Lime Springs United Methodist Church
We continued our study on the biblical meaning of the Church in Sunday School.
Bro. Shannon brought the morning message from 2 Corinthians 5:17 on “God Loves Something New.” He reminded us of how Americans love new things, such as the smell of a new car, the cry of a newborn baby, the buying of new back-to-school clothes, the newest items in technology, and the release of a new movie.
God loves new things, too. However, there is a trend to take old and unusable items and restore them to their original state. Bro. Shannon related one of his favorite shows is “American Restoration,” where this renewal procedure on antiques can be witnessed. God loves to see his people renewed. This is why scripture reminds us to renew our strength from day to day, our knowledge, our spirit and even the promise of a renewed, incorruptible body one day.
However, the greatest act of renewal we can experience is when we become “new creatures” in Christ Jesus. How does this happen? Bro. Shannon shared his inability to fix things around the house. These include a hammer, screwdriver, pliers, measuring tape, electrical tape and a telephone book. When we find ourselves faced with sin, we need to realize our inability to fix it and call upon Jesus. However, just calling on Jesus is not enough. Just as a plumber doesn’t need us looking over his shoulder while he works his trade, neither does Jesus need us to hold the plunger and give our input. Once we call upon his name, we need to surrender to Jesus completely and allow him the freedom to fix us. This is how we can become new creations in Christ.
Our Sunday Bible study continued on our study of a summary of the Old Testament.
We invite everyone to join us for worship at Lime Springs. Our service times are as follows: Sunday School at 9:30 a.m.; Sunday morning worship at 11; evening Bible study at 5; and Wednesday night prayer meeting at 6:30.
For more information, please call 755-6356.

Christ Independent Methodist Church
Sunday morning Dr. Mac Stinson introduced and made welcome Jeff and Terri Rains who are missionaries to Ecuador. They were accompanied by their children Nathaniel, Kaitlyn and Abby. Their mission field is in the area of Loja, Ecuador, which Jeff referred to as the “forgotten province” because it is not one of the more economically blessed provinces of that country. Rev. Rains has spent the past 13 years ministering to residents of that area. The Rains family is in this country now to raise money in order to return to Ecuador and continue their ministry there.
They showed movies that graphically showed what their mission field was like — it was interesting and picturesque but more like a National Geographic special than a mission field per se.
Rev. Rains spoke briefly, taking his text from Acts 14 and following the provocative title of “Things That Don’t Make Sense in the Bible.” One example he quoted was that of the Apostle Paul being stoned and left for dead in Greece, but who rose up after his body was cast aside by those who stoned him for dead, returned to Lystra and continued preaching.
Rev. Rains believed most men who found themselves in that circumstance would have headed in the opposite direction. I encourage you to read about the event in Acts 14:19-22.
Prayer is requested for the following: Dr. Mac Stinson, Dwight Sammons, Wilma Ellison, Opal Miller, Mable Mitchell, Paul Dean, our military and their families, our church, our community, our country and each other. Also remember little Israel.
Our one-dish dinner was an enjoyable event. We enjoyed having the Rains family break bread with us.
Evening worship was a continuation of our study of the Holy Land entitled “That the World May Know.” This film study was made on locations at Bible sites being studied.
Wednesday nights at 6:45 we continue our study of Revelation. Have a blessed week.

