Wearenow15days awayfromthemostimportantelectioninAmericanhistory.Earlyvoting forHowecommunity memberstakesplaceat GraysonCollegeSouth Campusat1455W.Van AlstyneParkwayinVan AlstyneorattheElection AdministrationOfficeat 115W.HoustonStreetin Sherman.Earlyvoting
I’vebeenworkingfor over10andahalfyears eachweekendandweek nighttoputtogetherthis weeklypublication.With moreputontheplatein thelastyearwithbigger responsibilitiesinserving thisgreatcommunity,I can’tcontinuethispace. November18willbemy finaleditionofthe Howe Enterprise.Iwillretain Studio42andplanon continuingbroadcasting, butthe Howe Enterprise willhaveanewownershipgroup.AshleyHusbands,whoservedas managingeditorayear agowilltakecomplete controlasofNovember 18,2024.Ifeelcomfortablethatthepublication willremainwiththe samelike-mindedcommunityspirit.However, shewillhavefullreignto makeitherown.
Thedefendingundefeatedstatechampionsand currentnumberoneteam inthestateofTexas camemarchinginto BulldogStadiumFriday night.Thegamewentas mostoftheregionexpectedastheGunterTigerseasilyhandledthe Dogs,65-7.Afterthe Tigersled44-0with8:35 leftinthesecondquarter, theofficialscalledfora continuousclocktorun theremainderofthecontest.
Howe(3-5,1-3)wonthe
cointossanddeferredto thesecondhalf.This gaveGuntertheballon theopeningpossession wheretheywent57 yardsonfiveplaysand scoredonaBrockBoddieoneyardscore.After aBoddie2-pointconversion,Gunterled8-0with only34secondsticked offtheclock.
Howepuntedsixtimes inthefirsthalfandonly pickeduponefirstdown whichcameintheopeningdrive.
(Continued on page 4)
Sometimescommunity membershavelargevisionsandsometimes thosevisionsaretoo largeforreality.Butthe dreamandvisionofKent Lowderbecamereality overtheweekendwhen hundredsofvolunteers putincountlesshoursto buildaplaygroundset forthechildrenthatwill beappreciatedfordecadesatthenewConnectionsParkat517BanderaDriveoffofFM 902East.
Lowder,whoisquickto givefullcredittohis teammembers,envisionedaprocesstobuild connectionsthroughvolunteersweatequity.The playgroundsetisfarm themedasatipofthecap toHowe’sheritage.
Membersofthecommunityandevenoutsidethe communityworkedin shiftstohelpmakethis dreamcometrue.Over 40studentsevenvolunteeredonFriday.
(See photos on page 8)
PrideofHowe headedtoarea ThePrideofHowe marchedattheUILRegion25MarchingContestinCelinaon Wednesday,October16 wheretheyreceivedfirst divisionsfromalljudges. Thesuperiorrating earnedtheband’sadvancementtotheUIL AreaBmarchingcontest.
Thisyear’scontestshow
isentitled“HoweTo Celebrate”andwasinspiredbythe50thanniversaryoftheHowe bandprogram.
TheAreamarchingcontestwillbeheldonOctober26atC.H.Collins AthleticComplexin Denton.ThePrideof Howewillmarchinprelimsatnoonthatday.
Thismorningat9am, JakeSullivanwillbe sworninbyHowe MayorKarlaMcDonald asthenewestHowePoliceChiefatSummit Gardens,100E.O’ConnellStreet.Alsobeing sworninwillbeofficers SethSparksandMarshallBengstogive HowesixofficersincludingChiefSullivan.
JeffCaldwell,representingBVRT-II,aDFWbasedinvestor-owned resourceutilitycompany thatworkswithgovernmentmunicipalitiesand privatedevelopersto solvewaterand wastewatersolutions, gavealengthypresentationtotheHowecity councilTuesdayevening toaddressthemuchneededsewerneedsfor Howe.
BVRT-IIhasprivateinvestorsthatsupportthe
infrastructureneeds.If thecityweretopartner withthisfirm,itwould eliminatetheneedfor Howetogooutforbond tobuildtheirowntreatmentplant.Italsorelievesthecityoftheneed forpurchasinglandas BVRT-IIwouldpurchaseaminimumofsix acres(althoughtheyprefera10-acresite).The timingofwhichthisprojectcouldbeoperational wouldbemuchsooner withthecitynothaving togothroughthelengthy
bondprocess.Thecity hasalsobeennegotiating forapropertyforovera yearandahalfwhich BVRT-IIsayscanbe closedmuchsooner.
