Lime Springs United Methodist Church
Our Sunday School lesson focused on Revelation 9:1-11 and the Fifth of the Seven Trumpets of Revelation.
Bro. Shannon brought the morning message from Matthew 15:10-20 on that which defiles a man. He reminded us that what we eat does not determine our character. However, what comes from within the body can defile. Words that are unkind, lies, deception, slander, blasphemy and cursing are things that can cause our character to be stained. It is for that reason we need to be careful of what we say and think.
Bro. Shannon went on to encourage us to consider the old saying, “You are what you eat.” If this is true, then it makes sense to ingest things that are righteous before God.
Three things mentioned by scripture that we ought to eat include God’s holy word (Ezekiel 3:1-3), the Bread of Life (John 6:35) and the elements of Holy Communion (Matthew 26:26-29). These three holy foods will assure us of a pure heart, and that only words of blessings will come out of our mouth. As Matthew 5:8 says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
We closed our service by receiving Holy Communion.
Our evening Bible study focused on the question, “Can a man saved so sin as to fall from grace?”
Happy birthday to Dana Moore and Betty Brant.
Our service times are as follows: Sunday School at 9:30 a.m.; Sunday morning worship at 11; evening Bible study at 5:30; and Wednesday night prayer meeting at 6:30.
For more information concerning Lime Springs, please call 646-2399 or 755-4950.

Christ Independent Methodist Church
On this perfect Sabbath Day, our pastor, Dr. Mac Stinson, took his scripture from Luke 15:1-10. This scripture relates the parable of the lost sheep and the parable of the lost coin. This scripture has been preached on many times, but its message is still relative and fresh today.
Dr. Stinson titled his sermon “Lost and Found.” He then followed his text by telling us, “God is always looking for us. He loves all of us and cares for all of us.”
Aren’t these words comforting to know that there is one who loves us and cares for us despite what may be going on in our world and private lives to convince us otherwise? We always need to remember that God loved us enough to send his only Son to die for us while we were still sinners. God loved us when we were unlovable. If we take the two parables in today’s text and think of ourselves as the lost sheep and the lost coin, the lesson needs no further study. Its message is clear.
We invite special prayer for Dr. Stinson, his wife Glenda, his mother Mrs. Edmondson, Kelly Parker, Dwight Sammons, Randal Miller, Opal Miller, Wilma Ellison, Mable Mitchell, Elisha Dobbs, Marie Hayes, Bro. Mike Weldon, Maurine Deavers and the family of O.J. McGriff, who passed away Sept. 11. Mr. McGriff will be remembered for his years of service to his community and our county.
We ask traveling grace for church family members who will be flying in the line of duty this coming week.
Sunday, Sept. 19 is homecoming at CIMC. We urge all church family members to be present and help make welcome all our guests.
Holy Destiny will bless us with their musical gifts as our guests. This popular group will sing before and after lunch, which will be served in the fellowship hall at noon.
Our study of the book of Revelation continues on Wednesdays. Come join us
Have a blessed week.

Mt. Carmel No. 1
A blessing was received Sunday morning as we gathered in the house of the Lord to worship. We are so thankful for the good number that came to worship with our family of God. Grandparents Day was recognized, and all the grandparents were honored.
Come to God’s house and feast on the word of God. The title of Bro. Derrell’s message for Sunday morning was “Come and Dine,” taken from Luke 5:27-32. “How to Go to Church” was our message from Sunday night (Luke 18:9-14). There are Pharisees in the house of God, and there are publicans too. Let us come unto the house of God with love and forgiveness, that we might inherit eternal life.
Church leaders, if you are serious about doing your best for the Lord in this new church year, be sure and attend the Mega Training Conference on Sept. 23 at Jemison First Baptist Church from 7-8:30 p.m.
We are hearing great reports of blessings received from those who attended the 2010 Tablescapes this past weekend. We thank God for the people that will share their lives and give testimony of what God has done for them and their family. Thanks to Kandi Anderson for visiting with us, and our prayers are with you.
A baby shower will be Sunday at 2 p.m. for Erica Jones and her baby boy.
The beautiful flowers placed in the sanctuary on Sunday morning was a special thanks to Frances Higgins.
Prime-timers, we would like you to have a part in our get-together and get back on track with our monthly meetings. We are planning to begin on Saturday, Oct. 2. We will be talking more as the time draws near. Keep this date in mind.
It was good to have all our visitors with us Sunday. One of our service men was home for the weekend, Heath Scott. You are always welcome with us at Mt. Carmel.
Please pray for the church and all the sick and shut-ins on the prayer list. Our nation and the leaders need our prayers. God will hear and answer our prayers when we come together in prayer.

