Center Hill Church

December has been a busy month for our church. “A Christmas Shoe Tree Farm,” a multi-generational program, was presented to our congregation. This program stressed the contribution of “soles for souls.”

We collected a large amount of shoes to be given to the needy thanks to Jackie Champion for her patience in directing this play.

Our senior adults (plus a few minors) had a Christmas lunch celebration that was well attended.

The choir blessed our hearts with their cantata, “Silent Night” on Dec. 23.

However, the highlight of this holy season was our candlelight communion service on Christmas Eve. The words to a great song that described that event, “surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.”

We now face a new year, a time for some to make resolutions (and most will be broken in a month).

However, Christians should be resolved every day to be a better person and let the love of Jesus show through our lives. 2012 is behind, 2013 is ahead with new blessings and new trials. We want to be sure that our hearts and lives are prepared to weather the storms ahead, rejoice in the blessings, but giving God the glory for all things.

Our youth group, Overflow Ministries, led by Cameron Beam is continuing activities this Sunday, Jan. 6 with a meal served by the youth for a donation.

Lottie Moon donations will be taken until Feb. 17. Our preschoolers have placed a container in the foyer for your extra change that will go toward our Lottie Moon goal.

Olympians will resume Jan. 9.

Sunday’s offertory should be the desire of all Christians, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin in me.”

If you are searching for a church home, visit Center Hill. A thought, keep your face to the “sonshine” and you cannot see the shadows.

Bethany Baptist Church

On this last Sunday in 2012 we look forward to a new year, and Bro. Steve’s message was titled, “An Open Door,” taken from Rev. 3:7-13. Jesus, in his revelation to the church at Philadelphia said, “I have set before thee an open door.” An open door represents opportunities. In our local churches, we have opportunities to be faithful in church attendance, prayer, jobs, making contacts and witnessing and reaching souls (to name a few). God will give us opportunities and will also give us the means and strength to pursue those opportunities. The year 2013 is like a book not written. All the pages are blank with no smudges or mistakes. Let us consider 2013 an open door of opportunity. What are we going to do with it? If you have no accepted the Lord as your Savior, would you open the door to your heart and let him come and save your soul today?

Sunday night Bro. Steve’s message was “Time to Change,” using Ephesians 4:20-32.

The Apostle Paul reminded the Christians at Ephesus to “put off the old man” and lay aside all that pertains to the old way of life that proceeds from sin or depravity. He said instead,” put on the new man…created in righteousness and holiness.”

We should put on the Lord Jesus Christ and be renewed in the spirit of our minds.

He further says to put away certain sins: lying, anger, stealing, corrupt speech and bitterness.

Prayer list: Betty Biggs, James Bixler, Doris and Verdie Glenn, Hubert Griffin, Mildred Griffin, Laverne and Dick Hayes, Journey Mission in Calera, Ethel Kelly family, Billie Neeley and Lillianna Thompson.

See you Sunday!