Bethany Baptist
We were pleased to have several out-of-town visitors Sunday in our congregation. Jean DeLoach sang “It Is Well With My Soul” with the congregation joining her on the chorus.
Bro. Steve’s sermon Sunday morning was taken from Luke 16:19-31, “Is Hell Real?”  The subject of hell in sermon topics is not very popular these days, though people use the word often as an emphasis to their speech and in descriptions.  But is hell real?  In this scripture Jesus Himself spoke of a particular rich man and a beggar named Lazarus.  This is what Jesus said; is it what He meant?  We certainly believe so.  There are four main points of description the Lord Jesus used: (1) Hell is a place of consciousness (The rich man was aware and had memories); (2) Hell is a place of torment (flames); (3) Hell is a place of no return; and (4) a place to avoid.
In John 3:17, Jesus states: “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
The choice you make before you die will stand for eternity. Please make the right choice.
Sunday night Bro. Aubry Wallace brought the message from Psalm 37:1-10, which he called, “Guide for Peace in the Waiting Room of Life.”  While we are waiting for the Lord’s return, we don’t have to be overwhelmed with these awful times; we can have peace.  We must be patient and wait for Him to work His plan in His own time.
Prayer list:  Betty Biggs, Carl Gray, Ellen Gray, Ophelia Griffin, Ernestine Hatch, Danny Jones, Lori Knight, Mary Knight, Larry Miller, Billie Neeley.
See you Sunday.

Bethsalem Baptist
Our service began with ministry opportunities, welcoming and fellowship time shared by the congregation. Special music by the Celebration Choir was “The Cross.”
The message by Bro. Brad Eubank was “Not a Fan: The Comfortable Cross” from 1 Corinthians 1:18-25.
During the evening service, Cleve Mallory sang the special music “Our Heart, Our Desire” with the congregation joining in.
Let’s pray, give and go get ready for our Lottie Moon Offering. This year’s goal is $13,000.
Pray for Makenzie Barrett, Lilianna Thompson, Linnie Hathcock, Arthur Cooedy, Randall Moore, Teresa Martin, Betty Gregory, Randy Bryant, Dewayne Gamel, Pam Shepard, Bro. James Moore, Charles Bryant, Harold Patterson, Debra Mims, Chris Moore, Paul Green, Pete and Myra Burnett, Pamela Howell, Donnie Eslinger, McCoy Durren, Jimmy and Jetti Durbin, Tyler Harmon, Ray and Eloise Edwards, Charles Owens, Anna Russell, Makesha Scott, Melvolene Dobbs, Melissa Jeffers, J.T. Loyd, Jacob Jones, Dana and Alyson Stockton, Bobbie Cox, all families that have lost loved ones, our homebound, our country, and revival.
Happy birthday to Chris Baker, Kaylynn Culp, Dana Jones, Sonji Cox, Amy Hucks, Morgan Bradberry and Lydia Beadlecomb.
Next Sunday at 6 p.m. we will host a missionary from Brazil, Landon Williams, who will be speaking.
Have a blessed week. God is so good. Tell someone about Jesus this week.

Calvary
Independent Baptist
Calvary Independent Baptist Church wants to thank all the ones that chose to come out and worship with us Sunday.
Bro. Matthew Brasher preached in the morning service from 1 Corinthians 13 on love. He brought a really good message on how to have a love that can last forever, a love that goes beyond just feelings. God showed us this kind of love through His Son Jesus Christ who willingly gave His life for each one of us.
Sunday night service included a message from Revelation 14, which was delivered by our Associate Pastor Oscar Mims. He brought out how you see eternal security of the believer even during the tribulation period. God sealed 144,000 on earth in Revelation 7,  God delivered 144,000 that was before Him in heaven in Revelation 14. Of course, many people still think it is all about the perseverance of the saints. It’s not about what we can do, life starts with what the Lord Jesus Christ has done and finishes with what the Lord Jesus Christ is going to do.
If you are looking for a church family, come visit with us. We serve Christ by serving others; if you need someone to pray for you or with you, let us know.  We are located south of Clanton just past Dollar General right off U.S. Highway 31 on Fulmer Drive. For more information, call Pastor Rick Hatchett at 256-786-0977, Associate Pastor Oscar Mims at 205-755-9399 or Youth Pastor Kevin Shaw at 205-351-4585.

