Samaria Baptist Church

It was so good to be in the house of the Lord again on Sunday.

We have several prayer needs, and I ask that you help us lift these people up to the father.

Please pray for Walter Hudgins, Olivia Spencer, Erin Moore and family, Paul Shearon, Jeremy Todd Wilson and his family, Ernest Fike, Trace Payne, Tracey Mims and The Sloane Family.

Happy birthday to Ray Harris, and our special music was “Midnight Cry” by John Parrish.

Bro. Shane’s message was from Matthew 6:25-34. It dealt with the question of have you ever looked in the mirror and knew right away that you had brought many of your problems upon yourself?

So often we do, and to make it even worse we fail to turn it all over to Jesus before it can snowball into more trouble for us.

God leads us through struggles, but we must allow him to do so. God tell us to take no thought for tomorrow. He assures us that he will care for us even better than the birds who neither toil nor spin.

We need to replace fear with faith that prevents us from being distracted with the things of this life to the point of obsession.

Perfect wisdom from God is ours for receiving. Our heavenly father knows what we have need for, and he has promised all these provisions if we trust him.

There is an amazing difference between our needs and our wants.

God knows all about us, and he will meet our needs. Join us at Samaria where Jesus is Lord.

Submitted by Diane Fisher Greer

Mt. Carmel No. 1 Baptist Church

In a world that is plagued with trouble and trials, it is a blessing to know there are glorious things happening in people’s lives today.

It was great to hear the testimony of how God has worked in the life of Jennifer Watley. The battle she has had with cancer for quite a while has not weakened the faith of her and her family.

They are grateful to know that God is with them every step of the way.

Our morning service began with Jim Hayes leading the congregation in several songs.

Josie Jones, Kinslee Cummings, Mesha Mims, Tori Mims, Karlee Cummings and Kaylee Cummings presented our special music. Together they sang, “Help me find it.”

Bro. Travis went to John 3:16-17 to bring us another wonderful message on “God’s Love.”

These verses hold so many truths that are so easily overlooked. They tell us that love always gives and satisfies our need.

One of the things that this love gives is hope, which comes to us through our acceptance of God’s gift, Jesus Christ, as our Savior and Lord.

This is an unconditional hope. It is given to us whether we return it or not. This is an everlasting hope that does not change. It is a hope that is given by a fully committed love unlike any that mere mankind can understand.

Even though Christ knew he would have to endure tremendous suffering, he kept his commitment in order for sinners to have the hope of salvation.

If we neglect to accept this salvation gift, there will be a price to pay. Verse 17 tells us that we are already condemned if we do not accept it.

God’s love removes this condemnation and replaces it with everlasting life. Maybe you are one that is feeling trapped in your sin, thinking there is no hope for you. However, there is good news. You are the one for which he died, and the hope found in the love of God is not a fairytale hope, it is real.

Your troubles and burdens can be lifted by this hope. Why keep running? Accepting this free gift is the best thing that will ever happen to you.

Our Sunday evening service began with congregation songs. Special music was presented by Susie Veasey who sang “Sometimes it takes a mountain” and Kaitlyn Burnett who sang “Your presence Lord.”

Bro. Travis brought us a message on “God gives the increase” from I Corinthians 3:5-10.

It is the time of year when farmers and gardeners begin to think and plan for planting of seeds hoping to produce crops for harvesting. We realize that if no seeds are planted, there will be no harvest.

After the seeds are sown there must also be a time of watering. When the sowing and watering is done, it is up to God to allow these seed to geminate and produce a harvest. God’s people are called to sow seeds of the gospel into the hearts of lost mankind and follow up with watering these seeds.

Sinners cannot be saved if they never hear the gospel message. Humbling ourselves and letting God lead us to those that need to hear the gospel message is not always easy.

We may get discouraged if we do not see positive results immediately. We should remember that we are just the sowers and waterers.

God is the one that causes the seeds to germinate and produce a new Christian. Seeds can lay dormant for years before they germinate and burst forth as a useful product. So it is with a spiritual seed.

Do not give up, and just keep sowing. Wait on God for he is in control.

On our special prayer list this week we have several that are in need of a healing touch from God.

Among those are George Campbell, Wayne Cummings, Mark Jones, Mary Ellen Campbell, Pat Hayes, Jerry Franklin, Kathy Smith, Marlene Hayes, Hilda Cary, Mary Maudlin, Minnie Childress, Robert Childress, Gladys Franklin, Elladene Mims, Virginia Church, Juanita Childress, Leona Liveoak, Marilyn Griffin, Derrick Griffin, Frances Higgins, Mary Dean Higgins, Winston and Barbara Liveoak and Christy Lowery.

Upcoming events in our church include a bridal shower honoring Jonathan Bowman and his bride-to-be on Saturday at 3 p.m. There will be an open house for Casey and Ashley Liveoak at their home on Saturday beginning at 4 p.m.

A deacons, pastors and wives dinner will be held March 4 at Thorsby First Baptist Church. Please let Laura Jones know by Feb. 28, if you are planning to attend.

The ladies will meet to kick off their secret pal endeavor on March 13 at 5 p.m. This will be a time of finger foods and fellowship.

