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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
Wed, Oct 28
October 15, 2026 - The Annual 'Falling into Fellowship' hosted by First Baptist Church of Center is Wednesday, October 28, 2026 from 6pm to 7:30pm. The fun event for all ages includes a Chili Cook-off, Games, and Fellowship!
First Baptist Church is located just off the downtown Center Square at 117 Cora Street.
Sat, Oct 31
October 19, 2026 - On Saturday, October 31, Central Baptist Church will be having a Fall Kids Carnival at its church. The carnival will begin at 10am. There will be a time of games and singing, and afterward there will be several carnival games and bounce houses for the kids to enjoy.
Also, the following day, Sunday, November 1, the church will be honoring Pastor Danny Dodson and his wife for 40 years of service to the church and community. Everyone is invited to come celebrate this occasion. There will be a free lunch served to all in attendance following the service.
The church is located at 909 Cora Street, Center, TX 75935.
Sandy Little, Associate Pastor
October 19, 2026 — Center Christian Fellowship invites families throughout Shelby County and surrounding communities to join us for Hallelujah Night 2026, Saturday, October 31, from 6pm to 8pm.
At Center Christian Fellowship, we believe that all 365 days of the year belong to God — including October 31! Rather than focusing on a worldly holiday, we choose to make this evening an opportunity to celebrate Jesus Christ, share His love, and provide children and families with a fun, safe, and Christ-centered environment.
Hallelujah Night is our way of giving back to the community while bringing families together for an evening of laughter, excitement, and good Christian fellowship.
This year’s celebration promises something for everyone! Activities will include a Glow-in-the-Dark Cake Walk, Gaga Ball, face painting, obstacle course, sports arena, bounce houses, hayrides, and plenty of exciting games!
And what’s a celebration without delicious food? Families can enjoy pizza, s’mores, homemade ice cream, popcorn, and cotton candy!
Best of all, everything is FREE, FREE, FREE! There is no admission charge, and all activities and refreshments are provided at no cost.
Our desire is to offer children a wonderful evening filled with fun and lasting memories while reminding them that Jesus is the reason we have so much to celebrate.
Event Details:
Hallelujah Night 2026
Saturday, October 31, 2026
6–8pm
Center Christian Fellowship
2471 US Highway 96 North
Center, Texas 75935
Everyone is welcome! You do not have to attend our church to participate. We encourage families to invite their friends, neighbors, and loved ones to join us.
Come enjoy an evening where the fun is FREE, the fellowship is wonderful, and JESUS is celebrated!
Please help us spread the word so families throughout our community can enjoy this special evening together.
Sun, Nov 01
October 21, 2026 - New Life Church presents Scare Tactics "Happy DeathDay" starting November 1st at 6pm. The performance will continue nightly at 7pm, Monday, November 2nd through Thursday, November 5th.
New Life Church is located at 822 Hurst Street, Center TX and for more information, call (936) 598-3286.
What is Scare Tactics
Scare Tactics is an annual production by New Life Church in its 14 year. This production includes; live action drama, video scenes, costumes, make-up, light, sound effects, interaction with the audience, and a short gospel message. Each year's production is totally new: new story lines, characters, scenes, etc. Although this 1s a challenging task it is essential in order to keep the experience new and fresh each year. This presentation is based on a TV show by the same name, in which the participants wish to scare friends or family. In our version they are trying to scare others about the importance of our decisions concerning eternity, i.e; Heaven or Hell.
Is Scare Tactics like "Hell House"?
In a word NO! Scare Tactics is a drama with a complete story, a short gospel message and then ends with a scene depicting the wonders of Heaven for those who have become Christians. The presentation has been compared to Heaven's Gate & Hell's Flames, a production that has garnered national attention. Although some elements are similar, the total experience in every Scare Tactics presentation is unique because Pastor Steve writes a new story each year with the same heart for reaching people with the gospel message as he does for his sermons.
Faith
October 26, 2026 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, October 26.
On this day, in 1901, a bank robbery occurred in Paris, France. As they exited the bank, the thieves didn't leave on foot, or on horseback, or in a carriage. They made their escape in a new-fangled machine called an automobile. It was the world’s first “getaway car”!