Mt. Springs Church
Praise God! Praise God! What a wonderful homecoming! As the song says, “Jesus is Alive and Well.” Canaanland blessed hearts and the altar filled with people, and his presence filled the church.
Bro. Tim Henry is the associate pastor of Victory Baptist Church in Childersburg. We thank him and his family for coming and bringing the message. His message was “Turning Hand Rolling into Smooth Sailing.” His text was taken from Jonah 1:1-13 and Matthew 12:38-41. Hard rolling in our lives can be caused from disobeying, rebellion, unconcern and going to sleep. God loves us, and he may use the heathen to bring Christians back to God. He also warns us when there will be things happening in our lives; we just have to listen. When we are in these situations, we need to start praying and seeking the heart and mind of God.
Don’t forget to be thankful for all things, even the bad things in our lives because it will turn out to our good. Submit yourself to God, and when he gives you a second chance, be sure and make it good.
Bro. Tim did a great job. After a wonderful lunch, the ladies did a great job as always. Mike Bowling called and Kenneth put him on the microphone, and he told everyone that he knew Canaanland would do a great job. They came back and sang and continued to bless hearts. The Johnson Family also sang “I’m Going Home With Jesus,” then Gary and Cody Hubbard took the stage with Canaanland. It was good seeing them all together.
We want to thank each of you that gave an offering to help Mike and Kellie Bowling and their family. They have no income coming in, and we are the instruments God can use in times like this. You helped make this one of our best homecomings. Thank you.
The Pumpkin Patch Revival is Sept. 19-24. Our night will be Thursday, Sept. 23. You are welcome each night of the revival; come and be blessed. Remember our morning services start at Mt. Springs at 9:45.

The Church of God’s Word
Nichole Edwards did a drama titled, “Can You Look Down on Me or Do You Have to Look Away?”
Bro. Ray Edwards opened with prayer.
Jesus is coming back after those that are looking for him. He will not be looking for a building but his Bride; those that are washed in his blood. Those that he sets free are free indeed.
When Jesus looks down at us, is he pleased or does he have to look away? Jesus told us that he was going away but he would leave us another comforter. No weapon formed against us will prosper. If God be for us, who can be against us?
Jesus said, “If you love me, take up your cross and follow me.” Tell people the truth about the word of God. We’ve got to become the word (Philippians 4:8-9).
We are not to judge anyone but tell them the truth in love. Reading the word of God is different than getting the knowledge of the word of God. Do you know that when Jesus appears in the eastern sky if you have an ought against anyone you will be left? Because the word tells us that we cannot love God, who we cannot see, and still hate our brother, who we can see. Anyone who claims otherwise is a liar and the truth is not in them.
Remember the Price family in prayer.
Remember our Bible studies on Tuesday nights, our student ministry on Thursday, and Saturday going out to get the word of God out.

Mount Bethel Baptist Church
“I will trust in the Lord. Let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1-2). What a wonderful world it would be if we only would trust in the Lord enough to lay aside the weight of the world, keeping our eyes on Jesus and trusting in him for everything.
It is so good to arrive at church and feel the love of fellow believers. You see, God’s people have a special bond. It is the love of Christ, and you can feel it in all phases of the service. It began with a song of praise followed by prayer. After our Sunday School director spoke, we went into our classes for Bible study.
The choir opened the morning worship hour with “Because He Lives,” and the choir special was “Gone.”
The Rev. Oneil Cleckler’s morning message was “What Kind of Christian Do You Think You Are?” (1 Corinthians 9:19-22). We know Paul was a great servant of God, but he thought himself so unworthy. Paul was a man who gave up a lot to gain more for God. He made the statement, “I made myself a servant unto all.” To the Jew he became as a Jew. To them without law, as without law. To the weak, he became weak. Paul did not compromise when it came to God’s word. He simply got on a level where they would understand. To the Jew, he was willing to follow some of their traditions and go among them. To them without law (Gentiles), Paul went among them, and if he thought anything would offend them, he simply wouldn’t do it. He did this in order to save some. Paul was a great example of a Christian. What kind of Christian do you think you are?
Bro. Cleckler’s evening message was from Revelation 7:9-17.
We want to wish a happy birthday to Tiffany Blow and Sammy Mathis.
We invite you to join us in worship and fellowship with our Lord. Sunday School is at 10 a.m., morning worship at 11, and the evening service will be in revival at the Pumpkin Patch at 6.

