Bethany Baptist
Our Sunday morning service seemed almost a continuation of the sweet spirit felt at the funeral service of Mrs. Lillian Burkhalter Saturday afternoon with a church full of family and friends who loved and respected her.  We mourn her loss, but share in the joy that she is out of pain and in the arms of the Lord.
Bro. Steve’s message was taken from John 14:1-4, “Is Heaven Real?”  Jesus Himself promised in these verses, without a doubt, that we can be with Him in the place being prepared.  Paul mentioned  the home in heaven several times; in 2 Corinthians 5:1 the “eternal place in heaven not made with hands”.  We can have assurance that when we die we can be immediately with the Lord.  Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:8 that being “absent from the body” is to be “present with the Lord”.  We are assured in many places that Heaven is a real place that we can look forward to as saved people.  It is a blessing to know where you are going to go when you die.
Sunday night Bro. Steve brought a message on Enoch using Genesis 5:18-22, Jude 14-16, and Hebrews 11:5.
Prayer list:  Betty Biggs, Family of Lillian Burkhalter, Carl Gray, Ellen Gray, Ophelia Griffin, Ernestine Hatch, Gloria Headley, Mary Knight, Larry Miller, Billie Neeley, Jesse Wallace, and Steve and Phyllis Vickers.

Bethsalem Baptist
Our morning service began with a time of welcoming and fellowship. Special music was presented by Bro. Cleve Mallory, singing “I Lift My Hands,” and the Celebration Choir sang “You Are Lord of All.”
The message by Bro. Brad was “The Incredible Joy of Giving” from 2 Corinthians 9.
Pray this week for Randy and Anna Thompson and daughter Lilliana, Bro. James Moore, Charles Bryant, Sylvia Wingard, Noah Waters, the Nichols family, Lynn Minor, Brian Blackmon, Billy Ray Mims, Sid Gryner, Dennis Vasser, Paul Green, Tyler Harmon, Joe Ann Adams, Clyde Hughes, Ella Vance, Donald Cleckler, Pete Burnett, Linda Henley, Hunter Moore, Austin Childress, Jim Beck, Diane Latham, Sue Coleman, Grace Williams, J.D. Jones, Jeanetta Smitherman, those in storm areas, and families who have lost loved ones. Pray for revival to come, and pray for all our homebound.
Happy birthday this week to Jill Baker, Jodie Denham, Zach Williams, Wayne Hunter, Joanna Hill, Bruce Wells and Brittney Burnett.
Next week is our first Sunday night praise service and singing.
Come worship with us on Sunday and get connected. Tell someone about Jesus this week.

Calvary
Independent Baptist
Calvary Independent Baptist Church had a wonderful Sunday. Beginning with Sunday morning’s services we were blessed with many new visitors and hope to see them back soon.
Sunday School classes and Junior Church went very well. The adult worship service included a message delivered by Pastor Rick Hatchett from the book of Proverbs on seeking God’s instructions and wisdom rather than seeking the wisdom that the world has to offer.
We were excited to have another baptismal service immediately following the morning worship service.  The evening service included several special songs by different members of our church. A message was delivered by our Youth Pastor Kevin Shaw from the book of Matthew on how heavy a soul can be without Jesus because of being weighted down carrying around its sins. Then Kevin compared how light the soul is when all sins have been taken away because Jesus gives rest to all the heavy laden who will come to Him.
The evening service concluded with a family fellowship meal for which we give a special thanks of appreciation to all who cooked and brought food for this event.

Cedar Grove
Methodist-
Protestant
We have had a wonderful week. Our revival started Friday night with Bro. Tim Scott as our guest pastor. He preached all three sermons from Romans.
Both nights we had good singing, excellent sermons, and the altar filled at all three services. Sunday was our homecoming day, and we had several visitors and friends we haven’t seen in a while.
Happy birthday to Blake Dodson and Sam Price, happy anniversary to Jim and Faye Lowery (50th) Jimmy and Elizabeth Flowers, Vern and Linda Sullivan, and Earl and Bobbie Giles (52nd).
Thank you for the beautiful fresh flowers put in the church in memory of Brother Woodrow, Sister Dollie Price and Sister Mary Price.
Brother Tim Scott preached his sermon “Be Submissive and Totally Committed To God.” Canaanland sang the song of invitation, “I’d Rather Have Jesus.” Many came to the altar.
We were dismissed for lunch. We returned to the sanctuary for the rest of the singing by Canaanland — beautiful singing, a very enjoyable day.
Remember the sick and shut-ins and our military.
We didn’t have evening service but we will be back Wednesday night studying the book of Daniel. Everyone is welcome to attend.
We have a website for Cedar Grove; it is cedargrovethorsby.com. Brother J.C. Pierse is the webmaster. The website is not finished, but go to it and see what has been going on, learn who everyone is, sign the guestbook, and the church news will be there too. We think he is doing a good job.

