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Contributing Writers: David Mathis | Tim Perkins
Past Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard
Sun, Nov 01
October 21, 2026 - New Life Church presents Scare Tactics "Happy DeathDay" starting November 1st at 6pm. The performance will continue nightly at 7pm, Monday, November 2nd through Thursday, November 5th.
New Life Church is located at 822 Hurst Street, Center TX and for more information, call (936) 598-3286.
What is Scare Tactics
Scare Tactics is an annual production by New Life Church in its 14 year. This production includes; live action drama, video scenes, costumes, make-up, light, sound effects, interaction with the audience, and a short gospel message. Each year's production is totally new: new story lines, characters, scenes, etc. Although this 1s a challenging task it is essential in order to keep the experience new and fresh each year. This presentation is based on a TV show by the same name, in which the participants wish to scare friends or family. In our version they are trying to scare others about the importance of our decisions concerning eternity, i.e; Heaven or Hell.
Is Scare Tactics like "Hell House"?
In a word NO! Scare Tactics is a drama with a complete story, a short gospel message and then ends with a scene depicting the wonders of Heaven for those who have become Christians. The presentation has been compared to Heaven's Gate & Hell's Flames, a production that has garnered national attention. Although some elements are similar, the total experience in every Scare Tactics presentation is unique because Pastor Steve writes a new story each year with the same heart for reaching people with the gospel message as he does for his sermons.
Sun, Nov 15
October 30, 2026 - Pleasant Grove Baptist Church is celebrating their Church Anniversary on Sunday, November 15, 2026. Service is at 2:30pm with Pastor Johnny R. Jones as host pastor and Pastor Anthony Jackson of Bright Morning Star Baptist Church, as the guest.
The church is located at 415 Co Rd 4356, Tenaha, TX 75974. All are welcome.
Faith
November 2, 2026 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, November 2.
My pastor preached a sermon yesterday from the 13th chapter of the Gospel of John. That passage includes the beginning of the sermon that Jesus preached on that fateful night in the Upper Room, a time of teaching that includes so many famous verses. Two of those verses, 34-35, were a focus in my pastor’s message. You know them.
“A new commandment I give to you: love one another. As I have loved you, so must you love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Powerful words. But the part of my pastor’s sermon that I found the most powerful was when he reminded us what happened right before Christ began to teach. He reminded us of this beautiful, haunting scene.
“Jesus got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”
Actions speak louder than words, the old saying goes. I’m sure that the words of Jesus, that night, stayed with his disciples throughout their lives and ministries. But when he got down on his knees and washed their feet, when he vividly shared the image of what it truly means to be a servant, perhaps that message was imprinted forever on their hearts.
And my pastor shared one more thought as well. Jesus washed the feet of the Twelve. Jesus washed the feet of all his disciples. Jesus washed the feet... of Judas.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
October 30, 2026 - Gates Chapel Baptist Church is celebrating their 113th Church Anniversary on Sunday, November 1, 2026 at 3pm! Larry Thorn from Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Carthage will be the guest speaker.
Honoring our past; celebrating today; and believing for tomorrow! Everyone is invited to join in celebrating a legacy of Faith, Fellowship, a Future - 113 years of God's Faithfulness.
The church is located at 227 County Road 2310, Center, Texas 75935 (Shelbyville, TX). Overseer is Bishop Cedrick Grace and Pastor Deshmond Johnson.
October 30, 2026 - Pleasant Grove Baptist Church is celebrating their Church Anniversary on Sunday, November 15, 2026. Service is at 2:30pm with Pastor Johnny R. Jones as host pastor and Pastor Anthony Jackson of Bright Morning Star Baptist Church, as the guest.
The church is located at 415 Co Rd 4356, Tenaha, TX 75974. All are welcome.
October 29., 2026 - Blount Chapel Missionary Baptist Church (MBC) is celebrating their Church Anniversary on Sunday, November 1, 2026. Service is at 3pm with Pastor Byron Coutee as host pastor and Bishop M.E. Lyons as guest preacher. Bishop Lyons is from Goodwill Church, Lufkin, Texas.
The church is located at 298 CR 3760, Center, Texas 75935
October 28, 2026 - Fall Festival at Ramah Baptist Church in Tenaha is from 5pm until 7pm on Saturday, October 31st. Activities will be in the church Gym and there will be Games, Candy and lots of Christian Fun.