Thecompanysaysthatif anagreementwiththe CityofHoweisreached, theywillbeginnegotiationsforlandandbegin theengineeringprocess.
IfHoweweretopartner withBVRT-II,itwould takeawaytheliabilities (Continued on page 7)
HoweSeniorCharlieVera(64)getsapeptalk fromformerHowecoachSteveSimmons.
Photo by Michelle Carney.
Acommunity-ledvolunteereffortbuilttheplaygroundlastweekatConnectionsPark. Staff photo.
ThePrideofHoweperformsathalftimeofthe Howevs.GuntergameFridaynight.
Photo by Michelle Carney.
JakeSullivan
YoungLadyBulldogslosetoGunter,Lindsay last week.
OnTuesday,HowehostedtheLady TigersofGunterandlostinthreesets byscoresof25-9,25 PresleyShockeyfinishedwithsix kills.
OnFriday,HowelosttoLindsay25 25-12,and25-21.Shockeyhad12 killswhileKamrySnappfinishedwith sixkillsand13digs.AylaJoneshad18 assists.
HowewillhostS&SonTuesdayand LeonardonFriday.
TheHoweLadyBulldogs(11 10)felltoGunterandLindsay
TheLadyBulldogscheerascoreagainstGunteronTuesday.
Photo by Michelle Carney.
SchoolBoardagenda ARegularMeetingoftheBoardofTrusteesofHoweISDwillbeheldonMonday,October21,2024,beginningat6:00p.m.attheHoweISDAdministration Officelocatedat105W.TuttSt,Howe,Texas.
I. CALLTOORDER/DETERMINATIONOFQUORUM
II. INVOCATION/PLEDGES
III. PUBLICFORUM
IV. REPORTS
A. AdministratorReports
B. SuperintendentReport
1. Enrollment
2. Personnel
3. AcademicReport–2023-24DistrictGoals
4. ReviewReportonPurchasesOutlinedinCH(LOCAL)
5. OtherInformation
VI. THEBOARDWILLCONSIDER,DISCUSS,AND/ORTAKEAP PROPRIATEACTIONREGARDINGTHEFOLLOWING:
A. ConsentItems
1. MinutesfromRegularMeetingonSeptember16,2024
2. MonthlyFinancialReports
3. QuarterlyInvestmentReport
4. CallPublicHearingonNovember18,2024toDiscuss202324FIRSTReport
B. BudgetAmendments
C. DistrictandCampusImprovementPlans
D. ClosedSessioninAccordancewiththeTexasOpenMeetingsAct, Section551.072
1. RealProperty
E. ActiononItemsfromClosedSession
VII. ADJOURN
KeepHoweBeautiful hostingTrash-Off KeepHoweBeautifuliscommittedto enhancingthecommunityenvironmentofHowe,Texasannouncedthe launchoftheircleanupeventKHB FallTrash-Off!KHBinvitesindividualsofallagestoparticipateintheevent andhelpkeepourtowncleanand beautiful.
Thosewhowouldliketoparticipate canmeetatSummitGardensindown-
townHoweat100O’ConnellSt.at 9:00am.Therewillbeagreenflagout front.
Pleasewearappropriateshoes.Bring glovesandgrabbersifyouhavethem. Wealsohavesomesuppliesavailable. Trashbagswillbeprovided.
ComehelpusKeepHoweBeautiful.
(Continued from page 1)
Gunter’snextpossessionendedwitha receiverpassfromDylanTokarzto ColinPeacockfor29yards.Preston Tarpley’sPATgavetheTigersa15-0 leadwith8:08ontheclockinthefirst quarter.
Tokarzthenscoredonthegroundfrom 29yardsontheTigers’thirdpossessiontomakeit22-0with5:58leftin thefirst.
HaydenFarrellfollowedupontheir nextpossessionwitha5-yardscore, endinga71-yarddrive.Gunterled290with1:22leftinthefirstquarter.
IttookGunteronlytwoplaystoscore ontheirfifthpossessionwhenJay Campitiraced34yardstothenorth endzone.TarpleypassedtoKaneBolt fora2-pointconversiontogivethe Tigersa37-0leadwith10:52leftin thesecondquarter.
Peacockcaughta27-yardtouchdown fromTarpleyonthesecondplayofthe drivetomakeit44-0with8:35leftand setthecontinuousclockinmotion.
OnGunter’sfinaldriveofthefirsthalf, TarpleyhitBostonStrandridgefora25 -yardtouchdowntogiveGuntera51-0 leadwhicheventuallybecamethe halftimescore.
Howeopenedthesecondhalfwiththe ballbutpuntedfortheseventhtimein thegame.ThatsetupaCampiti39yardruntomakeit58-0with4:53left inthethird.
