First Baptist Church of Lomax

Our pastor, the Rev. Harold M. Clements, and Sunday School director Gilbert Green invite you to join us for Sunday School at 10 a.m., Discipleship Training at 6 p.m. and Wednesday night Bible study at 6.

Come join us.

Christ Independent Methodist Church

Sunday was Gideon Sunday at CIMC, and our speaker was Truett Maddox, who gave an inspiring account of the worldwide work being carried on by Gideons International.

Gideons are celebrating 100 years of placing Bibles in hotels, motels, schools and other public buildings around the world. Their organization placed 288,000 Bibles in 188 foreign countries during the past year. Chilton County is one of the counties in our state that still allows the Gideons to place Bibles in our schools. Did you know this?

Gideons are diligent in presenting Bibles to our young men going into the military. There is a Women’s Auxiliary that supports the work done by the men by placing Bibles in nursing homes and other locations.

Our prayer list continues to be long. Please pray for our pastor, Dr. Mac Stinson, who had stents put in his heart last week; for Mable Mitchell, Raymond and Jean Carden, Horace and Mary Ann Carden (who came to church today after a weeklong illness), Stacy Adams (still recovering from his motorcycle accident), and any other names on our prayer list.

We ask traveling grace for members of our church family who will be on the road.

We welcome the visitors to our church Sunday night and invite them back.

If you were absent Sunday, you were missed. If you were present, we hope you received a blessing.

Have a blessed week.

Church of God’s Word

We started this beautiful Sunday morning off in prayer. We had a Spirit-filled day from beginning to end. The congregation sang several songs, and Marie Williams sang “Holy Ground.”

Ray Edwards brought the sermon from Luke 9:23: “And he said to them all, ‘If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’”

Prayer requests: our country, service men and women, Mary Jo Edwards, Rosco Littlefield, Morrison family, Mike Scoggins.

We want to thank everyone for coming to our singing. We will have our fellowship supper and movie April 11 at 5 p.m.

Mount Bethel Baptist Church

We opened our morning worship with a song of praise followed by prayer. Then we went into our classes for Bible study.

Rev. Cleckler’s morning message, “The Good Shepherd,” was taken from John 10:1-5, 27. Jesus used this parable to tell the Pharisees and Scribes what they were supposed to do. Sheep are defenseless against predators. It if the job of the shepherd to watch over the flock and protect them. A good shepherd always knows where his sheep are. They are entrusted to his care. There is only one way out and in the sheepfold, anyone trying to come in any other way is a thief. The sheep will only respond to the sound of their master. Jesus is our shepherd — he feeds us and protects us, and we should listen only to his voice. He knows who his sheep are and what they are doing and what they need.

For the evening service, Bro. Cleckler read scripture from Matthew 26:17-29.

Happy birthday to Shirley Ellison and Rebecca Bland. And we wish A.C. and Irene Luhrs a happy anniversary.

Visitors are invited to join us for worship and fellowship. Sunday School is at 10 a.m.; morning worship at 11; Discipleship Training at 5 p.m. and evening worship at 6.

Heritage Church of the Nazarene

Sunday, Bro. Gary exhorted the church with the message of the whole armor of God from Ephesians 6:10, reminding us that the battles we face are not with people but with Satan.

Sunday night was our fifth Sunday night singing followed by a time of fellowship. Thanks to all who participated. Next Sunday, April 5, from 2-4 there will be a baby shower in honor of Anabella Elaine Collins, the soon new arrival of Chris and Katie Collins.

Coming soon will be a lady’s Bible study taught by Anita Aldridge. She will be using literature by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs entitled, “Love and Respect.” Come learn with us how the respect given to the husband can generate the love wives so desperately long for. The date and time will be announced Sunday.

Mt. Carmel No. 1

Sunday morning the choir and congregation joined together in singing “Send a Great Revival,” and this is the prayer of each member as we prepare for our revival beginning April 5 at 5 p.m. with Bro. Tony Smitherman. Services will continue Monday through Wednesday at 7 p.m. nightly. We invite you to come worship with us during our revival.

Our message for Sunday morning was taken from John 9:1-41. Bro. Ricky’s title for his message was “One Thing I Know,” the key verse being verse 25, “Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not; one thing I know, whereas I was blind, now I see.” Be sure that you know you are saved.

Nursery workers for the week of revival are as follows: Sunday night, April 5, Missy Mandrell; Monday night, Sue Davenport; Tuesday night, Donna Childress; Wednesday night, Laura Liveoak. Thank you for doing your part in helping with the nursery.

A very enjoyable time was had and a spiritual uplifting in songs was the talk after our singing last Sunday night. We say thanks to the group God’s Mercy and the Jerry Russell family. May God bless you as you continue to lift him up in song and praise.

Remember to always pray for our schools this coming Sunday in the prayer walk. Always pray for us at Mt. Carmel, and we will be praying for you.

Providence Baptist Church No. 1

Today is Palm Sunday and begins Holy Week. Christians celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds greeted him with waving palm branches and cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” Immediately following this time of celebration in the ministry of Jesus, he began is journey to the cross.

