By Emily Agee

“The spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to wind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. But ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves. For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them. For I the Lord love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them, and their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed.” (Isaiah 61:1–10)

Thought for the week: ‘My Lord and I’

“I have a friend so precious, so very dear to me. He loves me with much tender love, he loves so faithfully, I could not live apart from him, I love to feel him nigh; and so we dwell together, my Lord and I.

Sometimes I’m faint and weary; he knows that I am weak, and as he bids me lean on him his help I gladly seek; he leads me in the paths of light beneath a sunny sky, and so we walk together, my Lord and I. He knows how much I love him, he knows I love him well, but with what love he loveth me my tongue can never tell. It is an everlasting love in ever rich supply, and so we love each other, my Lord and I.

I have his yoke upon me, and easy ’tis to bear; in the burden which he carries and gladly take a share; for then it is my happiness to have him always nigh; we bear the yoke together, my Lord and I.”

Announcements

Worship service at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Jemison began with praise service by the choir with the following songs sung: “One More Time,” “Lord I want You to Move” and “Salvation in the Room.” The scripture was read by Perry Nunn with prayer by Pastor Dukes and Robert Callen. Pastor Dukes brought the morning message with his theme: “Nothing is going to be the same.” Behold, I will create a new heaven and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. Isaiah 65:17–18. Isaiah is addressing his people in exile assuring them God had a future for them. This aspect of his message was fulfilled when they returned to their homeland. Alter call and benediction were by Pastor Dukes.

Favored presents Chilton County Unity Fest 2013 featuring conference days Aug. 1 and 2 at 6 p.m. nightly. The concert will be Sunday, Aug. 4 at 3 p.m. at Morning Star Baptist Church, located on County Road 76 in Clanton, with the Rev. R.C. Nix and emcee Clifford Allen of Thomasville. A variety of artists will be featured, as well as Chilton County Youth and Young Adult Gospel Chorus.

On our sick list this week, we ask you to remember in your prayers: Harold Frazier, James Singleterry, Martha Binion, Sam and Vivian Hicks, Dorothy Sims, Mary Taylor and Lee Anna Worthey. 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.