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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
February 15, 2016 - Sunday, St. Valentine’s Day, was the First Sunday in Lent. A 40-day period of prayer and reflection leading up to Easter, Lent is celebrated by most Christians around the world. The Sundays in Lent are not actually part of Lent but are seen as “little Easters.”
My scripture came from the first book of the Ancient Hebrews—Genesis 1: 26-31. During Lent we are reminded that our creator is still about creating. As the hands, feet, eyes, and ears of the Christ, we are to be a church that is open, loving, and caring regardless of size, and we are to be about grace and forgiveness. These must always be the cornerstones of our faith.
What a beautiful week we have had! The weatherman said last night that we might get some rain and that we need it. I guess he was right, but having sunshine and springtime temperatures sure calls us to go outdoors and enjoy the day. I have many raised beds in my yard, needing me to weed and clean up—what fun!
Fannie’s Sunday school lesson was based on Leviticus 23: 15-22. The scripture outlines worship during the Festival of Weeks, also called Pentecost. Even though the practices certainly have changed, the need for worship—for praising God and for renewal—remains the same today.
It was great to have everyone this morning—we were in double digits! Before worship is time for all of us to visit, and we at Paxton are a very sociable people! Mrs. Hilda was back today, making our singing sound much better, and Joe picked some well-known songs. “This Is My Father’s World” has such nice lyrics about enjoying all God has given us.
This Tuesday, February 16th is our ministry to Holiday Nursing Center. On Thursday February 24th at 2:00 will be our ministry at Lakeside Assisted Living. We welcome anyone who wants to join us to bring songs, stories, and prayer to the residents.
“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 9:15 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. God’s Speed!
February 10, 2016 - Open Door Baptist Worship Center invites you to the 16th Church Anniversary Service on February 28th at 3:00pm. We are located at 900 Cotton Ford Road Center, Texas 75935. Guest Speaker will be Pastor Jeremy Moore & Friendship Baptist Church.
February 9, 2016 - Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church will be hosting the Harper Family on Sunday, February 21, 2016 at 5pm. Please come and join us for some good Gospel Bluegrass Music. You will receive a blessing. God Bless All! Bethlehem MBC is lcoated at 13127 Hwy 7 East, Joaquin, Texas 75954.
For more information about the Harper Family, visit them online at www.HarperFamilyMusic.com
February 9, 2016 - St. Therese Catholic Church announces Ash Wednesday schedule.
February 10:
7am - St. Therese, Center, Ashes only
9am - St. Mary of Epiphany, Timpson, English Mass and Ashes
6pm - St. Mary of Tpiphany, Timpson, Spanish Mass and Ashes
8pm - St. Therese, Center, Bilingual Mass and Ashes
The sacrament of reconciliation will be held on Thursday, February 11th at 6pm at St. Therese in Center. Several priests will hear your confessions. Everyone is encouraged to take advantage of this God given sacrament.
For any questions, please contact Jennifer Wulf at 936-598-6333.
February 9, 2016 - The monthly Community Men's Breakfast will be held Saturday, February 13th, at 8am at Joaquin United Methodist Church. This is a great opportunity for the men in Joaquin and the surrounding area to fellowship with one another.
February 8, 2016 - People have a whole host of ideas today as to why people should be baptized. For example some teach that baptism is necessary in order to enter some denominations. Others teach that little children need to be baptized to save them from their sins. And yet others say that one needs to be baptized to show that they are saved.
But the question remains, why were people baptized in the New Testament? When we go to our New Testaments we find a stark contrast between the teachings of men and the truth of God.
Notice this at Jesus' baptism, “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him” (Matt. 3:13-15). Notice three important things in this text; 1) Jesus came to be baptized. 2) John expressed his need to be baptized. 3) Jesus said it fulfilled all righteousness. Can we gather out of this text that baptism was optional or a secondary thing?
Also consider something else the New Testament says about baptism. “And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him” (Lk. 7:29-30). You see baptism is the counsel of God and when we reject baptism then we are rejecting the counsel of God.
But the question still remains, why were people baptized in the New Testament? Well, the New Testament says:
1. To be saved (Mk. 16:16).
2. To be born again (Jn. 3:3-5).
3. For the remission of sins (Ac. 2:38).
4. To wash away sins (Ac. 22:16).
5. To justify God (Lk. 7:29).
6. To be spiritually circumcised by faith (Col. 2:11-13).
7. To crucify the old man and have a new life (Rm. 6:3-6).
8. To put on Christ (Gal. 3:27).
These reasons are right from the Bible which makes them the truth. No one was baptized because they were saved but to be saved. No one was baptized because they had a new life but in order to get a new life. No one was baptized because they were washed from sin but to be washed from sin. No one was baptized because they already had Christ but in order to get Christ. No one was baptized because they had crucified the old man but in order to crucify the old man.
Church email: northsidecoccenter@gmail.com
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Judges 16: 28, “Oh, God, strengthen me…please…”
February 8, 2016 - My brother John has a 73 year elderly Mexican National helping him at his chicken farm at Huxley, Texas. Since Juan can’t speak English, he phones John when there’s a problem at the farm and simply says, “Please”. That’s my brother’s way of knowing he’s needed and within a few minutes, he drives the three mile trip to the farm.
