Our History......
On September 12, 1841, a congregation having previously applied to
reverend Thomas C. Stewart, Evangelist, for organization, met and were
organized as "Spring Hill" Old School Presbyterian Church. It was to be
under the care of Tombeckbie Prysberty. There were seven charter
members: Five of the John H. Miller family and twof the Benjamin Godfrey
family. By 1843, the membership has increased to 33 members. After some
years the "Spring Hill" congregation removed the church to th present
location. The new building was completed in 1848. The building was
painted pure white and the church became known as "White Zion".
The Chickasaw Presberty conveniened there April 15, 1848.Many faithful
and dedicated pastors and many good, true and devout men and women have
passed through the doors of "Zion Presbyterian Church", as it is called
today. We remember and honor them.
God's blessing is with us. He will not let this old church fail. So now
let us labor in faith and look to God for his blesing.
- Contributed by: Bill Pittman.
Advent origionated as a period during which converts prepared themselves
for baptism through instruction, prayer, fasting, and reflection, much
like Lent. The length of Advent varied from three days to six weeks -
six weeks being approximately 40 days, the length of time that Jesus
spent in the wilderness preparing His ministry.
The Western Church
The general topic of Advent is the coming of Jesus Christ, both in the
manger in Bethlehem and in the clouds of Glory.
In the west, during the middle ages, Advent became a time to prepare for
the second coming, because in those days, many people were convinced
that all of the signs pointed to the imminent return of Christ. In time,
Advent spread throughout the western church and became fixed at it's
present length. Over the last fifty years, Advent has come to anticipate
the Nativity as well. For many people today, especially retailers,
Advent is just a "ramp-up" to Christmas.
The Revised Common Lectionary retains the origional theme of Lent and
uses John the Baptist as a transition to the events leading up to Jesus'
birth:
The First Sunday in Advent:
Jesus explains that no one knows the time of His secind coming,
therefore we should always be prepared.
The Second Sunday in Advent:
John the Baptist teaches repentance to prepare for the coming of the
Lord.
The Third Sunday in Advent:
In year A, John's diciples ask Jesus who He is. In Year B, John explains
that He is not the Messiah. In Year C, John explains how people should
repent.
The Fourth Sunday in Advent:
In Year A, Joseph learns that Mary is a Virgin, even though she is
pregnant. In Year B, Gabriel explains to Mary that even though she is a
virgin, she will give birth to the Sojn of God. In Year C, Mary goes to
Elizabeth and expresses her joy (the passage known as the Magnificat).
