Many thanks!
To the editor,
Thank you (Hugh Lewis) for live streaming (the FBC Jefferson anniversary service).
I should have given credit as to where the information for this presentation tonight originated.
Mrs. Ouida (Carl) Bailey wrote a play in 1980 to honor the 125th anniversary of the church.
The play was performed in 1980 and again in 1986.
We found the manuscript Monday. Material was also gleaned from Lucille Blackburn Bullard’s book that was published in 1986 of a history from 1855-1985.
We also found a case of those hardback books which are for sale at the original price of $16. George T. Todd wrote a book in 1905 about the church’s history.
John Nance shared some information with me about William Evander Penn, an evangelist and former member of the church for many years who published 3 hymnals, wrote several hymns, and an autobiography.
And, John shared a history of S. A. Hayden (twice a pastor of the church), who caused a major divide in the Baptist General Convention of Texas and went on to help form the Baptist Missionary Association of Texas. It was over Hayden that First Baptist of Jefferson split in 1998.
Sharon Goolsby, Jefferson, Texas
Christians using kosher bread, wine at Easter time
As far back as the late 1870s, Jewish people have resided and been productive citizens in various East Texas areas. Many of their descendants still reside in the area today. During Holy Week, is obvious that for many faiths, wine is a blessing and not a curse.
Passover is an integral part of Hebrew traditions. Furthermore, the presence of alcohol in Churches across the United States and Canada is a fairly controversial topic. Ever since the Temperance Movement of the late 1800’s up until relatively recent years any type of alcohol was generally frowned upon or discouraged.
My late grandmother, Dora (White) Marples, was a Christian in several different denominations. However, at the end of her life, she lived next-door to a Methodist Church. She was fiercely anti-alcohol, until her doctor said a ‘sip’ of red wine toward bedtime was “good for her heart”. Only then, my grandma relaxed her rigid stance. Although her two younger brothers (who both served in World War One both enjoyed their Budweiser beer).
It was recommended that some churches use unfermented grape juice during communion, but that was hard to come by and to produce.
When fresh grapes that could be squeezed were out of season, often churches went without communion or used water with boiled raisins.
Joseph Smith, Jr., originally used wine in the Sacrament, but reverted to using water as continues today in conformity with the Word-of-Wisdom. Today’s, Latter-day Saints (Mormons) use small clear-plastic cups of water. Then, two Methodist preachers by the name of Thomas B. Welch and Charles Welch wondered if Louis Pasteur’s new process would work well with grape juice.
He tried it, and it did. Welch’s grape juice was born, and Methodists never went back to serving wine during communion, even though they originally did.
The reckoning is that the church supposedly didn’t want to be a stumbling block for those who struggle with issues related to alcohol. Within the past three years, an unlikely merger occurred with the creation of Welches-Manischewitz Kosher Grape Juice being formed.
Yet, the Roman Catholic, Anglican, some Lutherans, and other denominations interpret Scripture, as written, using real wine with alcohol to signify the blood of Christ during communion. They should; because it was a miraculous feat for Jesus Christ to “change water into wine”.
Granted, there are alcoholics in this world, but even Catholic priests who are susceptible to alcoholism may ask their bishop to use “mustum”, which is basically the first step in winemaking and essentially fresh, unpasteurized grape-juice. It pleases me that many, many Christians are adding Kosher foods (intentionally or unintentionally) to their daily diets such as my well-known brand of Orange-Juice (which has the Kosher-symbol) as does my pure Milk Chocolate bar or my cheddar-flavored potato chips. I don’t think any Church intends to be a “stumbling block” especially with such a tiny amount of alcohol.
I, personally, have seen Catholic priests intervene and hold-down the communion cup, if a pre-teenager imbibed just a little too much wine. Furthermore, the Holy Bible and Lord’s Prayer tells us to “Lead us not into temptation…”.
Jesus’s use of unleavened bread and changing water into real wine was a miracle. The time of Passover is a special time in which wine plays a central role. It would be easy for any person to squeeze a colored berry into a cup of clear water. Although, the color would change and the taste would change, it still wouldn’t be genuine wine. Let’s cherish our Judeo-Christian roots at Passover and Eastertime, and all year long.
James A. Marples, Longview, Texas
Temporary waiver of car tags ends April 14
If you’re overdue, it’s time to renew!
The temporary waiver of certain vehicle title and registration requirements, announced by Governor Greg Abbott on March 16, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will end on April 14, 2021.
The waiver did not waive standard fees associated with title and registration.
If you have not renewed your expired vehicle registration, you should make plans to renew by that date. It is not necessary to wait until the deadline to complete any overdue transactions as motorists have several renewal options.
Three ways to renew your vehicle registration:
-Visit www.TxDMV.gov/register or www.Texas.gov. This is the quickest and least expensive way to renew.
-Save $1 if you renew online. Online renewal is available up to nine months past your registration expiration
date.
-Mail: Return the bottom portion of your registration renewal form, payment and other required information to
your county tax assessor-collector.
-In Person: Visit the office of your county tax assessor-collector.
Reminder: Before renewing registration, Texans will need to obtain a passing vehicle inspection at the state
vehicle inspection station of their choice, unless their vehicle is exempt from inspection requirements.
The expiring temporary waiver covers the following services:
-Initial vehicle registration.
-Vehicle registration renewal.
-Vehicle titling.
-Renewal of permanent disabled parking placards
-30-day temporary permits.
Karen G. Jones, PCC
Marion County Tax Assessor-Collector