Mt. Carmel No. 1

God is so good to us and blessed us very much in our service this past Sunday. It’s our prayer that you experienced God’s love while in our service. Our Children’s Choir did a great job singing to our grandparents, “Happy Grandparents Day. The adult choir blessed us with their special for the day, “I’m Standing on the Solid Rock.”

The search committee presented the Rev. David Reed to our church as a candidate for our pastor. Reed’s sermon was entitled, “I’m still in his hands,” and taken from Jeremiah 18:1-6. After the message, we gathered in the Fellowship Hall for a bountiful meal and to fellowship with Reed, his wife, Cindy, and his daughter, Emily.

Sunday night special music was presented by Holly Smith, “The Secret of Life.” After Holly sang, Reed gave his personal testimony and then spoke from the Book of Psalm 27:1-14. His message was entitled, “Fear.”

The wedding of Brittney Lenoir and Michael Rogers will be held at the church beginning at 2 p.m. Sept. 19. All are invited.

Anyone interested in being a part of the Drama Team should meet with Debbie and Jeff Lockhart at 6:30 on Wednesday night.

Church members are collecting Campbell Product Labels for its mission project, and school supplies to help Isabella School. A box for the labels and school supplies is in the front foyer of the church.

The Pulpit Search Committee asks for prayer that God will lead it to make the right decision for the church as it prepares to vote on Sept. 20 on Reed as a candidate for pastor.

An Association Mega Training Conference will be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 24 at Jemison First Baptist Church. This is a must for all directors, teachers, WMU, brotherhood, pastors, deacons, musicians and senior adults serious about being the best they can be for the Lord’s service in the new church year.

A good time was had by all that attended the Tablescapes at Jemison First Baptist on Sept. 12. The speaker of the hour was interesting and uplifting as she spoke the Word of God. A fun time was had by all that were on hand on Sept. 12 for Prime-Timers and heard the singing of the children’s choir. We enjoyed them and their parents sharing with us in the potluck supper.

Remember to pray for the ones on our prayer list. God knows every name and need. Be a witness for Jesus this week and come to church next Sunday.

—

Christ Independent Methodist Church

Today Dr. Stinson called his sermon “Turning Point,” based on the Gospel of Mark 8:27-38. Here, Jesus is preparing His disciples for his imminent departure from this earth. As they walked near the town of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked the disciples, “Whom do men say that I am?” As they gave Him a variety of answers, Jesus said unto them, “But whom say ye that I am?” And Simon Peter answered Him and said, “Thou art the Christ!”

That statement was the beginning of a turning point in the ministry of Jesus. He began to tell the disciples that He must leave them and that He must die but that He would rise from His tomb and live again. He was also telling them that from that point forward they were to follow Him or turn back and go their own way.

Jesus, who had been speaking only to the disciples, now turned to the people and said, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Then, Jesus began speaking to them in parables as He so often did. A paradox appears to make a contradictory statement that contains elements of truth. As when Jesus said, “Whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall save it.” That statement is a paradox. Sometimes, what seems simple is profound.

The parables of Jesus often contained a paradox. When we surrender our lives to Him, we are turned into something beautiful. Just as a potter can take a handful of clay and transform it into something beautiful.

We ask your prayers for Stinson’s daughter and son-in-law, Ann and John Short, who left this morning flying to Kenya on a medical mission trip.

Mary Ann Carden’s son-in-law, Lyndon McCavitt, went to fly his mother, who is terminally ill, home with him.

Beth BeeBee Sammons and Mable Mitchell were absent today due to both undergoing surgery earlier this week.

We were happy to welcome back the Adams family—Stacy, Laurel Lee, Anna and Nate—who were all house-bound this past week with some mean virus.

When we pray, let us remember all who are sick in body or in spirit. We may not recall names, but the great physician knows each one personally and cares for each individual.

Sunday is homecoming at C1MC. We ask you to come join us in this joyful occasion. Our church and church family are both small, but we invite you to come help us celebrate four years of dedicated service to our Lord. If you have family connections with C1MC, we will be most happy to have you come and help us celebrate.

