PRAYER CALENDAR  

                  Please pray for these churches that are without a pastor.  Also pray for their Pastor Search Committee:

Plainview, Oak Grove (Munford) , Refuge, Stockdale, Tallasahatchie and Union Springs

                  Eddie Richmond, member of  Plainview Baptist Church, is in need of  a lung transplant at UAB.

                   Marty DeLee, of Sylacauga, who is suffering from Pancreatic cancer.

                  Dr. Randy Hagan as he begins his work as the Director of Missions Elect on August 4.

                  Rev. Dennis Elliott, pastor of Rocky Mount Baptist Church, who is recovering at home following a heart attack.

                  Andrew Bogdanowicz, 1-year-old grandson of  Rev. & Mrs. Danny Cotton of Shiloh Baptist Church, will

                  have cleft palate surgery  on August 11 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

                  A___________FROM LUTHER

TWO HILLS OF FREEDOM

                  During our trip to Israel we visited the historical site of Masada, (the Hebrew word for fortress).  This site is

                  situated atop an isolated rock cliff at the western end of the Judean Desert, overlooking the Dead Sea.  It is a place

                  of raw majestic beauty.  Josephus Flavius provides the only written source of the last defenders in that fortress.  It

                  occurred during the Great Jewish Rebellion against Rome in 66 A.D. Flavius managed to survive a suicide pact

                  between approximately 1000 Jews, led by Elezar ben Ya’ir, who decided to burn the fortress and end their own

                  lives, rather than be taken alive by the Roman Army.  Josephus writes that everything was burnt except the

                  stores, to let the Romans know that it was not hunger that led the defenders to the suicide pact.  Born out of that

                  courageous act is the phrase repeated often by the Jewish nation:  “Never more another Masada.” It is the

                  Israeli battle cry of freedom that is much similar to the phrase “Remember the Alamo.”   Freedom is an awesome

                  word.  Wars have been fought, debates have been fierce, and sacrifices have been great in the pursuit of freedom.

                 Yet in today’s context, freedom has come to be license. It is defended by such clichés as freedom of choice,

                 freedom to be myself, freedom to do as I please, and freedom to do anything as long as it doesn’t hurt someone

                 else.  Such freedom leads to slavery in drug addiction, aids, broken family relationships, destroyed dreams, and

                 even a greater slavery.  On another hill in Israel we visited a place called Gordon’s Calvary.  It is there many believe

                 that Jesus may have died.  There He freely gave Himself for us.  Jesus said of Himself, “If ye continue in my word,

                 then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” His death was not

                 for political freedom.  His death frees us from the penalty and power of sin.  Through life in Him we are freed from

                 worries and anxiety.  He liberates us from all kinds of fear, hopelessness, and the sense of having no purpose in

                 life.   “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36

                  News from our Churches

                  Friendship: Friendship Baptist Church is looking for a pianist. Anyone interested should call 256-245-2669. Rev.

                                     David Mann is the pastor of Friendship.

                  Mt. Olive: Mt. Olive Baptist Church is looking for a bivocational youth pastor. Resumes should be sent via email

                                     to mtolive01@bellsouth.net.

                  Oak Grove, Munford: Oak Grove Baptist Church will have Homecoming services on Sunday September 14.

                                    Worship begins at 10:30 A.M. followed by lunch at noon. Singing in the afternoon will feature the Vick

                                    Family. Rev. Trull Hill is the interim pastor.

                  Tallasahatchie, FBC: Tallasahatchie First Baptist Church has called Dr. Bill Dean to be their pastor. He

                                   retired  from Sylacauga FBC

Alabama WMU President

To speak at September Meetings

                   Alabama WMU President, Rosalie Hunt, will be the speaker for  the September meetings of the Coosa River

                  Associational WMU. The meetings will take place on Monday, September  15 at 6:30 P.M. at Pleasant Grove

                  Baptist Church and on Tuesday, September 16 at 10 A.M. at Childersburg, First Baptist Church . Rosalie grew up

                  in China as the daughter of missionaries. She and her husband have served as missionaries to Myanmar (formerly

                 Burma), South Asia, Australia, Philippines, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. She will speak on the topic of leaving a

                  missions legacy.  Coosa River Baptist Men will also meet at Pleasant Grove.

Stockdale Mini-Retreat

                  The women of Stockdale Baptist Church will hold their annual mini-retreat on Saturday, October 18, 2008 from 8

                  A.M. to 12 NOON. Mrs. Ann Casaday, former WMU Director for the Coosa River Association, will be the

                  speaker. There is no charge for the retreat and lunch will be served at the conclusion. Everyone is invited to attend

                . Mrs. Mary Faulkner is the WMU Director for Stockdale.

Executive Committee Meeting

                  The Executive Committee of the Coosa River Association will meet on Thursday, September 18 at the association

                   office. The committee carries out the business of the association during the year A meal will be served at 6:15

                  P.M. and the meeting will begin at 6:45 P.M. Please call the association office and let us know if you are coming.

Homecoming at Mt. Olive

                  Mt. Olive Baptist Church will have Homecoming Services on Sunday, September  21, 2008.  The day will begin

                  with coffee and doughnuts at 9:45  singing at 10, worship at 11 followed by dinner  on the grounds. Rev. Finley

                  Holbrook is the guest speaker and guest singers for the day will be Journey Land. All friends and former members

                  are invited to attend. Rev. Andy Mims is the pastor of Mt. Olive.

Grief Support Meetings

                  Lakeside Hospice offers grief support meetings on a monthly basis. The fourth  Monday of each month they meet

                  in the chapel at Citizens Hospital in Talladega.  The September  meeting will take place on September 22 at 12

                  NOON.  Bring your sack lunch! There is no charge to attend. Meeting are led by the staff of Lakeside Hospice.

                  For more information call 800-427-3993.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

September 14

                  Homecoming Service at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Munford begins at 10:30 A.M.

September 15

                  Women on Mission meeting at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church at 6:30 P.M. Rosalie Hunt is the speaker.

September 16

                  Women on Mission meeting at Childersburg, FBC at 10 A.M.     Rosalie Hunt is the speaker.                       

September 18

                   Executive Committee Meeting

September 26

                  Church Profiles are due

October 16

                  175th Annual Meeting at Shocco Springs

                    BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

                  Sept 10-Max Buttram, Oak Grove, FBC; Sara Spivey, Stemley

                  Sept 12-Mary Lou Adams, Stemley

                  Sept 13-Tammy Hickman, Calvary

                  Sept 14-Susan Grondin, Calvary

                 Sept 17-Terry Cardwell, Mountain View;  James McGaha, Childersburg, FBC; Michael Snyder, Eastaboga

                 Sept 18-Judy Percy, Five Points; Crysta Trull, Marble City

                 Sept 22-Freddie Green, Hepzibah