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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
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!”
April 23, 2018 - The Smith Cemetery Association will have an annual Dinner on the Ground at 12:15 noon on Sunday, April 29, 2018. We meet at the Smith Cemetery that is just off HWY 7 E about 6 miles from Center. This is your chance to contribute to the upkeep of the cemetery and to meet friends and relatives from this community. The committee hopes to see a lot of members on that day.
April 20, 2018 - Mt. Mariah Baptist Church is having a Pastor and Wife Church Anniversary for Pastor Author Cloudy and First Lady LeVarie Cloudy on Sunday, April 22, 2018 at 3pm in Garrison, Texas.
Guest speaker will be Pastor Marlon Cloudy of Abundant Love Ministries, Center. Everyone is cordially invited to celebrate with us.
Mt. Mariah Baptist Church is located at 11941 C.R. 3285 E. Garrison, Texas.
April 20, 2018 - Mark your calendar to attend the Grand Slam Conference 2018 from May 9 through May 11th at 7pm nightly at the House of Refuge.
Guest speakers are:
- Wednesday Night - Min. Amanda Ashton, Center, Tx
- Thursday Night - Min. Stephanie Hicks, Center, Tx
- Friday Night - Pastor Gina Cutright, Zwolla, La
Everyone is invited. The conference host is Lady Pearl Nash.
April 20, 2018 - First Baptist Church, Texas will host a Senior Adult Game Day on Friday, April 27 from 10am until 1pm in the Fellowship Hall. All area senior adults are invited! Bring a favorite game, a friend or friends, your favorite pot-luck dish and come enjoy the fellowship and a pot-luck lunch. Call David Mathis at 936-598-5605 for more information.
April 17, 2018 - Mankind has long thought about God, many gods.
The Greeks, who had over 100 gods/idols that they worshiped. The American Indian thought of a being they called the “Great Spirit”, a being which they gave all credit for their good fortune in life.
Moses too had such questions, even though he truly believed in and knew God, he was worried that he could not explain to his people just who God is.
“Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, “The God of your fathers has sent me to you”, and they ask me, “What is his name?” What shall I say to them?
“God said to Moses, “I AM Who I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, “I AM as sent me to you.” (Exodus 3:13-14)
God is known by so many names throughout the Bible, but, in his own words he called himself, (I AM).
We also see many instances where the God of Israel is referred to as “Lord”, being an English word for the Hebrew term for God’s name which is Yahweh.
As one reads the Bible one will see many, many words used to designate God as being our Lord God, our Creator and our Redeemer. Nevertheless, let us look more closely at this name given us by God himself, “I AM”.
In the book of Revelation God says this about himself.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Rev. 1:8)
Meaning, God has always been, before time began, God was, God now is, and God will be forever, God is eternal.
God told Isaiah, “I am the LORD, and there is no other.” (Isaiah 45:18) in further explanation he also said to Isaiah, “I made the earth and created man on it; it was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host.” (Isaiah 45:12)
There are many instances in which God tells us more of himself.
“I am the bread of life.” (John 6:35) “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12) “Truly, truly I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” (John 8:58) “I am the good shepherd.” (John 10:11) “I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25) “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6)
Are you now beginning to understand what the Great I AM means?
As you can see by the excerpts from various scriptures, God is so many things to so many people, but to his own, to those who have fully accepted him as Lord and Master, he is “I AM”.
He is everything, he is anything you need him to be.
He is our, banker, our physician, our teacher, our Father, our Redeemer. He is all things to all who know him. We have only to call on him in times of need, only to call upon him for help in times of trouble, only to call upon him in times of grief or sorrow.
Call on him, call on the one who created all things, call on the Great I AM and he will hear you and answer your needs as he sees fit for you.
How fortunate we are to have such an awesome God to watch over us, to lead us and guide us through life and to redeem our souls from the fires of hell, forever.
Blessed be the name of the Lord God, blessed be I AM…
April 16, 2018 - “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,” (Luke 4:18 KJV)
No one decides to be a minister. They are chosen and “called out.” For this reason, Cameron Cloudy, has accepted his calling into the ministry of Jesus Christ, as a Minister of the Word.
