Mt. Carmel No. 1

It was such a blessing to have a wonderful day of worship and fellowship in the house of the Lord this past Sunday. We enjoyed a great teaching of our Sunday School lesson, “From Failure to Direction.” God has a plan for our lives, but we need to trust him to work in us and through us to accomplish that plan. The lesson was about Abraham’s struggle with God’s plan for his life. God rarely provides us with all the details of his plans for us. Instead, ask God, “Lord, what do you want me to do today?” Then trust him to lead you day by day.

Our choir did a great job on the special music for Sunday morning. They sang “I’ve Come Too Far To Look Back.” Donald Liveoak sang the solo for that song.

“Climbing Higher,” taken from Psalms 24:3-6, was our message on Sunday morning. Bro. Derrel spoke on man’s climb to the Lord and to the Holy Place. You need commitment to make it to the top. Ask for God’s forgiveness. Your heart must be pure. Believe with your heart that Christ is alive today. Humble yourself and submit yourself to the will of God. Be not sworn to deceitfulness. God has a blessing in store for you when you get to the top. This is a generation that needs to seek God. Lift up your head and the King of Glory will come in.

Sunday night’s special music was provided by Charity Lockhart. She sang “What a Savior.” Tory and Misha Mims sang “Jesus Loves Me.”

“Found Faithful,” taken from 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, was the Sunday night message. This was a special service to license Goeffrey Lockhart into the ministry. To be found faithful, we must grow and give to God’s word. We must be on guard and we must always glorify God. The service closed with the congregation giving the right hand of fellowship to Geoffrey and friends.

On Sunday, Oct. 21, our church will celebrate Pastor and Staff Appreciation Day. This will also be Old-fashioned Sunday. Dress in accordance and bring a well-filled basket for lunch. Join us this Sunday for a fun day filled with good fellowship.

The evening service on Oct. 21 will be a combined service. We will welcome the congregation of Shiloh Baptist as we celebrate the ordination service for Chad Foshee. You are welcome to join with us.

On Sunday afternoon, we began rehearsing for our Christmas cantata. Please come and have a part in our choir.

Trunk-or-Treat will be held on Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. Please come out, decorate your car trunks and fill them with candy for our children. Car trunks will be judged for the best decor.

Remember to pray daily. Pray for our church and community, and we will be praying for you. We all stand in the need of prayer. Pray for our nation and leaders.

Christ Independent Methodist Church

Our morning worship service began with the following hymns: “Brethern, We Have Met To Worship,” “All the Way My Savior Leads Me” and “A Shelter in the Time of Storm.” The words to that last hymn were a sermon in themselves.

Dr. Mac Stinson’s sermon title was “Something Bigger, Better and All Powerful. His scripture reading was taken from Hebrews 4:12-16. In speaking of the power of God’s word in verse 4:12, we are told, “For the word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, peircing to even the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intent of the heart.” Having said this, God is still approachable and merciful. We don’t require and intercessor. We have access to the throne of grace only because of what Christ did for us on the cross of Calvary, not because of any merit on our part, but because of what Christ did for us when he died on the cross for our sins.

Today, we often see men and women wearing a cross as a small decorative ornament. It should always be a reminder of the cruel cross upon which our savior was crucified for us.

Our prayer list: Dr. Mac Stinson, Cindy McCavitt, Mary Ann Carden, Michelle Lufta, Cathy Lufta, Lora Haley, Jean Gilmore, Carl Glass, Judy Atkinson, Opal Miller, Shea Simms in Kuwait, Robbie Houston in the Middle East, Bee Bee’s daughter, Tanya.

Continue to pray for our nation and the upcoming election. Remember our military and their families, our church, community, all Christians worldwide, traveling graces for our church family members who will be on the road and remember each other. Pray for our country as never before. With election time only a short way off, the future of our country as we know it is facing grave danger.

There will be no Wednesday night Bible study group during the remainder of October. We will resume meeting in November. Also, there will be no evening service on Oct. 21 and Oct. 28.

Thanks to all who prepared food and enjoyed our One Dish Dinner on Sunday. Some of our men are great cooks and enjoy sharing their culinary talents with those of us who are less gifted in the kitchen.

Taken from our church bulletin is this message: Calvary’s cross is the only bridge to eternal life.

Visitors are always welcome. Have a blessed week.