The Wadesboro Church of God had an old fashioned baptismal service at Blewett Falls Lake, Smith Creek, Anson County NC on the property of David and Carol Shackleford on August 20, 2017 at 4 PM.  Their home is located in the Spencer Pointe Development which is a gated community.

David and Carol's log home is under construction and offers a wonderful view and access to Smith Creek which is directly across from the intake pumps to the Anson County Water Filtration Plant.  I have caught many Crappie in Smith Creek back in the late 1970s through the middle 1980s and during our annual camping trips there on Blewett Falls Lake.  

Below is a pix I took in November 1977 of my Father-in-Law Henry Adcock Crappie fishing in Smith Creek near Carol and David Shackleford's property.  Henry named his ole boat named "Tar Baby" due to so much tar on the hull to help keep it afloat.

View of their home from the rear offering a fantastic picturesque view of Smith Creek:

Below is a topo of Smith Creek with the cove to the left.

SATELLITE VIEW GIS VIEWER 2015

David and Carol's property is the 8th lot from the lower right; a premium area for sure!

GATHERING AT THE RIVER

Everything was already set up with metal folding chairs provided and a table for Pastor Sam Abee to use as his podium and anchor point to hold a short service.  The only thing missing, no offering was taken up.  Pastor Abee and Joe High provided guitar music for a couple hymns that were sung; Amazing Grace and Shall We Gather At The River.  My bad for not bringing along my resophonic guitar to accompany them.

IMPORTANCE OF WATER BAPTISM

Pastor Abee gave the importance of water baptism and here is a link to scriptures in the KJV Bible relating to water baptism.  The Church of God believes in water baptism by immersion, and all who repent should be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Click on below thumbnail pixs for a larger screen view of those attending the baptismal service:

WATER BAPTISM COMMENCES

There were nine (9) that were baptized as follows:  Wayne Kelly, David and Carol Shackleford, Caleb Shackleford, Laura Combs, Jerry Jones, Joe and Crystal High and Faith Abee.

Click on the below thumbnail pixs for a larger screen view:

I see eight in the pix below that were baptized coming out of the water; Jerry Jones came out earlier.

Left to right:  Wayne Kelly, Pastor Sam Abee, Faith Abee, Crystal High, Joe High, David Shackleford, Carol Shackleford, Laura Combs and Caleb Shackleford.

PIX TAKEN AFTER THE BAPTISMAL SERVICE

REFRESHMENTS SERVED

A table was set up with refreshments and a 1/2 barrel of ice cold soft drinks and water.

The ice cold bottled water hit the spot since the weather was around 95 degrees F. if my car outside temperature gauge was correct.

CAROL SHACKLEFORD'S PARENTS

I got a chance to meet Carol Shackleford's parents:  George and Gale Paire from Siler City, NC and also Carol Shackleford's sister Laura Combs.  According to George Paire, he counted approximately 27 that attended the baptismal service.  George reminds me of a couple of Ernest Hemingway images and it was a pleasure to talk with him and Gale.

This was a great baptismal service and a special Thank You to David and Carol Shackleford for their gracious hospitality and allowing the usage of their facilities.  They were wonderful hosts!

The friendship and fellowship was outstanding and as I like to say at every chance I have, "Two of the Greatest Ships that ever Sailed, Friendship and Fellowship."

Web published by Bill aka Mickey Porter on 08-20-17.