Mt. Carmel No. 1 Baptist Church

God is so good! This truth was evident at Mt. Carmel this past Sunday.

The day started with a fellowship breakfast, followed by time spent with Bro. Gene Hitchcock bringing to the adults some great pointers on building a Sunday School. Even though most of those in attendance have been involved in Sunday School and church for years, Bro. Gene provided food for thought and encouragement.

After this time of teaching, Bro. Gene brought our morning message using text from Acts 1:1-8 to speak on “Establishing the Church.” Jesus used the period of time from his resurrection until his ascension to teach his disciples. He was preparing them to keep living and functioning when he would no longer be with them physically on earth.

Jesus’ message to them was to go and tell. That is also the message that is given to us as Christians today. Jesus knew the disciples would need strength and courage to carry out this command, and we still need that same strength and courage. It is up to Christians—God’s church—to teach those who seem unteachable, to reach those who seem unreachable and to love those who seem unlovable.

On Sunday evening, we were delighted to have Bro. Randall Edwards with us. Bro. Randall used Proverbs 16:9 as the basis for his message. His testimony was that he was truly blessed by God, and that his steps are directed by God. He reminded us that we need to be doing God’s business and giving God the credit for all things.

Bro. Randall also blessed us by singing “Just a Closer Walk,” “Victory in Jesus,” “Family Bible,” “Peter Do You Love Me” and “Home.”

His closing statements left us with some great advice. He reminded us that we are never too young or never get too old to tell someone about the Lord; we should never be afraid to say, “I’m wrong” and never fail to tell people we love them when we have the opportunity.

On Sept. 13, Bro. Ricky Hatchett will be with us for the morning and evening service.

We have several in our church family on our prayer list. Please remember Leona Liveoak, Jennifer Watley, Jacob Jones, Donald Liveoak, Tammy Harmon, Jenny Hayes, Elladene Mims, Christy Lowery, Gladys Franklin and Hilda Cary especially as you pray this week.

Submitted by Louise Liveoak

Mountain Springs Church

On Sunday morning, Bro. Kenneth Moates led the congregation in the following hymns: “Camping in Canaan Land,” “Jesus is Coming Soon,” “I’ll Have a New Life” and “I’m Gettin’ Ready to Leave this World.”

Bro. Wayne Barnett brought a devotion from Jeremiah 23:24, 6:16, 17:7 and 24:7. Stand in the ways of God’s Word. Seek what he will do. He is asking for our whole hearts.

Bro. Heath Vines preached from 1 Corinthians 15:58 and 1 Timothy 5:18. Be busy for the Lord. Work to please God, not men (Colossians 3:22-23). You cannot earn your way to heaven by works alone. Works will not save your soul (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Works are a product of faith in Jesus Christ (James 2:14). Don’t always look for results; many times you may not see results, but nothing you do goes unnoticed by God.

Are we really working for Christ and giving it all we have? How faithful are you in your work?

On Sunday evening the congregation sang the hymns “The Glory Land Way,” “Come and Dine,” and “Fill My Way Every Day with Love.”

Bro. Kenneth Moates continued his study in Revelation 6.

Bro. Heath Vines preached from Psalm 126:1-6. You may be reading God’s Word and praying, but nothing is happening. We can plant the seeds, but nothing seems to be happening. How do we water those seeds we plant? We weep over them—pray and weep over them. If Jesus wept, as we are told in John 11:35 that he did, we too can cry and pray over things. Jesus weeps over the lost because he died for the lost. How many of us have compassion for the lost?

What are you weeping over? If it’s important enough for you to weep over, it’s important to God.

Mountains Springs will have homecoming on Sept. 13. The Bowling Family will be singing, and Pastor Wayne Hughes will preach.

Submitted by Savannah Parrish