Mt. Carmel No. 1
The presence of the Lord was with us Sunday morning as we gathered to sing praises and worship on this our 76th homecoming anniversary.
Our pastor, Bro. Derrell Jones, welcomed all our visitors and home folks as we began our worship service. The Coleman Family was our special guest singers. They are such a great family group, dedicated to God, with beautiful voices and a loving family of gospel music. Blessings were received by their singing and the singing of our own church family, Pat and Jim Hayes, Charity Lockhart and LeNelle Jones, Bro. Derrell, Tammy and Lilly Jones. If you missed our day of worship and celebration, you missed a blessing.
Bro. Derrell brought a short message from 2 Samuel 24:19-25. The Lord was entreated for the land and threshing floor David had bought. David built an altar unto the Lord. God allows all things to happen.
In 1907, land was deeded to Mt. Carmel No. 1 for the purpose of burial. In 1935, a church was built with only 41 members. Bro. Marion W. Mims was the first pastor; Sunday we were honored to have visiting with us Bro. Mims’ grandson, Johnny Vail, and his wife, Patsy. God’s goodness and grace are not restricted to any one generation but continuing blessings reaching down through the centuries.
A new building was constructed on this land, and the first service was held July 10, 2005. The temple is finished, but building Christ’s kingdom goes on. We must keep faith in God. The things which are impossible with men are possible with God (Luke 18:27).
Continue to join us in prayer for our church, the lost, the sick and shut-ins. Bro. Robert Childress is in the hospital at the time of this writing. Please remember to call his name as you pray.
We welcome you and your family to join us as we praise and worship the Lord this Sunday. Sunday School is at 10 a.m., worship at 11, Discipleship Training at 5 p.m., worship at 6 p.m. and Wednesday night prayer meeting at 7 p.m.

Mt. Springs Church
Church service started with singing “Revive us Again,” “Come Unto Me,” “Glad Reunion Day” and “Heaven’s Jubilee.” Roger Cleckler’s devotion was taken from Jeremiah 29:5-11. Israel was in bondage, and he encouraged them to continue on but not to be deceived with the false prophets but to look to the Lord and know that his thoughts toward them were good.
Kenneth Moates’ Sunday School lesson was taken from Revelation 5:8-14. Kenneth led the church in the hymn “Won’t It Be Wonderful There,” and Bro. Don welcomed Tyler Eiland and his family in the service. They are on leave from Africa.
The Johnson family sang the special, “In the City Called Homeland” and did a great job.
Tyler Eiland preached from Luke 9:23-26. Who is a disciple of Jesus Christ? The three points were:
•Deny ourselves. God’s will for our lives should be our will.
•Be willing to give up what we can’t keep to gain what we can’t lose. We don’t have stuff but our stuff has us.
•Don’t be ashamed of the Gospel.
The message of the Gospel is that 1) God is the righteous Creator, 2) We are sinners, 3) Jesus is the answer and 4) We have to repent and have faith in Christ.
What a wonderful sermon; thank you so much for presenting it to us.
Sunday night we were blessed to have Tyler Eiland and his family with us again. Tyler and Jennifer showed us a video and slideshows of life in the Congo as missionaries. They told of the poverty and simple things that in the U.S.A. would just make you sick, but there it could cause death. We need to have compassion and love for people and realize what missionaries give up to answer God’s call on their lives. We have heard it said that God calls the qualified, but really he qualifies the called. Thank you for being at Mt. Springs this week. May God bless you as you obey his call.
Sunday School is at 9:45 a.m., worship at 11 a.m., and Wednesday night service at 7 p.m. We hope to see you.

Friendship Baptist Church
Bro. Ken’s (Daniel) sermon was from Luke 5:1-11 and titled, “Become Fishers of Men.” Jesus calls four fishermen to follow him. After many hours of fishing and catching nothing, he taught the people from the boat. Then he told Simon to go into deep water and let down the nets for a catch. Simon told him they had worked hard all night and hadn’t caught anything. Because Jesus said so, he did as Jesus asked. They caught so many the nets were breaking. They filled two boats with fish. Simon Peter fell at Jesus’ knees and told him to go away, saying, “I am a sinful man.” Jesus told him to not be afraid. They would from now on catch men.
During the evening service, Bro. Ken’s message was from Matthew 13:1-13, titled “Miracle Grow.” Jesus teaches the Parable of the Sower. A farmer went out to plant seeds. Those that fell on the path, the birds ate. Some fell on rocky places, which grew quickly but having shallow roots burned up. Those which fell among thorns were choked by the thorns. The seeds which were planted in good soil grew and produced a good crop. We need to be the planted seed in good soil. We need to grow in abundance. We don’t need to be like the other seeds; beaten down between hard places and choked with sin.
Happy birthday to Nettie Scott and James Huey Wilson.
Prayer is requested for Stephanie Adams, Lucille Price, Juanita Staggs, Austin Childress, Evelyn McGuire, the McCalls, Fay Powell, Daryl Genous, Betty Wakefield and Jane Wilson.
Upcoming events:
July 28-29: Continuation of Association Kids’ Camp at Shocco Springs
July 31: Mission trip presentation in the evening service; birthday supper after evening service.
July 31: Prayer walk at 4 p.m.; electing of search committee for new choir director
Aug. 7: Testament concert in the a.m. service
Aug. 20: Back-to-school church-wide youth rally with Seeking Shelter
Aug. 21: Youth Sunday.

Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church
A number of events are happening at Mt. Pisgah. “Onward, Christian Solders,” our 2011 Revival, will be held on July 31 through Aug. 3. Services start nightly at 6:30.  Sister Donna Martin will bring the word on Monday night and Brother Bo Deloach will be bring the message on Tuesday night. Bro. Glenn Walker will open and close the revival on Sunday and Wednesday evenings.  Special music and old-timey singing out of the Cokesbury hymnal will be offered each night.  Everyone is invited to come out and receive a special blessing. Communion will be served each night.
We would like to thank Nikki Duren for delivering the message last week while Brother Glenn Walker was out of town.
Our Christian Community Theater has picked out a play to present. There are still plenty of parts and behind-the-scenes help needed, so come be a part of our family-friendly production.
We are still receiving wall panel memorials. For $50, you may purchase a panel in memory or in honor of a loved one. The panel will be used in the family life building.
Lay speaker classes are to be held Aug 19-20 at Dalraida United Methodist Church. See Brother Glenn Walker for details.

Bethany Baptist Church
Sunday morning a men’s group sang “Where the Soul Never Dies” accompanied by Bro. Steve with his guitar.  The choir special was (medley) “The Old Country Church.”  Bro. Steve brought a message from Acts concerning the Ethiopian eunuch who was searching for the truth; he was reading from Isaiah 53; Phillip was the man God sent to reveal the truth to the eunuch about Jesus; he was saved and baptized.  Both the eunuch and Phillip then both went their ways rejoicing and praising God.  We should always be in tune to the Holy Spirit’s leading.
Sunday night a ladies group sang “Sweet Hour of Prayer.”  Bro. Steve began a study on “Why I Believe the King James Bible is the Word of God for English Speaking People Today.”  The Bible is inspired by God (1 Timothy 3:16-17); it is God-breathed.  Matthew 4:4 says the truth comes from the mouth of God.  We can be sure, God certainly provided a way that His word would be preserved.  Bro. Steve plans to continue this study in more depth.
Prayer list:  Betty Biggs, Lillian Burkhalter, Carl Gray, Ellen Gray, Ophelia Griffin, Ernestine Hatch, Larry Miller, Billie Neeley, Jesse Wallace, and Steve and Phyllis Vickers.
See you Sunday!
Jackson Chapel
Bro Dewayne Castleberry got the Sunday School hour started off with a good lesson entitled “Alive in Christ.” Bro Horace Wyatt got the morning worship service started off with “He Abides” and “Blessed Assurance.” Bro Dennis blessed us with “What A Lovely Name” and his text came from Isaiah 46:9-10 with a message entitled “Things You Will Never Hear God Say”. 1) I didn’t see that coming, 2) I didn’t really mean that and 3) I love you but not enough to forgive you.
We need to realize how big of a God we serve and that he can see us through anything.  God means everything that he says in his word, and we don’t serve a double-minded God.  There is no way that we can make it in this life without Jesus Christ because he helps us through the trials and temptations we go through.  We as Christians need to know that God will forgive us of our sins, and he throws them into the sea of forgetfulness never to be remembered again.  God always has a plan for us, and we need to always remember that he knows what he’s doing when things happen in our life.
Bro Horace Wyatt got the evening service started off with “I Feel Like Traveling On,” “The Glory-Land Way” and “He Set Me Free.” Bro Horace Wyatt blessed us with “My Real Home,” Bro Dennis Smith and Wanda Chadwick blessed us with “Right On Time” and “I Know My redeemer Lives,” Bro Dennis and Ashley Campbell sang “Help Is On the Way,” Bro Dennis sang “If I Could Telephone Heaven,” and Randall Edwards and Joe Rasberry sang “I’ll Fly Away,” “Leaning On The Everlasting Arms,” “Old Crossroads” and “Are You Washed in the Blood.”
Please remember these as you pray this week: David Harrison, Bro Gary Fant, Dianne Davidson, James and Marie Johnson, Glenda Hill, Austin Childress, our lost loved ones and our servicemen and women.
We are located at 4020 Yellowleaf Road in Clanton.  Our service times are as follows: Sunday School at 10, morning worship at 11, evening worship at 6, and Wednesday night prayer meeting and Bible study at 7.  We also have Kid’s Club on Wednesday nights at 7 for grades 1-6.

