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Church on The Lake-Guntersville

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Church on The Lake-Guntersville

Church on the Lake is in Guntersville, AL, and we welcome Christians of any denomination.

Church on the Lake welcomes Christians of every denomination who enjoy worship, fellowship and the beautiful view of Lake Guntersville. We worship every Sunday Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM. We meet in the pavilion of the Marshall Baptist Retreat Center, located on the banks of the Tennessee River, just off of U.S. Hwy 431 a few miles north of Guntersville between mile maker 301 and 302.

09/01/2025

John Croyle put it pretty bluntly yesterday at Church on the Lake (though with his usual sense of humor). He question was “if you know the Lord and know in your heart that you continue to act more worldly than He expects, why aren’t you changing?)
Scripture is filled with examples of God’s patience, giving us chance after chance. But there are also many references to the consequences of unrepentance and not changing sinful behavior. Our God will discipline those choices. But He waits for us…
I remembered a favorite song; “Change my heart, O God, make it ever true; change my heart, O God, may I be like You”. Confession that leads to change brings us back, confession without change is meaningless.
John closed with the question we should all consider: “what are my plans to ask God to change my heart and for me to change that behavior and those choices that reflect the world, not my Faith?”

Since this was our last Sunday at Church on the Lake for 2025, we wanted to thank the team of faithful who have helped every Sunday with music and set up and flowers and sound and every aspect of making each service a blessing for all who come.

08/26/2025

“I love you, I will never lie to you, I will stick with you until you’re grown, and there are boundaries.”
Four Promises made to the thousands of children who pass through the doors of Big Oak Ranch over the past 50 years – PLUS! The love of Christ is poured out into these young lives and have been (and are being) passed down to the next generations.
John Croyle’s passion to make a difference for Christ in their lives was the foundation of the Ranch. And that passion has grown exponentially through their son Brodie and his wife, Kelli, his sister Reagan and her husband John David Phillips, Godly and loving house parents and thousands who have been a part of the Ministry.
The spiritual anchor for this ministry is found in Isaiah 61:3 “So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified”
We are again so blessed to hear John Croyle speak this Sunday, sharing the Gospel as God lays on his heart. We pray many will join us at the Lake.
As we end this year at Church on the Lake, we ask that all donations this Sunday be investments in the ministry of Big Oak Ranch. So, please make any donations out to Big Oak Ranch, and we pray our family will support them generously.
We love you so much and will miss you and pray for you until we come back to the Lake next Summer
Jim

08/25/2025

This morning, Pastor Jeff taught a history lesson from Acts 3 and 4, but his teaching points took us to our own calling and encouragement to boldness! The history lesson was about the formation of God’s church right after Jesus ascended, sent the Holy Spirit and His Apostles began to share His Gospel. In one of the first accounts of how God began working, Peter and John were going to the Temple to pray, as they were accustomed. And there they met a lame man, a beggar. Peter gave him no money but, in the Name of Jesus Christ, raised the man up to walk. Many gathered to see and hear how he was healed, and Peter took the opportunity to share Christ and His Power to heal, to forgive and to save. And as many as five thousand men believed, and His Church began to expand and grow.
Those first Apostles were submissive to God’s Plan, took the opportunity to share The Good News right where they were. They became “salt and light” in the moment. And the immediate result was persecution of Believers, as Peter and John were arrested and jailed by the religious leaders. That became the model of response, to persecute Christians for sharing their Faith.
But God’s plan was for these Believers to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to speak with great boldness. And His Church spread to all nations, right to where we are right now. We are not called to water down The Gospel but are called to speak the truth of the Gospel with great boldness. As Pastor Jeff challenged us, “if sharing and teaching the True Gospel offends, it must be working.”

08/19/2025

Pastor Jeff Martin moved over in early 2023 from Southside Baptist Church in Albertville to become Director of Marshall Baptist Retreat Center. And he and his wife Beth have become such close friends and strong supporters of Church on the Lake.
Jeff pastored at Southside Baptist and at Carlisle Baptist before that. Beth is a teacher at Asbury Elementary outside Albertville.
His first visit to Church on the Lake was last summer and he brought The Word just as God laid it on his heart. Jeff’s style is his own, with ease and conviction. But his message is pure Gospel, as Christ lived, died, arose, ascended and lives within each of us who call on Him as Lord and Savior.
Can’t wait to be with you Sunday and be blessed when Jeff speaks.
Jim

