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Hanover Evangelical Friends Church • 730-9512• www.friendlychurch.org
Demolition Derby By Pastor David Crisp, Senior Pastor
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any of you who drive up and down Mechanicsville Turnpike each day probably noticed the demolition last week of a stately old two-story brick house that stood on the property right next to the church. Perhaps you had a certain amount of nostalgia or sentiment as that elegant piece of the past was removed to make way for the future “progress” of another new self-storage unit complex. We all have too much stuff! Maybe you thought as I did, “It’s a shame to see a house that seems so nice, even beautiful, be destroyed.” Now, I’m not one for chaining myself to a tree to prevent bulldozing. In fact I am a pretty ardent capitalist! Personal property is just that – property that belongs to its owner – and he can use it however he feels best! Still, it seemed kind of wasteful to bring down a historic house – one that had stood like a sentinel along “the pike” for so many years. At least it did … until I got a look inside. ou see, when the heavy equipment began to bring the house down, the outer walls collapsed revealing what lay inside. The interior of the house was trashed! Vandals and squatters had destroyed things inside, spray-painting vile and obscene words on the walls. One upstairs interior wall bore a twelve-foot-wide, graffiti-scrawled mural which depicted a man throwing a cross into a trash can. Beneath this was written an angry caption: “NO GOD!” I am not sure if this meant, “There is no God!” or if it was a voice of rebellion directed at God speaking a furiously negative answer to God’s offer of salvation: “No, God!” Either way, it was a slap in the face to a God who gave His Son to us. The image of the cross being thrown away will stay with me for a long time, causing me to ponder many things. first began to chew on the old saw: “You can’t judge a book, (house or man) by its cover.” I do not really know what is going on inside the house next door or the man standing beside me. What came next were lots of scriptures that seemed to apply, so here’s a short sermon preached by a house that was pretty on the outside but ugly on the inside: (1 Sam. 16:7) “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (Ephesians 5:11-13) “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible.” (John 3:19-2) “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” (Matthew 12:35-37) “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Luke 6:43-45) “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. (Hebrews 4:13) “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (2 Corinthians 5:10) “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” nd finally, (Proverbs 4:23) “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Amen.
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The Mechanicsville Local
May 26, 2010
received friends on Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at Nelsen Funeral Home Continued from pg. 11 b & Crematory, 4650 S. Laburnum 2010 at Bliley’s - Staples Mill, 8510 Ave., Richmond, Va., and where Staples Mill Rd., where her funeral services were held Wednesday, May 19, 2010. Graveside services were held Tuesday, May 18, 2010. Graveside services were services were held at Washington Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, held at Greenwood Memorial contributions may be made to Gardens. your local non-kill animal shelter or the charity of your choice. Francis E. Lyons Jr., 72, of Glen Allen, passed away Robert H. Schwartz, May 19, 2010. He is survived by “Bobby”, 85, of Ashland, passed his wife, Lucille “Jolly” Lyons; away on Sunday, May 16, 2010. his sons, Francis E. Lyons III He was preceded in death by (Rosanne) and Kenneth M. his wife, Rosanna Alley “Rosy” Lyons; his daughter, Kelly L. Schwartz; and a daughter, Ellen Plageman (Stephen); and his Bolton. He is survived by a son, grandchildren, Adam T. Lyons, Robert W. Schwartz and his Page E. Plageman, Tate C. Plagewife, Conde; three grandchilman and Tanner A. Plageman. dren, Christy, Wes and Whitney Funeral services were private. Schwartz; and several nieces, In lieu of flowers, please make nephews, brothers-in-law and contributions to The Coal Pit sisters-in-law. Bobby retired Learning Center, P.O. Box 800, Glen Allen, Va. 23060, or Friends from Reynolds Metals and was a faithful member of Winn’s Baptist of Sea Scouts-Maryland, 1426 Crabhouse Rd., Lusby, Md. 20657. Church, where funeral services were held Friday, May 21, 2010. The family received friends on Walter Penny Jr., 72, of Thursday, May 20, 2010 at the Glen Allen, departed this life Tuesday, May 18, 2010. The family Nelsen Funeral Home, Reid received friends at March Funeral Chapel, 412 S. Washington Hwy., Ashland. Graveside services were Home, 2110 E. Laburnum Ave., held in Winn’s Baptist Church Monday, May 24, 2010, and where Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Inc. held their private memorial service. Funeral services were held Mission Fund of Winn’s Baptist Church or the American Cancer Tuesday, May 25, 2010, at Ginter Society. Park Presbyterian Church, 3601
OBITUARIES
Elsie D. Shinault, 84, of Mechanicsville, passed away May 18, 2010. She was preceded in death by her husband Edward M. Shinault, her brothers and sisters, and grandson Billy Shinault. She is survived by her children; Edward W. Shinault, Sr. (Betty), William W. Shinault (Betty), grandchildren; Shawn Gusti (Cathy), Edward W. Shinault, Jr.(Wendy), William B. Shinault (Lauren), Angela S. Donofrio (Mike), Jackie K. Bader, great grandchildren; Katie, Riley, Suzie, Darin, Sage, a devoted niece; Betty G. Bader, and other nieces, nephews and friends. The family received friends Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at the Atlee Chapel of Woody Funeral Home, Route 301 and Shady Grove Road, Mechanicsville. Services were held on Thursday, May 20, 2010 at the funeral home. Graveside services were held at Signal Hill Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.
