Calvary Independent Baptist Church

We want to thank everyone who attended services this weekend. Sunday morning’s service included a message from John 4:27-39 about being addicted to the ministry. As believers, we should be excited about the opportunity to serve Christ, and we should want to go farther than just the minimal requirements of service.

Sunday night’s message from 1 Thessalonians 3 was about faith and establishing fellow believers in faith. Winning someone to Christ is only the beginning of our responsibility. Newborn babes in Christ still need much work and prayer. We are to be responsible ministers of the milk of the word of God to babes in Christ until they are able to eat from the table.

On Sunday, March 24, we will have our communion service at the end of the 10 a.m. service. We invite you to attend a special Easter play on Saturday, March 30 at 6 p.m. with refreshments following. We also want to invite you to come and visit with us for any of our regular services as well. We are located south of Clanton, past Dollar General, off U.S. 31 on Fulmer Drive. Sunday School: 9 a.m., Children’s Church and adult worship service: 10 a.m., Sunday evening service: 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday service: 6:30 p.m. For more information, call Pastor Oscar Mims at 205-755-9399.

Christ Independent Methodist Church

All the trees bearing white blooms make the world look like a flower garden. The mild winter and early spring must be giving them a head start before other trees leaf-out, making them compete for attention.

Our opening hymn was “Come, Thou, Almighty King,” followed by “The Old Rugged Cross.”

This fifth Sunday of Lent reminds us that some observe it as a season of fasting and penitence in preparation for Easter, beginning on Ash Wednesday and including the forty weekdays before Easter.

Dr. Mac Stinson’s sermon for today was titled “When We Don’t Know God,” based on scripture from Phillipians 3:4-14. He related events from the life of several prominent men, illustrating how that condition affected this life. One man he mentioned was the multi-millionaire Howard Hughes, who inherited great wealth, but was never content with what he had. He had enough money to purchase anything he could dream, but nothing was significant enough to bring happiness to his life. In his old age, Hughes became withdrawn, drug-addicted, emaciated and unkempt. Despite his wealth and material possessions, he became one of the most pitiable men on earth.

Another man in search of more was Saul of Tarsus. We remember him today as St. Paul the Apostle, who was converted to Christianity on the road to Damascus.

The number of people who fall into the same selfish category as the two mentioned above is legion.

The crux of Dr. Stinson’s sermon was this: “If you want to read your Bible, that’s well and good; if you want to get involved in acts of social service, that’s wonderful; if you want to spend hours on your knees, terrific; and if you wish to make a substantial monetary gift to the church, praise the Lord! All of these are time-honored ways of showing you love God, but they are not prerequisite to knowing God. Knowing God is simply a matter of saying, ‘yes.’ Faith is a gift.”

Continue to pray for Dr. Stinson and his family members, Stacy Adams, Lilliana Thompson, Kelly Parker, Eleanor Robinson, Judy Atkinson and all who are traveling during the upcoming holiday. Remember to pray for our country, world leaders, our church, community and each other.

March 24: Palm Sunday service, no evening service.

March 31: Easter Sunday service, no evening service.

If you wish to place a lily in the sanctuary in memory or honor of someone for Easter Sunday, please call or see Laurel Lee.