Church News for July 16

Published Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Lime Springs United Methodist Church

Our Sunday School lesson focused on the Old Testament law of atonement and how it was fulfilled through Jesus Christ. We celebrated Gideon's Sunday with a special message from Bro. Ollie Clyde Jones during our morning service. Gideon's International is a worthwhile organization focused on presenting God's word (Bibles) into the hands of every individual who desires one throughout the world. A special love offering was taken. We also observed Holy Communion at the end of the service.

Our evening Bible study focused on an in-depth study of the Holy Trinity and God the Son.

Happy birthday to Mary Catherine Tollett and Rodger Harris.

Our service times are as follows: Sunday School at 9:30 a.m.; Sunday morning worship at 11; evening Bible study at 5:30; and Wednesday night prayer meeting at 6:30.

For more information concerning Lime Springs, please call 755-6356 or 755-4950.

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Friendship Baptist Church

Sunday morning we were reminded from Mark 1:40-45 the story of Jesus healing a man with leprosy. The words of life make a difference in our lives today. A man without God needs life because he is already dead.

During the evening service, Bro. Gene's sermon was from Matthew 16:13-19. What kind of people should we be? Peter proclaims Jesus to be the Christ. We should be a special kind of people.

Happy birthday to Barbara Miller, Brittany Jones Hicks, Cynthia Walters and Edie Crocker.

Happy anniversary to Fred and Anita Glover.

Prayer requests: Clara Brown, David Marcus, Chadwick family, Jerry Collins, Noelle Bean, Rita Cleckler, Karol Collier and family, Charles Sansom, Rachel Cordes and Phyllis Luck.

Upcoming events:

July 19: youth mission trip will be presented during the morning service.

July 27-31: Association Kids Camp at Shocco Springs Adventure Camp.

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Church of God's Word

We opened this spiritual Sunday in prayer. Prayer requests were made for Jessie Mims, Jimmy and Linda Langston, Willie and Jenny Beasley, unspoken requests, Andrew Robertson, service men and women, Terry Fulmer, Rhonda Noah, Mike and Lisa Fuller, our drama team, Thomas and Edna Edwards, the sick and shut-ins.

The message came to us from Revelation 14:13.

Sunday night we observed Communion and a foot washing service. It was so spiritually blessed; our altars stayed filled. Truly it was a wonderful service.

We are located at 4964 County Road 7, Clanton. We can be reached at 755-4719 or 755-5017. Y'all come!

Until next week, may God touch your hearts.

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Mt. Carmel No. 1 Baptist Church

We had a great weekend of worship and fellowship with our Lord. It all started Saturday around 10 a.m. as we met at the church to prepare for Vacation Bible School. Then we went through the community and knocked on doors and passed our flyers.

Saturday night was a fellowship time for our Prime-Timers. It was so good to see the ones we have been missing because of sickness; Minnie and Robert Childress and Cecil Franklin.

A big thanks to Jeffery Lockhart for the fine job in directing our Wednesday night service. His devotion was titled, "Faith." Our young people do a very good job.

Sunday morning's service began with the presentation of a Bible and baptizing certificate to our newest member, little Miss Hannah Grace Childress. Deacon Bro. Mark Jones asked God's blessings on her as she begins her new life as a Christian.

Bro. Gary Kendrick brought our message for the morning service, entitled "Repent," from Mark 1:9-15. God's word recommends that we repent, for repentance blots out sin. We cannot repent for anyone except ourselves. We can be assured that God hears our prayers after repentance.

Sunday night was the beginning of VBS. We thank God for the registration of 102 total, and our prayer is to keep this number every night of the week.

Remember, July 31 at 6 p.m. at Brierfield Park we will hold a church-wide pool party and youth campout.

Mt. Carmel will observe homecoming and singing July 26 at 10:30 a.m. Guest singers will be Four Given Voices, lunch will follow.

Happy birthday to Freddy and Dorothy Bowman, James and Mary Dean Higgins, Jeremy and Jessica Taylor, Mark and Laura Jones, Roger and Terri Ellison, and Jay and Denise Norcross.

It is our desire to glorify our Lord and Savior. We ask you to pray for us and we will be praying for you. Tell someone about Jesus this week.

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Mount Bethel Baptist Church

Sunday was a beautiful day for worshiping our Lord. We started by singing a song of praise followed by prayer. Then we went into our Bible study classes.

