Bethany Baptist Church
Before the sermon, Bro. Steve sang a solo, “Zion’s Hill.”  His morning message was taken from 2 Kings 17:24-41, he called “Say What?”  Sin is real, and God’s judgment is certain. No man can serve two masters; you can’t serve God and serve your own idols at the same time.  We should have the convictions of Joshua when he said, “Choose you this day whom you will serve…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).”
Sunday night, Bro. Steve brought a message of “Church, The Way It Used To Be,” taken from Acts 2:41-47.  The congregation participated in naming things we remember about how church used to be, good and not so good.  Bro. Steve pointed out several things that we should still observe, as the young church at Jerusalem did: scriptural baptism, church membership/discipleship, steadfastly continuing to teach/preach the word of God, fellowship/communion, generosity towards those in need, praising God and acknowledging God’s blessings.
We are planning Vacation Bible School, Sonlight Express, at Bethany 9:30 a.m. to noon June 11-13.  You may call the church at 755-3429 for details or to pre-register.
Prayer list:  Betty Biggs, James Bixler, Arnold DeLoach, Doris Glenn, Ellen Gray, James Gray, Ophelia Griffin, Ernestine Hatch, Chris Knight, Larry Miller, Billie Neeley, Lilianna Thompson, VBS, Tim Wallace.
See you Sunday!

Calvary Independent Baptist
We are asking everyone to remember the seniors that are graduating this year; to keep them and their families in your prayers. We would also like to thank our visitors for being a part of our services this weekend.
Bro. Kevin Shaw, our youth pastor, preached in the 10 a.m. service about four different paths that our lives could be on as Christians. He drew an illustration of four kinds of trucks designed for use in service to haul loads and perform many hours of service for their owners.
Bro. Oscar Mims brought a message in the 5:30 p.m. service about serving the Lord as a part of the body of Christ. He used passages from Ephesians 4 and Romans 12 and gave testimony as to how the Lord has opened and closed doors in his ministry since he was saved.

Bethsalem Baptist
Mrs. Sharion Williams directed our music for the service. We had a recognition for graduates and a graduate processional led by Bro. Cleve Mallory. Our graduates were Preston Wallace, Kayla Knight, Harris Shepard and Zackery Willis.
The message was titled “Is Life Worth Living?” from Ecclesiastes 1-12.
Pray for: Liliana Thompson, Lois Mims, Charles Bryant, Debra Mims, Jim Beck, Marshall and Hazel Green, Betty Gregory, Hunter More, Dewey Terrell, Wickie Wright, Stacy Leoper, James Carl Johnson, Kara Foster, Robert Lee, Jewell LeBlaine, Bill and Sandra Eubank, the Crawford family, Joe Seals, Jespel Price and all the shut-ins.
Happy birthday to: Chris Cullman, Greg Wilson, David Smitherman, Ethan Wilmon, Preston Blankenship, Linda Parker, Mason Pack and Glenda Shivers.
See Janice Gray to sign up  children for VBS, and Emily Edwards for ladies ball league.

Christ Independent Methodist
On this perfect Sabbath day we began morning worship with a hymn of praise, “To God Be the Glory,” followed by Dr. Mac Stinson’s sermon based on Acts 1:1-11 titled, “Sky Gazing.” These verses of scripture deal with the ascension of Christ into heaven.
This extraordinary passage is the final episode in the earthly ministry of Jesus. His unjust death on the cross of Calvary is the most dramatic event in history.
Prayer list: Carl Glass, June Simms, Mable Mitchell, Kelly Parker, Judy Atkinson, Charlotte Verren, Dr. Mac Stinson, our country and leaders, church, Christians worldwide, Horace and Mary Ann Carden, Israel, Shea Simms in Kuwait and pray for each other.
Little Dakota Justice has passed away after a long illness. Remember her family when you pray.
We extend special thanks to Dwight Sammons and Phil Simms for replacing the sign in front of our church.
Have a blessed week.

Friendship Baptist
Bro. Ken Daniel’s sermon was from Proverbs 2:2-6, titled “The Next Chapter.” Our children are our investment. They are our future, and will be what we send out in life.
We celebrated three of our graduating seniors after the morning service: Alisha Glover, Montevallo, Callie Wyatt, Isabella, Matthew Jones, Isabella.
In the evening service, J.C. Pierce sang, “Look For Me at Jesus’ Feet.”
Bro. Ken’s message was from Jeremiah 18:1-6, titled, “What Type of Clay Are You?” We need to be soft enough to use. We need to be able to be molded to do the Lord’s work.
Upcoming events:
June 1-8: Baptist Builders’ Mission Trip to Phil Campbell, Ala.
June 3: Baby Tea for Lauren and Derek Collum, 2-4 p.m. It’s a girl.
June 6: Deadline for Association Kids Camp.
June 10: Baby Tea for Brittany and Jeremy Hicks. It’s a girl. At 3 p.m., we will host a grief seminar for those who have lost a loved one, and our struggling adjusting. A trained team from Pathways Counseling will lead the seminar. See Bro. Ken for details.
June 16-23: Youth mission trip to Give Kids the World.

