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Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
December 29, 2022 - I once read where someone said the most dangerous thing in the world is to try to leap over a chasm in two jumps. That ranks right up there with the story of the young boy who cut his puppy’s tail off an inch at the time so it wouldn’t hurt so badly by cutting the entire tail off all at once. Both of those little stories illustrate the tragic mistake many people make about Jesus.
Living for Jesus is not a partial thing nor is it a sometime thing. Living for the Lord is an all or nothing commitment. As we have said on many occasions, if Jesus is not Lord of all of your life, He is not Lord at all in your life. Attempting to live for Jesus without a total commitment is like trying to leap a chasm in two jumps,. You leave one bank and miss the other. Here is the way Jesus put it. “He that is not for me is against me,” (Matthew 12:20). Jesus Christ will not share a divided heart. We must give him our all, our life, our talents, our service.
The second story shows us another side of commitment to Jesus. You see, commitment to one thing means forsaking something else. We cannot hold on to the Lord and the world. Often, folks try and give up the world like that little boy cut off the puppy’s tail, a little at a time. The result is the same, pain is multiplied.
We must commit every part of our lives to Jesus and give up the baubles of the world in cleaving to the Lord. Let’s resolve that in the coming you that we will live for Jesus, wholeheartedly and unreservedly.
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
Merry Christmas!
December 26, 2022 - Grace and peace from our brother Jesus, Amen. We at Paxton Methodist hope everyone has a joyful Christmas holiday. We don’t have a “white Christmas” but it’s sure a cold one! Most people on the Joaquin water system as well as other water systems that depend on the Joaquin system are without water. So many people are not only without water but also electricity. It is suppose to get above freezing again so maybe the hard-working crews can get things going again.
Paxton Methodists chose to worship on Christmas Eve and not on Christmas morning. We had a good crowd, at least by Paxton standards, and the congregation included our daughter Megan. Our Gathering Hymn was “O Come All Ye Faithful,” which we sang instead of just listening. Sue led us in our Gathering Words based On Isaiah 9: 2 & 6: The prophet speaks of light coming to dispel the darkness and a child who would lead. Sue also led us in our Affirmation and Apostles’ Creed and then shared some Advent Moments. The Gospel lesson was Matthew 1: 18-25.
The next hymn was “Joy to the World,” followed by “Silent Night,” two Christmas favorites. Our bulletin quote was brief but meaningful, from Alexander Smith a Scottish poet: “Christmas is the day that holds all time together.” This statement was below a silhouetted Nativity scene set against a photo of the Eye of God nebula. My sermon was titled “Going Home,” about the importance of family and home always—but especially at Christmas.
During December Paxton Methodist has been collecting cans and boxes of soup for Community Christian Services. I plan to take the soup and a couple of checks to CCS this week. Traditionally, Paxton Methodist collects cans of tuna in January. All of us want to wish Fred a happy 92nd birthday! Fred was born on Christmas Day, although the doctor recorded 12/26.
In speaking to the folks who are organizing the Eastern District of the Global Methodist Church, I found they will have a minister coming to Paxton on Sunday, January 8th. My last Sunday then will be New Year’s Day. It has been a true joy being the pastor at Paxton. I am going to miss seeing everyone each Sunday. If you are looking for a church with kind, compassionate, caring people, Paxton Methodist would be a great choice. You will be welcomed with open arms.
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 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 22, 2022 - Center Christian Church is hosting a Christmas Eve candlelight service at 5:30pm. The church is located on SH 87 North (Timpson Hwy), across from Holiday Nursing Center.
December 22, 2022 - First Baptist Center hosted a brand-new community holiday event this year - Journey to Bethlehem. Over 450 friends from Shelby County came out to walk through Old Bethlehem, to hear Christmas music, and to receive a warm holiday greeting from the church family at First Baptist.
December 22, 2022 - Please join us at Tenaha First Baptist Church on Saturday evening at 6:00pm for our candlelight service and then again on Sunday morning at 10:00am to celebrate the birth of our Savior!! All other services and activities for the week have been dismissed so we can all celebrate with our families and loved ones.
December 22, 2022 - There is a sad and tragic statement in the Gospel According to Luke in regard to the coming of our Savior into this world. Dr. Luke tells us that when Jesus came into the world he was “wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.
We read that passage through the prism of 2,000 years of history and are quick to speak harsh words about the innkeeper who forced Jesus to be born in a stable with the animals. We wonder why he could not have found a room for a woman who was great with child.
Yet, there is a far greater tragedy in our day and time than the tragedy of Jesus being born in a stable and laid in a manger. That is the fact that in our day and time there is no room in the hearts of a great many people for Jesus. If people would find a place in their hearts for Jesus, a place for His teachings, the ills of our world would vanish like the night vanishes with the light of day. Making room for Jesus would cure the problem of man’s inhumanity to man.
In this season of the year, the majority of the world is focused on the birth of Christ. Yet, has Jesus really made a difference in the way that we live? Has He made a difference in the way we treat our fellowman or our families? Has He made a difference in the way we conduct our business affairs? Has He made a difference in the priorities of our lives? Do we put Him first? In that day there was not room in the inn. Is there room in our hearts for Jesus today?
