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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 1, 2018 - Homecoming for Campti is held the third Sunday of May each year (May 20th) with a covered-dish lunch served in the Campti Methodist Church Fellowship hall. This historic old cemetery hold pioneers from the time of the Republic of Texas. The Pittman family had a large acreage in the area and part of it from a land grant. The oldest marked grave is that of Thomas Pittman from 1865. Donations may be made to Mary Hughes-Culver, 357 CR 3080, Center, Texas 75935 (Phone 598-8250) or Donna Jameson, 579 CR 2010, Center, Texas 75935 (Phone 591-2400.)
May 1, 2018 - Sardis Cemetery Annual Homecoming and fish fry will be Saturday, May 5, 2017 beginning at 11am.
Catfish plates with all the trimmings with tea or water will be sold at $8 each. Can drinks will be $1 each. Both versions of cookbooks will be available.
The Annual Business Meeting and Gospel Singing will immediately follow the fish fry and clean-up, typically around 2pm or 2:30pm.
Donations are our main source of income for the upkeep of the cemetery and grounds, plus insurance and utilities. We need the help of everyone with family buried here or if you own a plot to please make a donation each year in order to keep the cemetery looking good.
Donations can also be mailed to Sardis Cemetery, 6034 FM 414, Center, Texas 75935 if you are unable to attend homecoming.
May 1, 2018 - We would like to thank all of our friends, families, and members who made our fellowship hall dedication a success, in honor of Mrs Paulyne Evans.
We saw old friends, old members, and brought back lots of old memories. In the service, we recognized, those who did the physical labor, and those who oversaw the work, but we also reflect back to those families and members who also would have loved to have shared the moment we had on Sunday, April 29th, 2018. The Legacy of every family lives on, the seniors who loved the church their Legacy lives on, through the Pastor, through the Deacons, through the choir, through the missions, and through our children. The fellowship hall dedication was giving back to God, what was given to us in honor of our beloved Mrs. Paulyne Evans.
The hall dedication connected every member and every family that has served in and through the church's history of 137 years. So we thank you, all for fellowshipping with us and we pray that the Legacy of Love, for God, Family, and for each other will continue forever. Thank you.
Pastor Pettis and SJMBC Tenaha, Texas
April 30, 2018 - Sunday was the Fifth Sunday of Easter. The Epistle Lesson was 1 John 4: 7-21. The emphasis was on the need to care for one another. John says we are to love others as God loves us. And that God is love. English is such a weird language. In the Unabridged Random House Dictionary the one word love has 24 definitions! The third definition says, “A feeling of brotherhood and good will toward other people.” This is what John and Jesus were talking about. Unfortunately, this kind of compassion is lost on way to many people who call themselves Christians.
Our Sunday school lesson ventured back into John’s Revelation; the scripture was Revelation 5: 6-14. The Christian theological idea of Jesus as a sacrificial lamb is seen clearly here as John’s vision of Heaven and the throne of God are described. There were many questions—I just had to shrug on some. But when I got home, I looked in Breaking the Code about Revelation and the Oxford Annotated Bible. I have a couple of answers for next Sunday.
We were the regular crowd this Sunday; it was good to see Joy back with us. Carolyn says Guy goes back to the doctor this week and that he is progressing nicely. Sue told about the 100th birthday party held at the Senior Center on Saturday for Mrs. Esther Small. Many happy returns! Next month we will be collecting cans of fruit for Community Christian Services. I will deliver the toothpaste and toothbrushes we collected in April. Next Sunday we will celebrate Holy Communion. Next Sunday at 2:00 the Tenaha Church of Christ will dedicate their new church. Congratulations on the end of their building project: I know they’re happy to be in the new structure.
Last week was our mission to Lakeside Assisted Living. I returned from several days in Dallas visiting our kids just as Sue was leaving, so I stayed home. But most of the other folks came to help present the program. Minnie was on the piano—Mrs. Hilda appreciates being able to sing instead. Fannie read some slogans and talked about Harry Truman. Nora sang two songs, including one that is a favorite of her church. Gene also sang a couple of songs, adding my favorite hymn, “Morning Has Broken.” Sue read a picture book called Dog Breath, featuring the smelly pup Hally Tosis. Maggie and Sue emceed as usual, incorporating the requests Mrs. Hilda had written down from the audience before the program. Mrs. Margie Dorner closed it out with a sweetly worded prayer.
"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, Open Minds.” Sunday School starts at 9:30 and 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 me your email address to the Paxton email address and I will add you to the list. Godspeed.
April 26, 2018 - My old granddaddy used to say, "If a man tells a lie long enough, and often enough, even he will start to believe its true." I have recently been following some stories about about these men and women who for profit, or just to make themselves look good, put on military uniforms with ribbons they didn't earn, and/or embellish their record of service in the military. Some of these "self proclaimed" heroes are so good at what they do, they have fooled members of the press, and government agencies who should know better.
President George W. Bush during his presidency passed a law called the "Stolen Valor" law that makes it a crime to lie about, or embellish your service to our country for personal gain. Stating that the law was designed," to protect the legacy of those who served honorably from the dishonorable actions of those who either never served at all, or mislead people to believe they were someone they were not" (ie. Navy Seal, Army Ranger, ...). As a veteran myself who served during a couple of conflicts and police actions, I find it disgusting that some choose to steal the valor of those who were willing to give their lives for this country.
