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Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
May 2, 2016 - “…that I may know Him…” (Philippians 3:10)
While I was a pastor in Lumberton, Texas in the seventies, deacon Glen Thornton called saying that eight year old Donna Storm had been badly burned and taken to the John Sealy Burn Center in Galveston. A container of gasoline had exploded near a hot water heater where she was playing.
This little girl rode our church bus regularly to Sunday School and had been converted and baptized during VBS that year. Alice Weeks, her Sunday School teacher, and I went to visit her at the hospital. Her body was burned beyond recognition. Her lips were burned away and pig skin had been grafted around her eyes to help retain body moisture. It was the most heart-rending thing I’d ever seen.
Alice sobbed, “We’ll see you soon, honey.” “We want you to get well soon”. But when I realized she was dying, I said, “Donna, you’ll soon be going to a wonderful place.” “Don’t be afraid….” “There’ll be no strangers there and everyone will be your friend….”
And as I spoke to her, she whispered three words, slowly….quietly …but distinctly… “I…know…Jesus…” Soon after we returned home that day, we got the call that Donna had died.
Forty years have passed since her death and remembering her still brings tears to my eyes…… tears of sadness because of her suffering….and tears of joy…
…Because she knew Jesus.
April 28, 2016 - Bishop S. Lawson Ministries would like to invite the community to Harvest of Souls, 21 power-packed evenings! May 1st through May 21st at the Morning Glory New Life Worship Center in Shelbyville, TX. Services will start at 5pm Monday through Friday, and at 7pm Saturday and Sunday. Guests include Pastor R. Ingram, Apostle W. Nash, Elder V. Lawson, Apostle A. Coleman, Dr. Y. Gamble, Pastor S. Boins, Elder L. Ayers, Apostle J. Johnson, Elder N. Lawson, Apostle C. Christmas, Arch-Bishop J. Lawson, Jr., Pastor W. Allen, Prophetess L. Osby and a host of other speakers! For more information please contact 903-643-3597/903-235-9248.
April 26, 2016 - On Thursday, April 28, 2016 at the Lakeside Village Assisted Living Mrs. Joyce Hughes and Mrs. Emily Taylor will present a variety of music. They play their harps for churches, schools, weddings, civic clubs, and in String Power's Super Group String Orchestra.
The United Methodist Churches of Paxton-Tenaha are delighted to have these special ladies at this month's program at Lakeside Village from 2pm until 3pm.
April 26, 2016 - 11th Appreciation Services for Pastor Wilbert Simmons Jr and wife, Lonnie, will be held Sunday, May 1st at 2:30pm at the Todd Spring Baptist Church. Church is located off HWY 146 in Shelbyville, TX. Pastor Lucien Tatum and the Bright Morning Start Baptist Church will be the special guest. Everyone is invited to attend!
April 26, 2016 - Jeremiah tells of a man who is blessed by the Lord as he walks in the way of the Lord, he trusts the Lord and keeps His will.
(Jeremiah 17:7-8) NKJV "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope in the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out it's roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but it's leaf will be green, and it will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit."
These verses were written by Jeremiah but they closely mirror David's writings in Psalm 1:1-3, the tale of the "blessed man".
Look at both accounts and see that the blessed man delights - finds happiness - in his relationship with our Lord and his life is enriched by that relationship.
Jeremiah 17:13 and Psalm 1:4-6 tell an opposite story, a tale of those who do not follow the Lord's wishes, but a story of those who may consider themselves rich in the things of this world and not in need of Christ's help in their daily lives. You will see from these verses that their end is much different from that of the blessed man.
In both books the blessed man found the mystical "fountain of life" - the Lord Jesus. By following our Lord he is transplanted by the "river of Life" - God's Word. His mind then stays focused on God's will and his days are spent meditating upon God's precious Word.
He draws his nourishment from the "river of life" and as he studies it he glorifies God in all his ways. The Holy Spirit dwells within him and leads him in a better understanding of God's Word.
He is no longer conformed to the world for he has been transformed by the renewing of his mind and spirit so that he can now prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
The blessed man knows that God has a plan for his life and he spends his days following that plan. He knows that his true strength comes from Christ and that with Christ' help he can do all that God wills for him to do each day.
The blessed man is a bearer of good fruit and he understands the reason Christ has transplanted him by the "river of living water" is so that he can bear good fruit for the Lord every day. He draws from the "river of life" and beckons others to come and also drink from it's living waters. By his fruit others know that he is a disciple of the Lord.
The blessed man is focused daily on God's will and not his own wishes nor the wishes of the world. He bears good fruit daily and not just on special occasions. He knows that true happiness comes only by accepting our Lord Jesus Christ as sovereign Lord and Savior.
Please feel welcome to join us each week in the study of God's Word.
For info call: 936-615-1427 May God Bless All...
April 24, 2016 - Sunday was the 5th Sunday of Easter. The Holy Gospel for this Sunday was John 13: 31-35. Jesus is speaking to his followers for the last time. He gives them the “maundatum novum”—the new commandment--for the New Jerusalem. “Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another.” The New Testament reading was Revelation 21: 1-6, in which John describes the New Kingdom that Jesus ushers in. Once again God will dwell with his people. God will wipe away every tear. “Behold, I am making things new. It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega”—God is the beginning reality, and God is the final reality.
We had a wonderful Sunday school lesson from Luke about the Prodigal Son. I have a book about this parable and have been looking for it everywhere. When I read the Sunday school lesson Saturday, I knew I had to keep looking for it. At worship time we were in double digits! Yeah!
