October 14th, 2009
The choice of what church to attend, and which is right for one’s family, is a very personal one. These days, folks in Tyler Texas who are unable to find a church with which they can agree on absolutely everything, often opt to start their own churches. They open in store fronts, movie theaters, and the homes of parishioners, in the temporary absence or a building or property. Generally I encourage this type of religious and community participation. But in a town of nearly a thousand places to worship, our city does not need additional “start up” churches. Everyone should be able to find an existing church in Tyler where they can practice their faith in a community of relatively likeminded people. This is why I’ve started to write about area Churches, in the hopes that perhaps someone who’s looking around will stumble onto this site and find some useful information.
Having already written on my own church, it is difficult to write on a church with which I have little connection. I can speak to churches attended by my friends and family however. One such church is the Vineyard Church of Tyler. While located in Times Square shopping center, the Vineyard is no start up church, having been around for nearly twenty years now. The Tyler Vineyard is a part of the Vineyard USA Community of Churches, in effect a denomination all its own. The church holds to the standard points of doctrine of the modern Evangelical Church, particularly when it comes to the supremacy of scripture.
The Vineyard places a heavy emphasis on the importance of worship in the liturgy. The music is contemporary and central to the Vineyard experience. The church strives to be both culturally relevant and approachable to the Tyler area young people. The atmosphere is casual and informal. Gourmet coffee is served in the foyer prior to the service and during the peace, (or the greeting). The pastor’s homilies are brief but applicable to the congregant’s experience (again we see the emphasis on cultural relevance). The VCT is also involved in numerous community outreaches and local charities. They also support members of area missions organizations, who export the gospel around the world.
For those looking for a relaxed, low pressure, community involved, evangelical church The Vineyard Church of Tyler is a good option to consider. For more information see the churches website at www.tylervineyard.com, or call their office at (903) 534-8803.
Tags: Community Participation, Denomination, Evangelical Church, Gourmet Coffee, Homilies, Liturgy, Movie Theaters, Parishioners, Square Shopping Center, Store Fronts, Temporary Absence, Times Square, Times Square Shopping Center, Twenty Years, Tyler Area, Tyler Texas, Usa Community, Vineyard Church, Vineyard Church Tyler Texas, Vineyard Churches, Vineyard Experience
Posted in Non-denominational | No Comments »
September 18th, 2009
Caldwell Zoo has been one of Tyler’s greatest treasures for many decades. It was one of the only zoos in Texas that was charge free up onto just a few years ago. As they started to add on to our small simple zoo, they began to overcharge visitors. Mr. Caldwell, the founder of the zoo, left in his will that he never wanted to have fee to enjoy these beautiful animals, but to allow the zoo to extend and to keep up the maintenance they did not have much more to choice from. But besides my frustration on the matter of price, I do love a walk through the zoo. If you live in the Tyler area I recommend getting a membership that will pay for the whole year no matter how many times you go.
As a member I have been able to go after hours when they have fed the animals and have allowed children to feed them too. They give members an opportunity to see the animals to up close and watch them do tricks. Don’t stand in long lines to get tickets to get into the zoo, use the member entrance and skip the wait and just get to the fun.
The zoo just recently go a bird walk. Walk into a small building filled with beautiful parakeets painted with the most colorful feathers. You will be able to hold the birds and buy a stick covered with bird seed.
Visit the old aquariums and see what is new including one of the most popular animals, the penguins. Be entertained as they swim and play. See the beautiful colorful fish, and the large slithering snakes. Explore the spiders from around the world.
The zoo has welcomed many new animals with in the past few years, among them, monkeys, the beautiful white tigers, the wild bird walk around, and much more.
Come eat at the small restaurant and be able to sit in the zoo’s touch of Africa. Have fun watching the elephants, zebras and giraffes. And walk through the rhinoceros house, but make sure you plug your nose. Enjoy a cold drink or snow cones on a hot Texas day. Before you leave stop by the store for fun gift ideas and even more great ways to remember your great day at our very own Caldwell Zoo.
Tags: Aquariums, Bird Seed, Bird Walk, Caldwell Zoo, Cold Drink, Colorful Feathers, Colorful Fish, Elephants, Giraffes, Member Entrance, Parakeets, Penguins, Rhinoceros, Slithering Snakes, Snow Cones, Texas Zoos, Tyler Area, White Tigers, Wild Bird, Zebras, Zoos In Texas
Posted in Zoo and Wildlife Refuges | No Comments »
September 2nd, 2009
I have lived in Tyler off and on for a lot of years. I’ve been eating at Taqueria El Lugar for much of that time. The original Gentry location was the only store when I first tasted the super quesadillas but they taste the same today as they did back then. I have always been amazed at the incredibly diverse group of people I find there. Tylerites of absolutely all strips can be found in this local landmark which goes to prove the point that quality knows no favoritism.
El Lugar is a classic East Texas success story. All the locations are family owned and operated. After spending years in the same location the business has exploded into five, (yes count ‘em five), different stores around the Tyler area. And their fame has spread far beyond even our great State. I know, because on numerous occasions I have taken out of state guests for an authentic Mexican food experience. I recall once while living in St Paul Minnesota, I returned home for a teacher’s conference. While in Tyler I introduced my administrator to the favorite restaurant of my youth. We returned to El Lugar the following day, even going so far as to postpone our return trip to the mid west in order to have one last number seven.
Since I’ve moved home the restaurant has expanded again and again. The prices are slightly higher than they were when I moved away, but at three eighty nine a piece, the quesadillas are still so worth it! While the atmosphere is admittedly nothing to write home about, the quality of the food more than makes up for it. There is also the take out option, however if you exercise it I suggest calling ahead. So even though I realize I give the following advice a lot, I’ll say it again. The next time you have guests don’t take them to the local chain. Let them experience genuine East Texas food at its best. Neither you nor your guests will regret it. Try any of the five El Lugar locations in Tyler.