October 27, 2026 - Shelbyville First Baptist Church (FBC) is hosting a Treat and Fish Fry tomorrow, Wednesday, October 28, 2026 from 5pm until 7pm.
First Baptist Church Shelbyville is located at 5030 Texas 87 S, Shelbyville, TX 75973.
October 26, 2026 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, October 26.
On this day, in 1901, a bank robbery occurred in Paris, France. As they exited the bank, the thieves didn't leave on foot, or on horseback, or in a carriage. They made their escape in a new-fangled machine called an automobile. It was the world’s first “getaway car”!
So, since a car was used in a criminal act, does that make a car evil? Of course not. An object is just an object. A thing is just a thing. It’s all in the way you choose to use it that makes the difference. And the very same thing can be true with the way we use . . . the Bible.
Over the centuries, the Bible has sometimes been used to justify controversial, criminal, and yes even evil practices. A short list includes abuse of indigenous people, wars of aggression, racism, and slavery. These practices and philosophies have, at one time or another, all been justified through the use of scripture. And still today, there are those that would take selected verses, often out of context, to justify personal agendas.
We must be diligent and discerning as we study, and use, the Bible. The following advice was given to a young man named Timothy twenty centuries ago, and is passed on to us today, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, who correctly handles the Word of Truth” (2:15).
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
October 19, 2026 - Free produce items will be available from 4pm until 5:30pm (while supplies last) from the East Texas Food Bank on Friday, October 23, the 4th Friday of the month, at First Baptist Church, 117 Cora Street, Center, Texas 75935.
No eligibility requirements, paperwork, or ID required.
Volunteers are always welcome! Help us, help others! Many of the youth who have helped with the food pantry are back in school and volunteers are needed! Your time given, whether for 30 minutes or 3 hours, is appreciated! The food pantry is on the 4th Friday of each month and volunteers are needed from 3pm to 6pm. Sign up in FBC office and fill out connect card.
Contact the church office by calling 936-598-5605 or emailing admin@fbccenter.org.
October 22, 2026 - In our world today, there are so many who care little or nothing for the things of God. There are so many who never think of being in the assembly when the saints of God have gathered. These are those we often speak of as “waiting for the hearse to take them to church”. Let me ask you, have you ever thought about that statement? Here are some things that will happen if you wait for the hearse to take you to church.
1. You will go, regardless of the weather.
2. You will go, regardless of how your family feels about it.
3. You will go, regardless of the condition of your body.
4. You will have beautiful flowers but you will not enjoy them.
5. Regardless of how good the singing is, you will not enjoy it.
6. Whatever the minister says will do you no good.
7. You may have a great need, but no one will be able to help you.
8. You will never be able to attend an assembly on earth again.
9. There will be relatives and friends there, but you will not worship with them.
10. You will go, regardless of how many hypocrites are there.
Don’t wait for the hearse to take you to church. Make your plans to be faithful in serving the Lord and being present for worship.
It’s something to think about... tbp
Come Join Us for Worship!
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
October 21, 2026 - New Life Church presents Scare Tactics "Happy DeathDay" starting November 1st at 6pm. The performance will continue nightly at 7pm, Monday, November 2nd through Thursday, November 5th.
New Life Church is located at 822 Hurst Street, Center TX and for more information, call (936) 598-3286.
What is Scare Tactics
Scare Tactics is an annual production by New Life Church in its 14 year. This production includes; live action drama, video scenes, costumes, make-up, light, sound effects, interaction with the audience, and a short gospel message. Each year's production is totally new: new story lines, characters, scenes, etc. Although this 1s a challenging task it is essential in order to keep the experience new and fresh each year. This presentation is based on a TV show by the same name, in which the participants wish to scare friends or family. In our version they are trying to scare others about the importance of our decisions concerning eternity, i.e; Heaven or Hell.
Is Scare Tactics like "Hell House"?
In a word NO! Scare Tactics is a drama with a complete story, a short gospel message and then ends with a scene depicting the wonders of Heaven for those who have become Christians. The presentation has been compared to Heaven's Gate & Hell's Flames, a production that has garnered national attention. Although some elements are similar, the total experience in every Scare Tactics presentation is unique because Pastor Steve writes a new story each year with the same heart for reaching people with the gospel message as he does for his sermons.
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