The Stockton Sentinel is always looking for pictures for our “Yesteryear” page. If you have a picture that you’d be willing to share with our readers (preferably at least 20 years old), send it to Stockton Sentinel, P.O. Box 521, Stockton, KS 67669, e-mail it to: stkpaper@ruraltel.net or bring it in to our office and we’ll be sure you get it back.

Last Sunday was in the mid-50s with mostly sunny skies. Monday was partly cloudy with the high in the mid-40s. Tuesday had cloudy skies and temperatures in the high-50s. Wednesday was mostly sunny with the temperature in the high-50s. Thursday was partly cloudy with the mercury reaching the low-60s. Friday was in the mid-50s with partly cloudy skies. Saturday was another partly cloudy day with the temperatures in the mid to high 50s. Throughout the week the evening temperatures were in the mid-20s to low-30s.

This week pastor Brian took the opportunity to incorporate all of our youth into a question and answer regarding the miracles of Jesus, and how they relate to the miracle of Christmas. The youth were asked a simple question to begin with, such as “What is your favorite part of Christmas?” As you would expect, answers included things such as presents, food, and friends.

THE GREATEST GIFT. I still remember Christmas Day when I was 10 years old. As we opened presents, my mom disappeared and returned a few minutes later with what I thought was the greatest gift any kid could ever get—a 410 shotgun. Being my first gun, my eyes almost burst out of my head. To be sure, my dad was the best dad in the world at that moment in time. It was about 13 years later, however, that I received an infinitely better gift from an infinitely better Dad. Abraham Lincoln apparently once said, "I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from The Savior of the world is communicated to us through this Book." I would say that Mr. Lincoln was close, but that the best gift God has ever given man is not "the Book" but rather "The Savior of the world" Himself. In other words, as much as I love God's Word and cherish God's precious promises contained therein, and as much as I agree that the Bible is indeed a GREAT gift, its greatness derives from the fact that it reveals to us the GREATEST GIFT! That greatest gift, of course, is not "the Book" but rather the Person, the Lord Jesus Christ. But the Lord Jesus is only the greatest gift for those who receive Him by savingly believing or trusting in His finished work on the Cross on their behalf. No matter how many gifts you received this Christmas and no matter the earthly value of those gifts, they are chump change compared to the infinite value of the eternal, sinless Son of God. He willingly left the glories of heaven to take on our human nature for the purpose of suffering God's wrath toward our sin. What a gift! Speaking about the Lord Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul exclaimed, "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Cor. 9:15). Thankfully, Jesus is the Gift that keeps on giving to any and all whom God enables to savingly trust Him. Trust Him today, and you, too, will come to know Jesus, the Greatest Gift ever!

VISIBILITY WAS DOWN TO ALMOST ZERO during the windstorm which blew through most of central Kansas on Wednesday, December 15th. The top picture is looking west on Stockton’s Main Street. The bottom picture shows how powerful the wind was that day with this semi meeting its match and rolling over on its side just south of town. (Photos courtesy of Delwin LaRue)

THE STOCKTON FOOD PANTRY BOARD would like to thank everyone for their support of the new facility through donations, work, supplies, etc. Pictured are the board members Duane Harris, Patty Jackson and Mike Rogers.

Greetings: Enclosed is my check for another year. I don’t know some of the people mentioned, but I want to keep up.

William Weaverling Co. H, 45th Illinois Infantry Regiment William Weaverling was born 8 February 1834 in Bedford County, Pennsylvania.

The huge number of snow geese were beautiful at Kirwin Lake Sunday morning, December 26. The bell was rung by Steven Melton to begin worship service. Hymns chosen by Peggy Mullen were: “There’s a Song In The Air,” “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks,” “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne” and “All Hail The Power of Jesus’ Name.” Darel Boston read scripture from Mark Chapter 16. Prayer concerns were for Rhonda Gibson, Kirby Mullen, Larry Enfield, Nadine Iseli, Norma Sharp, fire disaster victims, and our country and world as a whole. The “Lord’s Prayer” was recited in unison. Steven and Dan Melton served Communion. Daniele Melton sang “O Holy Night.” Darel’s message dealt with the need of the church. We need to pray and remember what our churches were like in the beginning. We seem to be able to expound on all matters except of which matters most. Jesus Christ, the Son Of God, is the way to eternal life. Christians should not just bask in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, we need to spread the word to others. In 2022, two things we need to promise ourselves is to read the Bible every day and pray every day. Closing hymn was “Angels From The Realms of Glory.” Darel had Allen Kindall of Norton as a guest.

Late Saturday evening, December 25, Dan, Michele, Daniele and Josiah Melton came to spend the night with Steven and Linda Melton. Daniele’s roommate, Catlin Doornbos, also was visiting but left early Sunday morning to meet family and attend the Chiefs game in Kansas City. Church service was attended Sunday morning with Denise Baumgart and Doug Melton also coming. Daniele had the special singing “O Holy Night.” A dinner and a gift exchange were held at our house with Mark Trumbo as a guest. Josiah flew from Seattle and will return on Wednesday the 29th. I finally finished our Christmas card list a few days before Christmas. It is nice getting to hear from friends and family, even if it’s once a year and receiving photos.