Mt. Springs Church

Bro. Wayne Barnett led the congregation in singing to open up Sunday’s service. After the singing, Bro. Roger Cleckler gave his devotion, “Being an Overcomer,” from Revelation 3:27 and 2:7. Each of us can be an overcomer in this life and in the hereafter with Jesus.

Sheri Williams sang, “He Did It All for Me.” What a wonderful song.

Bro. Don Vanderslice preached from Luke 15:11-24. This is the familiar parable of The Prodigal Son.

Instead of moving closer to God, we start finding fault with others and become discontented and think the grass is greener somewhere else. That is when we backslide. A life outside of God is a wasted life. Sin always leaves you empty and alone. Thank God for grace. Remember, God loves you; come back to Jesus, confess your sins and he is faithful and just to forgive you.

His grace is waiting for us to return, and as the scripture says, there will be rejoicing in heaven for your return. Do not continue to stay away from your heavenly Father. He loves you and will welcome you home. He has done so much for you and is waiting with open arms.

Thanks to our visitors for coming this Sunday, and come back soon.

Sunday night Bro. Wayne Barnett led us in singing. We are so blessed to have such talented people in our church.

Bro. Kenneth’s devotion was from Nehemiah 8:1-10. Revival is coming soon, and we need to prepare our hearts.

Bro. Don preached from Luke 25:25-33 on the elder son.

The Lord’s Supper and foot washing will be Wednesday night. Our service times are: Sunday School at 9:45 a.m., Sunday morning worship at 11, evening service at 5:30, Wednesday night children’s service at 6:45 and Bible study at 7.

Friendship Baptist Church

Bro. Gene’s message was titled “The Whole Gospel for the Whole World.” The message came from Acts 8:27, 9:27 and 10:14. Three different men were saved from different areas of the world.

We watched a wonderful movie during Discipleship Training on the sanctity of human life.

During the evening service, Bro. Gene’s sermon was from Romans 8:35-39. Neither height nor depth or anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.

Happy birthday this week to Stefanie Dearman and Faye Powell.

Prayer requests: Noette Bean, Misty Lucas, Pauline Sears, Ashley Smith family, Funderburk family, unspoken requests, Betty Wakefield and youth fundraisers.

Upcoming events:

Feb. 13: youth banquet fundraiser at 6 p.m. Cost is $10 per person. Plates will include loaded baked potato, chili, salad and dessert. There will also be entertainment by our youth. RSVP to Janice by Feb. 12.

Feb. 27-March 5: Guatemala medical mission trip

March 13: pancake breakfast from 6-11 a.m. (youth mission fundraiser)

Mt. Carmel No. 1

“Cast all your care upon him, for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). This is what we, at Mt. Carmel, have been doing for the past several months as we prayed for Cheyenne Cleckley. It was a blessing to have Cheyenne back with us Sunday. Her health is much better, and we thank God for answering our prayers. It’s good to have her and her family home. We have missed them so much and love them.

Bro. Derrel’s Sunday morning message was entitled, “Hell Has Needs” (Luke 16:19-31). The rich man lifted up his eyes in torment and cried out to father Abraham and asked for just a tip of water to cool his tongue, but Jesus answered, “There is a great gulf fixed between us which neither can pass.”

There are feelings in hell because the rich man’s concern for his brothers that they might not come to the place of torment. Have you made your choice (heaven or hell).

Sunday night our message was entitled, “More Than Just a Name” (Acts 19:13-20). Paul was a brave soul. He knew the power of Jesus. The riot at Ephesus, the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified, so mightily grew the word of God and it prevailed.

Special music was sung by Bro. Derrel, “The Devil’s in the Phone Booth.”

Abundant Living is held Wednesday nights at 6. This is for anyone wanting to live a healthier life. Come join us and get healthy. Following this at 6:30 is our Standing in the Gap prayer team, which meets to pray for our church and the needs around us.

The youth will go ice-skating Feb. 13, leaving the church at 3 p.m.

Our Relay for Life potluck lunch scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 14 has been cancelled.

A Valentine party will be held Sunday night following the service. The youth will be preparing a meal for our senior adults. This will be part of Relay for Life; a free donation will be taken.

We will have breakfast at supper Friday, Feb. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Thorsby First Baptist. This is for deacons, pastors and wives. Music by 4 Given Quartet. Reservations are due by Feb. 12. Contact Junior Davenport.

The Church of God’s Word

Bro. Ray opened the service with prayer Sunday. We sang “Happy Birthday” to Bro. Ray and “Happy Anniversary” to Bro. Carl and Marie Williams.

Our women’s Bible study is coming up Thursday at 10 a.m. Saturday, there will be a special meeting with Bro. Rollan Hazel.

