Psalm 1:1-6

My mother and I recently visited family and friends for nearly two weeks in the Midwest, where we both noticed earlier sunrises and later sunsets and appreciated cooler temperatures than at least East Texas was experiencing at the time.

“Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 (NKJV)

Recently I paid more to fill up my car with gasoline than I ever have paid, and you probably have, too.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13 (NKJV)

First Christian Church wanted to show its appreciation of the Kilgore Police Department during National Police Week, May 15-22. The Evangelism Committee put together snack bags for all 51 employees of KPD and delivered them to Officer Charles Taylor. The committee noted that “the reason that…

Christ the King Catholic Church recognized and congratulated graduating high school seniors on Sunday, May 15.

Unbeknownst to the recipient, there were two members of his family awaiting the announcement of the winner of the prestigious Outstanding Alumni Award from Texas A&M Agriculture Life Science.

The German word Himmelfahrt may look and sound somewhat-funny to us, but the word often refers to the more-serious topic of Jesus Christ’s ascension into heaven, which the Bible says took place 40 days after His resurrection from the dead (Acts 1:1-11) and the Church observes, as it has for …

Editor’s Note: This column originally ran in May 2021.

Sometimes it takes a snitch to inform those around them about what is really going on. It works out for the best when they have your best interest at heart.

History has definitely been made in the town of Kilgore recently. The view of the people surrounding the beloved Roy H. Laird Hospital to welcome in a new vision has marked the day and a turning point for progress in this town.

April 17, Easter Sunday, was one of the biannual appearances of what are sometimes called “Chreasters,” people who come to church only on Christmas and Easter (the term is a “portmanteau,” a blend of two words, as “breakfast” and “lunch” blend into “brunch”).

A familiar face always puts one at ease whether it is in a crowd or standing alone at a crosswalk. She is one whose genuine smile and greetings of acknowledgement warms the heart and adds comfort to those who may be needing a little touch of home-style caring atmosphere. Once you become her …

Although other American church bodies are older, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod (LCMS), the church body of which Pilgrim Lutheran and I myself are members, this past Tuesday marked 175 years since it was founded.

John 21:1-19

Walking into the Devall Student Center Ballroom at Kilgore College on Thursday of this week, many of us were awestruck by a sea of white hats along with the red, white and blue uniforms of the Kilgore College Rangerettes.

It is another dream come true for this Kilgore couple as they continue to search ways to make their business grow and help draw people into the community they love, live and work. As odd as it may sound to those who have never been in business, that dream was fulfilled in the way of a billboard.

Our sinful human-nature and our consequently-corrupted reason fail to perfectly understand God’s inspired and therefore-inerrant Word, even about some things related to Jesus’s death and resurrection for us.

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,…

The most recent count heard was 62 tornadoes in three days across the southern states. Weather patterns change, and what has been seen lately in East Texas and across the state is equivalent of what has been witnessed primarily in Oklahoma in previous years, sending storm chasers scurrying a…

IT IS A SEW, SEW DAY on the first Friday of the month at the Kilgore Public Library thanks to one of Kilgore’s ladies who saw a need and went to work. If the library doesn’t seem to be just the right place for mending and such, just ask Maddy Norman, who volunteers her sewing talents and kee…

I did not watch the 94th Academy Awards live last Sunday night, probably like many of you, for, while the show drew more viewers than last year, those viewers still ended up being the second-smallest TV audience in Oscars history.

“Righteous are You, O LORD, yet let me talk with You about Your judgments. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are those happy who deal so treacherously? You have planted them, yes, they have taken root; they grow, yes, they bear fruit. You are near in their mouth but far from their …

Someone who has their family at the heart of all that they do and all of the decisions that they make is family-oriented. Family can be extended to your church family, an adopted family and even a club or sorority family. In this case, her family has been extended to a work place endeared to…

Normally, when we open a letter that says “Congratulations,” you might think you had won a prize or a sweepstakes. For Terry Stembridge, this letter meant far more than any prize, as he continued to read, “On behalf of the Society of San Antonio Radio Broadcasters, it is my pleasure to infor…

Even East Texas is connected to what is now Russia-invaded Ukraine by business, family and religion.

The Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Kilgore is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, and the church is planning a celebration on Sunday.

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;” (NKJV)

The journey has been a long one for Evelyn Joyce Roberts. A journey that began 32 years ago is now ending at her workplace. The owner, known to her as K.C. is faced with closing the doors at the Grab N Go No. 4 Valero gas station located on Texas 42 North in Kilgore. This week is the final f…

Many eyes are upon the stately old building of Laird Hospital as they watch for the first crumbling of walls when the actual demolition begins making way for a new, modern facility.

The morning after Russia invaded Ukraine, Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said, “We woke up in a different world,” and, in several important ways, such as the disruption of the relative peace between the nations of the region in recent years, her statement certainly was true.

“Do not fear, nor be afraid; Have I not told you from that time, and declared it? You are My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one.” Isaiah 44:8

Their ultimate goal is to teach joy. A joy found in running your fingers through soil and connecting with the earth by using their God-given talents. To them it starts with planting a seed as described in the Bible and cultivating companionship and friendship along the way.

Roy H. Laird had a vision for the town of Kilgore during and after the East Texas Oil boom. He served two years as city commissioner and 12 years as Mayor of Kilgore and often contributed his own money toward the building of churches, a treatment center for crippled children and much more. H…

Just as there was only one of two possible outcomes for both the Bengals and the Rams in last Sunday’s Super Bowl, either to win or to lose, there is only one of two possible outcomes for people, either to be blessed or cursed eternally.

There was a good turnout last Sunday for the morning service and a filled reception building as congregation, staff, friends and family gathered to celebrate a servant of the Lord who had served in the capacity of Minister of Education among numerous other titles throughout 35 years of servi…

Valley View Baptist Church of Longview, Union Missionary Baptist Church of Dallas and First Baptist Church of Hallsville joined efforts with Fellowship Baptist Church in Kilgore to raise awareness to local communities in order to help victims of the Dec. 10 tornado that hit Western Kentucky.

For many years people from the East Texas area have traveled on Friday and Saturday evenings to the Opry House located in Gladewater. The theater closed in March 2021, but the legends live on through the tales of entertainers gracing that stage including Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Jo…

Fifty years ago this past Sunday, the British army massacred 13 unarmed Irish Roman Catholic protesters, at least in part inspiring, among other works, the 1983 U2 song “Sunday Bloody Sunday.”

IT’S THE LAST SATURDAY of the month, so rev up those engines and head to downtown Kilgore. Karen Smitherman, director of Kilgore’s Cruise Night, said, “The weather is supposed to be great. This is not just a classic car show; everybody is invited to participate in the cruise with their favor…

“O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good” the psalmist says (for example, Psalm 136:1 KJV), not limiting the times, places, or frequency of that thanksgiving and grounding it in the Lord’s good nature.

“Let no one deceive you by any means: for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and that man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition.” II Thessalonians 2:3

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us; we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” (I Corinthians 5:20)

Someone whose actions inspires, empower and serve in order to elevate over an extended amount of time defines an inspirational person. Add to that a dose of humility and a whole lot of energy, and you define Glynneth Jordan.

Seven years ago, the staff at Greater Saint Chapel Church of God in Christ provided a Black history program for the community.