Zachariah 9:9 fulfilled the prophecy of Jesus’ ride into Jerusalem on a colt. The last week of Jesus’ life was crammed with events. He preached, taught, has the Passover meal, stood trial, and was condemned to death. But that’s not the end of the story.

Many churches will have a special celebration on Easter Sunday. If you are looking for a church, Providence would like to invite you to come and share in the love of Jesus. Sunday services begin at 11 a.m.

Have a blessed Holy Week.

Mt. Carmel No. 2

Sis. Regena Carlin blessed us in song this morning by singing “Paid In Full.” Bro. Lynn Roe brought us a message on things God puts first.

What is first in your life? Work? Family? Sports? God? Matthew 6:33 states a promise God makes to us very clearly. If we first Seek God’s Kingdom, all the things of life we need will fall into place. What are some important things God says should be first in our lives?

Matthew 23:26 starts us out with a spring cleaning. We may be all polished and shined on the outside, but God requires us to first polish up the inside before we can be effective witnesses.

Matthew 7:5 tells us that before we can help others see clearly, we must first take the obstacles out of our eyes first. We cannot show others the right way if we have things blocking our view.

In Matthew 5:23 we find that we must make reconciling with others a priority in our lives. We cannot claim to love God but have hard feelings toward another.

We have Bible Study on Wednesday nights while the RA’s and GA’s meet at 7 p.m. Our children are having a donut sale Saturday, April 11 in Maplesville to raise money for Relay for Life. The adults are enjoying practicing for our Easter Drama. We are excited about what the Lord is doing for our church and invite everyone to join us.

Bethany Baptist Church

Fifty-two Weeks to a Better You: Our verse to memorize this week is Hebrews 4:16: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

We were glad to have visitors in our service Sunday morning. After the morning service had lunch in the fellowship hall.

Bro. Aubry’s message was from Genesis 15:1-6: “Abram’s (Abraham) Word From God”. When God speaks to you, through His Word, a message from a teacher or preacher, or His Spirit, listen to Him and obey. Your life will be forever changed. Abram may have seemed to be one insignificant person at that time, but God had a great plan for him. He told Abram to take his family and leave his homeland — Abram didn’t know where he was going, but he obeyed God. God chose Abram to be that one whose seed (the Jews) would be more than could be numbered and would be blessed; He believed in God and what He promised. And God counted it to him for righteousness (verse 6). The most amazing and important result of Abram’s obedience was that from his seed came the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.

Prayer List: Bonnie Burks, Lillian Burkhalter, Lela Mae Courtney, Amos Crawford, Mildred Crawford, Jean DeLoach, Ellen Gray, Ophelia Griffin, Paul Griffin, Rosalind Griffin, Doug Mims, Billie Neeley, James Robinson, Pastor and Mrs. Wallace.

See you Sunday!

Jackson Chapel

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

Bro Dennis’ text came from Philippians 3:1-8. The more we rejoice in the Lord the closer we get to God. When a storm comes we can overcome those storms because Jesus is right there with us. We should have Jesus first in our lives no matter what comes our way. The service ended with several coming to pray.

Sunday evening, Bro Dennis’ text came from 2 Corinthians 12:1-10. We as Christians need to be boasting about Jesus Christ instead of what we can do. We need to remember where God has brought us from to where we are today. We also need to always be in a position to where God can use us no matter what the circumstance. The service ended with several coming to pray.

Please remember these as you pray this week — Geraldine Smith, Leah Baker, Sabrina Lett, Rose and Daniel Moore, Herschel Rhodes, Jean Littleton, Bro Wayne Cleckler, Dorothy Littleton, Ronnie Chapman, Melba Adams, Shirley Burnett, Myrtle Cleckler, Todd Chambers, the Larry Sims family, our service men and women and our lost loved ones.

Happy birthday this week to Wayne Cleckler, Freddie Mayfield and Chace Varden.

We are located at 4020 Yellowleaf Road in Clanton. Our service times are as follows: Sunday School at 10, morning worship at 11, evening worship at 6, and Wednesday night prayer meeting and Bible study at 7.

Walnut Creek United Methodist Church

During children’s time Diane Handley spoke to the little ones about going to the doctor for a check up, then she told them that David had heart problems and that Jesus was his doctor.

Sharing joys and concerns: our youth still comes to the top. At the election last week for SGA officers, they elected our own, Taylor Hughes as president and Ben Handley as vice president. Crimsynn Tippett is again named to the Honor Guard CCHS Band. What a representation; you make us proud.

God’s message was brought to us from the 51st Psalm by Bro Tony. Reading from verse 5, he said, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” Some people believe that at some time God will come down and strike us on the head and say, “OK , now is the time for you to get yourself right.”

“Know this,” Bro Tony continued, “You were born in sin — at some time you will know, like the palmist said, you’ll know what’s right and what’s wrong — and at that time you will have lost your infancy — and at that time if something happens to you, you will forever be separated from all the godly people you have known, even your Creator!”

Lent is a time for stopping and knowing where you are going in life. You can be the reason for celebration in heaven, either because you are turning to Him or turning back to Him.

