Samaria Baptist Church

We are excited about the beautiful spring like weather we had on Sunday. What a beautiful day for the Lord to come again, but until he comes we must stay focused and busy leading folks to him.

Our prayer list includes Frank Roberson and his wife Debbie’s family as they grieve her passing. Also pray for Ricky Taylor, Paul Shearon, Lisa Shearon, Diane Bullard, Mrs. Silas, Johnny Bowman, Patricia Edwards and our elected officials from Tuesday.

We ask you to join us in prayer for our nation. If we ever needed Jesus, it is now.

Special music today was “In the Garden” and performed by Diane and Jerry Greer using the guitar.

Lauren Wyatt blessed our altar call with a beautiful song called, “Blameless.”

Matthew 7:24-28 was the basis for our message.

Bro. Shane always shares the word as guided by the Holy Spirit.

Sunday he preached about foundations, and posed the question “Where are you founded?”

Relative to building projects, as we know a foundation must be laid before a building can be raised.

If the foundation is on sand or not solid enough, the structure will not be sturdy, and will in time fall away. The same applies to our being founded and grounded on a solid rock of Jesus Christ.

Now we know we have our salvation, but how serious are we about serving, living and proving to others what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us?

What does he mean to us in daily life?

Pressures of life wear away at a weak foundation, whether it is a building or a Christian man or woman.

If our foundation is not solid, we will not do good works for God. The storms of life are coming, and it is not if, but when. It is a promise that we know is real.

When we face the storms of life, what will be our anchor? We do not always know just how to serve him, but God’s word says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

God made us, and he can repair anything about us that is not pleasing to him.

We must be submissive and trust him with every part of life. Remember, he knows how strong we are, and can work within us as he sees the need.

God bless you all and may you enjoy a blessed day in Jesus.

Submitted by Diane Fisher Greer

Cedar Grove Baptist Church

Announcements: “Radio Revival” will be coming to you live from Cedar Grove Church through local radio station WKLF on March 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Pastors from several churches in the surrounding communities will be bringing the Gospel of Jesus and the work will be entitled “Minute Men For God.”

Prayer concerns go out to our pastors, our church family, our nation, those in hospitals and nursing homes and for the spoken and unspoken requests.

Pastor Jeff Carroll’s text came from Joshua 1:1-9 and was entitled “Can You Take a Stand for Christ?”

Christians enter into a battle with Satan every day of our lives, but by the mercy of God with Jesus in us we already have the victory.

When we finish one battle, another will come up in its place.

We will have disappointments, because it is easy to praise God when we are on top of the mountain, but he wants us to trust him enough to praise him when we are in the valley and in the middle of a storm.

It is time for God’s people to rise up and go. The churches of today are sitting around waiting for Jesus to come, as Jesus does want us to be watchful and alert his return.

While here however, he wants us to be about doing God’s work.

Everything we do should be for the glory of God, the divine territory and the great commission.

Go out into the world sharing the gospel that Jesus Christ is Lord. God has given us the authority.

Jesus told us he would build his church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Averse of promise as God gave Moses he will be with us give us the Holy Spirit and never forsake us.

To be strong and courageous is hard to do amidst a situation where everything seems to be going wrong, but it is down in that valley we need to step up and stand up for God.

We are not only too strong but very courageous, so that you may observe to do according to all the law what God wants us to do. He will help us.

To tap into the blessings of God we have to serve and obey.

Our nation as a whole is in the shape it is in because we are not what God wants us to do.

Do not look to the left or the right away from God. Stay focused and stay on course with God.

God tells us in his word that if we trust and obey him, we will proper no matter where we go, by staying in his word day and night, we need to believe in God and keep his word.

In closing, God is with us wherever we go, in this hour it is time to take a stand because we know the fight is coming.

Take your stand with God, and he will give you the victory.

Mt. Springs Methodist Church

Sunday morning, the congregation sang the hymns of “I Love My Savior Too,” “When the Saints Go Marching In,” “Old Rugged Cross,” “The World is Not My Home.”

Bro. Roger Cleckler brought a devotion from Luke 8:15. The Lord is looking for seed to fall on good ground. Let the good seed fall on good soil.

After Sunday School, Sheri Moates sang “I Need You More Today.”

Bro. O’Neal Cleckley brought his message from John 4:1-8.

The women at the well had no idea she would see the savior that day. When the women were given that refreshing and living water. She went to the town and testified of her salvation.

Maybe you have been saved, but you are out of fellowship with Christ.

Get a fresh drink of water. Let your life be refreshed by the living water.

Sunday night was our end of the month singing.

Floyd Baptist Church

Bro. Mike Lawerence’s message was from John 6:35 and were entitled “The “I Am’s of Jesus.”