The Rev. Oneal Cleckler's morning sermon, "God's Unseen Servants," was taken from Psalm 91:9-13. Angels are God's servants; heavenly beings who act as messengers for God. We believe everyone has a guardian angel, someone who watches over us and protects us. An angel can take on human form to help someone. The Holy Spirit guides us, but the angels are our physical protectors. The angels ministered to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

The evening message, "The Sealing of the Holy Spirit," was from Ephesians 1:3-4. When you are converted, there is a seal put upon you as belonging to God. No one can take away or break that seal. People don't want anything counterfeit. God is the real deal; he is authentic. If you are a child of God, you don't have anything counterfeit. If you talk and act like a Christian but produce no fruit, you are a fake. Put your faith into action and let your works show it. Don't be a counterfeit Christian.

We want to wish a happy anniversary to Neil and Tina Littleton and also happy birthday to Noreen Austin.

We invite you to join us for worship and fellowship with our Lord. Sunday School is at 10 a.m., morning worship at 11, Discipleship Training at 5 p.m., and evening worship at 6.

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Christ Independent Methodist Church

Sunday, Bro. Ron Mensinger filled our pulpit in the absence of Dr. Mac Stinson. He preached using 1 Samuel 17:1-17.

We have heard sermons before on men in the Bible who pleased God and also some who did not please. Samuel, like David, was a man after God's own heart. He knew when he made a mistake and was willing to repent. We have the same opportunity today to repent and ask forgiveness, but "ask" is a key word. We must ask forgiveness for sins we commit and not assume that God has forgiven us because he knows when we sin. He expects us to repent and ask his forgiveness. Then he is gracious to his children.

Continue to pray for Dr. Stinson and for his son, Dr. Mac Stinson III, also for Cindy McCavitt, our military, our country, our church and community.

Our Vacation Bible School ended Sunday with a program by the children who attended. Their theme was "Living on the Edge," and they made make-believe trips to different places in the Holy Land in search of God everywhere.

The kids also completed crafts to be carried home Sunday night. Laurel Lee Adams coordinated the program with other adult helpers Mable Mitchell, June Simms and Anne Glass. Fellowship time followed with hotdogs and fresh peach cobbler.

Have a blessed week.

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Rocky Mount United Methodist Church

Sunday was a glorious day of celebration and appreciation. Officially, it was Youth Leaders Honor and Appreciation Day where the adults who give so generously of their time to lead, guide and direct our youth were recognized for their efforts. Each was given a certificate of appreciation, participated in a special anointing, and was honored at a special luncheon following the morning service. To these leaders, as well as everyone else who gives of their time to lead the youth of their local church, we say a big "Thank You." You will probably never know just what impact you might have on the life of a young person. Keep up God's work!

We also were privileged to participate in Communion service and be reminded of the great sacrifice Jesus made for us. Following Communion, our church family grew, officially, as we added Mr. Bill and Mrs. Ellen Heptinstall to our church roll. We are so blessed to have this couple join our church.

This week is also a busy week as we enjoy Vacation Bible School. That's right, we are traveling to Australia via the Boomerang Express. The program is each night from 6:30-8:30. Everyone is welcome to join us. We especially thank Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and Thorsby Baptist Church for sharing materials with us.

Our annual homecoming Sunday is July 26 at 10 a.m. Come join us for convention style singing, with special guests the McAdams family, followed by a big potluck lunch and then more singing.

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Cedar Grove Methodist-Protestant Church

This has been a busy week, but we thank the Lord we have all been well and able to handle most things.

We want to thank Sis. Reba Tucker for playing the piano for the morning worship service. We enjoyed being with her and her mother, Mrs. Myrtle Hayes, Sunday.

Happy birthday to Kim Giles and Robin.

Our sympathy goes out to the Winston Cofer family and the Richard Mims family; you are in our prayers.

Bro. Heath Vines preached the morning and evening service in the absence of Bro. Jeff Carroll.

The morning sermon was entitled, "God's Will for My Life" and was based on Romans 12:1-2. The evening message was entitled, "What Are You weeping Over" and was from Psalm 126:1-6.

Remember Sunday, July 19 at 5:30 p.m. the Kelleys from Tennessee will be our guest singers, so come on and hear some wonderful singing.

News is very slim this week, as was our attendance. I believe most everyone decided to go camping or vacation at the same time. But next week we will be back to normal. Until then, God bless.

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Jackson Chapel

In the absence of Bro Dennis, Bro Wayne Cleckler brought the morning message entitled "Spiritual Fruit Not Religious Nuts" from Jonah 1:1-5. We as Christians need to get with God and not away from him because in this time that we live in, he is our only hope. God wants spiritual people to serve him and not just a religious nut. God has a way to get our attention to where we will be more humble and more willing to serve him, so it is to our best interest to serve God with our whole heart and not the world.

Sunday evening, Bro Wayne Cleckler's text came from Galatians 1:1-10. When Jesus saves us, he delivers us from the shackles of sin and Satan no longer has us bound. We need to be more about Jesus and less about the world because if we are not careful, Satan will lead us right back into the world.

