Pastor’s message on redemption

Church attendance was down some on Sunday; sickness, death, traveling and reunions. Our prayers are with these hoping they will be where they can be back with us soon. We welcome the visitors we had Sunday and pray they received encouragement and a blessing while being with us. We hope they will feel welcome to come anytime and worship with us.
The beautiful flowers in the sanctuary Sunday were placed in memory of James Harper by his family. Special music was, “Redeemed” by the Whosoever Will Group and another special was by Pastor Ron, “God of All.”
Bro. Ron’s message, “Redemption,” Ephesians 1:7 and many other scriptures. In Christ we had redemption we were purchased out of the slave market of sin. We are redeemed from sin, bondage and curse of law, power of sin, power of the grave, all troubles, iniquity, present evil world, bought with a price, Jesus’ precious blood, being redeemed. We are provided with justification, forgiveness of sin, adoption into the family of God and purification. This redemption is precious, plenteous and eternal. The person of redemption is Jesus in Him we’re chosen, saved, sealed until the day of redemption. God can save you forever, we are of God, God is not of us. We have all this according to the riches of His grace, unmerited favor of God, His grace is limitless, grace is greater than any sin, and His grace is enough. This is an expression of His grace.
Sunday night at 6 p.m. a good attendance was present. Bro. Ron’s message, “Egypt” and other world situations, some scriptures used were II Peter 3: 10-18 and Isaiah 19. God still has plans for Egypt.
On Thursday morning, Sept. 13 our church family and community were saddened to learn of the death of James Harper. He was a wonderful friend and neighbor to everyone that knew him. He was a hard worker and would help anyone that he could as long as he was able. His health began to fail but he kept trying until cancer took hold of his body. He still fought a good fight but nothing seemed to work, nothing or no one could do anything so the Lord said, now is your time to come be with me then and only then his body was at ease. He will be missed by all that knew him.
Many family and friends gathered at A.E. Carter Funeral Home Saturday for the visitation of James Harper between 11a.m. and 1 p.m. The graveside service for him was held at Antioch Baptist Church cemetery Saturday at 1:30 p.m. A large attendance was present for this. Rev. Ron Swann, Rev., Hoyt Johnson and Rev. Clyde Carter officiated. Ronald Atkinson sang, “Life’s Railway to Heaven.”
After the service a meal was served for the family and friends at Brownwood Baptist Church where James was a member.
Our Christian sympathy goes out to his wife Peggy Harper and his son Tracey and all of the other family members during this time. Look to God for comfort, courage, hope, love and strength in the days to come. God will always be there day or night just trusts Him.
Sunday James Harold and Ellen Smith, John and Brenda McAdams, Jimmy and Robin James, Daniel and Melissa James attended the Davidson Reunion in Gainesville.
Among those visiting Peggy and James Harper during the week were Ronald Atkinson, Ron Swann, Margie Ward, James Harold and Ellen Smith and Joe Brown.
Next Saturday, Sept. 22, 11a.m. to 3 p.m. the Youth of Brownwood Baptist Church will be collecting canned food at Quality Lube across from Ingles for needy families. Thank you for your help.
The Morgan County Baptist Association Annual Fall meeting will be Sept. 27 at Beacon Heights Baptist Church beginning at 4 p.m.

Fear
Courage is fear that has said its prayers
Fear God and you will have nothing else to fear.
Fear makes man believe the worst.
Better to face danger once than to be always in fear.
Fear usually comes as the result of ignorance.
A good scare is worth more than advice.
There are 365 “fear not’s” in the Bible – one for each day.
Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the mastery of it.
The way to take the fear out of living is to put faith in the Lord.
If you are afraid of criticism, then you will never do anything.
The only way to conquer fear is to keep doing the right thing you fear to do.
Obstacles are those frightful thing we see when we take our eyes off our goal.
Pray for others!

Printed in the September 20, 2012 edition