Jesus is the bread of life. He is the source of life, and all things were made by him.

Jesus was with God when this world was spoken into existence. He made all plant and animal life.

There is a high regard for life in the Bible. A murderer was punished by death. There were provisions for accidental loss of life. Today we do not have that regard.

Turn on the news and there will be a shooting. Abortion is running rampant as though life meant nothing.

Life is sacred and should not be ended until God is ready for it to end.

Man is born with a void. The only thing that can fill this void is the love of God. If we come and believe we will be saved.

That is all that God requires of us, and he will fill that void.

Everyone is welcome to come worship with us Floyd. We are located at 3439 County Road 59 in Verbena.

Calvary Independent Baptist Church

Calvary Independent Baptist Church wants to thank everyone who attended services this past week.

Sunday morning services included a message from II Corinthians 5:19-21 and focused on “Making a Difference, One Believer at a Time.”

We looked at the position of ambassador and how the believer today has been entrusted with a high-ranking position.

Each believer is an authorized representative of God and entrusted with reaching the unbelievers with the gospel of Christ.

We looked at a committed word, a committed work and a committed will of how we each must have the desire to be about our father’s business much as the Lord Jesus Christ was in his earthly ministry.

We trust that if you are saved that you have a hearts desire to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and are growing daily in his grace.

Sunday night services included a short song service with a short message from Romans 8:1-10 entitled “Damaged but Still Deliverable.”

After services upstairs, we went downstairs for food and fellowship to celebrate this month’s birthdays and anniversaries. If you are looking for a church in Clanton that major’s on bible doctrines and minor’s on men’s traditions, we would love to see you at Calvary this Sunday.

We preach and teach from the King James Bible and study it in obedience to II Timothy 2:15.

We also hold to the verbal plenary inspiration of scripture and are pre-trib and pre-millennial in our teachings.

If you know what any of these things mean then you must have at least a heart’s desire for the things of God.

Come help us to worship and serve the one who is worthy of all our worship and praise, the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are located south Clanton just past Dollar General right off U.S. 31 on Fulmer Drive.

Our regular weekly services include Sunday School at 9 a.m., children’s church and adult worship services Sunday at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday services begin 6:30 p.m. and a Bible study on every other Tuesday at 7 p.m.

For other services and events check us out on Facebook ,Twitter, visit our website at www.cibc-clanton.com or call Pastor Oscar Mims at (205) 755-9399.

Submitted by Oscar Mims

New Salem Baptist Church

The morning worship service began at 11 a.m. with congregational singing.

Bro. Reeser made the announcements and presented the prayer requests. Special music was provided by Matt, Heather and MaKinley Turner trio singing “He’ll Make a Way.”

The choir special was “Thank God I am free,” while Bro. Reeser’s text was from Psalms 2:1-6 with an emphasis on political correctness.

It seems that churches have bowed to political correctness until they are about to break. We should be standing up for Jesus and count our self-blessed from having his guidance.

We have allowed ourselves to drift farther and farther away from Christ’s teaching and invited his wrath upon us.

As pointed out in Acts 4:14-17, we today cannot speak in Jesus’ name. Peter warned about the fiery darts that would come, but we should wear the armor to stand against them and rejoice that we are considered worthy.

Many are promoting evil while the church sits back silent. God’s word is still relevant today and we need to adhere to it regardless. As a church we must stick together and follow God’s word.

The 5 p.m. service opened with a congregation song. Bro. Reeser’s text came from 1 Timothy 6, and his theme was the peril of false teaching.

Paul wrote to Timothy about those who were puffed up with conceit and quarreled about words that caused constant friction among the people.

Paul said, “depart from them.” He also spoke of the love of money as the root of evil.

We brought nothing into this world and cannot carry anything with us when we leave.

Verses 11-16 told of the proper character and motivation. It is very important to study and recognize the truth and attend the church where the truth is taught from the Bible.

Verses 17-19 dealt with the proper handling of riches, not necessarily money, but the unspeakable riches we have in Christ Jesus.

Verses 20-21 spoke of the handling of truth, which is the most important. As Christians we must seek the truth and hold to the word of God, even if it means persecution.

Anniversaries this week were, Elmer and Doris Porter.

New Salem Baptist Church extends a cordial welcome to all to worship with us.

We hold Sunday School at 10 a.m., and worship at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Bible study and prayer meeting is held each Wednesday beginning at 6 p.m. Presently we are studying II Corinthians.

You are invited to join with us at any of our services and if you need additional information call (205) 389-1102.

Submitted by Lucille Price Pierce

Bethsalem Baptist Church

Bro. Justin opened our worshiping hour welcoming everyone and giving our ministry opportunities.

