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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
“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13:2)
September 24, 2020 - Around January of 1974 my insurance company transferred me to our new office in Littleton, Colorado. Living in Colorado was a blast for our family. My wife, Clara, had taken a job at Denver Children’s Hospital in downtown Denver. She was working for the chief cardiovascular surgeon, Dr. George Pappas, as his secretary and assistant. It was a very exciting, though stressful position.
In the summer of 1976 the hospital was hosting a cardiovascular surgery conference. Clara was in charge of working out all the details for this event. A rather famous Indian heart surgeon had been invited to be the primary speaker. It was Clara’s job to obtain a copy of the Indian physician’s background and education, a resume if you will. Everything was going smoothly until she received a faxed copy of the doctor’s information.
On the morning of the conference she was preparing to make copies of the speaker’s resume when she discovered that the document was in a foreign language. She was unable to identify his education or anything else about him. She could find no one in the hospital who could translate for her. This dilemma would be very embarrassing to all concerned if not worked out.
Running out of time, Clara walked down the hall to a break room in search of someone to help her. Suddenly a woman tapped her on her shoulder. Clara turned around to see a young Indian woman, dressed in her Sari, complete with her Bindi on her forehead. In broken English the woman ask Clara if she could be of assistance. Showing her the doctor’s papers she inquired if the mystery lady could translate it into English. “Of course,” she replied, and proceeded to do so.
Clara thanked the mystery lady repeatedly, explaining that she had just saved her day. Then she ran back to her office to retype the resume and make copies of it, just in the nick of time. The conference was a success, thanks in part to this Indian lady. Clara tried to find her to express her appreciation again, but she had disappeared. She was never seen again.
Clara had prayed that God would send someone to help with her insurmountable problem. Did God respond by sending an angel in the proper attire to help her? After all, He does promise to answer prayers.
Related Article:
"Entertaining Angels" (Part One) By Neal Murphy
September 21, 2020 - It's time for the annual Yellowpine homecoming planned for Sept. 26-27, 2020 on the campus of Yellowpine-Macedonia Baptist Church.
At 6pm Saturday, Sept. 26, there will be a community gospel singing. Everyone is invited to attend and participate.
The homecoming service kicks off at 10am, Sunday, Sept. 27. During this service there will be singing by The New Day Spirituals, as well as congregational hymns other specials. The homecoming message will be delivered by Dr. David C. Digmon of Lumberton.
Dr. David C. Digmon of Lumberton
A covered dish lunch will be served followed by more singing at 1:15pm with New Day Spirituals and the congregation.
The New Day Spirituals
A warm hearted invitation is extended to anyone for any portion of the weekend's activities, especially welcome will be former members of the church or community.
Yellowpine-Macedonia Baptist Church is located at the intersection of State Highway 87 South and FM 2343 in Sabine County's Yellowpine community (south of Hemphill). For information, contact T.A. Lane at (409) 584-1144 or (409) 382-8765.
“Go into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in…that my house may be filled..” Luke 14:23
September 21, 2020 - A few years ago, Pam and I visited Arizona’s Saguaro National Park near Tucson and it has since become one of our favorite vacation stops. Along with the display of animals in their natural habitat, there’s a large avian enclosure that houses numerous species of gorgeous birds. Orioles, warblers, doves, and buntings all fed, watered and nested in the lush trees of this large wire enclosure. They all seemed so happy, and none of them were trying to get out.
Then we noticed an unusual thing. Scores of wild birds were hanging on the outside of this wire enclosure trying to get in! Woodpeckers, jays, and wrens frantically sought to get through the wire mesh to be with the tame birds.
And I thought: this place is like some of our churches. The members are so busy eating, drinking, and enjoying the safety of their home that they haven’t even noticed that wild ones are wanting in. And there’s one thing for sure: They’ll never get in...
...until we show them The Way.
September 21, 2020 - I would like to invite all pastors, people in the community, all leaders and anyone that loves Timpson to come join us for a morning of prayer September 26, at 10am in SOSO Park.
We need to come together in unity for our town and community.
Thank you. Hope to see everyone there. Spread the word.
If you have questions give me a call or send me a message on Facebook. Tuffy Green - 936-332-6361.
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.
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