Happy birthday to Herschel Rhodes and Devaughn Welcher.

Please remember these as you pray this week: Bro Dennis and Susan Smith, Geraldine Smith, Billy Waites, the Richard Mims family, Winston Cofer family, Heidi Connell, James and Marie Johnson, Gary Fant, Nathan Wallace, Juanita Wyatt's sister Glenda, David Mitchell's dad, Kay Pate, Bonnie Cleckler, Ellis Hughes, our law enforcement officers and our service men and women.

We are located at 4020 Yellowleaf Road in Clanton. Our service times are as follows: Sunday School at 10, morning worship at 11, evening worship at 6, and Wednesday night prayer meeting and Bible study at 7. We also have Kid's Club on Wednesday nights at 7 for grades 1-6.

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Walnut Creek United Methodist Church

It was great to have Bro Tony and his family back from their trip Sunday; they all look great as usual.

Bro Tony always pauses as he lights the Christ Candle, sharing what the occasion means. Sunday he remarked, "It's almost like celebrating Easter every Sunday morning."

During our time for children, Diane Handley talked about children choosing sides and sometimes feeling left out; she reminded them that God chose them even before they were born.

We were happy to have Bro Tony's daughter, Kelly, and his grandchildren with us this week.

Ray and Myrtice Enfinger were both not feeling well. Ben Handley is sore and has pain from his surgery, but you know he will be fine. Debbie Popwell announced that her daughter, Shelley, has been accepted into the master's program at Troy University. Way to go, Shelley!

Bro Tony began his message by reminding us that God's glorious, wonderful power in our lives does two things -- it blocks out all these things that we had just as soon forget and highlights the good things, inspiring someone a long time ago to write "Precious Memories." In his message from Psalms 24, Bro Tony reminds us that everything on this earth is God's -- it all belongs to him! As we thirst for God, we have the opportunity to stay in touch with God, and we can pray wherever we are. We can pray to God in worship. When we go back to God, it will not be for what we have accomplished here on earth but the choices we have made.

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Bethsalem Baptist Church

Bro. Brad Eubank preached his message, "What About My Rights?" from Matthew 5:38-42.

Sunday night, missionary to Brazil Landon Williams brought a message to us from Matthew 8:14-18.

We are excited to announce that Amy Latham joined our church by letter Sunday.

Please pray this week for Helen and Doug Mims, Lois Blalock, Mable Ousley, Charles Bryant, Talon Hunter, Randy Martin, Myra Burnett, Pete Burnett, James Moore, Carolyn McClane, Nell Mims, Hunter Moore, W.L. Broome, Cleo Pack, Margaret Wyatt, Alexis Willis, Hilda Allen, shut-ins, those facing cancer, Katrina Owens, Rebecca Martin, James Kelley, Sylvia Wingard, Matt Skinner, Patti Legendre, James Lee, John Hollis Jackson, Langhe Sands, Seth Berry, Carol Gore, Laura Smith.

Happy birthday this week to Loe Cox, Harold Patterson, Tony Thomas, Landon Schmidthorst, Rosemary Johnson, Kelley Taylor, Steven Hughes, Keeley Yeargan, Christy Stange, Terry Little.

Happy anniversary to Jay and Teresa Pierce and Ralph and Marie Smith (51 years!).

A baby shower for Brandon and Hayley Wright will be held next Sunday. It's a boy! Come worship with us on Sunday.

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Bethany Baptist Church

Fifty-two Weeks to a Better You: Our memory verse for this week is 1 Corinthians 9:27: "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection, lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."

Bro. Aubry used the greatly loved hymn, "Just As I Am," written by Charlotte Elliott as the basis for his sermon. Many people think they have to do something good in order to be worthy to come to God, but (verse 1) Jesus the Lamb of God bids us to come just as we are (verse 2). I come to Him for complete purification. There is no sin that Jesus did not die for (verse 3). I come with many problems. There are times of fightings and fears, but God wants us to come to Him because He cares. When it hurts the most, Jesus will listen (verse 4). I come for great provisions. Before I came to Him I was spiritually bankrupt, but now I am spiritually rich (verse 5). I come because of His great promises. We have assurances that all the promises He gives us in His word are true. Come to Him just as you are, and you will find all the help you need.

Sunday night the message contained many assurances of our salvation, by faith in Jesus Christ, not in works that we might do, taken from Romans 4:1-12.

Prayer List: Bonnie Burks, Lillian Burkhalter, Lela Mae Courtney, Junior DeLoach, Jeanette Jessop, Doug and Helen Mims, Ellen Gray, Billie Neeley, Pastor and Mrs. Wallace.

See you Sunday!

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