Bethany Baptist Church

Sunday morning before the morning message, Chris Knight gave a testimony and sang, “It Is Well With My Soul.” Bro. Steve’s sermon was taken from Isaiah 55:1-7, “Good News For a Thirsty Soul.” This scripture is a clear invitation to come and accept salvation. Salvation is a quenching of spiritual thirst. Salvation itself is free, but it was not cheap—it cost the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19).

This invitation is given to everyone. Won’t you come? Salvation is forever, but the opportunity is limited. 2 Corinthians 6:2 says that “…Now is the day of salvation. The opportunity to be saved is limited by time: when you hear the word and understand it, that is the time for you to accept salvation.” Salvation is offered for sinners; please repent of your sin today and accept salvation.

Bro. Steve concluded this chapter in Isaiah on Sunday night. We are told that God’s thoughts and his ways are higher than our ways. Many things we won’t understand until we meet him face to face, but God is too wise to make mistakes and He loves us too much to hurt us. The word of God is compared to the benefits of rain and snow; Matthew 5:45 says that God sends rain on the just and the unjust, and it is one of God’s blessings. In these verses are several promises, including that his word will not return unto him void but will accomplish its purposes. God wants us to be students of his word and to be sowers of his seed that others may come to know him.

You are always welcome at Bethany.

The annual homecoming at Bethany will be held on Sept. 30.

Prayer list: Betty Biggs, James Bixler, Arnold DeLoach, Doris and Verdie Glenn, Hubert Griffin, Mildred Griffin, Ernestine Hatch, Ethel Kelly, Billie Neeley and Shirley Wallace.

Mt. Carmel No. 1

We praise God for his blessings on our Sunday service as we began our new church year. We are thankful for all the new and old teachers and staff for this coming year. Our prayers are with all of them and our pastor and deacons.

Bro. Derrell’s message for Sunday morning was titled, “Overcoming Bitterness,” and came from Genesis 37:18-27. Why do we become bitter? Our message about Joseph and his brothers tells us a lot about bitterness and how to overcome it. Faith in God will help you overcome bitterness. We let bitterness affect our lives and consume our lives. Bitterness will destroy your testimony. Overcome bitterness by loving one another, saying “I’m sorry,” confessing your faults and guarding your thoughts. Hebrews 12:14 teaches, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”

Sunday night’s special music was by Tammy Harmon and Donald Liveoak, singing, “He Will Calm the Trouble Waters of Your Soul.” We were blessed to have as our guest speaker for Sunday night, Bro. Ken Chandler. Bro. Ken’s message was taken from Ephesians 6:10-13, “Pray For Me, Pray For Me.” Put on the whole armor of God. My brethren be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Pray for our pastor, that God will give him wisdom in making decisions for the church and church family. Pray for God to give him the messages and guide him with the Holy Spirit every service.

Remember our Sunday night services will be dismissed this week for our congregation to attend the evangelism rally at First Baptist Christian Life Center at 6 p.m. in Clanton.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, Sept. 8 for grass cutting and working around the church at 7 a.m.

Plans are being made for Pastor Appreciation and Old Fashion Day to be held in October. Keep this in mind and help us to plan for a great day of fellowship.

Continue to pray with us for the sick needs and the lost. Remember Mary Mauldin especially as you pray this week. We feel prayers are being answered. God is still in the miracle business. Come to Sunday School and church service Sunday.