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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
Faith
September 21, 2020 - The McWilliams-Rather Cemetery Association will meet at Todd Spring Baptist Church at 4:00pm on Saturday, September 26th.
September 20, 2020 - Grace and peace from our brother Jesus, Amen. Sunday was the twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Later this week we officially enter fall, AKA autumn. The temperatures have finally started to moderate, and we are lulled into the idea that summer is over. Unfortunately we are still in hurricane season, with another storm brewing in the gulf.
Paxton Methodist Church is meeting each Sunday wearing masks and practicing social distancing. Our music is just on piano and CD—no singing to spread germs. All during the month of September we are collecting macaroni and cheese for Community Christian Services.
In fine Methodist tradition, Paxton Methodist will have its yearly Charge Conference. We don’t have the technology (or truth be told, the know-how) to do Zoom, so our District Superintendent is coming to Paxton on Saturday, November 21st. We will be getting together yearly reports and a congregational and clergy assessment. Working on these reports reminds me of my days as a school principal. But I never faced what administrators at our schools are having to confront with the pandemic. What a frightening time for school employees, students, parents, and the entire community!
The scripture for our Sunday School lesson was Romans 8: 1-11. The purpose of both the reading and the lesson was to overcome selfishness, learning to live in God’s Spirit. Paul says that the Spirit of God leads to life and peace. A preacher at Joaquin Methodist, when Sue and I first started going there, said all sin was selfishness. Forty-five years later, I can still hear him saying that, and have come to believe it is really true.
We had a small group for Sunday School and church this morning. It was really nice to have Sue and Fred worshiping with us this morning. Today is Gene’s birthday and we hope he has a really nice, special day.
The Old Testament Lesson for Sunday was the last part of Jonah. The reading starts after the cool parts—getting swallowed by a great fish and then thrown up on the beach. I titled my sermon “Grumbling with God” because Jonah just knew that God was going to be merciful and forgive the people of Nineveh: Jonah wanted those no-good people to suffer! And God didn’t disappoint Jonah. He did forgive, and he was merciful; Jonah was ready to pack it all in.
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.
Randy & Sue Smith/Paxton United Methodist Church
September 17, 2020 - Often there is a heavy mood among people in our day and time. The rioting and lawlessness taking place in our cities, the pandemic of Covid 19 along with the quarantines and shutdowns are having a profound effect on people. The mood often is one of disillusionment mixed with discouragement. Things we once thought certain are no longer certain. Things we once thought secure are no longer secure. Our political landscape is like a minefield and one wonders what ordinary people like us can do.
How can we make a difference and change the shape of things? What's the use of hoping and praying for a better world? It seems the odds against us are overwhelming.
We need to hear the words Jesus spoke to that handful of men He chose to carry out His mission to change the world. Jesus told them they were the light of the world in Matthew 5:14-16. Jesus told His friends to leave off cursing the darkness, He wanted them to spend their time lighting candles. That is what we need to spend our time doing. We need to light the candle of prayer and the candle of exemplifying Jesus in our daily lives. When we pray for our nation and its leaders and when others see Jesus living in us, then we will be a beacon of light in a dark world.
It's something to think about... tbp
Center Church of Christ, 110 Hurst Street, Center, Texas or online www.centerchurchofchrist.com
September 15, 2020 - Mt. Herman Cemetery Homecoming will be held Sunday, September 20 as usual. The cemetery is located on Hwy 7 W in the Mt. Herman community in Center, Texas. We will begin at 12:00 Noon with covered dishes available. All is welcome to attend.
If you are unable to attend but would like to make a donation to the cemetery please send to:
Mt. Herman Cemetery
c/o Deanne Sample, Treasurer
1106 CR 4314
Tenaha, TX 75974
Questions may be addressed to any board member or by calling President Jerryl Adams at 936-590-1321.
September 14, 2020 - FBC Kids – a Wednesday evening event for children at First Baptist Center – begins with a Pizza Party in the Gym Wednesday, September 16, 6-7pm.
FBC Kids is for 3yrs – 6th grade, happens every Wednesday during the school year, and features music, crafts, activities, and “hands-on” Bible study.
Call 936-598-5605 for more info. First Baptist Center is located at 117 Cora – across from the historic courthouse.
September 14, 2020 - Grace and peace from our brother Jesus, Amen. Sunday was the twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. It seems like just the other day Hurricane Laura was threatening the coast of Louisiana and the Gulf. Now we are watching Sally, hoping for the best for our neighbors to the south of us. I sure was disappointed that the promised “cold front” didn’t quite make it to our area. But the mornings have been pleasant, even though we are still in that summer weather pattern in Texas. Here we are, half way through September, with a start-stop-start school year and two weeks of high school football.
Paxton Methodist Church is still meeting each Sunday wearing masks and practicing social distancing. It is easier for us than many other churches because we are really small—but this last Sunday we had six extra people! We limit our music to piano and CD solos, hoping not to spread droplets of whatever! During the month of September we are collecting macaroni and cheese for Community Christian Services. I delivered the August collection along with three checks, and it was really good to see friends giving others a helping hand.
In fine Methodist tradition, Paxton Methodist will have its yearly Charge Conference. We don’t have the technology to do Zoom so our District Superintendent is coming to Paxton on Saturday, November 21st. This will give us some time to get all the reports and evaluations completed, voted on, and sent to the District Office.
