Another one goes to be with the Lord

As everyone knows, Harold Sandlin has been in the hospital in Birmingham since just before Easter. He passed on July 30 in the wee hours of Thursday morning. Neal and Sondra and Harold's wife Eloise were with him during the night and said he went peacefully. Neal related that shortly before then, he suddenly raised slightly and opened his eyes wide and smiled really big as he was witnessing something amazing. We can only guess what he was privileged to see. Many have been at the bedside of a dying person who knows God and they tell of Angels in the room-I have no doubts about this as my own dad saw Jesus and 'the most beautiful angels all over the room'. We know if our eyes were opened, we would also behold that glimpse of Glory. We who have loved ones on the other side know we have more to look forward to when it is our turn to cross that river.

Thanks to everyone at WCFC who has called or visited or brought food during this time. The viewing is tonight, Friday at 6pm at Miles Funeral Home and the funeral will be Saturday at 11am.

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints". Praise God!! We do not have to fear, because of the lover of our souls, King Jesus.

Prayer Request

I received a prayer request from Sister Margee Henderson. She requested everyone to pray for her husband, as they received news today from the doctor, that he has colon cancer.

Upcoming Revival at Winfield City Family Church

Please be in prayer & inviting others to the upcoming Revival with Brother Nick McSpaddin & Sister Shirley McSpaddin, August 2 - August 5, 2009.

Visiting Ministers Sunday Night July 26

Sunday Night at 5:00 p.m. , We will have special guest Minister Leland Lowry & others from the Fayette Church of God of Prophecy Church. Everyone is welcome!!

Arrangements for Ms. Rosa

We may have lost a member of our church but Heaven is brighter today for her arrival in that City. Ms. Rosa Winn passed July 21, 2009 around 10:30 AM at the home of her daughter, Carol Barton. She had just turned 80 and we were honored to be able to celebrate her birthday, along with Travis Ray Carter on the same Sunday after morning services. The Lord uses people to point the Way to Him and we are blessed in the process. Ms. Rosa (as I have always called her) had made a request for a Memorial Fund to be given to Winfield City Family Church. Probably only a handful of folks knew about this, but how like her to think of others during her last days. If you were in church the day of her birthday, you may remember what she spoke about: On several occasions, she would be literally at death's door and yet, not go on to be with the Lord. She told of seeing her late husband, the love of her life, Vernon Winn, Sr. and they would be on opposite sides of a river. They would each walk the banks until they'd get to a bridge, where he told her, "no, it's not time for you to cross over quite yet, you still have a work to do on earth". Rosa said that she knows one day very soon, she WILL cross over to the other side, and she is ready to go to that wonderful land, Heaven. What a testimony!!!! If that doesn't give you a lift, I don't know what it would take. God's own Word tells us in Psalms 116:15, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." We know the Lord cannot lie, He honors His promises.

The funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, July 25th in Crocker, MO. The children are:

Carol (Rick) Barton of Haleyville
Billy Winn of Crocker, MO
Steve (Gwen) Winn of Glen Carbon, IL
Mike Winn of Glen Carbon, IL
Vernon (Pam) Winn, Jr. of Granite City, IL

Vernon Winn, Sr. passed away 12 years ago.

There are 10 grandchildren
18 great-grandchildren
3 great-great grandchildren

I want to thank the ladies of WCFC who helped with some food and supplies for the family during this time. If you'd like to donate or help in any way at all, please call me, Dianne @ 487-8802 or 468-0905 or see me at church. Anything you can do will be greatly appreciated by this dear family.

Please, continue to support Neal and Sondra Sandlin, and Harold's wife, Eloise, as they go to care for Harold. He needs our prayers as never before. Ask the Lord to give them strength and grace during this time. Harold has been in the hospital in Birmingham, since Easter. It's time for him to be coming home again, and well.

Prayer request

Brother Neal Sandlin has requested prayer for his father. Please pray for this URGENT need!!

God is Good

Sounds simple, doesn't it? He loves us, His children, and desires the best for us, sending His own Son to die a horrendous, cruel, and barbaric death-beaten and nailed to a cross. Jesus paid a debt we never could pay. Amazing Grace, Unending Love. We have heard it all our lives. We are precious to our Saviour and He tells us in the Word that Christ came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.

So, what do you do when it's you who is suffering? It is easy to question God when we are in the midst of life-altering pain and misery. Lord, where are You? Don't You hear our cries? Jesus, help!!! Do we have the right to grumble and complain when things fall apart? Perhaps it would be wise to take a look at what the Lord tells us about the trouble and heartaches that are an inevitable part of this earthly walk.

Pain and problems are part of our human experience. The Bible is full of Godly men and women who endured great hardships tho' they did nothing to deserve it. Does that mean we should be above all that? We have to stop and remember that whatever comes our way, God is still in control and has a plan for our lives. Did you ever stop to think that trouble actually drives the believer to his knees to seek a deeper understanding and comfort from his Heavenly Father. Often, we forget how much we need Him. Satan means for the evil to harm us, but God can take that very same evil and work it out for our good. What an awesome God we serve!!!

