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Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard | Tim Perkins
Faith
March 2, 2022 - We're still 18 days away from the first day of spring, but here in Shelby County, Texas, we're starting to see some signs that the season is changing. And we're grateful to God for that. The beginning of spring, on March 20, falls on Sunday this year. And we're planning a series of devotions during the week prior, that will focus on our Creator and on His creation. Hope you can join us for those thoughts.
The shift from the cold winter wind to the soft breezes of spring is always a refreshing blessing. We've had a fairly mild winter here in Center, so the contrast isn't as dramatic as it sometimes is. But I was thinking this morning that, in a way, the past two years have been a kind of extended winter for our world. The pandemic came home to America just about exactly two years ago now, with schools and churches and businesses shutting down in March of 2020. The cold wind of fear and loss and isolation has blown steadily through our culture during these past 24 months.
We are truly ready for the soft breezes of hope.
We are ready . . . for spring.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
March 1, 2022 - Today is a day that's known by several names. Some call it "Mardi Gras" or "Fat Tuesday". Others refer to it as "Shrove Tuesday" or "Pancake Day". What's all this about? Well, basically, it's all wrapped up in the fact that today is the last day before Lent, that six-week season in the traditional church calendar that leads to Easter.
The Lenten Season is known as a time of fasting, or at least a time to give up certain rich foods or other indulgences. Thus, the "fat" Tuesday name, signifying a day to indulge in all those things that wouldn't be allowed during Lent. Mardi Gras, of course, is just the French translation of Fat Tuesday. The biggest Mardi Gras in the U.S. is in New Orleans, but Texas has the third biggest in Galveston.
The term Shrove Tuesday is less well known. The word "shrove" is derived from the old word "shrive" which means absolve or forgive. This reflects the tradition of using this day before Lent to examine ourselves, our hearts, our spirits - and to make confession. Just as Lent is a time of preparation for Easter, Shrove Tuesday is a time of preparation for Lent. Pancakes, and other pastries, were often eaten on this day, to use up milk and eggs and sugar that would spoil during Lent. Many churches still host a pancake breakfast on Shrove Tuesday.
And so, it's important to take time to look ahead, to look forward. And it's important to search our hearts, and to prepare.
Because Easter is coming!
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
March 1, 2022 - Grace and peace from our brother Jesus, Amen. Sunday was Transfiguration Sunday. Three of the most trusted disciples accompanied Jesus to the holy mountain, where the light of God shone brightly on his son. They also saw two of the greatest figures of their faith—Elijah and Moses—speaking with Jesus. The disciples saw the transfigured Jesus in yet another new way—as God’s chosen.
March is just about here, when Paxton Methodist will collect cans of chili for Community Christian Services. I will take soap and shampoo along with a couple of checks to CCS on Wednesday. This week features Mardi Gras, literally “Fat Tuesday,” and Ash Wednesday, both leading to the period on the Christian calendar called Lent. This is a time of reflection but also a time of hope. At the end of Lent comes Easter.
Like most freedom-loving Americans, our prayers this morning were for the people of Ukraine. My maternal grandparents came from a region that today is partly in Ukraine and partly in Poland. Ukrainians have never looked upon Russia as a friend—the reason my grandparents left. A fearsome part of Ukrainian history is Stalin’s slaughtering and starving millions of peasants. Let us remember that the United States is that shining city on the hill—the beacon of democracy—for many around the world, and respond with compassion in this situation.
Our Sunday School lesson focused on Matthew 28: 16-20, when the eleven disciples went to the Galilee as the resurrected Jesus instructed them. Specifically, Jesus told them to go out into the world and make disciples. Our success in “making disciples” will depend on how we treat others. Words won’t work, but action and truth will.
My sermon was based on Luke 9: 28-36, the Scripture immediately following Jesus’ Sermon on the Plains—AKA Sermon on the Mount—which I featured the previous two Sundays. This was the portion of Luke’s story about the Transfiguration of Jesus, also representing his turn (physical and mental) from the Galilee toward Jerusalem, where he would be crucified and resurrected.
Our hymns this week continued the theme of hope: “My Hope Is Built” and “Rock of Ages.” On the CDs we use now, the first song was a breathless romp; “Rock of Ages,” however was fortunately much more sedate. Our bulletin quote came from Bishop Yvette Flunder: “It is vitally important in the midst of all this present chaos and madness...that we hold on to hope.” Funny thing, although the quote speaks of “this present chaos and madness,” it can actually apply to countless troubled situations throughout history—not just our own.
Our church congregation this Sunday included Sue’s Uncle Eddie, who was visiting from Monroe, Louisiana. He’d been wanting to visit his sister, my mother-in-law Dixie, but didn’t trust his driving or his attention span while doing it. So we picked him up one Monday and drove him back the next Monday, reuniting with family in Nacogdoches during the week. Eddie also made friends of our two canine companions, to the extent that Gunter was planning to accompany us on the trip. Gunter panics if we drive further than the post office, so that made his offer all the more heroic.
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.
March 1, 2022 - House of Refuge Apostolic Ministries Inc. will be celebrating our Founder and Leader Apostle William E. Nash Jr. on March 13, 2022 at 3:30PM our special guest is the Honorable ArchBishop J.L. Lawson from Miracle Tabernacle Prayer & Praise Cathedral Longview, TX. Everyone is invited. Mask are required!!
February 28, 2022 - St. John's Episcopal and Christ Church Episcopal will be having a joint Ash Wednesday Service at Christ Church in San Augustine on Wednesday, March 2 at 1:00pm. Come join us!
