Lime Springs United Methodist Church
Our Sunday School lesson continued our series on the Hebrew names of God. This Sunday was Jehovah-M’Kaddesh (The Lord Who Makes Us Holy).
Bro. Shannon brought the morning message from 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 and Galatians 5:22-23 on “The Fruit of the Spirit: Love.” He reminded us that love is one of the nine fruits given to us by the Holy Spirit. Using 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, he reminded us of four important facts about love. First, love is essential for genuine Christianity. Second, love is the only means of reaching perfection, as it is expressed perfectly in the Holy Trinity. Third, love is something that grows throughout our faith walk. Finally, love is a virtue that lasts forever.
Bro. Shannon encouraged us to reevaluate what we are doing, why we are doing it, and how it is affecting our lives. Just as Paul exemplified living and walking in the Spirit, so we should do the same. This is how we bear fruit! Love is a good fruit to bear. We closed the service by receiving the Lord’s Supper.
We celebrated the dedication of Braxton Lane Moore on Sunday morning. He is the infant son of Dana and Jamie Moore.
Our Bible study focused upon Hebrews 12:22-29 and six things we are under once we “come unto Mt. Zion” instead of “Mt. Sinai” (Christ instead of the law).
Happy birthday wishes to Joel Huffstutler.
Our service times are as follows: Sunday School at 9:30 a.m.; Sunday morning worship at 11; evening Bible study at 5; and Wednesday night prayer meeting at 6:30.
For more information, call 755-6356.

Mt. Carmel Baptist Church No. 1
God is so good to us and blesses us every day. It is our prayer that you received the blessings that were there for you as our adult and youth choir and the children presented another Sunday of the Easter drama “The Miracles.” Next Sunday will be “The Lord’s Supper and In the Garden.” If you have missed these Sunday presentations, you have missed a blessing.
The Sunday School lessons for this quarter have been very good teachings. We studied from Psalm 31:7-24 on recognizing God’s presence. Come join a Sunday School class at our church and express your love for God.
“The Kind of Religion We Need Today” was the title of Bro. Derrell’s message this Sunday morning, taken from James 1:27. James spoke of pure and undefiled religion, the essence of true religion. Do you have a personal religion with Jesus? Has Jesus touched you today?
A personal religion is when you feel something when you come into God’s house. Do you feel the touch of Jesus? A purifying religion is when a person is washed in the blood of Jesus.
Sunday night we studied Habakkuk 3:17, a prayer of thankfulness. Habakkuk trusted in the rightness of God’s dealing with the nations. Face your trouble and trials like Habakkuk: “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
We have heard a very good report of praise and worship from our young people as they have had a weekend of Disciple Now studying God’s word and prayer and fellowship.
A birthday party was held Saturday for Robert Childress. Enjoying a get-together at Robert and Minnie Mae’s home were their children and friend. Happy birthday, Robert.
The Relay For Life potluck lunch is this Sunday following the church service. Remember this date and take part. A love offering or donation is asked of you.
We welcome all our visitors Sunday and invite you back anytime.
Remember to pray for one another this week and especially pray for the prayer requests and all our sick ones.

Christ Independent Methodist Church
On this fifth Sunday of Lent what a beautiful day to go into the house of our Lord, although the different houses may be called by different names. The person we honor is the same, and the reason is the same.
Sunday’s sermon by Dr. Mac Stinson dealt with the story of doubting Thomas, who was also called Didymus, meaning “a twin.” This is according to the Gospel of St. John 20:24-25: “But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said unto them, ‘Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.’”
Thus, this poor man, Thomas, has been identified by his unflattering name to the present day. What say you concerning the guilt or indecision of Thomas? At our distance from the cross today, it is easy to give a glib answer, but when Thomas was faced with making his decision, Jesus was only hours from the cross.
But this is not the end of the story. Eight days later, Thomas and the other disciples were together in the Upper Room when Jesus appeared through the closed doors and stood in the midst of them, telling Thomas to reach forth a finger and touch his nail-scarred hands and thrust his hand into his side. At this point, Thomas said to Jesus, “My Lord and my God.”
Now we recall the words of our Lord, who said, “Thomas, because thou has seen me, thou has believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”
Consider yourself in the shoes of poor Thomas. Would you vote to reevaluate Thomas?
Prayer is requested for Bobby and Nicole Wilson following the burial of their precious infant son Wednesday, April 6 at New Hope Church.
A prayer of thanksgiving is offered for Dwight Sammons’ health improvement.
Also remember Jim Ellison, Bonnie Headley, Lissa Moore, Everette and Robbie Bagby, Mae Hunnicutt, Jack McLemore, our military, their families, our church, our community and Israel.
Beginning May 1 from 5-6 p.m., CIMC will begin a new Sunday night study entitled “That the World May Know.” This study will be an exciting adventure guaranteed to make the scriptures come alive like never before. We urge you to join us for this presentation of archaeological sites of the Bible that few people ever see.
Wednesday night at 6:45, join us for our study on the book of Revelation. This is a continuing weekly study you will find fascinating. Laurel Lee Adams is doing an excellent teaching presentation.
If you were absent this Sunday, you were missed. If you were a visitor, we invite you back.
Have a blessed week.