So, since a car was used in a criminal act, does that make a car evil? Of course not. An object is just an object. A thing is just a thing. It’s all in the way you choose to use it that makes the difference. And the very same thing can be true with the way we use . . . the Bible.
Over the centuries, the Bible has sometimes been used to justify controversial, criminal, and yes even evil practices. A short list includes abuse of indigenous people, wars of aggression, racism, and slavery. These practices and philosophies have, at one time or another, all been justified through the use of scripture. And still today, there are those that would take selected verses, often out of context, to justify personal agendas.
We must be diligent and discerning as we study, and use, the Bible. The following advice was given to a young man named Timothy twenty centuries ago, and is passed on to us today, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, who correctly handles the Word of Truth” (2:15).
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
October 19, 2026 - Free produce items will be available from 4pm until 5:30pm (while supplies last) from the East Texas Food Bank on Friday, October 23, the 4th Friday of the month, at First Baptist Church, 117 Cora Street, Center, Texas 75935.
No eligibility requirements, paperwork, or ID required.
Volunteers are always welcome! Help us, help others! Many of the youth who have helped with the food pantry are back in school and volunteers are needed! Your time given, whether for 30 minutes or 3 hours, is appreciated! The food pantry is on the 4th Friday of each month and volunteers are needed from 3pm to 6pm. Sign up in FBC office and fill out connect card.
Contact the church office by calling 936-598-5605 or emailing admin@fbccenter.org.
October 22, 2026 - In our world today, there are so many who care little or nothing for the things of God. There are so many who never think of being in the assembly when the saints of God have gathered. These are those we often speak of as “waiting for the hearse to take them to church”. Let me ask you, have you ever thought about that statement? Here are some things that will happen if you wait for the hearse to take you to church.
1. You will go, regardless of the weather.
2. You will go, regardless of how your family feels about it.
3. You will go, regardless of the condition of your body.
4. You will have beautiful flowers but you will not enjoy them.
5. Regardless of how good the singing is, you will not enjoy it.
6. Whatever the minister says will do you no good.
7. You may have a great need, but no one will be able to help you.
8. You will never be able to attend an assembly on earth again.
9. There will be relatives and friends there, but you will not worship with them.
10. You will go, regardless of how many hypocrites are there.
Don’t wait for the hearse to take you to church. Make your plans to be faithful in serving the Lord and being present for worship.
It’s something to think about... tbp
Come Join Us for Worship!
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com
October 21, 2026 - New Life Church presents Scare Tactics "Happy DeathDay" starting November 1st at 6pm. The performance will continue nightly at 7pm, Monday, November 2nd through Thursday, November 5th.
New Life Church is located at 822 Hurst Street, Center TX and for more information, call (936) 598-3286.
What is Scare Tactics
Scare Tactics is an annual production by New Life Church in its 14 year. This production includes; live action drama, video scenes, costumes, make-up, light, sound effects, interaction with the audience, and a short gospel message. Each year's production is totally new: new story lines, characters, scenes, etc. Although this 1s a challenging task it is essential in order to keep the experience new and fresh each year. This presentation is based on a TV show by the same name, in which the participants wish to scare friends or family. In our version they are trying to scare others about the importance of our decisions concerning eternity, i.e; Heaven or Hell.
Is Scare Tactics like "Hell House"?
In a word NO! Scare Tactics is a drama with a complete story, a short gospel message and then ends with a scene depicting the wonders of Heaven for those who have become Christians. The presentation has been compared to Heaven's Gate & Hell's Flames, a production that has garnered national attention. Although some elements are similar, the total experience in every Scare Tactics presentation is unique because Pastor Steve writes a new story each year with the same heart for reaching people with the gospel message as he does for his sermons.
October 21, 2026 - Abundant Love Ministries will conclude Clergy Appreciation month, by celebrating Pastor Marlin and First Lady Felecia Cloudy, Sr., Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 2:30pm.
Bishop Howard Cloudy, Sr., Triumph The Church and Kingdom of God in Christ, West District, is the guest minister.
Regular morning services are cancelled and this will be their only Sunday service for the day.