Christ Church is located at 201 Ayish Street, San Augustine, Texas 75972.
February 28, 2022 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, February 28.
Don’t look now, but February is about to be in the rear-view mirror. Is it just me, or is 2022 flying by like a freight train? March is on the doorstep and the first day of Spring is less than three weeks away. We’ll do a series in March about our Creator, and about His beautiful creation.
But let's pause for a moment, and remember February. It’s the year’s shortest month, and often its snowiest, too. It’s the month of Valentine’s Day and President’s Day. And it’s the month that many focus on Black history. Today we remember an historic Black Gospel song - “We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder”.
“Jacob’s Ladder” was probably written around 1800. Like most spirituals, its origin story is largely just guesswork. It's based on the passage in Genesis 28 where Jacob dreams of a ladder leading up to heaven. This song became one of the first black spirituals that was sung in white churches.
Today it reminds us to keep moving forward, to press on, to strive, to dream. We are climbing Jacob’s ladder, you and I. And we are soldiers of the Lord!
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@gbccenter.org
February 26, 2022 - Good Morning! It’s Saturday, February 26.
Alexander Pope was an English poet in the early 1700's. After Shakespeare, he may be the most quoted writer in history. Here are just a few of his memorable thoughts -
- To err is human, to forgive, divine.
- Fools rush in, where angels fear to trod.
- Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.
- A little learning is a dangerous thing.
And my personal favorite - "Hope springs eternal".
I was reminded of that saying last week when I looked out on the field in front of my house. It was covered with tiny white flowers - in February! - with the first day of Spring still weeks away!
Sure enough, the weather has turned cold again, and all those little flowers are gone. But I'm left with this - Nature is hopeful! With just a short warm spell in mid-winter, creation was springing up! It was a reminder to me that the children of God can have that kind of hope, a hope that springs up even in challenging times. Why? Because our hope isn't built on possibilities. Our hope is built on promises. The promises of God.
So, until we meet again on Monday. Hope springs eternal!
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
February 24, 2022 - I read a story the other day that came out of an era when Passenger Trains were the primary mode of transportation. It seems a little lame boy was carrying a basket of candy and fruit as he hurried to the passenger gate at the train station as fast as his crutches would permit. As the passengers were rushing through the gate, a fast-moving young business executive accidentally hit the boy’s basket, knocking its contents in every direction. He paused only long enough to severely scold the crippled boy for being in his way. Another young business man, rushing through the depot, saw the young boy’s distress and immediately began picking up the scattered items. After returning all the contents to the basket, he put a dollar bill in the boy’s hand. He smiled at his young friend, patted him on the shoulder and said, “Better luck next time!” Then he was on his way.
He was stopped by the question the boy asked him: “Hey mister, are Jesus?” Turning the man smiled and said “No, I’m only one of his followers.”
Peter wrote, “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps”. (I Peter 2:21) How different this old world would be if we all would speak and act so that others could see Jesus living in us.
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.
“Go into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in…that my house may be filled..” Luke 14:23
February 22, 2022 - A few years ago, Pam and I visited Arizona’s Saguaro National Park near Tucson and it has since become one of our favorite vacation stops. Along with the display of animals in their natural habitat, there’s a large avian enclosure that houses numerous species of gorgeous birds. Orioles, warblers, doves, and buntings all fed, watered and nested in the lush trees of this large wire enclosure. They all seemed so happy, and none of them were trying to get out.
Then we noticed an unusual thing. Scores of wild birds were hanging on the outside of this wire enclosure trying to get in! Woodpeckers, jays and wrens frantically sought to get through the wire mesh to be with the tame birds.
And I thought: this place is like some of our churches. The members are so busy eating, drinking and enjoying the safety of their home that they haven’t even noticed that wild ones are wanting in. And there’s one thing for sure: They’ll never get in…
… until we show them The Way.
February 21, 2022 - Save the date for an evening of family fun, food, and a friendly cooking competition! First United Methodist Church (UMC) Missions and Outreach Committee will host their annual Soup, Chili, and Gumbo Cook-off competition on Sunday, February 27, 2022, beginning at 4:00 p.m. at the church Fellowship Hall located at 211 Porter Street.
The cooking competition is open to all ages, all local organizations, and amateur cooks only. A non-refundable entry fee of $10.00 per team secures table space. Advance registration is due by Monday, February 21, 2022. Teams can set up their cooking space beginning at 3:00 p.m. Food and space judging begins at 4:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Teams will have the opportunity to compete in one of the food categories as well as the Best Decorated Table Space category by decorating their table with a theme of the team’s choice.
Admission tickets are $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for youth ages four to 12 years, and free children 3 years and under; event tickets will be available at the door. The event begins at 4:00 p.m. for competition food sampling, which includes soup, chili and gumbo samples, crackers, and drinks. Adult ticket holders will receive five tickets to vote for their favorite Soup, Chili, or Gumbo and youth will receive three voting tickets. Additional voting tickets will be available at the event for $1.00 each. Winners will be announced at 6:00 p.m. for First Place People’s Choice awards in all cooking categories and best-decorated tablespace.
In addition, a silent auction will take place during the cook-off competition. All proceeds from the cook-off fundraiser will benefit the First United Methodist Church Missions and Outreach.
For complete event rules and team entry registration, click here or please visit the First UMC website at http://fumccentertx.org. For additional information, please contact Becky Parfait, Center First UMC Missions Soup, Chili, and Gumbo Cook-off Coordinator at (936) 332-3456, beckyparfait@yahoo.com, or Pastor Malcolm Monroe at (936) 598-2707.
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