Our scripture passage this week was 2 Corinthians 5. To prepare ourselves to go be with the Lord, we don’t need to worry about earthly things but godly things. When we think about earthly things, we are out of the presence of the Lord. We should be desiring to be with the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.

Christ hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. He was made sin for us, though he never sinned, that we be made righteousness by God in him.

Our morning message came from John 5:24. We don’t need to just hear the word but also do what it says, and the way is to apply it to our lives so people will see Jesus in us as Christians. Being a Christian on Sunday is not enough; you’ve got to live it seven days a week, 24 hours a day and believe in him.

We pray that you are in a church of your choice this week. If you don’t have one, we pray that you will come be with us.

It was good to see Bro. Neil Edwards back this week. Please remember Randall Edwards, Pam Simmons and Jackie Hayes.

Mount Bethel Baptist Church

We had a wonderful time in worship and prayer Sunday. We started with a song of praise followed by prayer, after which we went into our classes for Bible study.

The choir opened the morning worship hour with “Talk It Over with Jesus,” and the choir special was, “Anywhere is Home.”

The Rev. Oneal Cleckler’s morning sermon, “Shaken Up,” was taken from Acts 4:23-31. These verses are about a call to unite in praise and prayer. Peter and John went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priest and elders had said to them. And when they heard this, they lifted up their voices to God with one accord and said, “Lord, thou art, God which has made heaven, earth and sea.”

The scribes and Pharisees wanted to shut Peter and John up. They spoke with the boldness that they had not learned in a Rabbi school. The world wants to shut Christians up. They have taken prayer from schools and the beginnings of ball games. They have taken the Ten Commandments from courthouses. You can’t say “Merry Christmas.” It’s time for Christians to get shaken up.

Bro. Cleckler’s evening message, “The Holy Things of God,” was from Leviticus 5:14-19. If a person commits a sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the Lord an offering of a ram must be made. Everything committed to God belongs to him. If we commit ourselves to him, we belong to him. We have been studying about all the different sacrifices that had to be made for different sins committed. It makes us appreciate the sacrifice Jesus made for us. He took all the sacrifices and rituals and paid for them all, so we need no longer have to pay for our sins. He paid it in full.

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.

Christ Independent Methodist Church

Sunday was a day of thanksgiving as we welcomed our pastor, Dr. Mac Stinson, and his wife, Glenda, back home after a brief absence. We feel so blessed to have them back.

We appropriately began our morning service by singing “To God be the Glory.” The beauty of the words and the obvious joy on the faces of the congregation as they sang was a wonderful experience to witness and be part of.

Dr. Stinson took his scripture reading from Isaiah 6:1-8. He then developed his sermon along the theme of men whose lives were radically changed. What better example of such a man could we find than Isaiah?

When he heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom Shall I Send?” he answered, “Here am I. Send me.”

Many of us have heard the voice of God trying to give us directions in life. Instead of answering as Isaiah answered, we have run in the opposite direction as Jonah ran. While we have escaped being swallowed by a big fish, our lives have suffered from the dire results of our disobedience.

The Bible is ripe with other examples of men whose lives were changed radically based on how they responded to God’s call; some for the better, some for the worse.

God is patient and always answers prayers, sometimes “Yes,” sometimes “No,” and sometimes “Wait.” We are the ones who pray, “Lord, give me patience, but do it now.”

We enjoyed our regular first Sunday Singspiration service and fellowship Sunday night. If you like to sing, we invite you to join us for these special services each first Sunday at 5 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 14 at 5 p.m. is our Valentine Vespers and Dinner. We invite you to join us for a time of worship, games and food.

Pray fervently for all who need the healing spirit of the Great Physician. He knows your name and condition. Pray for our military and families, our church, country and leaders.

Thought for the week: We all need God’s grace. Have a blessed week.

Bethsalem Baptist Church

Our morning sevice began with fellowship and congregational singing. We also celebrated the baptism of Susie Chavez . The choir sang a special called “Even in the Valley.”

Bro. Brad’s morning message, part of a series on “Facing Life’s Giants,” came from 2 Corinthians 1:3-11. The message was entitled, “Seeing Through the Suffering.”

Sunday evening we enjoyed family worship with our own talented people.

Remember, Wednesday night is family supper at 5:45 followed by business and prayer meeting, children’s choir, The Outlet for students, and Celebration Choir practice.