The Rev. Jim Webster will be our guest minister, and the Stewart Sisters will bless you with music both before and after lunch. A covered dish meal will be served in the fellowship hall following the morning worship service.

If you were absent today, you were missed. We hope you will join us on Sunday for homecoming. Have a blessed week.

—

Pleasant Valley Baptist Church

To God be the glory; great things He has done! If you are reading this article, He has given you another day. If you are a Christian, you have one more opportunity to share His love and message of salvation with a lost soul. If you are not already a Christian, He has extended grace to you one more time. You have one more chance to accept His offer of sacrificial love and eternal joy with Him. Please consider this day where you will spend eternity. It is your choice; choose wisely!

We had another glorious day in worship this week! God is truly blessing our efforts at Pleasant Valley! Our attendance was good, and the fellowship was great. Our choir sang, “Rise Up and Praise Him,” which inspired all of us to do just that. Bro. Wayne expounded on the importance of rising to the task before us and passing on the faith we have to our children and grandchildren.

The new church year has just begun, and we are excited about our future! We are confident God will continue to bless our efforts as we lift up the name of Jesus!

If you are not attending a church regularly, we invite you to join us as we worship the true and living God. You will be welcome, and we will love you with the love of the Lord. Our regular times are 10 a.m. for Bible Study and 11 a.m. for morning worship.

—

Rocky Mount United Methodist Church

With the way things are going in the world today, everyone is looking for the life ring to latch onto, and feel like they can stay above the many problems that are trying to pull us all down. Sunday’s sermon had exactly the instructions needed.

“Latch onto God’s Love”. What an easy answer. With scripture from Ephesians 3:14-19 and John 3:16, Brother Willard reminded everyone of the need to realize you need God in your life. God’s love is as deep, as high and as wide as the unending universe, just as the shape of the cross. There is absolutely no limit to God’s love.

Latch onto the many promises that God has promised, and you will feel like you have that buoy to keep you afloat. Remember, whoever reads this, God loves you! And, “If God is your co-pilot, swap seats.”

Rocky Mount is there for you every day, but we especially invite you to join us on Sunday mornings, Sunday nights and Wednesday nights. Call 688-2204 for more information.

—

Cedar Grove Church

We praise the Lord for the wonderful week we have had.

“When We all Get to Heaven” was the beginning of our morning service. We were dismissed into our Sunday school classes by Brother James Earl Davenport. The title of the lesson was “Moses’ Cry For Help.” The Scripture came from Numbers 11:10-23. Golden Text: The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man was availeth much. James 15:16.

Happy birthday to Ann Baker, Gayla Popwell and Angela Singleton. Happy anniversary to Charlotte and Wendel Ray and Jim and Ellen Ruth Scott.

Remember to pray for all the sick and shut-ins. Jim and Ellen Ruth Scott need all our prayers along with Robert and Minnie Mae Childress.

The families that have loved ones that have gone on to be with the Lord this week, you have our deepest sympathy.

Pray for our government and the leaders of our country.

We had some good singing before worship service. Also, Brother Alton Russell sang “The Greatest Thing Jesus Ever Did”—a blessing indeed.

Brother Heath Vines had the preaching service for both services today. Brother Jeff was guest speaker at Pleasant Grove MP church for their homecoming.

The morning sermon came from Ephesians 2:12 entitled “The Hopeless and the Hopeful.” The evening sermon was entitled Good News in the Gospel, and the text came from I Thessalonians 1:1. Both were very good sermons.

Sam Price sang “Don’t Blame it on Me” (I hope I got the title right), and it was a beautiful song.

If you are looking for a home church, come visit us at Cedar Grove. We would love to have you. We are looking for someone to sing in the choir, so if you are interested come at 4:30 on Sunday afternoon for practice.

If anyone has found a large set of keys please call 646 2390.