Cedar Grove
Methodist-
Protestant
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11).
Thank you, Lord, for the rain and for such a great Thanksgiving.
“I’ll Fly Away” and by special request by Olivia McGuire “Jesus Loves Me” were the songs for the beginning of our service. Bro. David Bullard dismissed us into our Sunday school classes.
The title of the lesson was “Absalom Rebels Against David” from 2 Samuel 15:1-12 (Golden Text): “Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee” (Exodus 20:12). As always, Bro. Gary Hubbard did a great job teaching it.
Bro. Tim Scott open up the worship service with prayer. We began with all announcements and prayer requests. Our sympathy goes to Bro. Jim Lowery in the passing of his brother, Gerald (Jerry) Lowery. Please remember all the sick and shut-ins and the ones with family problems; the children are the losers most of the time.
Happy birthday to Brentley Patterson. Happy anniversary to Sam and Missy Price and Frankie and Norma Muir.
Bro. Steve led the congregation in singing “Standing on the Solid Rock” and “Victory in Jesus.” The choir sang several songs, and Sam Price blessed us by singing “Drinking From my Saucer.”
Brother Jeff Carroll preached his sermon from John 1:14-18 on having faith and believing in Jesus Christ. Faith is not something you can see or hold; it is what you feel and believe.
We had an anointing service for Susan Knight; she is having very bad back problems, so please remember her when you pray. Several went to the altar to pray and be prayed for.
We welcome our visitors; it seems when we have several visitors, our members are out due to illness. We miss each and every person when they are out.
Thanks to Ralph and Juliet Hayes for keeping our church sign so informative.
If you are looking for a home church, come give us a chance, we would love to have you. Remember to checkout our website at cedargrovethorsby.com. God bless and have a good week.

Christ Independent Methodist
Sunday, Dr. Mac Stinson’s service was preached on the meaning of Advent, which literally means a period, or time, of waiting for our Savior’s coming and the anticipation of our salvation.
The service began with the congregation singing, “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus.” What hymn could be more appropriate? As we non-Jewish Christians await the Second Coming of our Lord, sent to us as the Babe of Bethlehem, who was crucified, buried, rose from the tomb and ascended into heaven, Jewish people are looking forward to his first coming. Either way, it is exciting to anticipate His coming whether it be for the first or the second time.
Awaiting this event is certainly the ultimate anticipation, for the Bible tells us that neither the Son of God nor the angels know the day or the hour of His return.
Dr. Stinson took his scripture from Isaiah 64:1-9 and Mark 13:32-37. Isaiah 64:8 says, “But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou art our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.”
Sunday night, our service for the first Sunday in Advent was the Hanging of the Greens that began with the following call to worship: “Tonight, as we prepare our hearts for the coming of our Savior, we prepare this house of worship for the birth of God’s Son.”
The program continued with the lighting of the Advent candle, blessing of the wreaths, and family groups placing crismons on the tree with appropriate scripture and songs interspersed. Our church by candlelight was a beautiful tribute to our Lord. Special music and the opportunity to pray at the altar was a special moment.
When you pray, remember our servicemen and women and the families they leave behind, our leaders, our community, church and each other. Always, remember little Israel and Christians everywhere.
Ask traveling grace for those away from home that they come home to those who await them; also remember Horace and Mary Ann Carden, Mable Mitchell and Shea Simms. Shea will soon be leaving the USA for Afghanistan.
Have a blessed week.

Church of God’s Word
Pastor Ray Edwards brought the message from 1 Corinthians 11:29: “For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.”
This scripture passage is talking about taking the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner. The Lord is the only one that can rightfully judge us and tell us where we are going. The reason He saved you was to work for Him, telling someone that is lost about Jesus. Jesus did not come to condemn the lost but to save, so before we start running our mouths about something that we really don’t know anything about, when we see someone doing something that doesn’t look right, we should pray for them instead of talking about it.
If Satan tempted Jesus, then he will tempt us. Jesus put Satan in his place by using the word of God, so we can do the same thing whether it be casting out demons or healing the sick. Satan really doesn’t want you; he doesn’t want Jesus to have you.
God is the creator of all things, but Satan is walking around seeking whom he may devour. You can see Satan’s work every day on this earth, and you can also see the work of Jesus every day.
We just need to start seeing the good in people instead of the bad.
Bro. Ray welcomed everyone for coming Sunday morning and invites everyone to come back. For everyone that doesn’t have a home church, we invite you to visit.
Jesus is Lord.

Friendship Baptist
Bro. Ken’s message was from Ephesians 2:1-10, “The Hope of Christmas.” God loves us despite our sinful nature. None of us are worthless. We are valued in God’s eyes. Our sins can be forgiven. It is by grace we have been saved. We have the hope of heaven made possible by Christ, who prepared this in advance for us. This is a gift from God.
During the evening service, we had our Hanging of the Green. Each family participated in telling of the traditions of the poinsettias, evergreens, holly, garland, wreaths, candles, Nativity scenes, the cross and the Christmon tree.
Happy birthday to Raymond Powell and Pauline Little.
Pray for Vivian Sanders, Brandy Moreland, the Martin family who lost their home, Juanita Staggs, Logan Pledger, JoAnn Lyles, the Huntley family, Lucille Price and Huey Wilson.
Upcoming events:
Dec. 6: Ladies Christmas party at Regeana’s at 6 p.m. We will wear our pajamas and play a Christmas exchange game.
Dec. 7: “1777, a Colonial Christmas” at the American Village Chapel in Montevallo at 7 p.m. Our Wednesday evening service will be held there.
Dec. 11: Christmas play and supper.

