Tuesday, January 21, 2014

BOB

Good morning, this is Bob Peden of Central United Methodist Church. Central now offers 3 worship services each Sunday morning. Our contemporary service at 8:30 had become short on space. So, we have created a new service called CONNECT beginning at 9:45 each Sunday ­a place where we connect with God and with others.

We have formed a new Praise Band and identified people
who will support this service welcoming others and helping
them to feel at home. This will be an exciting fast ­paced
worship experience that will last approximately 45 minutes.
Each Sunday the message will be the same in each of our
Sunday morning services.

We have room for you at Central and welcome you to come
join us at any of our services 8:30 contemporary ­ 9:45
CONNECT ­ and 10:55 traditional. The church is located in
downtown Meridian between 22nd and 23rd Avenues at 10th
and 11th Streets. Central is offering Christ and making
disciples.

Monday, January 20, 2014

JOHN

Good Morning! I’m John Branning the Lead Pastor of
Central United Methodist Church. Today our nation honors
the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, whose ministry in
racial reconciliation through non violence transformed the
very fabric of our society. God has raised many different
leaders though out history who were able to point out the
divisions that separate us as people.
For many people, it is easier for them to live separated from
one another instead of striving for reconciliation because
after all forgiveness is hard. It is most difficult to forgive and
to be reconciled to those who have hurt us. However, it is
not the words of mortal people that call us today to be
reconciled with each other but instead the voice of Jesus
Christ that died on the cross to show us how far God’s love
was willing to go to reconcile us to himself. Let us honor all
those who have proclaimed to us to love one another by
doing just that.

Friday, January 17, 2014

RAY DURDEN

The Lord has called us with an everlasting love...died for us and gave Himself for us.

Never take for granted God's intimate nearness. Marvel at the wonder of His continual presence with you. Even the most ardent human lover cannot be with you always, nor can another person know the intimacies of your heart, mind, and spirit. Christ knows everything about you--even to the number of hairs on your head. You don't need to work at revealing yourself to Him.

Many people spend a lifetime or a small fortune searching for someone who understands them. Yet Christ is freely available to all who call upon His name, and who open their hearts to receive Him as Savior. This simple act of faith is the beginning of a lifelong love story. Jesus is the Lover of your soul, understands you perfectly, and loves you eternally.


Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. - John 1:12

Thursday, January 16, 2014

SABRINA

If you are married, tomorrow night could change your life! Central United Methodist Church is hosting “How to Laugh your way to a Better Marriage.” We will learn “The Tale of Two Brains, The Key to Better Sex, How to Stay Married and not Kill Anybody.” We will also find out why men insist on leaving their socks on the floor, sit the glass by the newly cleaned out sink, and have selective hearing.

Okay, so I added a few topics of my own! Seriously though, I canNOT stress enough if you are married, how important it is to think about attending this workshop tomorrow evening and Saturday morning. You will laugh, you will reflect, and you will grow closer to your partner, understanding God did indeed make us different!

It is not too late to sign up, but please do so this morning. Dinner will be served, so we need an idea on our numbers. You may phone the church office at 601-693-1521, or sign up online at www.cumcmdn.org. Hopefully we will see you tomorrow evening!

Wednesday, January 25, 2014

jim cain

Good Morning!

Last Monday I had gone to lunch with a friend of mine named JB. We got through eating and walked up to the cash register. A beautiful blonde lady was standing behind the register taking up money, and while I was handing her our check, JB reached over in a bowl of loose tooth picks by the register, got him one, and commenced to picking his teeth. I mean he was really getting after it right there in the front of that nice restaurant. The lady's mouth fell open and she just stared at JB, well after a moment JB took the toothpick and stuck it back over in the bowl. Noticing that she was staring at him JB smiled and said, “I bet a lot of people use those tooth picks and then walk off with them don't they?” The woman still didn't say a word but handed me the entire amount of money I had given her back and motioned for us to leave.

Do you feel like the world has chewed you up and spit you back out?  If so, let me invite you to come eat with us tonight at 5:30 at Central UMC and then hang around long enough to go to Bible Study or just make some new Christian friends who will care about you when life seems like it's about to overwhelm you.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

GLENDA

Good morning:

People are always predicting what will happen in the New Year. Some of those predictions come true, while others do not. Here are some predictions that will definitely come true: The Bible will still have all the answers; Prayer will still be the most powerful thing on Earth; The Holy Spirit will still move; God will still honor the praises of His people; There will still be God-anointed preaching; There will still be singing of praise to God; God will still pour out blessings upon His people; There will still be room at the Cross; Jesus will still love you; and Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him. Isn't it great to remember who is really in control, and that, like we read in 1 Peter 1:25, “The Word of the Lord endures forever.” Have a wonderful day!

Monday, January 13, 2014

DENNIS

Good morning everyone. We are in the heart of our winter season. The days are short, the nights are longer, and the weather is unpredictable. It can be cold and dreary one day, and nice and sunny the next. Like our winter weather, life can be pretty unpredictable at times. Cars break down, alarm clocks fail to go off, or worse, unforeseen surgeries. With all of these random events, what is steady in life? Is there anything that is stable?

The longer I live, the more convinced I am of God being the only unchangeable person and force in this chaotic world of ours.

In the Genesis account of Creation, God turned chaos into order, formlessness into formation, and darkness into light. Now, if God is powerful enough to bring stability upon the earth, imagine the calmness he can bring into your life. I'm Dennis Gossett for Central United Methodist Church, where we are making life better for 2014.