08/18/2025

John Bentley challenged our COL family this morning with the question: “What is unsettling to us?” – or what is making us feel unsteady? He expanded the question with specifics: finances, anger issues, maybe politics, family problems? And that led to considering how we handle issues when we are feeling unsteady. How do I react, what actions do I take?
It was interesting that Sandra led us in singing earlier “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” Building on Christ the solid Rock, John took us to Proverbs 10:25 that tells us that “the righteous stand firm..”, or another way “am I securely rooted in a right relationship with God?” Am I truly connected, am I walking with Him?
From 2nd Corinthians 5:21 God assures us that He provided the path. He made Christ Who knew no sin to be sin – FOR US! So that we could become the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God! So ask ourselves if we let fear or circumstances, that are unsettling, force us out of His path? Do I react in anger, do I lash out through my words? Or do I remain steady?
John 15:4 reminds us that we have to stay connected to Him (“Remain in Me, as I also remain in you”)
Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us to stay connected with other believers (“...let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, …encouraging one another”)
Galatians 5:25 councils us to stay connected with His Spirit, to (“…keep in step with the Spirit”) and to reflect His “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”.

08/12/2025

It was certainly a blessing to have Dr. Eric Taylor speak Sunday! Eric recently joined Marshall Baptist Association as its Director (Associational Missionary Strategist), so this is the first opportunity he has had to be with us at Church on the Lake.
He started us thinking about “people watching”, so easy to get caught up in when we are waiting in line, in the mall, even at church. Then we moved quickly to the Apostle Paul’s visit to Athens (Acts 17) and what he saw, how it made him feel and the actions he took as a result. At that time, the people of Athens were surrounded by idols and idol worship, over 30 thousand idols and temples. They were a people searching for truth and something or someone to believe in. And they were led to many false gods to fill the void. And we see the same searching in our world, false idols that distract from and often eclipse the Glory of our True God. Those idols come in the form of financial success, possessions, exhausting family activity – even SEC football! And we see it in our families, friends – even ourselves.
Paul was very disturbed with those he encountered who were so distracted by many false idols and understood that they were not familiar with the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And that led to his approach to share with them. He spoke in their own market places, in the synagogues, in their groups of philosophers. He opened a connection to understand what was important to them, where they spent their time, effort, energy. And, understanding their story, he began to describe the one true God, the One who went to the Cross for them, for His Resurrection to forgive their false beliefs and call to repentance.
But the point of learning about Paul’s encounter with the Athenians goes back to “people watching”. We live with and see those around us who are so distracted by worldly false idols. They are trying so hard to fill the void in their heart and soul that only a Savior can fill. Lord give me a burden to learn their story, build a bridge to share the Gospel and help them believe. Amen

08/10/2025

Each Sunday this summer, we have been blessed when powerful speakers open God’s Word, sharing the Gospel, comforting and encouraging so many, and reaching out to any who are searching for the unconditional love and saving Grace of our Savior.
John Bentley has been one of our speakers at Church on the Lake for a number of years, sharing God’s Love in such a personal and transparent way. John’s own encounter with God, through the most difficult of times after the loss of his daughter, has touched so many going through similar struggles. John’s message is all about being assured that our God never leaves us but equips us in our weakness with His Strength. That message translated into John’s ministry to reach as many families as possible, especially young mothers dealing with prescription drug dependence. He is a published Christian author and speaker, on Faith and on Leadership from a Biblical perspective.
John Bentley was given the gift of speaking his Faith, sharing their personal side of the Gospel, and instilling hope for any who will hear. You will be blessed this Sunday to be one who hears him share what God put on his heart: “Anchored in Righteousness. How Godly men and women stand steady in an unsteady world.”

