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Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
“Remember His death...” I Cor. 11:26
September 11, 2021 - Even though I’m not a big Country music fan, some of these songs really touch my heart. (I still choke up when I hear “He Stopped Loving Her Today” and “Unchained Melody”). Alan Jackson has a great new song out, but I am afraid he won’t be able to perform it in many circles because the words “I believe in Jesus and I talk to God” will turn a lot of our “politically correct” brothers off.
And Darryl Worley’s “Have you Forgotten,” written after his trip with the USO to Afghanistan, helped raise the level of patriotism in our country. He really gets us to thinking when he says, “Don’t tell me not to worry about Bin Laden... have you forgotten?”
Most of us will always remember 9-11, but some seem to have already forgotten. But that shouldn’t be so surprising.
Many have forgotten A.D. 33, too.
September 10, 2021 - Are ready for the 2021-22 year? All we need is you!!!
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, September 15 at 5:45pm! You don’t want to miss out on the fun and excitement of the new Awana year. Lots of things planned to enhance our learning experience.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Sue Finch, Awana Ministry Director at Jackson Missionary Baptist Church, at 936-269-4895 or message on FB.
About Awana Ministry: Brief Summary
Awana is an acronym for "Approved Workman Are Not Ashamed" which is based on 2 Timothy 2:15. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”
Awana Clubs are for ages 2 through 6th grade.
Two major goals of Awana are:
1. Reach boys and girls with the gospel of Christ.
2. Train them to serve Him.
It helps churches and parents work together to develop spiritually strong children and youth who faithfully follow Jesus Christ.
Awana is fun with a purpose! Games, crafts, awards and other activities reinforce the gospel message. A lively experience where fun and learning go hand in hand.
Each age group’s curriculum is designed specifically for that age.
September 9, 2021 - One of the most elusive things in our lives are friends. We might have some we consider to be our friends, yet, they later prove themselves to be what are known as “fair weather friends”. When the going gets tough, often they are nowhere to be found. There is one friend who will never let us down and that is God.
When we turn to the word of God, we find a man who was known as a “friend of God”. That is what James tells us about Abraham in James 2:23, he was “called the Friend of God”. Have you ever thought about that? Have you ever considered what a high honor that was for Abraham?
Abraham believed God. Faith is something that must be present for us to be pleasing to God. The writer of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 11:6 that without faith it is impossible to please God. Yet, Abraham did more than this. He obeyed God, he feared God and he had a deep concern for the lost.
With God there is no such thing as being a partial friend. There is no such thing as being an acquaintance. James also tells us in James 4:4 that the friendship of the world is enmity with God. That whosoever is a friend of the world is the enemy of God. The question we must ask ourselves is could it be said of us that we are the friend of God? Are we living our lives as friends of God or friends of the world?
It’s something to think about…..TBP
Join Us for Worship this coming Lord’s Day
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
“For unto you is born this day a Savior which is Jesus Christ the Lord…” Luke 2:11
September 7, 2021 - Last year after spending Christmas Eve with Pam’s parents in Vinton, Louisiana, we drove down to our favorite town of Breaux Bridge on Christmas Day. We found this lively Cajun town alive with displays of the Nativity Scene and noticed an obvious absence of the more acceptable “Happy Holidays” and “Seasons Greetings” signs. And the town churches were filled with Christmas Day worshippers… and it was Thursday(!)… not Sunday.
When the ACLU threatened to sue the City of Breaux Bridge two years ago for displaying a Nativity Scene, Mayor Delhomme and his City Council informed the ACLU lawyers that it would stay up. It did stay up and has every year since.
In these days when so many are trying to push Christ out of Christmas, we Christians are justly proud of our brothers and sisters in Breaux Bridge. They warm our hearts…
… and the heart of the Savior, too.
September 7, 2021 - The Folsom Cemetery Homecoming will be held on Sunday, September 19, 2021 on the grounds of the cemetery beginning at noon. Families are encouraged to bring their lunch to enjoy with others. Contributions will be taken for the upkeep of the grounds.
Prior to September 19th the grounds will be cleared of all glass receptacles and old floral arrangements. Please remove any refuse from the cemetery if you bring new arrangements. Arrangements must be in unbreakable containers - no glass, please. Contributions can be mailed to: 3471 FM 2026, Center, Texas 75935.
September 1, 2021 - White Rock Cemetery Committee announces new regulations regarding the decoration of cemetery lots effective September 1, 2021 to keep the cost of the upkeep of our cemetery down. It is our goal to ensure that the cemetery is neat, clean and respectful for our community.
Tombstones with vases attached are allowed one bouquet of silk flowers. Foot markers must be at ground level.
The placing of vases, toys, metal designs, ornaments, and similar articles upon lots are not permitted. We kindly ask that such items be removed.
All items will be removed after September 1, 2021. If you will like to pick up the items, please do so before September 1, 2021.
