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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
November 1, 2017 - The First Methodist Church in Joaquin as well as the City of Joaquin would like to express our thanks to all the great kids and their parents who helped make our 2nd annual Fall Festival a huge success.
We had two bounce houses, apple bobbing, face painting as well as several games. Folks could roast their own hot dogs on one of our two fire pits or they could just let Pastor Ortigo cook them for them on the grill. Most let the Pastor work and work he did. We had around 200 come to the church on a rainy night to partake in the fun. It was a lot of work but we felt well worth the effort to give the kids a safe place to play and hang out with friends.
The original plan called for everything to be in the Rainbolt Memorial Garden but the rains drove us inside. No one seemed to mind at all. So as our friend Mr. Wood would say, “A good time was had by all.”
November 1, 2017 - The First Methodist Church in Joaquin as well as the City of Joaquin would like to express our thanks to all the great kids and their parents who helped make our 2nd annual Fall Festival a huge success.
We had two bounce houses, apple bobbing, face painting as well as several games. Folks could roast their own hot dogs on one of our two fire pits or they could just let Pastor Ortigo cook them for them on the grill. Most let the Pastor work and work he did. We had around 200 come to the church on a rainy night to partake in the fun.
It was a lot of work but we felt well worth the effort to give the kids a safe place to play and hang out with friends. The original plan called for everything to be in the Rainbolt Memorial Garden but the rains drove us inside. No one seemed to mind at all.
So as our friend Mr. Wood would say, “A good time was had by all.”
November 1, 2017 - On November 5th, the First Baptist Church will hold the Quarterly Community Gospel Concert. The Concert will begin at 6pm in the Sanctuary followed by a Welcome Fellowship for Stephanie Cline, Minister to Children and Families.
Please come and join us for an enjoyable evening of singing and fellowship visit time.
First Baptist is located at 117 Cora Street, Center, Texas.
November 1, 2017 - The members and Pastor of Carroll Chapel CME Church in Shelbyville would like to invite you to our annual Family and Friend day on November 19, 2017 at 3:00PM. The guest speaker will be Elder Archie Thompson. Everyone is invited.
“Let your lights shine before men….” Matt. 5:16
October 30, 2017 - Jaime cooks at the Waffle House in Norcross, Georgia. His cooking prowess, mild manner, combat boots, jeans and large earring kept Pam and me entertained long after we finished eating. As stressed-out waitresses barked their orders, Jaime calmly flipped omelets while arranging chicken strips and burgers on the crowded grille. Thanking the waitresses for each order, he intermittently washed dishes and answered the phone.
As we left, I asked the cashier if he was the owner. “Oh, no,” she replied. “He’s just the cook…his name is Jaime Mitchell… he’s my boyfriend.” “He’s pretty good”, I remarked. “Yeah”, she replied. “He don’t know how good he is….… he’s the ‘humblest’ man in the world.”
Although the Bread of Life is on our church menus, many don’t ask for Him.
Maybe we should take some tips from Jaime Mitchell.
October 30, 2017 - Sunday was the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Sunday morning was cold but promised to be a beautiful day. Fannie turned the heaters on early, and the church felt so good. We had a small group this morning, but we had an excellent Sunday school lesson. The scripture was from Nehemiah 9 & 10 and dealt with the covenant God made with the returning exiles. The purpose of the lesson was to admit our faults and then pledge ourselves to a life that honors our relationship with God.
During October we have been collecting peanut butter and jelly for Community Christian Services. We collected quite a bit, which I will deliver this week, along with a check. In November we will collect rice and beans. The church voted to send a check to Community Christian Services to buy Christmas presents for children. Some members will also select a family to support. Sue will deliver the church check to First Baptist Joaquin, which heads up this effort. We received a nice thank-you note from our friend Linda. It will be a long process to overcome Hurricane Harvey!
The Gospel Lesson for this Sunday was Matthew 22:34-40. Once again the religious elites at the Temple are trying to trip Jesus up. In today’s lesson a legal scholar asked Jesus what is the most important commandment in the Torah. Jesus quoted from the Shema, saying we must love God with our heart, mind, and soul. Then he added that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. For me that strikes at the very heart of Christianity. Loving God and loving our neighbor are the way to live full Kingdom lives.
Last week was our program at Lakeside Assisted Living, with lots of singing and laughing. Maggie and Sue shared the emcee job, and Minnie tinkled the ivories (freeing Mrs. Hilda up to help lead the singing). Gene sang “His Eye is on the Sparrow,” with the group joining him on the chorus. Nora sang a cute song, “Pop Goes the Weasel,” as well as a goose-bump-inducing one, “Thank You for Giving to the Lord,” which she will sing for Thanksgiving at Old Home Baptist. Her sister Jo no only helped with the congregational singing, but also sang part of a song herself. Sue read the Texas Halloween book that’s a mirror image of Polar Express. Besides the regular congregational singing, we had several requests—all lovely choices.
“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.
October 18, 2017 - Newburn Order of the Eastern Star #1135 will have their 29th annual chicken dressing dinner on Friday, October 27, 2017 from 11am to 2pm.
The dinner will be in the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 217 Cora Street, Center, TX. A donation of $6.00 and you can dine in or take out. Contact Dot Messer 936-254-2003 for more information.
October 26, 2017 - Mt. Zion invites everyone to our Missionary Program on Sunday, October 29th at 3pm. Special guest speaker will be Minister Sandra Hill of the New Creations Nation Christian Center, Nacogdoches, TX; and speakers Rev. Elgena Weaver, Pastor; and Sis. Joyce Johnson, Missionary President.
October 25, 2017 - You are invited to attend our Gospel Meetings scheduled on November 12-14, 2017
The guest speaker will be Nathan Cox of Nacogdoches, Tx. Sunday evening services will begin at 5pm. Monday and Tuesday evening services will begin at 7pm.
October 25, 2017 - The First United Methodist Church in Center invites the community to its first ever "Evening With The Bells," a hand bell concert of both sacred and popular music. The concert will be held at the FUMC Fellowship Hall on Sunday night October 29 at 6pm.
"A hand bell choir is unique thing," long-time ringer Alice Sue Howard said. "Each player is responsible for one note in the song -- kind of like having a bunch of piano players, each one playing one note in a piece designed for ten fingers. It's challenging to play and it's as much fun to watch as it is to listen to."
The FUMC Hand Bell Choir will present an eclectic set of selections. "Highland Cathedral," a traditional high-church piece and "Just a Wayfaring Stranger." In addition, the choir will perform a Southern spiritual, a theme from a children's show, a #1 hit from the band Coldplay, a military march, and the national anthem.
"And we wouldn't want to forget the most iconic and famous of all hand bell pieces, 'Carol of the Bells," adds director Chris Watlington. "Before the night is over, we will preview the Christmas season with that piece of music. Besides, you can't have a hand bell concert without 'Carol of the Bells!'"
The Bells are excited to present their special guest David Mathis, the First Baptist Church's music director. He will perform a hand bell solo, something that even the FUMC bells have never seen.
"I am excited to see someone ring a song all by themselves," FUMC ring Becky Parfait said. "I work so hard on my individual part, it's hard to imagine someone ringing all the bells with just his two hands!"
Again, "Evening With The Bells" is set for Sunday October 29 at 6:00 pm at the FUMC Fellowship Hall. Light refreshments will be served and the concert is free to the public.
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