Calvary Baptist News October 5th

Calvary Baptist News October 5,2006
Dr. Rick Worthy

By proclamation of the Governor of Alabama October 1,2006 was proclaimed as William "Banks" Greer day. What a celebration! I never realized there could be that many Greers in one place at the same time. When it comes to packing a pew they have it down to an art. Calvary Baptist Church, Dadeville Al. was packed as we came together to celebrate William Banks Greer’s accomplishments in World War II. Mayor Joe Smith read a proclamation from the City of Dadeville, Sheriff Jimmy Abbett read a proclamation from the Attorney General, Troy King, Senator Ted Little read a proclamation from the Alabama State Senate, Mr. Coy Powell, Commander of the D.A.V., read a proclamation from Lieutenant Governor Lucy Baxley and Rev. Tom Pemberton read a proclamation from Governor Bob Riley. All the Proclamations were given commemorating the sacrifice that William Banks Greer gave for his country.

William Banks Greer, a highly decorated World War II veteran, has been a member of Calvary Baptist for 72 years. He served as a member of the United States Army in Company B of the 399th Infantry from 1941 to 1946 and was critically wounded at the Battle of the Bulge. December 16, 1944 to January 25, 1945
William "Banks" Greer received the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, with four bronze service stars, the World War II Victory Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, and the Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII. William "Banks" Greer was born in the Jackson Gap Community of Tallapoosa County, Alabama on September 7,1918. He was married to the former Mary Lillie Sexton for 65 years. They had three daughters, seven grand children, and 11 great grand children. Truly William "Banks" Greer's life has modeled the words of Jesus when He said, "Greater love hath no man than he be willing to lay down his life for a friend." Banks Greer has demonstrated his willingness to lay down his life for total strangers as he defended our country and the freedom that we too often take for granted. In doing so, he has earned the gratitude of His Church, the people of our state and our nation.

Calvary Baptist will host the Tallapoosa Baptist Association Annual Meeting on Monday October 9th. The meeting will began at 2:00 P.M. and will break for supper at around 5:30 P.M. The evening Meeting will began at 6:45 P.M.

Susan Owens is reported doing well after her surgery. She will be home recovering for several weeks.

The S.A.M. will have their fellowship meeting October 12th at 5:30 P.M. Grilled burgers and Hot Dogs will be served. Bring a small gift for bingo.

There will be a Baby “needs” pounding for Curt and Conner Sanders on October 8th sponsored by Mrs. Pam Parker and the Children’s Church. Dewayne is home and recovering from his cancer surgery. They have a long way to go. Keep them in your prayers.

Sometimes pastors are the loneliest people in the church. Often their hours are long, the pay minimal, for below anything you or I would even think about, the criticism considerable and constant. Feelings of disappointment, discouragement, and defeat may begin to plague the best of them.
Set a Sunday morning to honor your pastor / staff and their families.
Some Ideas that can be used to make your Pastor/Staff feel loved and appreciated (no they are not doing it to get a pat on the back but believe me, I’ve been there, some encouragement will lift your pastor up and he will bring you with him).
Present each pastor / staff member with one or more of the following:-Appreciation certificate or plaque-Gift certificate-Monetary gift-Flowers for wives-Mini-vacation (i.e. - provide a weekend trip out of town)-Reception following the service
-An old-fashion pounding (a few sacks of groceries goes along way)
Have a special prayer time in the worship service for pastor and staff. Various church members could pray for the following pastor and staff needs: family needs, spiritual guidance, sense of fulfillment / encouragement.

There is countless numbers of ways that you, as a church, can honor and show your appreciation for what your pastor has done and is doing for God in your community.

My daughter, Misty, takes the whole month of February for her birthday. She celebrates her birthday the whole month; every day is a special day during that month. Why can’t we, as a church, do the same for our pastor during October? Let’s learn a lesson from Misty. Let us make October (all of it) Pastor Appreciation Day. Make every day during this month a special day for your pastor! God will bless you for it. I promise you with my hand raised. In His Service, Dr. Rick Worthy