Shelby County Today

April 6, 2021 - Grace and peace from our brother Jesus. Old Man Winter seemed to resist giving up this past week, as we had several mornings with temperatures in the 30s. I sure was hoping there would not be a frost to wreak havoc on my gardening work. Several walks in the park this week were really chilly: My four-footed pals Gunter and Sam didn’t argue about cutting the walk short to go home. Of course, they know they are getting a treat when they get back.

Sunday was the most important holy day in the Christian faith. Easter, AKA Resurrection Sunday, speaks of new life and new hope. The messages of Easter are always welcome, but this year the promise of rebirth and renewal seems especially poignant. I guess everyone survived April Fools’ Day without being pranked—one thing quarantining is good for. It’s hard for me to realize that we are already in April of 2021.

We had special folks for Easter Sunday School. Brenda and Gene joined our regular group for a really good lesson. The main scripture focus was from the Luke Gospel, an early sighting of the resurrected Jesus when he fell in with two of his disciples on the road from Jerusalem. It wasn’t until nightfall that the two disciples noticed how their hearts had been warmed, finally realizing that the fellow traveler was Jesus himself.

All four gospel stories told about Easter Sunday. The shortest and earliest narrative comes from the Mark Gospel. I particularly like Mark’s version because he shows just how puzzled and frightened the first followers were. The original ending of this gospel has the women returning to the city, too afraid to tell anyone. Some sense of understanding and realization will come later.

Easter is a day that is built on hope and promise, the linchpin of our Christian faith. It was a beautiful morning and turned into a wonderful day. Our numbers for church swelled—almost twice the number we’ve had recently. Mrs. Fannie’s three grown children, son-in-law, and little granddaughter Grace filled up the Watson pew. Mrs. Hilda felt strong enough to venture out, and it was great to have Theresa and Larry. Our prayers are with Rose and Larry as they navigate medical mazes.

Since we resumed in-person worship, our music has been on CD. We can hum the song under our masks but no vigorous singing! I chose two of my favorites from the Methodist hymnal for our Easter songs. The first, sung by Cat Stevens, was “Morning Has Broken,” a softly beautiful rendition. Our other hymn, “Lord of the Dance,” is sung to the Shaker melody of “’Tis a Gift to Be Simple,” here by Donovan. Both are hopeful songs about life and renewal, good Easter themes.

Paxton Methodist is having in-person worship; we respect each other by wearing masks and keeping socially distant. Scientists and medical professionals, who know more than politicians about this subject, say that we can do three simple things to curtail the spread of Covid-19: wash our hands regularly, stay at least six feet apart—social distancing, and yes, wear a mask—or maybe two masks—mask-wearing is the patriotic thing to do. It is also the Christian thing to do, loving your neighbor as you love yourself. And get that vaccine! How has simple science—wearing a mask or getting a vaccine—become a political hot button issue? Let’s all use our common sense and defeat Covid-19 together!

Easter was the first Sunday of the month, so it was also Communion Sunday at Paxton Methodist. As usual, I repeated the admonition of St. Teresa of Avila: Our task is to be the eyes, ears, body, hands, and feet of Jesus in this world. Our Covid-safe Communion has me giving each person a Ziploc bag containing a wafer and a sealed cup of grape juice—after thoroughly sanitizing my hands. Different but necessary.

I was sick much of this past week and didn’t get our March collection of cans of chili to Community Christian Services. I will put that down on next week’s to-do list. My dogs do not like the cans and boxes in “their” back truck seat! This month we are collecting toothbrushes and toothpaste—definitely lighter to deliver than cans of chili!

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 31, 2021 - Blount Chapel Missionary Baptist Church will have Sunrise Service on Sunday, April 4, 2021 at 7am. Masks are required.

Pastor Byron Coutee, Jr.
Sis. April N. Moore, Church Clerk

March 29, 2021 - Grace and peace from our brother Jesus. Lent’s somber forty days come to an end with Palm/Passion Sunday. Sunday we witnessed through scripture the glorious entry of Jesus into the city—and then things fall apart on Thursday. What is referred to as Holy Week speaks of the many contradictions that accompany human life: During that one week, we witness the best and the worst of humanity.

We had a very nice week weatherwise—until Saturday evening. The Carthage area was hit hard by hail and winds, and our prayers go out to our neighbors. Earlier, we had just enough rain and some mild spring temperatures. Sue and I had Zach and his crew from Grand Finish clean and detail our car and truck. Our vehicles have been neglected during the lockdown, but Grand Finish got them looking showroom new. In fact, my brother-in-law asked if I got a new truck! My pandemic therapy got a real workout, as I weeded, trimmed, planted, and watered all week. My four-legged pals, Gunter and Sam, “helped” with the yard work and joined me in two walks a day.

