Samaria Baptist Church

Bro. Charles’ text came from Mark 15:24-31. His message was titled, “Bitter cup.”

Our birthday recognitions today are Linda Silas, Elizabeth Jones, Lana Deavers, Paul Shearon and Ryne Jones.

Diane Fisher sang “Where’s the line to see Jesus?”

As 2012 comes to a close, we all must maintain adequate faith in order to know that Jesus will see us through the difficult times that the New Year may likely bring.

Jesus, himself, experienced loneliness. The loneliest time Jesus experienced had to be when he was dying on the cross, and even God the Father could not help him.

It wasn’t a matter that he couldn’t come down from the cross. It was an absolute necessity for Christ to see the crucifixion through in order to pave a way for us to be forgiven and be saved for all eternity.

Jesus is the only one who could save us. We could not save ourselves, and we cannot save ourselves today. He is the Savior, and he is the way, the truth and the life. No one comes unto the Father but by him.

Jesus had to bear the sins of the entire world on his body. He knew no sin. He wasn’t capable of sinning, even though he was in a mortal body. He knew the pain and agony that came with saving the world through the cross of Calvary.

He did all this out of love for you and me. For children who are yet to be born and for those who lived 2,000 years ago.

The same Lord who bore our sins is within us in the form of the Holy Spirit. We are never alone, no matter what we may encounter and endure.

If we are born again, Jesus is always with us and promised that he would never leave us or forsake us.

When Dr. Martin Luther King made his famous speech that his people had reached the goal of freedom in their lives, he gave God the glory when he said, “Thank God Almighty, we are free at last.”

Let’s remain free in 2013. We have a government in this land that is showing signs of diminishing much of our freedom in this wonderful U.S.A.

Let us hold fast to the Master’s unchanging hand and know that he will take care of us.

Please join us at Samaria. Jesus is coming back, and nobody knows when. Let’s meet him; please be ready. God bless you and your families in 2013.

Bethsalem Church

Bro. Cleve Mallory opened our day of worship, welcomed everyone and gave ministry opportunities.

The call to worship music was by the Celebration Choir with “All the Earth Will Sing Your Praises.” For special music, the Celebration Choir sang “When I Think About the Lord.”

Our message was by Bro. Justin Nelson about Jesus’ life (Luke 2:21-52).

The Nelson Trio sang “Special on Grace,” which was very pretty and meaningful.

There were no Sunday evening or Wednesday night services.

Pray for Bro. Sammy Gilberts, Ruby Jones, Liliana Thompson, Hunter Moore, the Crawford Family, Elridge Townsend, Juana Wright, Ellen Seals, Stacy Cooper, Brent Wright, Mack and Donna Tillery, Wesley Lamont, J.T. Glasscock, Frankie Smith, Tanner Horton’s father, Brian Neal, Chad Nix, James Wells, Gerald Stamps, Greyson Wilmont, Jack Honnacker, Libby Ousley, Erica Smith, Charles and Gladys Bryant, our church committee as they search for us a pastor, our homebound, those in nursing, all who are facing cancer and all who lost loved ones.

Happy birthday this week to Monica Eiland. Happy New Year to everyone, and may God bless.