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Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
+ 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
December 23, 2024 - Sherry Harding invites everyone to First Methodist Church of Shelbyville Christmas Eve Service on December 24, 2024. It will begin at 6pm. All are welcome.
Blessings and Merry Christmas.
December 23, 2024 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, December 23.
What day was Jesus born in Bethlehem? December 25th, right? Probably not. The Bible doesn’t pinpoint the date of the nativity, but several biblical passages point us to a different part of the calendar. Let’s take a quick look.
The Romans were nothing if not efficient. Their innovations in the areas of urban planning, water systems, road building, etc. are still being used today, two thousand years later. Luke 2 begins by telling us of a census that the Romans were taking. The last thing they would have done would be to schedule that census - which would require people to travel - during the winter, when storms and temperatures would make travel very difficult.
The shepherds are a beloved part of the nativity cast of characters. Traditionally, shepherds would have their flocks in open fields only from April to October. During the rugged weather of late December, those sheep - and those shepherds - would have been safely tucked away in protected camps. The angels in the skies outside Bethlehem would have been proclaiming the good news to empty fields.
Many biblical scholars believe that the birth actually happened in the early fall, perhaps in September, a time of festival in Jerusalem, when multitudes of pilgrims would have been traveling to the area, an area that included Bethlehem. Perhaps that’s the reason there was no room in the inn.
So does any of this really matter? Does it change anything? No. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” That doesn’t change. And that’s what really matters.
Meet you back here tomorrow - for the final devotion in our series “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
December 18, 2024 - Bro. Kevin Windham and the congregation of Patroon Baptist Church invites everyone to a candlelight service on Christmas Eve, December 24 at 6pm. The church is located at 310 FM 2261, Shelbyville, Texas. Come celebrate the birth of our savior with us. For more information or directions, contact Shonia Putman at 936-591-7569.
December 16, 2024 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, December 16.
This is Day Six of our “Twelve Days of Christmas” series. The final one will come on Christmas Eve. I hope you’re enjoying these little looks at Christmas characters, culture, and carols. This morning we take a look at a carol story with enough drama for a week of devotions.
When you Google the story behind “O Holy Night”, you’ll find lots of interesting information. Here’s a taste -
*It was once banned by the Catholic Church
*On Christmas Eve, 1872, it stopped the French-German War
*During the U.S. Civil War it was a rallying song for abolitionists
*Mariah Carey’s version went platinum, selling over a million units
My favorite part of the story behind this carol happened in 1906. Reginald Fessenden was a scientist who had once worked with the great inventor Thomas Edison. But on Christmas Eve, 1906, he was preparing to unveil an invention of his own. He had fashioned a new kind of generator, a device that could generate, could transmit sound. Today we call it “radio”. On that evening, from his lab in New Jersey, Fessenden spoke into a microphone and was heard by anyone with a wireless radio receiver. At that time, however, that would have been mainly sailors on ships along the Atlantic Seaboard. But these men were accustomed to only hearing a series of clicks, a code, Morse code. On that evening, they heard a voice, a voice reading these words -
“And it came to pass in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed...”
Imagine being a lonely sailor, away from home on the holidays, and suddenly, out of nowhere, hearing a voice - it must have seemed like a Christmas miracle! For the first time in the history of the world, sound was being transmitted through the air, was being “broadcast”. And when Reginald Fessenden finished reading from Luke 2, he picked up his violin, and began to play a beautiful melody that had been composed 60 years before, composed to accompany these words -
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining. It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining, ‘til He appeared and the soul felt it’s worth
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night, O holy night, O night divine
When you listen to the radio today, or stream a video, or search the internet - when you access any broadcast media - remember that the first sound to go out over the airways was this song, a song of hope, a song of Christmas.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
December 12, 2024 - Did you ever wake up early Sunday morning, the neighbors are all in bed, the streets are quiet and the yards are empty? The world is asleep as you prepare for worship on the Lord’s day. Did you ever leave dishes in the sink, a blouse un-ironed and the floors un-swept to visit a sick friend, run an errand for someone who was confined to home? Did you ever say no to a social gathering for all day on the Lord’s Day? Well, that’s what you get for being a Christian.
Did you ever work with a group of people who use profanity, live loose lives morally, who think you are strange because you are a Christian and not like they are?
All of that is what you get for being a Christian. Yet, think what is yours for being a Christian:
You are a child of the King.
You are loved and cared for.
You have a peace and happiness the world does not know and cannot take away.
You shall inherit eternal life.
You have a Father to whom you can take all your unresolved problems. A Father who abolishes fear and doubt.
All of those things are yours when you become a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, living His kind of life, His way.
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
Celebrate the Joy of Christmas at First Methodist Church of Center’s Candlelight Gathering beginning at 6pm.
December 12, 2024 - The holiday season is a time for community, reflection, and celebration, and what better way to come together than at the 6PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Gathering hosted by the First Methodist Church of Center! This annual event, now in its fifth year, invites friends, families, and neighbors to unite on the downtown square in front of the historic Shelby County Courthouse for a time of carols, fellowship, and joy.
