SABRINA
It is, indeed, Christmas time in the city. Meridian's annual Downtown Christmas Parade will take place tomorrow evening at 5:30 p.m. Because at Central we are excited to be a part of Downtown Meridian, we are opening the doors of our church to the community. We will open at 5:00, offering homemade soup, hot chocolate, popcorn, train rides for the children, along with a visit from Santa.
For those who are torn between the Christmas Parade and the SEC Championship game...worry not...we will have the game 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 community.
Come join us as we celebrate the sights, sounds and smells of the season!
If you do not have a church home, we invite you to return and worship with us on Sunday morning. We have two services...a Contemporary Service at 8:30, followed by Sunday School, and a Traditional Worship Service at 10:55.
We hope to see you tomorrow evening...and maybe again on Sunday! Have a blessed day!
Friday, November 30, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
JIM WALL
Good Morning!
The Bible speaks of Jesus Christ as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. It's quite a daunting title - fierce and commanding. And yet, Jesus told his disciples that He was “gentle and humble in heart.” So, which description is true? Each is true.
You may think gentleness equates to weakness. But that simply isn't so. Gentleness is actually controlled strength. It is the ability to choose to reach out to another person with tenderness and caring when it is within your power to crush and destroy.
Choose to be gentle with those whom God has placed in your life - your spouse, your children, and your co-workers. In that way, you will be following in the footsteps of Christ.
When you encounter difficulties and contradictions, do not try to break them, but bend them with gentleness and time.
Good Morning!
The Bible speaks of Jesus Christ as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. It's quite a daunting title - fierce and commanding. And yet, Jesus told his disciples that He was “gentle and humble in heart.” So, which description is true? Each is true.
You may think gentleness equates to weakness. But that simply isn't so. Gentleness is actually controlled strength. It is the ability to choose to reach out to another person with tenderness and caring when it is within your power to crush and destroy.
Choose to be gentle with those whom God has placed in your life - your spouse, your children, and your co-workers. In that way, you will be following in the footsteps of Christ.
When you encounter difficulties and contradictions, do not try to break them, but bend them with gentleness and time.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
OWEN
Good morning! I am Owen Weddle, Associate Pastor at Central!
“Ask and it will be given to you. Search and you will find. Knock and the door will be open.” These familiar words of Jesus are the very definition of what a prayer life is about. They speak of the expectation that if we come to God with our requests, we will find an answer. But for many of us, our prayer life is “one and done.” As a result, we may act as if Jesus says, “Ask once... search once... and knock once...”
But the Christian prayer life is a persistent, constant, never ceasing practice that always brings our requests to God. The time we spend in prayer about something represents its genuine importance to us. Sometimes we pray for something simply because we want it at that moment or we feel obliged to because someone asked. But tomorrow, it is forgotten from our minds.
If something is important enough for God to do, it is important enough for us to make it a priority in our constant prayer.
May God bless you!
Good morning! I am Owen Weddle, Associate Pastor at Central!
“Ask and it will be given to you. Search and you will find. Knock and the door will be open.” These familiar words of Jesus are the very definition of what a prayer life is about. They speak of the expectation that if we come to God with our requests, we will find an answer. But for many of us, our prayer life is “one and done.” As a result, we may act as if Jesus says, “Ask once... search once... and knock once...”
But the Christian prayer life is a persistent, constant, never ceasing practice that always brings our requests to God. The time we spend in prayer about something represents its genuine importance to us. Sometimes we pray for something simply because we want it at that moment or we feel obliged to because someone asked. But tomorrow, it is forgotten from our minds.
If something is important enough for God to do, it is important enough for us to make it a priority in our constant prayer.
May God bless you!
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
BOB RAMBO
Hi! I'm Bob Rambo, Lead Pastor at Central United Methodist Church. Last Friday was “Black Friday” - the official start of the Christmas shopping season. Many businesses count on the weeks before Christmas to help them make a profit, to end the year “in the black.” So they offer special sales and promotions to encourage us to shop.
In the midst of all this “hustle and bustle,” it's easy to get caught up buying things we don't need or things we can't afford. It's a good thing to remember that “things” cannot bring us joy; true happiness and contentment come from living life simply, honestly, compassionately. The Apostle Paul reminds us that “Godly living and being content with what we have” is a priceless gift.”
During this holiday season, may you find “space” to celebrate this season for what it truly means - a gracious God who stooped low and came down to earth to live among us.
Make it a GREAT day!
Hi! I'm Bob Rambo, Lead Pastor at Central United Methodist Church. Last Friday was “Black Friday” - the official start of the Christmas shopping season. Many businesses count on the weeks before Christmas to help them make a profit, to end the year “in the black.” So they offer special sales and promotions to encourage us to shop.
In the midst of all this “hustle and bustle,” it's easy to get caught up buying things we don't need or things we can't afford. It's a good thing to remember that “things” cannot bring us joy; true happiness and contentment come from living life simply, honestly, compassionately. The Apostle Paul reminds us that “Godly living and being content with what we have” is a priceless gift.”
