February 26, 2019 - Love and peace from our brother, Jesus. Sunday was the 7th Sunday of Epiphany. Next Sunday will end the unusually long season of Epiphany. It will be Transformation Sunday as Jesus and three of his close friends go to the mountaintop. Last Sunday’s gospel included some very hard sayings of our brother Jesus. He tells us we must love those who are our enemies, those who curse us, and those who want to harm us. This certainly goes against our human grain, but in order to experience life abundantly as God wants us to, we must always make the first move of compassion and forgiveness.
Our Sunday school lesson was the last one for this quarter. The new Sunday school books had a picture of the Garden of Gethsemane on the cover with the garden in full bloom. It reminds us that spring is just a month or two away—and already creeping up on us here in East Texas. Our lesson was based on Psalm 91, called “Living with God’s Loving Assurance.” This poetic psalm tells of camping in the shade of the Almighty, speaking strongly about God’s love and his steadfastness in times of trouble—a very reassuring and comforting idea.
Last week was our Holiday Nursing Home ministry. Not only was Hilda playing the piano, but in their renovation they turned the piano around—so she was able to face her audience. A’leena, our friend from Focused Care, is the new Activity Director at Holiday, and she spent most of the program singing with the group. Pastor Matt handled the MC job as well as talking about the Ten Commandments— Charleton Heston’s portrayal in comparison to the Bible’s original version. Sallie not only sang “It Is Well with My Soul,” but she also shared the story behind it. Fannie read two Helen Steiner Rice poems. Nora multitasked with a Valentine from Jesus poem, the love commandment song, and an excerpt of “Roses Are Red, My Love.” Sue read some riddles from a book she got at the Center library book sale, which was originally Teacher Nora’s book for her class; she also read two poems from Food Hates You. Finishing up with “Amazing Grace,” Pastor Matt told the story of its author, to which Sallie added a later development in his life. All this and newly renovated decorations on the walls!
On Monday morning the dogs and I went to Community Christian Services to deliver the soap and shampoo we have been collecting in February. Ms. Dianne met me there and opened up, which I really appreciated. Our March donation will be cans of chili. Community Christian Services does such good work for our area, and we are grateful to be a small part of it.
This Thursday we will head to Lakeside Assisted Living for our February ministry. I got a text from Pastor Robert that Joaquin Methodist will be serving grilled chicken dinners after church next Sunday. The money from the dinners will go toward their scholarship fund. Next Sunday is the first Sunday in March, so Paxton Methodist will celebrate Holy Communion during its 10:00 worship service.
Whoever you are, in whatever faith you were born, whatever creed you profess; if you come to this house to find God you are welcome here.” Paxton United Methodist Church is an inviting church that takes to heart the idea of “Open Doors, Open Hearts, Open Minds.” Sunday School starts at 9:30 and Worship begins at 10:00. Our email address is paxtonumc@yahoo.com. If you would like the weekly email newsletter about Paxton Methodist you can send me your email address to the Paxton email address and I will add you to the list. God’s Speed.
