Bethsalem Baptist Church

Another great day of worship we had together. Great songs were sung by the congregation.

Bro. Bobby gave the children’s sermon, which was taken from Luke 9:51 and titled “What Time Is It?”

The Celebration Choir’s special was “Across the Lands.”

The choir’s cantata in the evening service was wonderful. It told of the risen Christ.

This week, pray for our Pastor Search Committee, Belda Cobern, Louise Thomas, Charles Bryant, Hunter Moore, Paul Price, Rebecca  Martin, Wayne Smith, Mark Walker, Sid Griner, Ed Gleen, Shirley Cobb, Lynetta Bolden, Jessie Phillips, Dan Tessin, George and Diane Williams, Carey Foster, those facing cancer, our homebound and Hayley Wright.

Congratulations to Brandon and Hayley Wright on the arrival of Owen Connor. He weighed 8 pounds and was 19 inches long.

The wedding of Justin Hubbard and Kelsey Pierce will be held on April 19. Everyone is invited.

Happy birthday to Emma LeBlane, Jeanett  Smitherman, Kaitlyn Pate, Anthon Chavez, Jeffrey Jones,  Devin Mitchell, Jasmine Headley, Joe Wingard and Jubal Merrill.

We were happy to Have Jason, Miranda and Haley come back home by letter.

Come and worship with us on Sunday. There will be no evening service on Easter Sunday.

Christ Independent Methodist Church

Riding to church was like visiting a flower garden. The dogwood and redbud trees compete for attention. It appears that the white dogwood trees and their blooms matured overnight and appeared snow white.

Church service began with the congregational singing of three beautiful old hymns: “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna,” “On the Cross of Calvary” and “In the New Jerusalem.” The service ended with an appropriate old hymn, “Jesus Paid it All.”

Dr. Stinson’s sermon title was “Before to the Passion,” based on Matthew 21:1-11 and Matthew 26:14, 27:66. The story of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem appears in all four of the Gospels. It was Sunday morning and Jesus and his disciples started out from Bethany, which was located on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. Their destination was Jerusalem. Doubtless, the disciples had no comprehension what the coming week would bring: the reception they would receive in the Holy City, the adoration aimed at their master, the subsequent rejection, the persecution, the mockery of a trial to which their master would be subjected, the crucifixion and Jesus’ subsequent resurrection. It was truly the week that changed history, yet it started out so routinely.

“They were making their way to Jerusalem when they came to a place named Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two disciples on ahead saying to them, ‘Go to the village ahead of you … you will find a donkey tied there with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send right away.’” The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them. The rest, as they say, is history.

Matthew tells us that when Jesus entered Jerusalem the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowd answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” Thus, the drama that we know as Holy Week begins. Palm Sunday is the prelude to Christ’s passion and resurrection. It is a unique day in human history.

Jesus knew exactly what he was doing when he entered Jerusalem. He knew the passions he would stir by his entrance into the Holy City. He knew this would be the completion of his earthly ministry. Before him loomed the cross.

Please continue to pray for Mary Ann Carden, George Lutza, Bobby Varden and Jimmy Northcut.

Join us next Friday night for a Seder (Passover) meal. Following the meal, we will watch “The Passion.” The meal will begin at 6 p.m., the movie at 6:45 p.m.

If you would like to order an Easter lily to place in the sanctuary for Easter Sunday in honor or in memory of someone, please see Laurel Lee. The lilies are $8 each and will be available after the service to be taken home by those who purchased them.

Have a blessed week.