—

Jackson Chapel Church

Bro. Dewayne Castleberry taught a wonderful Sunday school lesson entitled “The Church Becomes More Inclusive.” After the Sunday school hour, Bro. Gary Fant got the morning worship started off with “Just Over in the Glory Land” and “Jesus Saves.” After the good singing, Bro. Gary Fant blessed us with “More Than I Ever Ask For,” and Bro. Dennis blessed us with “If I Could Telephone Heaven.” Bro. Dennis’ text came from Isaiah 35:4-10: We need to make sure that we include God in everything that we do because, if we don’t, we will find out that nothing will work. We also need to serve God wholeheartedly because when God does something for us, he does it with his whole heart. The service ended with several coming to pray.

Bro. Gary Fant got the evening service started off with “O, I Want to see Him,” “Jesus is Coming Soon” and “When I Wake Up to Sleep No More.” Bro. Gary Fant blessed us with “Rest a Little While,” Bro. Dennis and Glen Riley sang “I Will Trade This Old Cross for a Crown”, Bro. Dennis and Angel Bavar sang “They’re Holding Up the Ladder” and “I Hold A Clear Title,” Bro. Dennis, Glen Riley and Misty Burnett sang “Look What I’m Trading for a Mansion,” and Bro. Dennis sang “Me & God.” Bro Dennis’ text came from Hebrews 9:19-28: We question why God will not move in our church services, and if we will just think about it, it is because we don’t give God the reverence that he deserves. As we are preparing to go to God’s house, we should be preparing ourselves to worship God, and if everyone would do that there is no end to what God can do when we get to church. There service ended with several coming to pray.

Happy Birthday this week to Ann Booker.

Please remember these as you pray this week: Bro Herschel and Sis. Marie Rhodes, Billy and Shirley Burnett, James and Marie Johnson, James and Geraldine Smith, Roger Willis Family, Keith York, Melba Adams, Ken Messer, Freddie Mayfield, our service men and women and our lost loved ones.

We are located at 4020 Yellow Leaf, Clanton, AL 35045. Our service times are Sunday school, 10 a.m.; Sunday morning worship, 11 a.m.; Sunday evening worship, 6 p.m.; and Wednesday evening prayer meeting & Kid’s Club, 7 p.m.

—

Bethsalem Church

Bro. Brad Eubank is pastor, and Cleve Mallory is minister of music and students.

Men met for a brotherhood breakfast, and Bro. Lynn Smith was the guest speaker. The congregation sang “Here I Am to Worship,” and the adult choir’s special was “Because We Believe.”

The message was delivered by Bro. Brad from Matthew 6:5-8: Praying God’s Way. Another soul as saved, Mrs. Hazel Gothard.

The message of the evening service life track was “Mary, one of 12 extraordinary women.

Supper is at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday. There will also be prayer meeting adults, choirs for all children and the adult choir practice at 7:30 p.m.

Pray for Mary Ann McGee, Elbert Baker, Mable Ousley, Charles Bryant, Myra Burnett, Pete Burnett, James Moore, Debra Mims, W.L. Broome, Margaret Wyatt, Darrell Willis, Kim Sorenson, Jesse Lewis, Harold Deavers, Hazel Green, Larry McCary, Charles Blow, Nell Williams, Darlene Rice family for the loss of her mother, Hilda Allen, all our shut-ins, those facing cancer, Katrina Owens, Rebeca Martin, Shelia Wright, Sylvia Wingard, Matt Skinner, Patti Legendre, Mike England, John Langhe Sands, Seth Berry, Carol Gore, pray for our nation and a revival, Laure Smith, Mark and Julie Mims, Tina Bears, pray for our missionaries and all unchurched families.

Happy birthday this week to Dongi Lyod, Savannah Powell, Kelsey Pierce, Btron Dennis, Emily Edwards, Harris Shepard.

Sunday night supper next Sunday at Bridgestone Camp.

Tell someone about Jesus this week. Come worship with us.

—

Oak Grove Church of God

Bro. Kenneth Northcutt took his text from Matthew 6:5 and 6:19-21, and the title of his message was entering the “Prayer Closet Door.”

