Bittinger News

The Grantsville Fire Hall will be the site for a blood drive in Grantsville from noon to 6 p.m. on Feb. 3.

On Feb. 11, a blood drive will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Deep Creek Volunteer Fire Company, located along Deep Creek Drive in McHenry.

The Swanton Community Center will host a blood drive from 12:30 to 6 p.m. Feb. 20.

Glade Mennonite Church

The “We Got’cha Covered” clothing giveaway will be open Jan. 23 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. This is a community outreach ministry of Glade Mennonite Church to help anyone who may be dealing with tough times. The address is 5104 Accident Bittinger Rd., Accident.

Grantsville Library

The Maryland Food Bank’s mobile market will be at the Grantsville Library from noon to 2 p.m. Feb. 7 with free healthy foods and resources. A selection of boxed dry goods and produce will be available while supplies last. The library is located at 102 Parkview Dr., Grantsville. Contact information is kim@relib.net or 301-895-5298.

Swanton AYCE Buckwheat Cakes

A buckwheat cake dinner will be held at the Swanton Community Center Feb. 7, beginning at 4 p.m. In addition to all-you-can-eat buckwheat cakes, sausage and sausage gravy will be included. Pancakes are also available. Cost is $10 for adults and $6 for children.

Weekly Meditations from Swanton Otterbein Methodist Church

The Sunday morning message were based on several Bible verses: Jeremiah 24:7, 7:23a; John 10:4, 11, and 27. Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people…and I will give them a heart to know me that I am their Lord, and they shall be my people…and when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

A story was told: “My dad is really my step-dad. He was my friend. I introduced him to my mother. My dad now lays in a hospital bed with cancer. His hair had all fallen out. I asked my wife Mary to help shave my head. Wearing a toboggan, I stepped into his room. I sat down beside him and removed my hat. Dad looked at me and sickly laughed hilariously. We shared a comradery moment. I leaned over the bed to say ‘You were my friend before we became family.’

“The voice of God came into my head. Wasn’t that what Jesus was, my friend even before I accepted him? Before salvation, my friend? Good friends are for life. Good friends come to your rescue. Like Jesus, they meet you in the need of the moment, they meet you where you are.

“Who are these people? Who did things for you you did not recognize? Did you give them the glory, a thank you? Did you lay down your life for someone else. God helps you step up to the plate.”

An activity was suggested to make a time capsule for the next generation. Include all the people in your life that were Christ-like to you. Put in pictures of people, everyday people that became special in your life, people whom you looked over before. Who and when was the first time someone told you that you could not continue in your bad ways in this life journey? Was it a mother, a teacher, a sidekick, or a friend?

Jesus laid down his life for us. He was our friend first. “A friend loveth at all times” (Proverbs 17:17).

Jesus said “Read my book” (John 5:39a). Pr. Tom Matthews invites you to come and hear the Gospel on Sunday at 11 a.m.