+ Church Directory
+ Read the Bible Online (Link)
Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
April 15, 2022 - Wouldn’t it have been a wonderful opportunity to be one of the first ones to visit the empty tomb of the risen Lord? I have tried to imagine how Mary Magdalene and the others must have felt early on that Sunday morning. They were undoubtedly weary and dreary due to their lack of sleep. Their hearts had been crushed by the tragedy of Calvary. Fresh in their mind was the great suffering of their Teacher, Deliverer, Healer and Friend. The horrific scenes of Friday were emblazoned on their hearts.
Can you buy an eye of faith see them as they rose early on that Sunday morning and as they approached the tomb Jesus’ brutal treatment at the hand of the Romans was fresh on their mind. They could still hear the cracking of the whip, they could see the flowing of His blood, they could feel the damp, foreboding darkness that covered the earth as it convulsed at the sight of God’s Son being crucified.
Yet, when they came to the tomb, it was empty. An angel said to them, “He is not here, for he is risen as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” (Matthew 28:6)
Because that tomb was empty that Sunday morning, we have hope beyond this life. Paul would write, “thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Corinthians 15:57)
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.
April 15, 2022 - Jackson Cemetery Homecoming will be Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 11:00am. Those who cannot attend and wish to make a donation for cemetery upkeep may mail donation to: Jackson Cemetery Committee, P.O. Box 15, Joaquin, Texas 75954.
April 14, 2022 - Jackson Missionary Baptist Church is hosting a BBQ Sandwich Fundraiser on the downtown Center square on Monday, April 18, 2022 from 11am until 2pm or until sold out.
Plates are $10 and includes pulled pork sandwich, chips, pickle, cookie, and water.
Pre-orders will be taken until April 15th. Delivery is available. Please contact Michelle Rhame ar 936-591-7917. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to funding youth church camp.
April 12, 2022 - Easter Eggstravaganza Saturday, April 16, 2022, 11am to 2pm at Bright Morning Star Church and Hicks Funeral Home lot in Center.
Egg hunting, face painting, games, basketball, bounce house, swings, kickball, family fun day.
April 12, 2022 - NLC Kidz invite you to come join us for our Annual Easter Celebration. This year it is a “Journey to Jerusalem Event!” Friday, April 15, 6:30pm – 8:30pm; Ages: 3-11.
In John 16:33, Jesus says, “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world.” At Easter, we celebrate the life that Jesus brings through his death and resurrection, and kids can learn more about the Journey Jesus took to show us how much he loves us!
We will Journey back in time to Jerusalem for glimpses of the most important events in history with stations that will highlight the real meaning we celebrate Easter. A night filled with Activities, Crafts, Music, Ministry, Food, a GIiant Obstacle course and of course Eggs!
Guaranteed to be a night to remember and best of all it’s for the whole Family! Please share with all your friends and we sure hope to see you there!! Friday, April 15.
"And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:27
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16
"Lighthouses don't blow horns… they just shine."
April 11, 2022 - The symbol of the cross was used by the pagan religions of India, China, Persia, Egypt and Babylon long before Jesus died on one. The upright cross was the sacred symbol of the Babylonian god Tammuz. It was also the symbol of the sun-god Sol, in ancient Rome. Such a cross was the original form of their letter “T,” the initial letter of the name of the god Tammuz.
Roman Catholics wear them as a symbol of Christ's death on the cross as many others do. (I gave Pam a small white gold cross a few years ago and she never takes it off.) But wearing a cross has become less meaningful since people in the entertainment industry (like Madonna, Ozzie Osbourne, Russell Crowe, etc.) hijacked it.
I personally prefer not to wear demonstrative things (WWJD T-shirts, Christian tattoos, etc.) to show I am a Christian. I figure that the way I live is more important than the symbols I wear. A lantern doesn't need the words "I am a lantern" written on it and if we're shining, we won't have to wear a sign saying we are.
