The Daily Citizen
Sunday, October 23, 2011 • Page 3A
LOCAL
Former Searcy minister’s sermons compiled in book Son created book after father’s death BY MOLLY M. FLEMING mfleming@thedailycitizen.com
Former Searcy First United Methodist minister Alvin C. Murray left his mark on the lives of many Searcy residents. Now, some of the inspirational words he once told his congregation can be found in a new book, “Re-Digging Wells,” compiled by his son Stephen M. Murray, who now resides in Hughes. Stephen said he and his dad had discussed the book for a while and could never get the book together. When his father passed away in 1998, Murray knew he had to continue with his father’s idea. “After I retired [from teaching], I had to do something on the book,” Murray said. “A lot of the sermons he actually gave at First United Methodist in Searcy.” Alvin was the minister at FUMC from 1953 to 1959. He also served as the Batesville District Superintendent of the state Methodist Church conference for one year, and ministered in Marked Tree, Jonesboro and Batesville. Overall, he was a pastor for 50 years in various Methodist churches in Arkansas. From those 50 years of sermons, Stephen published 31 of his father’s best in the book. “These sermons contain a wealth of help in finding solutions to problems in everyday life,” Murray said. “My daughter read the book and she said, ‘I thought he was talking about me.’” After reading the sermons, Murray knew he had to publish the book.
Murray sermons ■ Dr. Alvin C. Murray is a former minister at First United Methodist Church in Searcy. ■ His son compiled 31 of his old sermons into a book. ■ The book is available on Amazon and in the Kindle format.
“It would be a shame for me not to share them with the world,” he said, “I almost feel guilty for not doing this earlier. I sincerely think it will change a lot of lives for the better.” The title of the book is taken from one of the sermons in the book, titled “Digging the Wells Again." The sermon refers to the book of Genesis when Isaac inherits the responsibilities of Abraham after his father’s death. In this sermon, a message is left for readers that they can use in their lives, and sets the tone for all of the sermons in the book. “There are two ‘inheritance’ sermons in the book,” Murray said, “and they really kind of alter your viewpoint about what we should be thinking about when we think of what we are going to leave for future generations.” Murray said his father was noted in the ministry for leaving his congregations each Sunday with something they could use during the week. “He had a way of weaving stories that people could relate to,” he said. “They could easDOLBY DIGITAL
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‘The principal is a little tied up right now’ Contributed photo
Former Searcy First United Methodist minister Alvin C. Murray stands outside the parsonage of the church with his children while his wife takes the picture. The parsonage at the time was located on Center Street. Murray served at the church from 1953 to 1959. His son recently published 31 of his sermons in the book, "Re-Digging Wells." ily remember the messages and begin applying them to their lives during the week.” The book can be purchased from Amazon.
com in either paperback or Kindle format. For more information about the book, persons can visit www.re-diggingwells.com.
Bode Teague, Harding Academy elementary school principal, watches the first half of the Wildcats' home game against Riverview Friday night from high above the playing field on a lift. Teague allowed students to duct tape him to a lift as a reward for their raising over $33,000 in magazine sales. The money is going toward facility improvements, Teague said.
ASSAULT: Case under investigation CONTINUED FROM 1A
borough was arrested on the charges Friday, according to a press release from the SPD. He was taken to the White County Law En-
forcement Center. Scarborough’s bail was set at $25,000. He is awaiting formal charges by Prosecuting Attorney Chris Raff. This case is still under investigation.