There was a short article before the Sunday School lesson about simplicity. Our author says we embrace simplicity by cleaning out all kinds of clutter. I know that our houses are full of stuff—some we treasure and some junk that is just that—junk! Our lesson scripture was from Romans, where Paul’s words are difficult. He speaks of us as enemies of God with a need to restore a relationship to the holy and divine. I agree with half of that: Despite my weak faith and questioning nature, I don’t see myself as an enemy of God. But Paul speaking about forgiveness and the reconciliation which comes after is something we can all embrace.
As we finished up Sunday School, we had several special folks come in for church. Lillie, Liz, and Mike were at the farm and joined us this morning. This was the first time in a long time that we got to see and visit with them. Lillie looked so good, after breaking her hip twice and doing the tough rehab. Mrs. Minnie also came this morning with her friend Hilda and even played piano for us. Minnie is a regular at our nursing home ministries, so we haven’t see her in a long time. Sue and Fred, Senior Center folks from Logansport, also joined us for worship. It was great to have all of them. We at Paxton Methodist are always excited when we are in “double digits.”
We have two birthdays this month. Our good friend Joe had a birthday Sunday, and we sure hope he is doing well and staying safe. Gene has a big birthday coming up this coming Sunday; family will join Gene and Joy for the celebration. We were saddened to hear of the death of our friend Carmelo Dominguez, the pastor whose congregation used to share our building. We have lost many dear people to this horrible pandemic.
My sermon dealt with the need not only to forgive, but to reconcile. Without reconciliation, repair of friendships is impossible. It does seem that we are way too often concerned with who is right and who is wrong and not on getting along. That requires respect and knowing that everyone deserves dignity—not to mention a touch of humility.
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.
September 10, 2020 - When God asked Adam, “Where art thou?” if was embarrassing to him, because he was in the wrong place and had done the wrong thing. He had disobeyed God. When God asked Cain, “Where is thy brother?” is was embarrassing because of his sin. In the parable of the marriage feast, when the king asked the men who did not have on a wedding garment, “Friend, how camest thou in hither not having on a wedding garment?” the man was so embarrassed that he was speechless (Matthew 22:12).
We may have many excuses to offer now; but when we stand in the presence of the Great Judge and he asks us about our life, there will no longer be any excuses that we can offer.
Would it be embarrassing for others to know how often we read the Bible? Would it be embarrassing for others to know the level of concern we really have for the church? You know, there are many things we leave undone that we ought to do and there are many things we may do that would embarrass us among our friends. Yet, the real question is not what our friends and acquaintances think about the way we live, but how does Jesus feel about the way we live.
It’s something to think about… tbp
Center Church of Christ, 110 Hurst Street, Center, Texas or online at www.centerchurchofchrist.com.
September 9, 2020 - Huxley Helping Hands, a local mission group from the Huxley Community, are holding a Drive Thru Food Pantry for the residents of Shelby County. All recipients must show identification, wear a mask and be in line by 9:30am on Saturday, September 12, 2020.
Only one (1) box per household. There will be a devotion in the parking lot of Hillcrest Baptist Church, 901 Southview Circle, Center, Texas.
September 7, 2020 - Grace and peace from our brother Jesus, Amen. Sunday was the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. This has been a tough week for those in southwestern Louisiana as they are still digging out of the destruction brought on by Hurricane Laura. Most people in Shelby County finally got their power back on within the week. But many in those hard- hit parishes are still waiting for lights and some air conditioning.
September is here and tomorrow we celebrate Labor Day—the working man and woman. We are especially grateful for all those front-line workers who keep our country going and oftentimes do not earn a living wage or have health insurance for their families.
This was the first Sunday of the month, so we celebrated Holy Communion at Paxton. We are doing communion differently, trying to stay safe. Sue and I will deliver last month’s collection of checks and children’s underwear to Community Christian Services this week. During September we will collect macaroni and cheese.
With this new month, we also had new quarterly Sunday School books. Fannie had a really good lesson planned out and was able to tie many of the ideas in the main scripture—Acts 9: 1-20—to the present day. The scripture spoke of Paul’s conversion but also of his need to let go of the anger that had built up inside him. Our author said that one’s anger and the way one deals with it can serve as a test of spiritual maturity.
At church time, I continued looking at Paul’s letter to the Roman Jesus followers. One of the resources that I use in sermon preparation said that Romans serves as the textbook for Christianity. In this textbook the most important word is LOVE. Love here is seen as compassion, deep caring, and sense of belonging to one another—not passion or romance. The word “love” is so overused that we sometimes don’t realize how very central it is to our faith.
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.
Randy & Sue Smith/Paxton United Methodist Church
September 3, 2020 - I read a story not long ago about a businessman, a man who was quite busy. He was harassed, discouraged, and overwhelmed with all the pressure he was under. He had deadlines to meet, projects to complete and a never-ending list of things he needed to take care of. Finally, in desperation, he decided to consult a psychiatrist. The good doctor immediately told him to slow down and work less. He also had some further instructions. He told the man to spend one hour every week in the cemetery. This puzzled the businessman and he immediately asked “why?" He was told to just go to the cemetery, look around and get to know some of the names of the permanent inhabitants located there. The doctor informed him that these people did not finish their work either. They went to the cemetery with tasks uncompleted. They had not accomplished all that they set out to do. No one does.
Are we in that story? Do we become so involved, obsessed, and burdened by the things of this life that we crowd the Lord out of our lives? Are we so “involved” with this world that we have no time to give faithful worship to God?
You see, some day, we will take time away from all the things that seem so important to us now – permanently. When we do, the world with go right on without us.
Perhaps it’s time to slow down and take the time to put God first in our lives.
It’s something to think about … tbp
Center Church of Christ
110 Hurst Street
Center, Texas
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
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