Church news for Thursday, June 25

Published Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Lime Springs United Methodist Church

We celebrated Father’s Day Sunday by holding an ugly/unique tie contest among our men. The winners received various gifts. Bro. Shannon brought the morning message from 1 Samuel 1:9-18 and Proverbs 22:6 on raising children the “Hannah” way. He reminded us that Hannah was willing to dedicate her son, Samuel, to the Lord because God had blessed her with a son when it seemed impossible for her to conceive.

In a similar spirit, we are encouraged as Christians to help raise all children in a way that honors God, the Church, those in authority, and rules. These things can be accomplished when we obey the Ten Commandments. Also, it requires us to set a good example for the children to follow and be willing to place our children completely in the care of God.

Our evening Bible study focused on an in-depth study of the Holy Trinity and God the Son.

Happy birthday to June Traywick, Gene Parker and Mary Martin.

Homecoming will be next Sunday at 10:30 a.m. We will enjoy a covered dish lunch after the morning service. Everyone is invited to join us. Sunday School and Bible study will be cancelled.

A baptism service will also be held at the creek of June and Mack Traywick at 3 p.m. next Sunday. Everyone is invited to attend.

Our service times are as follows: Sunday School at 9:30 a.m.; Sunday morning worship at 11; evening Bible study at 5:30; and Wednesday night prayer meeting at 6:30.

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

Mt. Carmel No. 1

Father’s Day: what a special day it was at Mt. Carmel as we recognized the youngest father, Chase Coburn, and the oldest father, Carl Watley. Then we honored all the fathers that were present this Sunday. Bro. Ricky asked them to come to the front of the sanctuary. What a blessed to see 29 fathers lined up in front of our church.

Our Father’s Day message was entitled, “The Influence of a Father” (Hebrews 11:8-19 and 24-29). Our children, Hannah Grace and Olivia Childress, Jaycee and Kaylee Mandrell sang “Happy Father’s Day” to all the fathers.

Our Sunday night service was a great one, maybe a little sad, but we were blessed by the songs sang by Bro. Ricky and Belda. After reading some scripture at Mt. Carmel, we will miss them. After the service we gathered in the fellowship hall.

It was good to have our visitors with us Sunday. Family members came back home to worship with their fathers. We would like to give a big welcome to some special folks that are back home, Bob and Gladys Foshee back from Florida. Our prayer is that they all received the blessing God had for them this Father’s Day.

Those that plan to attend the Biscuits game June 26, remember to meet at the church ready to leave by 5:30 p.m.

Don’t forget Vacation Bible School July 12-17. I know you read this every week, but I don’t believe we can emphasize VBS too much. There will be classes for preschoolers through adults. Our prayer is for you to be there.

VBS flyers will be handed out July 11. Meet us at the church and ready to go at 10 a.m.

This Sunday, June 28, we will have a baptism service for Hannah Grace Childress during our morning service. Bro. Justin Nelson will baptize Hannah and be the speaker of the hour; be much in prayer for this service and little Hannah as she begins her Christian life.

Christ Independent Methodist Church

On this unseasonably warm Father’s Day, our church attendance was good with fathers well represented.

Dr. Stinson took his text from the Gospel of Mark and preached using several of the parables therein, including the Parable of the Mustard Seed.

We ask your continued prayers for Dr. Stinson as he continues his own battle against the health storms in his life. Remember his son, Dr. Mac Stinson III, as he faces health issues.

Harold and Marie Williams’ granddaughter needs our prayers as she has health problems in her young life.

Continue to pray for Wilma Ellison, Opal Miller and for Vera Posey Edmonds, whose son passed away last week.

We ask traveling grace for members of our church family who will be coming home from Beulah Church Camp this week.

Dr. Phil Simms and June, Dr. Mac Stinson and Glinda, Horace Carden and Mary Ann, attended the National Convention for the Association of Independent Methodist Churches this week. They report an inspiring convention of preaching, teaching and singing.

Ken Osborne will be featured in concert at our church June 28 at 5 p.m. Ken is a gifted evangelical artist in song. We invite you to come join us next Sunday for this concert. Stay for fellowship following the concert. Give a friend or neighbor the gift of hearing Ken Osborne for free.

