Alabama Update December 2016 & January 2017

ALABAMA

UPDATE THE CHURCH OF GOD OF PROPHECY

DEC & JAN 2017

FASTING & PRAYING FOR THE NEW YEAR

False Teachings God’s Pioneer–A. J. Tomlinson (Continued from November Issue)

The Lord Shows Please notice he says “they are gone astray, following the way of Balaam.” What was the way of Balaam? Turn to the record and you will see that he would not go at first, even at the call of the king who had the highest authority, unless the Lord should speak unto him. The record shows that he had a conversation with God who said, “Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people.” So he told the princes, after he arose next morning, that “The Lord refuseth to give me leave to go with you.”

After this, Balak sent other princes more honorable than the first, Balaam had them to tarry overnight, “that I may know what the Lord will say to me more.” The record shows another conversation between this diviner and God and the Lord told him to go with the men. Notice that first God told him not to go, and now He tells him to go. The next thing we notice is that God’s anger was kindled against Balaam because he went. Then we read that the angel of the Lord told him to go with the men. So Balaam tried twice to curse Israel and finally said, “Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel.”

I have already shown that a diviner and an enchanter were an abomination to God, and Balaam, acknowledges in the above statement that he is both, and was doing his very best to divine and enchant against Israel. Peter says that people who despise and reject government are following the way of Balaam. The record shows that God told Balaam not to go, then the angel finally told him to go, and he went and tried to divine and enchant against Israel. All this time, according to the Word of God, he was an abomination in the sight of God! Yet he seemed to be especially careful for God to show him everything he did.

Now listen! I once knew a man who lived in Sweetwater, Tennessee. He clamed he was sanctified. He told me that the Lord told him he would have to quit using tobacco before He would sanctify him. He did quit it and was sanctified. Afterwards he said the Lord showed him to use tobacco and he could still retain his sanctification. This is one instance where a man was following in the way of Balaam. That is a good illustration of Balaam’s doctrine. Another case: A gentleman once said the Lord showed him that sanctification was an instantaneous experience obtained subsequent to justification. He claimed the experience and preached it that way a number of years. When the “Finished Work” doctrine came before him, he claimed the Lord showed him that justification and sanctification came at the same time.

The Balaam doctrine emphasizes such expressions as “the Lord shows,” and “the Spirit directs,” and yet the showing is one thing one time and an opposite or contrary thing at another time, and shows the lack of stability just like Peter says, and rejects and despises government. At the same time those affected by it seem to be the most loving people you ever saw. Peter says further of them, “These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest....For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error” (2 Peter 2:17, 18). This shows they have influence over others until they allure them away from the true path. They promise them liberty and tell them it is wrong to recognize government and that the Holy Ghost should lead them and no one should have the oversight or preeminence over another.

And “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption” (2 Peter 2:19).

You will please notice that when Balaam had tried in vain to curse Israel twice that is the third attempt he instructed Balak to build the seven altars and offer the seven bullocks and seven rams, but “When Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments,” but pronounced a blessing on them and acknowledge they were God’s peculiar people.

When Philip went down to Samaria and preached Christ unto them, Simon, the sorcerer, believed, and fell right

in with Philip and acknowledged that he was a man of God. This man went so far as to be baptized by Philip, thereby lending his influence in favor of God’s work and people. But when Peter and John went down there they discovered that his heart was not right in the sight of God. Before this he had been looked upon by all as “the great power of God.” Although his heart was not right, he could point out God’s people. Balaam’s heart was not right, but he could point out God’s people.

See another instance, Acts 16:16: “And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying. The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, “These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.” This woman was both a soothsayer and a diviner, like Balaam, and she could point out those men of God and seemed to take a delight in following with them and saying they were men of God until Paul became grieved and commanded the spirit to come out of her. “And he came out the same hour.”

