March 23, 2016 -

Thursday, March 24th
St. Mary of Epiphany - Timpson: English Mass - 4pm; Spanish Mass - 6pm.
 
Friday, March 25th
St. Therese - Center: Adoration of the Holy Cross - English at 5pm; Live bilingual outdoor Passion play - 6pm. The community is invited to come see this enactment of Jesus' crucifixion.

Saturday, March 26th
St. Therese - Center: English Vigil Mass - 6pm; Spanish Vigil Mass - 8pm.

Sunday, March 27th
English Mass - 10:30am; Spanish Mass - 12:30pm.    

March 22, 2016 - Easter Sunrise Service at St. John Missionary Baptist Church Center, Texas with  Rev. Winston Kibbles Sr.- Pastor.

Sunday March 27, 2016

  • Sunrise Service at 6:30am
  • Sunday School at 9:00am
  • Easter Program at 10:00am

Everyone is invited to come and celebrate The Ressurection of Jesus Christ!!

March 22, 2016 - Bennett Chapel Missionary Baptist Church of Shelbyville Texas Annual Easter Bake Sale. The sale will be held Good Friday March 25, 2016 10AM until, in the parking Lot of H & S Foods.

March 22, 2016 - This year, we invite you to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ with us at Shelbyville UMC & Short UMC.

Easter Sunday (March 27) Worship:

Easter Worship Series: "You've Got Questions?"

After the resurrection, the Apostle’s wrestled with what Jesus taught. We still have many questions about the Christian faith. Join us April 3 – May 8 to look at some of the questions such as “Where is God When It Hurts?,” “Why Forgive?,” “What is Eternal Life / Salvation?” This series will help us gain greater appreciation for our Savior and what He taught.

  • April 3: "Who is Jesus?
  • April 10: "Why Forgive?"
  • April 17: "What is Eternal Life / Salvation?"
  • April 24: "Where is God When it Hurts?"
  • May 1: "Possible Peace?"
  • May 8: Knowing Christ.

Upcoming Bible Study: “Jesus Encounters”

  • Short UMC: Tuesday, April 5 & May 3 at 7:00pm
  • Shelbyville UMC: Tuesdays 10:00am April 5 - May 10

Bible study that encourages you to walk with Jesus and not just a Jesus. Learn to walk with Him daily, side by side, through all your circumstance – big and small – just as the disciples did.

March 22, 2016 - This week we look at the events 3 days following Jesus' death on the cross of Calvary. The most selfless act ever committed on this earth,an act that paid-in-full the sins of all men for all times. The scene here is the arrival of 3 women at the opened tomb of our Lord.

"He is Risen" these were the words spoken by the angel sitting at the tomb to the women that followed Jesus; Mary Magdalene, Mary the Mother of James and Salome as they came to the opened tomb that Sunday morning 3 days after His crucification on Friday. (Matt. 28:5-6) "And the Angel answered and said unto the women, "fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

He is not here: for he is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay."

The women mentioned here had come to the sepulcher or tomb of Jesus, I suspect to see if He indeed had risen as He had promised. Upon their arrival they found the guards all unconscious and the large stone rolled away from the entrance to the tomb and the Angel of the Lord sitting by the tomb, waiting on them. He then made the statement; "He is risen" speaking of the absence of Jesus in the tomb and even invited the women to go in and witness for themselves where he had laid, so they knew for certain that Jesus had indeed "risen".

We can only imagine the shock and feelings of gladness when the women looked into the tomb to see only the clothes Jesus had been wrapped in when He was placed in the tomb 3 days earlier. Especially His own Mother, the Mother of James mentioned here.

(Matt. 28:7-8) "And go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead; and behold, He goeth forth before thee into Galilee; there shall ye see Him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy; and did run to bring His disciples word."

From this day forth Jesus was seen many times by each of His disciples and the women who tended to them, He met with them, He talked with them and He ate with them all the while teaching them and proving of His being alive for about 40 days following His resurrection, the date we celebrate as "Easter Sunday" each year.

