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Contributing Writers: David Mathis | Tim Perkins
Past Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard
Faith
May 27, 2022 - Lone Cedar Missionary Baptist Church and Pastor Martin Ferguson invite the community to attend our Revival at 2068 FM 3082, Joaquin, Texas. Services begin at 7 p.m., Monday, May 30th thru Friday, June 3rd. Dr. Neal Clark will be our Evangelist, Bro. Jay Pollan will lead our music and Dr. Travis Worsham will be our pianist. Specials are welcome. Come join the worship of our Lord and Savior each night.
May 27, 2022 - Join us for Jerusalem Marketplace VBS at Old Home Baptist Church June 6th - 9th from 6:00 - 8:00 PM nightly. Come explore the Marketplace where Jesus walked. You will see how the people lived and worked in Jerusalem as you explore the different stations. Hope to see you there! For more info, call 936-254-4872 or 936-248-2821
May 26, 2022 - This week we have witnessed another example of man’s inhumanity to man. The tragic school shooting in Uvalde which took so many innocent lives breaks our hearts. We sympathize with those parents and grandparents who have lost their children in such a horrific manner. Our hearts ache and our eyes become misty with tears as we consider what it might be like if we were in their shoes. As we pray and ask the God of Heaven to give them strength, courage and comfort, we also express our gratitude that our own dear little ones are safe, at least for now.
Yet, there is another example of man’s inhumanity to man being put on full display in the wake of this tragedy. Parents have not even had an opportunity to make funeral arrangements for their children and the usual suspects are attempting to use this tragedy and use these children and their families to their political advantage.
It matters not what side of the political debate you might be on when it comes to guns and gun control, people need to let these families have some time to grieve and mourn before politicians, activists, celebrities and pundits use this tragedy to promote a political agenda.
“Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them” (Matthew 7:12) If you had lost your child or grandchild, would you want an opportunity to grieve before someone exploited the death of your child or grandchild for political gain?
It’s something to think about. . . tbp
Join Us for Worship this coming Lord’s Day
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
May 26, 2022 - Ramah Cemetery will hold our annual meeting at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at the Ramah Baptist Church in Tenaha, TX. The church gym will be open and families are welcome to bring a covered dish lunch to celebrate and honor our loved ones.
May 24, 2022 - New Hope Cemetery Homecoming will be Sunday, June 5, 2022 at 12 noon. Please bring your lawn chairs and favorite dishes for a time of food and fellowship.
If you are unable to attend and wish to donate for the upkeep of the cemetery please send donations to:
New Hope Cemetery
c/o Alyson Porter
1597 FM 2974
Center, Texas 75935
May 23, 2022 - Sunday was the 6th Sunday of Easter. As promised by all the local channels, our part of the world got a nice rain last night. We had almost 2 inches in downtown Joaquin. Sunday morning also saw some cooler temperatures. All the plants in my little gardens and containers appreciate rain, and I appreciate not having to water. It is usually much later in the summer when I have to start watering every day.
Our Sunday School continued with the author’s theme about creation and the need to care for it. We humans may think we are the only important part of creation, but God cares for it all. We have a duty not just to each other and to future generations, but to God. There were two scriptures for our lesson: Joel 2: 18-26 and Romans 8: 19-22. Our author reminded us that we live with misconceptions of the truth. In the reading from Romans, Paul alerts us to the reality that humanity and nature exist in an interconnected relationship with each other. Paul’s words shatter the myth that we humans can act in whatever manner we please when it comes to the environment. The destiny of the earth is also part of our faith.
We had a small group at worship this morning—not that we ever have a large group! I guess it’s all relative. Our Gathering Words were based on Psalm 67, a hymn of praise that has a universal feel to it. We affirmed our faith by saying The Apostles’ Creed. For Christian churches that include affirmations in their worship services, this is the best known one. The bulletin quote from Andrew Murray mirrored the idea of stewardship from the Sunday School lesson: “The world asks, ‘What does a man own?’ Christ asks, ‘How does he use it?’” We can also see how this quote reflects our Christian duty to share compassion to all people, another theme from my sermon today. Our two songs were familiar and joyful ones: “To God Be the Glory” and “Wonderful Words of Life.”