On Saturday morning, Gunter, Sam, and I headed back to the park to get my 4,000 steps in. Downtown Joaquin was bustling. It really was. Our heroic Volunteer Firemen ran a Covid-19 vaccination site, and people were lining up. The firemen do so much more for our community than fight fires; they help people in any number of emergency situations. This morning they were once again being good guys, getting vaccine to our neighbors and friends.

I read all the scriptures for both Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday. Passion is used an old-fashioned way meaning suffering. Preachers much prefer speaking on the glories of the Palm Sunday arrival in Jerusalem to the suffering, torture, and death of Jesus mere days later. But both are inescapable parts of Christian theology. A week from today is Easter. The word Easter comes from the name of a pagan goddess, but we of the Christian faith see it as a day of hope, promise, renewal, and new life. Our beautiful natural world is also showing all kinds of renewal. In the words of Louis Armstrong, what a wonderful world!

Our Sunday School lesson was thought-provoking as usual. Ms. Fannie always does a superb job. Gene read the scripture, which had Jesus telling his disciples how they should pray: One should seek a secret place to talk with God. Jesus also gave them the Lord’s Prayer to be spoken communally, which most churches still do thousands of years later.

Since we resumed in-person worship, our music has been on CD. We can hum the song under our masks but no vigorous singing! The first song I chose for this morning’s worship service was the old Reformation hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” I grew up in the Lutheran church, where this song by Martin Luther was the anthem of Lutheran congregations around the world—just like “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing” by Charles Wesley is the Methodist anthem. The second hymn was “My Hope Is Built,” sung by a Mennonite a cappella youth choir—to totally different music than we’re familiar with but quite beautiful.

All during March, Paxton Methodist has been collecting cans of chili for Community Christian Services. Next month will be toothpaste and toothbrushes. Many weeks Community Christian Services has two giveaway days, one local and one a program from the federal government that helps farmers as well as those who need food. During this time of pandemic, economic crisis, and high unemployment, the need is greater than ever.

Paxton Methodist is having in-person worship; we respect each other by wearing masks and keeping socially distant. Scientists and medical professionals, who know more than politicians about this subject, say that we can do three simple things to curtail the spread of Covid-19: wash our hands regularly, stay at least six feet apart—social distancing, and yes, wear a mask—or maybe two masks—mask-wearing is the patriotic thing to do. It is also the Christian thing to do, loving your neighbor as you love yourself. And get that vaccine! How has simple science—wearing a mask or getting a vaccine—become a political hot button issue? Let’s all use our common sense and defeat Covid-19 together!

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.

Randy & Sue Smith/Paxton United Methodist Church

March 22, 2021 - Even before there was a building with the name "Jackson Baptist Church" on it, some Jackson Community people were meeting to worship God in an old stone building, referred to as Jackson School. As well as being a school, it was used for church services, singings, and singing schools. After a period of years, the need for a church was apparent. There was a Jackson Cemetery in the area, and .9 acres was donated for a church building next to the Jackson Cemetery.

Jackson Missionary Baptist Church was organized and dedicated on March 27, 1921 with 26 members. The membership was formed by people from neighboring sister churches. The building was built of ship-lap lumber and painted white. The building faced the "old road" to Joaquin; and, it had two doors on the front and one on the back. Three rows of home-built pews filled the rectangle shaped building. This church building was built with money furnished by the community, labor by membership, a love for God, and a desire to serve and worship Him.

For almost 30 years, services were held in the original building. However, on February 20,1950, the church appointed a committee for construction of a new building. On February 26, 1950, the original building was torn down and a second, one-story brick building was built. Labor was provided mostly by church members themselves. Some worked all day on regular jobs and came directly from those jobs to work on the church building, and also worked on Saturdays. Church members helped by buying doors, pews, and windows in their families' names.

In 1963, a parsonage was built and afterwards a dedication was held.

Through the years the church family grew, and once again the church appointed a new construction committee in 2013 to seek out expansion possibilities. After much searching it was determined, and approved by the church membership, that the church should relocate by purchasing 9 acres of land, and a third building be built.

Once again, the third new building was built following the same pattern set by the church members who had come before them. Saturday workdays were held to clear the property and accomplish tasks as the building was being built. Money to build the building was furnished by church members and others in the community. Some made donations in memory of their family members for projects and items.

“Mid-Construction” worship services were held throughout the building process so that members could see the progress being made. The building includes a sanctuary for worship, fellowship hall, kitchen, and Sunday School/Awana Ministry rooms for classes. The stain glass windows from the previous church building were incorporated into the design, along with the previous pulpit and other church furniture. On May 10, 2020, church members met in the new sanctuary for a Mother's Day worship service, and it was clear to see that the time had come to begin meeting permanently in the new church building. As the effort to complete this building continues, the church family at Jackson celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the church and carries on the vision that began in 1921. God continues to bless the church membership as He saves souls, changes lives, and builds His Kingdom. 

To God be the glory!

Also, The Calvary Boys in Concert Saturday, March 27, 2021 at 7pm.

Jackson Baptist Church
11620 State Highway 7 E
Joaquin, Texas 75954