Christ Independent Methodist Church

On this perfect Sabbath day, church attendance profited from the sunshine.

Our church service began with the congregation singing “The Solid Rock,” The Love of God” and “Father, I Adore You.”

Dr. Mac Stinson’s sermon title was “Salt and Light.” His scripture was taken from Matthew 5:13-20.

The gospel according to Matthew was probably composed a year or two before the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Jesus had been crucified a generation before and had been repudiated by his own race. The prophets had caused the Jews to believe that the Messiah, when he came, would lead them to national security. Jesus, on the other hand, brought only the promise of spiritual security.

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16

“You are the salt of the earth.” Salt was a sign of God’s covenant with Israel. It is a preservative, a flavor enhancer and a purifying agent. The Jews called the Law the salt of the earth.

The next metaphor Jesus used was that of light when he said, “You are the light of the world.” People in Bible times knew more about darkness than light. There were no street lights, so if you were traveling, the world was a dark place. Criminals took advantage of the dark. Light was a luxury. Their lamp was a bowl filled with oil that had a wick. Light was the first thing God created when he said, “Let there be light,” and there was light (Genesis 1:3).

The sun, in spite of its greatness, is not the light of the world. Christ, the Son of God, is the Light of the World.

Please continue to pray for Anna Adams, Annelle Smith, Bobby Varden and all in need of God’s healing power.

Our special thanks to Mark and Holly for the potted evergreens at our church entrance. They make beautiful additions.

Our Valentine’s dinner and fellowship on Sunday night was a special occasion for our membership. We thank June and Phil Simms for preparing the food. Each person present gave a small contribution to cover the cost of food.

Have a blessed week.

Friendship Baptist Church

Our choir special was “Rise Up and Praise Him.” Bro Ken Daniel’s message was from 1 Corinthians 13, titled “The Real Meaning of Love.” Of faith, hope and love, the greatest of these is love. With God’s love, there are no strings attached. Love can change who we are.

In the evening service, Bro. Ken continued from Revelation 10 and 11 regarding the mighty angel with the little scroll.

In these verses, the angle hands John the tiny scroll and tells him to eat it. He warned John that it would taste like honey going down, but would leave bitterness in his stomach.

Two witnesses will prophesy. They are called candlesticks. They go down to earth and the beast from the bottomless pit comes up to attack and kill them. Their bodies lie in the streets of Jerusalem while all the nonbelievers gloat and rejoice. The people push their luck and refuse to bury them. They throw a big party to celebrate their death. After three and a half days they start living again. The people naturally freak out. These angels fly up to heaven and loose a huge earthquake. Seven thousand people are killed, but the rest repent and put their faith in Jesus.

Then the seventh angel blows his trumpet and John hears that God’s reign on earth has begun. God’s temple in heaven opens and everyone can see inside. There is thunder, lightning and hail.

Events: Sew for Fun meets on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. They are making dresses and shorts for the children who are part of the Guatemala Dump Ministry. They could use some help making clothes. Also, underclothes, diapers and pull-ups are needed. Contact Regeana Funderburk if you can help. Items are needed by Monday, Feb. 24.

Feb. 14: Youth Valentine party at 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 15: Adult “Hee-Haw” Valentine party at 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 16: House-warming for Jeremy and Brittany Hicks from 2-4 p.m. at 567 County Road 491 in Clanton.

Feb. 26-March 4: Medical Mission Trip to Guatemala

March 17-22: Trip to Lancaster, Penn., leaving at 5 .am. The cost of the trip $540 and includes gas, rooms, breakfast each morning at the manor (greystonemanor.com), Sight and Sound Theater, an Amish buggy tour, a meal with an Amish family and Hershey’s Chocolate World. There are three or four openings left. Contact Regeana Funderburk.

May 3: Mother/Daughter/Friend Banquet at 11 a.m. Theme is “Charity.”

June 6-7: Brotherhood fishing trip and ladies trip to the beach.

Aug. 8-9: Largest yard sale trip

The WMU ladies are collecting hygiene items the residents of local nursing homes. They are also collecting teddy bears for emergency services.

Happy birthday to Fay Powell and Sara Wilkerson.

Prayer requests: the Janice Hammock family, Jacinda Gore, Jeanette Seales, Betty James, the medical mission trip to Guatemala, Pauline Little, Anna Byars, Matthew Jones, Diane Cleckler and Roger Crowson.