By Emily Agee

“Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thencewith good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot by men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:12-20.

Thought for the week: God’s blessings

Dear God, please bless our family, and keep us well and strong, guide all our many days as the time quickly passes on. God, thank you for your blessings, for hearing all our prayers. Most of all we thank you for always being there.

Announcements

Worship service at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Jemison began with praise service by the male chorus of songs, prayer and scripture. Songs sung were “A Charge to Keep I Have,” “I Pray We All Are Ready,” “Take the Lord With You” and “Our Father.” The scripture was read by Perry Nunn from Psalm 98 with prayer by Pastor Dukes and Willie Nunn. The morning message was given by Pastor Dukes with his theme “Down through the years the Lord has been good to me.” Look back and see what the Lord has done for you. Go back to when you were sick and he healed you. Your financial problems, he was there. This should bring some joy to you. What God did then, he can do it now. Accept the reality of old age. It’s a mental task to think young when you are old. Don’t let old age depress you; embrace it. Reflect back to how good God has been to you. Your age can change, but God never will. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Go back when life was not a struggle. You have seen enemies winning but continue to know God has been good to you. Confess Christ with your mouth and believe he was raised from the dead. You are saved. God kept you when you were doing wrong because he had a purpose for you.

Benediction and fellowship was by Pastor Dukes.

Our sympathy goes out to the family of Mrs. Eloise Cunningham in their time of bereavement. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 12, at noon at Shady Grove Baptist Church in Verbena. Agee Brothers Funeral Home directing.

On our sick list this week, we ask you to continue to remember in your prayers: Inell Mitchell, Sam and Vivian Hicks, Harold Frazier, Dorothy Sims, Lee Anna Worthey, Mary Ann and Joe Sexton, Evelyn Austin, Rena Dickerson and Roberta Lee. May God heal, strengthen and keep them in His care is our prayer.

—Emily Agee is a religion columnist for The Clanton Advertiser. Her column appears each Thursday.