On July 11th, twenty-six youth and adults from Mt. Zion Baptist Church and three from other churches journeyed to New Orleans, Louisiana, to help with the city's rebuilding effort through Operation NOAH Rebuild.

Operation NOAH Rebuild is coordinated through the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, the Louisiana Baptist Convention and various other Christian-based groups.

The group replaced floors and windows as well as completed other carpentry projects.

The group also hauled off trash and debris around a home that suffered significant damage due largely to the flooding that followed Hurricane Katrina.

Members of the group were: Mt. Zion's Youth Director, Shelly Davis, Pastor Jim Tate, Paul, Jana and Paige Allen, Mark, Keri and Taylor Andrews, Erin Cochran, Jimmy and Reba Mason, Suzette Helms, Clint Free, Tori Free, Chase and Shane Haws, Zach and Zeth Johnson, Kelly and Clint Kilcrease, Lance Myers, Chad and Steve Carpenter, Rachel Tatom, Windy Taylor, Lamar and Carolyn Folmar and Kent and Loretta Folmar.

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Pastor Jim Tate of Mt. Zion Baptist Church announces their summer revival which will begin Sunday morning, August 26, at the 11:00 a.m. worship service.

The Sunday night services will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Monday through Wednesday night services will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Pastor Tom Anderson of Mt. Gilead Baptist Church in Dothan, Ala., will be the guest speaker.

Everyone is welcome and given a special invitation to join them as they worship together during this special time of renewal.

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Residents of Lake Haven Assisted Living Facility were treated to fun and fellowship on August 13th when the Ladies of First Baptist Church hosted their monthly &#8220Tea at Lake Haven” with the theme, &#8220Back to School”.

Josephine Partridge, pianist, played hymn requests from the residents as well as the old favorite, &#8220School Days”. Roslyn Brown led the group singing.

Voncile Nichols and Josephine Partridge shared inspirational poems.

Betty Speed gave an entertaining presentation on &#8220Schools of Olden Time and Schools Today”.

Others assisting in serving refreshments and playing games included Betty Bray, Ann Taylor, Julia Davis and Jewel Hudson, director of &#8220Tea at Lake Haven”.

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First Baptist Church Ladies Prayer Group met August 14th in the home of Jewel Hudson.

Prayer lists were provided to each person and assignments made for specific ministry, as well as plans for future projects.

Betty Speed led in prayer.

After refreshments were served, everyone enjoyed games, fun and fellowship.

The First Baptist Ladies Prayer Group meets each Tuesday night at 6:30 in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Brown.

All ladies are encouraged to attend.

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First Baptist Church is busy preparing for their annual Homecoming Celebration September 30th.

This will be a great worship experience with special music and a covered dish lunch served after the morning worship.

Please mark your calendar NOW for this happy special occasion as First Baptist celebrates 118 years of building eternal relationships and still growing strong in their faith.

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First Baptist Church recently honored their youth minister, Cleve Mallory.

Cleve has completed his studies at Troy University and is leaving First Baptist to enter the seminary.

The church honored him with a reception and a gift.

At the reception, many expressed their love, admiration and best wishes to Cleve, who endeared himself to all by his sweet spirit and his ministry with the youth, as well as his willingness and his ability to lead the music, fill the pulpit and his wonderful weekly children's sermons.

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First Baptist Church children are enjoying a weekly children's sermon as well as &#8220Children's Church” where different church members plan and conduct a special program designed for children 6th grade and under.

An average of 25 children are in attendance each Sunday.

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First Baptist Church would like to welcome everyone to a luncheon they host on the last Sunday of each month at $5.00 a plate.

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After the regular Wednesday Night Prayer Service at First Baptist on August 15th, those in attendance were divided into 3 groups for the purpose of prayer specifically for all Crenshaw County schools.

One group went to Luverne High School, one group went to Crenshaw Christian Academy and one group remained at the church.

All 3 groups prayed for all personnel and students, asking for a safe and productive 2007-2008 school year for schools across the U. S. and for Crenshaw County schools.

A Bible study will be held at South Luverne Baptist Church on Monday nights at 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. beginning October 1 through November 6.

The teacher will be Nancy Petrey.

The cost is $15.00 which includes a workbook.

The registration deadline is September 5th.

Call 335-6700 for details.

Workbooks will be distributed and course fee is due Wednesday, September 26 at 6:00 p.m. at S.L.B.C.

This study will be &#8220The Root and Branches”, an introduction to the Jewish roots of Christianity.

This will be an area-wide study.

A birthday celebration was held Saturday evening, August 18th, to honor brother and sister, Jon Walker and Marilizabeth Arthur.

They both have August birthdays.

Jon is now 9 years old and Marilizabeth is 7 years old.

The celebration began around 5:00 p.m. when family members arrived at the home of their father, Britt and Angela Arthur, near Glenwood.

All the children enjoyed swimming before a cookout supper and all the trimmings were served.

Two large decorated round gingerbread cookies displaying their names were served along with homemade ice cream.

After the meal, the fun continued when the honorees opened their many birthday gifts.

This Week . . . God has a plan for you- A Light for every shadow.

A Plan for every tomorrow. A Key for every problem and A Balm for every sorrow.