Pray for the families of Haiti and remember the following: Angela Heley, Caddie Cleckley, Emily Johnson, Allie Poarch, Robert Bradberry, Gene Hycks, Charles Blow, Bernice Stange, Glenda Mims, Valerie Speaks, Virgina Shavers, Eve Green, Blanche Sands, Richard David, Louise Kelley and Alvin Crocker. Pray for all families who lost loved ones, families effected by cancer, our shut-ins, and the people in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Happy birthday to Johnna Ellison, Jasmine Wilmon, Allison Kelley, Amy Spigner, Jeremy Bradberry, Kim Edwards and Sjohna Pierce.

Next Sunday morning, our men will be cooking breakfast for our ladies from 8:30-9:15 a.m.

Have a blessed week and tell someone about Jesus. God is so good.

Jackson Chapel

Bro. Gary Fant got the morning service started off with “I Can You Tell You the Time” and “He Keeps Me Singing.” Bro Dennis sang “My Home,” and as he was singing several people came forward to pray. The Holy Spirit was present and many were blessed.

Bro. Dennis’ text came from Matthew 21:12-13 with a message entitled “My house shall be called a House of Prayer.” We as Christians should look like Christians when we go into this lost and dying world. We should let our lights shine so people will know that there is something different about us. When we come to church we should bring Jesus with us and leave the world outside the church.

Sunday evening, Bro. Dennis’ text came from 1 Kings 9:1-3. If we keep the commandments of God, he has promised that he will be with us. We don’t need to think that our sins don’t matter to God, but they do. Our sins affect people around us, so we need to make sure we don’t have sin in our lives. God has a covenant set aside for people that he can count on to worship him, and we need to worship him every time we get a chance because he is worthy of our praises. The service ended with observance of the Lord’s Supper.

Happy birthday to Josh Burnett and Faith Castleberry

Please remember these as you pray this week: Geraldine Smith, Bro Herschel and Sis Marie Rhodes, Robert Schultz, Jeff Townsend, Joe Maddox, Justin Maddox, Frances Cleckler, Diane Wyatt, Kathy York, our service men and women and our lost loved ones.

Cedar Grove Methodist-Protestant Church

We were happy to have Peggy Pearson back with us this week. It was also good to see her daughter, Ann Jones. Welcome to our visitors John and Susan Carpenter, along with several others.

We are in our new sanctuary, the choir is in their choir loft, our sound system is installed and it is wonderful. We are proud of Mr. Roy Martin for the job he did.

Happy birthday to Tammy Porter and Bobbie Giles.

Bro. Jeff preached a wonderful message entitled “God Has a Plan for You” (John 14:1-4). “Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in Me.”

Many went to the altar to pray.

Remember Sis. Minnie Childress; she has to have back surgery again. Also pray for our servicemen and women in harm’s way. Dollie Price (Woodrow) is not doing well. Just pray for Cedar Grove’s prayer list; God knows who they are.

Things are really happening at Cedar Grove. We have hosted two bridal showers in the last two weeks, for Kim Giles and Sachea Grabski. Both will be changing their names to Crowe. Kim will be the bride of Dr. Charles Crowe, and Sachea will be the bride of Michael Crowe.

Sam and Missy Price are going to be parents, so is Bro. Heath and Sis. Freda Vines. They already know they will have Gracie a baby brother; his name is Jacob as Gracie will tell you right quick.

We are going to have a dedication service for our church March 14 at 2 p.m. We will tell you more later. A revival will be coming up in April.

Bro. Heath preached a good message entitled “Super Savior” from Romans 1:1-7.

Starting Sunday, on Valentine’s Day, we will be changing the time for the morning service. New times are: Sunday School at 9:45, worship at 11, preaching at 11:30.

We just have to leave 15 minutes earlier. We can do it if we put forth a little more effort.

For more information call 646-2390.

Bethany Baptist Church

Our memory verse for this week is Matthew 21:22: “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”

Sunday morning Bro. Aubry’s message was “The Bread of Life” taken from John 6:41-58. Jesus was teaching those present that He is the living Bread which came from heaven, and (verse 47) “He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”

Isaiah 1:2-9 was the text for Bro. Aubry’s evening message, which he called, “Is the God of Israel Still the God of America?” Yes, God is still in control; God has not changed and He is still on His throne. Just as God judged Israel, he will also judge America, and we are not to sit idly by and just wait for the trumpet to sound. We need to be busy.

Upcoming events: Feb. 13, Valentine Banquet at Kountry Kitchen; Feb. 14, monthly business meeting;

Happy birthday in February to Larry Miller (1st), Lori Knight (12th), Jen Vines (19th), Josh Peppers (28th). Happy anniversary to Jerry and Jane Vines (27th).

Prayer list: Ritchie Burdette, Lela Mae Courtney, Ashley Friday, Jack Friday, Jeanette Jessop, Larry Miller, Doug and Helen Mims, Billie Neeley, Aubry Wallace and Shirley Wallace.

See you Sunday.

