Bethany Baptist
We enjoyed having a first-time visitor in our service. We hope she will come back. Jean and Junior DeLoach sang “One Day at a Time.” Our pastor continued his sermons in 1 Thessalonians. His text was 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28. He called his sermon on these verses, “What Every Church Member Should Be.” He listed a dozen ways we should live our Christian life as church members including being considerate of and encouraging each other, esteeming those over us in the Lord. Being patient and kind, not rendering evil for evil. Being joyful, prayerful, thankful, responsive to the Holy Spirit and attentive to the Word of God. Further, being discerning in our behavior, living above reproach — abstaining from all appearance of evil. These things Apostle Paul admonishes us of are designed for the church member, and concern our attitude which, when observed, will reflect in our actions.
After the morning service we enjoyed a time of fellowship and a meal, which is our custom on fifth Sundays.
We should prayerfully consider our gifts to the Thanksgiving Missions Offering. We will receive donations until Nov. 20.
Prayer list: Betty Biggs, Carl Gray, Ellen Gray, Ophelia Griffin, Ernestine Hatch, Gloria Headley, Danny Jones, Mary Knight, Larry Miller and Billie Neeley. Please pray for the bereaved family of Jesse Wallace.

Bethsalem Baptist
Our service began with minister appreciation for Bro. Brad and Cleve. We love and appreciate our pastor and minister of music and students. Thanks to Roger Yeargan for a great speech and love shown for them.
Sunday evening we had a great time with Trunk or Treat.
We enjoyed a time of welcoming and fellowship, followed by congregational singing. Special music by the Celebration Choir was “In the Cross Alone I Glory.”
Bro. Brad’s message, “God’s Priority on Prayer,” was from Ephesians 6:18-24.
Pray this week for Randy and Anna Thompson and their daughter, Lilianna; McKenna Banaglia, J.D. Jones, Marie Smith, Bro. James Moore, Charles Bryant, Debra Mims, Patsy Lockhart, Tonnia Spigner, Les Ray, Tricia Coles, Janice Blackmon, Paul Green, Pete and Myra Burnett, Pamela Howell, Donnie Eslinger, Mike Langford, Eddie Vaughan, McCoy Durren, Vic Lawrence, Jimmy and Jetti Durbin, Richard Ferrell, Allison Willis, Tyler Harmon, Jack Parker, Melvin Sumerlin, Ray and Eloise Edwards, Chris Moore, Charles Owens, Bobbie Knox, Gabrielle Kelley, Vickie Knight, Jennifer Till, J.T. Loyd, Bonnie Glass, Miranda Hill, Jacob Jones, the David Gray family, missionaries, families who have lost loved ones, our homebound, our county and revival.
The deadline for the upcoming Smokey Mountain Student Conference is Oct. 30. Have a blessed week.
Calvary Independent Baptist Church
Calvary Independent Baptist Church had a great time of fellowship Saturday evening with food, games and also a hayride as part of our fall festival activities. Sunday services included one of our missionaries in the morning service. She spoke about and presented how her work with children allows her to see many being reached with the Gospel of Christ.
Sunday evening services included a message from our associate pastor out of Revelation 13. We want to thank our visitors that was with us this weekend for being a part of our services. We welcome them and everyone to come be a part of any or, better yet, all of our services.

Center Hill Baptist
Our Fall Festival was well attended, and we hope to see those that attended in our church services soon.
Operation Christmas Child (Samaritan’s Purse) is beginning now. Fill your shoeboxes with items for children in other countries. These will be turned in Sunday, Nov. 20.
Our service was centered on the topic of love Sunday. We read scripture about love, sang about love, and heard our pastor’s message on love.
Love can be a test, a test of the sincerity of your salvation.
Love is the only characteristic you and I can have that will show the world we are Christians.
How do we treat the world? How do we treat other Christians? We are told that Jesus gave us a new commandment: to love the way that He loved. How much did Jesus love us?
Enough to go to the cross for us! How much do you love?

