Music of Bryant to be honored Sunday

By Emily Agee (Contact) | Clanton Advertiser

Published Friday, July 25, 2008

"O Sing unto the Lord a new song, for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. The Lord hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of his Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing unto the Lord with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord and King. Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof the world and they that dwell therein. Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together. Before the Lord, for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity” (Psalm 98:1-9).

Thought for the week: “God’s Blessings”

“Dear God, please bless our family, and keep us well and strong. Guide all our many days as the time quickly passes on. Give us lots of strength going down life’s long road to shoulder all our burdens and carry all our loads. When our hearts hang heavy, please show us the way, past all the gloomy tomorrows to a brighter and sunny new day. You have blessed us with good times and a wealth of many friends, with a happy, caring family whose love will never end. God, thank You for Your blessings, for hearing all our prayers, most of all we thank You for always being there.”

There will be a music appreciation honoring Michael Bryant as musician of Morning Star Baptist Church in Clanton on Sunday, July 27 at 11 a.m. The Rev. Keith Moore is pastor. All choirs, groups and soloists are invited.

Worship services at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Jemison began with praise singing led by the senior choir with songs, scripture and prayer. Songs sung: “Glory Hallelujah,” “I Love Jesus’ Name,” “Bless Your Name” and “God Will Supply.” The scripture was read by Perry Nunn with prayer by Pastor Dukes and Perry Nunn.

Pastor Dukes’ message was entitled “It’s Time to Get the Ashes off of the Altar.” Noah built an altar to burn offerings to God. Solomon had altars in the temple for sacrifice and worship. They removed the ashes daily. Don’t let anything remove your desire to walk with Christ. Scrape off your ashes in your marriage, your finances and spiritual life so God can bless and use you. Ashes are bitter; no one enjoys them.

Are you eating the ashes of a painful relationship that has made you bitter? It affects you and people around you. The devil loves to remind you of yesterday. Don’t hold on to it; his job is to kill, steal and destroy. Ashes represent your past and yesterday. Don’t let it override your future. Don’t let your fire go out for God’s word. Don’t let the economy ruin your relationship. Don’t eat ashes of yesterday; dress the altar in a manner that’s pleasing to God. Look toward the heavens and ask God for a fresh dose of the Holy Spirit.

The service concluded with fellowship and benediction by Pastor Dukes.

Our sympathy goes out to the family of the Rev. Robert Courtney in their time of bereavement. Services were held on yesterday.

On our sick list this week we ask you to remember in your prayers: Nora Bell Barbour, Johnsie Walker, Chris Laister, Eva Nix, I. M. Glovers, Luther Lee, Willie Mae Mitchell and C. D. Varner. May God heal, strengthen and keep them in His care is our prayer.

Note: Emily Agee is a religious columnist for The Clanton Advertiser. Her column appears each Saturday.

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