My parents often reminded us ten children to use this word. When leaving the dinner table, we were to say, “May I be excused, please”. If we wanted another biscuit, we asked, “Pass the biscuits, please”. It would’ve been as foolish for us to omit “please” as it would be to answer them with “yeah” or “naw”.
Many of the younger generation were never taught the magic of this word. The reason is simple: “Please” is akin to humility, gentleness and calmness, (Webster), virtues they were never taught to appreciate.
Juan gets John’s help the same way I got it from Mother and Daddy. And I’ve learned from experience and the Word that the Lord helps his children, too, when they humbly pray, “Please, dear Father…..please...”
February 8, 2016 - Carroll Chapel CME Church in Shelbyville, will be having their annual Black History Program on February 21st at 3:00 PM. Guest speaker will be Rev. Alvin Brinson of the East Hamilton Baptist Church in Shelbyville. Everyone is invited to come out and help us celebrate this glorious occasion.
February 7, 2016 - This week was Transfiguration Sunday. The Gospel Lesson from Luke 9: 28-36 tells when Jesus, Peter, John, and James go to the mountain top. There Jesus is transformed by “flashed lightning.” Elijah, who represents the prophets, and Moses, who represents the law, are also there, talking to Jesus. From the clouds a voice proclaims Jesus as the Chosen One.
My sermon didn’t speak of the transfiguration. Instead, the scripture came from Jesus’ favorite book in the Jewish Testament—Isaiah. In Chapter 58: 11-12, the prophet promises the people that out of ruin the foundation from old will restore them. We are promised that the Lord will guide and provide for us.
In my sermon I questioned how successful we are in living the life Christ wants us to live. Jesus wasn’t about building churches but transforming lives. In the liturgy for Holy Communion, I quoted the Catholic mystic of old, Teresa of Avila. She reminded Christians that Christ has no body but ours. We are the hands, feet, and eyes of the Christ. That is an awesome responsibility.
It was so great to see everyone this morning. Fannie had a great Sunday school lesson as always; in our discussion we realized how important it is for each generation to pass on our faith and our values. Mr. Fiedler ably led our singing this morning, but we sure missed Hilda on the piano. We also remembered Ms. Gloria, who has a birthday this week. We sang Happy Birthday long distance.
Sue and I were very appreciative of all the prayers and love that we felt this week. My mother died Monday, so our week was spent in Dallas getting arrangements done and people notified. Sue and I were uplifted by thoughts and prayers, not just from our church but from so many in our community. It was great to see many relatives that flew in for the services and friends who journeyed from Joaquin. The funeral service was officiated by my mother’s pastor, Cheryl Walenta Gorvie, who did a wonderful job. We chose music meaningful to my mom, including Forties tunes, music composed and played by our Aunt Barbara, and the hymns “Morning Has Broken” and “Lord of the Dance.” The weather was perfect, especially for February.
On Monday I had my yearly interview with our District Superintendent, Rev. Huffman. In his kindness, he conducted this interview over the phone. Rev. Huffman is not only a great District Superintendent, he is a good friend. I expressed my desire to continue serving Paxton as its pastor.
“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 9:15 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. God’s Speed!
Shelbyville UMC and Short UMC invite all people to join us in celebrating and participating in the season of Lent beginning with Ash Wednesday.
"Lent, the period of 40 days before Easter (excluding Sundays), begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Saturday, the evening before Easter. During Lent, we enter into a season of preparation, self-reflection and repentance when we seek to literally turn aroundd and realign our lives and focus toward God. It is a time to give up things as well as take on new life-giving practices, helping us rid ourselves of distractions and our own selfish desires. By doing so, we seek to live and love as more faithful disciples of Jesus Christ."
Here are the worship opportunities and other ways you can participate with us this year:
Ash Wednesday: Wednesday, February 10 Imposition of the Ashes 6:00am. We will also be holding a 6:00pm worship at Shelbyville UMC with imposition of the ashes.
Wednesday Worship: During the season of Lent, we will be offering a Wednesday morning worship service with prayer and Holy Communion. This is a great way to start the day, and have a mid-week spiritual recharge. Wednesdays February 100March 23 6:00am
Lent Bible Study: John: Gospel of Life and Light
Tuesdays at 10:00am February 16 - March 22
The Gospel of John is the most deeply spiritual of the four gospels. It includes some of the loftiest and most loved verses in all the Bible: "And the Word became flesh...," "For God so loved the world...," "You who are without sin cast the first stone...," "I am the resurrection and the life...," "I am the way, and the truth, and the life." The writing is filled with rich images and profound truths, but John notes that his aim in writing the gospel is that his readers will not only believe in Jesus Christ, but that they "may have life in his name."
Book donation cost: $12
Missions:
Shelby County Outreach Ministries
Green Acres Nursing Home in Center Bible Study, Prayer, & Worship Wednesdays 10:00amm11:00am Hands On Mission Opportunities: Health Kits Gathering supplies and putting kits together Tuesday, March 22nd at 2:00pm.
We will be offering a community mission project this Lent. Look for more information soon.
Join us for worship each Sunday!
9:00am - Short UMC
11:00am - Shelbyville UMC (live stream option at www.ShelbyvilleUMCWorship.weebly.com )
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