Christ Independent Methodist
The first sermon enjoyed Sunday was visual rather than oral, as I was going to church. The recent rains have helped the forests present their glorious fall colors. Who could look at this spectacular show of autumn beauty and fail to feel blessed by God and glad to be alive in his universe?
Dr. Mac Stinson chose Matthew 23:1-12 for his scripture reading. The provocative sermon title was “Influencing, Inspiring or Impressing.” In this scripture, Jesus is speaking to the multitude and to his disciples. His words are directed toward the Pharisees whom Jesus refers to as wearing masks verbally. The Pharisees were an ancient Jewish sect noted for their strict observance of the Mosaic law.
More correctly they were supposed to observe these laws, but Jesus is saying to the people in Matthew 23:4, “For they bind heavy burdens grievous to be born, and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.”
We are all sinners saved by God’s gracious forgiving grace, not by our good works. We could never do enough to deserve salvation. There is nothing we can do to earn it except live according to God’s plan. He wants us to be part of his family. He accepts us as we are. There is an old gospel hymn that tells us God accepts each of us “Just As I Am.”
Pray for the sick in our community and around the world, our military, their families, our country, community, church, each other, Christians around the world, and little Israel.
Be in prayer for our nation as we approach 2012. Pray for insight and guidance as we select those who will lead our nation for the next four years.
Have a blessed week.

Church of God’s Word
Pastor Ray Edwards brought the message Sunday morning about how God let Satan steal from Job.
Satan stole everything that Job had, but Job never once blamed God. If we would stand up like Job, then we can overcome the trials and temptations Satan throws our way. If we would not gripe and complain like the children did in the wilderness; instead we are to count all our trials and temptations as joy. When we ask for something, we are always going to get a trial. We have to stand knowing that God will bring it in, and when we pray for someone to be delivered from something that they will only get worse before it gets better. When we pray for something does not mean that we will not always see it come to pass. It may come to pass after we are dead and gone.
Jesus said to count all trials and temptations as joy because it will bring you closer to God. Whatever the canker worm eats up, God has something better for you; for greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. Jesus tells us in His word what is going to take place when we walk with Him and trust Him. Sometimes our mouths bring things upon us because we don’t watch what we say.
It was good to have Bro. Roland Hazel with us Sunday morning.

Jackson Chapel
Bro Gary Fant got the morning worship service started off with “Jesus Hold My Hand” and “I Am Thine, O Lord,” and after the good singing, Bro Gary blessed us with “Crown of Bright Glory.”
Bro Dennis’ text came from Psalm 34:1-9. We as Christians need to have a little praise to God because he is always faithful to us and he brings us through situations that we go through in life. We should also praise God because we are on our way to heaven and we should be some of the happiest people on this earth. We are some of the most blessed people, and we need to stop trying to fix our problems on our own. There is no way we can fix these problems without God’s help, so we need to stop burdening ourselves down with our problems and turn them over to God. The service ended with an awesome altar service.
Sunday night was our fifth Sunday night youth service. Hannah Burnett got the evening service started with “I’ll Fly Away,” and our children’s choir blessed us with “Deep and Wide,” “Jesus Loves Me,” “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus,” “This Little Light of Mine” and “If Your Happy.” They also played “Amazing Grace” and “Deep And Wide/I’ve Got Joy” on the handbells. Our teenagers presented a drama to “God Loves People,” and following the dramas Josh Burnett, Loren Bragg, Jack Bragg and Luke Wilson blessed us with “Victory Today Is Mine” and Luke Wilson blessed us as he sang “Jesus Loves Me.” Hannah Burnett blessed us with “Victory In Jesus,” and Ashley Campbell blessed us with “I Won’t Have To Worry Anymore.”
Bro Dennis’ text came from Proverbs 20:9-11 with a message entitled “What’s in a Name.”
Please remember these as you pray this week: Harold Sansom, James and Marie Johnson, Vickie Johnston, Glenn Riley, Cole Riley, Trent Grubbs, Wanda Chadwick, Linda Varden, Chase Varden, Horace Wyatt, our lost loved ones and our servicemen and women.

Mt. Carmel No. 1
What a beautiful day to begin worshiping God, an absolutely perfect fall day. This Sunday was Pastor Appreciation Day. We are fortunate to have a wonderful and dedicated leader, a man of God, Bro. Derrell Jones. He and his wife, Tammy, and children have truly been a blessing to our church. We thank God for him and his family.
On Youth Sunday, the youth were in charge of all the services. They did a great job teaching each Sunday School class, leading the music, teaching children’s church, and the speaker of the hour. The special music was presented by Nicole Littleton, pantomiming “How Great Thou Art.” The congregation was truly blessed.
Our message for the morning was brought by Geoffrey Lockhart and was entitled, “Get Out and Sell Out” (Matthew 14:22-33). He asked for testimonies, and it was such a blessing as the ones stood and testified for the Lord and their blessings.
After the services, a great lunch was served. The lunch and fellowship was enjoyed by a large number. The youth worked a great mission work in our community after they finished their lunch. We are proud of you, youth team.
Sunday evening we enjoyed the drama “Turn Around.” The special music was by Littie Jones, Rebekah Jones and Charity Lockhart.
Chad Foshee spoke on “From Ordinary to Extraordinary” (John 6:6-14). He asked the question, “Are You Extraordinary?”
We have many standing in need of prayer on our church prayer list; please remember and lift them up to Jesus in your prayers.

