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Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
April 12, 2022 - NLC Kidz invite you to come join us for our Annual Easter Celebration. This year it is a “Journey to Jerusalem Event!” Friday, April 15, 6:30pm – 8:30pm; Ages: 3-11.
In John 16:33, Jesus says, “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world.” At Easter, we celebrate the life that Jesus brings through his death and resurrection, and kids can learn more about the Journey Jesus took to show us how much he loves us!
We will Journey back in time to Jerusalem for glimpses of the most important events in history with stations that will highlight the real meaning we celebrate Easter. A night filled with Activities, Crafts, Music, Ministry, Food, a GIiant Obstacle course and of course Eggs!
Guaranteed to be a night to remember and best of all it’s for the whole Family! Please share with all your friends and we sure hope to see you there!! Friday, April 15.
"And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:27
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16
"Lighthouses don't blow horns… they just shine."
April 11, 2022 - The symbol of the cross was used by the pagan religions of India, China, Persia, Egypt and Babylon long before Jesus died on one. The upright cross was the sacred symbol of the Babylonian god Tammuz. It was also the symbol of the sun-god Sol, in ancient Rome. Such a cross was the original form of their letter “T,” the initial letter of the name of the god Tammuz.
Roman Catholics wear them as a symbol of Christ's death on the cross as many others do. (I gave Pam a small white gold cross a few years ago and she never takes it off.) But wearing a cross has become less meaningful since people in the entertainment industry (like Madonna, Ozzie Osbourne, Russell Crowe, etc.) hijacked it.
I personally prefer not to wear demonstrative things (WWJD T-shirts, Christian tattoos, etc.) to show I am a Christian. I figure that the way I live is more important than the symbols I wear. A lantern doesn't need the words "I am a lantern" written on it and if we're shining, we won't have to wear a sign saying we are.
We should put Jesus in our hearts before we wear His cross because wearing it is not the same as bearing it. Wearing the cross is easy.
Bearing it is not.
April 11, 2022 - Grace and peace from our brother Jesus, Amen. Today is both Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday. At one time in the universal church, the faithful would come each day during Holy Week: Today was reserved for waving palm branches, while the suffering and passion of Jesus would be celebrated later in the week. I chose once again to focus on Palm Sunday. Sunday began as a warm day, with the sun was shining brightly. We certainly have had some powerful winds this past week, and we have a good chance of severe storms this coming week. We need the rain, but we can do without high winds and bad storms.
Yesterday I officiated over the wedding of Elizabeth and Newton. It was an outside wedding, and the weather was perfect. Although it was a simple ceremony, they had some lovely festive touches. The reception was also outside—at Paxton Methodist Church. Sue and I saw many of our former students—including Liz’s two sisters—and enjoyed getting caught up.
All month long Paxton Methodists will be collecting toothpaste and toothbrushes for Community Christian Services. I sent out sermon copies and the Paxton Methodist news article to Joe, Lillie, and Dixie. We wish them good health and all our best wishes.
We have six wonderful people in our Sunday School class, and Fannie always has a good lesson for us. Our lesson title today was “Off Target.” In the scripture, Mark14: 27-42, Jesus told his disciples that they would falter in their faithfulness. He knew human nature too well. The author had a wonderful illustration about a hot dog vendor in New Orleans. I had to share the book, Confederacy of Dunces, about one such vendor. A hilarious but really strange book. We know that despite our best efforts we will miss the mark from time to time. We are blessed to have a merciful God, a giver of second chances.
Sue began our worship with the Gathering Words based on Psalm 118. Our affirmation was the Apostles’ Creed, the best-known of all the ancient doctrinal statements. The Gospel lesson was Luke 19: 28-40, telling of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. This day begins the most holy of weeks in our Christian faith. Our first hymn was “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed,” fitting for this season. Then came “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” I titled my sermon “What If?” I spoke about Palm Sunday, of course, but my main focus was on a series of “what if” questions about the coming week. What if Jesus’ message of love, humility, compassion, and acceptance was embraced by all the folks in Jerusalem? Christus Victorious! Let’s hope that Jesus will find a more receptive welcome in our hearts and churches today.
