Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

BOB

Good morning this is Bob Peden of Central A United Methodist Community

here in Meridian. Christmas is almost here. We see the celebration

everywhere. This Sunday at Central the Sanctuary Choir will present a

beautiful program of Christmas carols and lessons which will inspire us to

prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ Child. It will be in the

sanctuary at 10:55 This Sunday morning, December 14th. That evening

Central is also presenting a Christmas pageant, which includes music and

dance as well as a dramatic presentation calling us to be peace and light in a

world that loves the darkness. That will begin at 6:00 PM also in the

Sanctuary. Anyone and everyone is invited to come to either of these events

as together we Celebrate the birth of the King.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

RAY

Good Morning!

Think before you speak! The Bible has quite a bit to say about how we use

our words. In Eph 4:29, we're told, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come

out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up ..."

We need to be aware of how powerful our words can be.  Once spoken, they

can never be taken back. The old saying "Sticks and stones may break my

bones, but words will never hurt me" is simply not true! Unkind words hurt

deeply, and may even destroy someone's self esteem for life! The Bible is

filled with stories of people who God sustained through His words of

encouragement. How we speak - reflects Christ's character within us. Be

generous with words of encouragement. When tempted to give an angered

response, stop and ask yourself, "What would Jesus say?" God will give us

the victory. Have a great day.

Monday, December 8, 2014

Monday,. December 8, 2014

DENNIS

Good Morning. I am Dennis Gossett, Associate Pastor of Central United

Methodist Church.

We have just started the church’s Advent Season. It is a time, once again, we

think of all that Jesus did for us. During Advent, we consider his birth, his

life, his teaching, his healing, his friendships, his suffering and death, and

his resurrection.

This can be almost too overwhelming for any of us to take in. What we can

take in is that God is here, with you, with me, and everybody. So, whether

you are doing your Christmas shopping, fixing a holiday dinner, or just

watching TV, God is with you.

Since Jesus was born as a human child, he was called Emmanuel, which

means “God with us.” He was here on earth for 33 years. But that was not

the end. He said he would send his Spirit to be with us always, everyday,

everywhere, and in every situation. So, think about that! You or I are never

alone, never having to make decisions on our own, nor do we have to travel

alone, because God is with us.

During this season, take time to say hello to the one who is forever walking

beside you. Invite him into your life. Then go to your Father’s house to give

thanks. If you do not have a church home, you are always welcome at

Central.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Thursday, December 4, 2014

GLENDA

Good Morning:

This is a busy, busy time of year. We just got through Halloween and

Thanksgiving and now are getting ready for Christmas. With all the hustle

and bustle of shopping, decorating, cooking and planning, let's not forget

that Jesus is the reason for the season.

When I asked some of the four year olds at the Children's Center what was

the best thing about Christmas, they naturally said, getting lots of presents.

I told them the story of Jesus' birth and told them how the wise men

brought gifts to the baby Jesus. I like to think that this is the reason we give

gifts to one another......to remember those precious gifts the wise men

brought to a precious baby. Remind your children of that and help them to

understand that Christmas is celebrated only because of a tiny baby. No

other reason. Have a wonderful day!

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

JOHN

Good Morning! I’m John Branning the Lead Pastor of Central United

Methodist Church.

How many of us remember the old country song entitle “Looking for love in

all the wrong places!” Many people really do look for love in all the wrong

places. They try to find happiness and joy in money and material

possessions, but it doesn’t work because we have been created as spiritual

beings, not material beings.

Others look for meaning and purpose in a job or even another person, but

still feel empty in life. Pascal said “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the

heart of every person, which cannot be filled by any created thing but only

by God the creator.”

As a Lead pastor for the past 20 years, I have watched the brokenness of

people’s lives and the endless search that they are on. I promise you that if

you will stop looking in the wrong places for love and open your heart to

the love of God, your purpose will be revealed. I invite you to find your

purpose with a relationship with Christ.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

JIM CAIN

The "Million Dollar Quartet" is the name given to recordings made on

Tuesday, December 4, 1956, in the Sun Record Studios in Memphis. The

recordings were of an impromptu jam session among music greats Elvis

Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash. It was arguably the

first super-group in the history of American Music.

When the tracks were released, Cash’s distinct voice is absent from the

recordings. Music historians feel that Cash had come by the Sun Studios to

collect on money owed him, and after receiving it, he left to go shopping for

the upcoming Christmas holiday. Sadly, it is that way with many of us

today. We spend so much time cleaning, cooking, shopping, and preparing

for the arrival of Christmas, that when the day finally arrives, we are too

tired or distracted to enjoy the moment. Jesus, himself, once told Mary and

Martha that they should spend time with Him rather than the things of this

world that would always be here.

So during this Christmas season, take a moment away from wrapping gifts,

sit down with a refreshing cup of hot chocolate, pick up the Bible and

reconnect with the source of the holiday. The packages will still be there

when you return, I promise.

Monday, December 1, 2014

Monday, December 1, 2014

BOB

Good morning, this is Bob Peden of Central - A United Methodist

Community here in Meridian. This coming Sunday, December 7th in the

8:30 worship service, the Praise Band will present Not a Silent Night, a

program of music and readings that will give each one a glimpse of how

Mary may have viewed the events of Bethlehem as she reflects upon the life

of Jesus from the foot of the cross on which he died. We look back on that

night in Bethlehem and imagine it in a warm fuzzy light, quiet and

peaceful. Mary must have remembered what a noisy night it was and how

the birth and life of Jesus was anything but peaceful. Join us for an

inspiring hour of music, worship and reflection this Sunday morning at 8:30

in the Fellowship Hall at Central for Not a Silent Night.