Church News

Published Friday, February 6, 2009

Lime Springs United Methodist Church

Last Sunday we studied the origin and meaning of Holy Communion. Bro. Shannon brought the message from Luke 7:36-50, reminding us of the story told by Jesus of the creditor and two debtors.

One debtor owed 500 denarii and the other debtor owed the creditor 50 denarii. The creditor excused both debtors for the amount they owed.

Jesus asked the question, “Which debtor was forgiven more?” The answer was the one who had more to be forgiven. So it is with you and I. No matter how much we have sinned, God desires to forgive us.

There is one catch, however. We must learn to forgive those who have trespassed against us.

Why should we forgive others? First, it is the Christian thing to do. Jesus as Jesus gave us the example to follow on the cross of Calvary, so we must follow his example.

Second, we must forgive others before God can forgive us. Finally, we must be careful that Satan does not take our unwillingness to forgive and create other problems like anger, resentment, hatred, etc.

In conclusion, we must learn to forgive before our relationship with others and God is damaged.

We closed the service with the Lord’s Supper.

Our Sunday evening Bible study focused on 2 Timothy 1-4.

Happy birthday this week to Benton Moore.

We invite everyone to attend our weekly scheduled services: Sunday School at 9:45 a.m.; Sunday morning worship at 11; Sunday evening Bible study at 5:30; and Wednesday night prayer meeting at 6:30.

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

Heritage Church of the Nazarene

God’s presence was felt Sunday as songs of worship and praise were sung and as prayer requests were lifted to God during altar prayer time.

Prayers are being answered by the testimonies given. If you have a prayer request, place it in the community prayer box in front of the church located 610 Dennis St. and we will pray for you. God cares about you.

The Rev. Gary Aldridge titled the sermon “Aggressive Forgiveness” with the text from Genesis 45:1-15. This is the story of Joseph’s forgiveness of his brothers years after they sold him into slavery and deceitfully told the father that Joseph was dead. This story teaches us every person will come to a point in their life that they have to forgive or be forgiven.

Forgiveness sets us free — free to respond to others in love. There are times in life we must forgive ourselves before we can forgive others. In the story of Joseph, God used Joseph’s willingness to forgive his brothers to bring his family back to him. Forgiveness is vital in our relationships.

In the evening service we had a missionary devotion followed by a “love auction” for missions in which money was raised for missions around the world. This was a time of fun and sharing our love for each other as February is the “love” month. Let us remember the greatest love comes from God as stated in John 3:16.

Everyone is welcome at Heritage. For information call 280-6252.

Mt. Carmel No. 1 Baptist Church

We praise God for the wonderful day he gave us and all our visitors this Sunday. We say a special welcome to Bro. Larry Felkins and Mrs. Judy, two of our visitors. Come anytime.

We celebrated our Lord Jesus in praise and worship as we opened our Sunday morning service with singing and the greeting of visitors and each other.

Bro. Ricky brought a soul-stirring message from Matthew 20:1-16. Sunday evening, he preached a message from 2 Peter 2:1-3 entitled “A Spiritual Appetite.”

Our visitors Sunday night were Bro. Roger Vines and his wife.

Cedar Grove has invited our men to a Brotherhood breakfast Feb. 7 at 7 a.m. Bro. Rick will be speaking. Men, mark your calendars for this date.

February dates to remember are:

• Feb. 6: Valentine’s party at Peach Park, 6:30 p.m. Bring your sweetheart!

• Feb. 13: Youth bowling trip, 6 p.m.

• Feb. 15: Relay for Life movie and potluck supper, 5 p.m. Donations will be taken. Contact Laura Liveoak.

• Feb. 22: Bridal shower for Holly Lockhart and Marty Smith in the fellowship hall, 2-4 p.m. They are registered at Wal-Mart and Bed, Bath & Beyond.

• Feb. 22: Sunday School high attendance day. Our goal is 100. The classes with the highest percentage of enrollment will get a free supper March 1. Everybody get busy and invite or bring someone with you on this date.

• Feb. 27: “Breakfast at Supper,” 6:30 p.m. at Thorsby First Baptist. Pastors, deacons and wives, please contact Cecil Franklin if you plan to attend.

Always join with us as we pray for all prayer requests including the sick, the lost, our leaders, our nation and the military.

Mount Bethel Baptist Church

We had a great time of worship and fellowship with our Lord. It began with a song of praise followed by prayer, after which we went into our Bible study classes.

The Rev. Oneal Cleckler’s morning message was from 1 Kings 19:1-7. Elijah went before the people and asked, “How long are you going to have two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him; and if Baal be god, follow him.”

