Church news

Published Saturday, October 4, 2008

Christ Independent Methodist Church

As we traveled to church today through fields of goldenrod, it was an extravagant reminder that time marches on and summer is gone. A more subtle reminder is given by the leaves changing from green to more exotic colors.

Dr. Mac Stinson took his scripture reading from Philippians 2:1-11 where Paul is writing to Christians in Philippi urging them to be like Jesus. He tells them to keep mean thoughts, words and deeds out of their lives. Paul wants us, as the Christians at Philippi, to be like Jesus. Awesome to contemplate! Paul wants us to be like a twin to Jesus. We are to help lift up other people. To be like Christ is to know that we are children of God. Paul says in Philippians 1:2-4 “Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you.” With so many children here below for Jesus Christ to remember with every prayer He prays, how much more imperative it becomes for us to remember one God in our prayers.

Also as we pray, let us remember Charlie Hawkins, Elizabeth Kotenrich, Lee Moffitt, and Laurel Lee Adams who is recovering from foot surgery, Dr. Mac Stinson who is also recovering from foot surgery and Sarah McEwen who is having surgery on Tuesday and who requests prayer for her surgeon, Dr. Thomas, as well as herself. Also be in prayer for newborn infant Jonathan Hammaker who has not been released from the hospital as yet, Michael McCavitt and Randall Miller.

Men from CIMC will meet a Cracker Barrel Restaurant Tuesday night for a fellowship meal.

When you pray, remember out military, their families, our church, community and ourselves.

Have a blessed week.

Pates Chapel Baptist Church

126 came to Sunday School Sunday. Remember next Sunday is High Attendance Day for SS. All adult classes will meet in the sanctuary for a special class with a guest speaker. Make a big effort to come and bring someone with you. Stay for worship, and then join us for potluck lunch and more fellowship.

Our deepest sympathy goes to the family of Sara McDonald, mother of Byron {Linda} McDonald. Ask God to comfort them.

AWANAS are meeting and having fun every Sunday night from 5-7. Door prizes and all kinds of good stuff happen. So kids come on out. If you need a ride call our church office.

Sunday is Penny March again. Have your change ready for the kids. This is for the playground equipment.

YAH mark your calendars for a special day Oct. 16th. Bro. Howard Smith has a great trip planned for Historical Old Montgomery.

97% approval was met for getting the new bus. So pray for the committee working on this. Turn your pledges in for the down payment soon as you can.

We will be hosting the Baptist Association annual meeting Oct. 9. Ladies we need desserts and tea for this. If you can help cook and serve lunch, please see Tonya Ray.

Our prayer list is huge. Lift them up daily. Please remember to pray especially for guidance in the financial crisis our country is in, those working to solve it, the upcoming elections and our Military folks the world over.

Our Bible verse to remember this week is-The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27-1

Mt. Carmel Baptist Church No. 2

The world and everyone in it is facing troubling times. What are we supposed to do with Life’s burdens? Our Pastor Bro. Lyn Roe explained to us the Bible shows us three things we are to do with them. Galatians 6:5 says “Let every man bear his own,” Galatians 6:2 states we also to bear each other’s and Psalms 55:22 says we are to “Cast our every burden on the Lord.” If you are finding your burdens heavier than you can bear, ask “Lord, please lighten my load or strengthen my back.”

Bro. Lyn’s passages came from Luke 17:25-35 and Genesis 7:15-16 and Joshua 24:15. Don’t let the chance to know the Lord pass you again. One day, the Lord will shut the door as he did in the days of Noah and no one else will be let in.

We are looking forward to the blessings of our revival in November. Sis. Lois Gilmore celebrated her birthday with us and the children are working hard practicing their Christmas play.

Cedar Grove Methodist-Protestant Church

Just a good ol’ fashion shout of “Hallelujah!” It has been a good day to be in the House of the Lord.

Please remember Royce Ellison, Ellen Ruth Scott, Dolly Price, Randall Cleckler’s baby Chase and Jason Patterson in prayer.

Happy birthday to Juliet Hayes and Diane Patterson, and happy anniversary to Mary and Joey McGuire.

Bro. Jeff has been preaching on keeping the devil out and Sunday he preached on how to keep him from entering your domain. He took his main Scripture from Matthew 12:43-45.

Several came to the altar to pray and be prayed for.

We didn’t have our regular evening service because it was time for our fourth Sunday night singing.

Our guest singers were Renita and Ray Patterson, Jeff Payton, Joe Rasberry, Stoney Barbee and our Alton Russell; altogether they make up the group called Deliverance.

They did a great job of singing and playing music. If you were not here you missed a blessing.