Walnut Creek United Methodist Church

Our call to worship was “Surely the Presence of the Lord,” followed by our hymn of celebration, “Love Divine.”

During children’s time, Diane Handley talked about expectations: what our parents expect of us, what children expect of themselves and what God expects of them.

Pray this week for Buddy Bates, Bertie Ray, Gail Nettles, Gil Bertham and Duane’s grandmother.

Joan McGriff and Norma Popwell played a beautiful offertory, and the choir’s special was “Just a Little Talk with Jesus.” Then we sang “More Love to Thee” and “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us.”

Bro. Tony brought the message from 1 Corinthians. What would be your definition of love? Our definition would usually be “eros,” or love that a man would have for a woman. Then, there is “phile,” or love for brother or country. But then there is “agape” love, God’s love. This is love that is given without compensation or recognition; you might say love a parent has for a child.

The love of God comes from the Holy Spirit. So in love we must have emotion, attitude and action. Bro. Tony reminded us that Christians are commanded to act in the best interest of everybody. Is the presence of God in my heart? Christian action is all these things and doing what God wants you to do — because you want to.

The beautiful flowers are in honor of Caleb Florea’s birthday. There are lots of birthdays in February, so the first half are: Chuck Traetto, Carolyn Popwell, Triston Gore, Nikki Gore and Caleb Florea.

Happy anniversary to Myrtice and Ray Enfinger (69), Jeanette and Tony Hughes Jr., Cissy and Duane Jones, and Debbie and Tim Popwell.

If you don’t have a church, we would love to have you worship with us; we would love to have you visit. Sunday School at 10 and morning worship at 11 — that’s out on County Road 458.

Samaria Baptist Church

We had a wonderful Sunday morning service at Samaria Baptist Church Sunday. The weather was cold, and it was a wonderful day to be inside worshipping the Lord. Our pianist, Carolyn Maddox, blessed our hearts with a beautiful version of “At Calvary.” Bro. Charles’ sermon text came from 1 Kings 18:30-41. Elijah built an altar that was broken down. He built it in the name of the Lord. An evening sacrifice was given and the people fell on their faces and cried out, The Lord, He is God. When we approach God in prayer, we realize we need a power stronger than ourselves. The Lord knows our needs and answers, but He likes for us to ask of Him in faith through prayer. God has given us all more than we deserve or have earned. God’s power is awesome, and He created all things for us to enjoy. With all His power and strength, He still finds time to love sinners like us.

God is our judge as well as our Savior. We pray to Him for family safety, security and salvation. We know He cares for us. To survive the difficult days that we face today, the church needs an invasion of the power of God. God knows all about our sin, but He wants us to talk to Him about it, trust Him to forgive, and cast it under His blood.

Ordination services were held Sunday night as Bro. Lynn Jones was ordained as a deacon in our church. He had many family members and friends present, and we are all so proud and thankful for Lynn and his wonderful family. God has used him in many ways, and as he submits to God as a deacon we know he will continue to be a blessing at Samaria. Come and join us, and may God bless you and your family this week.

Rocky Mount United Methodist Church

Bro. Willard brought it home to us quite clearly this Sunday that our basic nature is to do everything ourselves. That is such a shame when we have such an awesome and powerful God waiting to answer our call for help. We can ask for help with a bad habit like Isaiah did. God can send His angels to put coals on our lips to take away our unclean words. Or we can learn from Peter’s confidence in his own abilities. A professional fisherman, he had been fishing all night and catching nothing until the Master’s voice gave him direction and success. We can look at our lives with worldly eyes and see success, yet with God’s help we can accomplish things beyond our wildest dreams. Or we can be like Paul, working furiously to do good things only to find in a blinding moment of revelation that we are not doing God’s will! In a word, we need to always keep in mind that we aren’t alone in our struggles, successes or dreams. God is always there — don’t waste His great and wonderful presence as He stands ready, listening for our call.

Our regular worship times are Sundays at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.; and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. for Bible study and youth night. Join us in praise and worship!

We have two special events this week: Thursday, Feb. 11 starting at 9:30 a.m. is “It’s Sew Fun Hobby Day.” Come and enjoy the fun and fellowship. We will be hearing a special message on prayer cloths and our ability to share God’s love and comfort through them.

February may be the shortest month of our calendar year, but it is packed full with good things at Rocky Mount. Saturday, Feb. 13 is a Valentine’s Day celebration starting at 6 p.m. Our youth will be enjoying a fun and fellowship as we play games and challenge each our with Bible trivia. “Joel’s Prophecy” will be singing and giving their testimony on Feb. 21 at 5 p.m. Our quarterly singing is scheduled for Saturday night, Feb. 27.