Bethsalem Baptist Church

Bro. Cleve welcomed everyone and gave ministry opportunities. We recognized birthdays and anniversaries. Special music by the Celebration Choir was “God and God Alone.” The older children performed several songs. Directors were Kelsey Pierce and Melissa Glen.

The message, given by Bro. Phil Joshua, was titled “Life is Full Of Changes: Take Care of Yourself and Exercise Your Faith in God.”

Clara McConnell, daughter of Jamie and Nikite McConnell, was saved.

Bro. Phil preached from Ephesians 5:15-18. His sermom title was “Building Guardrails.”

Wednesday service and family supper at 5:30 p.m., business meeting at 6:30 p.m., Team Kids for children and Student’s Outlet.

Happy Birthday to Daylin Baker, Elaine Hayes, Rebecca Lovett, Ryan Spigner, Lianna Thompson, Aimee Dobbs, Alivia Wright, Emily Merritt, Helen Catpes and Alexis Burnett.

Happy Anniversary to Frankie and Carol Smith, 34 years.

Pray for Bruce Moore, Greg Green, Brian Smith, Sally Davis, Hunter Moore, Roger Cleckler, Chase Cobern, Joe Sexton, Randy Bryant, Lilliana Thompson, Geraldine, the Crawford family, Cathy Headley, James Harrison, Rebeca Thomas, the Hunt family’s adoption, Taylor Barnes, Kay Ray, Harold Pierce, Elridge Townsend, Susan Harrison, Tyler Barnes and Bridges of Faith Mission Team in the Ukraine.

Next Sunday is Mothers Day. We will not have evening service.

Come and worship with us on Sunday.

Christ Independent Methodist Church

On this day of indecisive weather, it was pleasant to arrive at church and be greeted by fellow Christians who ventured out on such a day. The warm church wrapped around me like a cloak, and the singing that followed made my spirit soar.

Dr. Stinson’s sermon title was “Coincidence or Providence?” His scripture was taken from the following verses:

And on the Sabbath, we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, if ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. Acts 16:9-15

Was the conversion of the woman mentioned in these verses due to coincidence or providence? Now, we are all free to make our own decision. I would add another possibility: Could the result be caused by intuition? Thorndike Dictionary defines intuition as “perception of truths without reasoning.” We have free will to choose, so what is your choice? Dear Reader, that is my hypothetical question!

When you pray, remember Dr. Mac Stinson; his mother and his son, who has completed battery of tests, but has not yet been of the results; June Simms, recovering from arm and hand surgery; Mary Ann’s sister, Maxine; little Aiden Parker; and Mark James, whose eyes were accidentally damaged (hopefully, temporarily). Remember Opal Miller, Judy Atkinson and Roy Lauter. Let us also remember those asking for prayer, as well as each other, our military and their families, our country, our leaders, our church and our community.

May 19: Senior Honor Luncheon following the morning service to honor Anna Adams and Autumn Glass

We are continuing our evening worship service of “The Handwriting on the Wall.”

Thanks to Laurel Lee Adams for treating our youth to a day out in the Magic City on May 4.

Have a blessed week.