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Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
June 22, 2020 - The Homecoming for the Old Home Cemetery will be cancelled this year due to the COVID-19. Any donations can be sent to: Linda Wheeler, 1273 CR 3689, Joaquin, Texas 75954.
June 17, 2020 - It would probably come as no surprise to those who know us, that one of the main television channels we watch is the Food Network. In fact, we have several shows that are among our favorites and one of those is “The Pioneer Woman.” The Drummond family owns a large cattle ranch in Oklahoma and part of the show is always devoted to what is taking place on the ranch as well as the recipes Ree Drummond shares with her audience.
Not long ago, there was a segment where they were branding cattle on the ranch. Of course, we all know that the purpose of branding cattle is so that they will bear the mark of the owner.
Well, that started me to thinking… Jesus wants us to carry His brand. Paul said in Galatians 6:17, “I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.” Paul possibly was referring to the stripes he received in Philippi, or the emaciation of his body due to hunger. And yet, he might well have been referring to certain things about himself that identify him with the cause of Christ.
Jesus told us that the mark of discipleship was love. Before he went to the cross, he told His disciples in John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” Just as cattle on the ranch will bear the mark of the owner, when we love each other we will be branded by Jesus, we will carry the mark of Jesus Christ to whom we belong.
It’s something to think about… tbp
Center Church of Christ, 110 Hurst Street, Center, Texas or online at www.centerchurchofchrist.com.
June 15, 2020 - Grace and peace from our brother Jesus, Amen. Sunday was the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost. In some Christian traditions, we are entering Ordinary Time. The great religious days and festivals are behind us, and we are enjoying sunshine and warmer temperatures. These last few days have been nice—lower humidity really does make a difference. Today was also Flag Day. This special patriotic day, a symbol of freedom and our national identity, is always June 14. It is a reminder of the courage and determination needed to measure up to the high ideals of the Declaration of Independence.
We are still living with Covid-19. The number of cases is really spiking in Texas: We all need to be careful and follow the guidelines set out by the CDC and the White House. Over the last few weeks, we haven’t heard from the Coronavirus Task Force; the death of George Floyd, along with the protests that followed, have overshadowed the pandemic. But it is still here, and we need to be cautious.
Our new Sunday School material for summer has so far been focused on Old Testament stories. Today’s was the contest between the great Jewish prophet Elijah and the priests of Baal. Mrs. Fannie had a really good lesson for us, making us think about current events and lessons that could be taken from this ancient story. Our author said Elijah was trying to bring about a spiritual restoration for a people who had lost their way. We are told to embrace the reality of a living God in the “now” of life.
I used Matthew 9: 35-36 as the scripture text for my sermon. In these two verses, Matthew tells us that Jesus traveled to the cities and villages of the Galilee and taught in many Synagogues. At each stop he proclaimed the good news of the coming of the Kingdom. The scripture says that Jesus looked upon the crowds and had compassion for them. He knew how oppressed they were. They were troubled and felt directionless. How amazing it must have been for these people to hear Jesus call them blessed and tell them the Kingdom of God was as close as their next breath!
Our ministry to the area nursing homes and assisted living centers is still on hold. We sure hope our friends at these centers remain safe and healthy. During the month of June, Paxton Methodist is collecting toilet paper and paper towels for Community Christian Services. Along with our usual monthly donations of products and individual checks, the church voted to send $300 to CCS, which has had more calls on its services because of the pandemic.
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.
June 11, 2020 - First Baptist Church of Center, 117 Cora, will re-open its Sunday School to the public on Sunday, June 14, 9:00am. Classes for all ages will be offered with special attention to social distancing and safety. Open worship service begins at 10:15. Sunday School and Worship will continue to be broadcast on SuddenLink cable channel 2, FM radio 100.5, fbccenter.org, and on our Face Book page. For more information, call 936-598-5605.
June 11, 2020 - A businessman was sitting at his desk. All around him were bills, letters and other evidence that he was totally absorbed in the details of his business.
The minister of the church entered, anxious to discuss the man’s soul. The business man said, “Oh, you must excuse me brother, I am too busy to take time for that today.” Politely, the minister asked, “When shall I call on you again?” The man said, “I don’t know and I can’t tell you. I am just too busy right now. I have a lot to attend to.”
With a sad and heavy heart, the minister excused himself and the businessman returned to his paperwork.
A few days later, a disagreeable stranger stepped into the businessman’s office and laid a cold hand on his shoulder. “Come, you must go home with me” the visitor demanded. The businessman laid down his pen, closed his desk and left. He had no choice. A cold chill settled on him as images of so many things left unfinished flashed before his eyes. The name of the visitor was death.
We may think we are so busy we don’t have time to obey the Lord and live His kind of life. However, we will someday not be too busy to die.
Find the time to serve the Lord today!
It’s something to think about…..tbp
Come and join us for worship at Center Church of Christ, 110 Hurst Street, Center, Texas or online at www.centerchurchofchrist.com.
June 9, 2020 - The annual Waterman Cemetery Homecoming will be Sunday, June 14, 2020 at 12 noon. Please come out and help support the upkeep of the cemetery. If you can not attend, please send donations in care of Jackie Fountain, 654 CR 1548 Center, TX 75935.
Gueinn Clark, President
Waterman Cemetery Association
June 8, 2020 - Grace and peace from our brother Jesus, Amen. Sunday was Trinity Sunday, the day on the Christian calendar set aside to celebrate the doctrine of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The idea of the Trinity is certainly mysterious and is really beyond my comprehension. As our affirmation in our worship service we used the Nicene Creed, one of the oldest creeds.
