Celebrating the divine in all of God's creatures, St. Paul Lutheran Church in West Plains has extended an open invitation to the community for a special 'Blessing of the Animals' ceremony. The event is set to take place at 10 a.m. on Oct. 14, in the church's parking lot, located at 291 N. Kentucky Avenue. more

As autumn paints the Ozarks with its vibrant hues, the community of West Plains is in for a spiritual rejuvenation. Eagle Heights Independent Baptist Church proudly presents the much-anticipated Fall Revival from October 22-25. more

Pastor Keith Braswell of LifePoint of West Plains is elated to share the milestone of acquiring a new home for the church. The expansive new property, boasting a grand 13,608 square foot brick edifice and 9 lush acres, is conveniently located just a mile from the West Plains city limits on County Road 8660. This strategic acquisition, which was finalized in February 2023, underscores the church's dedication to expanding its footprint and nurturing its growing community. more

Spiritual invigoration is coming to West Plains this autumn. Curry St. church of Christ, located at 111 S. Curry St., proudly invites the community to its Fall 2023 Lectureship themed "Remaining Faithful." This thought-provoking series runs from Oct. 6, through Sunday, October 8, offering attendees a chance to delve deep into topics of faith, challenges, and spiritual steadfastness. more

The Tiptons, one of the best loved Gospel singing groups from The Ozarks, will be featured in a Gospel Music Concert this Sunday morning, Oct. 1 at The Bridge Church of West Plains. The service begins at 10:30 am. more

Church tradition and church culture has a lot to do with how we as Christian’s practice and view everything from worship to fellowship. Every church, no matter how stringent it’s denominational guidelines or how free their methodologies are will settle into habitual practices. It’s part of who we are as humans. more

Pastor Frank Mulford and the congregation of Smith Chapel Church invite all to attend Final Authority in concert at 6 p.m. Saturday. more

"For I will regard (consider) the heavens, the work of thy fingers; the moon and stars, which thou hast established. 4What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?" Psalms 8:3-4, Greek Septuagint more

In today's ever-evolving world, where the tides of social change are often at odds with tradition, the Christian community stands at a crossroads. Issues such as racism, poverty, and inequality persistently challenge societies globally. For many modern Christians, their faith offers not only solace but also guidance on how to navigate and address these social maladies. This article delves into how the contemporary Christian community, informed and inspired by biblical teachings, confronts these pressing issues. more

Berean Southern Baptist Church, the “Little Church in the Valley,” has a new pastor, Fred Palmer of West Plains. more

No matter our age, we all get tired. Without sufficient food, water, and rest each day, we may experience physical exhaustion. The same thing is true of our spiritual energies. They need to be replenished daily by God. As an older saint at church used to say, “Our spiritual batteries need to be recharged!” When we neglect God and fail to make time for Bible reading and prayer, we become weary and discouraged. Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” The kind of hope Isaiah mentions is not simply wishful thinking, but it is a confidence that God is with us and will renew our strength. We can face challenges with faith, undergirded by God’s grace. I Chronicles 16:11 says, “Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his presence continually.” May we seek the Lord and his strength each day. May God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

Across the centuries, the bedrock of many Christian beliefs has been rooted in a concise declaration known as the Apostles' Creed. From baptismal ceremonies to daily prayers, this ancient text has played a fundamental role in shaping the tenets of Christianity and has remained a unifying force among diverse denominations. more

Christian anthropologist Jim Denison says in his June 28, 2023, Daily Article, we need to ask why some stories are featured in the news while others are not; certain stories are reported while others are ignored. “When it comes to good news, the answer is obvious: we like these stories and media outlets know they are popular and drive clicks and views.” Denison, however, says we are seeing too many stories about falling church attendance, repurposing empty sanctuaries and how church attendance has not rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. more

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his praises: more

Water is essential to our physical health. If we do not drink enough water, we can become dizzy, weak, and confused. Water is essential to our spiritual health, too. Mentioned 722 times in the Bible, water flows through the scriptures from the first days of Creation (Genesis 1:2) to Revelation 22 where the river of life flows from the throne of God. The New Testament assures us that the cleansing waters of baptism will give us new life in Christ. Psalm 23 reminds us that our Lord leads us beside the still waters and restores our souls. Jesus spoke to the woman at the well and offered water that “will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14). Jesus calls himself our “living water” because he satisfies our deepest thirst. He invites those who thirst to come to him. May God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

In the current cultural climate, we live in there is an existential crisis. The entire argument about morality being mailable and subjective has led us down a very slippery slope that has caused much of our nation to embrace delusion. more

Salem Praise and Worship Fellowship located at 682 West Hwy 62 in the former Skyvue Center is excited to welcome “United Voice” to Salem, Arkansas. The evening of Gospel Music will be September 22 begining at 6 pm and it will be a night to remember. Come expecting a blessing of God and you will experience the presence and power of God as these men sing songs that will move your heart and your feet. more

The Council of Nicea, convened in AD 325, is undeniably one of the most significant events in Christian history. Often referred to as the first ecumenical council, it saw bishops from across the Roman Empire gather under the auspices of Emperor Constantine I. Their primary aim was to address and resolve theological disputes threatening the unity of the early Christian Church, but its outcomes have far-reaching implications even today. more

Acts 7:30-32  After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to get a closer look, he heard the Lord say: ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.’ Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look. more

Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 121:1-2 reads, “I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.” Have you ever seen this morning prayer that circulated a few years ago? “Dear Lord, so far today I’ve done all right. I haven’t gossiped, haven’t lost my temper, haven’t been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or over-indulgent. But in a few minutes, God, I’m going to get out of bed and from then on, I’ll be needing your help. Amen.” May our prayer be, “Lord, help me today. No matter what I face, I can trust that you will be with me to be my refuge, strength, and help; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” May God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs, and Mtn. View. more