Rocky Mount United Methodist Church

We hope that you enjoyed a Happy Veterans Day! It was wonderful Sunday to acknowledge the extreme sacrifice that many make in order to stand up for their beliefs, in this instance for their country.

We feel honored that our own preacher, Bro. Phil Guin, who is a retired Chaplain and Lt. Colonel of the United States Air Force, was the guest speaker for the Clanton Elementary and Clanton Intermediate Schools Veteran’s programs.

As our service centered on patriotism, we were also blessed with wonderful music by Jan Pike. Jan played “Salute to the Troops” arranged by Anthony Burger. There probably was not a dry eye in the house as our emotions were stirred.

For a country founded on biblical principles, do you sometimes feel that we are moving away from these principles?

As we recognize our veterans, some are willing to protect our country and 1st amendment rights. Our God is asking big things of us, too. As long as people are searching, the church is still relevant.

Jesus showed us how good things can grow exponentially. Are you helping to spread the good news of Jesus Christ? God rewards faithfulness, and if we will share the good news, it too can grow in record numbers!

While Bro. Phil reported the attentiveness of school children to his message, a place you might not expect to catch someone’s full attention, we would also like to report catching someone’s attention in another, more unusual, place.

A little while back, a gun safety class was held at the Rocky Mount Hunt and Gun Club range near our church. During this class, at least two individuals requested information from our pastor on the love of Jesus.

This was an answer to the church’s plan to find a way to reach what sometimes might be the unreachable. Keep your eyes open to how you might share the word!

Submitted by Betty Janney

 

Mars Hill Baptist Church

Everyday we hear of sickness in a family, death of a friend or loved one, tragedies on the roadways, betrayal by someone we thought of as a friend, and the list goes on.

It seems like it is always bad news, and never anything good that we hear. God says it depends on whom we listen to, whom we trust, and whom we turn to for help in times of trouble.

God says turn to him, for he will never leave us nor forsake us. He alone knows what our future holds, and he alone can heal from the inside out. Turn off the news, social media, and all the worldly distractions.

Turn on God. His channel is always open and ready to receive our petitions, prayers, and our repentance from sin.

Bro. William Shorts’ message Sunday was taken from Proverbs 3:5-6. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.

The Bible tells us over and over again to trust God. Trust his word, his timing and what he has in store for us. Trust that your heartache today will be your joy tomorrow. Trust in God.

How do we trust someone we have never seen? Are you sure you have not seen him? Look around you, as this world is full of the beauty of God, though you may have to look through the distractions of the devil to find it sometimes.

Have you ever heard the birds singing, felt the warmth of the sunshine on your face, feel the arms of your children/grandchildren around your neck?

That is God my friend. He is here, and he has not left us. He hears the prayers of his children and comforts those in need. You will find him in the pages of his holy word, the Bible. Pick it up, open up the pages and listen to what he has to say.

Have you ever met someone who loved to hear the sound of his or her own voice? Who seemed to think they “knew it all” and could not wait to pass their knowledge onto you and me?

Beware of these people. Most often, you will find some of the truth in what they say and a lot of blubber to fill in the empty holes! Do not trust what you think you know, and never believe what the bible says based on what someone tells you. Read it for yourself!

Acknowledge the God of the universe and what he says as truth. Where do you find this understanding? Once again, in the pages of God’s holy word, the Bible. It is full of truth, wisdom, mercy, love, and unconditional acceptance of sinners like you and me.

Yes, God loves the sinner, but he hates the sin! The difference in my life from years past and the present is Jesus. I do not have the answers to many things, but I know the one who does and that is Jesus Christ!

God is talking to you and me, but are we listening? Are we so bound to distractions like social media that we cannot see the truth? Are we being influenced by the ungodly things that we see and hear? Turn away, pick up your bible and listen to what God has to say!

Now, I admit that I have problems following directions! I cannot even follow the GPS! But by some miracle I usually wind up where I set out to go. That is not true in my spiritual life, praise God! Am I always willing to follow the direction that God is leading me? No, I am not perfect, I am human.

I make mistakes on a daily basis. I let my mouth get in the way of my heart sometimes, and my compass gets messed up. Then I have to kneel and acknowledge God. His way is far better than mine could ever hope to be.

I strive to have Jesus direct my heart, and lead my feet where he would have me go. Again, how do you trust God to lead you? Read the Bible, it is full of accounts of men that went in the wrong direction, but relied on God to turn them around and put their feet back on the right path. Read the story of David, Paul, Sampson, Jonah, and many others.

You will find out that things in your life have a way of working out for the best when you rely on God, so trust him and acknowledge him on a daily basis. You cannot pull God out just when you need him, like a spare tire, but sadly we so often do just that. Trust God daily, with everything in your life!

We were blessed in our Sunday evening service to have Northside Baptist Church join with us for baptism! God was working in the church, as they baptized five new members! We praise God with them, and for them, that he will continue to work in their church. Northside pastor Bro. Lynn Roe brought the message, and his precious wife sang for us.

Thank you to our youth and their sponsors! They provided a delicious meal after morning service, and donations were made toward their mission trip in January.

Our youth are the leaders of tomorrow, and we are so blessed to have a wonderful youth group at Mars Hill! Thank you Pam Pittman, Joni and Clint Woodruff, and those who support them.

Thank you to the WMU and everyone who helped pack our Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes! We set a goal of 100 boxes, and exceeded our goal! Thank you to our WMU leader Pauline Lovette for her help and encouragement!

Events: November 18th will be our church-wide Thanksgiving meal, and we will not have service on November 25th. Happy Birthday to Bro William Short on Nov 26, and Ms Cindy Short on Nov 19th! We love ya’ll!!! Don’t forget our Wednesday night prayer meeting at 7pm.

Please continue to pray for our church, our pastor, the sick, the lost, the hurting, our schools, our children, our military, or missionaries at home and abroad, our government, and the peace of Israel. God is good, all the time! Amen.