JOHN
Good Morning! I’m John Branning, Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church.
Well, there’s this old legend about a nice old candymaker in Indiana. He loved to make candy, especially for little boys and girls. One Christmas, he decided to make a special kind of candy that would tell a special story, the story of Jesus. The nice old candymaker from Indiana took a stick of pure white, hard candy. The color white reminds us that he never sinned. If you ever ate a candy cane you know how hard it is, right? Like a rock.
Mr. Candymaker made it hard – to remind us that Jesus is our shelter—like a rocky cave. And what letter does it look like? Yes, a “J”! Which not only represents the name Jesus, but also the staff of the “Good Shepherd.” A shepherd picks up sheep with the rounded end then fights off wild animals with the other. Jesus helps us and keeps us safe.
Finally, the candymaker put three red stripes around it to remind us of the pain Jesus went through on the cross for our sins, all so that we can be with God forever and have a life of peace.
So, that’s the legend of the candy cane. It tells us of Jesus and his great love for each of us. It also tells us of the peace we can have in life because of what he did.
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Monday, December 11, 2017
Monday, December 11, 2017
DENNIS
Good morning everyone. I am Dennis Gossett with Central United Methodist Church. In the Psalms, David reveals his deep anguish before God about his sins. It is important to notice how the language of his psalms of repentance has filtered down into the liturgies we have inherited in the church. In Psalm 38, David describes that he feels weighed down by his sins, saying “your hand has come down upon me” (vs. 2). His health is suffering because of his sin. David says, “There is no health in my body; my bones have no soundness because of my sin.” Finally, he says the guilt he is experiencing has become “a burden too heavy to bear.” In our communion liturgy, we say with the psalm, “Almighty and most merciful Father, we have wandered and strayed from your ways like lost sheep.” David gives the basic language of the repentant life. He knew that only God can forgive, heal, and change our hearts and minds. Keeping this understanding in the forefront of our lives is one of the deepest marks or badges of the Christian life. Remember, without Christ, we are nothing more than filthy rags. God bless.
Good morning everyone. I am Dennis Gossett with Central United Methodist Church. In the Psalms, David reveals his deep anguish before God about his sins. It is important to notice how the language of his psalms of repentance has filtered down into the liturgies we have inherited in the church. In Psalm 38, David describes that he feels weighed down by his sins, saying “your hand has come down upon me” (vs. 2). His health is suffering because of his sin. David says, “There is no health in my body; my bones have no soundness because of my sin.” Finally, he says the guilt he is experiencing has become “a burden too heavy to bear.” In our communion liturgy, we say with the psalm, “Almighty and most merciful Father, we have wandered and strayed from your ways like lost sheep.” David gives the basic language of the repentant life. He knew that only God can forgive, heal, and change our hearts and minds. Keeping this understanding in the forefront of our lives is one of the deepest marks or badges of the Christian life. Remember, without Christ, we are nothing more than filthy rags. God bless.
Friday, December 8, 2017
Friday, December 8, 2017
BOB
Good morning, I am Bob Peden of Central, a United Methodist Community here in Meridian. Christmas is a wonder-filled time of the year. The lights, the greetings, the joy, and especially the music all inspire wonder in us. This Sunday at Central, our worship bands will lead us in an explosion of worship that will include beautiful contemporary Christian Christmas music, words that will inspire us to reflect on the coming of Christ into the world, video, and lighting. That is this Sunday morning at 8:30 until 10:30 in the Fellowship Hall at Central on the corner of 22nd Avenue and 10th street. Knowing that many of you watching are involved in your own churches on Sunday morning, we will repeat this program on Monday evening, December 11th at 6:30 p.m. Start a new tradition this year and come to Central for an exciting Christmas worship experience either Sunday morning or Monday evening.
Good morning, I am Bob Peden of Central, a United Methodist Community here in Meridian. Christmas is a wonder-filled time of the year. The lights, the greetings, the joy, and especially the music all inspire wonder in us. This Sunday at Central, our worship bands will lead us in an explosion of worship that will include beautiful contemporary Christian Christmas music, words that will inspire us to reflect on the coming of Christ into the world, video, and lighting. That is this Sunday morning at 8:30 until 10:30 in the Fellowship Hall at Central on the corner of 22nd Avenue and 10th street. Knowing that many of you watching are involved in your own churches on Sunday morning, we will repeat this program on Monday evening, December 11th at 6:30 p.m. Start a new tradition this year and come to Central for an exciting Christmas worship experience either Sunday morning or Monday evening.
Thursday, December 7, 2017
Thursday, December 7, 2017
GLENDA
Good Morning: How cool is it that the same God who created mountains, oceans, stars, and galaxies, looked at you and thought the world needed one of you, too? Have you ever thought about that? Why are you here? What do you think God had in mind for you? Look around you. What in the world is going on here? Do you think the way we are going right now is what God had in mind? I certainly don't! What God created is beautiful...even you and me! The sad thing is that he gave us free will. That means that WE decide what happens in our lives. Evidently, a lot of us have forgotten that we were made by God, in His image, for His glory. What if we started living up to God's expectations! We could change the world. I am challenging each of you today to do one kind thing for someone else and tell them, “God loves you!” You may make all the difference in someone's life today and Meridian could be the start of something good which spreads around the world. Let's try it! Have a wonderful day!
Good Morning: How cool is it that the same God who created mountains, oceans, stars, and galaxies, looked at you and thought the world needed one of you, too? Have you ever thought about that? Why are you here? What do you think God had in mind for you? Look around you. What in the world is going on here? Do you think the way we are going right now is what God had in mind? I certainly don't! What God created is beautiful...even you and me! The sad thing is that he gave us free will. That means that WE decide what happens in our lives. Evidently, a lot of us have forgotten that we were made by God, in His image, for His glory. What if we started living up to God's expectations! We could change the world. I am challenging each of you today to do one kind thing for someone else and tell them, “God loves you!” You may make all the difference in someone's life today and Meridian could be the start of something good which spreads around the world. Let's try it! Have a wonderful day!
