By Emily Agee

“O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. The Lord hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice; and sing praise. Sing unto the Lord with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King. Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity” (Psalm 98:1–9).

Thought for the week: “My Evening Prayer”

“If I have wounded any soul today, if I have caused one foot to go astray, if I have walked in my own willful way — Good Lord, forgive! If I have uttered idle words or vain, if I have turned aside from want or pain, lest I myself should suffer through the strain — Good Lord, forgive! If I have craved for joys that are not mine, if I have let my wayward heart repine, dwelling on things of earth, not things divine — God Lord, forgive! If I have been perverse, or hard, or cold, if I have longed for shelter in Thy fold, when Thou hast given me some part to hold — Good Lord, forgive. Forgive the sins I have confessed to Thee, forgive the secret sins I do not see, that which I know not, Father, teach Thou me — Help me to live.”

Announcements

Worship service at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Jemison began with praise service of scripture, prayer and songs. The scripture was read by Earl Lucas with prayer by Pastor Dukes and Carl Singleterry. Songs sung were “This Little Light of Mine,” “Jesus Wonderful Child” and “God Made Me Who I Am.”
The morning message was given by Pastor Dukes with his theme: “Do You Appreciate What God Has Done For You.” Stay on the wall; you are doing a great job. Your Church is God’s house; are you a good steward? When God has given you a passion for something, you want to see it do well. Don’t let the enemy in to destroy; stay focused. At some point in your life you should close the door on the enemy. If he comes in, he will kill, stall and destroy.

Nehemiah would not stop, for he was doing a great work. The vision was good — he had purpose to connect with God. Don’t stop doing a great work. When you are doing it for God, don’t allow the enemy in. The work must go on. Stay on the wall, don’t give up on people or God, and don’t be a coward soldier. Don’t come down until it’s finished. Where you stop, that’s where it will be — never do half-done work. Know how to move from one level to another.

The benediction was led by Pastor Dukes.

On Jan. 30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., there will be lawyers at the Jemison City Hall Annex to help black farmers fill out their black farmers kits they have received in the mail. For more information, contact Mrs. Bernice Atchison at 688-2715.

Our sympathy goes out to the family of Mr. Danny Bulger in their time of bereavement. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Jan. 7. Agee Brothers Funeral Home directing. On our sick list this week we ask you to remember in your prayers: Annie Dixon, Jerry Wilson, Jeanetta Brooks, Sam and Vivian Hicks, Harold Frazier, Eliza Stewart and Mattie Nix. May God heal, strengthen and keep them in His care is our prayer.

—Emily Agee is a religion columnist for The Clanton Advertiser. Her column appears each Thursday.