Lime Springs United Methodist Church

Our Sunday School lesson focused upon Revelation 2 and the first four of the seven churches of Asia Minor. By looking at the positive and negative attributes of each church, we were able to examine negative and positive areas of our own congregation.

Bro. Shannon brought our morning message from Ephesians 5:22-33 on preparing for the upcoming wedding between the Church and Jesus. He shared several stories of past weddings he had officiated that ended up in near dismay. Using these stories, Bro. Shannon reminded us of three important aspects of making any wedding successful. First, there must be a wedding director. In the upcoming wedding of the Church and Christ, God is the director. Second, there must be an adorned bride. Again, the Church must present itself a glorious and spotless body before God by obeying the word of God. Finally, there must be vows presented. Our vows are presented when we confess Jesus Christ as Lord of our lives. Jesus vows to always be with us, even unto the end of time. These three areas of preparation are essential if our union with Christ is to be accomplished.

Bro. Shannon left us with a question to consider: How prepared are we for the upcoming wedding?

Our evening Bible study focused on Isaiah 11:2 and the Seven Spirits of God.

Happy birthday to Rodger Harris and Judy Popwell.

Our service times are as follows: Sunday School at 9:30 a.m.; Sunday morning worship at 11; evening Bible study at 5:30; and Wednesday night prayer meeting at 6:30.

For more information concerning Lime Springs, please call 755-6356 or 755-4950.

Bethsalem Baptist Church

Our call to worship Sunday was “Victory in Jesus,” followed by the Celebration Choir singing “His Life for Mine” and Bro. Brad’s message from Psalm 115 and 135, “He Is My Savior.”

We had Abby Wilson saved, and her family, Keith, Vickie, Zachary and Georgia, joined us by letter. Don, Vickie and Kayla Knight also joined our church by letter.

During the evening worship service, our students shared their experience from Centrifuge. Bro. Cleve Mallory, our minister of music, shared a message about obedience and integrity from Psalm 39. It was a great week for our students.

Remember, Wednesday night is prayer meeting, RA’s, GA’s and adult choir practice at 7:30 p.m.

Pray this week for Lera Price, Marie Smith, Endora Pastirak, Joyce Smith, W.L. Broome, Joanna Cobb, Hazel Strength, William Jacks, Paige Finch, Destiny Griffin, Pettus Smith, Ellie Grace Reese, Glenda Mims, Ray Parrish, O.J. McGriff, Mrs. Worthy, Hannah Vines, Jay Mims, Pat Blalock, Geraldean Drinkwater, our country, all families who have lost loved ones, families affected by cancer, our shut-ins, residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and people who have lost their jobs.

Happy birthday this week to Steve Hughes, Keeley Yeargan, Christy Stange, Terry Little, Misty Kelley, Cheryl Henderson, Zachary Martin, Jared Culp, Brenda Green, Trevor Allen, Beth Green, Gary Elbon and Jacob Barrett.

Next Sunday the Golden Agers will have their summer lunch. Thanks to all who helped Darlene and Allen Rice.

Have a blessed week, and tell someone about Jesus. God is so good.

Come worship with us next Sunday.

Christ Independent Methodist Church

Sunday, Dr. Mac Stinson’s sermon was entitled, “Mary and Martha: Sisters,” based on Luke 10:38-47. According to scripture, the sister and their brother, Lazarus, lived in the little town of Bethany a short distance from Jerusalem. One day when Jesus and some of the disciples were passing through Bethany, they stopped to visit the sisters and their brother, who were friends of Jesus. While Martha was busy being the good hostess to their guests, Mary was concentrating on the physical comfort of the Lord. We know the beautiful story of her washing his feet and drying them with her long hair. Martha was astonished at Mary’s behavior and appealed to Jesus to have Mary stop ministering to him and help her with the other guests. As always, Jesus saw beyond the obvious in Mary’s service and defended her against her sister’s wrath.

