Special congratulations go out this week to members of McKendree United Methodist Church for their church float, which took first place honors at both the Hartselle and Decatur Christmas parades. The float was titled “Star Spangled Christmas—Then and Now”. Those who enjoyed working on the float are listed as follows, Kathy Summerford, Eric Sum-merford, Robert Summer-ford, Marsha Summer-ford, Hank Summerford, Anna Summerford, Allie Henson, Alli Hogan, Jennifer Hogan, Emma Barnett, Richard Johnson, Ben Bolan, Maggie Tanner, Will Tanner, Kim Tanner, Branningan Craw-ley, Brandon Crawley, Stephanie Crawley, Kevin Crawley and April Jones.

Members of Shady Grove Baptist Church express Christian love and heartfelt sympathy for Louis and Betty Depreast and family in the death of their brother-in-law and David Edward Townsend and Karen Callahan and family in the death of her uncle, Jack Know.

Members of Shady Grove Baptist Church filled 620 Christmas shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child this year. They thank everyone who helped. Several families and the youth met for a tailgate breakfast at the church before loading the shoe boxes and taking them to St. Luke’s Methodist Church in Decatur.

Shady Grave Baptist Church expresses loving memories for deceased members this week as follows: David Earl James from April 5, 1960, to Nov. 22, 2010, James Sevier Alexander from Dec. 5, 1984, to May 2, 2001, Maygan LeAnn Lacy from Dec. 18, 2001, to Aug. 10, 2003, and William “Bud” Sybert from Dec. 20, 1920, to Jan. 29, 1999.

Miss Jennifer Hogan, who is a member of McKendree UMC, shares her thoughts on Christmas with us this week as follows.I am thankful for the wonderful life God has blessed me with. I have never been hungry, thirsty or cold and I have always had nice clothes to wear and nice cars to drive. Even though I don’t like it sometimes, I am thankful that I can go to college and that I can afford to go to college. I am also thankful for each and every person that God has put into my life, from the cashier at the grocery store that I had a short conversation with the other day, to my parents and sister, wth whom I live and see everyday, as I believe that each person you come into contact with can help shape you to be a better person even in the smallest of ways, if you let them.

“I am thankful for the dogs, cats and horses that God has placed in my care and I am thankful that I can afford to pursue my dreams and go show my horses everywhere from Kentucky to Texas.

“ I am extremely thankful for the country we live in and I will admit that it does have its share of problems, but it is an amazing country to live in nonetheless. I especially love the fact that I can go to church whereever and whenever I want and that I can carry my Bible and read it anywhere and anytime I want too. I can wear a cross around my nick, write Bible verses on my hand and share my faith in God with others without fear of being persecuted. I am very thankful for each and every wonderful beautiful blessing that God has so graciously and generously given me and there is no way on this earth that I could ever even begin to repay Him. The least that I can do is to attempt to live each day to the fullest for Him.”

I want to thank Jennifer for sharing her Christmas thoughts with our readers.

Special belated happy birthday wishes go out this week to Megan Terry on Jan. 1.