The church youth will hold a yard sale July 3. Donations will be appreciated.

Have a blessed week.

Bethsalem Baptist Church

Bro. Brad preached from Matthew 5:31-32 a message entitled, “Dealing With the Big D” Sunday morning.

Thanks to Mrs. Sharon Williams for directing our music while Bro. Cleve is on his honeymoon.

No evening services were held Sunday.

Prayer list: Charles Bryant, James Moore, Diane Wyatt, Hunter Moore, Myra Burnett, Margaret Price, W.L. Broome, Eugene Smith, Maxwell Blalock, Jerry Smith, Charles Blow, Opal Stone, Debra Mims, Carol Gore, Hilda Allen, Eloise Edwards, Amber Smitherman, Christy Vance, Helen Mims, Raymond Jones, Tony Wearren, Donna Matthews, Jean and Gloria Bradberry, Bernice Bennett, Mary Nell Cooedy, Michael Epsiman, Monchi Eiland, Terri Bowin, Allison Bailey, Diane Hogman, Bobbie Smith, Dale Shackelford, Meade Bryant, Betty Owens, all our shut-ins and those facing cancer.

Happy birthday to Susan Parker, Michelle Hughes, David Clackley, Tony Williams, Patti Martin, Dolly Phillips, Alton Lockhart, Sally Davis, Chris Cox and Logan Cox.

Congratulations to Mark and Sheryl Smith for a big baby boy, Drew Allen Smith.

Come worship with us Sunday. Everyone have a blessed week. Share Christ with someone this week.

Jackson Chapel

“Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

Sunday morning, Bro. Dennis’ text came from James 3:13, 17-18 with a message entitled “What Makes a Good Dad.” If you’re going to be a good father, you have to be a godly father. If we lead our children by good example and teach them the way to go when they get older, they will remember what they were taught when they were growing up and should not depart from it.

Happy birthday this week to Stacy Mitchell.

We recognized our fathers in the worship hour with Jeremy Nichols being the youngest father and Herschel Rhodes being our oldest father.

Please remember as you pray this week: Geraldine Smith, The Ronnie Chapman family, James and Marie Johnson, Corine Gray, Billy Burnett, Ellis Hughes, Jean Littleton, Nathan Wallace, Gary Fant, Winston Cofer, Herschel and Marie Rhodes, Stacy Mitchell, Bonnie Cleckler, Jim and Ellen Ruth Scott, Logan Ellison, our service men and women and our lost loved ones.

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.

Rocky Mount United Methodist Church

Setting the tone for our Father’s Day worship was Marie Smith. Providing our special this Sunday she read a poem and sang. Both her reading and her singing was a testament to the many unsung things that a father brings to his family each day. Bro. Willard’s message focused on the peace that our heavenly Father brings to us each day when we are willing to turn to Him. Just like the disciples in the boat on the sea of Galilee with the storms raging could call upon Jesus to still the raging winds and water, we can call upon the Holy Spirit to still the storms of financial stress, unjust society actions, prejudiced governmental decrees and especially the personal pain brought on by family and friends at times. Our faith teaches us to cast our worries and cares on Him. With God all things are possible.

Please join us for worship on Sundays and Wednesdays as we fill our cup from the fountain that overflows.

Oak Grove Church of God

Bro. Northcutt’s text was taken from John 20:19-25, and his message was entitled “Day of Victory.”

The death of Christ was a tragic event for His followers. He had repeatedly told them that He would be put to death but would rise again in three days. Even though they had been told this, they really did not understand how He could as God’s Son be put to death much less come back to life again in three days. His followers had gone to the tomb only to find it empty, but Mary had actually seen Him. Even when they saw His grave cloths lying inside the tomb with His body gone but the grave cloths undisturbed they had doubts that He was actually alive. Perhaps they were in fear that some might blame them with stealing His body to try to fool the world into believing that He was actually risen.

If you do not have a church home we invite you to come worship God with us and be a part of our church family at Oak Grove. 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.

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.