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
BENJI
This world can sometimes be a harsh, cold, disquieting place to live in. We wonder how humanity can be the recipients, as well as the perpetrators of such Tragedy and Pain. This becomes all the more evident during the holiday season, especially Christmas. There is no greater time than ever to be reminded of what this season stands for. Of what God has done and still is doing in this world. We have not been left alone, and our Hope stands firm in Christ. We can be agents of change, as we see in 1 Corinthians Chapter 13, that when we serve others, with our motivation as love and not our own selfish wishes, God can use us to transform the world. God has promised that just as the dark turns to dawn, so to will Joy overcome sorrow, and throughout all this darkness, pain, and tragedy, the words of Jesus found in John 14:27 stand true “do not let your hearts be troubled, do not fear, for I give you my peace.”
This world can sometimes be a harsh, cold, disquieting place to live in. We wonder how humanity can be the recipients, as well as the perpetrators of such Tragedy and Pain. This becomes all the more evident during the holiday season, especially Christmas. There is no greater time than ever to be reminded of what this season stands for. Of what God has done and still is doing in this world. We have not been left alone, and our Hope stands firm in Christ. We can be agents of change, as we see in 1 Corinthians Chapter 13, that when we serve others, with our motivation as love and not our own selfish wishes, God can use us to transform the world. God has promised that just as the dark turns to dawn, so to will Joy overcome sorrow, and throughout all this darkness, pain, and tragedy, the words of Jesus found in John 14:27 stand true “do not let your hearts be troubled, do not fear, for I give you my peace.”
Monday, December 4, 2017
Monday, December 4, 2017
DENNIS
Good morning everyone. I am Dennis Gossett with Central United Methodist Church. Consider this: Gentile lives matter. Barbarian lives matter. Slave lives matter. Of course, they do, but not why we think. What’s interesting is the Apostle Paul doesn’t choose this approach in his correspondence. He begins where he always begins, with Jesus, the image of the invisible God. He does not start with historical realities, sociological categories, economic disparities, political concerns or justice issues. He starts with theology. He begins with the Kingdom of God. In the Kingdom of God there are many distinctions between people, but there is no difference. Why? Because all are created in the image of God. In fact, it takes all of us to reflect the image of God. Only the image of God reflects such diverse distinctiveness while unifying it all in the same essence. If we do not start with Jesus in these matters of our distinctiveness, we will never get to Jesus. The cross became all-inclusive by making Christ in all. So today, let me encourage you to look upon everyone through the unity of the cross of Jesus Christ.
Good morning everyone. I am Dennis Gossett with Central United Methodist Church. Consider this: Gentile lives matter. Barbarian lives matter. Slave lives matter. Of course, they do, but not why we think. What’s interesting is the Apostle Paul doesn’t choose this approach in his correspondence. He begins where he always begins, with Jesus, the image of the invisible God. He does not start with historical realities, sociological categories, economic disparities, political concerns or justice issues. He starts with theology. He begins with the Kingdom of God. In the Kingdom of God there are many distinctions between people, but there is no difference. Why? Because all are created in the image of God. In fact, it takes all of us to reflect the image of God. Only the image of God reflects such diverse distinctiveness while unifying it all in the same essence. If we do not start with Jesus in these matters of our distinctiveness, we will never get to Jesus. The cross became all-inclusive by making Christ in all. So today, let me encourage you to look upon everyone through the unity of the cross of Jesus Christ.
Friday, December 1, 2017
Friday, December 1, 2017
SABRINA
Christmas is indeed in the air. Meridian’s annual Downtown Christmas Parade will take place tomorrow evening at 5:00 p.m. Because at Central we are excited to be a part of the Downtown Meridian Community, we are once again opening the doors of our church to you. Our doors will open at 4:30, and we will have homemade soup, hot chocolate, cookies, and popcorn. Word has it that Santa will also be around. The SEC Championship game will also be on the big screen in our Fellowship Hall. All of this is just our way of inviting you into our lives...a gift from us to the Meridian community. Come join us as we celebrate the sights, sounds, and smells of the season! Since we are at the end of the parade route, if you have a parade participant, it’s a great place to arrange to meet up with them. If you do not have a church home, we invite you to return and worship with us on Sunday morning at 8:30, 9:45 or 10:55. We hope to see you tomorrow evening - and maybe again on Sunday. Don’t forget in these busy days of the season to pause daily and remember the REASON we celebrate - God’s love for us made flesh!
Christmas is indeed in the air. Meridian’s annual Downtown Christmas Parade will take place tomorrow evening at 5:00 p.m. Because at Central we are excited to be a part of the Downtown Meridian Community, we are once again opening the doors of our church to you. Our doors will open at 4:30, and we will have homemade soup, hot chocolate, cookies, and popcorn. Word has it that Santa will also be around. The SEC Championship game will also be on the big screen in our Fellowship Hall. All of this is just our way of inviting you into our lives...a gift from us to the Meridian community. Come join us as we celebrate the sights, sounds, and smells of the season! Since we are at the end of the parade route, if you have a parade participant, it’s a great place to arrange to meet up with them. If you do not have a church home, we invite you to return and worship with us on Sunday morning at 8:30, 9:45 or 10:55. We hope to see you tomorrow evening - and maybe again on Sunday. Don’t forget in these busy days of the season to pause daily and remember the REASON we celebrate - God’s love for us made flesh!
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