For fear some may misunderstand our meaning and think we are objecting to divine guidance, or being led by the Spirit, because of some expressions in this article, I wish to state that I am in full harmony with divine guidance, and those who know me well know I teach that the Holy Ghost is our guide and His promptings and leadings should be obeyed. I am only showing how the Balaam doctrine will cause people to so nearly imitate the genuine in their expressions and actions that it can scarcely be detected. Some have expressed it as their opinion that Balaam was a good man and a real prophet of God because the record shows how he consulted with God in everything before he acted, and it has been only with difficulty that we have convinced them that he was a bad man, a deceiver and false prophet. Those who believe Balaam was good because he recognized God in his dealings with Balak would be an easy prey to those in possession and under the influence of the Balaam doctrine today.

I could name a number of people who have evidently been under this influence. Their fruits have shown it plainly. Some have been right among us and to all appearance the best and most spiritual people in the services. Some of these have confessed to me that, “the Lord showed them” to do certain things that the Bible condemns.

This is another proof of our need of the gifts of the Spirit—wisdom, discernment, etc., that we may be better equipped for the war that is raging at this present time. Beloved, we must move up and meet the conditions, and receive the gifts, or meet with disappointment and defeat.

Zimri’s Address In continuing this subject, I wish to call attention to the address delivered by Zimri to Moses and the congregation in defiance of government and the God-given laws to Israel, while he was under the influence of the damnable Balaam doctrine just before his death. I give it in full as recorded by Josephus, the Jewish historian: “But Zimri arose up....and said, ‘Yes, indeed Moses, thou art at liberty to make use of such laws as thou art so fond of, and hast, by accustoming thyself to them made them firm; otherwise, if things had not been thus, thou hadst often been punished before now, and hadst known that the Hebrews are not easily put upon: but thou shalt not have me one of thy followers in thy tyrannical commands, for thou dost nothing else hitherto, but under pretense of laws, and of God, wickedly impose on us slavery, and gain dominion to thyself, while thou deprivest us of the sweetness of life, which consists in action according to our own wills, and is the right of free men, and of those that have no lord over them. Nay, indeed, this man Moses is harder upon the Hebrews than were the Egyptians themselves as pretending to punish, according to his laws, everyone’s acting what is most disagreeable to himself; but thou thyself better deservest to suffer punishment, who presumest to abolish what everyone acknowledges to be good for him, and aimest to make thy single opinion to have more force than that of all the rest: and what I now do, and think to be right, I shall not hereafter deny to be according to my own sentiments. I have married, as thou sayest rightly, a strange woman, and thou hearest what I do from myself as from one that is free; for truly I did not intend to conceal myself. I also own that I sacrificed to those gods to whom you do not think it fit to sacrifice, and I think it right to come at truth by inquiring of many people, not liking to live under tyranny, to suffer the whole hope of my life to depend upon one man; nor shall any one find cause to rejoice who declares himself to have more authority over my actions than myself.”

Surely the readers will see in this speech a masterpiece of boldness and contemptuous disregard to government.

This is none other than anarchy. This man was one of the princes of Israel, the head of the tribe of Simeon—one who

would be expected to be loyal to his government for the sake of his high position if for nothing else. In this speech he reproached his own fathers, the man Moses who God had chosen to govern Israel and execute His laws, and the God of his fathers and His laws, and scornfully and disdainfully declared himself an anarchist. This prince of Israel never would have been guilty of this baneful disregard for government and his God, had he not been overpowered by the accursed Balaam doctrine.

I wish to call attention to the close resemblance of this man’s speech and the eighth verse of Jude. “Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.”

Jude informs us that at the very time when God’s people should earnestly contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints “there are certain men crept in unawares,” and these are the same people he calls filthy dreamers that defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities (just like Zimnri did), and proceeds to show in the eleventh verse that “they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam.” This shows that the Balaam doctrine will prevail in a measure and come right in amongst God’s people who are earnestly contending for the faith. If contending for the faith refers to us at this time, then we may expect that the Balaam doctrine will be exerting its baneful influence in our midst. In verse twelve, Jude further states that those holding to the Balaam doctrine will be spots in the feasts of charity that God’s people are enjoying, and that they will take part in the service just like they were God’s children and enjoy it as they feed themselves without fear.

