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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
Sat, Apr 18
April 14, 2026 - If you are a descendant or a relative of anyone buried at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Shelby County, please join us for the Annual Homecoming on Saturday, April 18. We will gather to visit at 10:30, then have a short business meeting followed by lunch. We will observe a time of singing hymns in the church after lunch.
Donations can be sent to Pleasant Grove Cemetery Association, 603 Private Road 118, Center, TX 75935. Contact John Hughes at 936-297-8698. Let everyone know so we can have a great turnout this year!
Sun, Apr 19
March 30, 2026 - New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church in Timpson, Texas will be having Pastor and Wife's appreciation (Pastor Rayford and Sis. Judie Caraway) on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 2:30pm. Guest Speaker is Pastor Byron Coutee, Jr., Blount Chapel Baptist Church, Center, Texas and Unity Baptist Church in Grapeland, Texas. Everyone is invited to attend.
April 13, 2026 - St. John Baptist Church, Center, Texas is hosting its Annual Family and Friends Day - 'Celebrating those that are dear to us' on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 2:30pm.
Guest Speaker and Church are Rev. Ronderick Kirkendoll and St. Luke Baptist Church of Logansport, Louisiana.
The theme is 'Where there is UNITY, there is strength. Let us gather in His name and be blessed together' (Psalm 133:1).
Pastor - Rev. Winston Kibbles and St. John Baptist Church invite all to attend. The church is located at 2308 Co Rd 2050, Center, Texas 75935.
March 30, 2026 - FCA is bringing Fields of Faith with special guest speaker Cameron Tate to Shelbyville, Texas on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 7pm to Dragon Stadium.
From Jackson Mississippi, Cameron Tate along with his wife Yvonne are the founders of Bridging the Gap Outreach Ministries which strives to fortify the bond between churches and organizations and to connect more deeply with their community.
Fields of Faith is an FCA certified ministry program where athletes gather at sport environments in their communities to challenge their peers to read the Bible daily and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and His church.
Dragon stadium is located at 5322 Hwy 87 South, Shelbyville, Texas 75973. For more information about the event, call Levi Willoughby at 936-332-4443.
Sun, Apr 26
March 3, 2026 — Southern Gospel music veteran Trey Wilson will appear in concert on Sunday, April 26, during the 10:45am worship service at Old Home Baptist Church in Joaquin, Texas. Admission is free, and a love offering will be received during the service.
With more than 26 years of experience in gospel music, Wilson is widely respected for his powerful voice, heartfelt delivery, and deep roots in traditional Southern Gospel music. Raised in the piney woods of East Texas, his musical foundation was shaped in small rural churches where gospel hymns, family harmony, and the Heavenly Highway Hymnal were a central part of his upbringing.
Wilson’s career includes lead vocalist roles with the Southern Plainsmen Quartet and New South, spending a decade with New South as headliners for one of the most successful shows in Branson, Missouri. He later helped form The Downing Street Boys, a quartet praised for its sound and style reminiscent of the golden age of Southern Gospel music. Throughout his career, Wilson has toured nationally, appeared in televised broadcasts, and shared the stage with both gospel and country music legends.
Across his group work and solo career, Wilson has logged thousands of performances and reached millions of fans through live concerts, television appearances, and special events. Known for his warm, soulful delivery and authentic connection with audiences, his performances reflect a lifetime of faith, experience, and conviction.
The April 26 service is open to the public and promises a morning of uplifting music and encouragement for all ages.
Faith
April 14, 2026 - Sardis Cemetery Annual Homecoming and Fish Fry will be Saturday, May 2, 2026 beginning at 11am.
Catfish plates with all the trimmings will be $12 per plate. Sardis cookbooks will be available for $10 each.
Business meeting will follow after cleanup. Please make plans now to come by, sit around, visit with friends and family and just enjoy the day.
Donations are welcomed and will be used for the upkeep of the cemetery.
Donations can be mailed to:
Sardis Cemetery
6034 FM 414,
Center, Texas 75935.
April 14, 2026 - If you are a descendant or a relative of anyone buried at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Shelby County, please join us for the Annual Homecoming on Saturday, April 18. We will gather to visit at 10:30, then have a short business meeting followed by lunch. We will observe a time of singing hymns in the church after lunch.
Donations can be sent to Pleasant Grove Cemetery Association, 603 Private Road 118, Center, TX 75935. Contact John Hughes at 936-297-8698. Let everyone know so we can have a great turnout this year!
April 13, 2026 - St. John Baptist Church, Center, Texas is hosting its Annual Family and Friends Day - 'Celebrating those that are dear to us' on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 2:30pm.
Guest Speaker and Church are Rev. Ronderick Kirkendoll and St. Luke Baptist Church of Logansport, Louisiana.
The theme is 'Where there is UNITY, there is strength. Let us gather in His name and be blessed together' (Psalm 133:1).
Pastor - Rev. Winston Kibbles and St. John Baptist Church invite all to attend. The church is located at 2308 Co Rd 2050, Center, Texas 75935.
April 13, 2026 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, April 13.
Most worship songs are based on scripture. But these nine songs ARE scripture. I grew up singing them - maybe you did too. Sing them again this morning and, as you do, you’ll be quoting scripture!