HowequarterbackRylanStrongfumbledontheDogs theHowe30yardlinewhichresulted ina12-yardscorefromJarrettWaggonerwith9:10leftinthegameanda 65-0Tigerlead.
TheBulldogsputtogetheranicedrive toendthegamewithmostofGunter startersonthesidelines.Howedrove 75yardson10playswhereJames Cowarthandledmostofthecarries andgotittothegoalline.Afterhaving tocomeoutaplayforaninjury,Bryce Pieperwentthefinalyardneededfor Howe’sonlyscoreonthefinalplayof thegame.JonathanGarciabooted throughtheextrapointandthefinal scorewas65-7.
Leonard55,S&S14
Gunter65,Howe7
BlueRidge33,Bells15
Callisburg(bye)
UpcomingGames
HoweatCallisburg
S&SatBells
BlueRidgeatGunter S&S(bye)
Gunterrushedfor271yardsand passedfor207.CampitiwastheTigers’leadingrusherwith127yardson threecarriesandtwotouchdowns.
Tarpleywas8-of-10passingwith173 yardsandtwotouchdowns.Peacock ledGunterwiththreecatchesfor120 yardsandtwotouchdowns.
Howefinishedwith86rushingyards and13passingyards.Cowartledthe Dogswith65yardson11carries.Pieperran11timesfor34yards.Strong was5-of-11passingwith13yards. RikenCrosswasthefavoritetarget onceagainforStrongwhocaughtfour passesforall13yards.
HowewilltraveltoCallisburgonFridayinamust-wingameiftheywantto haveachanceattheplayoffs.The
HowequarterbackRylanStrong(12)airsoutapassduringFriday night’sgameversusGunter. Photo by Michelle Carney.
JamesCowart(44)getsyardsinthe fourthquarter.
Photo by Michelle Carney.
920MapleStreet,Howe,Texas.
BobbyNeale"Bob"Davis,1950-2024 BobbyNeale"Bob"Davis,74,of Howe,TX,diedSaturdayOctober12, 2024atDallasVAMedicalCenter. BobwasbornJanuary23,1950inAlpine,TXtoJacobS.“Jake”andMarthaLouDavis.HeservedintheNavy asanAviationOrdnancemanPetty Officer3rdClassduringtheVietnam War.Heworkedintheautomotiveindustryformanyyearsandowneda localhandymanservice,“OddJob Bob”.
BobleavesbehindhissonBJandAliciaDavisofHowe;sonJustinand
HeatherDavisofAustin;granddaughtersVivianandAdriaofHowe;sister KimNashofMinneapolis;nieceTiffanyandNateCreaofMinneapolis; nephewJohnNashofAubrey.Heis precededindeathbyhismotherand father,andbrother-in-lawWayne Nash,thussettingthestageforalongawaitedcompetitivegameofFortyTwoDominoestoresume.
BobwillbelaidtorestalongsidefamilyatRoselawnMemorialParkinDenton,TX.Inlieuofflowersdonations maybemadetotheFisherHouse Foundation.
DowntownHowe-lloweenFestival tobeheldMondayOct.28 TheHoweAreaChamberofCommerceisfillingupspacesforvendors forthe8thAnnualDowntownHowelloweenFestivaltobeheldonMonday, October28,2024from6pmto8:30 pm.Thosethatwouldliketobecomea vendorcanregisteratEventbriteby clickinghere.
Therewillbefoodattheeventsuchas thechamber’sturkeylegsandsausage onastickaswellasitemsfromUncle B’sGrill.KidswillbeabletoTrick’R Treatatthevendorbooths.
(Continued from page 1) connectionofthehousesowecanalwaysbeoutinfrontofthatgrowth.”
setforthbyTCEQ(TexasCommissiononEnvironmentalQuality).Since BVRT-IIwouldowntheplant,they wouldalsoberesponsibleforpermitting,operation,andmaintenance.This wouldfreeupHowe’sstafftoconcentrateonwaterutilitiesandstreetrepair.
Quitepossiblythebiggestbenefitis thatBVRT-IIwouldmakeimprovementstothecity-ownedsewercollectionsystemtosignificantlyreducethe infiltrationofstormwaterenteringthe collectionsystem.
BVRT-IIisabranchoftheoriginal companyBVRTwhichbeganin2013 inthecentralTexasregionpartnering withcitieslikeHoweintheAustinand SanAntoniocorridor.HoweCityAdministratorMonteWalkermadecalls tothreeofthemunicipalitiesthatthey serveandreceivedfavorablerecommendations.Walker,MayorKarla McDonaldandtwocouncilmembers willbetravelingtoasitesouthofAustininmid-Novembertoseeoneof theirplants.