He said, “I am but one man and Baal’s prophets number 400.” He made them a proposition, “We will build two altars and we will place our sacrifice on them, and we will call down the fire from the sky to consume them. You call on your god and I will call on my God.”

Everything was prepared and the Baal prophets called on Baal from morning until noon and nothing happened. Elijah had to but mention the Lord’s name and a bolt of lightning consumed the fire and rocks and left nothing but dust.

The people turned and said, “This is the true God.”

Bro. Cleckler’s evening sermon was from Psalm 115. All the glory is God’s. We accomplish nothing without him. God will not share his glory with anyone. He doesn’t have to prove who he is. God is real and his promises will be kept. People may ask, “Where is your God?” and you can surely answer, “He is in the heavens.” And we know he is real because we can feel him in our hearts and see the proof of his being.

We would like to wish a happy anniversary to Robert and Jennifer Bland.

Visitors are invited to join us for worship and fellowship. Sunday School is at 10 a.m.; morning worship is at 11. Sunday night we will move our services to Clanton First Baptist.

Friendship Baptist Church

Bro. Mike’s Sunday morning sermon was called “He is Able.” The text was from Philippians 4:19.

God will meet all our needs according to his glorious riches in Jesus Christ. God is able to strengthen, to carry us through defeat, to support, to subdue all things, to keep those who have committed their lives to him, and to surpass.

Our evening message focused on Hebrews 13:8. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, tomorrow and forever. Trust Jesus. There is no plan B. He will come into our lives, but we must ask him to.

Happy birthday this week to Michelle Riley, Russ Davis, Lauren Conradi, Brenda Conradi, Don Jones, Josh Cleckley, Alyssa Riley, Pam Jones, LeAnn Walters, Jennifer Walters, Glenda Oliphant, Martis Wyatt, Jerry Wilson.

Prayer requests: Ralph Sanders, Libby Haslett family, James Cordes, Evelyn McGuire, Mary Foshee, Noel Miller, remodeling of our church, Erby Varner, Gene Cost, Christie Martin, Judy Martin, Victor Adair, Mary Jo Skidmore, Lettie Hugins, the jobless and unspoken requests.

Upcoming events:

• Feb. 8: Association 2009 Evangelism Rally at Clanton First Baptist, 6 p.m. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Lynn Turner. No services will be held at Friendship.

• Feb. 9: Youth will be serving pancakes and sausage at 6:30. The cost is $4 for all you can eat. Purchase your tickets early from our youth.

• Feb. 13: Youth Valentine’s Banquet

• Feb. 14: Association RA Racer breakfast at West End Baptist Church, 8 a.m.

• Feb. 15: Brotherhood breakfast, 7 a.m. There will be roller-skating following the evening service.

Christ Independent Methodist Church

Could a day be more perfect than the Sabbath we were blessed with Sunday? Spring flowers are ready to burst forth, and birds are claiming nesting sites, both indications that spring is imminent.

Dr. Mac Stinson took his scripture reading from Mark 1:21-28. Verses 21-22 tell us “And they went into Capernaum; and straightaway on the Sabbath day He entered into the synagogue, and taught. And they were astonished at His doctrine: for He taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.”

Today the remains of that Synagogue where Jesus taught are still there, and Christians still gather there millenniums later to view these sacred stone floors and columns that once knew the touch and reverberated with the Master’s voice. There by the Sea of Galilee it is possible to feel His presence and entertain the hope that you might actually step in His footprints.

We were sad to hear of the death of Recil Tolbert who often visited our church in years past. Recil grew up in this community, as part of Wilma Thrash Ellison’s family where the two of them were like sisters. Later, Recil married and moved to Birmingham but never neglected her Chilton County roots. We extend heartfelt sympathy to her son, Gary Tolbert, and his family.

Others on our prayer list are Randall Miller and Euin McLemore, who have undergone surgery; Sarah McEwen, Ken Osborne, Alex Dawson, Dr. Stinson’s son “Little” Mac, Raybon Ellison, Wilma Ellison and all others in need of a touch of God’s healing hands.

We ask travelling grace for Dr. Phil and June Simms.

Saturday, Feb. 7 is Kid’s Spectacular.

Sunday, Feb. 8 is our Valentine’s Dinner. Meet in the Fellowship Hall at 5 p.m.

Sunday night, Feb. 1, was Singspiration Service at CIMC. These first Sunday nights are greatly enjoyed by all.

