Communities
Don’t make Christianity harder than it is
“Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the gentiles are turned to God.”
(Acts 15:19)
Sometimes we try to make Christianity harder that it really is. That is not unusual. This is exactly what the Jewish Christians were trying to do with the Gentiles. It was not simply grace for salvation, it was grace plus circumcision.
We may do similar things. We may make either explicit or implicit expectations that grow out of customs, personal preferences or prejudice. Others may say folks must stop listening to secular music. Others may say you must wear or quit wearing certain types of clothing.
We must understand as the early Christians finally understood. We can do no more for our salvation than to trust wholeheartedly in Christ. External things are not nearly as important as the internal change that occurs in our hearts when Jesus comes in. We humans do not need to make tough rules. When Jesus comes into a heart he changes the person into his image. Amen.
We greet you today is the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who is the author and finisher of our faith.
Thought for the week
“Men have always found it easy to be governed. What is hard is for them to govern themselves.”
Choir anniversary
At 6:30 this evening, the Pleasant Green Predestinarian Baptist Church Senior Choir will celebrate its anniversary at the church in Waco. Choirs, gospel groups and soloists from all across the area will appear on the program. The community is invited. Elder John Settles is the host pastor. Sis. Nora Campbell is the choir president.
Family & Community Fun Day
From noon to 3 p.m. today, the Farristown Baptist Church is hosting its annual Family & Community Fun Day. Come and join us for a fun-filled afternoon that includes activities for children, vendor booths, hay rides and much more.
Men & Women’s Day
Peytontown Baptist Church will observe its annual Men & Women’s Day on Sunday. The special guests at 3:30 p.m. will be Pastor Ralph Morton, choir and congregation of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church of Georgetown. Dinner will be served and everyone is invited. The host pastor is Clifford Campbell.
Country ham breakfast
From 1 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, the Men’s Fellowship of First Baptist Church, corner of Francis and Collins streets, will sponsor a country ham breakfast. The breakfast donation is $6. For more information, call 624-2045. The host pastor is Dr. Robert R. Blythe.
‘Male Gospel Explosion’
At 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, the Pleasant Green Predestinarian Baptist Church in Waco will present a “Male Gospel Explosion.” The program will feature male gospel groups and male soloists from across the area. Men, women, boys and girls are all invited. Sis. Vel Covington and Sis. Beverly McKay are the sponsors. Elder John Settles is the host pastor.
Ashler Lodge #49
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, Tennessee takes on Kentucky as Ashler Masonic Lodge #49 presents a big “Chili Cook-Off.” This cook-off will feature Tennessee’s finest hot and spicy chili, with all the fixings, and Kentucky’s laid-back mild and delicious chili complete with all the fixings. This event will be conducted at the Masonic Lodge Hall at 432 Francis St., across from St. Paul A.M.E. Church. Proceeds will benefit the Ashler Lodge Christmas shopping spree. The lodge will take several less fortunate Madison County area children on a shopping spree. Come and enjoy a hot delicious bowl of chili while at the same time helping deserving children. For tickets, contact any lodge member.
Pastor’s anniversary
Sunday, Nov. 2, the Concord Predestinarian Baptist Church, Charlie Norris Road, will celebrate the pastoral anniversary of Elder Anthony Phelps. The 11:30 a.m. guest preacher will be Elder Virgil Gardner, associate minister of the Richmond Predestinarian Baptist Church. The special guests for the 3:30 p.m. worship service will be elder Barry Bowman, choir and congregation of the St. Paul Predestinarian Baptist Church of Lancaster. Dinner will be served.
Upward Bound Ministries
Secrecy: Even though delusion helps us justify our sin, we know that others would not approve of what we are doing, so some of us develop a secret life. This life hides our guilt and prevents those who care for us from helping. Life-controlling problems grow in the soil of secrecy.
Secret lives are deadly to the spiritual well-being of individuals and churches. Unless people have a safe place where they can deal with the sin that may entangle them, they will continue to be crippled by their guilt and shame, The ministry gifts that could contribute to the cause of Christ will be lost, and the whole church will suffer.
Come to Upward Bound Ministries “Turning Point Group” and experience true deliverance from addictions and behavior issues that cause people to live secret lives. The group meets every Friday at 7 p.m. at the Church of the Rock, 1049 Richmond Road, Berea. Be sure to tune in to “Lifeline” Upward Bound Ministries drug prevention telecast which airs every Thursday at 6 p.m. on Time Warner Access Channel 5. Visit the Upward Bound Ministries Web site at www.upwardboundministries.org.
