Bethany Baptist
The Sunday services were a blessing this past week at Bethany. Our pastor’s sister and her husband from Charlotte, N.C. visited both services. On Sunday Morning, Bro. Steve preached Psalm 100. He described the instructions for praise, (make, serve, come, know, enter, be thankful, and bless.) He also described the seven characteristics of God which form the basis of our praise (God, Creator, Sovereign, Shepherd, Good, Merciful and Truth.) The application of the message was that Christians are to be joyful in the Lord, submissive to the Lord, and thankful to the Lord.
On Sunday Evening we had a time of testimony, scripture reading, and special music. Bro. Vickers brought a devotion on Psalm 116:12, “What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits toward me?”
Prayer list: Betty Biggs, Carl Gray, Ellen Gray, Ophelia Griffin, Ernestine Hatch, Gloria Headley, Danny Jones, Mary Knight, Larry Miller, Billie Neeley, Jesse Wallace.
See you Sunday.

Bethsalem Baptist
Our service began with ministry opportunities and a time of welcoming and fellowship shared by the congregation. Special music by the Celebration Choir was “God So Loved.”
The message by Bro. Brad Eubank was “Not a Fan: Choosing Intimacy” (Luke 7:36-50), followed by an observance of the Lord’s Supper.
Sunday evening we enjoyed our family Thanksgiving supper. We hope everyone has a blessed and happy Thanksgiving.
Pray for Ann Thompson, Linnie Hathcock, J.D. Jones, Bro. James Moore, Charles Bryant, Harold Patterson, Debra Mims, Chris Moore, Paul Green, Pete and Myra Burnett, Pamela Howell, Donny Eslinger, McCoy Durren, Jimmy and Jetti Durbin, Tyler Harmon, Ray and Eloise Edwards, Charles Owens, Anna Russell, Makesha Scott, Melvolene Dobbs, Melissa Jeffers, J.T. Loyd, Jacob Jones, Dana and Alyson Stockton, Bobbie Cox, all families that have lost loved ones, our homebound, our country, and pray for revival to come.
Happy birthday to Gary Jones, Makenzie Edwards, Scotty Willis, Billy Fulmer, Logan Pack, Hollan Horton, Cassi Clark, Robin Wells, Betty McGee, Joshua Thrasher, Emma Shepard, Tammy Edwards, Rebecca Gilliland, Makenzie and Celeste Blalock.
Next Sunday we will kick off our Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.
Have a blessed week. God is so good.

Calvary Independent Baptist
Calvary Independent Baptist Church was blessed with visitors again for Sunday morning and Sunday night services.
Sunday morning service included a message brought by Pastor Rick Hatchett from the book of Psalms about being thankful. Sunday evening services included a few special songs sang by different ones in the church. A short devotional message was brought afterwards by Associate Pastor Oscar Mims, and then a fellowship meal followed downstairs.
We want to thank all our visitors for coming and being a part of our services. One young lady gave her life to the Lord Sunday night and became a brand new born again child of the living and true God. We love her and want everyone who is a child of God to be praying for her and her family. We look forward to a future centered on giving the Lord Jesus Christ the praise He deserves for all He has done. Come visit, fellowship and worship with us anytime. If you are waiting on a good excuse to visit, then come Sunday morning on Nov. 27 and listen to Bro. Matthew Brasher. He is a young man in our church who has recently surrendered to the call to preach.

