Lime Springs United Methodist Church

Our Sunday School lesson continued our series on the Hebrew names of God. This Sunday we studied Jehovah-Nissi, “The Lord is my Banner.”

Bro. Shannon brought the morning message from Philippians 3:17-20 on “Enemies of the Cross.” He reminded us that very few people would admit to being an enemy of the cross of Jesus Christ. However, we must realize that anybody who loses their focus on the cross and begins to focus upon the things of the world becomes an enemy of the cross whether they desire it or not. Why? It was upon the cross that Jesus nailed the things of this world and paid the ultimate sacrifice by his blood.

Focusing on the things of the world accomplishes two things: First, it commits our loyalty to Satan (prince of this world), as we cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). Second, it leads us to death and destruction (Romans 8:13; Galatians 6:8).

The key to staying focused upon the cross is threefold: 1) renounce the world and its claim upon us, 2) put material things in their proper place, and 3) keep our vision on Christ and heavenly things.

Bro. Shannon concluded by reminding us that even Christians can become enemies of the cross when they lose their focus on Jesus!

Our Bible study concluded our study on the Hebrew feasts commemorated in the Bible.

We held our monthly congregational meeting after the morning service.

We invite everyone to join us for worship at Lime Springs. Our service times are as follows: Sunday School at 9:30 a.m.; Sunday morning worship at 11; evening Bible study at 5; and Wednesday night prayer meeting at 6:30.

For more information, call 755-6356.

Mt. Carmel Baptist Church No. 1

We had a wonderful service this Lord’s Day as we enjoyed a Spirit-filled worship service.

Our service began with another presentation of the Easter drama of the death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ by our choir, the children and the youth of our church.

April 10 will be “Miracles.” Come and enjoy the program.

We welcome all our visitors Sunday. Our prayer is that you received a blessing and will come again. We love you and so does Jesus.

Bro. Derrell Jones preached a very good sermon from Jeremiah 33:3, entitled, “Seven people who ought to pray.” These different people are listed as follows:

1) People in trouble need to pray. King David cried out to God in his time of trouble.

2) People who need wisdom. If any lack wisdom, they should call on God.

3) When we need power, we should call on God and he will answer with love.

4) All people who want revival. How can you expect there to be revival if you don’t cry out to God?

5) Pray for cleansing by the blood of Jesus.

6) Pray for all to know God’s way.

7) The most important group of people is the ones that want to be saved. These are the ones who ought to pray.

Sunday night’s message was “The Church Will Live On” (Matthew 16:18). The church is built on the Rock of Jesus Christ, and it will live on.

We say thanks to everyone who helped and had a part in our yard sale benefitting Relay For Life.

On April 17 we will have a potluck lunch to raise money for Relay For Life. Remember this date and do your part.

Adult choir practice, children’s choir practice and youth drama team practice is Sunday at 4 p.m. and Wednesday night following midweek services.

The nursery worker for Sunday, April 10 is Jan Franklin. Workers for children’s church are Missy Mandrell and Terri Childress.

Continue to pray for the names on our prayer list. Remember these when you pray, and also pray for our country and the military persons. God bless you, and come worship with us on Sunday.

Christ Independent Methodist Church

On this beautiful fourth Sunday of Lent, the world we live in is a testament from our Lord that he loves the beauty and the fragrance of flowers. Why else would he have made so many different species of flowers and given so many different fragrances?

The Bible gives us a number of hints concerning, or verifying, the Lord’s admiration of this example of his creation.

Genesis tells us that God placed the first man and woman in the Garden of Eden. He could just as easily have placed them on a mountain, in a desert or on an island, or elsewhere with just the effort of the thought, but he chose to place them in a garden.

The Bible also tells us that our Lord, who never had a home on earth after leaving the home of Joseph and Mary, often walked across the Kidron Valley that separates Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives to spend the night in the Garden of Gethsemane. Then the garden was basically a grove of olive trees said by botanists to be the very gnarled trees still standing there that witnessed the betrayal of our Lord.

Today there are bright flowers among the grey, gnarled olive trees that perfume the air. We can only hope that their ancestors perfumed the air for our Lord.

The Bible also tells us King Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like the lilies of the field that neither reap nor sow.

I take these and other references as evidence that gardens and flowers are not an accident or afterthought in the grand scheme of things.

Sunday, Dr. Mac Stinson’s sermon was entitled, “Healing the Blind.” His scripture was taken from John 9:1-41. This scripture deals with the story of the man who was born blind at birth and came to Jesus to ask him to give him sight.

Before Jesus could respond, his disciples asked him, “Master, who did sin, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Of course, this was one of the early examples of people playing the “blame game” that started in the Garden of Eden when God confronted Adam and Eve about eating the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, and Adam most likely pointed a finger at Eve and said, “She made me do it.” People have played the blame game ever since.

But Jesus answered his disciples, saying, “Neither has this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.”

When he had spoken, he spat on the ground, made clay of spittle, and anointed the blind man’s eyes. Then he said to him, “Go wash in the pool at Siloam.”

