Church news for Thursday, Nov. 5

Published Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Lime Springs United Methodist Church

Bro. Shannon brought the morning message from Hebrews 1:1-2. He reminded us that we are no longer under the law but rather the blood of Jesus Christ. For this reason, we should be careful not to allow elements of the law to control our spiritual lives. Some of these elements may include the law of “an eye for an eye,” the law of tithing, or even the Ten Commandments. All of these laws were fulfilled by Jesus Christ. Therefore, it is the New Testament in his blood that should control our lives.

Bro. Shannon then presented five proofs on why we are no longer under the law. These included the promise of a great nation given to Abraham through one man, the prophecy of Jeremiah, a change in the priesthood from the Levites to Christ and all believers, the law being nailed to the cross, and the death of Christ activating the will and testament of God.

Bro. Shannon challenged everyone to allow the New Testament written in the blood of Christ to guide our everyday lives. Considering what he did for us at Calvary, “It’s the least we could do.”

In closing, we went to the altar and received Holy Communion.

Our evening Bible study focused on Moses and the Exodus story.

Happy birthday to Kenny Connell. Happy anniversary to Jamie and Dana Moore.

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 755-6356.

Christ Independent Methodist Church

Sunday, Dr. Mac Stinson preached a wonderful sermon built around the two greatest commandments given to man by God. In the first, we are commanded to love the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. The second commandment tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves. We find these two commandments in Mark 12:28-34.

We request your prayers for the family of Trenton Benson, who is currently in a Birmingham hospital. Remember Cindy McCavitt, who is caring for a terminally ill mother-in-law. Pray for Helen Parrish, who is in a nursing home. Helen’s religious involvement in her church and community is well known throughout Chilton County.

Remember to pray for our military, our country and for those whose charge it is to lead our county in the right direction.

Pray for our church and each person who supports it by their presence and prayers.

Thanks and gratitude are expressed to those who make it their business to keep our church safe. You know who you are. May God bless you and keep you safe in his care.

Our harvest supper is coming up Nov. 21. We invite you to come and join us in fellowship. In every church there are those who helped pave the way and get it started. Those people are due a debt of gratitude. We invite you to come help us celebrate.

Special thanks to Laurel Lee Adams for all the young people who enjoyed the hayride and lock-in Friday night. Laurel Lee is a marvel who does all things well.

Have a blessed week.

Mt. Carmel Baptist Church No. 1

A large number of prayer warriors gathered in the prayer room to pray for our morning service. We ask that you remember this time of prayer on Sunday morning and join our group.

It’s always good to be in the house of the Lord. Sunday we welcomed Bro. Derrel Jones and family.

The Sunday morning message, “What Jesus Can Do,” was taken from Luke 19:1-9. Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus. After the encounter with Jesus, Zacchaeus became a new man. Jesus’ mission was to seek and redeem. Have you been redeemed?

Sunday afternoon, several from our congregation gathered at the home of Tony Liveoak and his mother, Leona, for devotion, singing and prayer. Bro. Derrel led the devotion and prayer time, and singing was led by Holly Smith. Special singing and music was by Bro. Derrel, Tony and Joyce, and Lilly and Lanell Jones. We enjoyed our thanksgiving and praise service and ask you to remember Tony Liveoak in your prayers.

Our Sunday evening service was very good. The special music, “How Great is Our God,” was by Holly Smith.

Bro. Derrel’s message was “Cleaning House” (2 Chronicles 29:1-11, 15-18). Hezekial cleaned and sanctified the house of the Lord, and the Lord added 15 years to his life.

We at Mt. Carmel have had prayers answered. The search committee presented Bro. Derrel Jones to the church as a candidate for pastor, and Bro. Derrel accepted the call. He says the Lord has led him in the way and we are thankful.

November is the month to help the Chilton County Emergency Assistance Center to provide for people in need. Please bring any nonperishable foods to the church to be carried to the center.

Please make your shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, fill the boxes and make them for a boy or girl, or both, as you feel led.

Remember children’s choir practice on Wednesday nights. We are working on a Christmas musical.

Please remember as you pray this week to call Cheyenne Cleckley and her parents, Eric and Tiffany’s names to the Lord. We have many on our prayer list and ask you to join us in prayer.

Come and worship with us Sunday.

Mount Bethel Baptist Church

It was wonderful to be in the house of the Lord once again. Our cup needs to be refilled regularly.

The Rev. Oneal Cleckler’s morning sermon was about being cautious that you are not deceived by the anti-Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:1-8). In Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians, he was warning them to be cautious. The man of sin would come, saying it was time for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. No man knows when this time will be; do not worry about it, whether it is now or later. The anti-Christ will not go into power until Christ is ready. If we are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, we have nothing to worry about; our hearts are right with God. The man of sin is compelled by Satan. Those who are saved are led by the Holy Spirit, and he will guide us in what is truth.

