Victory Chapel Church, located at 2665 County Road 81 in Clanton, will host a yard sale on Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7 from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Included in the sale will be clothing, furniture, linens, household items and more. The sale will be held rain or shine in the basement of the church. For more information, call (205) 299-1010 or (205) 294-4784.

Samaria Baptist Church

What an awesome God we serve. We were blessed by Bro. Aubrey Brown leading our music service today.

Prayers go out to Bro. Floyd Collins that he may be well and back with us soon. Special music today was Darrell Willis and Ashlyn singing “Who Am I.” Other prayer concerns today are Leone and Bobby Patterson, Betty McCary, Salena Stoneback, and Walter and Drusilla Hudgins in the tragic death of their son, Jason.

Bro. Shane’s message was titled “No Escape from God.” His text came from Jonah 1. We find that Jonah was a faithful servant of God, but when he was told to go to Ninevah, he changed. Ninevah was a vast city and was known for great sin. Jonah’s weakness and fear caused him to forget that God was his ultimate strength. He short-changed the power of God when he ran away. The boat he was carried away by an awesome storm. When Jonah went overboard, the storm ceased and the sea was calm.

God provided the whale to be in the right place to swallow Jonah up. He stayed in the belly for three days and nights. During this time he repented of running from the Lord God’s direction. As soon as he was thrown upon the shore, he began his journey to Ninevah in obedience to God.

Jonah fought the call of God, and even went to the trouble to run away. He dearly paid for this, and realized the error of his ways during his discipline. We are much like Jonah. When God leads us to do something for him, we try to think of every reason in the world to convince him we are not capable. God doesn’t choose the capable every time. But he always prepares the capable to do his will. We must be ready to serve and know that when God picks us for a ministry of his choice, he will make a way for us to accomplish it.

So don’t struggle with life’s troubles. God’s arms are open wide, waiting to receive us and to show us what life is really all about.

We have updated information on our VBS dates and times. Registration will be July 12 from 2-4 p.m. VBS will be held Sunday, July 13 from 5-7 p.m. and July 14-17 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Commencement will be held on Sunday night July 18 at 7 p.m. We appreciate Ms. Cathy Willis for providing this update.

Please remember that God loves you. He wants nothing but joy for you, and in the tough times, he provides the love that no earthy being is capable of. Join us for a blessing in Jesus next Sunday.

Christ Independent Methodist Church

Although the cloudy skies threatened to send down rain, the good Lord gave us sunny skies to meet at his house of worship and arrive back home without the rain spoiling the day.

Dr. Mac Stinson’s sermon title was “Jesus Prayed for the Church.” His scripture was taken from John 17:1-11.

According to Dr. Stinson, following Jesus is the most thrilling business in the world. God has entrusted you and me with the work of bringing this battered and beaten world into a right relationship with God. He was called us to bring abundant life to hearts that are cold and uncaring. He has offered us the possibility of being part of the building of God’s kingdom in this world. Doesn’t that make you feel really good inside? Our spirits should soar when we contemplate the great honor of being called God’s own people and being entrusted by God to reconcile the world to himself.

No book in the New Testament has exerted more influence upon Christian thought and conduct than the Gospel according to John. Its profound spiritual truths are expressed in the simplest language.

These are the words Jesus spoke. He lifted his eyes up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son that thy Son may glorify thee. As thou has given him power over all flesh, that he should give external life to as many as thou has given him.”

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” (John 17:3-4).

That is Christ’s promise to us: “Lo, I am with you, even to the end of the age.”

When you pray, remember Dr. Mac Stinson’s mother, Mary Ann Carden, Opal Miller, Bobby Varden, Janica Dawson, Beulah Camp Meeting, Mary Ruth Madison’s family, our church and its attendants. We will have our yard sale on June 7. You can bring your items to church or they can be picked up. See Michelle Lufta. Our sale will be held at the home of Phil and June Simms from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m.

If you have no home church, we invite you to visit us or attend full-time. Have a blessed week.