Christ Independent Methodist
Sunday Dr. Mac Stinson took his scripture reading from Matthew 16:21-40. The theme of his discourse was “Words We Wish We Had Never Said.” Is there anyone who can truthfully say, “That never happened to me?”
Words are the most powerful things on earth. Words have been in existence since the Garden of Eden. Think what power they have always exerted to influence men.
Simon Peter experienced the power of words when he reproached Jesus for saying he must go into Jerusalem to suffer and die and rise from the tomb again on the third day. Peter did not want to accept the words of his Lord, but Jesus said to Peter, “Get thee behind me, Satan; thou art an offense unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”
In verses 24-28, Jesus continues to explain to Simon Peter why he, Jesus, must suffer death on the cross. These words of explanation probably comforted Simon Peter and caused him to regret the words of rebuke to Jesus.
We request special prayer for our pastor, Dr. Stinson, Horace and Mary Ann Carden, Alex Dawson, Cindy McCavitt, Wilma Ellison, Opal Miller, Paul Dean, our military, their families, our church, community, each other, and little Israel.
With homecoming scheduled soon, a workday at our church will be held Saturday, Sept. 10. We urge all church members who are able to come, bring a sack lunch and enjoy the fellowship of working together. Drinks will be provided.
Homecoming will be Sept. 18. The Rev. F.B. Martin from Guntersville will bring the morning message.
Have a blessed week.

Jackson Chapel
Bro Gary Fant got the morning worship service started off with “He Keeps Me Singing” and “When I See The Blood.” Bro Dennis blessed us with a beautiful song “I’m Not The Man I Used To Be” and his text came from Genesis 17:15-22. We as Christians need to be a child of promise instead of a child of the flesh.  As a Christian God’s word gives us more promises to his children than we could ever imagine if we would just live for him, read his word daily and obey his commandments.  The service ended with several coming to pray.
Bro Gary Fant got the evening service started off with “When We All Get To Heaven,” and this was our fourth Sunday night singing so we had the MaHarreys as our special guest singers.
Happy birthday to Shawna McKinley.
Please remember these as you this week: Harold Sansom, Glenda Hill, Mike Martin, Delma Mayfield, Jean Mayfield, our lost loved ones and our servicemen and women.

Lime Springs United Methodist
Our Sunday School lesson began a nine-week study on the fruits of the Spirit.
Bro. Shannon brought the morning message from Ephesians 5:15-20, entitled, “Sometimes I Don’t Feel Like Being Thankful.” He reminded us of numerous scriptures in which we are encouraged to be thankful (Ephesians 5:20, Colossians 3:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:18). However, being thankful at all times is often difficult to do, especially when we face trials and tribulations.
Two suggestions to help us give thanks when we don’t feel like it are comparative thanksgiving (comparing our problems with someone else), and this too shall pass thanksgiving. Bro. Shannon then presented a third suggestion taken from Philippians 4:5. We should give thanks because “the Lord is always near.” By knowing God is with us regardless of our situations, we have reason enough to be thankful at all times. Psalm 23 and Hebrews 13:5-6 are two powerful scriptures that remind us of this fact. Therefore, even when we don’t feel like giving thanks, we should do so anyway. God will bless us richly!
Our evening Bible study continued a series on the Old Testament: a summary. We studied Proverbs, Song of Solomon and Ecclesiastes.
Happy birthday wishes to Kalyn Shannon.

