By Emily Agee

“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.  And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.  And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it:  because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.  These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God mad the earth and the heavens, and every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew:  for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.  But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.  And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and an became a living soul” (Genesis 2:1–7).

Thought for the week: “Little Blessings”

“Many are the gifts and favors that we harvest every day — never knowing they are blessings that are graced upon our way; little things we hardly notice that are favors of the Lord, for our Christian faith and duty and devotion to accord.  Little blessings, gifts and favors that enrich our daily life and enhance our strength and courage to endure the woes of strife; gifts of love — too rife to notice — that are blessings every day, to protect us and endear us at our labor and our play.”

Worship service at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Jemison began with prayer, scripture and songs by the senior choir directed by Jennifer Peoples.  The scripture was read by Earl Lowery with prayer by Pastor Dukes, Kevin Nunn and Earl Lowery.

The morning message was given by Pastor Dukes with his theme, “How We Let Our Self Down.”

Folks will let you down but God will never let us down.  Do you have a withered church?  One who never tried to get better? One who was once strong now twisted and deformed? Do you run from one pop-up church to another?  Are you caught up in tradition?  Trying to please people?

In order to please God, get involved and don’t become withered. How can you get withered? Praise and love should not wither. Don’t lose your power or your joy; come to God and get restored.

Withered is more than a physical condition; it’s a spiritual condition. Don’t accept being powerless; use your power.

Is your family member withered and you can’t see it?  The church encourages people, it doesn’t run them off. It’s time to step up to the plate — God doesn’t expect you to be perfect, but he expects you to be righteous. Is your church withered or is it dying?

The service concluded with remarks by Pastor Dukes.

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