Cedar Grove Methodist-Protestant Church

We had a wonderful day of worship at Cedar Grove this Sunday with a great Bible study about “Jesus, the Resurrection and Life.” Jesus said unto her, “I am the resurrection, and the life: He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”

We are happy to say Larry Patterson is doing great after his surgery. So is Doug Scott. Patsy Gross is home from the hospital and doing better. Tammy Porter was in the hospital this week and still not feeling well. Pray for Chris Watley, Peggy Pearson’s son, as he is very sick at this time. Ellen Ruth Scott is not doing well. We were glad to have Ruby Neeley back with us today; she has been on the sick list too. Please remember to keep all of them on your prayer list.

Welcome to Linda and David Wingo. We loved having you visit and hope you will come again.

There was mighty good singing this morning by the congregation and Choir. I am talking about the hand clapping kind; it was very enjoyable. We are truly blessed to have so much talent in singing and music.

Happy birthday to Ruby Neeley, Sandra Carroll and Preston Porter.

Bro. Jeff’s message was entitled “Bragging Rights,” and his scripture came from 1 Kings 18: 1-17-18-19-23-24-29.

Sunday evening we had three special guests to perform for us: Vanda Davenport and her daughters, Joana and Anna. Vanda played the piano, Anna played the violin and Joana and Anna sang two beautiful songs. Anna played “Amazing Grace” on the Violin. The grandparents of the girls, James Earl and Ann Davenport, have good reason to be very proud of them. They were great.

Welcome to Gwen Vines’ friend, Autumn.

Brother Heath Vines preached from Luke 8:41-42-49-56. His sermon was entitled “Will you trouble the Master?” What will you do when bad news comes your way?

For more information about Cedar Grove call 646-2390.

Bethsalem Baptist Church

Our Brotherhood started Sunday morning with breakfast and a great speaker, our EMA Director Bill Collum. Bro. Brad preached from Ephesians 5:21-23 on learning to love our differences. The evening message, from Colossians 3:5-11, was about putting sin to death.

Wednesday night is family supper at 5:45 p.m., followed by business meeting, prayer meeting, and choir practice.

Prayer list: Judy Martin, Hazel Green, Elaine Hayes, Ames Moore, Charles Bryant, Meade Bryant, Talon Hunter, our country and leaders, Randy Martin, Myra Burnett, Carolyn McClane, Nell Mims, Jewell Deason, Hunter Moore, W.L. Broome, Cleo Pack, Margaret Wyatt, Alexis Willis, our shut-ins, those facing cancer, Jeremiah Simpson (who is in Germany), Jerry Smith, T.J. and Aubrey Cox, Ellen Seales, Jeannette Rhodes, Dr. Brian Dudgeon, Seth Berry, Angela Wilson, Hilda Allen, Lois Terrell, Bryan Crawford.

Happy birthday to Johnna Ellison, Jasmine Wilmon, Amy Spigner, Jeremy Bradberry, Kim Edwards, Sjohna Pierce, Jack Lyster, Holly Sealy.

Happy anniversary to Brad and Rebecca Eubank (seven years), Tommy and Shannon Corn (24 years), Joel and Jennifer Gray (one year), and Judson and Joana Hill (one year).

Feb. 13, come see the movie “Fireproof” at 7:15 p.m. We will host a couple’s banquet at 6 p.m.

Come join us next Sunday for Sunday School and worship service. Also join us for Life Tracks. There is a place for everyone at Bethsalem.

Oak Grove Church of God

Bro. Ken took his text from Hebrews 11:6, and his message was titled “Without faith it is impossible to please God.”

Without faith there can be no salvation, for faith is the first step for man to have a relationship with God. We are only left with two choices: Have faith only in the things we know and see, or have faith in God. Faith is the one requirement to becoming a Christian and this is a stumbling block for those who are not saved. The world would have us believe that we can be saved by good works or some other way. There is NO other way! Salvation does not come by being good people or by doing good works, but comes by faith alone. Salvation, while the biggest reward of faith there are many other benefits. Peace, joy, security, and many other benefits awaits the one who lives by faith. The bible does not attempt to prove to us that God exists but only how important it is we do believe He does. To believe in Him we must believe that He created all things, that we are lost without Him and that He will reward us if we have faith in Him. Putting faith in God is the best thing we can do for ourselves, for by doing so we open the door to a relationship with our heavenly father and guarantee eternal life in heaven. Faith moves us into a fellowship with God and we find the happiness that allows us to conquer everything this world has to throw at us. There is no greater joy than that of being a Christian so if you really want to make yourself happy, put your faith in God!