Another danger is that we can become a stumblingblock to someone else when we do not allow the Lord to lead us through trying times. Someone Wednesday night pointed out that it is estimated there are 22 people who are being influenced by your life. Someone is watching you each and every day. That is a sobering thought. We all fail, we are human beings, we know, of course, that we have an advocate with the Father through Jesus Christ where we may confess our sins and be forgiven, but how much better it would be to trust and obey and do all we can to honor the Lord.

Lord give us grace and wisdom to turn to You, the true source of strength and help in time of need.

State Convention Links

Join us for this year's Alabama State Convention

Metro Church Campus
2800 Metropolitan Way
Birmingham, Al 35243
Driving Directions Click HERE

For a Convention Service Schedule Click HERE

For a Youth Convention Service Schedule Click HERE

Sunday Celebration 7-12-2009

Here are a few picture of Sunday Morning Celebrations described by Sister Dianne below!

Birthday Celebration

What a wonderful day we had Sunday at our church. We were priviledged to share in celebrating the birthdays of Ms. Rosa and also Travis Ray Carter. These two dear people are so precious to our congregation. Ms. Rosa is 80 and Bro. Carter is 84. Her family came down from Missouri to help with the party and the daughters sang "Amazing Grace". What a beautiful thing to witness. Then she spoke for a couple of minutes. She told of being so near death many times and seeing her husband who passed on 12 years ago, and they would walk the sides of a river to come to a bridge. Yet she was told, "No, you can't cross, not yet. There is still more for you to do here on earth." She told us all, "Whatever you do, never, never ever give up on God, no matter what!!!"

I know I am so very blessed to know this precious saint. I know~I KNOW~the Lord allowed me to meet Ms. Rosa for a special reason. She has touched my life in such a sweet way and I am thankful and encouraged through her testimony.

The other birthday was for Travis Ray Carter, who is my step-dad, and has been just like a father to me for more than 25 years. Probably noone in this part of Alabama has not known him in some area. Travis has helped more people with insurance needs, and since he allowed me to work for him for a few years, I was able to see how he went over and above the call to assist folks in whatever way they had need of. Many people simply mentioned having trouble legally or with finances and he would sit down and either call or write a letter to just the right person and before long, the problem would be history.

God knew we would need each other in our earthly walk, and He knows how to bring people together at crucial times in our lives. We only need look around to see the Mighty Hand of God at work. Thank you, Lord, for our family and friends~what a treasure in earthen vessels.

Jammin' @ WCFC

Do you love music? Good music? No, I mean GREAT music? Great guitar picking? Wonderful singing? Eating? Fellowship? Learning who has talent you never knew? If so, you missed a real treat last Saturday night at church. We met at 5pm and went on till......

It was better than good, and hopefully, Bro. Smith will plan another one of these kind of events soon. There were a few visitors, at least they were new faces to me. I was told some of that talent came from Haleyville. Anytime these special folks want to come back will be a true blessing!

Bro. Ronnie brought the grill and cooked up some hotdogs, and since he had the 4-wheeler already on the trailer, he took the kids for a ride around back. Only a couple were a little bit shy but Zoe was all for going faster and FASTER!!!!

Sunday July 7, 2009 Independance Day Celebration

We were very thankful to enjoy a wonderful service Sunday with special speaker Brother Travis Ray Carter, a World War II Veteran. He spoke of the war & how he was honored to serve his country. This past week the journal record published an article about Brother Carter. God Bless Brother Carter!!

Above are a few pictures from Brother Carter's very own camera in 1943, while liberating a death camp in Germany.

Here's the link to the newspaper

http://www.myjrpaper.com/

Thanksgiving in July????

You have heard of Christmas in July, but why not Thanksgiving in July? We all have blessings around us daily and many times we fail to see what is right before our eyes. The goodness of the Lord is everywhere, all the time.

Give thanks for:

Sight~many have never seen the sky.
Family~what can you add to that?
Love~to love and be loved is one of God's greatest gifts~where do you begin?
Friends~to have one or two TRUE friends in a lifetime is a great accomplishment.
Talents~to be used and enjoyed!
Freedom~to come and go as you please.
The Holy Bible~and all it's riches. As Bro. Dewayne tells us, dive in and swim forever~
A vehicle~and to be able to get in and go whenever you wish~believe me, I can tell you how important that is when you no longer have the ability to drive.
Satisfaction of helping others.
Right to pray and speak to the Master. AWESOME!!! Think about it!
Church alter, hymns, a good pastor and brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Not being totally alone in the midst of life's worse storms.
The wonder of COLOR!!
Laughter~look up what the Bible says about laughing.
Music and Singing.
Forgiveness~that amazing ability to give and recieve forgiveness~it is life~changing!
Smell of fresh rain~can't be captured and put into a bottle.
Smiling faces, hugs and sincere "I love you's"~these little things lift spirits and lighten heavy burdens.

Let's remember the One who made "all things new" as we celebrate our Nation's independence. And don't forget to pray for America.