Walnut Creek United Methodist Church
It was great to see some new faces and a few visitors. By no means are they visitors, and we are surely glad to have Sara and Mark McPherson with us. They are indeed family, in fact they are daughter and son-in-law of our number one members, Myrtice and Ray Enfinger. Sara was featured on the organ assisting Joan McGriff.
Our call to worship was “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.”
After the invocation, Bro. Tony reminded us, “There is only one God and we come to worship God and our Father.”
During our time for children, Diane Handley gave the children an example of instruction and substitutes in a recipe. Then she reminded them that the Bible has the instructions for living and that there are no substitutes.
The hymn of celebration was “Nothing but the Blood.”
Prayer is requested for the family of O.J. McGriff, Russell and Joan, and Lavada Attaway.
Bro. Tony brought God’s message from the book of John 14: 20-22: “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”
Bro. Tony said, “There is no question that you will have problems, but if God be with you, who can be against you? It’s not how much a person knows the word — it’s the one that will keep the word. Having to have your own way is a big problem in our lives. He who wants to be the greatest must be willing to be last — the last thing Jesus did for His disciples was wash their feet! What we were taught in 1910 should be the same as 2010; it remains the same!
Remember Bro. Jim Popwell’s new men’s Bible class. You just can’t have a better teacher.
Next Sunday is Homecoming. There will be no Sunday School. Worship service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Special singers will be 4 By Grace from Prattville. Lunch will follow the service.

Jackson Chapel
Bro Gary Fant got the morning service started off with “There Is Power in the Blood” and “When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder.” Bro Dennis blessed us by singing, “That’s Just God Doing What He Does” and this was truly a blessing to everyone present.
Bro. Dennis’ text came from Acts 27:9-11 with a message entitled “Eternity Straight Ahead.”  This ship that we call Earth is going down by the stern just as fast as it can.  People can’t see how fast this is happening because they are only focusing on how much more they can get.  The people of the world want Christian people to believe that doing worldly things are OK, but we need to stand on what we know is right and that is the word of God.  We as Christians are going to miss out of some of the greatest blessings because we tend to focus on the luxuries of the world instead of Jesus Christ.  The service ended with several coming to pray.
Bro Gary Fant got the evening service started off with “The Glory Land Way,” “Where the Soul Never Dies” and “I’ll Fly Away.”  Bro Horace Wyatt blessed us with “My Real Home” and Bro Dennis, Wanda and Angel sang “I Am Redeemed” and “Right on Time.” As they were singing, people began to come pray and the Holy Spirit was truly present.  Bro Dennis’ text came from 2 Chronicles 5:11-14 — if we as Christians want God to move on in our lives, we have got to get out of the way and let God bless us the way he wants to.  God wants to bless us more then we could ever imagine but we have got to get our minds on Jesus Christ. He will do a work in us beyond what we ever thought.
Happy anniversary this week to Johnny and Marie Burnett and to Glenn and Gina Lynn Riley.
Please remember these as you pray this week — Ann Booker, Herschel and Marie Rhodes, James and Marie Johnson, the Burton Huff family, Earl Davenport, Peggy Castleberry, Gail Fant, Shirley Burnett, Nancy Martin Sisson, Millie Baker, Betty Smitherman, our lost loved ones and our service men and women.

Cedar Grove Methodist-Protestant Church
Our neighborhood lost two very sweet ladies this week, Mary Rasco and Buna Ward. Our sympathy to both families. Your loss is heaven’s gain.
Happy birthday to Gayla Popwell, Ann Baker, Angela Singleton and a very special happy birthday to Brother J.R. Lowery on Sept. 16. We hope he has a wonderful day. We love you Bro. J.R.
We welcome our visitors, and we are glad to have you and hope you will come again.
Thanks to Chris Cleckley for leading the songs in the absence of Brother Steve. Chris had a request to sing “Go Rest High On That Mountain,” and he did a wonderful job. Brother Steve and Sam had to sing at a homecoming.
Brother Jeff Carroll preached a good sermon from Luke 11:9-14 and John 4:6-14. The title was “ask.”
The evening service was awesome, and six were baptized. They were Jerry Horton, Jacob Popwell, James Popwell, Adam Hicks, Kane Belk and Brandi Wyatt.
The choir sang “I Am a Friend of God.”
Everyone gathered around 5-year-old Landon Horton for special prayer; he has been sick off and on for several weeks with several trips to the hospital and not much sleep. We are so thankful to report that God heard and answered that prayer Sunday night. Landon was eating, talking and feeling good just a short time afterward.
Our youth did an awesome drama portraying abuse, addiction, lust and suicide.
Brother Heath preached on “Conversion” text came from Psalm 19:7.
During the closing hymn, the altars filled. A soul that had strayed returned to the fold. There were tears, shouting and praising.
It was good to have Brother Clayton Thurman with us as well as our other visitors.
It was another wonderful day at Cedar Grove, with two saved Sunday morning, two fantastic sermons and six baptized that night. What an awesome God we serve.

