Newsletters

The Creator Connection January 2026
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you.”
Isaiah 43:2

From the Pastor’s Desk

About Baptism: What do we Believe?

In Baptism we are washed with water to point out something very important: God loves us. Baptism is not a test. It is not something we have to earn. It is a gift.

What Happens in Baptism? In baptism, God says: “You are mine.” “You belong.” “I am glad you are here.” God says this before we do anything special and even when we make mistakes.

Jesus Was Baptized Too Jesus was baptized in a river. He stood in the water with other people.
He did not stand above them. When Jesus came up out of the water, God said: “This is my beloved Son.” Beloved means deeply loved. God says the same thing to us.

What Does Baptism Mean for Us? Baptism means: God is with us. God does not give up on us. God loves us on good days and hard days. We do not stop being loved when we mess up or when we feel sad or scared.

Baptism and the Church: The church is a place where: Everyone belongs; People help each other; We try to be kind; We try again when we fail; We are learning how to be home for one another.

Being Home means: Saying “You belong here;” Being kind; Sharing love; Helping others feel safe. We try to love people the way God loves us.

Still Wet, Still Loved: Even when the water dries up, God’s love for us does not dry up. We are still God’s children. We are still loved. We are still held.

A Prayer: Dear God, thank you for loving us. Thank you for water and for Jesus. When we wash our face help us remember that we belong to you and help us be kind to others. Amen

“The Lord shall give strength to his people; the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.” (Psalm 29:11)

Upcoming Services & Events

Sunday, January 18 – Annual Parish Meeting & Potluck Lunch

Faith in Action

Help support the Clinton Christian Community Center (4C’s) and Mississippi College Student Food Bank with non-perishable food items each Sunday. Baskets are marked in the Narthex.

January Birthdays 1 Emmanuel Onyia, 13 Bill Singletary, 17 Doug George

21 Ross Turner, 24 Edie Hill

January Anniversaries 1 Will & Jennifer Duncan

Financial STATUS November: Income/$13,542.83 – Expenses/$9,341.35

CHURCH POTLUCK FACTS*
A Sacred Tradition of Casseroles & Covered Dishes

Most Common Dish:
Some form of chicken spaghetti casserole – cream-of-something soup, shredded cheese, and a topping no one can identify but everyone trusts.

First Dish to Disappear:
Deviled eggs. Always deviled eggs. Even if there are five trays. (and Bob White’s meatloaf)

Calorie Champion (Undefeated):
cheesy hashbrown casserole – butter, cheese, sour cream, more cheese, hashbrowns, faith.

The Dish Everyone Compliments but Nobody Finishes:
That one “healthy” salad. You know the one.

The One Untouched Bowl:

Common suspects: Ambiguous gelatin, “That one salad with marshmallows”

Historical Note:

The term potluck coined in 16th-century England, means “whatever happened to be in the pot.”

In Southern churches, it came to mean hospitality, abundance, and aluminum foil. Potlucks became popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries as a way to feed large congregations affordably, share abundance without singling anyone out, build fellowship (and recipe rivalries).

Universal Truth:
Someone will say, “Who made this?”

*Fake Statistical Footnote
Facts based on a highly scientific study conducted in multiple Southern fellowship halls between 1952 and last Sunday, using paper plates, folding chairs, and eyewitness testimony from church ladies who “have been doing this for years.”