Sav-A-Life Shelby recently opened its second Pregnancy Test Center in order to serve more families in Shelby County.
The new Women First Pregnancy Center is located at 15582 US-280, Chelsea, Ala. Sav-A-Life Shelby also operates a Women First Pregnancy Center on Highway 31 in Pelham, formerly known as the Pregnancy Resource Center.
The new Center is located on Highway 280 in Chelsea. Sav-A-Life Shelby is a faith based non-profit provider of women’s services including pregnancy testing, peer-to-peer counseling, limited ultrasounds, pregnancy/parenting education classes and material resources. Sav-A-Life Shelby also operates a Women First Pregnancy Center on Highway 31 in Pelham, formerly known as the Pregnancy Resource Center.
In 1984, God burdened the heart of Jenny Doss to reach women dealing with crisis pregnancies by starting the first center in Shelby County. Since the opening of its doors in 1985, thousands of lives have been saved. Sav-A-Life Shelby’s mission is to develop a culture of life where abortion is unnecessary and undesirable in Shelby County, Ala. while offering the hope of the Gospel.
Sav-A-Life Executive Director Bob Foust with interior designer Cindi B Jones, who donated her services to create a welcoming, comfortable place for clients to be served at the new Center in Chelsea. Jones owns Savvy Shoestring Interiors in Helena.
The Center staff and supporters hope to see every person who engages with the Centers to choose life for themselves and their unborn child. The ministry is an affiliate of Care Net, a national Pro-Life organization that creates and sets the standard for equipping pregnancy centers to serve the community with excellence. To learn more visit savalifeshelby.org, call 205-776-1247 or email [email protected]. †
Looking for meaningful gifts that help a great cause? Handmade by survivors of human trafficking, every single purchase from ShopWell of The Wellhouse brings the hope of healing and restoration.
Nativity Ornament- $10, $12 with gold. These beautiful Nativity ornaments are the perfect addition to your ornament collection, featuring stamped Nativity scene offered in white or with golden accents.
These beautiful ornaments are strung with red velvet ribbon and feature a golden button to add extra flair. Each ornament is made of polymer clay, which makes them incredibly lightweight and perfect for hanging on the tree or tying to a gift.
Peace Prayer Cross: $18. The Peace Prayer Cross is inspired Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the Peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Each of our crosses are made from clay by our very own empowered survivors. While the clay is still soft, they hold it and pray for the person that will own it. The hand print makes it comfortable for any hand to hold. Our prayer is that by clutching this cross while you pray for others, you’ll remember your life is in the Potter’s hand, our Heavenly Father.
Cross Canvas: $28. Each Cross Canvas features a beautiful lace detailed cross and gold leaf. At 4’‘x4’x1.5 they sit perfectly on their own and will stand out on any table, bookshelf, or place they adorn. To view more items and purchase, click here. †
Can you imagine the possibilities – if a child is exposed to God’s Word beginning at infancy and continuing throughout his childhood?
I had the experience of visiting a very sick baby (my Manny) at Children’s Hospital from the time he was one month old through his first discharge eight or nine months later. I visited him seven days a week and every day I prayed over him and I sang to him: “Jesus loves you, this I know. For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong. They are weak but He is strong.”
Manny didn’t really speak until after his 2nd birthday. But when he started talking, without prompting, he began to sing, “Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me, for the Bible tells me so!” I was convinced…the capacity of infants to absorb and retain information was clear – for just such a time as now! Infants and small children can have God’s Word tucked inside a small stuffed animal that introduces them to their Creator – before they even learn to talk!
My Little Lamb is a stuffed animal audio Bible that plays Bible verses to give joy and comfort to little ones and help them sleep better. Click here to order your My Little Lamb. Proceeds from the sale go toward supporting ministry efforts of sharing audio Bible with those who may not be able to afford it.
For the Alabama fan in your life, artist Daniel A. Moore has you covered when it comes to Christmas Gift ideas. Choose from items starting at less than $20 and use the coupon code BAMAGIFT for 20% off your order. Gift ideas include the Crimson and White 2023 Fine Art Calendar featuring Alabama National Championship images from original paintings by Daniel A. Moore as well as Moore’s new pencil drawing portrait of college football Coach Nick Saban. Moore found inspiration for this work in Leonardo da Vinci’s striking drawing, the Turin Self Portrait. In keeping with that genre, the artist has digitally infused tone and background into his drawing to visually simulate some of the same patina and richness inherent in the Old Master’s centuries-old masterpiece.
Visit www.danielmooreart.com or New Life Art, 3600 Lorna Ridge Drive in Hoover. A framed limited edition copy of Moore’s new portrait of Coach Saban will also be given away as a part of Birmingham Christian Family’sJingle All the Way Reader Giveaways that begin November 18 through December 16, 2022.
Experience live at The Dorothy Jemison Day Theatre, The Sound of Music reimagined as a ballet, inspired by music from the 1965 musical film, and the von Trapp family’s life story. You don’t want to miss this one day only ballet performance by The Dance Studio on Saturday, November 19 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. “We are excited about bringing this timeless classic to the city of Birmingham completely reimagined and full of dance,” said Jaclyn Shiflett, Artistic Director.