The key message here is that the blind man went and did as he was told to do and came away seeing. That is one early evidence of mercy from our compassionate Lord. His will for us is holiness, peace, health, success and joy. Sometimes his actions occur so the Bible can be fulfilled, but God never wishes to bring suffering and pain on his children. He is a compassionate God.

On our prayer list: Everette and Robbie Bagby, Lissa Moore, Dwight Sammons, Jack McLemore, Jim Ellison, Bonnie Headley and Judy Garner Atkinson.

Pray fervently for Israel. Have a great week.

Bethsalem Baptist Church

Our morning service began with lots of great songs. The Celebration Choir sang “I Will Follow Christ” featuring soloists Roy Martin and Brad Eubank.

Bro. Brad preached the morning message on our infinite inheritance from Ephesians 4:1-6.

We were blessed to have the Chandlers join our church as well as Jessie Jones.

Our evening service began with Life Tracks at 5 p.m. During the worship hour, members of the youth group gave a report on their Inhabit weekend and what God did in their lives. It was a great service.

Each Wednesday night is family supper at 5:45, followed by choir practice for all children at 6:45, and prayer meeting for adults.

Pray this week for Gene Mims, Charles and Gladys Bryant, Rebecca Meadows, Shane and Rebecca Lovett, Betty McGee, Maci Hucks, Tricia Coles, Adelyn Fulmer, Hunter Moore, Lawson Crawford, Robert Holloway, Dee Dee Nicolan, Nell Mims, Johnny Smith, Stefanie Adams, Durwood Gray, Megan McGriff, Rachel Potts and family, Wayne Jones family, James Moore, our missionaries, all un-churched families, those who have lost loved ones, and Japan.

Happy birthday to Shannon Wright, Jeremy Mims, Darrell Willis, Emily Johnson, J.W. Gray and Terry Chism.

Happy anniversary to Jason and Miranda Hill (nine years) and Jeremy and Robin Mims (five years).

Our mission is to share Jesus Christ with others, to help them connect into his family, to develop the habits of a disciple and to discover their place of ministry in order to center their life on Christ.

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

Walnut Creek United Methodist Church

Bro. Tony said he has always believed that in the stillness of night, church sanctuaries experience the mighty presence of God, and as God grows near we have the wonderful feeling of fellowship. The presence of God is here — let us pray.

Our call to worship was “I Just Feel Like Something Good Is About to Happen,” followed by greetings and a welcome to our visitors. Our hymn of celebration was “I Am Thine, O Lord,” and Bro. Tony led the invocation.

What a group of children Diane had to work with, and she does such a great job. Congratulations to the very pretty Alley Claire Popwell, as she proudly wore the title of Wee Miss YMCA. We have the most beautiful children, and they all make us so proud.

The reading of scripture and the affirmation of faith was by Moses Powell. Announcements were made by Jerry Tippett. Don’t forget Lenten Luncheon on Wednesday, April 6 at noon with guest minister the Rev. Greg DeJarnett and guest musician Patty Beam. Also, our midweek fellowship meal is at 6 p.m. followed by Bible study and choir practice beginning at 6:30.

Sunday, April 10 our worship service will be held at Confederate Memorial Park in Marbury at 10:30 a.m.

There will be another Lenten Luncheon on Wednesday, April 13 with the Rev. Greg Nobles and Jennifer Baker. Practice for the Easter cantata will be that night at 7:15.

March birthdays are: Mallory (7), Kayla Cook (7), Spencer Watley (7) and Carol Traetto (10).

Sharing joys and concerns: Please remember Ray Enfinger, Ruby Duke, Lavada Attaway, Elven Caffee and Peggy Cleckler.

Special music by the choir was “Walkin’ and Talkin’” and the hymn of preparation was “I Love to Tell the Story.” Then Lisa sang “Thank You” joined by the youth and drama team. They did a heartwarming “thank you” presentation at the altar for some chosen by the youth.

Wow! What a blessing. My cup is running over, and we are just getting started.

As Bro. Tony brought the message; he reminded us that we were remembering the word “share” for the month of March. He gave an illustration and said, “It will make you feel better about yourself, and I promise you that, it will make you more Christ-like.”

Even though the lepers said, “Unclean — stay away!” Jesus went right on up and touched them as long Jesus could touch them — hear me — in a way the Body of Christ can do today. We know that each one we touch will not be healed, but with the slightest amount of desire they can be made whole in his soul, which is a far greater miracle. That’s what the Church is for — to reclaim lost souls, to share the love of Christ with everybody joyfully. How willing are we to share our spiritual gifts to others? We all have one! Will we share?

As if we were not yet blessed, we shared our bountiful meal prepared by the ladies of the church.

Jackson Chapel

Bro Dewayne Castleberry taught a good Sunday School lesson entitled “The Love of the Father.”  Bro Gary Fant got the morning worship service started off with “Where the Soul Never Dies” and “There is Power in the Blood.”  Bro Horace Wyatt blessed with a beautiful song entitled “Sheltered in the Arms of God,” and during prayer time people came to the altar to pray.