08/05/2025

Mark Smith talked us through the last times Jesus was with His Disciples to encourage us with His promise He is a God of Second Chances! And he took us through the last chapter of John’s Gospel that described Simon Peter’s boast to never deny or abandon his Lord. Then he explained how Peter and the others ran away, then denied any association, breaking Peter with guilt. How often have we felt similar guilt that we have failed God, in ways only He knows? But after that night and the days that followed, Jesus’ crucifixion, death and resurrection, our God of Second Chances restored Simon Peter, as He will restore and forgive us when we fail.
Mark described the events then in ways we can expect God to restore and forgive us.
#1 Jesus will meet us right where we are – as He appeared to Peter and the others as they were fishing at Galilee, disappointed and discouraged. He met them, called to them, helped them solve their dilemma and encouraged them.
#2 Jesus invites us to fellowship and rest – asked for them to be a part of reconciliation, to bring their contribution to restoring their fellowship, as He will do for us.
#3 Jesus restores our broken past – He took Peter aside and asked three times, “Do you love Me?” (as Peter had denied Him three times). And He restored Peter’s role and commission to care for and lead the others to care for Jesus’ followers. As His charge is to us, forgetting past failures, we are restored to reach others, guiding them to Faith in Christ.
#4 Jesus prepares us for costly obedience – Jesus also explained that Peter would face difficulties in reaching and leading others, foretelling Peter’s martyrdom. But, as we also face challenges in living out our Faith, Christ is with us, in us, able to “do all things through Him”.
#5 Jesus calls us to stay faithful and not be distracted – As Jesus and Peter were talking, they saw other Disciples. Peter asked about what the others would face. Jesus’ reply: “What is that to you? Follow Me” As He challenges us not to be distracted but simply follow Him. He is giving us a second chance, not to relive past failures, but to empower us to live out all He has called us to do.

08/04/2025

Our Church on the Lake has been blessed with new leadership at the Marshall Baptist Association. About three months ago, Dr. Eric Taylor stepped into the role of “Director” (that’s what I have been calling him). His actual title is Associational Missionary Strategist, for which he is uniquely qualified. He has led over 40 mission teams in the US and around the world.
Eric has been in ministry for over 35 years and came to Marshall Baptist Association from Bethel Baptist Church in Pleasant Grove. His first few months in his new role have been very busy, meeting with Pastors and Congregations across the more than 100 churches that are part of MBA. And his passion and energy is focused on encouraging and equipping these church families.
We are very excited that he and his wife Sonja will be with us this coming Sunday, 10 August. They have two children and five grandchildren. We are looking forward to meeting them and hearing God speak through Eric’s message.

07/28/2025

I don’t know anyone who can take Scripture and tell the stories of Jesus better than Mark Smith! We’ve known Mark from his early days in music ministry, which he has carried on in so many creative ways and media. He has been Minister of Music and Minister to Senior Adults at Willowbrook Baptist. His passion is as a creative writer/producer of special programs and celebrations for Christmas and Easter and so many other special events! Drama and humor and scripts and special music and staging, all rolled into wonderful Christ-honoring performances. We pray you will join us next Sunday, the 3rd of August, to Praise The Lord together!

07/27/2025

What did we dream we would become when we grew up? Ball player, dancer, pilot?
Pastor David suggested these childhood dreams often didn’t come with a plan or commitment to do what it would take to reach them. But when they later became God-given dreams, they became purpose-filled goals to aim for, reasons to prioritize time and energy and commitment, of unique value for more than ourselves.
He drew a parallel with the life of Joseph, told in the Book of Genesis. Joseph was quite a dreamer, who loved to share his dreams, which usually got him in trouble when he explained how his brothers and family would some day bow down to him! And that landed him in slavery, which set in motion God’s intervention which would change their world.
Initially, Joseph questioned where God was when he was sold as a slave, when he later was thrown in jail. God called out to him, He showed up in the struggles, and He assured He would be with Joseph no matter the circumstances. Joseph had faced the question – do I just give up? But God led him to “give it over to God, not give up”.
The message gave us assurance that:
- God is always with us, no matter the circumstances
- Success is not built on success but on Faith
- That God’s Word will guide us, if we use it!
- That the Holy Spirit will lead us, not push us, empowering us to overcome fear and emotions
- That we can be surrounded by a small group of Believers who will support, encourage and rejoice with us

07/24/2025

Seems like the Lord brings speakers to Church on the Lake who are able to express His Grace and Mercy through personal experience, their backstory. David grew up with several of us and he and his wife, Pat, are so dear to us! His journey into ministry began back in Whitesburg Baptist Church in Huntsville and has taken them across Texas, Florida and to Georgia. He has both Pastored in several churches but also trained and taught “Walk Through the Bible” many times, with a taste of that at Church on the Lake. And his sense of humor and humility truly shine when he is here at the Lake with us. Hope to see you Sunday, July 27!

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271 Baptist Camp Road
Guntersville, AL
35976

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10am - 11am

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