Mars Hill Baptist Church

He is not here; he is risen! Praise the name of Jesus, for he has risen from the dead, just like he said. A beautiful Resurrection Sunday was given to celebrate our Lord’s triumph over death and the grave. Jesus was born as a little baby, lived as a man, died as a Savior and is returning as our King!

Friends, if this doesn’t make you joyous, you had better check up on your salvation. He is coming again, and it may be sooner than you think!

Our service started with a beautiful “Sonrise” service at 6 a.m., with Bro. William Short’s message coming from Matthew 28:1-8. “Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. But the angel answered and said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not there; for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead, and indeed he is going before you into Galilee. There you will see him. Behold, I have told you.’ So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word.”

After being full of sadness and grief for Jesus, and watching him die a cruel death on the cross, can you imagine the great joy Mary felt when she heard the words of the angel and saw for herself that Jesus was not in the tomb? These women didn’t walk to spread the good news, they ran!

This is exactly the way we should feel today. The power of the cross has not diminished with time. Jesus is still alive and well, and is awaiting word from Father God to come back and split the eastern skies with his return. What a glorious day that will be! At least, it will be for those who know him and are looking for his return. Are you looking for him, or are you dreading his return? Check up on your heart, friend, and be very sure that Jesus is alive in your heart. Today is the time to seek him.

After a wonderful breakfast prepared by the Brotherhood and WMU ladies, Sunday School started, and then we had another worship service with Bro. William.

The sermon continued with Matthew 28:11-15. “Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, saying, ‘Tell them his disciples came at night and stole him away while we slept. And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.’ So they took the money and did as they were instructed; this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.”

My friend, Jesus never did anything in the dark. He lived in the light, always. There was no darkness in him. Then as today, many people would rather believe a lie than the truth.  Jesus never told a lie, never sinned and never deserved to die on the cross of Calvary; yet that is what he did for you and me so that we might have life eternal. His sacrifice was for all men, no matter the race, color, ethnicity, denomination or anything else.

Jesus brought a message of hope and love to a world that was dying in its sin. That love and message is still just as true today as then; we only have to accept it. Salvation is a free gift from God, made possible through the blood of Jesus.

Christians are being persecuted in every corner of the world because of their faith. Don’t think it could never happen here in America; after all, we never thought prayer would be taken away from our schools, that gay marriage would be made legal or that the devil could have such a hold on our country and our government.

Salvation is free, but being a true Christian could cost us our lives one day. Are you prepared for that day? We live for the day we can be with Jesus in heaven; death is just a stepping stone on the way to our reward. Get ready; tell the good news to all your family and friends. Jesus is alive, he is risen and is alive for evermore! Amen.

Please continue to pray for our church, our pastor, the lost, the sick, the hurting, our children, our schools, our missionaries, our military and our government; most importantly, pray for the peace of Israel.

God is good, all the time! Amen.

Submitted by Danny L.

Bethsalem Baptist Church

Easter was a great day of worship. The congregation sang “God is Alive,” “He Lives,” Because He Lives” and “Christ Arose.” The Celebration Choir sang “The Lamb Medley.”

Bro. Justin preached from John 1:2-34. His sermon was titled “The Lamb that Restores.”

The service ended with the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.

Pay for our country and its leadership, Jimmy Headley, Tommy Roper, Michael Arnold, Kinlee Till, Ross     Smitherman, Barney Green, Hunter Moore, Betty Bennett, Patsy Burnett, Alan Rice, Marie Ratliff, Chris Greenleaf, Jennifer Whatley, Justin and Peter Daugherty, Chuck Green, Jonathan Limbrick, Caleb Hilyer, Randy Thompson, Wayne Cobb, Cecila Crabbe, Chad Nix, Lowell Strock, Charles Bryant, Jacob Browder, Tyler Abbott, Stephanie Hinton, Paul Price, Myra Burnett, Jeanette Smitherman, those facing cancer, our homebound, assistant living and nursing home residents, Wendell Hand, Brenda Hurd, Tom Brown and Debbie Jones.

Happy birthday to Jessica Bogard, Terry Chism, Emily Johnson, Owen Wright, Lennie Hathcock, April McKay, Kayle Boddie, Damien Gallet, Lex Glasscock and Brooklyn Griffen.

Thank you to everyone who gave to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. We reached our goal.

Submitted by Elvie Patterson