Save the date for The Sound of Music at the Dorothy Jemison Day Theatre on November 19.
Students of The Dance Studio have auditioned and been cast as characters from the story and have been hard at work learning choreography with Artistic Director Jaclyn Shiflett and guest star John Mingle, who is dancing the role of Captain von Trapp. John Arthur Mingle is celebrating his eighth season with the Alabama Ballet. John trained on scholarship with the San Francisco Ballet School, Pacific Northwest Ballet School, American Ballet Theatre, Dallas Metropolitan Ballet, and Ballet Frontier of Texas. John earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance from Southern Methodist University where he danced the role of Waltz Man in George Balanchine’s Serenade at the opening of the renowned Winspear Opera House. Prior to joining Alabama Ballet, he danced professionally with the Cincinnati Ballet and Dayton Ballet. Since joining, John has been seen in principal roles such as Basilio and Espada in Don Quixote, Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, Prince Désiré in The Sleeping Beauty, Cavalier in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®, Von Rothbart in Swan Lake, Big Boss Man in Blue Suede Shoes, and Allegro in Western Symphony.
“Please join The Dance Studio in bringing this timeless classic reimagined and full of dance to the stage at the Alabama School of Fine Arts’ Dorothy Jemison Day Theater this November. I am so excited and can’t think of a better way to kick-off the holiday season,” Shiflett says, adding, “This beautiful ballet includes over 40 young dancers from communities throughout the Birmingham community.” This beautiful performance is a unique, magical and budget friendly experience you will never forget. Tickets are general admission and $20 for adults and $10 for children (2 and up). Click here to purchase tickets. †
Birmingham Christian Family is giving one winner two tickets to experience this timeless classic reimagined as a ballet. In addition to tickets, the winner will receive a gift basket filled with great items including a O’Henry’s Coffee Basket with Coffee Products and a pair of ballet pointe shoes signed by the cast of the Sound of Music. To enter, like, share and comment on the giveaway post on our Facebook page.
Shepherds Fold shares a message of encouragement, joy and hope through guest speaker Daniel Ritchie at The Club on Thursday, December 8, 2022, at 12:00pm. Tickets are $45. In celebration of the many
lives Shepherds Fold has helped transform, Daniel will share his story and message of joy to
encourage others and provide them with the hope of Christ he has found through his many
challenges of being born different, without arms. Come enjoy a delicious lunch from the
newly featured “holiday menu” in the Grand Ballroom at The Club, overlooking some of
Birmingham’s finest views! Check-In begins at 11:30am, event officially starts at 12:00pm.
The first celebration using the term Veterans Day occurred in Birmingham, Ala., in 1947. Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran, organized “National Veterans Day,” which included a parade and other festivities, to honor all veterans. The event was held on November 11, then designated Armistice Day. Later, President Eisenhower signed a bill from Congress that would change Armistice Day to Veterans Day. Local parades and ceremonies are now annual events celebrated nationwide on November 11.
At 11:30 a.m. on November 11,2022, a wreath will be placed in honor of all veterans, and guest will have the opportunity to add an American flag to the wreath, and ring the bell in honor of a veteran or active member of the military.
Veterans Day at the American Village is centered around honoring veterans and recognizing their service to our Nation. On Washington’s Birthday in 2014, the National Veterans Shrine and Register of Honor was dedicated. This beautiful building is patterned after historic Carpenters Hall of Philadelphia, the meeting place of the first Continental Congress. A historic marker at Carpenters Hall says, “Within these walls, Henry, Hancock and Adams inspired the delegates of the Colonies with nerve and sinew for the toils of war.” The National Veterans Shrine was built to inspire citizens with the stories of our veterans who have borne the burden of the toils of war and keeping the peace. In the Foyer of the Veterans Shrine you will see prominently displayed two sentences from the July 4, 1776, Declaration of Independence. The first is the more familiar: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…” The second sentence you will see is a solemn resolve: “For the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” This was and is the high price of liberty: the necessity to pledge one’s life, fortune, and sacred honor.
To find a full schedule of events for Veterans Day at American Village, visit www.americanvillage.org.
To date, over 4,000 men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces have been honored by inclusion in the Veterans Register of Honor. To find out how to include a veteran in your family, visit www.veteransregisterofhonor.com. This project of the American Village is without charge. You’re invited to honor veterans with American Village on November 11, 2022. To find the full schedule of events for the day, visit www.americanvillage.org. †
We were looking over the harbor of Portsmouth, England, having dinner when we heard the news of the death of Queen Elizabeth. Through the miracle of electronics, we heard it first through a text message from our daughter back in the States. Within moments, the TV in the pub switched to continuous coverage of the Queen.
Queen Elizabeth passed away on September 8, 2022.