We want to wish Junior and Sue Cleckler a happy anniversary (Feb. 1) and a happy birthday to Matthew Bryant (Feb. 4).

Oak Grove Church is a loving and caring church and we are so pleased that God has blessed us with many new people attending our church services. If you are looking for a church home we invite you to visit us at Oak Grove. We are easy to find. As you leave Clanton heading south on US 31, after you cross the interstate turn left at Peach Park and follow the signs at each intersection. Come join us in worship as we would love to have you with us.

Walnut Creek United Methodist Church

Lighting the Christ Candle is a very important part of our worship at Walnut Creek. Sunday morning Bro. Tony began with, “You must be born again — and again,” stressing that we all have to participate and we are the body of Walnut Creek United Methodist Church. He reminded us that he has been here 23 years as our pastor and shared briefly a five-year plan that he has.

During children’s time, Diane Handley was holding a TV remote control and got the children’s attention when she asked, “What is this?” It is amazing how Jesus is in control with our lives, so let’s make sure we make the right choices. Diane does such good job. Sorry we were not able to hear all the prayer requests. Please pray for Judy Martin, Jamie’s grandfather, Charles and Willodean Gore, and my precious wife who was just diagnosed with Parkinson’s. We appreciate those who have prayed and been so kind, but I ask everyone to join us in prayer.

The doctor told us there was no cure, but I couldn’t hold back, “I know the one who might disagree with that.”

Bro. Tony brought God’s message from Philippians 1:3. The words still ring with me as Paul said, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel.” That “I always pray with joy” takes a little thinking until you put things in perspective. Bro. Tony did such a wonderful job as always. Are you a partner with the Gospel?

We enjoyed a wonderful meal while raising money for our building fund.

There are lots of birthdays for February. We’ll do half this week: Chuck Traetto, Carolyn Popwell, Triston Gore and Caleb Florea.

Happy anniversary to Tim and Debbie Popwell, Diane and Cissy Jones, and Ray and Myrtis Enfinger (their 68th).

Bethany Baptist Church

The Apostle Paul said he had learned to be content in whatever situation he was in, which is a good thing. But it is natural for us to look for something better, for ourselves and for our children. It is certainly good to seek a better understanding and knowledge of the Word and will of God. Bro. Aubry’s message was from Hebrews 1:1-4. The writer to the Hebrews was speaking to those who may have been tempted to go back to the old way of Judaism. The writer wrote the Hebrews to remember the better Messenger (the Son of God) and the better message. The Old Testament was incomplete but now God had spoken through His Son and the additional New Testament scriptures.

Sunday night, Bro. Aubry continued his message in the Gospel of John (4:31-54). Jesus wants us to be actively involved in evangelism. He told his disciples that doing the will of God was more important to him than food. He taught his disciples of the importance of sowing spiritual seed, and reaping the harvest. Because of the words of the woman at the well many came to hear Jesus, and as a result of hearing Jesus speak, many people were saved. Also, in this text, the faith of the nobleman was shown, Jesus healed his son, and the nobleman and all his household were saved.

Fifty-two Weeks to a Better You: Our verse to memorize this week is Romans 12:2: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Prayer List: Lillian Burkhalter, Lela Mae Courtney, Ellen Gray, Paul Gray, Paul Griffin, Rosalind Griffin, Doug Mims, Billie Neeley, Edsel Neeley, Pastor and Mrs. Wallace

Jackson Chapel

Bro. Dennis’ text came from John 13:1-15 with a message entitled “A Servant’s Heart.” We as Christians need to be servants for Jesus. We need to be willing to do things that are unpopular if we want to serve Jesus the way we really need to. Jesus wants people to serve him that will be humble and would do whatever it takes to serve Jesus.

During the evening worship service while we were singing, people began to come to the altar to pray and the Holy Spirit was present in a mighty way. There was some good old-fashioned testimonies and that just gave us a little taste of heaven to see God move in the service.

Bro. Dennis’ evening text came from Matthew 10:5-15. We as Christians need to conduct ourselves in a Godly manner before the world because our lives will be the only sermon that some people will ever hear. We also need to do as God commands us to do because when we fail to do whatever it is that God wants us to do that is when we miss out of some of the greatest blessings that God has for us.

The service ended with several coming to pray.

Please remember these as you pray this week: Joey Burnett, Jean Mayfield, James and Marie Johnson, Winston Cofer, Devaughn Welcher, Janie Smitherman’s aunt, Judy Martin, Agnes Cleckley, Hershell Edwards, Geraldine Smith, Jerry Pate, Jane Cain’s daughter-in-law, Dewey Covington, our service men and women, and our lost loved ones.