Cedar Grove
“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15).
Sunday was Pastor Appreciation Day, Old Fashioned Day and our Thanksgiving dinner. We began with “When We All Get to Heaven” followed by “He Set Me Free.”
Happy birthday to Alton Russell, Rachel Hubbard and Freda Vines.
We have many on our prayer list. Remember Jean Varden, Bobby Jones, Vivian Ogle, Donny Eslinger, Rick Lowery and many unspoken requests. God knows all about it.
The worship service began with the good old favorite, “Jesus Hold My Hand” followed by “I’ll Fly Away.” The special for the morning was “God Has Another Plan” sang by Sis. Stacy Wyatt.
Bro. Jeff Carroll read some things about the year 1911. The life expectancy for men was 47 years. Only 14 percent of homes had a bathtub. There were 8,000 cars and only 144 miles of paved roads. The average wage was 22 cents an hour, and most women only washed their hair once a month. They used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo. Just imagine what it will be like in another 100 years.
Bro. Jeff read Psalm 100:1-5. He gave everyone a chance to say what they were thankful for.
We are happy to have Kathy Higginbotham to join Cedar Grove.
The evening service began with “Just a Little Talk With Jesus” and “I Feel Like Traveling On.” The choir blessed us with several songs. Jordan Harvley sang “Come Lay ‘Em Down.”
Bro. Heath Vines preached a great sermon on forgiveness from Matthew 6:14-16. Refusing to forgive is like drinking poison expecting the other person to die. It only hurts you.
We had two wonderful services Sunday; the altar filled both times. Thank you, Lord, for your many blessings, especially for my salvation. Have a good week and God bless.
Center Hill Baptist
After beginning our worship service, Teresa Varden gave the report on the offering for World Hunger. She also asked for all the Samaritans’ Shoeboxes to be brought forward for special prayer. This is a part of “Operation Christmas Child.” These boxes will be distributed to needy children throughout the world.
After singing “Count Your Many Blessings,” the congregation shared what they were thankful for this holiday season. Many were thankful for their family, their friends, church, and health. However, the most mentioned was thankfulness for Jesus our Savior, and the shedding of His blood on Calvary.
Bro. Jeff Champion shared with us the opening of our eyes, spiritually speaking. We are all spiritually blind sinners from birth, with no hope to recover on our own. The opening of our spiritually blinded eyes is a divine act of God.
In order to be saved, you must be open to the truth about Jesus, acknowledge Him as Lord, and worship Him with a changed life.
There will be no services Wednesday night.
“What a grand world this would be if we could forget our troubles as easily as we forget our blessings.”

Christ Independent Methodist
What a contrast between last Sunday and this Sunday. The gray, drooping limbs of trees almost bare of the brilliant leaves they wore just a week ago were startling by contrast. The dark, threatening clouds and raindrops the size of pin pricks on our windshield going to church spoke louder than words of the passage of time.
Also, the realization that next Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent. I always look forward to this Sunday when we gather to observe the holiday season with our Hanging of the Greens observance and decorating our tree with Chrismons and our windows with candles and greenery. I would remind all church family members to participate and enjoy this occasion. We will meet at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27 for this service with church service to follow. Come help us decorate and dedicate our sanctuary.
Dr. Mac Stinson took his scripture from Deuteronomy 8:7-14. At this point, the Hebrew people have left Egypt and wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. Now Moses, who has been their leader, is an old man and soon to die. As they stand atop Mt. Nebo looking toward the Promised Land, which Moses is not to be allowed to enter, how can we today help but feel his heartache?
God’s servant to the end, Moses, looks westward toward the Sea of Galilee and the Promised Land and continues to lecture his Hebrew people not to forget their God who has led them this far. He tells them when their herds and flocks have multiplied, and their silver and gold likewise.
Moses’ exhortation to obedience to the Hebrew followers of his day is just as true for us today.
Our prayer list: Mary Ann Carden, Mable Mitchell, our military and their families, our church, community and each other. Pray for Israel and Christians worldwide. Remember to pray for all people who will be traveling during the holidays.
Have a blessed week.

