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Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
January 10, 2021 - Today is the Sunday we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord. Actually the Epiphany has a set date on the Christian Calendar: January 6. However, Methodists usually don’t attend church on the actual date to celebrate this festival day. This year the news concentrated on that dark day—January 6, 2021, and the attack on the US Capitol. People of my generation will always remember November 22, 1963, and September 11, 2001—now adding January 6, 2021. But it is a new year, bringing hope and a promise that things will be better.
We at Paxton are collecting cans of tuna for Community Christian Services this month. Last Wednesday, after I got my hair cut, I stopped at CCS to unload cans and boxes of soup and give them two checks from the church. The man who helped me unload my truck asked me if I remembered him. I did and was delighted to see him so many years after I was his high school principal. John and I reminisced a little bit about times past. At church Sunday I read aloud the letter from Joaquin First Baptist, thanking us for helping with the kids’ Christmas giveaway. It is a real joy for our small church to have a part in the wonderful work CCS does for our area.
The Sunday School lesson came from Isaiah. This book of the Jewish scriptures is the most quoted book in the Christian New Testament. Our author explains that most Old Testament scholars believe that the extensive book was actually the work of three authors over a long period of time. I didn’t remember that the first Isaiah was a priest and a prophet. Our author says a priest was to speak to God on behalf of the people, while a prophet spoke to the people on behalf of God. Those two jobs must have been hard to balance sometimes.
Our two CD song selections were “Blessed Assurance” and “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus,” two old favorites that we know well. Sue plays the CDs for our hymns and also the Gloria Patri and the Doxology. Our third hymn was one we listened to, “We Three Kings,” sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. That song is on my phone: My daughter gave me a bluetooth speaker, so anything I can download to my phone, I can play for church. Today, Epiphany, our scripture was Matthew 2: 1-12.
Only in Matthew do we find the wise men. Luke had his shepherds in the fields watching their flocks; Matthew had magi watching the stars—and one star in particular. Matthew doesn’t tell us how many wise men there were, where they came from, or how long their journey to reach Bethlehem lasted. But we know that when they finally arrived, they went to a house to visit the young Jesus. Did their journey take a week, ten days, three months, six months? We are not told. But we know they didn’t meet up with shepherds at a barn/stable on what is now called Christmas Day.
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.
January 7, 2022 - The Christmas Holiday Season is behind us, the decorations (well, most of them anyway) have been stored for another year and we have celebrated the New Year. A classic poem written by Helen Field Fischer came to my mind the other day. It is probably familiar to you.
He came to my desk with a quivering lip—
The lesson was done.
“Dear Teacher, I want a new leaf,” he said,
“I have spoiled this one.”
I took the old leaf, stained and blotted,
And gave him a new one all unspotted,
And into his sad eyes smiled,
“Do better, now, my child.”
I went to the throne with a quivering soul—
The Old Year was done.
“Dear Father, hast Thou a new leaf for me?
I have spoiled this one.”
He took the old leaf, stained and blotted,
And gave me a new one all unspotted,
And into my sad heart smiled,
“Do better, now, my child.”
God has given to each of us a new leaf, all unspotted. How will we use it? Being in Worship on the Lord’s Day would be a good place to start.
It’s something to think about…..TBP
Join Us for Worship this coming Lord’s Day
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
January 3, 2022 - Happy New Year! I stayed up until around 11:00 New Year’s Eve and just pretended it was an hour later. I am writing the first part of this article on Saturday evening and kept checking the outdoors for that cold front. My daughter in Dallas said it was windy, cold, and rainy this evening so I guess it is coming our way. We have had such a weird winter so far with temperatures hitting heat records several days for December. With a new year and a new month, we at Paxton are going to collect cans of tuna for Community Christian Services. Sunday morning we will load up my truck with soup. I plan to deliver cans of soup and a couple of checks to CCS on Wednesday.
Sunday morning it was definitely winter! When I went outside I could hear ice pellets and sleet falling on the metal roof of my back porch; on the way to church, snow was swirling in the air, and tiny ice balls littered the front steps. Sam and Gunter were not interested in going outside early this morning, but by 8:30 they were ready to venture out with Sue. (My wife is the dog walker on Sunday mornings while I get ready for church.) I got communion bread and juice ready for the morning services, and when I took everything out to the truck, I started the heater. I know Ms. Fannie will have the heat going at Paxton Methodist.
Our Sunday School lesson came from the Jewish hymn book—the Psalms. Gene read Psalm 19: 1-6, and once again Fannie had a very meaningful lesson. Fannie usually asks what was something we, the students, got out of the lesson. I liked that this psalm said we are to affirm God as creator and sustainer of everything—but also said there are no speeches, words, or voices that can adequately describe God’s holiness.
Sue and I appreciate the church giving us last weekend off so we could celebrate Christmas with our Dallas and Denton folks. It was a small group that gathered last Sunday, but they got to hear Larry McNeill’s remembrances of Christmases past. He emailed the text to me, which I also appreciate: My wife says the only bad thing about getting family time off from church is that we miss one of Larry’s excellent talks.
Today is the first Sunday after Christmas, when the Luke gospel gives us our only look at the preteen Jesus. The Gospels don’t share much about Jesus’ upbringing, so we must use our imaginations and our knowledge of how folks lived back then. Our reading from Luke begins with the Holy Family getting ready for their pilgrimage to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. Much of Nazareth would shut its doors, close up, and go as a group—an extended family—for a two-week adventure. But later Mary and Joseph have a “Home Alone” moment and must return to the capital looking for their lost boy.
Our two CD song selections were “Open My Eyes” and “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name,” which were in the Methodist Hymnal and the Cokesbury songbook. We used the Service of Communion and Remembrance that begins on page 12 of the Methodist Hymnal. The quote in this Sunday’s bulletin was once again found in the comic strip Mutts. The last frame of the comic had another Meister Eckhart quote: “And suddenly you know; It’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.” Have a good 2022!