Please join in! You are invited and welcome.
October 21, 2026 - Living Grace Family Church is hosting Hallelujah Night from 5pm to 8pm on Sunday, October 25. Come enjoy fellowship and fun including a chili cook-off and a trunk or treat.
The church is located at 1229 Southview Circle, Center, TX 75935.
October 20, 2026 - Open Door Women Ministries presents the 2026 Women’s Conference - My Testimony II - The Woman in the Mirror on Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 10am at Open Door Baptist Church, 900 Cotton Ford Road, Center, Texas. Speakers are Elder Sheila Willis, Sister Stephanie Hicks, Pastor Darlene Hawkins, and Sister Petrice Young.
She is clothed in strength and dignity ~ Proverbs 31:25
October 19, 2026 - On Saturday, October 31, Central Baptist Church will be having a Fall Kids Carnival at its church. The carnival will begin at 10am. There will be a time of games and singing, and afterward there will be several carnival games and bounce houses for the kids to enjoy.
Also, the following day, Sunday, November 1, the church will be honoring Pastor Danny Dodson and his wife for 40 years of service to the church and community. Everyone is invited to come celebrate this occasion. There will be a free lunch served to all in attendance following the service.
The church is located at 909 Cora Street, Center, TX 75935.
Sandy Little, Associate Pastor
October 19, 2026 — Center Christian Fellowship invites families throughout Shelby County and surrounding communities to join us for Hallelujah Night 2026, Saturday, October 31, from 6pm to 8pm.
At Center Christian Fellowship, we believe that all 365 days of the year belong to God — including October 31! Rather than focusing on a worldly holiday, we choose to make this evening an opportunity to celebrate Jesus Christ, share His love, and provide children and families with a fun, safe, and Christ-centered environment.
Hallelujah Night is our way of giving back to the community while bringing families together for an evening of laughter, excitement, and good Christian fellowship.
This year’s celebration promises something for everyone! Activities will include a Glow-in-the-Dark Cake Walk, Gaga Ball, face painting, obstacle course, sports arena, bounce houses, hayrides, and plenty of exciting games!
And what’s a celebration without delicious food? Families can enjoy pizza, s’mores, homemade ice cream, popcorn, and cotton candy!
Best of all, everything is FREE, FREE, FREE! There is no admission charge, and all activities and refreshments are provided at no cost.
Our desire is to offer children a wonderful evening filled with fun and lasting memories while reminding them that Jesus is the reason we have so much to celebrate.
Event Details:
Hallelujah Night 2026
Saturday, October 31, 2026
6–8pm
Center Christian Fellowship
2471 US Highway 96 North
Center, Texas 75935
Everyone is welcome! You do not have to attend our church to participate. We encourage families to invite their friends, neighbors, and loved ones to join us.
Come enjoy an evening where the fun is FREE, the fellowship is wonderful, and JESUS is celebrated!
Please help us spread the word so families throughout our community can enjoy this special evening together.
October 19, 2026 - Good Morning! It’s Monday, October 19.
There are many mythical creatures in human history, including dragons, unicorns, the Loch Ness Monster, the Abominable Snowman, and my personal favorite, Bigfoot. Also known as Sasquatch, this ten-foot-tall humanoid ape is said to roam the forests of the United States. On this date in 1967, a 60-second film was made in Northern California of an alleged Bigfoot. You’ve probably seen it. But for most folks, especially skeptics like me, it looks like nothing more than a big guy in a gorilla suit.
So, can we believe everything that we see? Hollywood, with all its special effects, has been fooling our eyes for generations. And with the emergence of CGI (Computer Generated Imaging) in the 1970’s, with movies like Star Wars, the trickery multiplied exponentially. Now, in the 21st Century, we’ve got AI. In 2026, Artificial Intelligence can generate images and videos that are virtually indistinguishable from real photographs and films. We can no longer believe everything that we see.
The Bible, on the other hand, has always encouraged us to believe... what we cannot see.
- 2 Corinthians 5:7 - We walk by faith and not by sight.
- Hebrews 11:1 - Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
- John 20:29 - And Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.”
Meet you back here tomorrow,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
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