Caldwellsaysitgenerallytakesacity fiveyearstogetthroughtheprocessof buildingatreatmentplantandbecomingoperable.
“WithBVRT,we’reusingprivate moneysowe’reabletomovealittle bitquicker,”saidCaldwell.“Wecan haveaplantfromthetimewesigna contractwithsomebody(sic)upand runningandreadyforconnectionin about18months.”
Currently,Howeisnegotiatingfor propertyinnorthHoweandCaldwell saystheprocessistypicallyfiveyears beforeoperationalifthecitywereto moveforwardonitsown.Factoringin forlandacquisition,TCEQpermitting, engineering,andconstruction.
“Whathappensduringthatfiveyears isthatyou’relosingallofthatdevelopmentmoneythatwouldhavecome induringthattime,”saidCaldwell. “You’relosingpropertytaxandyou’re losingsalestax.”
Howehasmoreinterestfromresidentialandcommercialdevelopersthanat anytimeinthepast.Thecityhasallottedtheremainderofsewertapsindevelopmentagreementsforhomesat NobleRidgeandPonderosaPointand arecurrentlyunabletoprovideadditionalcapacityforlocalhomebuilders forlotswithinHowe.
“Wecanguaranteecapacityforcurrentuseandfuturegrowth,”saidCaldwell.“Fromthetimeadeveloper wantstoturndirt,theyaremuchlongerthan18monthsoutfromdoingall thehorizontalinfrastructuretothefirst
WithHowefacingsignificantgrowth, HoweISDisdiscussingabondfor facilityexpansionsandMayor McDonaldisconcernedthatthecity willnothavecapacitytoserveanew schoollocationunlessthetimingofan operationalplantisspedupsignificantly.Inaddition,Howehasanimmediateneedtospeeduptheclockofbeing operationalandseverthecontractwith theCityofShermanwhichhasbeen collectingHowe’ssewersincethelate 1960s.Howe’scontractwithSherman endsonMay15,2025,however, membersfromeachcityhavehadpositivecommunicationssinceSeptember 2023.
Caldwellsaidapartnershipwith BVRT-IIwouldnothavethesame constraintsasthecontractwithShermanhas.ABVRT-IIplantwouldbe solelydedicatedtotheCityofHowe anditsneeds.Ifthecityfacedcapacity needs,BVRT-IIwouldprovidethat additionalcapacitypriortoneeding newconnectionsforanewdevelopment.
Theplantwillbefundedthroughrate revenueinsteadofincreasedtaxes throughbondrates.Eachconnection wouldpayaflatrateestimatedbetween$85-$95permonth.Allcurrent andexistingcustomerswouldhave theirratesfrozenforaperiodoffive years.Thecitywouldretainratejurisdictionandhavetheabilitytonegotiaterates.Overtimetherateswould recouptheinitialinfrastructureinvestmentandrehabofthecollectionsystemincludingareplacementofalift station. Thecitywouldalsoreceivea percentageofthecustomerbillingfor operatingcosts.
“Ourgoalistopartnerwithyou,”said Caldwell.“It’snottotakeoverorkick anyoneout.Oncewe’reinacommunity,we’retheretostay.Wewanttobe apartofthatcommunity.Ourplants aredesignedtobetherefor40-50-60 years.We’llhaveanofficeinthatcommunity;we’llhavestaffinthatcommunity;wewillbeaviablepartofthat community.”
Caldwellsaidthattheircompany builds300,000-gallontankincrements withtheabilitytoexpandquickly.The membraneplantwouldnothavethe odorthatoftenarisesfromothersystems.
Longtimecitizensunderstandthatthis isnotanewissue.Asewerplanthas beendiscussedforfivedecadesnow butneveractedupon.Itnowfallsupon thecurrentcitycouncil,mayor,and stafftoprovideresults.
Communitymembersconstruct playgroundatConnectionsPark Wednesday,October16,2024
Friday,October18,2024
Sunday,October20,2024
HotJobs JobTitle NIGHTSHIFTFACILITIESOPERATOR
workintexas.comPostingID 16770354
Location Sherman
PostingCloseDate 12/6/24
PostingLink https://bit.ly/4f35a8c
Description Alocalcompanyis lookingforaNIGHTSHIFTFACILITIESOPERATORwhowillmanagetheCentralUtilityBuildingand allassociatedplantcontrolsystems. Thisincludeschillers,boilers,compressors,vacuumpumps,backup generators,scrubbedexhaustsystems,UPSequipment,waterplant andelectricaldistribution,alongwith othersupportequipmentandrelateddistributionofutilities.
