Bethany Baptist Church

Morning services with the hymn “Stepping in the Light,” followed by a devotional titled “Walk in the Light” from Ephesians 5:8.

It is important physically to walk in light rather than darkness because we can see where we are going. When trying to get about in the dark, we will fall over obstacles that are in our path. Spiritually, we need to walk in the light of Jesus. When we walk in the light, we will avoid all the obstacles called sin that are in the world. The longer we stay in sin, the farther from Jesus we will go and the more we will yield to temptation.

After a prayer, we were dismissed to our Sunday school classes. We sang “Once for All,” “Are You Able Said the Master,” “Face to Face with Christ My Savior,” and “The Nail-Scarred Hand.”

Bro. Aubry announced our VBS, which will be June 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for ages 4-17. Lunch will be served. We welcome all students to our Bible school. The theme is “Cross-Canyon Trail.”

The message for the morning was, “Are You There Yet” from 1 Kings 17:1-7 We need to search our hearts and make sure we are where God wants us to be. In our text, Elijah, a great prophet of God, was used to give a message to the wicked king of Israel, Ahab. Ahab followed his idol-worshipping wife Jezebel into idolatry and led Israel into doing the same. Because of this message, Elijah must hide by the brook Cherith, where he would be fed by the ravens. After the brook dried up, God sent him to a widow’s house in Zarephath.

To be in the perfect will of God, we must be where he wants us. That is a place of promise, where God promised to care for us. God will provide all of our needs. Before we have a need, God has already provided, just like he did before Adam sinned in the garden. He already had a plan for salvation from hell: Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son. Even though following Jesus may be difficult in this world, it is still a privilege to serve him. We closed with a prayer and a hymn, “Softly and Tenderly.” Evening services began with “Doer’s of the Word,” then Bro. Aubry presented the evening message, “Are You Walking Like Jesus” from 1 John 2:6. As children, we try to walk like our parents, but as saved people, we need to walk and live like Jesus Christ. When we are born again, a change takes place instantly, but we need to fight our bad habits. They do not instantly go away. Saved people do not need to use bad language like the world, or no one will know we have been saved. When first saved, we are like newborn babies. We can only tolerate milk, but as we mature we must desire meat (the deeper teachings of God’s word). Remember, we are only one heartbeat away from eternity!

We closed with a prayer and the hymn “I Need Thee Every Hour.”

Our prayer list includes: our church, missionaries, Bro. Aubry, Shirley, Billie, Jackie, Elwyn, Grace, Bro. Hubert, Larry, Chris, Wayne Smith, Wilma, Phyllis, Glenda, Earnestine, Lisa, John Rodriguez, Colyn, Sherry, and most of all, the unsaved.

Mt. Carmel No. 1

Songs and praise were given to the Lord this Sunday morning as we gathered in his house. God’s Holy Spirit unites believers for the cause of Christ. We are thankful for all who came to worship with us on the Sabbath.

Service was opened with the children gathering money for their penny march. Libby Warren played “Holy, Holy, Holy” as Bro. Ricky Cofer sang and the congregation joined in. The presence of the Lord was with us. Cindy Foshee and the choir provided the special music, “He Touched Me.”

“When He Speaks” from John 7:40-46 was the sermon title. When Jesus spoke, people listened and were blessed. As the soldiers went to arrest Jesus, his words arrested the soldiers. What makes us not recognize his voice when he speaks today?

We are oppressed, but Jesus speaks to the oppressed. Jesus speaks with compassion to the broken-hearted. A broken heart can come from grief, failure or sin. Regardless what has broken your heart, Jesus can put it back. Jesus can restore the fellowship and strength. God can heal a broken heart. God can take a failure and make him whole. God wants you as you are. Jesus came to this earth to seek and save. He wants to set man free. Jesus said, “He that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

Matthew 14:27 says, “Be of good cheer.” Jesus had told his disciples to get in the ship and go before him unto the other side. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled saying, “It is a spirit, and they cried out in fear.” But Jesus spoke to them saying, “Be of good cheer. It is I; be not afraid.” Christians, be of good cheer because God in control.

Upcoming event:

June 7: Benefit revival for Jacob Jones

June 14: VBS kick-off

VBS: June 22-27 from 6-8:30 p.m., all ages welcome

June 12: Prayer walk-thru at 4:30 p.m.

June 14: Bridal shower for Robin Parker from 2-3:30 p.m.

Prayer warriors, remember to pray at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day. Seven days without prayer makes one weak.

Please come and join us as we celebrate the Lord Jesus in praise and worship.