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.
December 31, 2021 - Let’s put the UNITY, back into our Community.
We want to get together and pray in the New Year on December 31st at 12 noon on the Court House lawn. Everyone is invited.
Our mission is to gather together as believers, humble ourselves, and welcome God’s plan in for the New Year of 2022.
The World needs more Jesus in it. For new relationships to form, and for existing relationships to grow stronger. Our relationship with Him, sets the tone for every other relationship in our lives.
We Hope to see you there.
“Bodily exercise profits for a little while: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8
December 27, 2021 - After my open heart surgery many years ago, I began to slowly gain weight… and lose energy. It became a real struggle just to walk up the steep steps onto the porch or into my shop. I had gone on the Adkins grease- cheese and meat diet a few years ago and just couldn’t stick to a life without vegetables. So I decided to try a slightly modified South Beach approach with plenty of chicken and vegetables but no bread, potatoes, or sugar (low carbs).
I was surprised at how easy the new eating approach was to maintain. I didn’t go hungry, but slowly began to drop off the pounds. Pam and I started walking a mile and a half each morning and doing some light exercising. I couldn’t believe the difference this new life style began to make on my life both emotionally and physically. Within six weeks, I had lost over twenty pounds and felt better than I had felt in many years. Zipping up the steps beam effortless and my desire to work in my shop and do things I used to do became easier for me and I began looking forward to the activities of every new day.
I finally realized that if I wanted to stay healthy I’d have to eat right, exercise and control my weight. By the way, I found that the scripture “bodily exercise profits little” actually reads “profits for a little while” in the original Greek text. In other words, it will profit us as long as we are on the earth, but won’t be necessary when we get to heaven.
So I won’t have to make a new resolution to eat right, lose weight and exercise this New Year but will resolve not to stop doing what I have done for the last months. This new life style will help me maintain spiritual fitness too… the kind of exercise that profits… not for a little while… but forever.
December 13, 2021 - The First United Methodist Church (UMC) of Center invites the community to a Christmas Eve Candlelight Gathering on the downtown square in front of the historic Shelby County Courthouse from 6pm to 6:30pm.
First UMC invites the entire community to come together for an evening of festive family time of singing familiar carols while celebrating the joy of Jesus’ birth. Everyone should bring their own candle. Hot cider will be provided before the event. The evening will conclude with everyone singing Silent Night by candlelight!
“First United Methodist Church Center is overjoyed to be able to provide this festive, community-wide, candlelight gathering for the second year in a row,” said Rev. Malcolm Monroe. Come early, enjoy the hot apple cider, and visit with friends from across the community as we unite on this special evening.
In case of inclement weather, the event will be cancelled with no alternative service. (Santa Claus will not be with us because he will be on the other side of the world delivering toys to the children there).
For more information about the Christmas Eve Candlelight Gathering or about First UMC, please contact Rev. Malcolm Monroe at the church office (936) 598-2707 or visit the church website at www.fumccentertx.org.
December 21, 2021 - First Baptist Church of Center will host a Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve at 6pm. The 45 minute event will feature bells, favorite carols, a children's storytime, and the Lord's Supper. The public is warmly invited. FBC Center is located right across from the historic courthouse. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
December 21, 2021 - St. John's Episcopal will be having Christmas Eve Services, December 24th, at 3pm. All are welcome to join us.
St. John's Episcopal is located on 96 South, on left, just past Southview Circle.
December 23, 2021 - My favorite Christmas Song, without a doubt is “White Christmas”. It was written by Irving Berlin for the movie “Holiday Inn” in 1942. My favorite recording artist for the song undeniably is Bing Crosby. I could not begin to tell you how many times I have listened to it over the years. I used to even be able to play it on the piano.
Well, have you ever thought about dreaming of a “Right Christmas” instead of a “White Christmas”? A “Right Christmas” would be one where you made room for Jesus. Have you ever thought about how many people at this season of the year give lip service to Jesus Christ and yet, they have never really made their hearts “right” with God?
Though we do not know when Jesus came into the world, and though we are not commanded to celebrate His birth, the majority of the religious world does focus their attention on Him at this season of the year. We are told that Jesus came to save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).
The great tragedy is that like the innkeeper in Bethlehem, many today have no room in their hearts for Jesus. You see, he did not come just to save us from the sins of the flesh, but also from the sins of the disposition. You know, things like envy, hatred or an unforgiving spirit. So you see, I’m dreaming of a right Christmas, the kind where men and women make Jesus King of their lives, every part of their lives. Have you done that?
It’s something to think about… tbp
Join Us for Worship this coming Lord’s Day at Center Church of Christ or online at www.centerchurchofchrist.com.
“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” John 3:16
December 13, 2021 - Pam and I constantly tell our children that we love them. We call them in New York and Texas almost daily telling them this. My Mother expressed it often to her children with letters, phone calls and cards. But in all the years I knew my Dad, he never once told me he loved me. And if my reaction to that fact was like some people I know, I’d be whining to the world how mistreated I was as a child and how it had so affected my life.
But I’ll never whine about it. My Dad was one of the hardest working men I have ever known and his rough, hardworking hands were sufficient proof that he loved his wife and ten children. He “caught a ride” or hitch hiked to many of his jobs and bought his first auto (an old International pickup) when I was a senior in high school. Daddy passed away in 1984 and if I saw him again today, he wouldn’t have to say he loved me. I already know it.
His being raised without parents and in difficult circumstances made it hard for him to express himself. So I’m not disappointed with Daddy for not saying “I love you” because showing “I love you” is a thousand times better…
than just saying it.
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