Bethany Baptist Church

We appreciate having several visitors in our congregation today. The choir special was “It Is Mine,” and, with the congregation’s assistance, “It Is Well With My Soul.” Bro. Steve’s message was from 1 Chronicles 7:1-12, titled “When God Says No.” King David had a great desire to God, to build a temple of God. Sometimes we have great idea and desire, but as in the situation with David, it may be the wrong time or even something that is not in God’s will for us. God had an even greater thing planned for David and his kingdom. Let’s learn to trust God and not our own plans.

Sunday night we enjoyed our visitors. The message from Bro. Steve was “The Haven of Rest” taken from Psalm 107:23-32. In this scripture mariners were in a terrible storm and rough waters. They prayed to God and experienced His deliverance. The storms of life that we can experience are just as real and terrifying. Those are times to cry unto the Lord. The Lord is our haven of rest, our safe refuge. Don’t fear the storm, but trust in the one who can carry us through those storms of life.

Upcoming event: Vacation Bible School (Sonlight Express) at Bethany 9:30 a.m. to noon, June 11-13. Call the church at 755-3429 for details or to pre-register.

Prayer list: Betty Biggs, James Bixler, Arnold DeLoach, Doris Glenn, Ellen Gray, Hubert Griffin, Family of Ophelia Griffin, Ernestine Hatch, Chris Knight, Larry Miller, Billie Neeley, Lilianna Thompson, Tim Wallace.

See you Sunday!

Calvary Independent Baptist

We enjoyed having visitors again for Sunday services. We want to thank them for coming and invite everyone to worship the Lord with us some time real soon, it would be awesome to see you at our next scheduled service. Bro. Oscar Mims preached in the 10 a.m. service from Titus, Chapter 1, on the characteristics of a Christian. The Sunday evening service included a message from James, Chapter 2, on faith and works, and it was established how a person’s faith and works can never save them. Salvation is in a person today, but that person is our Great God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. We are saved unto good works that are produced through Christ living in us as a result of having salvation. The life we now live as Christians we live by someone else’s faith, unlike the Old Testament prophets that lived by their faith (Habakkuk 2:4). Christians today live by the faith of the son of God (Galatians 2:20). Come to an awesome Bible study this Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. and bring someone with you. We will be starting Vacation Bible School June 24 at 5:30 p.m. and going through June 29 each weekday night at 6:30 p.m.

Center Hill

What a beautiful day in the Lord’s house! We had several important announcements. The baby bottles for Care Net will be collected on Father’s Day. Our June business meeting will be postponed until July because of VBS. We are having VBS on Sunday and Wednesday nights this week and next week. We will have supper at 6 p.m. Our new women’s ministry, Martha’s Meals, has been a blessing to all involved. Food is provided to our sick and shut-ins every Thursday night.

Our sympathy goes out to the Juanita Varden family. Our church and community will truly miss her. She was a “good and faithful servant.”

We had a time of individuals praising God during our song service. Then, Bro. Jeff continued his series on Revelation. In Chapter 13, we learned about the “beast out of the sea,” also known as the Anti-Christ.

The 10 horns on his head represent 10 specific nations. Mankind will actually admire the beast during this chaotic time. Although the beast has complete authority of earth, it is not earned or deserved. Unfortunately, Satan still has power on earth. However, as Christians, we know that this is only temporary. We know who wins the battle!

Christ Independent Methodist

On this perfect Sabbath, we began our worship hour with the congregation singing “Come Christians, Join to Sing,” “O How I Love Jesus,” and “Trust and Obey.”

Today, being another special church day, Trinity Sunday, Dr. Mac Stinson’s sermon was titled “Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” His scripture reference was taken from Romans 8:12-17.

There are many books we don’t understand in any collection worthy of being called a library; still, it behooves us to seek knowledge. What reward could be greater than earning everlasting life? Thank God for ministries who devote their lives toward helping us read the road signs along the way.

Our prayer list includes: Carl Glass, Kelly Parker, Judy Atkinson, Mabel Mitchell, our military and their families, our country, community, church and each other; little Israel, Shea Simms in Kuwait and Cathy Lutza in Ohio.

Say a special prayer for our missionaries in Yemen. They have sent word asking for prayer. These soldiers of the cross are heroes in every sense of the word.

Pray for Beulah Camp coming up an for each person who attends and gives service in any way.

Have a blessed week.

Jackson Chapel

Bro. Gary Fant started the morning worship service with a great song entitled “He’s Coming Back.” Bro. Gary Fant led the congregation in “There Is Power In The Blood,” “When The Roll is Called Up Yonder,” and “Victory In Jesus.” Bro. Dennis Smith blessed us with “Me and God,” Bro. Dennis and Glenn Riley blessed us with “How Great Thou Art” and “House of Gold” and Rhonda Littleton blessed us with “Let’s Meet By The River.” Bro. Dennis’ text came from 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3. There is going to be a great homecoming one day in Heaven and we need to prepare ourselves to go. The service ended with several coming to pray.

Bro. Ernie Dawson and Heirline were with us for the afternoon singing and if you missed the singing you really missed a blessing because the Holy Spirit was truly present.

Please remember these as you pray this week: Kevin Bavar, Steven Gray, Ronnie Gothard’s Family, Russell Wyatt, James and Marie Johnson, Jeff Littleton, our lost loved ones and our service men and women.

