“O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all Gods. For all the Gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens. Honour and majesty are before him strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts. O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice. Before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth” (Psalm 96:1-13).

Thought for the week: “God Has a Way of Loving”

“God has a way of loving when the world seems to pull you down; His arms will reach out and hug you, His hands will sorrow unbound. God has a way of uplifting a heart that has broken in two. He’ll heal and mend each heartache with a touch of heavenly glue! God has a way to comfort when grief overshadows the way. He speaks of hope and resurrection and sends sunshine to brighten each day. Don’t ask me how God does it — But He’ll never let you down. Just keep focused on His very special love and you’ll be so glad you kept Him around! God has a way of loving that’s very unique indeed. You’ll never fully understand it — but just trust Him and you’ll see!”

Worship service at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Jemison began with praise service by the glee club with prayer, songs and testimonies. Songs sung: “Come and Go To That Land,” “God Is Good” and “This Is The Season To Be Blessed.” Prayer by Pastor Dukes, Min. Kevin Nunn and Carl Singleterry.

Pastor Dukes brought the message. His theme was “It’s Your Season To Be Blessed.” The Church should be a place for forgiveness and restoration. The church must have unconditional compassion among the body of Christ. It’s dangerous to develop the mentality of judging; do you disturb the service with a deliberate act of meanness? Churches are in trouble due to cruelty. They look for faults in others. You can’t force others to do right. They cover up their own faults. They try to use scripture to cover up their judging. Cruel people don’t want to forgive; they want to hang them.

Do you look for faults? Start by looking in the mirror. When you see yourself it makes you think twice. The Church is supposed to be a place of refuge. Look at yourself first. Jesus repairs your hope; he will lift you up.

Where are your accusers? He claims your heart. Will you accept him and receive forgiveness? Go and sin no more. The Church is a house of mercy and a house of peace.

Remarks by Pastor Dukes.

On our sick list this week we ask you to remember in your prayers: Lee Anna Worthey, Bertha Gates, Jo Ann Gill, Nathan Shortridge, Joseph McCall, Nathaniel Shortridge, Stanley Frazier, Queen Worthey, Earl Davis and Annaretta Fells. May God heal, strengthen and keep them in His care is our prayer.