Mars Hill Baptist
We met for Sunday School at 10 a.m. and enjoyed good lessons taught from the word of God.
For the worship service the choir gave us “Jesus Hold My Hand” and the sermon for the day came from Genesis 1:1. Have you ever thought what life would be like without Jesus holding your hand? I immediately think that I’d be off in a ditch somewhere, how dark, how gloomy, how hopeless.
Then with Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created…” it didn’t just happen. We were created in His image. After Genesis 1:1 the book pretty much tells us how to live.
Our Sunday School classes are planning their Christmas parties. Let’s be careful not to have X-mas this year, let’s have CHRIST-mas.
Whatever you want to do in life, go do it, do it well. If you succeed in life you have to work hard at it, you have to treat people right and you must always tell the truth. You must honor God in all you do, and then you will succeed.
Come visit us at Mars Hill, you are always welcome.

Mt. Carmel No. 1 Baptist
Praise God the Spirit of the Lord was not dampened during our worship services this past Lord’s Day even though it was raining outside.  Following our morning congregation songs, we were blessed with a special song by Rebeka and Tammy Jones to get our services started.  Bro. Derrell had an important message for the children that really should be taken to heart by each of us.  He explained to them the importance of being careful to follow the correct voice; to be sure it is the voice of God, not that of the devil, that you follow.  Just as sheep know the voice of their shepherd, we need to know the voice of our Shepherd.
Bro. Derrell’s morning message was entitled “Let ME be the Head (receiver of blessings) not the Tail (receiver of curses).” It was taken from Deuteronomy 28:1-14.  Observing God’s word is only part of the process of receiving His blessings.  We must also do all He commands and hearken unto the voice of God.  In doing this we can claim our blessings.  These blessings can help us overcome obstacles and get ahead in life.
Sunday evening’s message, “Oh Lord it is Hard to be Humble,” was taken from Matthew 23:1-12.  Being humble is a hard task even for the most dedicated Christian.
We need to be careful never to put ourselves above anyone.  Pride only gets you so far, and the fall is painful.
The youth of our church are practicing for our upcoming Christmas play, “Waiting for the Christmas Guest.”  It is going to be presented on Sunday evening, Dec. 18 at 5.  Please make your plans to attend and pray for these young people as they minister through this event.
We invite you to attend our Wednesday evening services at 7.  We will begin a Bible study in Revelation on Dec. 21 in the form of Bible trivia.  It will be on chapters 1 and 2.  This is always a fun time of learning and fellowship.
Please remember Cecil Franklin, Hershel Scott, Bryant Robinson, Elladene Mims, Ruthie Jean Giles, and Christy Lowery as you pray this week.
Mt. Springs
Services started Sunday, Nov. 27 with Bro. Kenneth Moates leading the church in the following hymns: “I Want To Be Ready to Meet Him,” “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem,” “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow” and “The Sweetest Song I Know.” Bro. Roger Cleckler gave a devotion from Psalms 92: 1. The Bible says that it is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord. We all need to stand and give thanks for all that the Lord has done for us.
After Sunday School, Bro. Kenneth led the church in the hymns “There’s Power in the Blood” and “’Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus.” Kellie Bice sang “Nail it to the Cross” and blessed the church with this powerful song.
Bro. Don’s message was taken from Isaiah 9:6. Christ is our counselor. He uses our church services to council us into becoming better Christians. Jesus cares and desires the best for our lives.
Sunday night’s service was our Hanging of the Greens program. During this service each family brings ornaments to place on our Christmas tree.
We also have a Memory Tree in which loved ones that have gone on to be with the Lord have their name on a cross ornament that each family places on the tree.
It is such a blessing to everyone to get in the Christmas spirit by such a lovely service.

Samaria Baptist
What a glorious day to worship our God. We were blessed Sunday by Darrell Willis singing “My Best Friend” by Brittany Sparks playing our offertory song, and by Don Fisher playing “Amazing Grace” on the harmonica.  What better place to be on a rainy Sunday morning than in the house of God, praising Him with His people.
Brother Charles’ text came from 1 John 2:7-11.
We partner together in our churches to worship and serve our God.  Fellowship of eternal life produces joy in our lives.  Joy comes from living for Jesus, and being a blessing to those around us.  Church offers many things; and learning more about Jesus and how to fellowship together are some of the most important things.
We have joy when we worship together, and share our gifts together.  Eternal life was manifested unto us. Jesus brought peace, help, joy, fellowship and love.
To make sure our churches continue to grow, we must be willing to show our love to each other, in Jesus.  Talking down our brethren is the fastest way to destroy church growth, and prosperity.  We have the greatest opportunity in the world to share the gospel with a lost community, state and nation.  Let us do our part to build up, and make sure we thwart any efforts to tear down our fellow church family members.
Next Sunday evening, our children will present their Christmas program at 5.  The following Sunday evening, our adults will present the program “The Christmas Choir.”
May God bless all those that are grieving this week, and those who are sick and suffering.
If you need a church family that will love you in Jesus’ name, come on down to Samaria.
God bless you.

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