Edna Taylor Stevens, 96, of Mechanicsville, wife of the late John W. Stevens, died May 23, 2010. She was a beloved mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed. She is survived by three daughters, Janice “Bubba” Harris (Kirk), Brenda Zapantis (George) and Sheryl Colgin (Kenny). Also six grandchildren, Seminary Ave. Graveside services 11 great-grandchildren, two step Beckie Barfknecht were private. granddaughters, and four step Shepherd, 65, of Mechangreat-grandchildren. Edna was icsville, died Sunday, May Dorothy Walden Poe, born and raised in King and 16, 2010. She is survived by a “Dot”, 85, of Mechanicsville, Queen County and was a lifetime daughter, Michele Shepherd formerly of Highland Springs, member of Upper King and Tilley; a granddaughter, Morwent to be with the Lord on Queen Baptist Church. She and gan Renee Tilley; three sisters, Saturday, May 15, 2010. She John moved to Richmond in Betty Jacks, Beverley Augustiwas preceded in death by her tus and Bonnie Ward. A funeral 1941, where she lived until 2007. parents; brothers, Bill, Bud and Family received friends Monday Carl Walden; and sisters, Marian service was held Wednesday, Walden and Beatrice Broyles. She May 19, 2010 at Vincent and Tuesday, May 24 and May Funeral Home, 417 11th Street, 25, 2010 at the Mechanicsville is survived by her daughters, Pat West Point, Va. Graveside serHutchinson of Goochland and Chapel of Bennett Funeral vices followed in Sunny Slope Donna Poe of Mechanicsville; Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Road, Cemetery. The family received where funeral services were sister, Elsie Creasy; sister-infriends at the funeral home law, Lynette Walden; and three held Wednesday, May 26, 2010. grandcats, CJ, JoJo and Buffy. Dot on Tuesday, May 18, 2010. Graveside services followed in Condolences may be registered Upper King and Queen Baptist was a longtime member of New Bridge Baptist Church. The family at www.vincentfh.com. Church Cemetery.
Minnie Mae Pohlig Walton, 69, of Mechanicsville, forever our Mama, Granny and Sister, was the sunrise Aug. 12, 1940 and the sunset May 15, 2010. She will be terribly missed by her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Robert G. Walton Sr.; and is survived by her children, Robert “Garland” and his wife, Jenny, Steve and his wife, Diana, William “Willie” and his wife, Mary Ann, Kathy and her husband, Joe “Thomas” Harkins; her grandchildren, Ashley, Jordan, Tucker and Jared Walton, Sydney and Sarah Harkins, Josh and Cody Chartier; her sister, Anne Walton and her husband, Milton; her brother, William “Billy” Pohlig Sr.; and a number of nieces and nephews. The family received friends on Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at the Mechanicsville Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Road, where funeral services were held Wednesday, May 19, 2010. Graveside services were held at Signal Hill Memorial Park.
Aubrey W. Winston, “Gray”, 85, of Ashland, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 13, 2010. He was predeceased by his sister, Annie Lucille Greenhill. Aubrey was an avid deer hunter, and he loved the Atlanta Braves. Left to cherish his memory is his loving son, Aubrey Winston “Gray Jr.” (Charlotte); his daughter, Gloria Collins (Rodney); devoted companion, Marie Johnson; brother, Lloyd Winston; seven grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; and a host of relatives and friends. Remains rest at the F.E. Dabney Funeral Home, 600 “B” St., Ashland. Funeral services were held Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at the Providence Baptist Church, Ashland. Rev. Lawrence Samuel, pastor, officiated. Graveside services were held at King Family Cemetery. Online condolences can be made at: fedabneyfuneralhome.com