Bethsalem Baptist Church
Our morning service began with a welcome to everyone and fellowship time including the singing of “Jesus is the Sweetest Name I Know,” “My Savior Lives” and “Spirit of the Living God” by the Celebration Choir.
We were glad to have another family join our church, Mr. and Mrs. Bryon Blackmon and family.
The children’s message was to be filled with the Spirit, and special music by the Celebration Choir was “When I Think About the Lord.”
The message by Bro. Brad, “God’s Requirements,” came from Ephesians 5:18-21. The evening message, “God’s Results,” continued from the same scripture passage.
Happy birthday this week to Shannon Corn, Diane Loucks, Jenny Mallory, Wesley Robinson, Regina Watkins, Dondi Loyd, Mildred Bowman, Savannah Powell, Kelsey Pierce, Byron Dennis, Emily Edwards, Harris Shepherd, Blake Edwards, Michael Stange and Brandy Edwards.
Pray for Charles Bryant, Linda Henley, Hunter Moore, Austin Childress, Jim Beck, Paul Green, Gertie Sanders, Diane Latham, Sue Coleman, Grace Williams, Donald Cleckler, Betty Pruitt, Jennifer Walls, storm victims, families who have lost loved ones, our homebound, and revival.

Calvary Independent Baptist Church
Calvary Independent Baptist Church had great fun and fellowship Saturday with a swimming trip to Alex City. A cookout that included plenty of hamburgers, hotdogs and homemade ice cream was provided. We owe one gentleman many thanks for his volunteering to grill at a time when the outdoor heat was anything but pleasant. Sunday’s services were awesome as well. We once more witnessed the baptism of two young people which, after recently trusting in Jesus, wanted to publicly make known their faith and new life which is totally and eternally in Jesus Christ.
We invite everyone who will to come visit, worship and fellowship with us through any of our services. Our Sunday School begins at 9 a.m., Children’s Church and adult worship at 10 a.m., Sunday night service at 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday night services at 6:30. We are located south of Clanton just past Dollar General right off Highway 31 on Fulmer Drive.

Samaria Baptist Church
Our prayer concerns for today are Ray and Phylis Hardee, James Moore, Horace and Gail Cleckler, Mandy Spencer, as well as our servicemen and women.
Brother Charles’ text came from Hebrews 2:1-4.  Pay attention to the things that God says to us.  Christian churches are under siege today.  We have allowed brainwashing to take control of our schools and make us believe the government owns the schools.  We should build on the blessings of God and pray for freedom and reverence of Christ.
Our churches are sailing against contrary winds, and liberalism, socialism and communism blow against God’s church.  Churches stand against immorality, homosexuality, and we are an embarrassment to liberal thinking.  People drift away from church; first a few Sundays at a time, and before you know it you aren’t there at all, and you don’t even appear to miss it. In order to stand firm in the ways of God, we must stay the course.  We must not allow the socialist movement to tear our country down, and our nation’s leaders truly need our prayers.  God’s word is truth, and we are secure in God’s ways. He is the way to save America.  God bless you today, and please honor us with a visit if you are in need of a church home.
En Fuego is Aug. 27, 2011, and we want to be much in prayer for this dynamic crusade for our youth throughout the state of Alabama.