Bro. Cleckler’s evening message was taken from John 17:1-5. This is sometimes known as the priestly prayer or the original Lord’s Prayer. Jesus knew his time was short; it was about time for him to be crucified. He still took time to pray for us. He prayed that the Father would glorify us and that people would see the Father in us. We can share that glory with others as Christ did with us. He prayed for his disciples because he knew it would be a struggle for them. Jesus prayed for himself that his glory be returned. When Jesus left the Father to come to earth, he gave up his glory and his power that he had. He asked for this back in verse 5, and in doing this he is glorifying the Father.

We would like to wish a happy birthday to Shane Thornton and Bro. Oneal Cleckler.

Visitors are invited to join us for worship and fellowship. Sunday School is at 10 a.m.; morning worship at 11; Discipleship Training at 5 p.m. and evening worship at 6.

Friendship Baptist Church

Betty C. Mims was honored for serving as our church clerk for nearly 40 years. There were several testimonies given in Betty’s honor by our congregation and her family. Thank you, Betty Mims. We love you.

Bro. Gene continued with explaining how important the older people in the church are. There is still plenty for the older people to do. They are to be examples for the younger generation.

Sunday evening, Bro. Gene’s message was from Matthew 24:1-14. Three questions were asked. When would the temple be destroyed? What sign will we have of the Lord’s coming? What are the signs for the end of time?

Jesus tells us to watch out that no one deceived us. Many will come in his name claming to be the Christ. He also said there would be wars and rumors of wars. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nations will rise against nations, and kingdoms against kingdoms. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. These are the beginnings of birth pains.

Those who stand firm until the end will be saved. This Gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Last Sunday night, we celebrated pastor’s appreciation. We love you, Bro. Gene, Peggy and Ray.

Our prayers and sympathy go out to Shirley Cordes in the death of her brother, Luther Vernon.

Happy birthday this week to Juanita Staggs and Peggy Hitchcock.

Pray for Raymond Powell, Tisha Pate, Joshua Thrash, the Vernon family, Diane Varden, our upcoming Christmas play, Trent Cleckler, Daniel Mullins, Sam Maniscalso and unspoken requests.

Church of God’s Word

We are having a prayer meeting on Sundays at 4 p.m. and a pounding for a family in need.

Bro. Ray opened Sunday morning’s service with prayer. We had a testimony service for Sunday School.

If you sow a seed, you will harvest from it. If you sow with love and a pure heart, you will reap likewise.

Any man plowing that looks back is not in God. Look forward and not back; God wants us to stay focused on him. He is the Author and the Finisher. He wants us to be Christ-like. When we have done all we can do, God will then take over and do the work for us. God will put peace and happiness in unexpected places. God’s peace is one big, happy family.

For God to work out all things, we’ve got to trust and believe in him. What have you done if you gain the whole world and lose your own life? The Bible says knock, seek and ask. If you do this, you will find the answer. Have you done any of these things today? (Luke 17:26-27).

Is anything in your life that God is not pleased with? It is not so bad that God won’t save you. Many don’t believe Christ is going to return, but it is just around the corner, just as in the days of Noah.

Remember Edna, as she is in the hospital.

God loves you and we also love you. Please come visit us.

Bethany Baptist Church

Fifty-two Weeks to a Better You: Memory verse for this week is 2 Timothy 3:16: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

We’re enjoying having Bro. Don and Sis. Joyce McCormick in our revival meeting. Bro. Don’s messages are a blessing. His sermon Sunday morning was taken from Jeremiah 33:1-3, concerning “Our God Who Answers Prayer.” The Israelites, including Jeremiah, were in captivity in Babylon; in verse 3, God commanded Jeremiah in his heartbreaking situation, to pray to Him, and He promised that He would answer him, and show him great and mighty things which Jeremiah had never seen before! Bro. Don challenged us to spend just five minutes a day, with God alone, praising God, and hanging on to the promises that God has made, and acknowledging to God that He is in control and that He will answer according to His will for our lives. God tells us to pray to Him in faith: Why faith? Because He wants us to trust Him!

Sunday night Bro. Don used John 12:1-13 in his message to challenge us to be faithful.

Upcoming events: Food drive for Emergency Assistance Center due Nov. 15; revival meeting at Landmark Church at Prattville, Nov. 15-18; Thanksgiving Mission Offering due Nov. 22.

Prayer List: Bonnie and Gerald Burks, Lillian Burkhalter, Lela Mae Courtney, Mildred Crawford, Ellen Gray, Zachary Jackson (in Afghanistan), Doug and Helen Mims, Billie Neeley, Nadine Roberson, James Robinson family; Pastor Aubry Wallace, Sis. Shirley Wallace.

See you Sunday!

Rocky Mount United Methodist Church

Nov. 1, 2009 — All Saints Day — is a special day. Since the fourth century, this date has been set aside to remember and honor our loved ones who have passed away during the last year. We generally strive too keep the memories alive of those we’ve loved and lost, but we are reminded to remember that even death is not the end but just the beginning for those who are one with Christ.