Mt. Carmel No. 1
On this perfect Sabbath Day, what a joy it was to gather in the house of the Lord. After the beautiful prelude by Tammy Harmon, Jim Hayes and Geoffrey Lockhart, the congregation was led in singing the beautiful old song, “The Old Rugged Cross.”
The message was focused on baby dedication day. Bro. Derrell’s scripture reading came from 1 Samuel 1:22-28 and Luke 2:21-24. This passage talks about Hannah’s prayer for a child and the dedication of Samuel to the Lord.
Our dedication service was for two fine little boys, Jacob Jones and Eastyn Worrells.
Jacob Jones is the son of Erica and Justin Jones; grandparents are Jeff Jones, Kim McDaniel, and Eric and Bette Lowery. Eastyn Worrells is the son of Ashley and Adam Worrells; grandparents are Roger and Terri Ellison, and Jimmy and Linda Worrells. God bless you.
Remember all the announcements in the church bulletin, especially the date of Sept. 16. We will prepare an evening meal for the Isabella football team. Contact Louise Liveoak and Jan Franklin.
Continue to pray for the names on our prayer list, the sick and shut-ins, the lost loved ones, and those serving in our military.
Have a blessed week, and go to church somewhere Sunday.

Mt. Springs
Services started on Sunday, Aug. 28 with Bro. Kenneth Moates leading the church in the following hymns: “At Calvary,” “Just A Little Talk With Jesus,” “A New Name In Glory,” and “I’m Going That Way.” Bro. Rickey Bice gave a devotion from John 15:1-5. Without God we can’t do anything. We have to have him on our side for everything in our lives.
Bro. Don’s message was taken from Joshua 7: 1-26, “If it gets in, you better get it out!” God’s sends judgment even to his own people when there is sin without an excuse, when they know better, and when they have a covetous spirit. Sin doesn’t go unnoticed. God knows, so confess your sins to God and repent!
The service was ended by the hymn “I Surrender All” and the church had special prayer over Phyllis Moates as she prepares for her radiation treatment beginning this week. We know the Lord is going to take wonderful care of her!
We had our end of the month singing and were blessed by all the people that sang. We have such amazing talent at Mt. Springs.
Here’s a verse for you this week: Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to his purpose.”

Rocky Mount
At Rocky Mount we were flooded with blessings as Brother Willard brought us a wonderful message from Matthew 16:22-28.  In these verses we are reminded that God is in control.  While as a human, Peter did not want accept the coming pain and death that Jesus was to suffer.
Jesus put it all in perspective when He explained clearly that this life along with its rewards and its troubles is nothing to compare to the wonders awaiting us in eternity.  Brother Willard pointed out that we are rapidly facing the second advent.  Are we willing to bear our cross, pay the price and reap the rewards of eternal life?  If your answer is no, then you are invited to Rocky Mount.  Worship with us and meet the One who can show you that He is the Life, the Truth and the Way.
Our hearts were filled to overflowing with special music from one of our very own.  Jackie Carlisle blessed us with a beautiful voice and a message in song that was filled with the Holy Spirit.  This was first solo offering of her vocal talent and we sincerely pray that many more offerings are in our future!
Join our youth on Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. as they explore the Christian messages found in their most recent movie study — Sugar Babies.  Come and watch, talk and snack with our youth of all ages!
Fall colors explode on the 2011 youth quilt.   See a member for the opportunity to donate to our Christmas mission drive.

Samaria Baptist
On this beautiful Sunday, we celebrated the birthdays of Diane Fisher and Mike Harris.  We were blessed by Jeannie Mims playing and singing for us.  Our prayer concerns are for Ray Harris, Ray Hardee, Ms. Lorene, Harold Sansom, and our military at home and abroad.
Brother Charles’ message came from Romans 10:1-14.  His message was entitled “Who Can Be Saved?”  If we as churches do not minister to the lost as God would have us to, then the world cannot receive Jesus. We must be the light that shows Jesus to the folks who don’t know Him, and don’t understand how to find Him.  We have family members who are lost, and we have co-workers that we talk to each day,  we may not be able to preach anybody a sermon, but our lives must reflect the life of Christ.
We will answer on the day of judgment for the work we do, or do not do for Christ.  God’s provision is made.  Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law. Confess, repent, and be forgiven, believing in the promises of God.  This is what salvation is and this is the way to find Christ.
Born again believers experience a turn around in their behavior, their lifestyle, and manner of conducting each day. Our churches must be heartbroken for the lost. Every child of God has a responsibility to share Christ with people we meet.
Our business meeting will be on Sept. 7 at 6 followed by our monthly meal.