If one who is acting for God in some high position is accused of trying to gain dominion over others, though he is only doing his duty; and such accusers declare they do not expect to have a “boss” over them and reject God’s order and organization, they can well be classed with those influenced by the Balaam doctrine. Jude says such “separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit” (Jude 19).

Many of those we call our own people are taking up the theory of Zimri, which was inspired by the Balaam doctrine, and are going to hear some of the many different teachings that are making the rounds. They say they like to hear all sides and learn what others teach. This certainly shows rather an unsettled and dissatisfied condition, and that they are not content with God’s laws and government.

The Balaam doctrine allured Zimri and got him so fastened in its coil until he was unable to throw it off so it led him to his death. Peter and Jude both declare that those who follow Balaam’s doctrine will be led to their own destruction. “But these, as natural brute beasts...speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption” (2 Peter 2:12). “Woe unto them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perish in the gainsaying of Core” (Jude 11).

Last Days In the glowing light that God’s Word throws upon the Balaam doctrine, the close resemblance it has to the real truth and the fascination effect it has upon its adherents, I tremble for the future of some people I know. Some came to us a few years ago and claimed the Lord showed them that we were right and wanted to enlist with us in the battle. They took the obligation and were enthusiastic and worked earnestly for awhile, but later claimed they changed their views and did not believe this was the true Church of God and separated themselves from us. Doesn’t this look about like the effect the Balaam doctrine had upon Zimri? John tells us: “whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us; but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us” (1 John 2:18, 19).

While some, like Zimri, have evidently been caught in the fascinating coils of the doctrine of Balaam and joined the anarchists and “do as I please” and “according to my own will” solitude, others are seeing the glorious light of the Church of God, and scores and hundreds are casting away their preconceived notions and traditions and opinions and self-wills and coming “to their own company” (Acts 4:23) amid songs and triumphant shouts of victory with everlasting joy upon their heads and obtaining joy and gladness (Isaiah 51:11).

Alexander City: The church honored our pastor and his fa m ily w ith g ifts and offerings several Sundays.

W e had a fall festival and it was a success. A wonderful Thanksgiving lunch was enjoyed by all on the third Sunday of November.

Members gathered on a Sunday night at the first of December to decorate the church for Christmas.

Afterwards, everyone was treated to refreshments in the fellowship hall. On the 18 th, the children presented a Christmas program about the birth of Jesus. They did an outsta nd in g jo b .

We sincerely appreciate Brother and Sister Browder and Siva for all of their hard work to make this happen. After the program, the church presented a love offering to the Browders for Christmas.

After everyone exchanged gifts, we all went to the fellowship hall for more food and fellowship.

Altoona: W e Celebrated Pastor Appreciation Day and gave our pastor a new suit and his wife was given a love offering. Diane Patterson had a special service which included how the children, teens and other members felt about our pastor and wife.

Everyone enjoyed the day.

Alton-Connecting Pointe: New members in N o ve m b e r , T ab ith a B ro c k m a n a n d December, Randy Penton Anniston-Praise and W orship: Thank God for a soul being saved and baptized.

Carbon Hill: Thankful to report two new members, M ichael Poole and Emily Ledbetter.

Chickasaw: W e had a wonderful Pastor Appreciation. W e love Brother Ernest and Sister Vicki. Each service a different person brought them a gift or two. The last Sunday we enjoyed lunch and that night, deserts. W e met at a M exican restaurant and enjoyed our pastor and wife’s birthdays and anniversary.

W e also enjoyed the Thanksgiving dinner at the Bayou La Batre church. God is always good to us.

Citronelle: W e had one that was baptized.