I don’t know if other churches have this problem or not, but it seems our group is getting smaller on Wednesday nights. Bro. Jeff said the Wednesday night people were the backbone of the church; is that so? I believe it is because everyone thinks I am just one person and I won’t be missed, but if several think that it becomes a problem. We miss each and every one. It is only for an hour, no longer than an hour and a half, from 7 p.m. until 8:30 at the latest. So come on out and let’s support our pastor.

Enjoy serving the Lord, and he will give you what you want (Psalm 37:4).

Oak Grove Church of God

Bro. Northcutt took his text from Hebrews 12:14; I Peter 113-16; Titus 2:11-15, and his message was titled “Without Holiness, No Man Shall See God.”

In this day of powerful preaching skills, mega churches, large crusades and exciting revivals there is one thing that gets little attention and that is Holiness. The problem is that most people’s concept of “holiness” is some state of spiritual depth or some negative restrictive lifestyle. Really holiness in the Bible is an action. Holiness is not just what we don’t do; it is actually what we positively do. Holiness in the Bible is actually a “separation”: a separation from sin, and a separation to God. The Bible teaches that “without holiness, no man shall see God! (Hebrews 12:14) Holiness then is an absolute necessity as a discipline for the believer.

We will be celebrating a special service on Sunday, Oct. 12 when the Rev. Melvin Massey will be speaking in both or morning and evening service. We are saying in these services, “It’s Your Season to Be Blessed.” Come join us and receive your blessing from the Lord!

We want to wish a happy birthday this week to Keith Easterling and William Kohn and a happy anniversary to Rubin and Pat Kelly as well as Jason and LaShonda Mims. We just pray that God will bless them with many more celebrations of these special occasions in the years to come.

We are so blessed of God at Oak Grove, and we had several new people come join us in our Sunday worship services. We welcome them to be with us often. Oak Grove is a growing church and we received 14 new members in the last two weekends. We thank God for them and want them to know that we love them and welcome them into the fellowship of our church.

Service times are: Sunday School at 10 a.m., worship service at 10:45, Sunday evening service at 5:30 and Wednesday night service at 7. We also have children’s church each Sunday.

Our church is easy to find. When you leave Clanton heading south on US 31 turn left at Peach Park and follow the signs to Oak Grove Church of God.

Bethany Baptist Church

What a good homecoming service we had! We enjoyed fellowshipping with the good crowd of family and friends, some from as far west as Washington State, and former pastors. For health reasons Mrs. Lela Mae Courtney hasn’t been able to be in church lately and we were delighted that she was able to join us. The choir and others sang many great songs reminding us of our faith and anticipation of our Lord’s return. We enjoyed many poignant as well as amusing memories when we viewed Bro. Ralph’s great PowerPoint presentation. Bro. Paul Gray preached a timely and interesting message on the end times and some aspects of the New Heaven and the New Earth. Bro. Paul said he feels that we will go through some difficult times between now and the Rapture and challenged us to Be Prepared and to be faithful.

Please remember to pray for those on our prayer list. Don’t forget to include our nation, especially our upcoming election.

Upcoming Events: (1) Yellowcreek Association, Winfield, Ala., Oct. 4; (2) State Meeting, Dothan, Ala. Oct. 10-11; New Building Dedication, Heritage Mission, Haleyville, Ala., Oct. 25.

See you Sunday!

Bethsalem Baptist Church

Bro. Brad Eubank preached his message Sunday, “Learn Humbly,” from Isaiah 14:18-31 and Proverbs 3:5-6.

We were blessed by Shane Courtney being saved and Kelly Courtney coming and joining our church.

Our evening message was titled “Sin: The True Hollywood Story” based on Genesis 3 and delivered by Bro. Cleve Mallory.

Prayer list: Jared Duncan, Jean Pierce, Hilda Allen, Lois Terrell, Amy Hicks, Scott Harmon, men and women serving our country, missionaries, our country and leaders, Carol Hayes, Jim Dilar, all shut-ins, Lisa Smith, Larue Smith, Frankie Baker, Russell Green, Jason Hill, Nolan Calloway, Mary Ann Messer, Paul Powell, Crystal Rhodes, Jean Pierce, Vera Franches, Brandon Ward.

Wednesday night is family supper at 5:45 p.m. followed by prayer meeting and choir practice for all choirs.

Next Sunday is Brotherhood Breakfast.

Everyone have a blessed week. Remember, God is so good. Share Jesus with someone this week.

Center Hill Baptist Church

The choir and congregation sang “Somebody Prayed for Me” along with the weekly altar call. Lance Hughes brought the special worship with “I Bowed on My Knees and Cried Holy.” The children were led in Children’s Church by Kelley Warren.