Whoever you are, in whatever faith you were born, whatever creed you profess; if you come to this house to find God you are welcome here. Paxton United Methodist Church is an inviting church that takes to heart the idea of “Open Doors, Open Hearts, and Open Minds.” Worship begins at 10:00. Our email address is paxtonumc@yahoo.com. If you would like the weekly email newsletter about Paxton Methodist, you can send your email address to the Paxton email address, and I will add you to the list. God’s Speed.
April 11, 2022 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, April 11.
I hope you had a wonderful and blessed Palm Sunday. And now... on to Easter! But what happened on all those days between those two Sundays? Each day this week we’ll take a look.
On Monday, Jesus returned to Jerusalem. He and His disciples had spent the night before in Bethany, two miles east of the Holy City, at the home of good friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. But on that morning they found themselves in the temple.
The first temple was built by King Solomon in 950 B.C. It was destroyed about 500 years later and a second temple was constructed. King Herod added to this structure 20 years before Bethlehem, and in the time of Christ, it was called Herod’s Temple.
When Jesus walked in on that Monday morning, He wasn’t pleased with what He saw. Money changers were cheating the Passover visitors, creating a “den of thieves”. We witness His anger as He overturns the tables and drives out the evil men.
Anger is sometimes thought of as a sin, however Jesus shows us a righteous anger that can be a tool to accomplish God's will. But when we take a stand there is often a price to pay. On that Monday morning Jesus caught the attention of the Jewish and Roman officials. And another step was taken toward the Cross.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
April 10, 2022 - Strong Cemetery will be having their annual Homecoming on Sunday, April 24, 2022, dinner on the ground at 12 noon. If you are unable to attend and would like to make a donation, it can be mailed to: Strong Cemetery, P.O. Box 1383, Center, Texas 75935.
April 10, 2022 - Pleasant Grove Cemetery Homecoming and Annual Meeting is Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 10:45 a.m. at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, next to Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 1440 CR 1470, Timpson, TX 75975. Remember to bring your lawn chairs and potluck lunch fare.
April 7, 2022 - The Shelbyville United Methodist Chuch's Easter services are as follows:
Palm Sunday Worship Service begins at 11am.
Maundy Thursday service is at 6pm.
Our Easter Morn Sunrise service on April 17 begins at 6:30am. Breakfast will follow the worship service in the educational building. All are welcome to attend.
For more information contact Merle Howard at 936-591-6543.
April 7, 2022 - You have no doubt heard of the French artist, Pierre-Auguste Renoir. He was a leader in the development of the impressionist style. In his later years, he developed Rheumatoid Arthritis which severely limited his mobility. During the advanced stages of his condition, he had to have an assistant place the brush in his hands so that he could paint.
We are told that one day, a friend came while he was forcing himself to
paint. Noting his pain, he asked why he continued to torture himself. He replied, “The pain passes, but the beauty remains.”
You know we all have our moments of pain and our memories of beauty. It is that beauty that makes life worth living when pain comes.
I think about the pain of Jesus in the garden. I think about the prayer he prayed and how he agonized in that prayer. For Jesus, the pain of the cross passed, but think of the beauty that remains because of the cross. Because of the pain of the cross, we have the beautiful practice of worship. We have the glorious songs that tell of the cross and the beauty of heaven. We have the beauty of the memorial feast of the Lord’s Supper, the feast Jesus said for us to do in remembrance of Him.
In this live we often experience pain. Sometimes we are called on to watch our loved ones die. Often, we see them in great pain. But the pain passes and the beauty of precious memories remains. For the faithful child of God, the pain of this life will someday be over, but the beauty of heaven will remain.
It’s something to think about. . . TBP
April 6, 2022 - St. John's Episcopal Church is having Good Friday Services at 1pm on April 15.
Located on 96 South and Southview Circle. Everyone is invited to attend. Join us!!
April 6, 2022 - All are invited to join the congregation at Joaquin First United Methodist Church in celebrating our risen Lord at a Sunrise Service on Easter Sunday, April 17 at 6:45 in the morning. We will gather at the garden, adjacent to the church. There will be breakfast served after the service. Please join us.
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