Green Pond: This month has been full of God’s blessings. Pastor Noe and Sister Nita were honored for Pastor Appreciation with various gifts. They are truly a blessing to our church. Associate Pastor, Ervine Vining,

was honored and presented with gifts of love and appreciation. Regina Vick was the speaker at our ladies’ day. “Dust To Crown” was the theme and God was in our midst. Several of our men enjoyed the outstanding preaching at men’s retreat. Fall Festival was great with a huge crowd. Food was given away and live music and children’s inflatables were enjoyed. A singing was enjoyed at the end of the month. W e enjoyed an outstanding Thanksgiving lunch with families sharing the goodness of God’s blessings. Veterans were given a tribute with each veteran in attendance given honor. W e are thankful for those that serve. Freedom is not free.

As 2016 came to an end, we reflect on the things God has blessed us with. Christmas was enjoyed with a program and attendees were given bags of fruit and candy. Our pastor and wife were presented with a monetary gift and of course Santa delighted the children with his appearance. Our church helped two families, and six children have a wonderful Christmas. Blankets and backpacks were given to help witness and minister to the homeless. Charlene Smith hosted the women with food, games, fellowship and gifts for Christmas. The children and youth enjoyed a movie and pizza. Our Seniors enjoyed a trip to Top O’The River and ended by viewing the lights at Noccalula Falls.

Hackleburg: W e are still rejoicing over the opportunity we had to host our biggest annual outreach event, Fall Festival. Pastor Sandy our Children’s Pastor and Pastor Brannon our Youth Pastor, did an amazing job coordinating this amazing event that has

becom e a community tradition. W e had a “Pep Rally” prior to the event.

More than 500 people came with most children.

This year our leadership took this event to a new level. W e partnered with our grocery store and polic e d e p a rtm ent to provide trick or treat bags free for the children, with logos from the contributors.

W e also invested more into the larger inflatables so the event would be more outreach friendly. W e had three businesses to sponsor us with gift certificates and giveaways, plus, we were given free radio advertisement. W e also had a new covenant member added, Tabitha Jones, in November.

Haleyville-Pathway: W hat a blessing at church! Someone we had prayed for a long time came to church and gave their heart to the Lord! Praise the Lord for answered prayers and for another name written down in the lambs book of life! There was a sweet spirit in the house, I think we cried most of the morning. During the message Sunday night, many were filled with the Holy Ghost and the alter was full with several praying and receiving their needs. W e had a great fall festival with food and fun. Thank God for a super group of kids and adults.

Everyone worked together to make it a really great day. W e are happy to report Kathy W aldrup as our newest member.

Harris Chapel: W e enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving meal together in the fellowship hall. Brother Francis Proctor blessed us with a song and message. A good time enjoyed by all.

Leesburg: Our annual fall festival was held with 200 in attendance. W e had three age groups that rotated with classtime, games and refreshments. There were several parents that came and participated with their children. Everyone received goody bags.

W e also participated in a local Trunk or Treat. Our Youth Director, Daniel St. Clair was invited to speak at one of the area high schools. Our Pastor and wife attended the Pastor Conference in Akron, Ohio. Our building project for a new multipurpose building is in full swing. Carpenters for Christ came for three days in October and helped with the inside work. Over $1300 was

raised for giving out Thanksgiving dinners to our community.

Pinson Valley: Thank God for a new member, Diane Odom, that joined December 4 th 2016.

Red Bay: Thank God big things can come in small packages. W e began boosting our October Mission Drive back in August after returning from the General Assembly. W e was sharing the reports that Sister Cathy Creasy gave concerning our orphanages in different regions of the world, when one of our young boys stood and immediately pledge $100.00 for October Missions. He stated that he and his sister wanted to do this to help people learn about Christ. In turn the rest of our small children’s church consisting of 5 members and with the leadership of Sister Amy Rhodes, they raised a total of $715.00 for October Missions. W e are so proud of our children and youth for having a burden for the lost. W e pray they never lose that love for souls. Red Bay church may be small in number but God is still alive and well in our hearts. Thank God for a total of over $1,100.00 for October W orld Missions.