Christ directs us to enter into our “prayer closet” when we pray. This “prayer closet” is a private place for us to be alone to pray where we will not be interrupted and where we can talk to God openly. We are then able to speak to Him from our heart in secret and express our most intimate feelings or needs. A very important part of our relationship with God is this private prayer time.

In the original Greek, “prayer closet” is translated as “treasure room”. During the time of Christ’s ministry, every home had a treasure room where the most valued items were stored and only family members knew of its exact location and what was in it. Generally, no one was allowed to enter this room except for members of the household. Going into this room to pray had a great significance in that God was invited into a secret place where no one outside of the family was trusted to enter. Inviting God into this secret place would signify a complete trust in Him.

Christ tells us that where our treasure is, our heart will be there also. Have you invited God into your “treasure room” where your heart is or do your treasures occupy your heart to the extent that there is no room for God? Are you laying up treasures in heaven where robbers or decay cannot enter in to steal or destroy?

Our youth are working concession stands at the University of Alabama football games as a means to raise funds for a mission trip planned for next summer to Trinidad. God is blessing our youth and our church in these efforts.

Oak Grove is a loving and caring church striving to better serve our God and our community. If you are looking for a church home, we invite you to visit us at Oak Grove. We are easy to find in that as you leave Clanton heading south on U.S. 31 after you cross the interstate, turn to the left at Peach Park and continue to follow the Oak Grove Church of God signs at each intersection. Come join us in worship as we would love to have you with us.

—

Samaria Baptist Church

We had a wonderful day of worship at Samaria on Sunday, Sept. 13. Bro. Charles’ message was titled “He did run well.” His text was from Second Samuel chapter 11.

David had been a wonderful prayer warrior and servant of God until his encounter with Bathsheba and having her husband killed that he may have her. David endured great pain and suffering for disobeying God.

Our youth did a wonderful job with the breakfast Sunday morning. We are so proud of the work they do for Jesus here at Samaria.

Ozelle Mims celebrated a birthday today.

Our prayer list includes Charles Druckemiller, Walter Hudgins, Don Fisher, the Stoneback Family, Carenet, and our dear friend, Bro. Roland Davis.

We praise our Lord for the safe return to the states of Ms. Lucille Johnson’s grandson, Chris Coker. Chris was to arrive this weekend from Iraq.

Our brotherhood meal will be held at 6 p.m. on Sept. 22.

Please make Samaria your church if you need a church home, and we know you will receive a blessing, just as we do.

Our doors are open to you. God Bless until next time.

—

Mt. Carmel No. 2

Our service this Sunday was a tribute to grandparents. We had guest singers Adrianne and Mattie Barington bless us with beautiful music. Bro. Lynn asked for the congregation to share testimonies about our grandparents.

We need to remember Tom and Helen Carlson in their time of loss and travel. Also remember our troops and the sick and lost in our community.

—

Chestnut Creek Church

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:14. The title to Bro. Derek’s sermon was “The Blood of Jesus.” Why would we want to take it for granted? Perfect peace, redemption, reconciliation, sanctification, justification and forgiveness. Why would we not want all of these in our life? The cost? Nothing—paid in full.

Through Jesus’ blood, perfect peace is given. This peace is so profound and complete that it “passeth all understanding” (Phili. 4:7). Not only can Jesus’ blood provide harmony but also can cause man to find peace with God and himself. Jesus died on the Cross, was buried to confirm His death, and then rose victoriously three days later. Christ is alive! Thank the Lord for his mercy, for paying for our sins with his precious blood. Please remember and pray for New Day Ministries. Fill out your survey and return to Bro. Gene Headley. Ask God to help you know how He has gifted you for service and how you can begin to use this gift in ministry to others.

Happy birthday this week to Hannah Mathews, Donna Rucker, James Logan, Susan Grund, Barbara Wood and Donald Traywick. Happy anniversary to Jim and Pat McClendon. Welcome by letter Ricky Jones. We are so proud and happy to see Ricky and his family praising and worshipping God. Please pray for all the sick in our church and community. God knows all of them by name and is able to heal every need. Remember, we love you at Chestnut! Happy grandparents day to all of our grandparents!