Some deaths are harder than others to face, but we must accept them and move on. The Bible says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13, KJV). Let Christ be your strength and at your side as you take each new day. Rejoice in the memories that can’t be taken from you. As Brother Willard preached on “Saints Alive,” we all took a moment to remember some of the saints we have lost not only in the past year but also farther back. Their memories are still in our minds and in our hearts.

Thursday, Nov. 12 will be our final “It’s Sew Fun” for 2009. Please join us and bring your aprons with you. We’d like to share styles, memories, and whatever. No, that doesn’t mean it still has to fit or even that you will have to use it that day. We look forward to a joyous holiday season and a smiling return on Jan. 14, 2010.

Sunday, Nov. 15 at 12:30 p.m. you are invited to a Tupperware party! It will take place in our Family Life Center. All proceeds go toward our youth’s fund raising project. Also, while you are there you will be able to see the beautiful quilt that has been generously donated to our youth and for which you will have the opportunity to donate and have the chance to become its new owner. We will have soup, chili and sandwiches to tide you over while you shop.

We all extend our deepest sympathy to member Cynthia Vining and her family in the passing of her father last week.

Oak Grove Church of God

Bro. Northcutt took his text from Leviticus 6:7-13, and the title of his message was “The Door to Serving.”

What does it require for one to be a true servant? Being a servant is not always fun or convenient and calls for sacrifice on our part. Christianity brings a certain level of responsibility to serve. It is not enough that we are only concerned about our own salvation, for Jesus not only calls on us to be saved but that we also reach out to the lost. The Bible teaches us that a call to service is sometimes inconvenient and difficult, but the results are the freeing of a life from guilt and impurities! Many times we will be called on to minister to someone’s needs that will require us to get out of our beds in the wee hours of the morning. These will be one of the times when being a servant will be really tough. Remember, God’s work will never end, and thus we must be ready to serve at any time. Serving is not just “a part” of our life...it is a 24-hours-a-day call.

Oak Grove will have a special guest speaker Sunday morning, Nov. 8. Jeremiah Castille, former All-American defensive back for the University of Alabama will be our special guest. He is an ordained minister and founder of Jeremiah Castille Foundation. Come worship with us as Jeremiah Castille preaches to us from God’s word.

Oak Grove is a loving and caring church striving to better serve our God and our community. There is a true worship experience for the young and the old and all those in between, so come and worship with us.

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.

Jackson Chapel

Bro Dennis’ text came from James 2:14-26 with a message entitled “Imitators.” We as Christians need to dedicate our whole hearts to Jesus Christ. We need to also be excited about serving Jesus just because of everything he does for us. We need to be doing all we can to make sure that our lost loved ones make it to heaven instead of just waiting around on someone else to do it. You can rest assured that if God calls us to do a work, he will provide us the tools to work with. If we are going to be someone God can use, we need to put forth a little effort to do all that we can for him.

Bro. Dennis’ text came from Romans 13:8-14. We as Christians need to make up our minds if we are going to serve Jesus or the world. We are so busy worrying about what is going on in the world instead of Godly things. We need to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord because we don’t know at what hour the Lord will return. The service ended with several coming to pray.

Please remember these as you pray this week — Billy Burnett, April and Ashley Campbell, James and Marie Johnson, Jim and Ellen Ruth Scott, Patricia Johnson, Dillan Rhodes, Dianne Wyatt, the Glenn Riley family, our lost loved ones and our service men and women.

Upcoming events — Nov. 15 we will have Old Fashioned Day with singers 4-Given Voice.

Walnut Creek United Methodist Church

Bro. Tony said our fall festival was the greatest yet with lots of beautiful children.

We missed a lot of folks on this beautiful day, but we did recognize birthdays for November: Myrtice Enfinger, Moses Powell and Brodie Mims. Also, happy anniversary to Moses and Glenda Powell and our own Tony and Beth Hughes.

Bro. Tony was given a very special message from the Lord, from Jeremiah: “Stand Up: Step Out!” Nobody else’s faith will be sufficient to save you, nor will it keep you from hell. In spite of how good your parents are or anyone else, you must accept Jesus for yourself.

This country was founded on the word of God, Christian law as well as the law of man. What does the world need now? We need people to stand up for Jesus, and Jesus says it’s our choice. Hear the message — step out of the pew and come to the altar.

Bro. Tony reminded us that those who are working for the Lord are not earning his favor; we don’t have to earn it because it’s free. All we have to do is accept it. Stand up for the Gospel. If Jesus Christ is real in your life, you can’t help but tell someone about it. Jesus will take care of you. You must stand up for Jesus, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone. Jesus will take care of you.

Travel mercies for those that are traveling — Marilyn Popwell, Carolyn Popwell, Virginia Littlefield and a special prayer for their brother Gene. Pray for Kay Wade, who will be having surgery Tuesday. Also, Russell McGriff is recovering well.

Sunday will be Youth Sunday, when the youth will lead the entire order of worship. Guest speaker will be Mike King of Raleigh’s Place. Mike is a senior who will graduate this spring. You will be blessed by his testimony.

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