The beautiful flowers in the sanctuary were placed for the celebration of the birthdays of Roger, Virginia Rose and Cris. The beautiful altar flowers were in honor of the anniversary of Doris and Wayne Maddox.

There will be an Easter Egg Hunt for the children April 4 from 3-5 p.m. at the FLC.

Wednesday, April 1 is our next Lenten Lunch with speaker Greg Nobles and music by Patti Beam.

Be in prayer for those that are sick or need prayer.

Cedar Grove Methodist-Protestant Church

Bro. Jeff preached a good sermon entitled “Following Christ” from Mark 10:17-22. Chris Cleckley sang the song of invitation.

We have many on our prayer list, including the Connell Family in the loss of their loved one, Ricky, also the Thomas Connell family. He was the brother of Rosa Cleckler. Keep both families in your prayers, also all the sick and shut-ins.

We welcome our visitors for both services today, and we hope you will come again.

Happy birthday to Mason McGuire, Violet Porter, Jim Scott, Bro. Jeff Carroll, Jerry Hunter and Paula Castleberry.

Bro. Heath Vines preached a good message entitled “God Has Invited Us to Enter.” His text came from Matthew 7:13-14 and Hebrews 4:1-11. Several went to the altar for both services; God truly came by.

We have Spring Revival going on this week through Saturday night. This will be at the Blue Barn on County Road 29, and a different church will host each night. The service begins at 6 p.m. tonight.

There will be an Easter egg hunt at the old Cedar Grove church April 4 from 2-4 p.m.

Things are going well at Cedar Grove. Bro. Jeff said if things go as planned we will be back in the sanctuary by homecoming, the fourth Sunday in August.

If you are looking for a home church, come to Cedar Grove. We would love to have you.

We are having a special program Easter Sunday; it has been very secretive about what it is going to be, so come be with us.

For more details call 646-2390.

Rocky Mount United Methodist Church

Sunday was a glorious day at Rocky Mount! We were all so excited to be able to be in the house of the Lord on this beautiful, chilly, sunshiny spring morning.

Saturday was a work day at the church and so much was accomplished in making our building more beautiful and useful both inside and out. It is always good to do some “housekeeping” for the Lord. Many thanks to all who were able to pitch in.

There were also reasons to praise the Lord with extra praises as we learned of the birth of Madison Lynn, daughter of Josh and Melissa Higgins. Martha Newman is the proud great grandmother and Trip and Betty Janney are the proud grandparents. We were thrilled to have Paula Merrill and her family back in our midst.

Charlotte Powell filled the pulpit Sunday for Brother Willard. As usual, we were blessed with a wonderful message. Rocky Mount is blessed to have Charlotte. Her message came from Numbers 13 and from Joshua 14. We learned about Caleb and how he never lost his focus. He continued to have his attention to what God would have him do and in return he received great blessings. Caleb stayed faithful regardless of the trials he faced. The same is true for each of us. We are really only as good as our focus is. That sure ought to be a reason to try to stay on the correct paths!

Bethsalem Baptist Church

Bro. Brad preached from Luke 19:1-10 on the unlikable and the unnoticeable.

God called Shane and Rebecca Lovett to join our church, Shane by letter and Rebecca for baptism.

During the evening service we had family worship with a lot of singing and honoring of leaders.

Pray for Charles Bryant, Chris Arnold, Linnie Hathcock, Myra Burnett, Lawson Crawford, Margaret Price, Cooper Grasland, Sara Mims, W.L. Broome, Jerry Smith, Carol Gore, Brittney Gray, Jennifer Meadows, John and Tracy McPherson, Anna Wilson, Mitch Mitchell, Amber Smitherman, all our shut-ins and those facing cancer, Vickie Imbush, our nation, all families who lost loved ones this week. Also pray for a revival.

Happy birthday this week to Carol Kelly, Sharon Williams, Jeffrey Headley.

Next Sunday is Brotherhood Breakfast with Bro. Wendell Kelley as guest speaker at 7 a.m. Come worship with us on Sunday.

Oak Grove Church of God

Bro. Northcutt’s text was taken from John 20:19-25, and his message was entitled “Day of Victory.”

The death of Christ was a tragic event for His followers. He had repeatedly told them that He would be put to death but that He would rise again in three days. Even though they had been told this they really did not understand how He could as God’s son be put to death much less come back to life again in three days. His followers had gone to the tomb only to find it empty but only Mary had actually seen Him. Even when they saw His grave cloths lying inside the tomb with His body gone but the grave cloths undisturbed they had doubts that He was actually alive. Perhaps they were in fear that some might blame them with stealing His body to try to fool the world into believing that He was actually risen.

The world would have us living in fear of death with no hope for tomorrow to ever see our loved ones again or that we can ever be resurrected. Jesus rose again. Death is only a transition to eternal life. To those who receive Christ there is life. Easter Sunday is the “day of victory.”

We at Oak Grove are making preparations to build our new church and with God’s help it will be this year! We are a growing church and many exciting things are taking place with our children’s programs, our youth programs and our adult ministries as well.

We are easy to find. Leaving Clanton heading south on US 31 turn left at Peach Park and follow the signs.