy Night." I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have.
     You may Click Here to see and hear this video from Oral Roberts University.

     One of the many joys I have as the editor of Hugh's News is to announce special events and significant occasions in the lives of my subscribers.
Stan and Eve Oliver met at Emmanuel College. Both of them were in the 10th grade when Emmanuel had a high school. That was when Emmanuel College was a Junior College.
     In those days Stan would hitch hike to Williamston, NC to court Eve. Stan said that they dated for four years before he could muster up the courage to ask her to marry him.
     I enrolled in Emmanuel College in the fall of 1952. I remember that Stan and Eve were a beautiful couple. It seemed then that they were destined to marry. Eve was a beautiful young Christian lady, and Stan was a handsome Christian young man. Stan was probably the most athletic man on campus. In those days we played touch football. Stan could run, pass, and design plays that produced yards and eventually touch downs. It is little wonder his children were athletic.
     Stan and Eve had a church wedding on Christmas day in 1955.  The Rev. Mr. Joe Russell performed their wedding ceremony. He was noted for knowing how to tie the knot. Their marriage has not only survived but thrived through 60 years. What an example they are to all of us in displaying enduring love, loyalty, dedication, commitment, and knowing how to cherish each other in sickness and in health, in the good times and the tough times. What a sterling example they are to all of an enduring relationship based on their faith in Jesus Christ and faithfulness to attend and be active in their church.
   God blessed Stan and Eve with three children: Debbie Maxwell and who is a public school teacher; Stan, Jr. who is a successful businessman and owns his own business (Stan, Jr. played tennis for Southwestern College); Joe who is a retired Major League Baseball player (now a coach in the Red Sox Baseball organization. Joe played in a World Series as the catcher for the Cincinnati Reds.
     God has blessed Stan and Eve with 12 grands and 6 great grands.  
     Stan and Eve owned Oliver Insurance Company for 35 years.  God Blessed them with a good career.  This is was Independent Insurance Agency.  They insured churches and church related risks.
     Stan Oliver is one of the best bass soloists in the known world. He has directed church choirs and has sung in quartets. Eve also sings and has a great voice. However, she no longer sings solos. When our family lived in Stone Mountain when I was doing a residency is supervision of Clinical Pastoral Education at Georgia Mental Health Institute, Georgia Baptist Hospital, as well as an adjunct faculty member at Candler School of Theology in Supervised Ministry, we attended the Church of the Comforter where Wesley Russ was the pastor. He asked Stan Oliver to be our choir director, and Melvine and I sang in that choir. We enjoy the 15 months while living in the Atlanta area and worshiping with people like the Olivers.
     I know  you want to join Melvine and me in wishing Stan and Eve Oliver a happy 60th Wedding Anniversary on Christmas Day.
     If you would like to contact them you may call them at 706-245-5751.
     Or, you may write them at:
     
     Stan and Eve Oliver
     118 Cobb Drive
     Royston, GA 30662