By LORETTA FULTON Brandon Hudson was announced Sunday as the new senior pastor at First Baptist Church. Hudson, his wife Jill, daughter Sophia, 15, and son Quinn, 13, are expected to move to Abilene in early February. Hudson has been senior pastor of Crosscreek Baptist Church in Pelham, Alabama, since 2013. Robert Ellis, chairman of the pastor search committee at
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON The fourth candle of Advent (third to some) is the “Shepherd’s Candle” or the “Candle of Joy.” It, first of all, represents the joy that overcame the shepherds in the fields when angels appeared and told them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the
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CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION GIVEN TO DONORSBruce Migliore, Scott Dueser, John Connolly, Domingo Perez, Gail Waldmann, Paul Slabaugh, Armando Tamez, Ron and Mary Lou Sipe, Johnny and Lydia Rose, Larry and Pat Johnson, Angie Craghead, Dan and Grettal Cottner, John and Sylvia Herrera, Rick Martinez, Sr., Carl and Mary Migliore, Leah Parrish and Family CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION GIVEN TO PRIESTSMsgr. Bob
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By DARRYL TIPPENS “It is important to remember the deep, in some ways anguished seriousness of Advent.”—Thomas Merton, Seasons of Celebrations A friend of mine endured a hair-raising escape from Tehran, Iran, one night in 1979. As the city fell to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Yasmin (let us call her) received an urgent call from the American embassy telling her
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By JIM NICHOLS At a holiday time it is a question asked innocently. “Will you be traveling to see family?” I asked my young friend and there was a pause that made me realize that might not have been a good question. His response was, “On the first day I’ll be with my mother and family in one city and
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury The intent of this piece is to provide comfort to folks who are hearing more than they want to hear. There is much noise in the world, some of it pushing Christmas carols–and other worthwhile sounds–to the side of the road. In spouses’ conversations–whether interest in what the other is saying is sincere or
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By LORETTA FULTON It’s official! The 2022 Christmas season is underway, with concert music, light displays, Living Nativity scenes, opera, a Christmas parade, and more festivities. Following is a partial list of upcoming Christmas events. To add to the list, send information to editor@spiritofabilene.com ABILENE COMMUNITY BAND CHRISTMAS CONCERTThe Abilene Community Band will present its Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m.
Read moreBy DANNY MINTON While Christmastime means a time of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, it is in Love that we find the true meaning of the night so many centuries ago. The glow in the lighting of the “Candle of Love” should be a reminder of how much God loves us. We rejoice at the birth of the baby Jesus,
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“Exposition of Sacred Relics: Treasures of the Church” will come to Holy Family Catholic Church on Friday, Dec. 16. The church, located at 5410 Buffalo Gap Road, will be open at 6:30 p.m. for visitors to view the relics. For more information on the relics, go to http://www.treasuresofthechurch.com Father Carlos Martins, a Vatican-appointed expert on relics, will discuss the Vatican
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