FBC Vincent, Dancy FBC worship together; joint ventures grew out of February fires

When members of Dancy First Baptist Church near Aliceville arrived at First Baptist Church, Vincent, for the morning service Aug. 27, the crowd erupted in applause.
   
Dancy First — a church totaled by fire when arsonists torched it and three other churches Feb. 7 — had been on the hearts and minds of the  members of the Shelby Baptist Association church since it had first been in the news.
   
“We felt we wanted to meet the specific needs of one of the burned-out churches, and under God’s leadership, we turned to Dancy,” said John Lee Taylor, pastor of First, Vincent. “We were able to give them a full communion set, a 30-inch-high gold cross for the table and a check for $3,000. A delegation went to the rededication service (at Dancy First) when we presented them with these things, but we are all excited about having them here with us today. We’ve looked forward to this.”
   
The choir from Dancy First led the congregation in worship, and Walter Hawkins Jr., Dancy’s pastor, brought the message.
   
“We thank God for Vincent Baptists. We are using our communion table joyously and wisely,” said Hawkins, noting that even before the fire, his church had never had a cloth or cross for the communion table.
   
Taylor said the churches enjoyed such sweet fellowship during the service that they are already planning a communion service for the two congregations at Dancy soon — using the new communion set.
   
And during his sermon to the packed house that morning, Hawkins affirmed that the fellowship between the two churches would definitely continue.
   
“If it had not been for those three boys (those arrested for the arson attacks) whom we are praying for, we would not be here today. … The devil thought he was tearing [the church] down, but what he didn’t know was that God was setting it up,” he said. 
   
Mattie Miller, a member of Dancy First, noted that it is a long way from her church to First, Vincent. “But we feel at home here, and we will never forget the warm, touching gift.” (TAB)