Bethsalem Baptist Church

Service began with Bro. Cleve recognizing those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries this month, and Bro. Justin welcomed everyone.

Alivia Wright sang “While I’m Waiting.”

Ephesians 1:18-23, 2:1-10 was the scripture used for Bro. Justin’s sermon “The Power of God, the Grace of God Demonstrated and the Power to be Righteous. “

Pray for our shut-ins, those facing cancer, those in assisted living and nursing homes, our country and its leaders, Bill Mallory’s family, Patsy Rhodes, Emily Chandler, Renie Thomas, Mike Smith, James Howard, Melisa Langford, Lula Spigner, Betty Bennett, Linda Parker, Kendra Williams, Wayne Cobb, Pat Blalock, Kathy Fitzgerald, Kyle Fulford, Debbie Jones, Sid Griner, Jimmy Headley, Michael Arnold, Kinlee Till, Hunter Moore, Justin and Peter Daugherty, Chad Nix, Lowell Strock, Tyler Abbott, Stephanie Hinton, Paul Price, Denyel Tripplett and Mike Edwards.

Happy birthday to Randy Sims, Bryan Hutchins, Joseph Courtney, David Stange, Jordon Rohrbough, Brantley Bice, Bud Pike, Angela Coplen, Nancy Alexander, Robin Cleckler, Mikayli Glasscock, Jamie McConnell, Izzy Jones and Sarah Jones.

Happy anniversary to David and Brandy Cleckler (5 years) Bud and Pat Pike (49 years) Blake and Emily Edwards (14 years) Cleve and Jennie Mallory (6 years) Tim and Lynn Cox (4 years) and Roger and Charlene Yeargan (35 years).

Submitted by Elvie Patterson

Cedar Grove Church

Pastor Carroll’s sermon from John 6: 41-71 was titled “Being Close but Not Quite There.”

In this text, the Jews were murmuring and questioning the validity of Jesus. They failed to know the full details of God.

I am saved by God, washed in the blood of Jesus. Jesus said “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God; therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father come to me. Most assuredly I say to you who believes in me has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. I am the living bread which came down from heaven.’”

The Father is all-knowing. There is a change in you when you get saved; your life style changes and your speech changes. God brings about a change in your life.

How many of us need to take a lesson from the sparrow? God has everything in control; we need not worry about anything, but trust completely in God.

There is no other way to heaven except Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. We must have an hour-to-hour, day-to-day intimate relationship with Jesus to survive and have continual victory over the evil one. Rest assured Satan does not take breaks; he is always on the job.

When you experience the death of a loved one, financial problems, marital problems, etc., Satan is whispering, “See what God has let happen?” But the Master asks, “Will you turn away from me or trust me?” Friends, Satan is the author of lies.

We all face times when God’s Word hits our life like a hammer, where he hits us hard to get us to repent in a time of Godly sorrow, but God will make a way where there seems to be no way. Satan on the other hand will take you where you don’t want to go, keep you longer than you wanted to stay and cost you more than you want to pay.

Many set out to follow Jesus, and then turn back to follow a life to hell away from the light. When the going gets tough and everything turns upside down, will you still trust God or will you faint and turn away? If you leave God, where will you go?

Prayer concerns: Lost loved ones, our church family, our pastors, those in hospitals and nursing homes, spoken and unspoken requests.

Submitted by Naomi Gillespie