Walnut Creek United Methodist Church

Bro. Tony opened with a great tribute to fathers, and although we had lots of our members out, we were excited to have our visitors. Shirley Henley, our newest member, continues to be one of the hardest workers as she filled her pew with her family members, which were our guests Sunday:

Our darling Lavada had a heart-warming visit from her family.

Happy birthday Early Popwell and happy anniversary to Early and the charming Carolyn Popwell. Altar flowers were placed for PaPa Gilliland and in the foyer to all the fathers by Ray and Myrtis Enfinger. Happy birthday Ruby Duke, 91.

Bro Tony’s message was from Mark 4:35.

Children’s Corner: It’s time to talk about those beautiful girls at Walnut Creek. They start young, as little Kalie Littlefield was 1st alternate in Little Miss Peach 2009! Congratulations to her parents, Tim Littlefield and Dianna Scarbrough, and very excited grandparents, Roger and Virginia Rose Littlefield.

We had one of my favorites, Hailey Calloway, the beautiful daughter of Chris and Angie Calloway, to represent us well in Junior Miss Peach.

Pleasant Valley Baptist Church

Everyone at Pleasant Valley sincerely hopes all the fathers of our area had a wonderful Father’s Day. Our faithful fathers are vital to the stability and security of our Christian homes. We appreciate and thank God for each of them!

Luke 8:41-55 was the text for Bro. Wayne’s message Sunday morning. The account of a father who had the faith in Jesus required to obtain healing for his dying daughter. He had what it takes. Nothing is too big for our God, and Jarius knew that truth. The message illustrated the importance of praying for your children. We all understand how important it is to provide the spiritual example and material needs of our children, but we need to be challenged to faithfully pray for them. Continually bringing our children before God in prayer is one of the greatest gifts we can give them. Go to God, talk to God and believe. These are the foundations for life. Think on these things. What kind of father am I? Do I love enough? Do I listen enough? Am I there for them?

As Jarius knew where to place his faith, we also know where to place our faith. Talk to God about your children, and everything else, and trust Him to take care of them. He is our source of strength and He cares for you.

Bethany Baptist Church

Fifty-two Weeks to a Better You: Memory verse for this week is Philippians 4:6: “Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

God will bless fathers who recognize the greatness of God and who He is. God will bless fathers whose hearts are established and who are unafraid, trusting in the Lord; Godly men will be loved and respected by their wife, and will be blessed of their children. These were some of the thoughts brought out by Bro. Aubry in his Sunday morning message taken from Psalm 112. God bless our fathers.

Sunday night in the absence of our pastor, Bro. Glenn Vines brought a devotional called “Spiritual Distractions.” Anything or anybody who causes us to lose our focus on God is a spiritual distraction. He listed four categories of distractions. We are distracted by our past (remember Lot’s wife?), by fun (entertainment) illustrated by the Prodigal Son, by work (jobs) illustrated by Martha, and by fear (as long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus he was able to walk on water). This is a scary world to be a Christian, but if we stay focused on God, He will protect us.

Prayer list: Bonnie Burks, Lillian Burkhalter, Lela Mae Courtney, Ellen Gray, Billie Neeley, Pastor and Mrs. Wallace.

Cedar Grove Methodist-Protestant Church

We had a very blessed day at Cedar Grove for Father’s Day, with a full house and many visitors who we pray will come again.

Happy birthday wishes to Sabrina Wood, Jessica Haney, Krystyn Bartlett and Reanna Bynum.

Please remember to remember all the sick and shut-ins. There are so many on our prayer list, but God knows all about them.

Bro. Jeff preached a very good sermon about fathers. His text came from 1 Timothy 3:1-5 and Ephesians 6:1.

He talked about his own experience being a father. It was sometimes funny, and most of us could relate to what he was saying.

Next Sunday night is our regular fourth Sunday night singing, so come bring a song. Our musicians can play anything you want to sing.

On July 19, the Kelleys will be here for the evening service at 5:30.

The fifth Sunday in August is our homecoming, and Mike and Kelly Bolling will be our guest singers. I will keep you informed on that.

We hope everyone has a safe and blessed week.

---

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?

---