The Rock Creek Bible Society will hold their 199th annual meeting at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 4, at Bethbirei Presbyterian Church, 2025 Bethbirei Road, Lewisburg, preceded by decoration of the cemetery.

The speaker for the occasion will be Rev. Charles "Buddy" Pope, who lives in the Shelbyville area.

Pope has been an ordained Cumberland Presbyterian minister since 1986. He has pastored churches in Missouri, Kentucky, Alabama, and Tennessee. He is presently pastor of the Richland Cumberland Presbyterian Church, better known as Spring Place. He is also Stated Clerk of the Columbia Presbytery.

The special music will be provided by Mary McDaniel, owner of McDaniel Pest Control.

Marshall County's history is enhanced by the fact that the Rock Creek Bible Society is the oldest Bible society in the United States. Its meetings are held at the oldest church in Marshall County.

It was formed in 1815 as a non-denominational organization, one year prior to the American Bible Society, with which we are now affiliated. From the freewill offering some money is sent to the American Bible Society each year.

In the beginning, Bibles were purchased from Philadelphia, Pa., shipped to Nashville, then came by barge to Farmington. They were then brought to Bethbirei Church by wagon.

At the time Cherokee Indians received some of the Bibles.

The sole purpose of the Society is to distribute Bibles to those who do not have one, especially people who have lost their Bibles and their homes through fire or a natural disaster.

Please come, bring a friend and a potluck dish for the luncheon and fellowship that will follow a brief business meeting.