Also please bring plastic eggs and candy for them to be used for the Easter egg hunt. There is a basket in the foyer for these items.

Adult choir practice will take place after Sunday evening services.

Submitted by Louise Liveoak

Cedar Grove Baptist Church

We are sorry to announce that due to circumstances beyond our control, the Live Radio Broadcast has been rescheduled to a tentative date of March 12 with further details to follow.

Prayer concerns include our pastor, our church family, our nation, for godly intervention in the upcoming elections, for those in hospitals and nursing homes. Spoken and for the unspoken request.

Pastor Jeff Carroll’s text came from Jeremiah 18:1-10 and was entitled “The Vessel.”

We are all are just vessels, much like our nation is a vessel, like potter in the potter’s hands.

We do not have a monopoly on blessings. We have seen the building industry fall, Wall Street fall and violence and crime raised to a level we have never seen before.

The instant he chooses God can destroy our nation, like the vessel in the potter’s hand due to the evil the world has chosen to step into in his sight.

The same goes for blessing a nation that honors and loves God, keeps his commandments and shows pride for their heritage.

The devil can use just a hand full of people to destroy a nation. Examples of this include anyone that stands for the wrong things such as taking prayer out of schools and standing for same-sex marriages.

We were once a nation, on a mission to proclaim the gospel. God says a nation that turns their back on him he will bring down, punish and destroy.

We as a nation, whether we choose to admit it or not, are under the hand of judgment. Isis, wickedness, unrighteousness and disease are not threatening or destroying our nation.

We are the people that choose to be a marred vessel in the eyes of God and are at fault. God wants to teach us that if our nation turns from its evil ways he will bless us.

The key to the blessings of God is repentance. What are we doing for God today? What kind o holiness do you portray Christ?

Repenting is the key to making the vessel back into what it once was. Before he knew Christ was a marred vessel, wanting to kill anyone that called on the name of Christ, Paul was washed clean and turned into a chosen vessel.

Jesus paid the price so that we may go free. When God chooses you to come out of sin to make you into something for his Glory, meaning we are to become vessels to glorify God.

All of us can do something others cannot. Sometimes God has to clean us out before he can fill us up with the Holy Spirit Fire.

He cannot and will not put the Holy Spirit in on top of the garbage of sin. Our earthen vessels have the potential to be filled with the treasures of God, not of this earth, but the power of God and witnesses of the gospel.

God chooses us to be separated vessels from this world and its sin, in the world but not of the world. When we let God cleanse us he will honor and bless us.

We need to realize also, that to be a vessel of God we will also have to go through suffering, trials and disappointments for his sake.

Christ was made to suffer before he became honored and seated at the right hand of the father in heaven. Paul was always pressing toward the mark, running the race for Christ.

When we turn ourselves over to God he will use us for his glory. Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?

There are also two vessels of God. The vessel of wrath to make his power known, endured with much long suffering, as the vessels of wrath are prepared for destruction. The No. 2 vessel is of the mercy that he had prepared beforehand for glory.

What kind of vessel are you?

Submitted by Naomi Gillespie

New Salem Baptist Church

The morning worship service began at 11 a.m. with congregational singing.

Special music was performed by Karen Reeser, who sang “Come Morning.”

Bro. Reeser made the announcements and prayer requests, and the adult choir sang “Jesus Hold My Hand.”

Bro. Reeser’s text came from Joshua 1:9-11, 16-18; 7:5-11.

The theme was “Do not let discouragement steal your strength.”

We often look at the things in front of us and fail to see God’s promises. After the success at Jericho, Joshua could not understand why they failed in the battle with the small city of Ai, until God showed Joshua the failure was due to sin in the camp.

Often our feeling of discouragement is due to things we have failed to recognize and ask God how to handle them.

Once the sins were removed, Joshua led the Israelites to victory after victory. Like Joshua, we too must keep sin out of our lives and allow God to lead in the way he chooses.

We must be aware that God is ever near and ready to help us.

The 5 p.m. service opened with a congregation song, and Bro. Reeser’s text came from Isaiah 55:1-13 and was entitled “Compassion of the Lord.”

Salvation is a free gift from the Lord, through Jesus Christ, and he should hold first place in our lives.

He gave us the Bible as a guide on how to live according to his will, and as we read his word we grow spiritually.

Our growth and actions should reflect Christ in our life, since he has done so much for us.

Birthdays this week include Elmer Porter, Doris Porter, Lauren Reeser and Peggy Coppage.

New Salem Baptist Church extends a cordial welcome to all to worship with us.

The weekly schedule includes Sunday school at 10 a.m. followed by worship services at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Bible study and prayer meeting is held Wednesdays at 6 p.m. We are currently studying Second Corinthians.

You are invited to join with us at any of our services and if you need additional information call (205) 389-1102.

Submitted by Lucille Price Pierce

Calvary Independent Baptist Church

Calvary Independent Baptist Church wants to thank everyone who attended services this past week.

Sunday morning services included a message from Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 and other passages about “The power of the printed word.”