As I pondered this problem, I realized that there are those who steal the "valor" of Christ by saying they are Christians, but living their lives as if God does not exist. They go to church, go on mission trips, teach Sunday school, and yes even preach, not because they have a love for the lost and dying of this world, but because they think they can benefit from it financially, socially, or politically. They forget that God does not judge the outward appearance of man, but his heart. That's why Paul says in 1Corinthians 13:1-3 " If I speak in the tongues of men and angels but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all that I have, and if I deliver my body up to be burned, but I have not love, I gain nothing." When we call ourselves Christians but treat people with hate and disrespect, we are not Christians at all. We steal the honor of not only the true saints who came before us, but what Christ did for us and the world as well.
People who have "been there and done that" in the military can usually spot a phony a mile away. Jesus said that as Christians we can "tell a tree by the fruit it produces". If conflict, strife, gossip, anger, discord, griping, and complaining describes the fruit of a persons life, then you can discern their heart is dark. Just as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control is the fruit of a righteous heart.
The good news is this : God loves you no matter what you have been like in the past. We just need to clean our hearts out and seek his forgiveness. Just like David who prayed; " Search me O God and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" Jesus has paid the price for our sins by His death on the cross. Trust him, seek him, give him the honor due him by loving your neighbor more than you love yourself and He will set you free.
I'm Just sayin
Mike Belgard
April 26, 2018 - Mt. Zion C.M.E. Church invites you to their 5th Sunday Missionary Day Program this Sunday, April 29th at 11a.m. The guest speaker will be Mrs. Sharon Hamilton of the Mt. Gillion Baptist Church, Center, TX. Joyce Johnson ~ Missionary President. Rev. Elgena Weaver ~ Pastor.
April 25, 2018 - Abundant Love Ministries will celebrate their First Annual Ushers’ Day Program, Sunday, April 29, 2018 at 2:30 pm. Reverend Mario Osby, Pastor of Smith Chapel, Timpson, will be our guest speaker. You are welcomed and invited. (All regular Sunday services will be conducted).
Abundant Love Ministries is located at 1426 Shelbyville St., Center, TX 75935
April 23, 2018 - Sunday was the Fourth Sunday of Easter. We had a small crowd at worship today. We all hope that Joy gets to feeling better real soon. Joe, Fannie, and Gene went last Saturday to the dedication of the Spanish-language church that used to meet after us at the Paxton Church. All three had a good time and were really impressed by how pretty the new sanctuary was. I know they’re pleased with their new space!
The Epistle Lesson was 1 John 3: 16-24. The letters of John were very important to the founder of Methodism, John Wesley, because of the emphasis on faith leading to action. Love of God and love of neighbor are the essentials of Wesleyan thought: A faith that did not lead to serving others was a faith that was not living. The United Methodist Church was formed when two Wesleyan denominations—The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church—joined together in April of 1968. Although Methodism dates back to the 1700s, this is the fiftieth year of the United Methodist denomination.
Our Sunday school lesson was written to help recognize the power of symbols in ritual and worship. The scripture was Revelation 4: 1-6, 8-11. Revelation is full of symbols, and because it was written so long ago and was a dream or vision, the book is very difficult for us to understand. A great book that explains Revelation is Breaking the Code.
Last week was our monthly ministry to Holiday Nursing Home. Minnie, Hilda, Fannie, Jo, and Sue led the program of reading, singing, and discussion—with lots of participation from the residents and Heather, the Activity Director. This coming Thursday at 2PM we’re scheduled to be at Lakeside Assisted Living for a similar celebration.
All the month of April Paxton Methodist has been collecting toothbrushes and toothpaste for Community Christian Services. In May we will collect cans of fruit. In April we had several birthdays—Evie, Carolyn, Fannie, and our dear friend Margaret Freeman. Happy Birthday! Also in April, Vera and Keith Knight had an anniversary. Happy Anniversary! We will celebrate Holy Communion on May 6th –the first Sunday of the month. All are welcome to join us for communion as we celebrate an open table.
“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, Open Minds.” Sunday School starts at 9:30 and 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 me your email address to the Paxton email address and I will add you to the list. Godspeed.
Randy & Sue Smith
Paxton Methodist Church
April 23, 2018 - Blount Chapel Missionary Baptist Church of Center, Texas and Pastor Byron Coutee, Jr presents their Annual Choir Anniversary on Sunday, May 6th, 2018 at 3:00pm. Guest speaker for the event is Pastor Dr. Troy Allen of Mt. Beulah Baptist Church Lufkin, Texas. We would like to extend an invitation to all churches, choirs, praise teams, and soloists. Come have a joyous time in the Lord!
April Moore, Church Clerk
April 23, 2018 - “Show love to strangers for some have entertained angels unaware…” Heb. 13:2
I recently told a friend about an experience Pam and I had last year in Colorado. We were caught in a blizzard near the peak of Mt. Elbert causing our truck and trailer to slide backwards and almost over a precipice.
Eventually we got into the trailer, opened a can of soup and checked our food and gas supply to see how long we could weather the storm. But our wait wasn’t long. Within an hour, we heard an approaching vehicle and suddenly a snow plow pulled along side us. “You folks need help?”, the driver hollered. Moments later, we were sitting safely at the base of Colorado’s highest mountain.
I finished the story by telling my friend that I had also gotten a picture of the man who helped us. “That’s wonderful,” she remarked, “Because he wasn’t a man…he was an angel.” As I fumbled for an appropriate reply, she continued, “You know, angels can take many forms.”
“You can say that again,” I laughed. “This one had a mustache and smoked a cigar!”
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