The next morning I went to a TESCO store, the English equivalent of Walmart, to buy a newspaper. Every paper carried a full front-page picture of the Queen with headlines like “Our Beloved Queen is Dead,” “We Loved You Ma’am,” and “Our Hearts Are Broken.” During our remaining time in England, every store we passed—from rural shoe stores to upscale Harrods—had a memorial in their display window expressing adoration for the Queen. In London, the electronic billboards along the motorway had stories-tall photos and messages honoring Queen Elizabeth.
Our first day in London we walked to Buckingham Palace and along the way passed The Green Park. So many flowers were left at the palace fence that the police had designated this park as the place to leave “floral tributes.” Row upon row of flower bouquets—acres of flowers—were neatly laid out on the open lawn of the park and around its great spreading trees. Mixed with the bouquets were messages, pictures, and Paddington Bear and Welsh Corgi dolls. A note in crayon from “Iris, 6” read “thank you for being our queen.”
Queen Elizabeth’s passing after 70+ years of reign prompted an outpouring of love and honor across the globe.
Why did Queen Elizabeth’s passing prompt such an outpouring of love? To answer this question, I turned to the BBC’s nonstop coverage of her life. Citizen interviews included comments like “her beauty and kindness affected all of us” and “she embodied all that was noble in English society.” I watched as an Anglican priest explained that the Queen considered her role as a calling in which she was answerable to God. It was well known, and she expressed it herself often, that the Queen looked on Jesus Christ as her King. Jesus said in Matthew 20:28, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” As Jesus came to humbly serve, so the Queen emulated Him in unselfish service to all others. She did not consider her position as something to be selfishly enjoyed. Instead, the Queen looked upon the monarchy as a means through which God could bless the world. The Queen’s life reminds us to use our lives, through whatever calling God places in our hands, for the good of others.
Thanksgiving is almost here. The aroma of roasted turkey, green bean casserole, and sweet potato or pumpkin pie, will soon fill homes across America. Many will enjoy a scrumptious meal with family and friends. Some will take a moment to express gratitude to God for His blessings. Others will struggle to be thankful this season, especially people in troubled marriages. Is it possible to be grateful when your heart is hurting?
Happiness is not guaranteed. No one gets married to live unhappily ever after. We should desire the “better” but also be prepared for the “worse.” It has been said, “Nothing is certain but death and taxes.” There is a third thing: there will be disappointments in marriage because it consists of two imperfect people with sin-stained hearts. When things break down in a relationship, it usually means two immovable attitudes—pride and selfishness—have crashed into each other. Pride and selfishness undermine the ability to find good things in a spouse.
Something to be thankful for. Many families have a Thanksgiving tradition in which everyone shares one thing for which they are thankful. This tradition can be fun but also a little awkward, especially when you are with people who are experiencing relational difficulties. The Bible tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, ESV). This verse instructs Christians to thank God in the good and bad times. Perhaps you can start a new tradition this Thanksgiving. Consider three reasons you are thankful for your spouse and family, and tell them!
Nothing is wasted. Matthew 14:19-20 describes how Jesus “gave thanks” and broke five loaves of bread and two fish to feed five thousand. Jesus took what could only satisfy one person- a boy’s lunch- and helped thousands, with nothing wasted. But for this to happen, something had to be broken first. When your spouse or someone close has broken your heart intentionally or unintentionally, remember Jesus is waiting to pick up the pieces and use them for a higher purpose- to bring God glory and make you more like Christ. Everything-including life’s heartbreaks- has value and usefulness in God’s kingdom (Romans 8:28-29). Now that is something for which we all can be thankful!
-Alonza Jones
President & Co-founder of Biblical Marriage Institute
Join Enon Baptist Church on Sunday, November 6 for celebration services commemorating 150 years of God’s faithfulness to the congregation, followed by a four-night community-wide revival and three-day senior adult revival.
Morning Celebration and Walk-Through Historical Display. November 6 will consist of two identical worship services at 9am and 10:30am, featuring a message from Senior Pastor Zac Reno, music from the Enon Celebration Choir, and a presentation from Dr. Rick Lance, Executive Director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. A walk- through historical display will be open in the Enon Student Building for attendees to see images and historical artifacts from the past 150 years.
Enon Baptist Church is located at 724 Morris Majestic Road, Morris, AL 35116.
Four-Night Revival. November 6 also kicks off a four-night revival beginning at 6:30 p.m. The revival includes special guest preachers calling the church to prepare for the future as we continue to proclaim Jesus as our foundation. Childcare will be provided for birth-fifthgrade.
Senior Adult Revival. Beginning Monday, November 7 from 11am-12pm, senior adult revival services will be open to the community to worship and receive a Gospel message from area pastors.
Founded in 1872, Enon Baptist Church has an established history of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the community and to the nations. The word Enon means “springs of water” and comes from John 3:23, where there was plenty of water and people were coming and being baptized. That is the prayer of this congregation, that it would be a place where broken people can be made whole through a relationship with Jesus Christ and the baptismal waters remain stirred as a reminder of the new life available in Him. Learn more at www.enonbc.org. †
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