Sunday morning, Carr Memorial Christian Church in Clinton celebrated mothers by providing them with baked goods and refreshments prior to Sunday service.
Before services began at the church on Sunday morning, the staff at the church worked hard to make mothers in the church feel special on their day. Even before guests arrived, volunteers were working hard in the kitchen, whipping up muffins, other baked goods, and a fresh pot of coffee.
According to the church’s pastor, Dr. Chris Carroll, the event was planned as a way to celebrate the mothers and grandmothers in the church. Every Mother’s Day, the church finds a way to celebrate mothers and grandmothers as a vital part of the church, as do many churches throughout Sampson County.
“We try to do something a little different each year for our mothers in the church,” said Carroll. “We really value the mothers and grandmothers here, and this is sort of our little way of showing that.”
According to Carroll, this year is a big one for the church as they are celebrating the 118th anniversary of its founding. For the Mother’s Day service, Carroll chose to look back on the church’s legacy and the part that mothers have played in it.
“The church would not be here without the mothers in the community. It simply wouldn’t exist. Some men in the church will show up on most Sundays; they might miss one here and there. The mothers show up every Sunday.”
During his sermon that morning, Carroll spoke of various aspects of motherhood and tied them into his message to the congregation.
“As we think about moms, we think about the influence, the guidance, the inspiration, and the love they provide to us,” said Carroll. “This is a day in which we rejoice in that, and we celebrate the beauty of that and what that means to our church.”
Additionally, Carroll acknowledged the part that the church has played in the community over its 118-year run. During his sermon, Carroll expressed great pride in how the church has affected the community over that time.
“This is a day that the Lord has made, so let us rejoice and be glad in it,” Carroll exclaimed. “This is a place that truly loves Jesus. We enjoy worshipping God and enjoy serving others. I truly appreciate how much this church does for the community. We have so much going on and many things to be thankful for.”
As the morning progressed, Carroll led the church in the act of communion to end the service as it started, with the breaking of bread. Guests then congregated in the Fellowship Hall of the church for any remaining leftovers before leaving to celebrate mothers in their own ways.