November 26, 2018 - Sunday was Christ the King Sunday. We Americans are not real keen on kings and queens, but the question posed by Christ the King Sunday is whether we put the ways of Christ first. Are we working to bring his Kingdom of justice, tolerance, and peace into our world? We completed our series of Sunday School lessons and will be ready for the Winter Quarter next Sunday. Our lesson once again focused on Jacob. What I think we all realized is how flawed Jacob was; yet God saw potential and was ready to be the God for Jacob and the nation that would come from his family.
It was great to see everyone. Before church we talked about Thanksgiving. Some prepared a feast at home for their families and some, (like Sue & I) went out to eat with family. Everyone seemed to have a good time with family and friends. The Gospel Lesson for this Sunday was John 18: 33-37, where we see Pilate quizzing Jesus about being the King of the Jews. This seems like a strange scripture for a Sunday a month or so before Christmas. But it is Christ the King Sunday—and Jesus explains that his Kingdom deals not with earthly things such as borders or national pride but with truth and justice.
After services we loaded up the rice and beans we’ve been collecting for Community Christian Services. Next month we’ll gather soup to donate. The Paxton Christmas Party will be December 13th, program at 6:00 PM and potluck meal afterward.
The Methodists of Shelby County met Sunday afternoon at FUMC Center for our annual Charge Conference. Our District Superintendent, Dr White, presided and we dispatched with all the business pretty quickly. Each church gave a short report. We had special music from Chris Watlington and Sally and Danny Paul Windham. So I guess we Methodists are ready to go for another year. In fine Methodist tradition, churches will now start preparing the “end-of-year” reports.
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.
