Christ Independent Methodist Church

On this Pentecost Sunday, the good Lord gave time to attend church without stormy weather.

Our congregational songs were “The Comforter Has Come,” Let They Mantle Fall on Me” and “Spirit of the Living God.”

Dr. Stinson’s sermon title was “Working the Giant—Pentecost Sunday.” His scripture was taken from Acts 2:1-21.

Today, the sleeping giant in religion may well refer to China, which has now awakened. There are now reportedly more Christians in China than in the United States, and the number of Chinese Christians is growing rapidly in spite of government opposition.

Think about this for a moment: We fancy ourselves to be a Christian country. In the eyes of a segment of the population, we are “the” Christian nation—that is the only one God has surely blessed. However, what does God do when China has more Christians than we do, particularly when their churches are growing and ours are declining?

George Barna recently did a survey that showed that most Christian Americans regard themselves as Americans first and Christians second. Patriotism is a good virtue, but when we elevate the flag over the cross, we are in trouble.

Pentecost represents the birth of the world’s one true sleeping giant: the church of Jesus Christ. The impact of the first Pentecost still illuminates the life of Christ’s church 2,000 years later.

Continue to pray for Mary Ann Carden, Bobby Varden, Beulah Camp Meeting and Dr. Stinson’s family (his mother passed away this week).

Thanks to everyone who donated items for our yard sale. We raised $283 for our Community Fund. We could not have done it without the donations.

Beulah Camp begins on Thursday. Please be in prayer for the camp workers this year. If you are able, go for a day or two and find out what it’s all about.

If you are new to our community or have no home church, we invite you to visit us at Christ In dependent Methodist Church.

Have a blessed week.

Mars Hill Baptist Church

It felt so wonderful to be back in God’s house this Sunday! When I miss a worship service, it feels like something inside me is empty until I get back inside those walls with other Christian brothers and sisters. Hearing God’s word from a true man of God is like no other form of worship there is. God wants us to worship him in spirit and truth every day, to pray without ceasing, to put all our trust and hope and faith in him. No matter where we go, God is there. God is love everlasting; the only true love in this world is what you experience with God.

Bro. William Short’s message this week came from Matthew 11:1-6. Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding his twelve disciples that he departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities. And when John (the Baptist) had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to him, “Are you the coming one, or do we look for another?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see. The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of me.”

You might think that John the Baptist would know that Jesus was the Messiah, the coming one. But even John was plagued with doubt at some point in his life. We all are, but the important thing is that we come to the realization that Jesus is the One, the way, the truth and the life! Only through Jesus can we reach our promised land of heaven. God’s promises to us don’t mean a thing unless we reach out and grab them with both hands and hold on to him. We can only be headed in two directions, heaven or hell. The choice is ours, the end of time is growing closer every day, so don’t waste another minute with the devil and his worldly ways. Come to Jesus; he will not turn you away. This world is in need of resurrection, come inside the walls of Jesus’ love for you. Worship him in spirit and truth.

Ever heard the saying “the blind leading the blind?” You might think just because you attend church, you are OK with God. Not so, my friend. Unless you have personally asked Jesus into your heart, to be your Lord and Savior, you are not OK with God. You can attend church service every time the doors are open and still die and go to hell. You are essentially a blind man. Let Jesus open up your blinded eyes, and see spiritually. You may have two good legs, walk five miles a day and still your legs can lead you into a devil’s hell. Walk spiritually with Jesus. Jesus healed all manner of sickness and disease. You may be healthy as a horse and still be sick with sin, let Jesus heal your sins with his love and be spiritually cleansed. We often hear things and let them go by without another thought. Hear spiritually the things God has to offer you. Hear his word with spiritual ears.

It was told once that a man passed away while sitting in the pews of church one Sunday morning. 911 was called and the EMTs picked up 13 people before they got the right one! That’s a joke, of course, but really, how many people are sitting in the pews, spiritually dead to Christ? Wake up people! Jesus can raise you from the “dead” and be spiritually awakened to his power and glory! The only prayer a lost person has is a prayer of salvation. Pray that prayer today, friend; don’t be found spiritually dead, headed to hell. Run to the arms of a loving God, and his Son, Jesus Christ. The church building doesn’t get sick, doesn’t die; people do.

Yes, Jesus is waiting on us to open our eyes and run to him. With a clean heart, hear his words. Wake up to his love and worship him in the spirit. God is talking, are you listening? Our actions are louder than any words we can speak. Experience the love of God for yourself, and then tell others about it. Pass it on down!

Our VBS is this week, every night from 6-8:30 p.m. It runs through Thursday night and is for ages 0-100! We have a class that will fit you.

The CareNet baby bottles are due back this Sunday, June 15. Change, green bills and checks are accepted. This is a great ministry to help expectant mothers and their unborn babies.

Children’s camp at Shocco Springs will be held July 21-25. Pray for our children as they attend this camp.

Please pray for our church, our pastor, the sick, the lost, the hurting, our children, our troops and our government. God is good, all the time! Amen.