Happenings at Paxton Methodist Sept 24th

September 24, 2018 - Sunday was the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time. We have gotten long-needed rain this week. It has been so nice along with slightly cooler temperatures. I am still waiting for that first autumn morning. The church members decided to help with the meal for the Tenaha 5th Quarter at the community center. We did this last year, and everyone thought it was a good idea. Our Sunday School lesson continued with creation. Today’s lesson was titled “God Created the Family.” Genesis certainly stresses the centrality of faith and relationship with God and our fellow human beings. These relationships cannot be separated. You cannot be in right relationship with God and not your fellow humans. 

The lectionary scriptures for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time dealt with wisdom. Jewish theology tells us that Lady Wisdom was present as God created the universe. In the ancient world, wisdom was always personified as feminine. The Old Testament Lesson was the last twenty-one verses of the last chapter of Proverbs. Proverbs deals with how to be wise. In the verses for Sunday, King Lemuel’s mother tells her son about the attributes of a woman: strength, worth, and substance. These verses are prophetic and are also describing Lady Wisdom. In the Epistle Lesson, James asks if one wants to be wise. He says one must live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. 

Last week was our ministry to Holiday. Many of our regular presenters were out of pocket, so Fannie and Sue doubled up on their readings—funny sayings, strange facts, lost socks poem, and picture book. My wife was also “Pastor Sue,” reading our Scripture lesson from James about watching what you say. Minnie played piano, and Jo and Hilda kept the singing going. This Thursday at 2:00 we will meet at Lakeside for singing and fellowship. 

Our announcements today included upcoming shot clinics at the Joaquin Senior Center. Both will be handled by Joaquin Quick Care, offering flu and/or pneumonia shots. The first is scheduled for Thursday, October 18, with a second chance on Thursday, November 15.

“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.