Jackson Chapel
Bro Gary Fant got the morning worship started off with “Trust and Obey” and “The Lilly of the Valley.”  Bro Dennis blessed us with a beautiful song “I’m Not The Man I Used To Be.”  Bro. Dennis’ text came from Hebrews 11:6-7 with a message entitled “The Saving of the Household.”  We need to serve God with our whole hearts and then one day when Jesus comes to get his people, we will be able to enjoy all that heaven has to offer.  The service ended with several coming to pray and at the end of the service, Bro. Dennis had the privilege to baptize eight people and we thank God for the way he is blessing our church.
We were blessed to have The MaHarreys with us for an afternoon of good singing.
Upcoming events: June 3 will be our Homecoming, and Bro. Ernie Dawson and Heirline will be our special guest singers with the singing beginning at 1:30 p.m.
Please remember these as you pray this week: Steven Gray, Wallace Varden, Carol Smith, Russell Wyatt, Juanita Wilkins, our lost loved ones and our service men and women.

Rocky Mount UMC
What a beautiful day to be in the house of the Lord! We were blessed to have Bro. Ron Jennings filling our pulpit while Bro. Willard is on vacation. His vacation continues next Sunday, and our own Charlotte Powell will fill our pulpit. Bro. Willard will return for Sunday, June 3, and Sunday, June 10. June 10, though, will be the last Sunday for Bro. Willard and Mrs. Faye.
We have been so blessed to have them for something in the neighborhood of 11 or 12 years.  We are going to miss them. Bro. Willard has been a great help for our church and our community. We know that many of you are friends of Bro. Willard and our church, even if you are not part of our Rocky Mount membership.
On June 10, immediately following the morning worship, we will be having a fellowship lunch for Bro. Willard and Mrs. Faye, and we invite you to come join us for lunch and to wish them a happy retirement.
Bro. Jennings read from John 8:1-11 for his scripture lesson and message. John is the only gospel that includes this story of the woman caught in this adulteress situation. As he recounted the story of Jesus being disrupted in the temple by the men who brought her to him, we learn not about the guilty woman being stoned to death, but instead, we learn a lesson in love, compassion, mercy and forgiveness.
This, also, is the only time that we read about Jesus writing, and yet, we are not told exactly what it was that he wrote. Yes, she was guilty. We, too, are guilty of sin. Have you kept all of the Ten Commandments?
We all know the answer to this question. Jesus forgave this woman and told her to go and sin no more. You, too, have this privilege. It was bought with Jesus’ blood. Ask forgiveness, but then go and sin no more!

Mars Hill Baptist
We started Sunday morning service with a skit from our VBS teachers and workers. VBS will start Sunday night, June 24, from 6-8:30 p.m., all are invited to attend. After that, Jessica Leach sang “Amazing Grace My Chains are Gone.”
Bro. William Short’s morning sermon came from Jeremiah 13:20-27. The church, God’s people, should be beautiful, and indeed God should be able to recognize His people. In the passage, He is not talking about our outward appearance, but rather what is inside our heart. God knows our heart, when He gets hold of our life, He cleans us up from the inside out.
Sunday night service began with baptism. Praise God, five were baptized this night and we are so excited for them, and it’s so wonderful to have them a part of our church. Bro. William Short presented each with a certificate of baptism and a new Bible.
Don’t forget our homecoming next Sunday, May 27, beginning at 10 a.m., with Holy Destiny and Justified as special singers. On June 24, we will celebrate our 125th anniversary at Mars Hill with a special service and special guests. We invite all to attend this special time in our history, and be a part of it. Lunch will be served in our fellowship hall right after service.

Mt. Carmel No. 1
It was fun to watch the film of all the graduates from preschool and the 12th grade. We are very proud of them and pray for and honored them Sunday. Preschool graduates: Kaylee Mandrell and Erin Brook Lawrence; our seniors: Amber Mandrell, Lillie Jones, Aaron Smother, Paul Levering, Matt Mims and Matthew Minor.
Bro. Derrell used 2 Timothy 2:1-24 for his sermon, “Eight Points for Life.” He provided eight  points for life to the graduates and the church members,.
Upcoming events include the wedding of Pamela Higgins and Charles Walker, June 2, at 4 p.m., and we encourage everyone to come out and watch the men’s softball team. There will be schedules of the games for you to have this weekend. We want to encourage everyone to be much in prayer for all the sick and shut-ins of our church and community.

Mt. Springs Baptist
Services started Sunday, May 20, with Bro. Kenneth Moates leading the church in the following hymns: “Oh I Want to See Him,” “Where Milk and Honey Flows,” “I’m In a New World,” and “I Want to Know More About My Lord.”
Bro. Ashley Bice gave a devotion from Isaiah 40:31. God prepares us as we wait on him. While we wait, we need to pray to grow closer to the Lord.
After Sunday School, Bro. Kenneth led the church in the hymn “Are You Washed in the Blood.” Sherrie Williams sang “Where There Will Be No Setting Sun” and “If That Mountain Don’t Move.”
Bro. Tim Henry preached from Psalms 137:1-9. If you’re saved, you should have a song in your heart. Don’t let anything take away your song for the Lord.
Sunday night’s services started with Bro. Wayne Barnett leading the church in “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem.” Bro. Rickey Bice gave a devotion from Genesis 22: 1-17. If you really want to be blessed in the Lord, you have to totally surrender all.
Bro. Ricky Cleckler sang the special “That I Could Still Go Free.”
Bro. Tim Henry preached from 1 Corinthians 12:12. He preached about things the church members should do to help one another; the church should bare one another’s burdens, comfort one another, honor, love, pray, and forgive one another.
We appreciate Bro. Henry and his family being with us this Sunday. He blessed the church in both services.