The Twentieth Century Club held its monthly meeting February 18, 2014, at the Fellowship Hall of the United Methodist Church.

President Deborah Dickens welcomed club members and guests before leading them in the Pledge of Allegiance. With February being tied with matters of the heart and since it is known as Women’s Healthy Heart Month Connie Bayles followed by giving a devotion on “love.” She began by reciting the scripture John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

She went on to say there are seven truths of God’s love in that verse: The Love of God is Unconditional, Sacrificial, Valuable, Personable, Accessible, Nonjudgmental, and Beneficial. Connie closed with a prayer reminding us the greatest gift of all is Love.

Next the club recessed for refreshment time. Hostesses for the evening were Tina McPhail and Lorene Everitt. The tables were decorated with festive green, purple and gold Marti Gras colors.  Multicolored parade beads entwined with gold ribbon and a party cup filled with beads were used as the centerpiece for each table. Colored feathers and masks were also used as accent pieces. The meal consisted of a tasty turkey pasta salad, nuts, bread and a strawberry filed King cake. Water and coffee accompanied.

Following the meal club member Sharon Dungan introduced her grandson, Peyton, as the club’s guest speaker. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Les Dungan and a junior at Prentiss Christian School.

Peyton talked about his 10-day missionary trip to Thailand in July 2013 and gave his personal testimony. He stated he was initially contacted through the IMB (International Mission Board) regarding his interest in missions.

The IMB is a missionary sending agency affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) which operates in virtually every nation except the United States and Canada (these nations are serviced by the SBC’s Northern American Mission Board). The IMP receives most of its funding through the SBC’s Cooperative Program and the annual Lottie Moon Christmas Offering taken up in Southern Baptist congregations.

Peyton stated before he went to Thialand he attended a Bible School Camp for training and to learn needed information about Thailand. He explained there were about 60 people from 30 different churches scattered all over the state that accompanied him on his trip. Different teams including medical, computer technicians and Bible School teachers were some of the people who went.

Peyton admitted the trip was not only enjoyable but a life learning experience. He confided the greatest pleasure he received was being part of a network of people where spreading the Word of God was the sole purpose of its existence. He said being there where everyone’s focus was on God was overwhelming. He wrapped up his presentation by sharing his personal impression of the people in Thialand, “They may have less than other cultures but they are totally happy because God is in their lives.”

Of coarse as with any good old boy from Mississippi he said the highlight of his trip was getting to ride an elephant. This upcoming summer Peyton plans to go to Haiti for another round of missionary work.

After the entertainment portion of the meeting the department heads gave undated reports.

Then the door prize provided by Donna Polk was awarded to Gay Ann Davies. To close the meeting the members recited the Collect.