*This is the Day - Psalm 118:24
*Rejoice in the Lord Always - Philippians 4:4
*I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord Forever - Psalm 89:1
*Behold What Manner of Love - I John 3:1
*Thy Lovingkindness is Better Than Life - Psalm 63:3-4
*I Will Call Upon the Lord - Psalm 18:3
*Seek Ye First - Matthew 6:33, 7:7
*Thou Art Worthy - Revelation 4:11
“Thy Word - Psalm 119:105
Since the songs on my list have been around for a while, their lyrics are mostly from the King James Version of the Bible. But most of the verses you have by memory are probably from the King James as well - since you’ve been around a while too! Scripture memorization is a powerful spiritual tool. Make it part of your spiritual journey.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
April 9, 2026 - Sorrow is a universal experience. It comes to the rich and poor, to the powerful and the weak. So much of the sorrow in our world is unseen, often it is hidden from view purposely. Many times it is known only to the individual and to God. It can be buried beneath a cheerful countenance and earthly baubles. Yet, even the most cheerful often have troubled hearts.
Our hearts can be troubled by sins, either our own or the sins of others. Hearts can be heavy because of the departure of a loved one or the deep waters of serious illness. There are times that our hearts are distressed due to the unfaithfulness of a friend or feelings of insecurity.
Jesus did not shun sorrow. To be sure, He was often found among people with heavy hearts, people who were distressed and uneasy. To these He was sympathetic. Jesus suffered with people and shared their sorrows. His mission was to “heal the brokenhearted” (Luke 4:18)
Jesus’ remedy for broken and troubled hearts was faith. He said, “believe in God, believe in me” (John 14:1). A few sentences later he said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me”. When our faith is in Jesus Christ, when we live life His way, our troubled hearts will find relief.
It’s something to think about... tbp
Join Us for Worship this coming Lord’s Day!
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
April 6, 2026 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, April 6.
The Bible is a book that is dominated by stories about men. I challenge you to name more than ten significant female characters from the Word. Why is this? Perhaps it’s because the Bible was written within a culture that was dominated by men. Whatever the reason, we must admit that women in scripture are few in number. But we must also agree that the women of the Word were often mighty in faith. Women like Queen Esther, Deborah the judge, Priscilla, a co-laborer with Paul, and Mary, the mother of Christ.
Yesterday, on Easter Sunday, most of the sermons preached around the world centered on the resurrection story. The main character of that story is, of course, Jesus, a man. But, playing a very important role, we find a woman - Mary Magdalene. Scripture tells us that, early in His ministry, Jesus healed Mary of seven demons, and she became one of His most faithful followers. This is evident in the events of Holy Week. When Christ hung on the cross, only one of his disciples (John) was present. But Mary Magdalene was there. The gospels tell us that Mary was also there when Jesus was taken down from the cross and buried. And on that first Easter morning, it was Mary who was the first to see the risen Lord.
After the Easter story ends, there is nothing else written in scripture about Mary Magdalene. But we can assume with great confidence that she remained a devoted follower of Christ and a leading member of His new Church. We can imagine her rising in the congregation, time and time again, to share her first-person testimony. Mary Magdalene, an amazing story. Mary Magdalene, an inspiring character. Mary Magdalene, a mighty woman of faith.
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
April 4, 2026 - Unfortunately, the Easter Block Party is canceled for Saturday, April 4 due to an unfavorable weather forecast.
March 25, 2026 - The FBC Easter Block Party at Portacool Park is Saturday, April 4 from 11am until 1pm. Fun activities include bounce houses, bubbles, fun family games, and an Easter Egg Hunt. Hot dogs will be provided to fuel the fun.
April 2, 2026 - After Simon had denied Jesus for the third time, Jesus looked at Simon. He didn’t say a word. He just looked at him. When Simon saw Jesus, he went out and wept. He wept bitterly.
I remember times when I would do things that disappointed my earthly father. Times when he didn’t say anything. He just looked at me with disappointment in his eyes. It was worse than any whipping he ever gave me (and I got my share of those!)
Let’s be honest, all of us from time to time disappoint those we love. Worse, we often make mistakes and disappoint the Lord who loves us and died for us. That is what Paul was referring to when he wrote, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)
Some of our mistakes admittedly are quite trivial, even just plain dumb. Things like locking our keys in our car (sometimes with the motor running), forgetting to add sugar to the cranberry sauce (it does make it very tart) or walking into an electric fence.
However, there are other “mistakes” that are more significant. Things like heading down a path to addiction. Things like committing a crime or walking out on a spouse and children. However, all of our mistakes, from the momentarily annoying to the life altering can be washed away by the blood of Jesus.
The one fatal mistake we can make is to ignore the fact that one day we will die and that Jesus is the only way to shun Hell and enter heaven. That is one thing we must get right.
It’s something to think about... tbp
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
March 24, 2026 - First Baptist of Center is sponsoring a Community Movie Event on April 2, 2026 at 7pm located at the Rio Theatre. Free for everyone! Angel Studios’ theatrical release, The King of Kings, follows the story of Charles Dickens captivating his son, Walter, by narrating the story of Jesus. What begins as a bedtime tale becomes a life-changing journey. Through vivid imagination, the boy walks alongside Jesus, witnessing His miracles, facing His trials, and understanding His ultimate sacrifice. The King of Kings invites us to rediscover the enduring power of hope, love, and redemption through the eyes of a child.
Limited Seating! Doors open at 6:30pm. Come Early!
March 30, 2026 - Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ in Center TX will be having its Bi-Annual Conference April 2nd-4th, 2026 with joint session starting Thursday at 7pm with the Conference beginning Friday at 12pm and 7pm, and Saturday at 12pm.
Come and enjoy a Mighty Move of God!
Presider Prince Archie Thompson
State Prince Cecil Washington
Bishop Howard Cloudy
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