ThispositionrequiresaHighSchool DiplomaorEquivalent,andaminimumof1yearofrelatedexperience.
JobTitle MECHANICAL TECHNICIAN
workintexas.comPostingID 16771622
Location Sherman
PostingCloseDate 1/10/25
PostingLink https:// bit.ly/4f9BeaA
Description Alocalcompanyis lookingforaMECHANICAL TECHNICIANwhowillberesponsiblefortheinstallation,maintenance,andrepairofequipment. Youwillalsobeassistinginequipmentstartup,commissioning,and performingdailytroubleshooting andmaintenanceoftheequipmentasneeded.
ThispositionrequiresanAssociate'sDegreeorequivalentofrelatedexperience.
CityofHowe SECONDS
COUNTINANEMERGENCY!That's whytheCityofHowehas institutedthe CodeREDEmergency NotificationSystem -anultrahigh-speedtelephonecommunica- tionserviceforemergency notifications.This systemallowsustotelephoneallortargeted areasincaseofanemergencysituationthat requiresimmediateaction (suchasaboil-waternotice,missingchildorevacuationnotices).The systemiscapableofdialing60,000phonenumbersperhour.Itthen deliversapre-recordedmessagedescribingthesituationstoalivepersonoranansweringmachineintheaffectedareapossiblyincluding instructionsrequiringactiononthepartoftherecipient.Oncethesituationisremedied,anothercallwillbeplacedtotheareasignalingthat theissuehasbeenaddressedandthatnormalactivitiescanberesumed.
Thefollowinginformationisrequiredtoaddatelephonenumberinto the"CodeRED"database:firstandlastname;address(physicaladdress,noP.O.boxes);city;state;ZipCode;andprimaryphonenumber.Thesystemworkswithcellularphonesbutrequiresavalidstreet address.Whenenteringinformation,pleasefilloutallofthescreens becausethenewestdataenteredwillreplacetheolddata.Signupby visitinghttp://www.co.grayson.tx.us/page/oem.cred
2024-25Localtaxation SalesTax
RevenueSalesTax
Tax
Development(TypeB)
CityofHoweTaxRate HoweI.S.DTaxRate GraysonCountyTaxRate
GraysonCollegeTaxRate
Total(per$100valuation)
City Hall 116 E. Haning St., 903-532-5571
Mayor: Karla McDonald
City Council: Michael Hill, Sarah Myrick, Billie Ingram, Shawn Tyler, Ricky Price. City Administrator: Monte Walker
City Secretary: Michelle Hewitt
Utility Billing and Municipal Court 116 E. Haning St. 903-532-5571
Utility Clerk: Beccy Roberts
Court Clerk:/Permit Clerk: Amy Bond (After hours night drop available)
Public Works
317 S. Hughes St.
Public Works Director: Justin Johnson
Code Enforcement 317 S. Hughes St. Code Enforcement Officer: Bert Dowlen
Howe Fire Department/EMS 118 E. Haning 903-532-6888 (nonemergency)
Fire Chief: Robert Maniet
Howe Police Department 700 W. Haning St. 903-532-9971 (non-emergency) Dispatch 903-813-4411
Officer-In-Charge: David Morris
City Council meets third Tuesday at 100 E. O’Connell St. at 6 pm.
Planning & Zoning Commission Meets third Monday as needed
Howe Community Facilities Development Corporation 903-532-6080 Howetexas.org
EDC Director: Monte Walker Meets as needed
For more information visit the city website www.cityofhowe.org
TexasHistoryMinute Halloweenisaday filledwithexcitement,chargedwith theimagination andthespiritof adventurethat makeschildhood suchamemorable time. Manychildrenneveroutgrowtheirloveforthe dayandpassonthejoyoftrick-ortreatingtotheirchildrenandgrandchildrenorenjoyHalloweenpartiesas adults. Halloweenhasahistorydating backcenturies.
TherootsofHalloweenlaydeepinold Christiantraditions. Halloweenisseparatefromtheoldharvestfestivals commoninEuropebeforethearrival ofChristianity,butelementsofthese traditionswouldcontinueincelebrationsintheBritishIsles.
PopeGregoryIIIestablishedAll Saints’DayonNovember1asaday ofremembranceinthe730s. Fromits earliestdays,thenightofOctober31 wasmarkedasthebeginningofthe observance. AllSaints’Daywasconsideredtobeadaytorememberthe deceased,particularlythesaintsand martyrsofthechurch. TheEnglish beganreferringtoAllSaints’Dayas AllhallowtideorHallowmasby 1471. Thewordcamefromolder, morearchaicwords“hallow,”which meant“holy”while“tide”meant “time.” Onthenightbefore,AllHallow’sEve,manyRomanCatholicsat thetimewouldvisitcemeteriesand prayforthedead. Overtime,“All Hallow’sEve”or“AllHallow’sEvening”waswhittleddownto “Halloween.”