Samaria Baptist Church
Our service began as Brother Floyd Collins led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.  Then we sang “God Bless America” in honor of our fallen Americans of 9/11 of 2001.  Lashelle Harris played “Surely the Presence of the Lord” and everyone received a blessing.  Our special music was Darrell Willis singing, “Get up in Jesus’ Name.”
Brother Charles’ message was entitled “To live is Christ” taken from Philippians 1:21-30.
The way people talk about us is not what is important, but rather what God our Father knows about us.  Paul said we must not let sin reign in our mortal bodies.  Some people have addictions such as drugs, alcohol, gambling, etc…we commit sins with our eyes, mouth, money and choices we make in these areas of our lives.  When Jesus enters, lives change.  A sweet, sweet spirit is reborn.  Selfish people tear down in order to have their way in things.  Our bodies must be presented to God for His use.  Life is summed up with many ups and downs.  Christ is the reason for us being.  God has a plan for our lives.  Paul counted gain in life as loss for the cause of Christ.
Self-evaluation is seeing ourselves in the reflection of the Word of God.  Paul was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.  Our job is to gather the lost and undone to the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Christians gain strength from each other.  Only let conversation be as is acceptable to Christ.  Unity among God’s people is necessary to build a strong family in Christ.  We must submit our own self will, and He will produce blessings from what we do in His Name. Jesus is coming back, so let’s be ready.
Sunday evening’s message was directed toward forgiveness, that we all need, and should all give to people who have offended us.  We must anchor ourselves in the power and stability of Christ if we are to prosper in our Christian walk of life.  A life foundation made on sand will not stand against crisis.  We need a steadiness to guide our lives, and keep it balanced.

Bethsalem Baptist Church
Our morning service began with ministry opportunities and welcome. The congregation sang many great songs, and a testimony was given by Carol Kelley.
The Celebration Choir sang “Just Tell Them When You Saw Me.”
Bro. Brad preached the morning message, “The Saddest Day in History,” from Matthew 7:15-23.
We were blessed again by the Pack children joining our church.
During the evening service, Bro. Brad’s message was on 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, “Freedom Isn’t Free.” We celebrated the Lord’s Supper.
Wednesday night is family supper at 6:30, followed by prayer meeting, choir practice and children’s and youth programs.
Pray for Hunter Moore, Diana Moore, Cathy Patton, Eva Jacks, William Jacks, Kacy Barrett, Tammy Littleton, Tonnia Spigner, Marie Smith, Thomas Jackson, Ellis Reese, Linnie Hathcock, Lula Spigner, Nancy Deavers, Jeff McQueen, Charles Bryant, Lera Price, Destiny Griffin, Eunice Mims, Emma Baker, Doris Reynolds, Ellie Grace Reese, Jay Mims, Glenda Mims, Hannah Vines, Ray Parrish, Pettus Smith, W.L. Broome, William Jacks, Travis Woodfin, Ludean Garrison, Larry and Brenda Dickerson and Paige Wright.
Happy birthday this week to Darlene Rice, Janice Gray, Brian Culp, Bridgett Wendell, Steve Yeargan, Zachary Wilson, Abby Wright, Ethan Wendall, Mason McCary, Garrett Chavers and Joseph Howell.
We welcome all visitors. Come and get connected with us in Sunday School and Life Tracks.

Floyd Baptist Church
What a glorious morning to be in the house of the Lord! Bro. Mike brought a message from Acts 7:51-60 on “Death Valley Strategies.” As we look at the death of Stephen, we can find things to help us weather the storms of our life, when we are facing tough times we need to do several things. We must beware of how we are living since some hardships are brought on by foolish decisions and sin. Beware of who is leading because if we are leading our life instead of following God, we usually end up in deep trouble. Lastly, beware of where we are looking because if we make this life most important, we will build treasures here instead of in heaven. We must also remember that when difficult times come, God is there with us and we have to place our trust, faith and hope in Him.
Sunday night Bro. Mike brought us a message asking “How Is Your Heart” from Acts 16: 13-26. First, we see a heart enslaved by sin as we look at the slave girl who was possessed by the spirit, but thank God that this heart became a heart that was exorcised by the Savior! The hearts of those using this young girl had greedy hearts, they didn’t care about the girl or her healing, they cared about the money they made from her — we must guard our hearts and be careful that we don’t become greedy, putting more “things” before people. We see an open heart in Lydia, a heart that desired the things of God and brought about salvation. Then we see a peaceful heart in Paul and Silas who, after being cast into prison while innocent, prayed and sang praises to God resulting in an earthquake but more importantly, the salvation of the jailor and his family. What kind of heart do we have? Jesus will give us clean hearts so that we can work for Him if we only invite Him in.
On Oct. 10 we will be having our fall festival at 3 p.m., so come and join us.
If you would like to learn more about our Angel Food Ministry and how you can save on your grocery bill, call us at 205-294-1577 for more information.
If you are looking for a God-loving, Bible-believing, Bible-teaching church where you will be loved, join us for Sunday School at 9:45 a.m., Discipleship Training at 5 p.m., worship at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Wednesday night Bible study and prayer at 7.