This story is one that may be interpreted on different levels. Today, the ceremony of washing feet is for symbolism only in churches where it is still practiced, but during the tome of today’s story the roads in Israel were unpaved, dusty, rough, hot and rocky. Most shoes were the sandal style, and most travelers walked wherever they went. For a hostess or host to wash dusty, tired, hot feet of guests was much appreciated. That is stating the obvious — the equivalent of handing a thirsty guest today a tall, cold drink upon their arrival while they are hot and tired.

Special prayer is requested for Horace and Mary Ann Carden, Wilma Ellison, Opal Miller, Dwight Sammons, Mae Hunnicutt, Jane Shafer and Aiden Parker.

The Kids Spectacular for our youth was a swimming outing to Prattville on Saturday, July 17.

Sunday, July 25 is Single Seniors lunch in our fellowship hall following the morning worship service.

Women’s coffee and dessert is Tuesday night at the Calera Cracker Barrel at 6.

Dr. Stinson and Glenda attended the International Meeting of Police Chaplains in Sacramento, Calif. this past week. Travel is always educational, and this trip was no exception.

Tonight in lieu of preaching a sermon, Dr. Stinson showed us a DVD presentation entitled “America’s Godly Heritage.” There is a book by the same name. It begins with the founding of this nation and the emphasis on making us a Christian nation. This DVD does not water down what the founding fathers intended. It explicitly expounds on these principles.

The Church of God’s Word

We will be having church service on Sundays, and then we will have fellowship outside the church on Tuesday and Thursday at the home of anyone who is interested. For more information, call Mary Edwards at 755-4719 or Joel Allen at 755-5988.

We discipline children to keep away the foolish spirit. Jesus is the root, and we are the branches. Get the root in you right, then fruit will be right (John 12:42-50, Romans 7:13-25, Romans 8:1, Ephesians 2:4-8).

Jackson Chapel

Bro. Dewayne Castleberry taught a good lesson entitled “David Sins and Repents.” Bro Gary Fant got the morning service started off with “Jesus Hold My Hand” and “Praise Him! Praise Him!” Angel Bavar and Bro. Dennis sang “When My Feet Touch the Streets of Gold,” and what a blessing this was to everyone present.

Bro Dennis’ text came from Leviticus 6:8-13 with a message entitled “Being Constant In Your Christian Life.” We as Christians need to have a fire burning in us for Jesus Christ so that when Satan comes against us we can continue to be what we should be if we are truly saved. We should be studying the word of God and witnessing to people because it is our responsibility to spread the Gospel to this lost and dying world. If we don’t do it, nobody else will. We also need to make sure we are prayed up and in tune with God because, if not, Satan is standing right outside the door just waiting to put our fire out. When the fire that was once burning inside of us goes out, then Satan has got us right where he wants us and he will have us right back into the world. The service ended with an altar full of people seeking God for various needs.

Bro. Gary Fant got the evening service started off with “When I Wake Up to Sleep No More,” “I’m Too Near Home to Turn Back Now” and “O I Want to See Him.” Bro Gary Fant sang “I Can’t Even Walk,” Misty Burnett sang “The Potter Knows the Clay,” Olivia Hughes sang “Sweet Beulah Land” and Bro Dennis, Wanda Chadwick and Angel Bavar blessed us with “I Know My Redeemer Lives” and “What a Meeting in the Air.”

Bro. Dennis’ text came from Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 — the things we have in this life come from God, and we need to thank God everyday for the blessings he bestows upon us. When things come against us, we need to learn that God is our provider and that he will supply all our needs. We need to learn to enjoy all the blessings God gives us and know that they come from above.

Happy birthday this week to Susan Smith, Ashley Campbell, Herschel Rhodes and Gail Fant.

Please remember these as you pray this week — Geraldine Smith, Shirley Burnett, Margie Waites, Danny Ferguson, Gina Riley, Pete Burnett, Margie Baker, Paul Bryan, Todd Chambers, our service men and women and our lost loved ones.