New Salem Baptist Church
Revival services begin this Sunday, April 17 at 6 p.m. and continue Monday through Wednesday at 7 p.m. A nursery is provided for all services. Everyone is invited to attend each of these services.
The Rev. Clint Harris, pastor of Pates Chapel Baptist Church, is the evangelist, and the Rev. Tom Hilyer will lead music.
Special singing is planned for all services with a youth drama team from Chestnut Creek Baptist Church sharing Wednesday evening.
New Salem Baptist Church invites you to regular services with Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. and Discipleship Training at 5 p.m. Worship services are held each Sunday at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Also, special worship for children ages 4-10 is held each Sunday morning.
Come and be blessed, and be a blessing to others.

Calvary Independent Baptist Church
Calvary Independent Baptist Church of Fulmer Drive in Clanton will be having a car wash this Saturday, April 16 in south Clanton at Zaxby’s beginning around 10 a.m. Youth will be washing cars at no charge, and donations will be accepted.
Sunday, April 17 during the worship service at 10 a.m., Bro. Glen Ketchum with Rock of Ages prison ministries will be guest speaker. Evening services are scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. We will be having communion service followed by our monthly fellowship meal celebrating birthdays and anniversaries for April.
Our regular services are: Sunday School at 9 a.m., worship and Children’s Church at 10 a.m., Sunday evening service at 5:30, and Wednesday night service at 6:30. Everyone is invited.
For more information, call Pastor Rick Hatchett at 256-786-0977, Associate Pastor Oscar Mims at 205-755-9399 or Youth Pastor Kevin Shaw at 205-351-4585.

Bethsalem Baptist Church
The morning service began with lots of great songs. For special music the Celebration Choir sang “Amazing Love.”
Bro. Brad preached on our infinite inheritance from Ephesians 4:1-6.
Our evening service began with Life Tracks at 5 p.m. followed by the worship hour.
Wednesday night is family supper at 5:45 p.m., followed by choir practice for all children at 6:45 and prayer meeting for adults.
Pray for Charles and Gladys Bryant, Rebecca Meadows, Betty McGee, Maci Hucks, Tricia Coles, Adelyn Fulmer, Hunter Moore, Lawson Crawford, Robert Holloway, Dee Dee Nicolan, Nell Mims, Johnny Smith, Stefanie Adams, Durwood Gray, Megan McGriff, Rachel Potts and family, the Wayne Jones family, James Moore, missionaries, un-churched families, all families who have lost loved ones, and Japan.
Happy birthday this week to George Brasher, Lennie Hathcock, Kayla Boddie, Lexi Glasscock, Addison Spigner, Triston Schmidthorst, Joann Andrews, Emma Leblane, Jeanette Smitherman, Brantley Deavers, Kaitlyn Pate, Anthony Chavez, Angie Davis and Devin Mitchell.
Hispanic Outreach is Saturday, April 16 at 4 p.m. in the Enterprise community. Our mission is to share Jesus Christ with others, to help them connect into his family, develop the habits of a disciple and to discover their place of ministry in order to center their life on Christ.
Tell someone about Jesus this week.

Cedar Grove
Methodist-Protestant Church
“May the Lord bring you into an even deeper understanding of the love of God and of the patience that comes from Christ” (2 Thessalonians 3:5).
This has been the kind of day we were wishing for in the winter, a perfect day with sunshine, flowers blooming, not too hot, just a beautiful day God blessed us with.
The opening song was “Jesus is Coming Soon” followed by “I’ll Be Listening.” Brother David Bullard dismissed us into our Sunday School classes.
The title of the lesson was “The Question of John the Baptist” from Matthew 11:1-15. The time was A.D. 28. Jesus was somewhere in Galilee. According to Luke, He had just raised the son of the widow at Nain. John the Baptist was in prison at Castle Machaerus, east of the Dead Sea.
Happy birthday to Sister Rosa Cleckler and Brother Larry Patterson.
Please pray for all the sick and shut-ins, and pray for Robin Horton, who had brain surgery and still needs a lot of prayer.
A good friend of ours is in Shelby Hospital — Herbert Salter; remember him when you pray.
Brother Jeff Carroll ‘s sermon was entitled “Missed Opportunities,” and his text came from Matthew 26:6-13, 36-45 and 69-75.
The evening service was very special. We had a baptizing. Mason McGuire, son of Joey and Mary McGuire, was baptized, and also Brandon Harvely, Jordan’s brother.
We sang several songs afterward, and Brother Jeff had some special things he wanted to talk to us about concerning the business meeting coming up.
We are really growing at Cedar Grove. We had a lot of visitors Sunday and hope they enjoyed the worship service and will come again. We really have the young people and babies now. We plan to have a youth minister very soon.
Come to see us; we are just three miles south of Thorsby just off County Road 37 next to Brother Harold Garrison’s Farm.
For more information call 646-2390.