We should put Jesus in our hearts before we wear His cross because wearing it is not the same as bearing it. Wearing the cross is easy.
Bearing it is not.
April 11, 2022 - Grace and peace from our brother Jesus, Amen. Today is both Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday. At one time in the universal church, the faithful would come each day during Holy Week: Today was reserved for waving palm branches, while the suffering and passion of Jesus would be celebrated later in the week. I chose once again to focus on Palm Sunday. Sunday began as a warm day, with the sun was shining brightly. We certainly have had some powerful winds this past week, and we have a good chance of severe storms this coming week. We need the rain, but we can do without high winds and bad storms.
Yesterday I officiated over the wedding of Elizabeth and Newton. It was an outside wedding, and the weather was perfect. Although it was a simple ceremony, they had some lovely festive touches. The reception was also outside—at Paxton Methodist Church. Sue and I saw many of our former students—including Liz’s two sisters—and enjoyed getting caught up.
All month long Paxton Methodists will be collecting toothpaste and toothbrushes for Community Christian Services. I sent out sermon copies and the Paxton Methodist news article to Joe, Lillie, and Dixie. We wish them good health and all our best wishes.
We have six wonderful people in our Sunday School class, and Fannie always has a good lesson for us. Our lesson title today was “Off Target.” In the scripture, Mark14: 27-42, Jesus told his disciples that they would falter in their faithfulness. He knew human nature too well. The author had a wonderful illustration about a hot dog vendor in New Orleans. I had to share the book, Confederacy of Dunces, about one such vendor. A hilarious but really strange book. We know that despite our best efforts we will miss the mark from time to time. We are blessed to have a merciful God, a giver of second chances.
Sue began our worship with the Gathering Words based on Psalm 118. Our affirmation was the Apostles’ Creed, the best-known of all the ancient doctrinal statements. The Gospel lesson was Luke 19: 28-40, telling of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. This day begins the most holy of weeks in our Christian faith. Our first hymn was “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed,” fitting for this season. Then came “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” I titled my sermon “What If?” I spoke about Palm Sunday, of course, but my main focus was on a series of “what if” questions about the coming week. What if Jesus’ message of love, humility, compassion, and acceptance was embraced by all the folks in Jerusalem? Christus Victorious! Let’s hope that Jesus will find a more receptive welcome in our hearts and churches today.
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.
April 11, 2022 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, April 11.
I hope you had a wonderful and blessed Palm Sunday. And now... on to Easter! But what happened on all those days between those two Sundays? Each day this week we’ll take a look.
On Monday, Jesus returned to Jerusalem. He and His disciples had spent the night before in Bethany, two miles east of the Holy City, at the home of good friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. But on that morning they found themselves in the temple.
The first temple was built by King Solomon in 950 B.C. It was destroyed about 500 years later and a second temple was constructed. King Herod added to this structure 20 years before Bethlehem, and in the time of Christ, it was called Herod’s Temple.
When Jesus walked in on that Monday morning, He wasn’t pleased with what He saw. Money changers were cheating the Passover visitors, creating a “den of thieves”. We witness His anger as He overturns the tables and drives out the evil men.
Anger is sometimes thought of as a sin, however Jesus shows us a righteous anger that can be a tool to accomplish God's will. But when we take a stand there is often a price to pay. On that Monday morning Jesus caught the attention of the Jewish and Roman officials. And another step was taken toward the Cross.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
April 10, 2022 - Strong Cemetery will be having their annual Homecoming on Sunday, April 24, 2022, dinner on the ground at 12 noon. If you are unable to attend and would like to make a donation, it can be mailed to: Strong Cemetery, P.O. Box 1383, Center, Texas 75935.
April 10, 2022 - Pleasant Grove Cemetery Homecoming and Annual Meeting is Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 10:45 a.m. at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, next to Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 1440 CR 1470, Timpson, TX 75975. Remember to bring your lawn chairs and potluck lunch fare.
Pages