Rocky Mount United Methodist Church

Rocky Mount has been an extremely busy place for the past two weeks. We have concluded our Vacation Bible School and we’re so excited about the children that were able to attend and all the workers that helped in so many different ways. Galactic Blast was a blast.

Sunday blessed us with some much needed rain (or at least for some) and also with a good message. Bro. Willard used scripture from Luke 10:38-42 to share the story of Martha and Mary. Jesus made a stop by their home when en route to Jerusalem. While Martha was so busy preparing for her guests and taking care of the many duties, Mary just sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to his stories and lessons. After questioning Jesus about why Mary shouldn’t help, Jesus enlightened Martha that there is a time and a place for everything. Sometimes we need to sit down, take a break and let God talk to us. Do you take the time to sit down and listen to what God has to say to you? This is a time that we should all set as a priority in our day, and then really listen. God is there for you.

Next Sunday is really going to be a special day in the life of Rocky Mount Church. We are celebrating our annual homecoming. We invite and welcome everyone to join us. Come see old friends and meet new ones. Hear some wonderful gospel singing, listen to very talented musicians and fill up on good home cooking. Please call our church at 688-2204 if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you there!

Cedar Grove Methodist-Protestant Church

What a great day to be in the Lord’s house.

We had a good Sunday School lesson entitled “Christian Liberty.” The text was taken from Galatians 4:1-16.

Golden Text: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1).

We had several out due to vacations and other reasons. Bro. Alton Russell had knee surgery this past week; we have missed him and Sis. Ann, and hopefully they will be back real soon.

Please remember to pray for Sis. Ellen Ruth Scott, Bro. Kenneth Robinson and Sis. Dolly Price (Steve’s mom).Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family of Dorothy Relaford; she has gone on to be with the Lord and is no longer suffering. Pray for the Minor family in the loss of their loved one, Otis Minor. You are also in our prayers. We just got word that Bobby Jones of Jemison is back in the hospital, so say a prayer for him too.

Happy birthday to Wanda Bullard, Robin Bullard, June Collins, Peggy Pearson and Chris Cleckley.

We want to congratulate Robin and Shannon Bullard, who will be new parents in the near future.

The special songs of the morning were “Farther Along,” sung by Bro. Steve Price and “Stand Up and Testify” sung by Bro. Sam Price.

Bro. Jeff Carroll preached a good sermon entitled “Who is Going to Heaven?” His text came from Hebrews 10:19-31. Those that are righteous, holy and born again can rightly say they will go to heaven.

Bro. Heath ‘s sermon, “Are You Giving God Your Best?” came from Deuteronomy 15:19-23.

We had two good sermons today and good choir singing. We appreciate Bro. Wendell Ray for playing the bass guitar in Bro. Alton’s absence. There were also good testimonies.

We enjoyed having our visitors, Bro. and Mrs. Roger Vines. It is always good to see them.

Upcoming events: Homecoming 2010 is Aug. 22 at 10:30 a.m. with guest evangelist Randy Perry, formerly with singers The Perrys, beginning with revival Sunday morning and continuing through Wednesday night. The guest singers will be The Kelleys of Lawrenceburg, Tenn.

Come visit with us at Cedar Grove; we are studying the book of Revelation on Wednesday nights at 7. Bro. Jeff is the teacher. The Sunday service begins at 9:45, followed by worship at 11 a.m. and Sunday night service at 5:30; unless you want to sing in the choir, come at 4:30. For more information, call 646 2390.

“Cast your burdens upon the Lord and He will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be shaken” (Psalm 55:22).

Bethany Baptist Church

Our memory verse for this week is Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

One of our most basic doctrines (No. 14 in our Doctrines of Faith) is that the depraved sinner is saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. All of us at one time were lost. Luke 13:3 says, “Except ye repent…ye shall all likewise perish.” So how do we get from being lost to being saved? Most of us are familiar with John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Many want to add something to “grace through faith in the Lord Jesus.” But Ephesians 2:8-9 is clear: “For by grace are ye saved, through faith…not of works, lest any man should boast.” If people could be saved by mere works, Christ would not have had to die on the cross. It is all based on what Jesus Christ did for us. And, we are also kept by His grace. Look at Ephesians 4:30: “And grieve not the Holy Spirit, whereby we are sealed unto the day of redemption.” To hear this sermon, tune in 6 a.m. on WKLF.