Bro Dennis’ text came from Exodus 32:11-14 with a message entitled “Without A Test You Have No Testimony.”  God allows us to go through things in our lives to make us stronger.  We as Christians go through these things, and at the time we think it is the worst thing that could happen, but after we go through the tests God gives us a wonderful testimony at the end.  We get so busy in life and we don’t even stop to realize that God is allowing us to go through these things to see where we will stand with Jesus Christ.  We as Christians need to remember that the God we serve is big enough to bring us through whatever we go through in this life.

The service ended with several coming to pray.

Bro Gary Fant got the evening worship service started off with “Footsteps of Jesus,” “I’ll Meet You in the Morning” and “The Old Rugged Cross.” The choir blessed us with “O The Glory Did Roll” and Bro Dennis blessed us with a beautiful song entitled “My Home.”

Bro Dennis’ text came from Jeremiah 1:4-10. We as Christians need to stop making excuses from serving God.  We need to be willing to serve Jesus no matter what it takes because he is always willing to do for us.  Jesus Christ is looking for people who are willing to serve him and carry his word around in this lost and dying world.  Jesus doesn’t need our excuses, but he wants our obedience because he shows up for us right on time.

Please remember these as you pray this week: Herschel and Marie Rhodes, Marie Johnson, Freddie Mayfield, Mike Smith, Selena Clark, Rose Moore, Amanda Mims, Debra Collins, Don Williams, our lost loved ones and our servicemen and women.

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.

Mars Hill Baptist Church

Did you attend church on Sunday? I hope that you did and I hope that you know Christ can come back at any time. The time is getting near.

We had special altar prayer for Mandy Mims, the young lady who was injured in an automobile accident. We ask you to pray for her and the family. Her parents and children need the support of other believers during this time. May God bless her and heal her body.

Our Vacation Bible School director needs anyone who can help with VBS. That may seem a long time away but teachers and workers need to be prepared. If you can help, we need you. Make plans now to send your child to VBS.

Also, our homecoming is not so far away. We always look forward to this. Don’t you remember the homecomings of your youth? Oh my, the preaching, singing and the lunch that would be served. I can still taste those wonderful chicken and dumplings. Make your plans to join us; we would like to have you.

The choir is working on songs for Easter. May we all remember that we celebrate Easter as the resurrection of our Lord and not as a time for colored eggs and bunny rabbits.

If you do not have a church home, we invite you to visit us. You are always welcome at Mars Hill.

Cedar Grove Methodist-Protestant Church

Cedar Grove has been very exciting this past two weeks. Souls were saved. Jesus surely came by.

Vernon and Linda Sullivan joined the church, so did Tyler Jackson. We are so happy to have them with us.

On March 27 we had a baby dedication for Master Caden Nathaniel Bullard, son of Shannon and Robin Bullard. It is wonderful to know that they promised to raise their child in the way it should go.

Happy birthday to Jerry Hunter, Charles Crowe and Paula Castleberry. We have many April birthdays coming up.

The songs before the worship service were “He Set Me Free” and “Amazing Grace.” Sister Sandra Carroll blessed us by singing “ He Chose The Nails.”

Brother Jeff Carroll’s sermon entitled “Power on The Throne” came from 1 Corinthians 10:17-18, Galatians 6:14 and John 1:12.

The Song of Invitation was sung by Chris Cleckler, “The Anchor Holds.” The altar filled with prayers and people being prayed for.

We had several visitors, including Mr. and Mrs. David Newton, Chris Giles, Rhondra Ray and several others. We are very glad to have them come worship with us.

Brother Jeff Carroll recognized one of our members, Kip Cleckley, about his participation in the Alabama High School State Power Lifting Championship. We are very proud of Kip; he won first place in the State for Power Lifting in the 132 weight class. The competition was held in Troy.

The evening service began by the good old toe-tapping, hand-clapping “Keep On The Firing Line” followed by “My Lord Keeps a Record” and I requested “The Old Rugged Cross,” which is so beautiful. The choir sang several songs, which were very good.

Brother Heath Vines brought the message entitled “Waiting on God.” His text came from Isaiah 40:25- 31. He suggested reading chapter 40 of Isaiah; it is a very good chapter. He discussed inward strength, upward strength and outward strength.

April 16 will be the Easter Egg Hunt.

April 17-20 is our Spring Revival with Brother Heath Vines, Brother Jimmy Flowers and Brother Clay Collins; each one will have a night to speak.

Remember all on the prayer list, including the military, sick in the hospitals and nursing homes, the sad and bereaved.

You know, we have been blessed in many ways since the roof fell in. I was thinking about the organ yesterday; it is electronic, was rained on for nearly three months, and after it dried out we got all the insulation out that had fallen in it, vacuumed, scraped all the crud off it and plugged it up, and it has been working ever since.

You are welcome to come to Cedar Grove. We would love to have you. We have a nursery, children’s church and classes for all ages. On Wednesday nights at 7, the adults are studying Romans. Come on out and join us.