Pastor David Warren delivered a message on Revelation 3:14-22, on the church of Laodicea, relaying that “Fence Straddling can be Hazardous.” He urged the church to get involved, to actively resist being lukewarm about the faith, to show that our works prove our faith but that faith that is not completely sold out to Christ is lukewarm: so much so that it makes God want to vomit. We should not deceive ourselves into ignorance about our wretched condition in being lukewarm. We should call it like it is, as God does in this passage, as also in 2 Corinthians 4:4. For if we listen and obey, we will not have to be in the position of the people described in Matthew 7:22-23.

Jackson Chapel

“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise, be thankful unto him, and bless his name” (Psalm 100:4).

Bro Dennis’ text came from Genesis 15:1-6. He brought a great message on when things come our way and there seems to be no way out, we need to look up because God is always there for us. We have got to put our faith and trust in God because he is the reason we are able to get up and see another day. We as Christians need to make up our minds if we want it our way or do we want it God’s way. If we tend to choose our way, then that is when we miss some of the greatest blessings because we are not patient to wait on God. Instead, we go ahead and make decisions without God’s help with whatever we’ve got going on in our lives. God loves us and he is waiting to help us with whatever trials we face. The service ended with several coming to the altar to pray, and the Holy Spirit was truly present.

Bro Dennis’ text for Sunday evening came from Judges 14:1-6, and he brought out that it is the little foxes that spoil the vine. We should keep our eyes on Jesus because if we don’t we will be like Sansom and wander off into places and get into things that we have no business getting into. We as Christians should live our lives everyday like it is our last because we never know when we will take our last breath. If we live a life that is pleasing to God, when our time comes the preacher will not have to tell a lie over our caskets.

Please remember these people as your pray this week: Cole Riley, Carson Riley, Nelda Wilson, Larry Patterson and family, James and Marie Johnson, Jill Clark, Amanda Burnett, David Mitchell’s mom, Winston Cofer, our lost loved ones and our service men and women.

We are located at 4020 Yellowleaf Road in Clanton. Our service times are as follows: Sunday School at 10, morning worship at 11, evening worship at 6, and Wednesday night prayer meeting and Bible study at 7. We also have Kid’s Club on Wednesday nights at 7 for grades 1-6.

Walnut Creek United Methodist Church

Bro. Tony and his family were out of town Sunday, so Bro. Jim Popwell brought the message and Bro. Duane Jones made the announcements. I was blessed to be anointed for my dear wife, Lavada, who is not doing well and unable to attend.

Bro Jim spoke to the children; he is doing such a good job of explaining the Golden Rule and getting their input.

The title of Bro. Jim’s message was “Identifying a Christian.” Those of us who know Jim know he only had to look in the mirror! There is no question where he stands. His message came from John 13:31 and 1 Corinthians 13:4. We heard the scripture that says we must “love one another as I have loved you” and that love is “patient, love is kind.” So when we identify a Christian, some of us are “missing the target” as Bro Jim says.

“How are we communicating our message?” he asked. “Why aren’t our churches full? Who we are sometimes speaks so loud, people can’t hear what we’re saying.” Wow!

Jesus made it clear: “Christians will be known by the love they have for others.” Some of us would not pass the ‘love test.’ People don’t know how much you know until they know how much you care. Bro Jim said, “Folks, what we have received is what they want! Is it not our task to proclaim the word of Christ?” Sometimes we learn that as we go out to save souls, we save our own!

We hope that Bro Tony, Beth and Taylor had a very good time. We missed them. We enjoyed Bro Jim’s message.

Remember our sick and those who would like to be at church but were unable to.

Remember our First Sunday Building Fund Lunch next Sunday, especially if you are looking for a place to go come out and enjoy lunch with us and help with the building fund.

Friendship Baptist Church

Our Revival began this morning with Bro. Robert Griffin. His message was from Isaiah 55: 6-7 “God’s Wrath to Revival.” The purpose of God’s word is so we can know Jesus Christ. We need to build our lives around God’s word.

R- Renewal

E encouragement

V victory

I “I”

V vision

Awareness

L love

Seek the Lord, call on the Lord, forsake your sin, and return to God.

Revival continued from Acts 10: 1-16. “When Peter said no to Jesus.” Like Peter, many Christians call Jesus “Lord.” Like Peter, many Christians say no to the Lord. Say Yes to Jesus, Now.

Oct. 11 Bridal Tea for Stefanie Pate at 3 p.m. in the fellowship hall. She is registered at Bed, Bath & Beyond, Target and Crate & Barrel.

Oct. 15-19 Lisa & Donielle’s class will visit the Amish in Pennsylvania.