W e hope to do so much more to share the Gospel in the coming months because we realize there isn’t much more time to finish the work. So proud of our church— Pastors Gerome and Sarah Key. Sheffield-Cliff Haven: W e had a revival with Georgia Overseer, Billy Adams with 5 saved, 5 sanctified, 6 receiving the Holy Ghost and 4 being baptized.

Short Creek: W e began the Pastor Appreciation Month celebrating our pastor and wife’s 55th Anniversary with a reception with cake, punch and gifts. Third Sunday was “Peach Tea Sunday” ( pastor’s favorite drink) and Fourth Sunday was “Snack Sunday”.

Everyone brought snacks for them. Fifth Sunday was “Sock-It-To-The Pastor and W ife Sunday”. Everyone brought socks for the pastor and socks and hoses for Sister Pat. W e sent them on a ten day vacation to the mountains, thanks to Mia W ilson and her husband. The month ended with a “Homecoming” celebrating 78 years.

W e were privileged to welcome two sisters, Candi Carlisle and Kim Rivera, as covenant members into the church.

Tarrant: W e begin the month attending the Pinson revival. Tarrant had 2 baptized and Bonnie Smith was united with the church in covenant. W e celebrated our Associate Pastor and his wife’s birthday with an offering and participated in the Birmingham District meeting with Brother and Sister

Jones and a great attendance from our 4 churches. Our church fed the Presbyterian Manor Seniors with a spaghetti dinner and sung afterwards. Our Associate Pastor and wife were honored with a singing, dinner and given a love offering. W e joined in the Tarrant’s Annual Fall Festival and gave out Bible tracts, flyers and candy. Halloween night was trunk a treat. David Lee (2015 Ultimate Elvis) gave an outstanding concert following a spaghetti supper to help us raise money for a trip to Fields of the W ood. W e prepared a Thanksgiving lunch for the elderly at Presbyterian Manor. Several attended the Community Thanksgiving Service which gives to “Toys for Tarrant” so no child is left out for Christmas. Our “Helping Hands” went to Brother and Sister W ideman’s home to rake their leaves and Sister Shirley Galbreath prepared a big meal for them to eat on for days.

The Birmingham District came to Connecting Pointe to enjoyed a day with Santa Claus and we participated in the City Parade. Our ladies got together for a W hite Elephant Christmas Party and we had an awesome Christmas program.

W e carried the Children’s Church to the Galleria for their Christmas outing and ended the month with a Candle Light Service.

Trinity: Our fall festival was an amazing event for the city of Moody. Over 150 attendees enjoyed the food and games. The Children’s Church and Youth Departments built a float and it was in the Leeds and Moody Christmas Parades. They gave two #3 washtubs full of candy to the crowd.

The float was a ginger bread house.

Tips For Abundant Life Carolyn Guyton

December 2016 Remember when you were young, how Christmas was all about getting gifts?

W hen we are older it becomes more about giving gifts and the satisfaction and excitement that brings. W hy not return to childhood thinking this year and focus on receiving? That sounds a big selfish, doesn’t it? After all, we all know it is better to give than to receive. That is the very reason that we often find it difficult to graciously receive gifts from others, including our Heavenly Father.

Let’s choose to actively accept the gifts our Heavenly Father gives us this year. Those gifts include . . .

Joy. W e sing about the Joy Jesus brought to the world and although it is always available to us, we tend to express it more during the Christmas season. Even in the face of added stress of shopping, cooking and preparing for parties and programs, choose to accept the wonderful gift of Joy this year. It is a choice, you know.

Love. Both God’s and that of our family and friends. Sharing love is such a great part of the Christmas season! Even total strangers show extra care during this beautiful season.

W e are given additional time that is designated for being with family and friends.

W hat an awesome blessing! Be sure to accept that gift this year. The greatest love of all is that Jesus was born and lived on the earth and then died for us. W e feel that especially close during Christmas. That is the true reason for the season.