The Gospel lesson today again came from John; John 14: 23-31 is part of Jesus’ Farewell Discourse. The passages making up Jesus’ final words to the disciples are the longest speech by Jesus in the entire New Testament. Jesus promises that God’s Spirit will always be with the disciples (and with us). We used a more modern translation for the Gospel reading that refers to the Holy Spirit as The Companion. We are never really alone. The Companion will accompany us on our life’s journey. Jesus’ final gift to his disciples is peace—shalom. The use of “shalom” indicates more than just peace, meaning fullness and wholeness. Easter Season is about to end: In a few weeks we will celebrate the ascension of Jesus and the birth of the Jesus Movement on Pentecost.
During the announcement part of our service, I shared that I called our dear friend Hilda. I also talked to Mike, who said he, Lillie, and Liz were all doing well. I know that Lillie is happily rooting for the Astros. She is having a lot more fun than I am—as a long-time Cubs fan. Gene gave an update on a CD the church recently took out. May is getting closer to the end. All month we have been collecting cans of fruit for Community Christian Services. In June we will start collecting paper towels and toilet paper.
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.
May 23, 2022 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, May 23.
Do you know what a “polymath” is? It sounds like a really hard arithmetic problem! But actually, it’s a person who has world-class ability in more than one area. Leonardo de Vinci is probably the prime example of a polymath, or "Renaissance man". But a close second would be one of our Founding Fathers - Benjamin Franklin.
Franklin was a writer, scientist, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher, philosopher, and inventor. And, on May 23, 1785, he announced a new invention - bifocal glasses. This breakthrough was a blessing to those who were both far-sighted and near-sighted, like Benjamin Franklin (and yours truly).
Hopefully you're one of those lucky people with 20-20 vision, but most of us need help with our vision. And when it comes to spiritual vision, we all need help. And God has promised to supply His vision to help us find our way. The Bible, of course, is the primary way that He guides us - "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105).
The Apostle Paul offered this prayer for the church in Ephesus, and for us - "Open the eyes of their hearts, and let the light of Your truth flood in. Shine Your light on the hope You are calling them to embrace. Reveal to them the glorious riches You are preparing as their inheritance" (Ephesians 1:18).
Open the eyes of our hearts, Lord.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
May 20, 2022 - The Calvary Boys will be in concert on Saturday, May 21st at 7:00 PM at Old Home Baptist Church. The church is located 9 miles North of Center off of Farm Road 699 onto County Road 3455. Call or text for more information 936-332-9293.
May 29, 2022 - In Luke chapter 6 and verse 46, Jesus is preaching and says, “Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” At first glance, perhaps that sounds a bit harsh. However, it could have been a question in which the expression of pity, surprise and patient love on the face of Jesus softened the rebuke.
Let’s be honest. Often to do the things Jesus tells us to do is not an easy matter. He said so much and often they were such hard sayings. Yet, Jesus dealt in principles and what he said can be summed up in three principles.
We are to put God first in our lives. That is why Jesus said to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). We must put our neighbor second, remember Jesus said we are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Then, we are to put ourselves last.
The great tragedy of our day and time is that we so often put self first, before God and others. Have you ever considered what a wonderful place this world would be if we all put God first in our lives and put self last? Why not start right now to put God first, others second and self third in your thinking. I just might make life better.
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
May 17, 2022 - St. John Missionary Baptist Church Center, Tx. Pastor Rev. Winston Kibbles Sr. Pastor & Wife’s Appreciation Service.
Rev. and First Lady Winston Kibbles Sr.
Honoring our Pastor & Wife’s 16th Anniversary
We the members of the St. John Missionary Baptist Church cordially invite you to come and celebrate this great occasion with us.
Theme: “Celebrating the Laborer that dwells among us.” 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13: And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
June 5, 2022 12pm Special Guest: Rev. Cedric Grace, St. John Missionary Baptist church, Pastor: Rev. Winston Kibbles Sr. 2308 C.R. 2050 Center, Tx 75935
St. John Missionary Baptist church
Pastor: Rev. Winston Kibbles Sr.
2308 C.R. 2050 Center, Tx 75935
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