Samaria Baptist Church

“What does Christmas mean?” This was the title of today’s message from Bro. Charles.

Our special music was “Mary Did You Know,” sung by Jeannie Mims. Our pastor’s text was taken from Isaiah 7:14-16 and Luke 2:10.

God’s word says, “Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy. Unto you this day in the city of David, is born a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” It is with great joy that we realize that Christ came to die for us and provide a way for the salvation of our souls. Whosoever will may take freely of the water of life.

Jesus gives us unconditional love and joy. Christ came to show us how to live, and to provide the way for us to reach heaven. God doesn’t love us according to our lot in life; his love isn’t based on what level we have achieved in education or our professional lives. God provides unconditional love, and when we accept him, we become reflections of his love and peace.

Jesus is the only true comfort to families after tragic losses, such as the parents of the children in Connecticut. We pray for them, and ask that they allow God to give them the peace only he is capable of giving. When we have shattered hearts and broken spirits, Christ can make it bearable, and when we submerse ourselves in him, it can become a means of receiving the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Some people continue to search for peace, power, purpose and position in life. They will turn to drugs, alcohol and sinful lifestyles to seek to fill the hole in their lives. Eventually, if they survive all their experiments, they will return to Christ, where they can find what they are looking for: the peace and sanity that is within a relationship with Jesus Christ.

As we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, let us be mindful that he deserves all the praise and glory we can muster. Let us always be faithful to him and his church. Jesus has made a way for us to arrive in heaven one day. He is worthy of all the devotion we are capable of providing.

It is a wonderful thing to sing the praises of a loving Lord. We should always want to sing to our best ability when we are asked to sing for Christ. He is pleased when we make joyful sounds (noises) unto him. Jesus brought solutions with salvation. He came to show perfection in the midst of a sinful world. Jesus is the responder in a moment of emergency; he is the healer when we are distressed from trials and tribulations. He made the greatest rescue of all at Calvary. Let us humbly bow to him as we celebrate his birthday, and thank him for the greatest blessing, which is heaven for all eternity.

May you all enjoy your families this Christmas. We ask that you keep Christ in your Christmas, and we invite you to serve him right here at Samaria. May God bless you and yours during this blessed Christmas season.

Anniversaries honored today are Pauline and Ray Harris, Linda and Gaines Silas, Ozelle and Bennie Mims (50 years) and Bro. Charles and Patty Brooks.

Bethany Baptist Church

In celebration of the birth of Jesus, our choir presented the cantata, “Emmanuel,” in our morning worship service. Bro. Steve brought a message titled “Wise Men Still Seek Him,” taken from Matthew 2:1-12. Wise men from the east saw the star that announced the birth of Jesus and they made their way to Jerusalem seeking the young child.

There are ways these men were indeed wise: The wise men believed the word of God concerning the birth of the Messiah. They had expectations that what the scriptures said about Jesus was true. Then, when the wise men learned that he was to be born in Bethlehem, they found Mary and the young child, fell down before him, worshipped humbly and sincerely, and presented gifts to him. The wise men were given a warning by God not to return to Jerusalem or let Herod know where Jesus was, so they were obedient to the commandment of God that provided safety.

You will be wise today if you will believe in God, if you will worship his son, Jesus, who came to die for our sins, and be obedient to God’s commands. Do you know Jesus today as your savior?

Prayer list: Betty Biggs, James Bixler, Doris and Verdie Glenn, Hubert Griffin, Mildred Griffin, Laverne and Dick Hayes, Journey Mission in Calera, Ethel Kelly, Billie Neeley and Lilianna Thompson.

See you on Sunday!