Peace. This may be the most challenging gift to truly receive, especially during this season.

Don’t we just tend to worry about everything? W ill the Christmas Program be effective this year? How will the attendance be? Christmas is on Sunday this time; how do we handle that? So much cooking, wrapping presents that we hope our loved ones will like, volunteering and making time to do those traditions that bring us so many lasting memories. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27. It is a gift . . . receive.

Live your life of abundance this month by receiving the most valuable gifts of all.

January 2017....A fresh new year. W hat are you going to do with yours? W e know that new year resolutions don’t work. Even annual goals often become obsolete or are forgotten in a few months. So what is a person to do who really wants to achieve great things for God? W hy not divide your year into four?

The 12 Week Year by Brian Moran tells us just how to do that. Treat each week as a month and each 12 week period as a year.

Set specific goals within each 12 week year, and detailed tasks within each of those weeks. Concentrated effort on one particular area at a time brings much greater results.

And then, after a successful “year” of accomplishment, you get a full week break before starting the next “year.”

Tips.....Continued on next page

ANNOUNCEM ENTS

BIRTHS

Prayer Line with Dr. W essly

Decatur-Riverside: John Luke was born to his parents, John and Courtny Chesser, November 3, 2016.

Saturdays 9:00 - 10:00 AM Dial 712-432-1690

Hackleburg: Deacon Geoffrey Biggers was born to Brannon and W eslyn Biggers on December 10 th.

Access Code: 650786# Alton COGOP is interviewing for a Youth Pastor. “W e are looking for someone called by God to the Youth Ministry”.

Contact: Pastor, Daniel Stronge, Alton C hurc h, 2 3 0 5 O ld A lto n R o a d , Birmingham, AL 35210,

DEATHS Anniston-Praise & W orship: Pat Goodwin was called to go to her eternal home November 5 th, 2016.

,

Anniston-Praise & W orship: Teresa Dickson went to her final resting place October 9 th, 2016.

Pinson Valley: Seeking a Youth Minister, call 470-9591.

Bessemer-Hopewell Road: Steve Lindsey passed from this life November 28, 2016.

STATE W EB SITES

Tarrant: November 23rd , Darla W alker left this world for a better one.

2 0 5 - 2 3 3 - 0 0 blendedminstries@yahoo.com

1

3

Alabama Update Blog: W W W .alabamaupd ate.blogspot.com Alabama W eb Site: alcogop.org Y outh-T im Beck W eb : www.experiencehydrate.com www.hydrateministries.com AVAILABLE FOR REVIVALS Earlean Emerson, P O Box 1863, Hamilton, AL 35570. Telephone (205) 921-5637.

Brenda Kay Pate, P O Box 156 W oodstock, AL 35188; 205-388-1087 or 388-3129. Fill in for pastors also.

Steve Puckett, 471 Co Rd 275, Arley, Al, 35541, Home: 205-295-5117; cell 864385-0626.

SPEAKING AND SPECIAL PROGRAM S: Anita Falkner Parker, 3615 Moody Pkwy, Moody, AL 35004. Telephone (205) 640-6207.

Brenda Kay Pate, P O Box 156; W oodstock, AL, 35188; 205-388-1087 or 388-3129.

Sterrett: On November 24 th, Robert Howard was came to his final resting place.

Tips.........continued Here are the steps to get you started: Seek God and determine what you want to accomplish in 2017. Allow Him to help you make a comprehensive list and then review the list to decide which is the most timecritical task, or the one you feel God wants you to achieve first. That task is what you will focus on in the first “year.”

Now, make a list of all the things you need to do in order to accomplish that task in the next 12 weeks. Divide that list by 12. Set aside sufficient time during each of the 12 weeks to make sure you complete the week’s tasks. Repeat this process for each of the other three “years” in 2017.

You will be amazed at your progress if you stick with your plan and give consistent attention to the priority for each “year.”

Life will get in your way, but make up your mind before you even begin that you are going to do this!