Happy birthday to Mallory Mitchell (Feb. 2).

We would like to congratulate Matthew Pate and Jessica Knox as they were married Saturday evening, and we pray that God will be in the center of everything they do.

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.

Calvary’s Hill Church of God

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

Praise God for all his blessings! We had a visitor from Africa, who gave his testimony and talked about how where he’s from, you have to be born into royalty to be an heir to the kingdom. Everyone, however, can be an heir to God’s kingdom, if we accept Christ as our savior. Bro. Willard brought his message from 1 John 4:6-21, about how we need to know the difference in the spirit of truth and the spirit of error so we won’t follow after everything that comes along claiming to be of God. The love of God was manifested when he sent Jesus to us; the love of Jesus was manifested when he shed his blood on the cross for us; we should show our love for them by doing what’s commanded of us, trusting them with every aspect of our life, and loving them with all our heart.

Sunday evening, we started revival with Bro. Ken Stroup, which runs through Wednesday. He brought his message from Song of Solomon 2:4-7. King Solomon had many wives and concubines who loved him, not for who he was, but because of his wealth. He went undercover as a shepherd to find someone who truly loved him and found her working in the fields. God also wants us to love him for who he is, not for what he can do for us. Sometimes our prayers are all about what we want or need, forgetting God loves to be praised and worshipped. Just as we enjoy being told we’re loved, so does God.

Please pray for our nation, each other, and especially the lost. If you don’t have a home church, come join us. Sunday morning service starts at 10 a.m., Sunday evening at 5 p.m., and Wednesday night at 7, followed by a soup supper. The church is located on Hwy. 191, two miles outside Jemison.

Mt. Carmel No. 2

We had two young men to celebrate their birthdays this week with us. Austin Willis turned 10 and Tyler Adams turned 6.

Bro. Lynn’s message was on a parable found in Luke 8:4-18. Why doesn’t everyone who hears the word become a believer? Jesus explains to us through the parable of sowing seeds how the word reaches people. When a farmer is tossing seeds into his garden, not all of them make into plants. Some seeds fall along the walking path and get eaten by birds, some land on rocks, and some in thorns. The seeds that fall on the path represent those who hear the word, but Satan influences them into not believing. The seeds that land on the rocks are those who receive the word with joy, but do not take root and eventually wither away. The seeds that fall among the thorns are those who hear the word and believe, but let their desire for worldly things choke them and they produce no fruit. The seeds that fall into the good ground and grow into plants are those that receive the word, believe, and produce fruit by living a life that leads others to Christ.

Sunday night Bro. Lynn expanded more on why bad things happen to good people. 1 Peter 1:3-7 tells us that bad things happen to good people so our faith can be proved genuine. Like Job, believers are tested and tried to show that faith is true. God does not test us, but He will allow Satan to try. But, when we face tough times and lean on God to get us through it, we become stronger and wiser. We are also able to help others who are facing those same trials later on down the road. After we have survived a bad situation, we are better prepared to help others through it by leaning on our own experiences. God will never give us more than we can handle, and He has a reason for allowing us to experience trials in life. We must trust in Him to help us through it.

Tomorrow we are having food and fellowship after services. There will be no worship services that evening. We also have adult Bible study Wednesday nights along with RA’s and GA’s. Feel free to join us.

New Covenant Fellowship

When Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy and encouraged him to “continue in what you have learned,” he was sitting in chains in a cold dungeon and during the reign of Nero (54-68 AD). Paul was concerned about the persecution being waged against the church and wanted to encourage Timothy to guard the gospel (l:14), to persevere in what his grandmother and mother had taught him from the Old Testament (3:14), and to continue to preach the gospel (4:2). For Paul, an inspired man, the Scriptures were a powerful means of reformation (change for the better). Paul mentions a number of benefits derived from the study of the Old Testament writings. For instance, he says that the Scriptures are “able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (3:15). He also lists a catalog of other benefits that come as a surprise to many Christians. Notice carefully the following details: “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (3:16). Paul not only informed Timothy about the relevancy of the Old Testament, he also addressed the validity of the Law in his letter to the Romans. Following his discussion of righteousness by faith (Romans 3:21-26), he responds to a question about the Law: “Do we, then nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law” (3:31). Remember, even though one is “justified by faith apart from observing the law” (3:28), this fact, in and of itself, does not do away with the Law of God. This is why Paul tells Timothy to “Continue in what you have learned” from the Old Testament Scriptures. They are able to make you “wise.” The Old Testament is an important part of our abiding faith in Christ Jesus.

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