September 11, 2018 - Sunday was the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. This past weekend saw some much-needed rain and today (Monday) the temperatures remained in the 70s. It is a nice taste of fall. Our congregation was in double digits this past Sunday, putting smiles on the faces of Paxton Methodists. We sure enjoyed having Teresa and Larry worshiping with us again this morning.
Our Sunday School lesson was once more on the creation. The author and Ms. Fannie are trying to help us see the beauty and orderliness of creation in the every day. The scripture for the lesson was Genesis 1: 14-25, talking about God fashioning plants and animals. Between Sunday School and worship, we all got a chance to visit and catch up.
Sue, our liturgist, got us started with the Gathering Words based on Psalm 125. The Affirmation of Faith was Romans 8: 35, 37-39. Joe and Hilda teamed up and led the congregation in singing. During the announcements, our treasurer Gene gave an up-to-date financial report: For such a small church, we are in pretty good shape. Our Charge Conference is on November 25th and after that, I will be preparing the End-of-Year reports. These newest financial numbers will really come in handy for both.
All the lectionary readings for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time were really good. I used the Gospel Lesson, Mark 7: 24-30—one of my favorite stories in the Christian Testament. Jesus is in an area where Greco-Roman influence is very strong and Jewish people are looked upon as backward. Jesus is trying to get some R and R but finds that impossible. A Syrophoenician woman comes to Jesus to beg him to help her daughter who is quite ill. Jesus tries to dismiss her by telling her that the children (Jews) must be fed first. He tells her it would be wrong to take the children’s bread and give it to the dogs (her people). She reminds Jesus that even the dogs eat the children’s crumbs. Jesus is impressed by her answer and tells her that her daughter has already been healed.
On Thursday we will head to Focused Care for our monthly ministry. Folks from several churches join us, and we always have a good time. At an invitation from Activity Director A’lenna, Sue went to the memory ward at Focused Care last Thursday for Read a Book Day. With Gerald McBoing Boing, a poem, and The Cafeteria Lady from the Black Lagoon, she helped them celebrate—and also sparked some spirited conversations about churning butter and other old-time reminiscences.
“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.