Plan ahead for 2017 so you can live a year filled with God’s abundance.

M USICAL M INISTRY Breaking Chains, Elliot:251-454-8946, breakingchainsworship@yahoo.com

Carolyn Guyton, Speaker and Life Purpose Coach Subscribe to Live! mailing list at liveyourfullestlife.com and receive a free gift facebook.com/liveyourfullestlife; cguyton2@att.net

DECEM BER PASTORS/WIVES BIRTHDAYS James Caples Angela Fell Jeanette Hadley Gerome Key Connie Patterson Darlene Spears Laura Stronge ANNIVERSARIES Morris and Linda Bates Leland and Gail Lowery Shane and Tamera Pate Terry and Kathy Taylor JANUARY PASTORS/W IVES BIRTHDAYS Freda Archie T. J. Armstrong Linda Bates W anda Cleveland W ayne Craig Bettie Croyle Donna Howard Jackie Logan Gail Lowery Ronald Martin James Oliver Thomas Shepherd Elaine W ilkins ANNIVERSARIES Clifton and W ilda Pate Damon and Teresa Rose FUTURE EVENTS January 2017 21 NAG Presbyter Tim Coalter W oodland Hills, Bessemer 28 Children’s Ministry Training Sandy & Curt Knowles W oodland Hills, Bessemer March 16-19 Gordon-Conwell Masters Alabama— “Intro to Preaching” Camp Boothe April Launch of Pentecostal Theology May Camp Directors & Staff Training June Youth Camps July 20-23 Alabama State Convention Embassy Suite Hoover, Alabama September 27-29 North America Pastor’s Conference Chattanooga, TN Convention Center July 2018 18-22 100 th International Assembly Convention Center, Chatt, TN Pre-Assembly at Fields of Wood

October Statistics

2016

CHURCH

SM

TITHES

CHURCH

SM

Alexander City Aliceville Alton Connecting Pointe Altoona Anniston Praise Worship Bayou La Batre Bessemer Hopewell Rd Woodland Hills Boaz Boldo Brown’s Chapel Browntown Calera Harvest Chapel Carbon Hill Chickasaw Citronelle Clanton Collinsville Harvest Center Cordova Cottondale Cunningham Bridge Decatur Dothan Dry Valley East Lake Highlands Elba Elkmont Eoline Fayette-North Pointe Fort Payne Gadsden Living Waters Goodwater Joyful Praise Gordo Grant-Sanctuary Green Pond Grove Hill Hackleburg Haleyville Pathway Hamilton New Heights Happy Hill Harris Chapel Hartselle Hazel Green

26 No Report

3187.50

47 21

800.00 1764.20

47 8

7862.67 120.00

Huntsville Mastin Lake Bell Road Jasper Leesburg Lincoln Mentone Montgomery Moulton Munford Silver Run Odenville Parrish Pelham Pinson Parkway Poarch Red Bay Robertsdale Rock Cliff Sheffield Cliff Haven Short Creek Sterrett Summerbrook Tannehill Mission Tarrant City Trinity Worship Twilleytown West Blocton Winfield Family World Outreach

82 12 40 163 20 32 14 17 15 45 No Report 29 32 4 27 36 No Report 114 33 73 41 55 34 61 44 15 62 ---

78 90 7 30 No Report 34

8623.12 16999.88 999.20 1771.10 3916.20

72 105 20 17 11

--9542.84 2355.00 1930.00 3311.05

40 No Report No Report 19 46 8 15 41 6 No Report 30 83 11

4992.00

40

4433.60

15 48 22 61 5 139 60 No Report 80 45 8 No Report

1547.00 3470.00 895.56 2255.63 2614.30 400.00 4221.81 4274.00 625.07

--8698.00 --10160.06 749.00 26971.82 4843.28 10811.13 7418.46 ---

TITHES

8652.00 1256.00 4547.39 10270.40 1194.24 2070.31 1153.00 1836.80 1451.00 4549.78 4619.69 10814.50 --3230.00 2627.51 22303.00 3466.00 6648.11 3814.55 --2440.00 10385.94 3775.00 --4187.12