Elementsoftrick-or-treatingbeganin theMiddleAgesasthepoorwouldgo tothewealthyandaskforspecialtreats fortheday,soulcakes,inexchangefor prayingfortheirdeceasedloved ones. Bythe1800sinScotlandand Ireland,trick-or-treatinghadevolved intodressingintocostumesandgoing door-to-doorfortreatsandmoved awayfromthereligiousobservance.
InPoland,thetraditionforHalloween nighthaslongbeenthatpeoplewould prayoutloudastheywalkedthrough forestsinordertocomfortthesoulsof thedeceased. InSpain,churchbells ringthroughthenighttoremindthe faithfultoprayforthedead. InEastern OrthodoxcountriesofEastEurope, however,prayervigilsarestillsometimesheldonthenightofOctober 31. AsmoreScottishandIrishimmigrantsmovedtotheUnitedStates,the trick-or-treatingtraditioncamewith them. ManyAmericanchildrenbegan
makingtheirowncostumesforHalloweenbythelate1800s. Theterm “trick-or-treating”begantoappearin theearlytwentiethcentury,andthe famedHalloweentraditionhadfully establisheditselfacrossthenationby the1920s.Today,variousestimates havestatedthatasmanyas40million Americanchildrenparticipateintrickor-treatingeachyear.
ManyotherfeaturesofHalloweenare centuriesold. InIreland,thejack-olanternwascarvedfromturnipsand carriedonAllHallow’sEvetoscare offevilspirits,atraditiondatingback centuries. Bythetimethistradition arrivedintheUnitedStatesbythe nineteenthcentury,thenativepumpkin begantobeusedinstead. Bobbingfor apples,apopularHalloweengame, datestothe1700s.
UnlikeChristmas,Halloween,particularlyasitispracticedintheUnited States, isnotaswidelycelebrated aroundtheworld. ManyofthetraditionsobservedinAmericaarepracticedinCanada,Scotland,andIreland. Halloweenisslowlycatchingon inJapanandinareasofGermanyand India,mostlyintheformsofcostumes andHalloweenparties. AcrossMexicoandLatinAmerica,AllSaint’sDay andDayoftheDeadarecelebrated back-to-backonsuccessivedays. ObservancesfortheDayoftheDeadare preferred,takingplaceeachyearon November2asmanywilldressupas thedeadonadaytorememberfriends andfamilywhohavepassedon. A popularlegendontheDayoftheDead inLatinAmericaisthatthespiritsof thedeceasedwillwalktheEarthonce moreonthatnight. SchoolsinIreland willoftencloseonHalloweenwhilein Mexico,schoolswilloftencloseonthe DayoftheDead.
Inmoderntimes,Americansbuyupwardsof90millionpoundsofcandy eachyear. Thisamountstoabout$3.6 billion. Themostpopularcandyin 2023waschocolate,accordingtothe NationalConfectionersAssociation. Themostpopularchildren’scostumewasSpiderman,withanestimated2.6millionchildrendressingupas Spidermaninsomeform. Americans spendmorethan$8billioneachyear oncostumesanddecorationsforthe evening’sfestivities,accordingtothe NationalRetailFederation. Schools andchurchesregularlysponsortrunkor-treateventsandHalloweenparties. Halloweenhasbeenaspecialpartof childhoodforgenerations. Withits continuedpopularityandmountainsof candy,itwillcontinuetobeapartof Americancultureforyearstocome.
Ohhowweignoreour needtochange Transformation isawordused toexplainwhat happenswhen someoneis saved.It’sthe themeofthe Christianfaith, butwhatabout thedailyprogressionofour relationship withGod?
Manytoday
thinktheideaofchangingintotheimageofJesusnolongerappliestothem becausetheygotochurchandlistento Christiansongsontheradio.Thisis good,butourrelationshipwithGodis notcontainedwithinacoupleofhours perweek.DoweonlythinkaboutJesuswhenwetakecommunion?Are weconvincedthathoweverweactis alrightwithGodbecausewehaveacceptedHim?Whatdoesthismeanto me?DidIacceptthatHeisreal,orthat myresponsibilityistoallowHimto controlmeastheLordofmylife?