Mt. Springs
Services started on Sunday, Oct. 30 with Bro. Kenneth Moates leading the church in the following hymns: “Camping in Canaan’s Land,” “I’ll Have a New Life,” “Fill My Way With Love” and “Getting Ready to Leave This World.”
Bro. Roger Cleckler brought the morning devotion from Psalms 33:8. We as individuals should stand in awe of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His creation alone is wonderful and amazing. Have you ever stood in awe of God?
Bro. Kenneth Moates continued his series of lessons from Revelation. What another outstanding job he did teaching the adult Sunday School class. We are very blessed to have him as our adult Sunday School teacher.
After Sunday School, Bro. Kenneth led the church in the hymns, “Won’t It Be Wonderful There” and “I Want to Be Ready.” Kellie Bice ministered to us in song as she sang “He’s Still in the Fire.”
Bro. Don’s message came from Romans 1:18-25. We’re living in a time today where people do not have fear of God. We should always fear the wrath of God.
Mt. Springs had the privilege once again to minister to those at Hatley Health Care. What a blessing they are always to our church. We are always delighted to go and minister to them in song and in word.
Sunday night was the end of the month singing. We were very excited to get to preview a song from our performers with our Christmas musical. What an outstanding job they did as they sang, “Sing Noel.” Make sure you put the dates of the musical on your calendar. It is going to be a blessing to all who attend. We are so blessed at Mt. Springs Church to have such wonderful talent.
Here’s a verse for you this week: Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

The Lighthouse
What a beautiful fall day to be outside and in church Sunday. As always the music ministry lead us in songs of praise and worship that really lifted up Jesus’ name and led us into a spirit of readiness for the word Pastor Travis was to bring. He continued in “Being Strong in the Lord” from Joshua 24, Deuteronomy 30, Psalm 34-35, Matthew 4 and 1 Corinthians 6.
The greatest gift that God gave us at birth is the gift of choice. Your life does not dictate your choices unless you let it.
The church family had its fourth annual hayride, bonfire, wiener and marshmallow roast last Wednesday night at the Pumpkin Patch, and we all had a great time. There were more than 100 in attendance. Thank you Bobby and Frances for all you do for us.
We have several projects going right now, so remember each and contribute to the ones you can or to all.
There will be a teddy bear motorcycle ride Saturday, Nov. 5. Riders will be leaving The Lighthouse Church at 9:30 a.m. All motorcycle riders are invited. Bring a teddy bear to be given to Children’s Hospital in Birmingham.
We want to remember all those who are sick in the church and community with a special prayer going out to Donny Enslinger. He was transferred to Tampa on Monday, so he’s slowly getting closer to home. Also, we send our deepest sympathy to those who recently lost loved ones.
A bridal shower will be Sunday, Nov. 6 at the church for Shannon Culver and James Henry.

Walnut Creek United Methodist
Breakfast was prepared by Larry Handley and Benjie Abbot; we want to thank those that come out and have our meal prepared. Nikki always does a great job with putting everything together. Sunday morning, Norma brought an interesting message after we had our hymn.
We all went to our rooms, and Jim Popwell brought our message, “Living as God’s People,” always interesting. We had several absent because of sickness.
We are blessed to have so many talented musicians. The call to worship was “The Family of God,” followed by the hymn of celebration, “Come Thou Found of Every Blessing,” the affirmation of faith, “The Apostle’s Creed” and Gloria Patri singing “Glory Be to the Father.”
Prayer concerns included Gene and Jerry Gilliland, Betty Blalock, Ray and Myrtice Enfinger, Dave and Hazel Hanline, Charles Dennis and Charlotte’s brother.
The choir special was “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” and Lisa Abbott brought the special music, “Friends.”
Bro. Tony’s message was from 1 John 13-15 and 1 Thessalonians 12-13 — some very powerful messages, but as Bro Tony reminds us, to hear it on a tape, etc. is not enough — we must receive it and take it in.