Happy birthday to the following: Mable Johnson, Dec. 20; Aaron Booe, Dec. 23; Shakera Goolsby, Lamont Hairston, Sudie Brown, Vanessa Manns, Dec. 24; Valerie Dixon, Dec. 25; Chris Durrell, Dec. 26; Harold Lash Sr., Dudley Fontaine, Dec. 27; Carl Smith, Dec. 28; Kimberly Mitchell, Wendy Galloway, Dec. 29; Angie Gibson, John Gibson, Betty Lash, Dec. 30. Happy anniversary to Otis and Carolyn Hairston on Dec. 22.

Prayers are continued for our sick and shut-ins throughout the holidays: Hazel Mitchell, Nannie Calhoun, Natalie Eaves, Diane Manns, Louise Martin, Alma Dalton, Jack Jones, Margaret Simmons, Marie Simmons, Nealie Sharpe, Cora Williams, Betty Davis, Terry Satterfield, Barbara Tyner, Ida Dalton, Geraldine Davis, Sally Fergurson, Marilyn Booe, Frances Hairston, George Hairston, Ruth Mitchell, Ralph Mitchell, Sarah Welch, Joe Chester Welch, John Welch, John Earl Manns, Wanda Hairston, Karen Morehead.

Congratulations to Danielle Hairston who graduated from Pembroke College with a degree as a biochemist. Danielle is the daughter of Daniel Hairston and Terri Scales.

Brittany Murrell graduated from North Carolina Central and majored in psychology. She is the daughter of Dewitt Mitchell and Dena Murrell. Grandparents are Daniel Hairston and Charlotte Hairston and Charles and Gearldine Mitchell of Walnut Cove.

Thought for the week: Pray for everyone who’s going through a bad time right now.