Church of God’s Word
Genesis 5:21-24 talks about how Noah and Enoch walked with God. If we are truly walking with God when Jesus returns, then we will go with Him. But are we walking that straight and narrow path that leads to heaven, or are we walking the path that leads to destruction? We are to keep our eyes on the prize, which is Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
As long as we are walking in the word of God and doing what the word tells us to do, we know we are walking with God and that everything is going to be all right. We walk by faith and not by sight. The flesh is weak but Jesus is strong. Everything that Jesus suffered on the cross and shed his blood, He did it for us so we could have everlasting life.
Isaiah 40:31: “But they that wait upon the lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles they shall run and not be weary and they shall walk and not faint.”
Bro. Ray talked about Paul going on a cruise. When you are saved, you are an enemy to Satan, but if you are lost, then you are not walking with God. When we are born again, we fight battles. We are not to sit back and do nothing, but we need to store up the word on the inside so we can overcome the storms in our life with the word of God. And even though it seems like everything is over, here comes Jesus — He is always right on time. When we become born again, what goes on in our lives is just by the plan of God for our lives.
When God called Paul, Paul was not living for God at the time because he was persecuting the Church. But Paul began living his life for Jesus, and God began to use him mightily for the ministry. He will use us today if we will just trust and obey him.
Our church will be having a food drive to help the needy. For more information, call 755-4889.

Friendship Baptist
Bro. Ken’s (Daniel) message was from Psalm 103 and was titled “Five Kernels of Corn.” All healing is divine healing. God uses medicine, therapy, etc. as part of the healing process. Isn’t it good that our God is a God of second chances?
We welcomed Bro. Dusty (Clyde) Dutton and his family. Bro. Dusty will be our new choir director.
During the evening service, Bro. Dusty sang “A Few Good Men.” Bro. Ken’s message was from Psalm 100, a psalm of giving thanks. Shout for joy; worship the Lord with gladness. Know that the Lord is God. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, for God is good.
We are taking donations of items for residents to give as gifts to their families. They are needed by Dec. 2. The residents will each choose seven gifts on Dec. 5 that will be wrapped at that time. Items include body lotions, make-up, stationery, handkerchiefs, small tools, Bibles, bath products, costume jewelry, dishtowels, socks and books.
Happy birthday to Richard Barton, Wayne Wyatt and Mary Foshee.
Prayer requests: Juanita Staggs, Beth Whittle, Jacinda, Gore, Roger Davis family, JoAnn Lyles, Glenda Bond, Sandra White, Huey Wilson, Lucille Price and the Yessick family.
Dec. 6: Ladies Christmas party at Regeana Funderburk’s. Wear your pajamas and bring a gift to swap.
Dec. 7: A Colonial Christmas at the American Village Chapel in Montevallo at 7 p.m. Our Wednesday night service will be held here.
Dec. 11: Christmas play and supper.

Mars Hill Baptist
Cornucopia: Translates to mean “plenty,” “abundance.” That’s what Mars Hill Baptist Church had at their Thanksgiving church supper, abundance of food and plenty of fellowship.
The church WMU, under the very able leadership of Mrs. Pauline Lovett, had taken on the unattainable goal of replacing the tables and chairs for the fellowship hall. Six months later, the unattainable; the impossible happened. New tables and new chairs were delivered and paid for. We are a small country church, and like any other small church, we have to watch our pennies very carefully.
With a goal like this I’m reminded of the familiar story, “The Little Train Who Could.” The Little Train just kept on saying, “I think I can, I think I can.” With that in mind the WMU ladies did the impossible.
The new tables were used Nov. 16 and each table was decorated with a different theme. There was the Auburn table, the Angel table, the Horn of Plenty table, the Toy Land table, and so many others. All were beautiful.
More than 100 people came to the supper, bringing their best home cooked meals. Each lady determined to outdo the next one. Ham, turkey, vegetables, casseroles, salads, cakes with six layers, and don’t forget the banana pudding. The ladies of Mars Hill are world-class cooks and enjoy doing it. Everyone left with a full stomach and a heart full of gratitude.
We invite you to visit us at Mars Hill where the word of God is taught and preached. We are located on County Road 42 West in Jemison. If you do not have a church home, come see us. You are always welcome.