Elder Marlin Cloudy, Sr., founder and senior Pastor of Abundant Love Ministries and the entire church family would like to extend to you, an invitation to share in the “Initial Sermon” service of Aspiring Minister Cameron Cloudy, Sunday, May 6, 2018 at 3:00 pm at Abundant Love Ministries, 1426 Shelbyville St. Center, TX.
Cameron, age 24, is a 2012 graduate of Center High School. He attended East Texas Baptist University, in Marshall Texas, as an ETBU Tiger football player and completed coursework in Kinesiology. After two successful years of college, plans and long term goals changed and with many discussions and guidance of a close knit family, Cameron decided to leave ETBU, to enter the work force.
Cameron is the youngest son of Elder Marlin Cloudy and First Lady Felicia Cloudy. Being raised in the church by parents he describes as “two of the best parents ever," he was both baptized with water, in Jesus name and baptized in the baptism of the Holy Ghost at the early age of ten (10) years old. Feeling the pull of the true calling on his life and rejecting the false purpose of living a life outside of Christ, Cameron returned, repented, and committed his life to Jesus at the age of twenty one (21). His desires are to live a life dedicated to being a positive influence across the generations, to encourage men and women of all ages to walk in the fulfillment of their purpose; and most expressly, to remain steadfast in preaching and teaching boldly, the gospel truth of Jesus Christ.
Brother Cameron’s favorite scripture can be found in 2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV) “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Please join us for this momentous occasion.
April 16, 2018 - Yellowpine-Macedonia Baptist Church members are excited to be hosting the Quarterly Meeting of the Original Bethlehem Association at 7:00 p.m. Friday, April 27, 2018, according to Pastor T. A. Lane.
Bro. David Boyd will be the speaker for this service. Bro. Boyd will be bringing a message but will also be discussing our Christianity and the relationship of serving Christ in the world of criminal justice and public service.
Bro. Boyd is pastor of the Mount Horeb Missionary Baptist Church in San Augustine County, Texas. He has served for a number of years as a state correctional officer as well as a county deputy sheriff. He is slated to soon take office as a constable in Sabine County, Texas.
There will be a time of fellowship to follow this service, Bro. Lane adds.
Yellowpine Macedonia Baptist Church is located at the intersection of State Hwy. 87 South and FM 2343 in Sabine County’s Yellowpine Community.
For information, interested persons may contact Pastor Lane at 409-584-1144 or 409-382-8765.
April 16, 2018 - Sunday was the Third Sunday of Easter. The Gospel for Sunday was Luke 24: 36b-48. The story was about the two disciples on the road to Emmaus who have an encounter with the resurrected Lord. This wonderful story is only found in the Luke gospel and the sharing of a meal was what triggered the experience. These two frightened disciples have fled Jerusalem and met up with a stranger. To their surprise the stranger knew nothing of the last few days, so they fill him on the events surrounding Jesus. After the resurrection encounter, the two disciples realize that the Spirit had warmed their hearts: Their despair has changed once again to hope.
Our Sunday school lesson was titled “Follow Me.” The story from John 21: 15-23 sees Jesus quizzing Peter on whether Peter truly loves him. Three times Peter answers in the affirmative. Ms. Fannie pointed out that our author tends to point out things that we wouldn’t normally explore.
We were so pleased as we were finishing up Sunday school to see Lillie, Liz, and Mike come in. It is always such a treat when they venture up from Houston. We of course talked a little baseball. Fannie told us that the Hispanic congregation that met at Paxton Methodist for many years will dedicate their own church next Saturday. It has been great to watch the progress of the building (on Hwy. 96 between Tenaha and Center). Our church also extended Steven Evans’ scholarship for this year; he graduates after this semester.
Last Thursday a group of us met at Focused Care for singing and stories. When I got there, Hilda was already playing the piano and had everybody singing. The residents at Focused Care really enjoy the old church songs. Fannie shared some stories full of wisdom and Nora sang a special. Nora’s sister Jo also helped out with the singing—nice to have her back after her recovery. This Tuesday we head to Holiday Nursing Center for a program.
“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.
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