Thank you White Rock Cemetery Committee: Ronnie Davis, Jerry Russell, Benny Russell and Tammy Davis secretary/ treasure. 936-598-5192
August 30, 2021 - The House of Refuge's Pastor and members are hosting a Homecoming Revival on September 8, 9, and 10. The Wednesday through Friday revival will start at 7:30pm nightly. Guest speaker is Pastor Johnny Jones of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church of Center.
House of Refuge Apostolic Ministries is located at 215 Church Street in Center, Texas with Apostle W.E. Nash, Jr., Pastor.
“... looking unto Jesus...” Heb. 12:2
August 30, 2021 - Oley LeDoux is my wife’s father. He and Pam’s mother Gloria live in the Big Woods Community near Vinton, Louisiana in the house they built soon after they married. Oley has been a member of the nearby Magnolia Baptist Church for sixty-five years where he has served forty years as deacon and treasurer. He has been employed by the Krause and Managan Lumber Co. of Sulphur, La. for (!) sixty-two years. His steady dedication to his church, community and employer sets a standard that most men never reach.
Oley LeDoux
When Hurricane Rita swept through their community, he and Gloria came to San Augustine to stay with us. Three weeks after the storm they returned to find the forest west of their home completely destroyed. After viewing the devastation, Oley phoned us saying, “We miss those trees, but we can see the sun set now.”
Most of us have had hurricanes in our lives and have been crushed by their devastation. But losing some things we treasure in this life isn’t all bad…
… if it helps us see the Son better.
August 30, 2021 - Grace and peace from our friend and brother Jesus. The biggest news in our little of community of believers is that we haven’t had Sunday School or in-person worship for two weeks. A few of our members came down with Covid-19, so we closed for two weeks. Hopefully we can safely begin again to worship together, although maintaining social distance. I am happy that all our members took this deadly virus seriously and got vaccinated. Their Covid symptoms were mild, and we hope they have a complete recovery.
In our scripture lesson the emphasis in early Christian communities was coming together to support each other and to hear the wonderful stories about Jesus. Part of that unity was sharing a meal—communion. It was not only a time of remembrance, but also a form of bonding with each other, with Jesus and with all the saints who came before.
Our thoughts today are with those along the coast that are dealing with Ida. It is hurricane season, but that doesn’t make the situation any easier. As Americans, we also mourn with those families who lost loved ones serving in the military and trying to help others out of Afghanistan. As patriotic Americans we should be thankful that our democracy allows us freedom to worship or not worship, protecting us from those whose religious views are different from our own. We see the tragic circumstances in Afghanistan and elsewhere, when strict fundamentalists try to bend a whole society to their ideology.
We had our regular group at Sunday School, now that Carolyn is once again back with her sister in Pennsylvania. I read the lesson, but unfortunately it was the lesson for two weeks ago! The last few lessons in this quarter focus on Job. The author spoke about the Wesleyan Quadrilateral that we Methodists use in understanding our faith. The four parts to our belief are scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. All of these work to help us develop a vibrant living faith. What Job learned (and we also must learn) is that there are things we will simply never understand. We may not like it but as Job discovered there really isn’t anything we can do. We humans have limitations, after all.
Gene reported that the insurance inspector said some limbs, growing over the roof, needed to be cut back. He added that it would be good to get two fire extinguishers for the church. Gene took care of both of these concerns. Our church is lucky to have Gene, who takes care of problems that arise.
During August we have collected children’s underwear and socks for Community Christian Services. I think all the schools are back in session, although some nearby are temporarily closed until after Labor Day, due to Covid. Next month we will go back to collecting food—we start out September by collecting everyone’s favorite, macaroni and cheese. Our Church Conference is going to be November 20th at 2:00 PM, in person at the church.
I focused on the Old Testament lesson from Proverbs 9:1-6 for my sermon. Lady Wisdom prepares a feast at her home and sends invitations far and wide. She calls upon us to abandon our simplistic ways and walk in the way of understanding. Lyndon Johnson once said that the more complicated the problem, the simpler an answer the American people want. To always look for the easy way is folly.
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.
August 26, 2021 - We live in a changing world, and nothing emphasizes that better than recent events on the world stage. Yet, many of us have seen great changes in our life in transportation, the performance of household tasks, medicine, and communications. To some of us who remember rotary dial phones and party lines, the internet and cell phones are things we never imagined when we were younger.
Yet, with all the changes in our world, human nature has not changed. Sin has not changed. Men and women still have the same greed that characterized Lot. The same love of power is still evident that showed itself in Diotrephes. There is the same love of money, the same lusts of the flesh. Because men and women still do not have the ability to guide themselves, we still need guidance.
However, with all the changes we have seen in our world we can take courage from the fact that Jesus Christ never changes. The writer of Hebrews would tell us, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8). Jesus is still the King of Kings who has all authority. Jesus Christ is still the Savior of the World. He is the one who came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. However, we must live his kind of life. He must be the Lord and Master of our life – all of our life. Is Jesus the Master of your life?
It’s something to think about…..TBP
Join Us for Worship this coming Lord’s Day
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
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