Bro. Cleve directed us in several beautiful songs, and our celebration choir special was “The Risen Lamb.”

Bro. Justin preached from Acts 2:42-47, Luke 14:25-33 and was entitled “Are You His Disciple?”

Evening service Bible study for adults and students and Wednesday Family Supper with chilli and soup will be held at 5:30 p.m. and will be followed by adult prayer meeting and Outlet for Students and Children’s Choirs at 6:30 p.m.

Pray this week for our homebound, those facing cancer, assisted living/nursing home residents, those who need salvation, our country and leadership, as well as Allen and Casey Daniel, Jeremy Headley, Charles Bryant, Dreama Thomas, Myra Burnett, Everlyn Green, John Flowers, Ruth Carter, Eric Castillo, Hanna Carraway, Bob Thrasher, Zoey Neiman, Brayden, Cooper, Debra Mims, Fred Glasscock and family, Bobbie Tipton, Caleb Harrison, Lynn Cox, Mike Smith, Melissa Langford, Kinlee Till, Peter Daugherty, Chad Mix, Stephanie Hinton and Paul Price.

Happy birthday this week to Scott Harmon, Abigal Lovett, Brian Bradberry, Mark Smith, Juan Enriquez, Kimberly Hunt, Brittiny Deaver, Hannah Hughes, Avree Williams, Ralph Smith, Gwen Willmon, David Williams, Saintess Sims, Martie Elgin, Jamie Culp, Stephanie Wells, Stella Bice, Misha Carroll, Kathy Evans, Caelyn Miller and Christopher Moore.

The Annie Armstrong offering is coming up with prayer and give help reach our goal.

Have a blessed week, and come worship with us on Sunday.

Get connected with us.

Submitted by Elvie Patterson

Friendship Baptist Church

Our choir special was “Who Am I,” with a solo part performed by Clyde “Dusty” Dutton. Dusty also sang “Glory.”

Bro. Ken’s (Daniel) message was from Acts 3:1-7. His title was “Love is accepting.” Peter healed a man crippled from birth.

Bro. Ken talked about what the beggar had to offer. All he knew was to beg for money. Peter and John had Jesus Christ to offer.

God has salvation to offer everyone.

Evening service’s verses were 13-15, as Bro. Ken’s message was from 2 Corinthians. The transformational aspect of ministry is as if we are treasures in clay jars.

We can be broken on the outside, but not on the inside. We need to live by faith and focus on the unseen.

If you are unable to attend, please join us on the web U-stream under Friendship Baptist Clanton.

If you have any old pictures or mementos to use for our 100 year homecoming, we would certainly have use for them in September.

Announcements:

Wednesday: Fellowship Supper at 6 p.m., mission studies and mission friends at 7 p.m. and adult choir rehearsal at 7:45 p.m.

Thursday: Free guitar lessons for those with a guitar, dedication and willing to practice from 5-6 p.m. in Friendship Fellowship Hall. Ladies leave for the beach at 6 p.m.

Saturday: Beginning at 8 a.m. it will be a work day to complete the framing of the two new rooms.

Sunday: Ladies return from the beach.

Opportunities for the future include:

March 10, 12 and 13: Fellowship Hall will be closed for floor cleaning.

March 19: Pancake breakfast is a fundraiser for the youth department and will last from 7-11 a.m.

April 9: Save a Life Walk, see Alisha for more details.

May 2: Senior Adult Evangelism Conference with free admission and no registration. It will take place at Taylor Road Baptist Church in Montgomery from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

May 8: Sandi Patty’s Forever Grateful: The Farewell Tour will be held at First Baptist Church in Prattville at 6 p.m. Cost is $25 and $18.50 for those ages 60 and up.

May 12: OASIS 2016 is a refreshing event for senior adults at 1:30 p.m. and Mt. Hebron West Baptist Church with Allison Durham Speer, Bro. Billy Bob Bohannon and Frank Jones. Tickets are $15 if purchased by April 22.

June 3: Men’s Fishing Trip, see Dusty for more details.

June 17-18: GRIDIRON Men’s Conference at Legacy Arena in Birmingham. Register at www.gridiron men.org.

June 20-24: VBS, Cave Quest.

Oct. 17-20: Celebrators Conference in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. with Max Lucado, David Jeremiah, Phil Waldrep, Dennis Swanberg, Greg Buchanan, Michael W. Smith Steve Green, The Gather Vocal Band and Charles Billingsley. Visit www.celebrators.org.

Happy birthday to E.J. Headley, Mark Conradi and Christie Dutton.

Prayer requests are for Susan Davis, Faye Honeycutt, Liby Fanning, Rachel Lowrey, Harry Williams, retired missionaries, as well as the current ones, Amanda Small, our military and the upcoming election.