July 1, 2019 - Love and peace from our brother Jesus. We have entered Ordinary Time on the church calendar and will celebrate our nation’s independence on the American calendar. I sure hope everyone has a wonderful Fourth of July with family and friends. We have had a wet June—but I’m not complaining. It started heating up the past week or so, but nothing like the heat wave in Europe. I saw on TV that it was an unheard-of 115 degrees in the south of France! The US women’s soccer team won a big match in France—the French women were the ones with unhappy faces—and is making another run at the world title.
Our Sunday school lesson from Matthew was Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. The literature used the New Common English Translation which says “Happy are people” instead of “Blessed.” Ms. Fannie brought a King James translation, and Gene read the beatitudes in the way we are more accustomed. Our author reminded us how mountains in the Bible signify something very important and often come with fire, smoke, clouds, mystery, light, and revelation.
The Epistle Lesson for today continues Paul’s letter to the Galatians. He is worried about disagreements that are already brewing in the movement. Paul speaks of the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Years ago a writer in the Upper Room devotional wrote that “Christianity is about becoming lovers.” Love as Jesus spoke of it meant compassion and respect for others.
Tomorrow is the first day of July. In June our little church has been collecting toilet paper and paper towels for Community Christian Services. I will transport our donations to them soon, hopefully, as they are currently filling my dogs’ back seat in my truck. In July we will collect cans of spaghetti and ravioli.
I received word that our church’s Charge Conference will be at our church on Saturday, October 5th at 2:00 PM, conducted by Dr. White, our District Superintendent. In recent years, our whole area has met at Center Methodist, but this year he’ll be going to individual churches like we did in the past. Charge Conferences are a “Methodist thing,” but I think most denominations have some sort of yearly meeting.
On Monday we will head to Focused Care for our monthly ministry. The program begins at 10:00. Last week we were at Lakeside Assisted Living for that program. As usual, we had a good crowd, both of presenters and audience. I emceed, and Hilda played their electronic baby grand. Because we were so close to July 4, we sang a couple of patriotic hymns. Later, Sallie sang the verses of “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory,” while we joined her for the choruses. We were fortunate this time that Mark Ivey was visiting his mother, who asked him to play guitar and sing for us: He graciously performed two songs that he wrote, including one about his father’s death when Mark was young. Fannie reminded us that June featured D-Day and Flag Day, followed closely by the Fourth of July; she read pieces celebrating all three. After her presentation, Gene began “God Bless America.” Later he led us in “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” and Blessed Assurance.” Jo and Margie were kind enough to join us and make us sound better in the congregational singing. Ollie read a piece about Jesus washing the feet of the disciples, and Sue did another Jimmy’s Boa book—The Big Splash Birthday Bash. We sang our usual closing, “God Be with You ‘Til We Meet Again,” and I finished with a benediction. On the way home, it rained so hard in some places that we could barely see!
Our worship time is 10:00 AM; we would love to have you come to worship with us. I know how very busy everyone is: Our early meeting time enables you to move on to family get-togethers or jobs afterward. Not to mention naps, which my wife says are best on Sunday afternoon. 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.