We focused mainly on gospel tracts and getting the word of God out to others. Tracts are tools that are great for soul winning as well as ministering in many other areas of life.

There are tracts that are centered on almost any problems that we are facing in our everyday lives.

We encourage you to grab a hand full of tracts and help get a message of hope out to a world of people who are facing physical and spiritual battles everyday.

Sunday night services included a message from Psalms chapter 11 and other passages concerning a “Sure Foundation.”

If you are building on any other foundation than the one that is laid according to I Corinthians chapter 3, you will suffer loss of reward at the judgment seat of Christ.

We need to be sure of our salvation and sure of our foundation. Then we can be a building that will bring glory to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We pray that you are saved and building on the right foundation.

If you are looking for a church to visit in Clanton, we would love to see you at Calvary this Sunday.

We are located in south Clanton just past Dollar General right off U.S. 31 on Fulmer Drive.

Our regular weekly services include Sunday School at 9 a.m., children’s church and adult worship services Sunday at 10 a.m. followed by services at 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday services begin at 6:30 p.m., and a Bible study is held every other Tuesday at 7 p.m.

For other services and events check us out on Facebook ,Twitter, visit our website at www.cibc-clanton.com or call Pastor Oscar Mims at (205) 755-9399.

Submitted by Oscar Mims

Bethsalem Baptist Church

Our day of service began with Terry Johnson welcoming everyone and giving our ministry opportunities.

Sharon Williams directed our music, while our special music was “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,” and was perfromed by Celebration Choir.

Bro. Dennis Thomas preached from Luke 16:1-31 and was entitled “God used people for a purpose, to witness and tell his message.”

Evening service Bible study was then held.

Pray this week for Charles Bryant, Allen and Casey Daniel, Dreama Thomas, Evelyn Green, John Flowers, Kasie Green, Ruth Carter, Eric Castile, Shannon Carraway, Zoey Neiman, Brayden Coopeer, Debra Mims, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Glasscock, Bobbie Tipton, Elaine Bridges and her baby, Donna Vick, Hunter Moore, Caleb Harrison, Lynn Cox, Mike Smith, Melissa Langford, Kathy Fitzgerald, Kinlee Till, Peter Daugherty, Chad Mix, Stephanie Hinton, Paul Price, our country’s leadership, those facing cancer, our homebound, assisted living and nursing home residents, Myra Burnett, Care Net Pregnancy Resource Center and those who need salvation.

Happy birthday this week to Bruce Bevers, Tammy Jones, Brandon Wells, Marshall Hollinged, Tracy Hand, Isabell Baker, Trudy Wells, Brandon Williams, Christina Carter, Nathan Gilmore, Ashley Ellison and Carter Emmerich.

“Woodlawn” will be shown during Church Movie Fellowship beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday.

Wednesday Supper will be held at 5:30 p.m. Adult prayer meeting along with Outlet for Students and Children’s Choir will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The Annie Armstrong Offering will take place next month. Pray for your giving.

Have a blessed week.

Submitted by Elvie Patterson

Waters of Everlasting Life Church

Our Sunday service was brightly lit with the presence of the Holy Ghost.

Pastor Tamara Boman ushered in the Shekinah Glory early that morning with a Sunday School topic that was entitled “Rejecting the Words of Reason,” with focus scriptures originating from 1 Samuel chapters 8-12.

Bro. Keno Boman and Elder Clevon Harris brought insightful commentary on why Samuel was instructed by God to tell Saul he would prophesy with the prophets.

The lesson fully exemplified the warning Samuel gave to the Israelite’s desire for a king in face of the Lord’s sovereignty and deliverance of his people from Egypt into Canaan.

Elder Sean Harris furthered the discussion with the Judges becoming corrupt and perverted, and how other nation’s customs influenced the Israelites much as Babylon, Persia and Rome would later do as well.

Our Sunday School lesson directed our attentions to God’s mercy even when we disobey, but the consequences and penalties are solely because of God’s love.

The Sunday sermon was entitled “The Art of War” anf framed the text from Sun Tzu’s book written in the fourth Century.

Pastor Boman edified the principles of war from history, as generals like Grant and Lee fought the Civil War and Churchill, Stalin and Hitler had heavy casualties in World War II.

These strategies against foes aligned with Moses going back to Egypt to tell the Pharaoh to let his people go.

Foundation scripture came from Exodus 3:11-14.

God told Moses to tell them that “I am’ has sent thee.”

Pastor Boman intrigued the congregation with the rules of engagement in battle, as you must know whom you are against in order to combat.

After the ten plagues, Egypt and other lands came to know the power of the God of Abraham.

Ten ways that Satan uses methodology, calculation, spies and the element of surprise to defeat the will power of saints was given to remind the saints of why the whole suit of amour must be worn.

The gifts that the Lord has given to the Five-Fold Ministry is imperative in this last hour, and the anointing was in the room for this message.

Our online radio broadcast will have the prophet and Evangelist Rick Joyner joining us to discuss his book “The Final Quest.” The date is yet to be determined.

We invite anyone to call us for prayer. Contact us at www.nosoul-leftbehind.com

Submitted by Ella M. Harris