Beaverdam Baptist honors Edwards on last day of service

REV. AND MRS. EDWARDS

Sunday, December 31, was Rev. James Edwards' last day as pastor of Beaverdam Baptist Church in the Rayle community. Following the regular Sunday services, he and Mrs. Edwards were honored at a retirement fellowship meal.

Rev. Edwards, who is also a talented singer, led the congregational singing accompanied by William Morrison, church musician, at the piano. The adult Sunday School lesson was taught by Richard Byrd with questions and comments from class members. Mrs. Gene Winfrey taught the young children's class.

Rev. Edwards recalled his first sermon at Beaverdam on the first Sunday in January, 2003. Taking his message, "Where Is Your Treasure?," from Matthew 6 and other passages, including Proverbs 4:23 and John 14:16, he spoke of believers' relationships to the Heavenly Father and how faith brings something more valuable than anything we may amass in our lives.

The communion table held an arrangement of blooms of pampas grass and begonias with fern. A budvase of fern and begonia blooms was on the piano. A New Year theme was used by Elaine Matthews in decorating the Clifton Barrett Fellowship Hall. A long table with white cover had a row of cedar with berries down the center. Colorful metallic starbursts and balls were placed on it at intervals. The dessert table held a tiny cedar on a bed of greenery with ornaments on the tree and base.

An abundant variety of party foods was brought by members and was enjoyed with punch or tea. A cake with an image of Rev. and Mrs. Edwards and their poodle, "Precious," iced on top centered the dessert table and was presented to Rev. and Mrs. Edwards.

Other hospitality committee members who did the much-appreciated job of providing beverages and setting up and clearing were Betty Byrd and Rosie Maxwell.

"Rev. and Mrs. Edwards will be missed as he has steered the church well during the sad times and the happy times of the last three years," a spokesman for the church said. "Good wishes go with them as they again enter retirement at their pretty lakeside home. It is well known that Rev. Edwards will be finding the best fishing spot available, just as soon as fishing weather arrives. Prayers are that good health will soon be fully restored to Mrs. Edwards and that they will enjoy good health and many pleasurefilled days of retirement. The people of Beaverdam wish them God's greatest blessings."

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