During this holiday season, may you find “space” to celebrate this season for what it truly means - a gracious God who stooped low and came down to earth to live among us.
Make it a GREAT day!
Monday, November 26, 2012
Monday, November 26, 2012
JIM CAIN
Nehemiah's countrymen, the Jews, were living in destitution. The once powerful walls of Jerusalem were little more than scattered rubble and her great gates that once protected the people and welcomed their friends were reduced to char & ash. This broke him, and he began praying earnestly for God to work mightily on the Jew's behalf. However, Nehemiah didn't stop there; rather, he started planning for the day when God would answer his prayer.
Many of us wait for God to work and answer prayer, like Nehemiah, but unlike him, we aren't prepared for when he does. God uses that time of waiting to prepare us, which he did with Nehemiah. Nehemiah served king Xerxes as a cup bearer, a trusted position. The king, sensing his brokenness, asked him, “Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick?” Nehemiah didn't retell the sad tale, but gave the king a well planned solution.
Are we preparing for the day when God moves? Have we been praying for revival as a church, but not preparing ourselves for when it occurs? Start planning today for your answered prayers.
Nehemiah's countrymen, the Jews, were living in destitution. The once powerful walls of Jerusalem were little more than scattered rubble and her great gates that once protected the people and welcomed their friends were reduced to char & ash. This broke him, and he began praying earnestly for God to work mightily on the Jew's behalf. However, Nehemiah didn't stop there; rather, he started planning for the day when God would answer his prayer.
Many of us wait for God to work and answer prayer, like Nehemiah, but unlike him, we aren't prepared for when he does. God uses that time of waiting to prepare us, which he did with Nehemiah. Nehemiah served king Xerxes as a cup bearer, a trusted position. The king, sensing his brokenness, asked him, “Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick?” Nehemiah didn't retell the sad tale, but gave the king a well planned solution.
Are we preparing for the day when God moves? Have we been praying for revival as a church, but not preparing ourselves for when it occurs? Start planning today for your answered prayers.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Friday, November 23, 2012
GLENDA
Good Morning:
Well, one more Thanksgiving Day under our belt...and I do mean under our belt. If you are like me, yesterday was all about food, family, and fun. Hopefully, you didn't forget to count your blessings and to give God thanks for all of them. Often, we get so caught up in the food and family that we forget about God.
All of us, no matter our situation, have things for which we are thankful. Psalm 62:1 tells us "It is good to give thanks to the Lord." Psalm 100:4 says to come into His presence with Thanksgiving. There are many verses in the Bible that tell us to be thankful and to thank God. If you forgot yesterday, do it today. Count your blessings. Take the time to say, Thank you, God; and then remember to thank God for something every single day. God, our Heavenly Father, loves to hear from His children.
Have a wonderful day!
Good Morning:
Well, one more Thanksgiving Day under our belt...and I do mean under our belt. If you are like me, yesterday was all about food, family, and fun. Hopefully, you didn't forget to count your blessings and to give God thanks for all of them. Often, we get so caught up in the food and family that we forget about God.
All of us, no matter our situation, have things for which we are thankful. Psalm 62:1 tells us "It is good to give thanks to the Lord." Psalm 100:4 says to come into His presence with Thanksgiving. There are many verses in the Bible that tell us to be thankful and to thank God. If you forgot yesterday, do it today. Count your blessings. Take the time to say, Thank you, God; and then remember to thank God for something every single day. God, our Heavenly Father, loves to hear from His children.
Have a wonderful day!
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Thursday, November 22, 2012
SABRINA
How ironic I thought, that I would be doing a Reflection TODAY. While I am VERY thankful, my family dynamic has drastically changed in the past few years. My mother, my daddy, and now my brother have died.
Holiday family gatherings are different now. There are memories of past dinners. But now we also have 7 beautiful grandchildren...that INDEED changes the dynamic, and gives us a glimpse of the future.
While today is a NATIONAL holiday, as Christians, we are keenly aware of the many things God has given to us. God has given us family, friends, memories, futures - no matter what your political preference, your denominational affiliation - we are a blessed people. We are each a part of God's perfect plan. We are a part of God's future - as surely as Noah and Abraham. And we have been blessed to be a blessing to others. Let us ALL give thanks!
How ironic I thought, that I would be doing a Reflection TODAY. While I am VERY thankful, my family dynamic has drastically changed in the past few years. My mother, my daddy, and now my brother have died.
Holiday family gatherings are different now. There are memories of past dinners. But now we also have 7 beautiful grandchildren...that INDEED changes the dynamic, and gives us a glimpse of the future.
While today is a NATIONAL holiday, as Christians, we are keenly aware of the many things God has given to us. God has given us family, friends, memories, futures - no matter what your political preference, your denominational affiliation - we are a blessed people. We are each a part of God's perfect plan. We are a part of God's future - as surely as Noah and Abraham. And we have been blessed to be a blessing to others. Let us ALL give thanks!
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