If you forgot that you lived in Texas, the temperatures this week were a good reminder. Of course, it will get hotter as we enter the summer season. I have been watering every day, trying to get it done in the morning before it gets too hot. I can’t believe it is June. Because of this pandemic and its shelter-in-place, I still think it is March or April. We missed Joe at Sunday School and worship. His grandson was driving in from New Mexico, and I know they will have a great visit.
We once again had “in-house” church. This week, we added Sunday School. For both we practiced social distancing, and most people wore masks. There are 22 states where Covid 19 is expanding—Texas one of the unlucky ones. We still need to be careful and listen to the scientists and medical experts.
Our new Sunday School book is titled Community—Summer 2020. The more I read and understand the faith of Jesus, the more I realize the importance of community. The first lesson was called “Living as God’s People.” The text, Deuteronomy 8: 1-10, spoke about the Israelites’ forty-year trek through the wilderness. Ms. Fannie tied this ancient story to our times now. The author reminded us that God wants us to know eternal and enduring love; further, God will always love us and draw us toward him.
This certainly has been a sad and difficult time for our nation. I am reminded of that line in “America the Beautiful”: “America! America! God mend thine every flaw.” We have a long way to go to become a more just and compassionate nation. We need to remember that regardless of differences, we are all children of God.
For my sermon I read several theologians who had differing takes on the Trinity. Garrison Keillor said this about love on his show, A Prairie Home Companion: “We should not think that we have figured out love, because it is not a problem; it’s a mystery and always will be.” You could substitute the Trinity for love, and the statement would still be true.
In the month of June, Paxton Methodist will collect toilet paper and paper towels. Just a few months ago this project would have been impossible! I delivered cans of fruit and some cash donations to Community Christian Services last Wednesday. It was great to see John Paul, Jay, Debbie, and all the other hard workers of CCS. They certainly are well organized and efficient, adapting to fit pandemic guidelines.
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.
June 8, 2020 - Why are Christians, those who profess Jesus Christ as Lord of all, different from the world?
It is simple really, because we who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Sovereign Lord and Savior worship not some golden image or wooden idol made by the hands of man, nor some long dead god or prophet of olden times.
No, we worship the one true living God of this universe, creator of all things and Savior of the world.
What makes us different is our unrelenting faith in our Redeemer who lives now in heaven as he prepares a place for all who love him. Our faith that his promise to return for us is good and true and that he will certainly do so in time.
One might say, "But you also say that this Jesus you worship died on a cross for the sin of all men!"
Yes, we do say that for it is true, Jesus gave himself, his own human life, that others might live. And all anyone has to do to gain that everlasting life is to believe in him as Lord of all and profess that belief to others around us.
So how then can one who gave his own life and died on the cross live now in heaven? For God raised him from the dead on the third day after his death on the cross of Calvary, the first fruits of resurrection, and he lives now forever, never to die again, just as will all who love him and follow him as their Lord.
On the third day after Jesus' death on the cross, early that morning just as day was breaking the women who had followed Jesus all the way from Galilee during his ministry came to the tomb to anoint his dead body with oils and fragrances.
"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they (the women) went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus." (Luke 24:1-3)
One can only imagine the surprise and wonder that overcame them for they had been at the cross the entire time that the Lord had suffered and died and had followed his body to the tomb and watched it being wrapped in linen and laid on the stone of rest in the tomb. And now, three days later, he is gone!
"While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel.
And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, BUT HAS RISEN.
Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise."
And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest." (Luke 24:4-9)
Many of the disciples did not, could not believe what the women were telling them, including Peter.
"But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened." (Luke 24:12)
Even for those who had spent years being taught by the Lord, living with him day and night; resurrection from the dead was almost too much to believe, but this would all change as Jesus appeared among them time after time during the next forty or so days.
It is so now for many in todays world, but the fact remains: "MY REDEEMER LIVES and one glorious day I will stand beside him in glory, forever with my Lord.
Praise and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ...
You too can stand with him one day in glory, all you must do is to accept him as Lord of all and profess him to the world around you. May you submit to him this day and forever in love for the Sovereign Lord...
June 3, 2020 - In my reading about the American Civil War, I read of a woman who heard that the enemy (Yankees) was approaching. She immediately grabbed a poker from beside the fireplace and rushed out of the house into the yard. Someone standing nearby laughed and asked, “What good do you think that poker will do against guns?” She grimly replied, “At least they will know which side I am on!”
Jesus was concerned about this when he said, “He that is not with me is against me” (Matthew 12:30). There is no such thing in Christianity as a “middle of the road” position. We may refuse to take part in the troubles of individuals. We may refuse to take part in the differences in nations. But we cannot refuse to take a part in the work of the Lord. Refusal places us against Christ. In no other condition in life is this felt so severely as in the work of Christ. There is a reason for this. Our final home with God depends on what we do while we dwell on this earth. We are constantly fighting evil and upholding right if we live as Jesus would have us to live and according to his teachings. It is a race. It is a battle. It is a struggle. There is no place where we may rest and there is no possibility of capitulation. We must be constantly on the march.
We need to pick up our pokers and let the devil and his crowd know whose side we are on!
It’s something to think about . . . tbp
Come and join us for worship at Center Church of Christ, 110 Hurst Street, Center, Texas.
June 3, 2020 - Come enjoy a BBQ chicken plate on Saturday, June 6th from 11am until 2pm and support Smyrna Church Youth Group as they make plans to attend church camp!
Delivery available in the Center area when 10 or more plates are ordered.
We will be selling plates at The Gathering Place, 708 Southview Circle, Center, TX 75935 and the Huxley Fire Station.
Pre-Sale plates are available and will include half-chicken, baked beans, potato salad, bread, and a bottle of water for $10 a plate!
The following is a link to the Facebook event where you can message the event host with questions or to place an order - https://facebook.com/events/s/bbq-chicken-plate-fundraiser/612723912784840/?ti=ia or call 9363320052.
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