By Betsy Finklea
It was a special day at Dillon Congregational Church as they celebrated the 40 years of service by Shelby Jean Johnson to the Adult Sanctuary Choir.
Robin Willoughby, Choir Director, spoke about the importance of singing in the church as seen in scripture. She said the choir members are people who love the Lord, sacrifice their time, and share their talents to make music a powerful part of the service.
Willoughby said they were honoring a faithful servant to the music department. She said Johnson accepted the Lord in 1976. Willoughby recalled that it was a baptism service at the river at Moccasin Bluff. Willoughby witnessed personally her father, Pastor John Bryant, lead her in the sinner’s prayer. Johnson joined the adult choir and was a faithful member for 40 years. She presented Johnson with a plaque commemorating her service.
Some of the members spoke about the impact that Johnson had on them personally as well as the choir and the church. She was presented a certificate and a long-stem rose to go with 11 other roses placed by her seat of honor. After everyone had spoken, each member of the choir hugged and shared words with her. Willoughby said she hoped Johnson could see and hope she felt how much the choir and the members love and appreciate her and all of her years of faithfulness.
Johnson was grateful for the recognition and said that she needed this. Everyone in the church clapped for her.
After a wonderful musical presentation by the choir, Pastor Bryant spoke on “Happy Friend Day.” He used the verse, Proverbs 18:24 (KJV): “ A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”
In his prayer, he thanked God for the opportunity to honor this great lady and prayed that God would bless her life and give her many more years to come.
Pastor Bryant then spoke about what a good friend is and referenced how Johnson had been a good friend.
Pastor Bryant said a good friend knows you and loves you at all times. A good friend steps in when the world steps out. He said that Johnson is that kind of friend.
A good friend is someone who loves you and loves you when you are down and cares for you. A good friend has things in common with you. A good friend is someone you get to know.
He quoted John Wesley saying “If your heart is as my heart, take my hand.”
Good friends both have Jesus in their hearts and both are in the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ.
A good friend does not betray you. He said Johnson had been his good friend in good times and bad. He said she is a good church member.
Pastor Bryant said a friend protects you. He said Johnson had always spoken up for him.
A friend will make you smile. He said Johnson had made him smile.
A good friend is loyal to God, to the church, to the pastor, and to you. A good friend will bring out the best in you, and a good friend will pray for you. A friend is interested In your spiritual well-being.
He said life without a friend is like a sky without a sun. He said it is hard to live without a friend.
Pastor Bryant said he thanked God for his friend, Shelby Jean Johnson.
He reminded everyone that to have a friend, you have to be one. He said there is no greater friend than Jesus.
He said that one has to realize that he is a sinner, ask God to forgive them of their sins, repent and change your way of life, be baptized, and become part of a Bible-believing church.
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Photos by Betsy Finklea/The Dillon County News, LLC
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