THE ABOVE STATISTICS WERE TAKEN FROM TREASURERS’ REPORTS RECEIVED IN STATE OFFICE AS OF NOV 2016

Reports from Previous Months September Aliceville Mastin Lake Odenville August Mastin Lake

10 82 48

2397.50 8327.40 3806.03

87

8327.40

November Statistics

2016

CHURCH

SM

TITHES

CHURCH

SM

TITHES

Alexander City Aliceville Alton Connecting Pointe Altoona Anniston Praise Worship Bayou La Batre Bessemer Hopewell Rd Woodland Hills Boaz Boldo Brown’s Chapel Browntown Calera Harvest Chapel Carbon Hill Chickasaw Citronelle Clanton Collinsville Harvest Center Cordova Cottondale Cunningham Bridge Decatur Dothan Dry Valley East Lake Highlands Elba Elkmont Eoline Fayette-North Pointe Fort Payne Gadsden Living Waters Goodwater Joyful Praise Gordo Grant-Sanctuary Greenpond Grove Hill Hackleburg Haleyville Pathway Hamilton New Heights Happy Hill Harris Chapel Hartselle Hazel Green

31 No Report

2330.00

53 24

2500.00 1524.00

46 12

5641.66 60.00

Huntsville Mastin Lake Bell Road Jasper Leesburg Lincoln Mentone Montgomery Moulton Munford Silver Run Odenville Parrish Pelham Pinson Parkway Poarch Red Bay Robertsdale Rock Cliff Sheffield Cliff Haven Short Creek Sterrett Summerbrook Tannehill Mission Tarrant City Trinity Worship Twilleytown West Blocton Winfield Family World Outreach

86 14 40 150 21 22 10 16 18 43 No Report 23 36 5 21 25 No Report 118 32 78 45 --37 58 46 30 62 ---

6985.50 1455.00 4671.73 7510.50 1051.50 2534.00 1543.00 1618.00 1135.00 4040.37

76 95 9 No Report No Report 30

9041.04 15116.87 903.20

3944.56

62 93 18 15 13

--8795.10 1835.00 1569.00 2677.00

40 58 90 16 39 7 15 42 No Report No Report 29 65 9

5088.00 ----880.00 3332.47 2429.44 2289.27 1968.00

40

6457.80

No Report 43 17 69 4 139 70 No Report 66 42 8 No Report

3206.50 1905.00 667.91

7048.50 --5689.47 510.00 19435.43 3645.57 10482.20 7774.29 ---

4199.18 2625.00 200.00 2970.90 1999.00 18858.00 2864.00 3876.60 4335.80 2457.04 8293.10 3282.00 --4410.30

THE ABOVE STATISTICS WERE TAKEN FROM TREASURERS’ REPORTS RECEIVED IN STATE OFFICE AS OF DEC 2016

Reports from Previous Months September Bell Road

16

1526.00

ALABAMA UPDATE Church of God of Prophecy P.O. Box 707 Bessemer, Alabama 35021-0707

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE A PAID Permit No.256 BESSEMER, AL ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Our Sympathy to our Ministers Families Charles Dailey January 1, 2017

Alton Friday Decem ber 3, 2016 Carol (A. L. ) Henderson’s brother

Collis Jones December 29, 2016 Former pastor and Randy (Cathy) Jones’ father

Pam King Novem ber 3, 2016 Deceased, form er pastor, Herbert Sm ith’s daughter

Hannah Linkous Novem ber 24, 2016 Deceased, form er General Appointee Malcom Linkous’ wife and Pastor Gary (Elaine) Linkous’ m other

T. C. Shook Novem ber 10, 2016 Deacon Michael ( Julie ) Shook’s father

Kathleen Williams January 10, 2017 Bishop Jam es Williams’ wife

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