Christ Independent Methodist Church

On this perfect Sabbath Day, what a privilege it was to have the opportunity to go to the house of the Lord and thank him for the many blessings we enjoy as a citizen of a Christian nation. I don’t use the word “privilege” loosely because some nations do not enjoy that opportunity. As a nation founded on the principle of religious freedom, I fear that principle slipping away.

Today, Dr. Mac Stinson’s sermon title was given the provocative title of “Lost.” His scripture was taken from Luke 15:1-10. I would encourage all my readers to take the few minutes necessary to read these 10 short verses while I quote for you verses 7 and 10:

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance: Luke 15:7. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth: Luke 15:10

Dr. Stinson tells us, “Luke 15 is one of the most important chapters in all the Bible. It includes three of the most famous parables ever told. Each of the parables deals with something that is lost: a sheep, a coin and a young man. The lost sheep may have been nibbling at grass with its head down and wandered away from the flock and the shepherd. The lost young man rebelled against his father and went into a far country, indulging in behavior that almost destroyed him. It didn’t matter to Jesus how those who were lost came to be where they were. All Jesus cared about was bringing them home.

The great ending for these verses is they are just as true today as they were before the ink dried on Luke’s handwriting all those centuries ago.

The reason that is good news is we are all sinners. Romans 3:23 tells us all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. The key word in that sentence is the word “all.” That is all-inclusive. It means you and me. Dr. Stinson explained it thus: “There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, that it hardly becomes any of us to talk about the rest of us.”

Dr. Stinson explained, “Jesus wants us to care for our brothers and sisters who are lost as much as he cares for them. There was a time when we were lost; now we are those who are called by Christ to reach out to others.

No Sunday evening worship services this Sunday evening. We will resume our Sunday night services on Oct. 6, continuing our study of Daniel and “The Handwriting on the Wall.” Women’s Coffee and Dessert has been rescheduled for October.

Continue to pray for Dr. Stinson and his son, Dell Moody, Cindy McCavitt, Roy and Sue Lauter, Judy Atkinson and those traveling. I would so appreciate it if you would hand me your written requests for prayer. I don’t want to leave any request unanswered. Thank you for your many kindnesses to me and mine. Remember me when you pray. Have a great week.

Friendship Baptist Church

Our choir special was “Jesus Never Fails.” Bro. Ken Daniel’s message was from Mark 14:32-42 titled “Sleeping on the Job,” about Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. We must wake up and do our part in inviting people who are unchurched, and also in working for the church.

In the evening service, Bro. Dusty sang “I Should Have Been Crucified.” Bro. Ken’s message was from Galatians 6:2-5 titled “What To Do With Burdens.” We are to carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Upcoming events: Oct. 9: Manna Meal at the University of Montevallo. Oct. 11-12: Fall Missions Festival for the children at WorldSong. Oct. 13: World Hunger Sunday Offering

Oct. 21-24: Celebrator’s trip to Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Oct. 26: Youth hayride at the Glover’s. Oct. 31: Trunk-or-Treat and Fall Festival at 6 p.m. Nov. 7: Dixie Echoes at 7 p.m. Nov. 17: Harvest Supper. Dec. 15: Christmas Supper

March 2014: Trip to Lancaster, Penn. to visit the Sight and Sound Theater.

During September and October, our children are collecting socks for Canadian missionaries who give the socks to needy people in winter. The senior adult women’s sewing ministry meets each Tuesday. They are making Christmas presents for patients at the nursing home. Donations of lace, material, yarn, towels, cutting boards, scissors, tape measures, pins, an ironing board and a sewing machine would be appreciated.