Mt. Carmel No. 1
God is so good and gives us so many undeserved blessings! One of those blessings is the opportunity we have to assemble ourselves together on the Lord’s Day to worship Him and have fellowship with our Christian family. This is just one reason we have to be thankful during this special time of year.
Our morning services began with Bro. Derrell and Lillie Jones singing “Look for Me.” This song was followed by Bro. Derrell’s sermon for the children. This week’s focus was how a tiny mustard seed can produce a large tree just like a small amount of faith in God can produce great things in our lives.
Psalms 100:1-5 was the scripture for the morning message, entitled “Turning Thanksgiving into Thanksgiving.”
On Sunday evening we enjoyed singing songs of praise and thanks to God. The choir sang “Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me” and “Let’s Just Praise the Lord.” A solo of “Without Him” was done by Dee Roper.
Our WMU ladies are in the process of collecting items to be taken to Hatley Healthcare. Please try to have them brought to the church by Nov. 27.
A special thanks to everyone that prepared and donated a box for Operation Christmas Child. Each one of these boxes will be a special blessing for the child that receives it.
On Wednesday evening, Nov. 30, we will have a church decorating service. Each family is welcome to bring an ornament to be placed on the tree. Also, if you would like to get a poinsettia to be placed in the church in honor of or in remembrance of someone, please begin bringing them that night. Finger food fellowship will follow the service.
Please remember the ones of our church family that have special needs in their lives. This week they include Hershel Scott, Ruthie Jean Giles, Cecil Franklin, Elladene Mims, Christy Lowery and baby Jacob Jones.
You are always welcome to worship with us at Mt. Carmel.

Rocky Mount
United Methodist
Nov. 20 was Christ the King Sunday. The Gospel of Matthew tells us that Jesus is going to come in his glory with all the angels. He will sit on the throne of his glory to judge people. All the nations will be gathered before him and he will separate the sheep from the goats. The sheep he will keep at his right and the goats at his left. To the sheep, those who have persevered in their living faith until the end, Jesus will say, come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Brother Willard expanded on this and reminded us that this is the last Sunday before Advent. It doesn’t seem like it has been an entire year since we last prepared for the Advent season and the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Between these two Sundays we will be in the celebration of Thanksgiving. Please do not let Thanksgiving get swept under the rug and ignored.
God blesses us. He has, he is and he will continue to bless those who are obedient. Thanksgiving will come and go and many will not stop to thank God for anything. God made promises and he is still fulfilling them. If you will join us at Sunday School on Sunday mornings, you will learn much more as we study those promises and their fulfillments. Take a moment, a moment (or more) of undivided attention to thank God for your many blessings. With all that is going on in this world, it is easy to overlook all that the blessings that are being bestowed upon you. Whether you go into your closet to pray, or, as Susannah Wesley did, you pull your apron over your head, take that special time and count your many blessings and give God the credit for them. I’m sure you will need more fingers and toes to count them all. How are you living to give God the thanks for all he has done for you?
We invite you to join us on Wednesday night, Nov. 23, in a short Communion service. His table is open to anyone wishing to participate.
Enjoy Thanksgiving and prepare your heart for the blessings of Advent. Rocky Mount Methodist Church is here for you.

Samaria Baptist
Abounding grace: To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. We are born with a depraved nature. God’s grace abounds with us and gives us a chance to overcome our depravity by seeking Him, and accepting His love and grace for us. Romans 5:19-21 explains grace. Born again means forever with God. Where sin reached the watermark, grace flooded the world to overcome sin.
Only by grace can a sinner come to the Lord Jesus Christ. Good works doesn’t do it. Christ must be Lord of life. Repentance is surrendering to Christ for His mercy and love. We gain access to a new body when we die. This body will no longer be needed. New bodies will be made. Praise God for our opportunity to gain salvation by His grace and the Cross.
Prayer requests remain for the Bobby Mims family in the death of his mother. Ray and Phyllis, Horace and Gayle, the Davis family and the Jeff Smith(Prattville) family in the death of his mother.
Happy Thanksgiving to all who read this. May God richly bless you, and may your faith be increased with each prayer you speak.