Until next week
May the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus stay fresh in your minds until we meet again.
- Communities
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Waco Pentecostal Tabernacle fundraiser Saturday
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Here we are in fall again!
How do so many leaves fall off a tree and get scattered in so many different directions in one day?
How many more leaves are still on the tree that will turn and fall and be scattered in the days to come?
It almost makes one want to wait until all the leaves are off the tree before picking up a rake or broom. That might be better than raking and sweeping each day for many, many days to come. -
Roadside clean-up set for Saturday
How is everyone’s week going? I hope that everyone is having a great one. We have once again had a little mixture of weather, cool, rain, warm and sunshine. One can never tell what the March weather will be. Have you noticed the buttercups blooming? I also saw some bushes and trees blooming. I even saw a redbud tree blooming! There is such beauty in spring as it comes to life.
- Take care of your community: Don’t litter! Hello readers. The late evening sun is shining through an upstairs window from where I’m sitting and I notice the brilliance of an outer ring that seems to flow toward the creek as it (sun) begins the journey into the night. I do love to just look and enjoy all we have on this Earth to appreciate. It’s always the little things that seem to make up the circle of life. Like the bright yellow daffodils blooming in Mrs. Callahan’s yard and the many buttercups alongside the road — the little things.
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Volunteers needed for Union City Boy Scouts meeting
Union City Baptist Church had a total of 60 people for the community soup supper last Saturday night. There were pinto beans, several different kinds of chili and some great desserts. While people were eating, some youths from the church provided a puppet show.
This may seem like the minutes of the last Monday’s Union City Ruritan meeting, but I am pleased to have so much news from local activities. - Waco Elementary honors Dr. Seuss How many times did you get pinched on Tuesday for not wearing green? How many times did you pinch yourself on Tuesday because you wanted to make sure you weren’t dreaming when the whole day was so spring-like beautiful? Ahhh, the birds chirping, the green finally peeping through the winter-brown ground, buttercups showing off their new spring bonnets and daylight after supper to enjoy a little porch time — it is getting here!
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Kirksville Baptist auction set Saturday
Hello Everyone. Everyone loves an auction. So here is your chance. The Kirksville Baptist Church is having a remodeling project auction March 28 at 9 a.m. All items will be on display for your viewing at 7 a.m. This auction will be to help raise funds for their remodeling project.
Items to be auctioned will be from the old sanctuary and Sunday school rooms such as chairs, tables, doors, chandeliers, cabinets, desk and much more. Everyone is also invited to bring items to donate for the auction as well. -
D-fend Against Colds
Move over vitamin C. It’s vitamin D that seems to provide the strongest defense against the common cold, according to a recent study. Researchers at the University of Colorado studied 19,000 people about their health habits and took blood samples to determine the frequency of respiratory problems.
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‘Health Rocks!’ helps kids lead healthy lives
4-H has many diverse activities and programs that have been developed to help youth to get involved. The goal of 4-H is to help youth have a sense of belonging, opportunities for mastery, learn independence and lessons in generosity. An upcoming 4-H event called “Health Rocks” will teach youth these important aspects and more.
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Killing Kevin
I don’t watch much television. There are only a few shows I follow. I’ve come to care about the characters in those programs. They’re like family. So naturally it upsets me when homicidal scriptwriters kill them off. Without provocation — or my permission.
One of my favorite shows is “Monk,” about an obsessive, compulsive detective. Several episodes have featured his upstairs neighbor, Kevin Dorfman. Kevin is riddled with personality quirks. He talks too much — about nothing. He rambles on about all the places he’s ever lived. -
God’s rainbow a sign of an everlasting relationship
God’s promise of a rainbow in the clouds indicating a permanent and unbreakable bond between God and the creatures of His world is a strong and assuring promise that lies at the very foundation of Christianity. We are told throughout the scriptures that nothing can separate us from God, not even our own sinfulness. In all of life, there are few feelings, needs and insecurities that are more totally and completely fulfilled than when we have a firm and unquestionable conviction that we are not alone, and are wanted and loved! Amen.
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Waco Pentecostal Tabernacle fundraiser Saturday
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