Upcoming events: Weekly — Sundays at 6 a.m., WKLF Bethany broadcast. Aug. 8, election of new officers and teachers; Sept. 26, Homecoming at Bethany; and Oct. 8-9, the annual state meeting at Bethany.

Prayer List: Lillian Burkhalter, Sherry Cooper, Lela Mae Courtney, Mildred Crawford, Ashley Friday, Jack Friday, Ernestine Hatch, Mary Knight, our men and women in the military, Billie Neeley, Aubry Wallace and Shirley Wallace; revival in America.

Walnut Creek United Methodist Church

Our call to worship Sunday was “There’s Something About That Name” by Joan McGriff. Our hymn of celebration was “Nothing but the Blood.”

During time for children, Diane Handley used a camera to illustrate how important it is to stay focused on Jesus.

Joys and concerns: Charlotte Mims is a grandmother again, and Lavada Attaway is better! Taylor is representing our church family and making us proud. Welcome, Mark and Joy Watley. Prayers are requested for Buddy Baker, Glenda Gray, Johnnie Ratliff and Deborah Kee.

The choir presented “Come to the Table” for their special music.

Bro. Tony reminded us that the word “freedom” was our theme of the month. Paul stressed that he had a liberty given him by God but he chose to be a servant to all to win them for Christ; Paul took action. Bro. Tony told us about “actions that free us,” and there were three of them: 1) Making a choice — you have to make a choice in the world, a choice that you are not the only one that counts in the world. You should not be guided by what your wants are, but your thoughts should be guided to those more in need.

Give of yourself; be one who does not hoard worldly possessions or you will become disconnected from the Holy Spirit and start looking for the next thing. Give of your talents; 2) Being obedient — forgive others or God cannot forgive you. Bro Tony said, “You can’t control what others have done to you, but you cannot blame that person if you are going to hang on to it!” 3) Becoming a person of prayer — it is liberating to praise God for everything. We don’t praise him for the terrible things that happen or the disasters — we praise him for being there with us!

Our Sunday School starts at 10 a.m., morning worship at 11 a.m. and evening worship at 5:30.

Come visit us, I think you will find us to be a loving church.

Samaria Baptist Church

In Romans we find the power in the Gospel of Christ. Men are saved by the word and the drawing by the power of God. God’s power alone is able to save us. He uses Christian men and women to share His word and experiences of salvation. In order to be saved, we must recognize that we are nothing more than dirty sinners. We all like to think of ourselves in the best light possible, but in reality, if we are without Christ, we are dirty sinners, and only through Him can we be changed.

Our services were truly a blessing Sunday. We thank Brenda Popwell for playing piano for us. Diane Fisher sang “Above and Beyond” for our special music. Our prayer list continues to grow with Mike and Jennifer Hahn. Lindy Fisher, the Sue Thomas family, John Shearon and family, and our pastor and family.

Our lives cannot be changed by turning over a new leaf. The change must come from within, and Jesus Christ is the key to that kind of change. Only a right relationship with God can give us peace. People’s needs can be met by an obedience to God. We must know that God’s tithes and offerings are not a gift from us. They are rightfully His, and He allows us control in order to see that we love Him enough to give the portion that He asks us for.

Many churches grow nationally because they provide a kind of entertainment for their congregation and the television audience. Seldom do they condemn sin, for they depend on the audience liking what they hear to maintain the growth of their ministry. God demands that preachers preach Jesus’ love but also His punishments for sin and rejection.

Dwight L. Moody was a wonderful preacher of God’s word. He depended on God’s power to enable His ministry to grow and be effective. The power of God in salvation rescues people from the eternal separation from God. God prunes our lives by cutting away the dross, leaving behind what can bear fruit.