Oct. 26 Bridal Tea for Lauren Davis at 2 p.m. in the fellowship hall. She is registered at Macy’s, Target, Wal-mart and Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Oct. 27-31 Senior Adult Mission Trip to New Orleans

Happy Birthday to Fred Glover and Jerry Miller

Prayer requests: Beverly and Barney Payne & family, Danielle Cleckley, Nick Hugins, Sue Payton, Bill Bowman, Lois Smith, Emily Green, Jennifer Huntley, Cleveland Turner, Brad Pate, Earl Roberts, Dallas Little, Lucille Price, Elizabeth Funderburk, Dan Raymond, Eula Cleckler, Huey Wilson, Judy Mims and family.

Heritage Church of the Nazarene

The Sunday school lesson continued to be a study in Exodus. Today the lesson focused on the institution of the Passover celebration just before the Israelites departed Egypt.

The worship services began with receiving the Alabaster offering for missions. The person who brought their offering in the most unusual container was recognized. Tommy tucker had his offering concealed in a large pinecone, which he referred to as “seed money.” This was the most unusual container.

Regina Latham played the piano and sang prior to the sermon. The Rev. Gary Aldridge’s text was John 3: 1-21. The sermon began by referring to a prayer recently made by a Chaplain in the Kansas Legislature. The prayer was powerful, direct and truthful. In the prayer the wrongness of abusing power was addressed. Bro. Aldridge explained we need to get back to the basics. We are to live with a holiness lifestyle after being reborn. Salvation is not up to you. Without spiritual rebirth you cannot understand spiritual truth. If God Is speaking to you and you do not receive the “light” He gives, you are condemned already. Verse 6 says, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the spirit gives birth to the spirit.”

Sunday evening was the monthly missionary service led by Anita Aldridge. Heritage is a mission-minded church. There are 770 Nazarene missionaries in 151 countries around the world. Tommy and Reba Tucker from this congregation will be going to Honduras this month on a Work and Witness Trip to assist in building a church.

Sunday, everyone is invited to come celebrate the Church of the Nazarene’s 100 birthday. The Nazarene movement of Holiness unto the Lord began in Pilot Point, Texas in October 1908. Heritage Church of the Nazarene has been at its present location in Clanton for the past 7 years. There will be a special video presentation, a Distinguished Service Award given, Preaching and Communion. A lunch will follow including birthday cake and ice cream. For information call 280-6252 or 688-2212. The church is located at 610 Dennis Street off Temple Road.

Calvary’s Hill Church of God

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made Heaven and Earth. Psalm 121:1, 2,

Praise God for his mercy and grace. Bro. Willard brought his message from Luke 15:11-24, about the prodigal son, who wasted his inheritance and in his darkest hour, knew he had a father he could return to, who welcomed him with love and compassion. We, as a nation, have forgotten how to pray and would rather “wallow with the swine” than bend our knees in prayer. We’re like the prodigal son, wandering around lost and alone, but God is standing there with outstretched arms, waiting for us to turn back to him. As Bro. Willard says, “Sin will take you farther than you want to go, cost you more than you want to pay, and keep you longer than you want to stay.”

Bro. Ricky Cleckley brought the message Sunday evening from Daniel 3:1-29 about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who were thrown into a fiery furnace because they refused to bow down to an idol. God delivered them unharmed and changed Nebuchadnezzar’s heart.

He can do the same for us today because God is the same yesterday, today and forever.

We had several families gone on a cruise last week and they made it back safely. Bro. Willard said it was awesome to look out across the ocean and realize how amazing it is that God is big enough to speak things into existence, yet small enough to live in our heart.

We will be having revival Oct. 5-8 with Bro. Wayne Rouse. Service will begin at 5 p.m. on Oct. 5 and 7 p.m. Oct. 6-8. Remember to pray for our leaders, military, pastors, and the lost. If you don’t have a home church, come join us. Sunday school starts at 10 a.m., worship service at 10:45 a.m., Sunday evening at 5 p.m. and Wednesday night at 7 p.m. The church is located on Alabama Highway. 191, two miles outside Jemison.

Lime Springs United Methodist Church

We continued our study on Revelation with Chapter 18. Bro. Shannon brought the morning message from Psalms 55:22. He reminded us that when we find ourselves struggling in this world, we can always cry out to God for a helping hand. God gives us many different means of receiving this help. Galatians 6:5 reminds us God gives us the ability to help ourselves; Galatians 6:2 encourages the church to help carry the burdens of one another; and Matthew 11:28-30 reminds us Jesus helps us to carry our burdens. The key is to know when we need a helping hand and ask. 1 Peter 5:7 reminds us to cast our cares upon God, for He really cares for us.

Our evening bible study focused on 2 Corinthians 11-13.

Happy anniversary to June and Mack Traywick.

We invite everyone to join us for worship at Lime Springs. Our Sunday school starts at 9:30 a.m.; morning worship at 11 a.m.; evening bible study at 5:30 p.m.; and Wednesday prayer meeting at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, please call 755-4950 or 755-6356.

---

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?

---