Tags: Authentic Mexican Food, Diverse Group, East Texas, Eighty Nine, El Lugar, El Lugar Tyler TX, Fame, Favorite Restaurant, Favoritism, Food Experience, Landmark, Mid West, Number Seven, Occasions, Quesadillas, Return Trip, St Paul Minnesota, State Guests, Success Story, Taqueria, Texas Food, Tyler Area, Tyler Texas Taqueria
Posted in Taqueria | No Comments »
August 31st, 2009
When buying a fixer upper home in Tyler Texas you may end up buying a house with an old roof that needs a bit of an upgrade and most usually a complete replacement. Most people hope that after buying a home like this that a hail storm comes along soon after the purchase and voids the roof warranty which in turn allows your insurance company to pay for a new roof. You end up with a new roof after paying the deductible which is usually only $500 or so dollars. In my case I bought a fixer upper Tyler Texas home but a hail storm never came along and my roof began to leak. I quickly realized that I need a new roof. Some of my decision processes in comparing roofing companies and prices had to do with several important points. We believe you should consider these points as well when deciding which Tyler roofing company you will choose for your new roof.
- Is the Tyler Roof Company Bonded?
- Are They Insured?
- Are They a Licensed Roofing Installer?
- Are They a Member of the Tyler Area Builders Association?
- Does The Roofing Company Offer Referral Information on Other Roofing Jobs They Have Completed?
- Do They Offer Pricing On Both 20 and 30 Year Shingles?
- Does The Roofing Company Use 30 pound Felt?
- How Many Nails Do They Use Per Shingle?
- Do They Offer Energy Efficient Shingles For Those Wanting To Lower Their Electricity Bill Costs?
- What Is Their Roofing Projects Estimated Cost?
These are some of the questions to ask and consider when comparing Tyler Texas roofing companies. You can call around 5 – 10 Tyler roofing companies to get answers to these questions and more. We recommend taking down notes and be sure to get them to come out and give you a total project cost. One of the more important points that many people overlook is if the East Texas roofing company is bonded and insured. You also need to make sure they offer a warranty on their own construction work and not just the material warranty.
A good roofing company will come on site and help you determine what roofing shingle color will look best on your house. They can also consult you on what energy efficient shingles they have and what the estimated energy savings could be over the course of a year. By picking a lighter shaded shingle you will reflect sunlight off of the roof more and save on energy over a darker colored shingle. When comparing shingle prices as well as construction costs we compared prices from about 10 different Tyler roofing companies. We ultimately ended up going with Advantage Roofing Company and have found their prices to be the cheapest while still offering a quality product, 30 pound felt, and craftsmanship on the actual construction job.
Tags: Buying A Home, Buying A House, Construction Work, Decision Processes, East Texas, Electricity Bill, Hail Storm, Insurance Company, Material Warranty, Nails, Referral, Roofing Companies, Roofing Cost, Roofing Jobs, Shingle, Shingles, Texas Roofing Company, Tyler Area, Tyler Texas, Tyler Texas Roofing Companies, Tyler TX Roofing, Tyler TX Roofing Company, Warranty
Posted in Roofing | No Comments »
August 31st, 2009
I have been told that there are over seven hundred churches in Tyler. In fact some have accused us of being a sort of religious Baskin Robin’s, offering thirty one flavors. Well there are a few area parishes / congregations who have been active since our fair city was in its infancy. Christ Episcopal Church is one of those. Founded in 1867 the church has undergone a short move and numerous progressive expansions. It is currently completing Grelling – Spence building, which will add much needed space for the various ministries of the church.
Christ Church describes itself as a “joyful, spirit-filled community” of Christians who desire to reach out the Tyler area and the world, teaching others to develop their own genuine relationships with Jesus Christ.
Christ Church is a member of the world wide Anglican Communion, which traces its lineage from the Church of England. It is a liturgical church whose theology is based in the Scriptures, the Book of Common Prayer, and the ancient Christian Creeds. The Church practices the Eucharist (or the Lord’s Supper), on a weekly basis, and adheres to the traditional church calendar.
There are any number of ministry opportunities offered at Christ Church. There are weekly Sunday school classes both for adults as well as kids. There is a children’s choir and choir school, which teaches the participants the traditional songs of the Anglican faith and Christianity in general. The church also participates in numerous community outreach projects such as partnering with Habitat for Humanity and Loaves and fishes, (an outreach to Tyler’s poor and homeless). Each year the church sponsors ministry field trips to places like Galveston, San Francisco, Guatemala and many other places.
Programs like Education for Ministry provide parishioners with a deeper understanding of the Christian faith, so they can be prepared to share their faith either within the context of the church or in the community at large. While Christ Church is a good sized church, its no “mega church” There is no basketball court bowling ally, or swimming pool. What they do have are wonderful Christian believers reaching out to Tyler and the world with the love of Christ. For worship times, and ministry opportunities call the church office at 903-597-9854, or see the website at www.christchurchtyler.org. Christ Church is located at 118 South Bois d’Arc, in Tyler.
Tags: Anglican Communion, Anglican Faith, Baskin Robin, Book Of Common Prayer, Choir School, Christ Church, Christ Episcopal Church, Christ Episcopal Tyler Texas, Christian Creeds, Christian Faith, Church Calendar, Church Practices, Community Outreach Projects, Flavors, Genuine Relationships, Joyful Spirit, Liturgical Church, Ministry Field, Ministry Opportunities, Traditional Songs, Tyler Area
Posted in Episcopal | No Comments »