We can see in the book of Luke what Jesus did at the end of the 40 days; (Mark 16:19) "So then, after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God."

The verses called "the great commission" tell us what He expects of us today as we wait for His return. (Matt. 28:19-20) "Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Because "He is risen" we have hope for eternity spent with our Lord in heaven. Amen.

March 21, 2016 - Sunday was Palm Sunday, which begins the fateful week that will end with Easter.  During the time of Lent, I have preached a series using the chronology of Mark.  Mark tells the important events of each day of Holy Week.  Thursday is known as Maundy Thursday in the English speaking world and means commandment or mandate.  Jesus tells us that loving God and loving our neighbor are what the Kingdom is all about.  In the English speaking world, Friday is Good Friday.  It was probably at one time “God’s” Friday but over the centuries became “Good.”  In the eastern part of the Christian faith, Friday is known as Holy and Great Friday.  In the German speaking world, Friday is known as Sorrowful Friday.  I think that says it best.
           
Paxton Methodist was in double digits Sunday, an exciting thing.  As always we appreciate Roy and Judy at Sunshine Flowers for providing the palm fronds for our Palm Sunday Service.  They decorated our altar and were there for people to take home also. 
         
It was so great to see Keith and Vera this morning.  Both report that they are feeling better.  The Watson family and Paxton Methodist extend an invitation to everyone to celebrate Easter at a sunrise service starting at 7:00.  Rev. Watson from Center First Baptist will bring the message.  Breakfast will be served after the service.  Be sure to come celebrate with us. 
          
This past week we went to Holiday Nursing Center and had a good time with the residents, telling stories and singing songs.  This coming Thursday at 2:00 we will head to Lakeside Assisted Living.  All month long we are collecting cans of chili for local food banks.    
         
“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, Open Minds.” Sunday School starts at 9:15 and 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 me your email address to the Paxton email address and I will add you to the list. God’s Speed!

March 21, 2016 - “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee…” Jeremiah 1:5  

My brother John lives in Huxley, Texas (Pop. 218) on one of the most beautiful spots on Toledo Bend Lake.  Several years ago he turned his RV Park and surrounding area into a haven for birds and other wildlife.  One of the most interesting spots on his land is a wet marshy area adjacent to the lake that he appropriately calls “The Duck Pond”.

Pam and I drove down one day to photograph the wood ducks that come daily to the pond.   As I sat in John’s photo blind, I noticed a snake’s head protruding from one of the duck boxes.   Soon afterwards the hen flew in and began nervously flying to and from the box but never entering it.  She finally dropped into the box and perched right on top of the coiled-up snake.  After moment or so, she reappeared briefly in the opening of the box and then squealed away.

When I reported what I’d seen to John, he quickly grabbed a ladder and we drove down to confront the intruder. While I stood at the bottom of the ladder, John screwed the top off the box and peered inside.  Sure enough, a huge chicken snake was in the process of swallowing its fourth duck egg. A stiff jab with a stick sent him straight into John’s face spraying him with egg juice as the snake dropped writhing at my feet.  It was the largest chicken snake we’d ever seen…and one of the quickest. 

We were concerned that the duck might not return to her nest, but when John climbed the ladder the nest morning and asked, “Duckie, are you in there?” she exploded from her nest and flew into the open lake. 

It’s comforting to know the little hen is back in her nest again and that she didn’t use the snake as an excuse to abandon her eggs.   I’m also glad that our mothers didn’t take us from her nest before we were born. 

Aren’t you?

March 21, 2016 - When it comes to what Jesus and the apostles found as important it always comes back to teaching and preaching the Word. In the KJV there are found 200 passages that talk about teaching and preaching in their various forms.

An amazing 200 passages contained in only 27 books of the New Testament. This is striking, for only two passages talk about Jesus feeding or entertaining people (Matt. ch. 14 & 15). Which there is no record of a third time for He told them after the second time that the food was the only reason they were looking for Him (Jn. 6:26).