This festive gathering promises a memorable experience for all ages. The evening will be filled with the sounds of familiar Christmas carols, bringing the true spirit of the season to life as the community comes together to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own candle to light as the evening progresses, and hot apple cider will be available for everyone before the event begins. Pastor Malcolm Monroe expressed his excitement about this event, saying:
“First Methodist Church of Center is overjoyed to be able to provide this festive, community-wide, candlelight gathering for the fifth consecutive year. We invite everyone to come early, enjoy the cider, and visit with friends from across the community as we unite together on this special evening."
The evening will culminate with a heartwarming rendition of “Silent Night”, sung by candlelight, creating a peaceful and beautiful moment that everyone will remember.
In case of inclement weather, the event will unfortunately be canceled, with no alternative service planned. So, be sure to keep an eye on the forecast, and if the weather is favorable, bundle up and join us for a magical evening!
While Santa Claus won’t be making an appearance (he’ll be busy delivering toys to children around the world), this event still promises plenty of holiday cheer for the whole family.
If you have any questions or need more details about the event or the First Methodist Church, feel free to contact Rev. Malcolm Monroe at the church office: (936) 598-2707, or visit the church’s website at www.CenterFirst.org.
December 9, 2024 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, December 9.
Today we begin a holiday-themed series called “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. It will take us all the way to Christmas Eve. Hope you enjoy it! We start off with a little quiz. Here are five thoughts about the nativity story. You be the judge . . . in the Bible or not?
You’ve probably guessed that none of these “facts” is actually found in scripture (three wisemen Gifts, the angels Said to the shepherds, etc.). These, and other unsubstantiated beliefs, over the centuries, have become truths. They turn up in our nativity scenes, in holiday books, and even in some of our favorite carols. This isn’t surprising when you consider this - there are 31,102 verses in the Bible, but just 40 are devoted to the Christmas story. That leaves a lot of opportunity to “fill in the blanks”.
Take a moment today to go back to the source. Reread the story in the first two chapters of Matthew and Luke. “Then you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” John 8:32
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
P.S. - Thank you to First Methodist Church of Center for the warm welcome yesterday, and the invitation to be a part of their annual Christmas program, ably led by Music Minister Chris Watlington
(Note: I wish I could claim originality for this, but I found it in a file in my office, I have had it for many years and it contains some valuable food for thought.)
December 5, 2024 - A man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy boulevard, when suddenly the light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right thing and stopped, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.
The tailgating woman hit the roof, and the horn, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the intersection. As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station where she was searched, finger printed, photographed and placed in a holding cell.
After several hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects. He said, I’m very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, shaking your fist at the driver in front of you and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the “choose life” license plate, the “What would Jesus Do?” bumper sticker, the “Follow Me to Sunday School” bumper sticker and the chrome plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk.
Naturally, I assumed you had stolen the car.
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 2, 2024 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, December 2.
Yesterday, December 1, was the beginning of an important holiday season. No, not the Christmas season, but the season of Advent. On the traditional church calendar, Advent is the period that includes the four Sundays leading to Christmas Day. The Christmas season, on that calendar, doesn’t begin until December 25, and continues to January 6 - the “twelve days of Christmas”!
The word advent means “coming”. It is intended as a time of preparation - preparing our churches, our families, our hearts - for the coming of the Christ Child. I’m not referring to the preparation of decorations, or gifts, or holiday food. The preparation of Advent is something deeper. We get a sense of that in the words of Isaiah 40:3 - “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God”.
So how do we do that? Perhaps one way would be to go back to the source, to read, once again, the story in the first two chapters of Matthew and Luke. It would take about five minutes, maybe another ten to meditate on it. Would you be willing to give fifteen minutes each day in December, during this season of Advent, to prepare yourself? The Christ Child is coming! Better get ready!
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
November 29, 2024 - It’s Thanksgiving Day! It will be a day of good food and family time and watching football games. Most of us will eat much more than we should and then wonder why we ate everything we did when we are so miserable. I often wonder if among the food, family and football if we really pause to realize just how much we have to be thankful for.
Yes, we have food, clothing and shelter. We live in a land where we are free to come and go as we please and travel and own property. We can assemble with the saints on the Lord’s Day and not fear the intervention or intrusion of government. We are truly blessed.
However, do we realize just what we have to be thankful for spiritually? Through Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice, we have the forgiveness of our sins. As Christians, we have the privilege of approaching God through the Holy, Happy, Heavenly exercise of prayer. Because of Jesus Christ, we have the promise of a mansion in heaven if faithful to Him we live our lives on this earth.
On this Thanksgiving Day, let’s make sure to take the time to realize just how blessed we really are. Let’s take the time to offer to God a prayer of gratitude for all that He has done for us. Let’s take the words of the song to heart:
Count your blessings.
Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings,
See what God hath done.
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.