Mars Hill Baptist

It was a beautiful day to be in the house of our Lord. We should always come into God’s house with a smile, and praise for His goodness. But, so many times, we come just because we think we are supposed to, or because it’s just what we do on Sunday. We should come because we love the Lord, and desire His will in our lives above all things.

Bro. William Short’s message came from Numbers 21:1-9. In this passage, the Israelites have been brought out of the bondage of Egypt and are on their way to the Promised Land. Like us today, they encountered many roadblocks and things didn’t always go their way. Today, when we sin, (and we all sin) if we pray and ask God to forgive us, repent of our sins, he is faithful and just to wash our sins away! Like looking at the bronze serpent Moses made, we can look at Jesus, his sacrifice for us, and be made whole and live.

So many times, we are blindsided by Satan and his lies. You may ask how the people of Israel could sin after seeing all the miracles God did for them. But I ask you the same thing. How can we sin today after all that God has done for us? The answer is that we open the door and let Satan back into our lives, sometimes without even realizing what we are doing until it’s too late. Satan creates many diversions to distract us from our walk with God. Drugs and alcohol are only two of them; there are others you might not even think are sin.

Sin is anything that keeps you from God.

Like the Israelites, we are an ungrateful people/nation. While we have the opportunity, we need to pray and ask God back into our lives, and our country.

Mt. Carmel No. 1

Our day of worship was a wonderful day, singing and praising our Lord. LaNelle Jones presented our special music as she sang “Won’t Let Go.” We are very thankful for all our young people, their talents and commitment to the Lord.

Bro. Derrell’s message was taken from 2 Timothy 4:17, entitled “What Kind of Power Do We Have Access To?” We are not alone in this walk of life today. Stand with the Lord and let him strengthen you. God’s power is creative, and we have access to it.

Sunday night’s sermon was “Jesus, A Nail in a Sure Place,” with scripture taken from Isaiah 22:23. Jesus is a sure nail in healing, providing salvation and His word.

Pamela Higgins and Charles Walker exchanged marriage vows Saturday. It was a very beautiful wedding and ceremony.

Vacation Bible School for children ages two through the sixth grade will be held Sunday June 10 at 5 p.m., and Monday-Thursday June 11-14 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Brotherhood and all young men meet Saturday morning June 9 at 7 a.m. to help cut the grass.

Please remember to pray, especially for all the paper needs of our church family and others. Baby Jacob Jones, his family, Bro. Cecil and Gladys Franklin, Eddie Cleckler, Doe and Vickie Edwards, Danny Childress, Floyd Logan and the lost.

Samaria Baptist

What a beautiful day to service The Lord. Our prayer concerns today include: Jeff and Nita Smith, Jeff’s daughters, Roland and Joanne Coker, Steve Headley, Russell Wyatt, Nathan Friday, Fran Burrell and Nancy Tracey.

Our special music today was performed by Jeannie Mims, as she did a wonderful job on “Celebrate me home.” Our pastor’s text comes from Colossians 1:12-19. Comparable Christ. We serve a living Christ. He rescued us from the domain of darkness. He is our peace and our pathway to Heaven. He abolishes the commandments as our way to obedience. He came to bring both Jews and Gentiles together, for his cause. Without his hope, we would be lost with no direction.

He makes preparation to return and claim his own. We must be saved and ready to meet him.

All the preaching, singing, praying and gathering together is vain, unless we seek him in spirit and truth. He keeps us from perishing and is the living and the true way. No man cometh unto the father except by me, Christ said.

As we cope with the affairs of this world, let us remember who holds the key to the answers to life and all its questions. Jesus Christ, king of heaven and earth. God bless you.

Vacation Bible School is going to be held. July 9-12, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Walnut Creek UMC

We have fellowship before Bible Study and choir practice on Wednesday, starting at 6 p.m.. Bro. Jim Popwell is the teacher or Bro. Tony. If you don’t have a study group, you are certainly welcome.

Bro. Tony’s message was from Luke Chapter 1; he spoke of all those in attendance, we were later to learn that they all were very important and that they played a big role in God’s plan. Bro. Tony shared a scripture that had been shared to him by a friend, Russell Enfinger.

Announcements: We will have our second annual church picnic at the Confederate Memorial Park in Marbury, next Sunday, June 10. The morning service will begin at 10 a.m. in the chapel at the park. Please bring drinks, desserts, side dishes and lawn chairs. The church is providing hamburgers, hotdogs and barbecue.

There will be a baby shower for Jayden Craig Driver at 3 p.m. in the Family Life Center.

Thank you Pam Headley, Lisa Abbott and Joan McGriff for our new church directory. Please pick up your copy in the foyer.

Our music program is expanding to include hand bells! Our first fundraising campaign has begun. Please see the hand bell display in the hallway to sign for your pledge to help purchase that hand bell.

Softball games versus First Baptist II Monday at 6:30 p.m. and versus West End Thursday 8:30 p.m.

Prayer list: Ray and Myrtice Enfinger, Jerry and Mary Joyce Gilliland, Bill Maddox, Peggy Cleckler and Dave Hanline.

A special praise report from Jerry Gilliland: Jerry said, “Praise the lord I’m through with my treatments!”