Even after Jesus' rebuke of their carnal interest Jesus told them, “ Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed” (Jn. 6:27). Which is the Word, Jesus pointed them away from entertainment and to the Word.

As He sent out the twelve He told them, “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent” (Mk. 6:11-12). And before He returned to heaven He said, “...Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mk. 16:15-16).

These are only two of 200 passages that shows what Jesus put emphasis on, teaching. The same is true with the apostles in the book of Acts. “And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath. 43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. 44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God” (Ac. 13:42-44).

As one reads through the New Testament all that is found is teaching and preaching. The religion of today, which is based on entertainment is foreign to the Bible. Paul told Timothy, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2).

Jesus' message was one of “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 4:17). Jesus was more concerned with eternity than the present well being of the people. It would do all men well if folks would get back to putting the emphasis on teaching and preaching, than the entertaining religion of today. After all that what Jesus did.

Church email: northsidecoccenter@gmail.com

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March 17, 2016 - Shelbyville United Methodist Church is assembling health kits for United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) on Tuesday, March 22 at 2:00pm in the church Fellowship Hall.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is the humanitarian relief and development agency of The United Methodist Church, a worldwide denomination.

We are inviting all of the community to be part of this hands on mission opportunity. If you are able to, we are looking for the following items for each kit so we can have these to assemble the kits. We have a goal to assemble at least 25 kits. [Health Kit value: $12.00]
- 1 hand towel (15"x25" or 17"x27") (kitchen, cleaning, and microfiber towels not accepted)
- 1 wash cloth
- 1 comb (needs to be sturdy...no pocket or picks please...rattail combs and combs without handles are acceptable)
- 1 metal nail file or nail clipper (no emery boards or toenail clippers please)
- 1 bath size soap (3 oz. and larger sizes only in original package)
- 1 toothbrush (adult size only in original package)
- 6 adhesive packages (3/4" to 1" size common household band aids)
- 1 plastic bag (one gallon sealable bags)
- $1.00 to purchase toothpaste 

If you are able to assemble beforehand and would like to bring to the church, the assembly instructions are:
- Set the $1.00 for toothpaste aside to be included in a separate envelope.
- Lay out the hand towel flat on a table.
- Lay the washcloth flat in the center of the hand towel.
- Place all remaining items on top of the wash cloth.
- Fold over the sides of the hand towel to cover all the items.
- Fold over one end of the hand towel so that it covers all of the items.
- Grasp the bundle of items tightly and roll over the remainder of the hand towel tightly.
- Place the tightly rolled bundle in the plastic bag.
- Remove as much air as possible.

NOTES:
- For this mission project, all items must be new.
- Items do not need to be washed.
- Please remove all packaging.
- All emergency kits are carefully planned to make them usable in the greatest number of situations.
- Since strict rules often govern product entry into international countries, it is important that kits contain only the requested items - nothing more.
- Please do not include any personal notes, money, or additional material in the kits. These things must be painstakingly removed and could delay the shipment.
- UMCOR is purchasing toothpaste in bulk to be added to health kits before shipping to ensure the product does not expire before being sent. 
- Please do not put single dollar bills in each kit.
- All monies collected for toothpaste will be put in a separate envelope with the completed kits.

Thank you for your support for this mission project. We live in a time when disasters strike at any time. Anything we can do to assist people and communities helps remind them of the tangible presence of God. We always have opportunities to show the love and grace of God through Jesus Christ.

In Christ,
Pastor Ryan Stratton
Shelbyville UMC and Short UMC

March 16, 2016 - Pastor Randy Smith and members of the Paxton United Methodist Church invite everyone to celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord at the Dock Watson family home in Paxton on Easter Sunday, March 27 at 7:00 a.m.   Dr. Tim Watson, interim pastor of Center First Baptist Church, will deliver the message.  

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