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
December 19, 2022 - First Methodist Church invites all worshippers to the beautiful and historic downtown square Saturday night at 6:00pm for a candlelight service. Gather around the bandstand for sacred music and the Christmas story accentuated by candle light. (If you have a candle, bring it! It will help the service go more smoothly.)
"It's our third year to offer this unique opportunity to come together for the season's reason," pastor Malcolm Monroe said. "The weather will be cold, but we hope you'll come to share the warmth of Christmas with Christian friends and neighbors throughout the community."
Warm apple cider will be served. Please come and worship with us.
December 19, 2022 - Grace and peace from our brother Jesus, Amen. We at Paxton Methodist hope everyone has a joyful Christmas holiday. Paxton Methodist Church will have Christmas Eve Services on Saturday at 4:00 PM. There will be no services on Christmas Day. Christmas Eve will be the last time we will celebrate as part of the United Methodist Church. The members of Paxton voted to leave the United Methodist denomination and align with the Global Methodist Church. December 24 will also be my last official sermon and service as the pastor at Paxton Methodist Church. I am retiring from the ministry at the end of 2022. I will text the Eastern Conference of the Global Methodist Church to see how their search for a new Paxton pastor is progressing. The last time I texted, I was told there have been two meetings about getting a pastor and that they were aggressively working on it.
Last Thursday we had our annual Paxton Community Christmas program and meal. This was the first time we have held this festive evening since the beginning of the pandemic. We had 30 folks in attendance; the weather was cool but clear and not too cold. Gene replaced the ramp into the church, making it sturdy and slip resistant. It got used as people came and went Thursday night. The program included congregational singing, two reading selections, and special music from Nora Robinson and Wayne and Leona Wimberley. Wayne also led the singing, very helpful in this year of using CDs from the hymnal. Our food was mostly catered, featuring potato soup and chicken salad wraps, plus desserts and drinks from our congregation.
Sunday morning was cold! If the forecasts are right, there is a polar blast heading our way bringing temperatures in the teens. On Friday morning the “feel like” temp is supposed to get to -5 degrees! Oh no! Thank goodness Mrs. Fannie turns the heaters up the night before, and the church is always comfortable. Our Sunday school literature this week was based on the Matthew story of the wise men. The author said the purpose of this lesson was to learn how to proclaim Jesus as our King. I see our faith not as static but as something growing during our journey through life. Of course, the wise men had that bright star to guide them. We too can follow the path to Christ just as the three kings did so long ago.
Our worship began with listening to the Christmas hymn, “Angels We Have Heard on High.” Later we sang “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and “O Come, All Ye Faithful.” Our bulletin quote was a lyric excerpt from “Mary, Did You Know?” that Nora sang so beautifully at the Christmas program: “Mary, did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? This child that you delivered will soon deliver you.” Sue led us in our Gathering Words and the Apostles’ Creed. She also shared some Advent moments and read the Gospel lesson from Luke 2. During our Christmas Eve Service, I will refer to Luke often but will use Matthew’s telling of the birth story as the Gospel lesson. Only Luke and Matthew have birth narratives in their Gospels, strangely enough. The title of my sermon was “An Amazing Story,” which the Christmas account certainly is.
December is the month that Paxton Methodist collects cans or boxes of soup for Community Christian Services. We so appreciate Community Christian Services allowing us, in a small way, to partner with them all year round, including helping with the Children’s Christmas. They do such necessary and generous work, and it’s a privilege to be a part of it.
I went for my final follow-up appointment after my hand surgery in November, and the doctor released me. My hands aren’t perfect but not bad for a 70-year-old dude! I will have one more article in a week or so before retiring. I have so enjoyed writing the articles and also sending out what is supposed to be a weekly newsletter. I have met through emails so many wonderful people, and I appreciate the news outlets letting me have space for my article.
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 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 15, 2022 - I remember reading a fable some years ago that teaches a very valuable lesson. It seems that two friends were setting out together upon a journey which led through a dangerous forest. They mutually promised to assist each other if they happened to be assaulted. They had not gone very far, before they noticed a bear headed their way in a great rage.
There was no hope in flight, but one of them, being very active, sprang up into a tree. At that point, the other threw himself flat on the ground and pretended to be dead. The bear came up and after smelling on him some time, left him and went on. When he was fairly out of sight and hearing, the hero from the tree called out, “Well my friend, what did the bear say? He seemed to whisper to you very closely.
The other replied, “yes, he did. He gave me some good advice and told me to never associate with a wretch who in the hour of danger will dessert his best friend.”
To be sure, I am willing to learn the lesson from the fable rather than try it out with a bear. But whether the bear said it or not, the truth is on the surface. There are many kind of friends. There are political friends, fair weather friends, so-long-as-I-can-use-you friends, and you can go from there.
We must remember that Jesus is a friend that will always be with us and will never desert us. He tells us we are his friends if we obey his commandments.
It’s something to think about. . . tbp
Join Us for Worship this coming Lord’s Day
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
December 13, 2022 - First Baptist Center, 117 Cora, welcomes the community to a candlelight service at 5:00pm on Christmas Eve. We invite your family to join our church family for all the favorite carols, a children’s sermon, and a Christmas message from our pastor.
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