Muchlikethefrogwhocomfortably sitsinthepotthateventuallycomesto aboil,it’sdisturbinghowmanywithin ourreligiousculturearesufferingfrom spiritualstarvation.TodaytheBibleis beingdissectedbyscholars,butthe difficultcommandsarebeingignored bytheaverageChristian.SomeBible teachersarehesitanttospeakthehard truthsofself-disciplineandmoralpurity,whilechurchmembersapplaud whenfeel-gooddevotionsarefilled withblessingsandhappiness.Oneof theprinciplesofchurchgrowthtoday istokeepthepeoplehappy.Pastorsare likecoaches,theymustkeeppleasing theirfansortheywillbereplaced. However,fromGod’sperspective,His uncomfortable,andsacrificialdemandsarethemostimportant.
Thetimehascomeforarevivalthat strengthenshomes,families,and churches.I’mnotjusttalkingaboutan evangelistcomingtochurchwitha fierysermon.Thisisgoodandpeople enjoyit,butofteninacoupleofweeks theexcitementfadesandmostreturn backtotheirlukewarmness.Truerevivalisapersonalrevelationthat quickensthemindandheartwitha deepsorrowandbrokennessthatwe haveoffendedGodwithourlethargic carnalattitudes.Ifthereisnotadeep
toneverfallintothisstateofcoldness again,thenarededicationhasnothappened.TheKingdomofGodisnot goingtobeadvancedbyourchurches becomingfilledwithpeoplebutby peopleinourchurchesbecomingfilled withGod.
Thetermrevivalmustbeunderstood asnotsomethingnew,butit’sawayof thinkingandactingthatisbeingrestored.Thereisnosuchthingasrekindlingafirethatwasneverstarted.Revivalisrarelymentionedintheseekerfriendlymovementbecauseitwould revealtheremustbeachangeinthe waywethinkandlive,nottomention scaringsomeofthenewconverts away.Theconceptofbecomingaware ofGod’spresenceisoneofthemost powerfulrealitieswithintheChristian faithbecauseithaseverythingtodo withpersonaltransformation.SurrenderingourwilltoKingJesusishow weserveandobeyHim.I’vebeen teachingthisrevelationforyearsbut rarelydoesanyonewanttodiscussit. Whynot?Isitacaseofnotbeingable tocomprehendit,orisitjusttoopainfulforourflesh?Probablyboth.Asa weeklyfaithcolumnist,I’mexperiencedwithdeliveringpositiveandinspiringmessages,butGod’sswordof truthhasadoubleedge.Letusnotignorethebalanceandsupernatural powerofthefullgospelthatisdescribedinHebrews4:12.
TheconstantawarenessofGodissimilartotheideaofstartingastrictdiet Thosebecomingseriousaboutlosing weightrealizeveryquicklythisisnot forthefaintofheartanditwilldemand totalconcentrationandpainfulsacrifice.Theideaistowatcheverybite thatweeat,buthowmuchmoreofa life-changingexperienceisdecidingto drawneartoGod?Inthesameway thatwebecomeawareofcarbohydratesandcountcalories,followersof JesusaretodevelopareverentialsensitivityaboutwhatGodissayingtoturn awayfromandwhatHedemandswe do.Ifwedonotcareaboutwhatweeat andbecomeobeseitwillbeobviousto everyone.Thesameistrueifwedonot careaboutbeingaremnantwarriorin God’sarmyandallowintentionalsin tocontrolus.ThiswillnotonlybeevidenttoGodbutalsotoeveryone aroundus.
