ALMOST CHRISTIANS. I stumbled across a fascinating book last week by Matthew Mead (1629- 1699), an English Puritan pastor. "The Almost Christian Discovered" is the text of 7 sermons that Mead preached in 1661 based on Acts 26:28: "Then Agrippa said to Paul, 'You almost persuade me to become a Christian.'" Here is a long, thought-provoking quote.... “There are very many in the world who are almost—and yet but almost Christians; many who are near heaven—and yet are never the nearer; many who are within a little of salvation—and yet shall never enjoy the least salvation; they are within sight of heaven—and yet shall never have a sight of God. There are two sad expressions in Scripture, which I cannot but take notice of in this place. The one is concerning the truly righteous. The other is concerning the seemingly righteous. It is said of the truly righteous, that he shall "scarcely be saved;" and it is said of the seemingly righteous, he shall be almost saved, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." The righteous shall be saved with a scarcely, that is, through much difficulty; he shall go to heaven through many sad fears of hell. The hypocrite shall be saved with an almost, that is, he shall go to hell through many fair hopes of heaven. There are two things which arise from hence of very serious meditation. The one is, how often a believer may miscarry, how low he may fall—and yet have true grace. The other is, how far a hypocrite may go in the way to heaven, how high he may attain—and yet have no grace. The saint may be cast down very near to hell—and yet shall never come there; and the hypocrite may be lifted up very near to heaven—and yet never come there. The saint may almost perish— and yet be saved eternally; the hypocrite may almost be saved—and yet perish finally. For the saint at worst—is really a believer; and the hypocrite at best—is really an unconverted sinner.” Are you an almost Christian?

Last Sunday the high was 48 degrees with partly cloudy skies and the lows in the high 20s. Monday, the high was 59 degrees with sunny skies and west/northwest winds blowing approximately 17 mph. The sun was out throughout the day on Tuesday with the high a warm 75 degrees giving us a glimpse of spring. Wednesday the temperature was a high of 48 degrees with partly cloudy skies. Thursday the temperature was again in the high 40s with cloudy skies and a mild breeze. Friday the high was in the mid 50s with the low in the high 20s. Saturday the high made it to the mid 60s with sunny skies.

Rooks County continues to see a decrease in new COVID-19 cases throughout the county. This week the absenteeism rate is at 0.8% above the baseline from 2019-2020. The positive testing rate is at 13.0% this week. Rooks County continues to receive weekly allocations of the COVID-19 vaccine and will follow the Kansas Vaccination Phases. Rooks County is currently in Phase 2. If you are interested in getting on the list to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, please call the health department or your primary care physician.

​During the Kansans Can Symposium, developed by the Kansas Association of Education Service Agencies (KAESA), districts were chosen to share the strategies they are implementing around Kansas Redesign principles and the Kansans Can State Vision for Education. Stockton USD 271 was chosen to highlight their strategies of student success skills. Presenting for Stockton were grade school principal Stacey Green and teachers Andrea Graham and Andrea Dix.

STUDENTS in Stockton High School’s Family Studies class finished a recycling project, making mittens from old sweaters. They posed with Bernie for a picture. Students included from left: Kayleigh Cunningham, Sierra Kester, Rilee Ellis and teacher Jenny Niblock.

JHET HAGAN (left) and Hudsyn Hagan (right) participated in another weekend of wrestling—this time in Alma, Neb. Jhet took 2nd place in the 5th & 6th Grade, 81-84 lb. Class. Hudsyn took 2nd place in the 3rd & 4th Grade, 46-50 lb. Class. Corky and Linda Hagan are the grandparents of Jhet and Hudsyn.

STOCKTON HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR EMIL BENAVIDES was the winner of the 2020 National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Scholarship Contest sponsored by the Courtney-Spalding Chapter. The program is open to area high school seniors who are asked to submit a packet including extra-curricular activities, community contributions, transcript and a timed essay. Entries are judged on the student’s dependability, service, leadership and patriotism. Each school may select one Good Citizenship winner, who receives a certificate, pin and wallet card. There were four entries in the Chapter contest. Judy Sherard is the Courtney- Spalding Chapter Contest Chair. As the Chapter winner, Emil also received a check for $100, which was presented at the February Courtney-Spalding Chapter meeting in Hays. Her family members and SHS Counselor Scott Bennett attended.

Last Sunday 15 members of the Stockton United Methodist Church Choir, under the direction of Joan Balderston, gathered at noon outside the Solomon Valley Manor where they performed several musical selections for the residents. The choir sang old hymns for approximately 20 to 30 minutes, much to the enjoyment of the residents who were sitting inside the dining room listening to the streaming.

Dale Stillwagon, Bennington: “I sure enjoy the puzzles that are in the newspaper every week.” Harry Purdum: “As long as the weather stays above freezing, I won’t be too unhappy.”.

The menus for the week beginning Monday, March 8th, are as follows: Monday—Swiss steak, rice, California blend vegetables, bread, mixed fruit. Tuesday—Chicken fried chicken, corn casserole, mixed vegetables, bread, tropical fruit. Wednesday—Beef and noodles, mashed potatoes, peas, bread, pineapple. Thursday—Pulled pork, tater tots or triangles, seasoned carrots, bun, mandarin oranges. Friday—Baked fish, parslied potatoes, country style tomatoes, bread, pears.