There is no middle ground. If you are not a child of God, then you belong to Satan. Please choose the side of eternal peace and joy today. Visit us at Samaria, and may God bless you and your family in all your needs.

Friendship Baptist Church

Our Sunday sermon came from Acts 8, verse 26-40. Brother Gene’s title was “Crossing Barriers with The Gospel.”

Phillip encounters the Ethiopian eunuch. Phillip was an ordinary man who let God use him to tell about Jesus.

Evening service: We watched a movie “The Pistol.” It was an inspirational movie about the testimony of one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

Calendar of events:

July 18-22: Association Kids Camp at Shocco.

July 23-24: RIOT (Radical Impact on Teens). Chestnut Creek Baptist Church, 7 p.m.

July 27: Association WMU leadership training, 6:30 p.m.

Aug.1: Prayer walk for schools.

Aug. 14: Assoc. men’s event, Friendship Baptist Church, 6 p.m.

Happy Birthday: Barbara Miller, Brittany Hicks, Cynthia Walters and Jennifer Griffin.

Prayer request: Vivian Sanders, unspoken, those going to Children’s Camp, Barbara Mize, Edith Williams, Pauline Little, Diane Varden and Willodean Easterling.

Mt. Carmel No. 1

Homecoming will be held this Sunday, July 25, at 10:30 a.m., with Four Given Voices and others. There will be special guest singers for the event, which will also commemorate the church’s 75th anniversary.

Lunch will follow the singing, and there will be no afternoon services. We invite you to come be with us for our homecoming.

Special music for Sunday morning service’s was by Brother Derrell and his family as they sung, “I’ll Meet You in the Morning.”

The Sunday morning message was titled “When I See Dead People,” with Scripture coming from Ezekiel 37:1-14.

Please remember to come and help cut the grass and clean yards around the church and cemetery on Saturday, July 24 at 7 a.m.

We ask all that will take part to help decorate a table for your family in the fellowship hall for the lunch hour on homecoming Sunday.

Remember to join us as we pray daily. Our prayer concern is especially for Johnny Giles, who fell and broke his arm, as this adds to other health problems. Pray for him as you pray this week.

Mount Bethel Baptist Church

We had a great time of worship and fellowship with our Lord today. It started with lifting our voices in song followed by prayer. After our Sunday school director spoke and had prayer, we then went into our classes for Bible study.

The adult lesson for today was: How Can I Express Love? The text was taken from first Corinthians 13:1-13. The choir opened the morning worship with “Teach, Me, Lord to Wait,” and the choir special was, “Because He Lives.”

Rev. Oneil Cleckler’s morning sermon was taken from Peter II 2:17-22.

In the adult class for discipleship training the topic was Zacchaeus, Jesus Called Him By Name.

Brother Cleckler’s evening message was from Matthew 24: 45-51, Peter II 3:1-7, the Lordship of Christ in the Last Days.

We invite you to join us for worship and fellowship with our Lord and Savior. Sunday School 10 a.m., Morning Worship 11 a.m., Discipleship Training 5 p.m., and Evening Worship 6 p.m.

Mt. Springs Church

Our service began with singing the praises of God. Brother Rickey Bice brought the devotion from Psalm 24:4.

Remember Hannah Vines and her family this week. She will be facing very serious surgery. They are such a blessing to our church and to everyone who meets them.

Brother Kenneth’s Sunday school lesson was taken from 1 Corinthians 13:1-2, known as the love chapter.

The Johnson family sang “He Leads Me Each Step of the Way.”

Then Kelly Bice sang one of my favorite songs, “Notified.”

We want to thank Brother Mike Ragland and his wife Debbie for being with us Sunday. They operate the Living Water Youth Camp where our youth spent the week. He preached from I Samuel 17:51, “How to Get Ahead While You Are in the Valley.”

Ragland and his wife were back Sunday night. The youth sang as Brother Jeremy played the piano.

Sunday School begins at 9:30, worship 11, and Sunday night 5:30. Wednesday night service at 7.