By Emily Agee

“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises:  that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.  For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2Peter 1:4-8).

Thought for the week: “A Shawl of Love”

“Be not dismayed, for God is near when life’s problems come your way.  He’ll change your skies to azure blue and chase the storm clouds all away.  He’ll take the dark that fills your soul and turn it into balmy clouds of light; soothing breezes and sun-kissed skies will soon replace the dark of night.  You see, He’s just a prayer away; look upward, place your trust above- the darkness round you will soon lift; He’ll drape you with a shawl of love!”

The Rev. and Mrs. Kenneth Dukes will celebrate his seventh anniversary as pastor of Holly Grove Baptist Church in Jemison on Sunday, Oct. 24 at 3 p.m.  The Rev. Harry Jones, pastor of New Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Calera, will be the guest speaker.  Everyone is invited.

Worship service at Holly Grove Baptist Church began with praise  service of prayer, songs and scripture.  Songs sung:  “This Little Light of Mine,”  “My Soul Could Not Be Continued”  and  “Walk With Me Lord.”  The scripture was read by Perry Nunn with prayer by Pastor Dukes, Kevin Nunn and Steven Nunn.

The morning message was given by Pastor Dukes.  His theme:  “Now You Believe.”  Believing is the essence of being saved. Don’t have a Thomas mentality, you must believe even if you don’t see; you must believe all of God’s word, not some of it.  Confess with your mouth and believe in your heart then you shall be saved.  It’s important that you believe with your whole being in your walk with the Lord.  Thomas had a level of disbelief, he did not trust the other eye witnesses.  He believed what he saw.  Blessed are they who have not seen but still believe.  We struggle with unbelief.  You must know him in all situations.  Go to God first in all things.  Believe God; if he said something, then that’s what it will be.  What has God allowed you to go through or delivered you from? What has he healed you from to make you believe in time to trust in the Lord? Lean not to your own understanding.  The Hebrew boys believed in him.  God delivered them and he will do the same for you.

The benediction was led by Pastor Dukes

Our sympathy goes out to the family of Ms. Lillie Sue Hill in their time of bereavement. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at news time.  Agee Brothers Funeral Home directing.

On our sick list this week we ask you to remember in your prayers:   Robert Spence,  Jerry Wilson, Sam and Vivian Hicks, Joseph McCall, Flora Franklin, Stanley Frazier, Lee Anna Worthey, Joshua Amos and  Queen Worthey.  May God heal, strengthen and keep them in His care is our prayer.