Dr. Holland is an ordained minister,
KenBridges
Dr.BillyHolland
AttendtheChurchofYourChoice EachSunday... CommunityBibleFellowship
JeremyMoore,pastor
415SCollinsFwy,Howe,TX75459
Wednesday
6:30pm-FoodandFellowship
7:00pm-CommunityKids(ages36thgrade,nurseryavailable)
7:00pm-YouthandAdultBible Study
Sunday
10:30am-WorshipService
FirstBaptistChurchHowe RogerTidwell,pastor
100E.DavisSt.,Howe,TX903-5325504
Wednesday
5:30pm FreeMeal
6:30pm-TeamKid
6:30pm-YouthMinistry
6:30pm-AdultBibleFellowship
Sunday
9:15am-BibleFellowship
10:30am-WorshipService
6:00pm PotluckFellowshipand BibleStudy
HoweMethodistChurchofHowe JBBryant,minister
810NDennySt,Howe,TX75459 903-532-6718
Tuesday:
8:30am-1:00pmWeeCareDaycare (Registrationneeded)
9:30am-Women'sBibleStudy 6:30pm-BoyScouts
Wednesday: 9:00am-WednesdayWorkers
6:00pm-1stand3rdWednesdays
FamilyNight
Thursday:
8:30am-1:00pm-WeeCareDaycare (Registrationneeded)
Saturday: 9:00am-12:00pm-FeedMySheep (1st&3rdSat.ofeachmonth)
Sunday:
8:30am-CoffeeandDonuts
9:00am-SundaySchool
10:00am-WorshipService 3:00pmCubScouts
FirstBaptistChurchDorchester ZachPoling,pastor
11831FM902,Dorchester,TX75459903-476-5525
Wednesday
6:30pm-Worshipservice
Sunday
9:00am-Men'sPrayerTime
9:45am-SundaySchool
10:45am-WorshipService
5:00pm-EveningService
SummitViewChurch BrettandDebHetrick,pastors
910SDennySt,Howe,TX75459903-532-6828
Wednesday
7:00pm-RadiateYouth
7:00pm-Sanctuaryofforprayer
Sunday
9:30am-SundaySchool(kids,youth,women,men)
10:30am-WorshipService
10:30am-KidsChurch
HoweChurchofChrist
AaronAlsbrook,minister
1205NCollinsFwy,Howe,TX75459903-532-6441
Wednesday
7:00pm-BibleClasses(allages)
Sunday 9:00am-BibleClasses(allages)
10:00am-WorshipService 5:00pm-WorshipService
Deuteronomy 28:9 The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in obedience to him. • Advertising
• HoweEnterprise
• AirConditioning& Heating
• BakerAirConditioning& Heating
• EssentialHome Performance,LLC
• Auto&Motorcycle
• BobUtterFord
• Banks
• FirstUnitedBank
• FirstNationalBankofTom Bean
• IndependentFinancial
• LegendBank
• Barber/HairSalon
• GoodFellasBarberShop
• BoatStorage
• AnchorzBoat&RV Storage
• Butcher
• Don'sSmokehouse
• Catering
• TracyEventsCatering& CarryoutShop
• Childcare
• KotiAcademy
• Churches
• FirstBaptistChurchof Howe
• SummitViewChurch
• Construction
• DIFYHomeServices
• HoweMetalWorks
• HunterKnepshieldofTexas
• Malachi310Construction
• RockExpress,LLC
• Dental
• AnnaKidsDentistry
• HoweFamilyDentistry
• Education
• HoweCommunityLibrary
• HoweISD
• Electrician
• RapidElectric
• Financial&Investments
• EdwardJones-Financial Advisor:RobertFranze ChFC®
• RethinkWealth
• StogsdillCapital
• Firearms&Sporting Goods
• GunsNMore
• FuneralHomes
• ScogginsFuneralHome
• Healthcare
• AngelsofCare
• Housing
• BainbrookApartments
• M&MProperties
• InformationTechnology
• TexasDataandVoIP Security
• Insurance
• CoreyHernandezState Farm
• TexasFarmBureau Insurance,DarrenFoster–Agent
• DavidRodriguezState
• EdMeachamStateFarm
• JessieBrownFarmers Insurance
• TexasFarmBureau Insurance,LorettaAnderson –Agent
• Internet
• TekWav
• Mortgage
• LaceyTuckerGuild Mortgage
• Non-Profit
• Goodwill
• PartyRentalsandDécor
• Chase'sAllTimeJumpers
• PestControl
• PestHunters&Pond MGMT
• Photography
• BeyondtheBarn Photography
• Plumbing
• BrotherPlumber
• TorquePlumbing
• ProfessionalServices
• ProviderBusinessPartners
• TLDDesignConsulting
• PublicUtilities& Environment
• AtmosEnergy
• Grayson-CollinElectric Cooperative,Inc.
• RealEstate
• AmyGibbs-UnitedReal Estate-InsightRealty
• EricaDunnihoo,Realtor®
• MaureenKane, REALTOR®,ParagonREALTORS®
• MichaelTaylor-Keller Williams
• NicoleFayeSellsTexas, LLC
• TheLlamaRealtyGroup
• Restaurants
• 903Brewers
• Roofing
• HITRoof&Exteriors
• Neff'sRoofing& Construction
• OKRoofers
• SouthernCrossRemodeling &Roofing
• Retail&Shopping
• CoraGraceBoutique
• DebbyEdwardsPinkZebra
• HoweMercantile
• Storage
• Towing Farm
• HoweMini-Storage
• TaxAdvisors
• Smith-GarnerCPA
85yearsagothisweek
60yearsagothisweek
50yearsagothisweek
40yearsagothisweek
35yearsagothisweek
30yearsagothisweek
25yearsagothisweek
20yearsagothisweek