What a wonderful surprise it was to have Dianne and Keith from Los Angeles worshipping with us. Liz and Evie were also at church. Evie just turned one year old and is our youngest member; I used to be the youngest until they joined! Joe and Hilda had some help in the singing department with Keith and Liz, who have such nice singing voices. Hilda had a really nice visit last week with her sister from Atlanta.
The month of April is coming to an end. During this month Paxton Methodist has been collecting toothbrushes and toothpaste for Community Christian Services. Next month is cans of fruit. Next Sunday, the first day of May, we will celebrate Holy Communion as the church prepares for the end of the Easter Season and the beginning of Pentecost.
This Thursday is our monthly ministry at Lakeside Assisted Living in Center. Hilda told us that Joyce Hughes and Emily Taylor from Project String’s Super Group String Orchestra will be at Lakeside to perform. The program is at 2:00, and all are invited.
We heard from our good friend Lillie, who recently had a pacemaker put in. We hope she starts feeling better every day. We sure miss Lillie, Mike, and Liz and hope they can make a trip to Shelby County soon. Joy called Carolyn, who has been in the great state of Pennsylvania visiting family. We know she’s been a big help getting family members to doctor’s appointments and looking after them, but we really miss her at Paxton Methodist.
Sue and I made a trip to Dallas last week. Both our kids live there as do my brother Kent and his wife Mary. It was great seeing all of them. My brother Kent and wife Mary are now vacationing in Cuba! They both worked in Central America for many years so are fluent in Spanish. Going now means they can experience life in Cuba as it was in the 1950s (before the tourists take over).
For so many years my trips to Dallas were mainly to visit my parents—and then my mother. Sue and I went to the cemetery and put flowers at my parents’ graves. My mother’s marker from the Navy has come, and it looks really nice. Both my parents were Navy veterans of World War II.
“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!
April 24, 2016 - San Augustine County Cowboy Church is hosting their 4th Annual King of Cowboy's Ranch Rodeo & Built God Tough Roughstock Series on Saturday, May 21st at the San Augustine County Fairgrounds at 5pm.
Admission is free! Come enjoy Live Music by the San Augustine County Cowboy Church Band and more family fun!
Ranch rodeo events include Trailer Loading, Branding, Doctoring. 4 person team with men, women, or any combinatino. 5 minute time limit for the three events. Entry is $200 Ranch Rodeo Team with 100% payback paying out Top 5 - 1st 35%, 2nd 25%, 3rd 19%, 4th 14%, and 5th 7%.
The Built God Tough Roughstock Series began March 12th and runs through September 17th. Series 1 and 2 has passed; however, series #3 is May 21st at 5pm at San Augustine County Cowboy Church, San Augustine County Fairgrounds, San Augustine, Texas. Sign up for Jr Bulls, Open Bulls, Jr Mini, Sr Mini, Jr Ranch Broncs, and Sr. Broncs event. Added money to all events is $65 fee. Sr. Broncs entry is $65 fee with 100% payback and buckle.
The Roughstock series has free admission, concessions available, and guest speaker. To enter or for more information, contact Andy Holloway at 903-754-4123 or Vern Kaylor at 409-489-7329. Additional series dates are as follows: 2pm June 4th at Red River Cowboy Church, RRCC Arena, Caushatta, Louisiana; 2pm August 28th at Cross Brand Cowboy Church, CBCC Arena, Tyler, Texas; and 2pm September 17th at Cowboy Church of Ellis County, Cowboy Church of Ellis County Arena, Waxahachie, Texas.
For more information contact Crystal Sowell at 936-201-0023 or email: saccowboychurch@gmail.com.
Visit online at www.sanaugustinecountycowboychurch.org
April 23, 2016 - The Gates Chapel Baptist Church of Shelbyville will host its Family and Friends Day Program on Sunday, May 1st at 3pm.
The special guest speaker will be the Rev. Chris Jefferies of the Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church of Gary, Texas. Everyone is invited to attend says Paster Frank Cooper.
April 22, 2016 - The Gates Chapel Baptist Church of Shelbyville will host its Family and Friends Day Sunday, May 1 at 3 pm. The special guest speaker will be Rev Joseph Pipkins of Travelers Rest Baptist Church of Kechi, LA. Everyone is invited to attend says Pastor Frankie Cooper.
Sesquicentennial Celebration: 150 Years to Celebrate, 150 Ways to Serve
Center, Texas – April 21, 2016 – Commemorating their year-long sesquicentennial anniversary milestone “150 Years to Celebrate, 150 Ways to Serve,” the First United Methodist Church (FUMC) of Center welcomes Reverend Carol Clifford Turner on Sunday, April 24 at a combined worship service beginning at 10:15 a.m. Sunday School begins at 9:45 a.m. and a covered dish luncheon begins at 11:15 a.m. following the worship service.
Rev. Carol Clifford Turner is an ordained elder with 37 years of pastoral experience. She is currently serving as Senior Pastor of First Methodist Church in Palestine, Texas. Carol graduated from Center High School, Stephen F. Austin State University and Southern Methodist University. Since 1979, she has pastored churches in Galveston, Douglassville, Texarkana, New Boston, Maud, Nacogdoches, Longview, Lufkin, and Baytown. Carol has served on many district committees, is active in the Walk to Emmaus and is involved in numerous community activities relating to child welfare, Habitat for Humanity, shelters for women, medical care ministry and youth education.
Carol began her Christian training in the nursery of our church, was active in Sunday School and United Methodist Youth Fellowship, and in November of 1974 was recommended by our church as a candidate for ministry. She was granted her License to Preach by the Nacogdoches District Committee on Ministry on August 30, 1976.
Additional information regarding FUMC’s 150th anniversary celebration plans for July and October during 2016 will be announced as details become available or by contacting Rev. Karen Jones at FUMC (936) 598-2707.
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