Mt. Carmel No. 1 Baptist Church

With Thanksgiving Day passed for 2015, we are now approaching the day Christians look forward to each year. It is a time for us to reflect upon and celebrate the birth of the promised king, Jesus Christ.

Do you ever think of what it must have been like on that night in Bethlehem? The songs we sing and messages we hear remind us of just what a glorious happening that was.

Our morning service began as Libby Warren played “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” for the penny march. We were also blessed to have Kaitlyn Burnett sing “You Are Enough For Me.” This song told us that there is no greater love than that which was given when Jesus went to the cross for us.

Bro. Travis Burnett used Daniel 1: 8-13 to continue the message of Daniel’s commitment to God and his desire to serve him. These verses told of his God given determination.

Daniel loved God and would not defile himself with the things of the world. Can you say that you have this desire and determination in your heart? That is where it must be.

There are going to be times when we do not feel like serving God, therefore we need that God given determination in order to do so. In a lot of circumstances it will be difficult to be faithful, but it will be worth it.

The rewards are abundant and pleasing. Our will is changed to God’s will when we are led by the Holy Spirit. Putting God in control will produce a desire to serve him just as Daniel had to do in his life. It will change our lives from inside out.

Sunday evening our service began with “Hanging of the Green”. Thanks to everyone that helped to make this a worshipful time.

Bro. Travis followed this event with a message from Matthew 1:23 titled “God With Us”. Do you really ever let this statement sink into your mind and consider what it actually means?

In all aspects of our life, God is with us. Even though you may not be aware of his presence, he is there. He will be there when you achieve your most sought after goal to help you celebrate. He will also be there when you stumble and fall in order to pick you up and give you encouragement to keep trying.

God is with us at our busiest time as well as when we slow down to reflect on the good things of life. He is the one that was born in the most humble beginning where there was no room for him in the inn – Emmanuel, God with Us.

Are you making room for him in your heart and life at all times? During our time of celebrating and enjoying the events of this wonderful season, let us remember that God is with us. Spending time with family and friends is great, but spending time with God is the greatest.

Please continue to remember Grant Franklin and his family in your prayers. At the time of this writing, he is still in a children’s hospital. Also on our prayer list this week is Pat Hayes, Elladene Mims, Leona Liveoak, Minnie Childress, Mary Dean Higgins, Phyllis Cofer, Ruthie Jean Giles, Jacob Jones, Jenny Hayes, Gladys Franklin, Mary Maudlin, George Campbell, Janice Robinson, Jennifer Watley and Tammy Harmon.

Upcoming events include children’s play practice Saturday, Dec. 12 at 10:30 a.m., as well as the WMU ladies making Christmas baskets Saturday, Dec. 12 at 10:30 a.m. followed by lunch with caroling at Noon.

Children’s play practice has also been set for Saturday, December 19 at 4 p.m. with adult choir practice on Sunday following evening services. Wednesday service will begin at 7 p.m. with the adults studying “14 Habits of an Effective Disciple.”

Bethany Baptist Church

Sunday Bethany Baptist Church met and sang “Away in a Manger”, followed with devotion, from Proverbs 2:6-9, entitled “The Foundation of Wisdom.”

The book of Proverbs is a book on wisdom. The big difference between being highly intelligent and wise is having wisdom and the ability to take our knowledge and use it wisely for the right purpose.

There are many books that tell us how to be wise, which is material wisdom. The only true wisdom is found in God’s word, the Bible.

God is the source of the wisdom that will help us prepare for eternal life. We have to acquire wisdom through prayer and studying God’s word. In verse three, we read that we have to look for and ask for wisdom. We must search as if looking for hidden treasures and then in verse nine we saw that wisdom is not easy to obtain, but we have to just go for it.

We were dismissed with a prayer to Sunday school and then sang “Sing Hosannas,” “The First Noel,” “Joy To The World,” and “Silent Night.”

Bro. Aubry was able to be with us for the morning services. He had his second aneurysm surgery on Wednesday.

He gave the announcements regarding the upcoming Christmas program at Landmark Baptist Church in Prattville on Sunday at 5 p.m., as well as our Christmas program set for Dec. 20 at 5 p.m. A mission meeting will be held at Clearview Missionary Baptist Church in Verbena on the Saturday at 10 a.m.

Bro. Aubry then brought the message from II Timothy 1:1-12, titled “Be Not Ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” The message was a conclusion of last Sunday’s message.

As we go through life we will have trials, but if God is with us we can get through anything. The only thing that separates us from lost sinners is the cross. The Lord is possibly not returning until the last person that is going to be saved is saved. God alone knows who will accept Jesus as their savior. He knows, but it is our choice to accept or reject.

According to Galatians 6:14, God has had the plan of salvation in place for a long time, even before the foundation of the world. He does not want us to be ashamed to identify ourselves with the gospel message. To deny the truth of the one true gospel is to deny the only plan of salvation.

Another gospel is not going to save you. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto Salvation, according to Romans 1:16.

The Apostle Paul went to jail for preaching the gospel message. The same could happen to men who preach the true message today. Stand up for your church as long as your church is preaching the true word of God. Study the Bible for yourself so that you will know if a man of God is preaching the whole truth.

We who are saved are all one with Christ, sanctified. Christ is not ashamed to call us brethren. According to Matthew 18:20, God wants us to have Christian friends. Jesus is where two or three are gathered in his name. He is not in the business to make us famous or rich, but instead to spread the gospel message.

We are saved completely when we accept Jesus Christ in our heart, and will remain saved throughout eternity. His salvation is perfect, as it delivers souls, changes oneself, alters history and determines our eternal destiny.

There is nothing to change about the gospel message. There is only one way to be saved. Jesus Christ alone can save. He is God wrapped in human flesh and has never sinned. Accept him today as you read this church news.

We dismissed with the song “My Faith Looks Up To Thee,” and a prayer.

Our prayer list includes, our church, Sister Shirley, Bro. Aubry, Debbie R. and her family, Jeanette, J.C., Grace, Colyn, Bro. Hubert, Larry M., Lori, Chris, Evelyn K., Lisa R., Grace, missions and missionaries, Charlotte and most of all for the unsaved.