Mt. Pisgah
What a wonderful way to start the weekend. Saturday, Mt. Pisgah hosted the UMW’s District Day Apart.
This was where United Methodist Women from all over the district met for a day of food, fellowship and a time to pay tribute to those United Methodist Women who have gone to be with the Lord in 2010. The Rev. June Jernigan gave a lovely talk on moving toward the future and learning to recognize God’s guidance.
Sunday morning, Brother Glenn Walker gave the message of hope when we are in the valley. The choir sang “Gloryland” as their special.
The evening service was a continuation of the morning service with a chance for the congregation to give their input and insights to Ezekiel 37.
Our church family is getting ready for our special “Sunrise Service” to be held on April 24 at 6 a.m. We will be doing a live reenactment of Luke 23 and 24. We would like everyone to come be a part of our Resurrection Sunday.
Congratulations to Anna Wilson for being picked to join the Juniorette Club. Only 10 girls out of the whole freshman class were invited to join.
Mt. Pisgah now has men’s and women’s softball teams, and the season is starting very soon. We hope to see everyone at these events.
For information on these or other events at Mt. Pisgah, contact Teresa Walker at (334) 349-5725 or visit our website at gbgm-umc.org/mountpisgahumc.

Mars Hill Baptist Church
Another beautiful day to serve the Lord in praise.
The choir gave us “What a Day That Will Be.” Have you ever given thought to your first day in heaven? Truly, what a day that will be!
There was altar prayer for several in the church — sick babies, cancer patients and automobile accident victims. There is so many needs for prayer. Perhaps you think there is not much you can do but we can all pray.
Please remember these that have such a desperate need.
Our sermon came from Acts 3, and we were given the message that two can do a lot if both love the Lord. We need to band together; if we each would do some little something each day, just think how big the week could be.
On April 17 our Brotherhood will have their breakfast at 8:30 a.m. to discuss their projects for the summer. Also on April 17 at 5 p.m. we will have an Easter Egg/Scavenger Hunt for the children. An ice cream supper will follow.
On April 21 at 6:30 p.m., the WMU will be going to Cracker Barrel for the evening meal. All ladies are invited. Please let them know by the17th if you plan to go with them. Also, continue to pray for our Vacation Bible School.
If you do not have a church home, we invite you to visit us at Mars Hill where the Bible is preached and taught.
Do you pray for your church each day?

Walnut Creek United Methodist Church
What an exciting experience, worshiping in a church building that was more than 100 years old! Our church family met to worship at the Confederate Memorial Park in Marbury, and what a time it was as we filled the little church and the beautiful sounds of worship of words and music.
We all had stories of bloodlines about this place. I was touched by the fact of all probability that my grandmother worshiped in this building in its original location. As I was sharing this with my friend Danny Eiland, he reminded me that his grandfather was the last Commandant of this Post!
Joan McGriff had the old piano ringing out the old songs and some new ones. This got us started on the one that has us all singing all months, “I Just Feel Like Something Good is About to Happen.” Following was a welcome and greeting time and the hymns “I’m In This Church” and “Lord Be Glorified.”
In his invocation, Bro Tony said, “As we worship in this beautiful park, we must be reminded, we will glorify our Lord in our home and in our life.”
As the children were divided, smaller ones went with Diane outside and the slightly older ones blessed us with some fun songs, “I’m Gonna Bless the Name of the Lord,” “Hallelujah, Praise Ye the Lord” and “Do Lord.”
Special music was “Can He, Could He, Would He” by the choir and Duane Jones.
Sharing joys and concerns:
Bro. Ray blessed us all with his presence. Pray for him as he had neck surgery. Sorry Myrtice didn’t quite feel up to being out. It was great to see our friend Gene Gilliland back after extended surgery. Our friend and brother Bill Erkes, after recovering from recent heart surgery, now must have other serious operations; please pray for him and Peggy. Shirley and Sheila’s dad, William Heaps, is in need of prayer also. Lavada Attaway is still struggling and needs prayer, and so does Ruby. Remember Gail and her mother in your prayers.
Our offertory, of course, was “Amazing Grace” followed by special music “Mansion Over the Hilltop” by the Knickerbocker Quartet and “God’s Wonderful People.”
The message was entitled, “Sharing Together in the Life of the Church.”
With the word “sharing” as our theme for April, a gift that has ever lived or ever will live, God gave us the gift of his Son, who shared himself as he gave his life.
Paul said we must shine together and worship as a congregation together, otherwise we miss so much. We must pray, sharing together as we become more Christ-like. “Here I am, Lord, use me!”
Now, we continue our share time as we go outside to enjoy a beautiful day that we might share together. All the beautiful people of God’s church coming together as one. The sounds of laughter remind us how happy we are sharing God’s word. The beautiful children, it matters not their age; they are following somebody! The hillside was covered with “baby sounds.” Let’s not forget the “music” that they make! Of course, we meet, let’s eat — what some food; my favorite was the homemade ice cream! Three different kinds — tried them all!
Wednesday, April 13 is our Lenten lunch with Greg Nobles and Jennifer Baker from 12-1 p.m.
Our midweek fellowship meal is at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
Sunday, April 17 at 9 a.m. is our men’s breakfast FLC, and Tuesday, April 19 at 6:30 p.m. begins our Easter revival with Evangelist Rick Ousley.