News from Paxton Methodist Church, Nov 13

November 13, 2017 - Sunday was Gideon Sunday.  Paxton Methodist, along with many churches around East Texas, welcomed a Gideon speaker into their church.  We welcomed a “Gideon family” to our church and have three new friends: Sam, Jamie, and Caitlyn from Marshall.  I shared the pulpit with Sam, who spoke of the work of Gideons and the events that surrounded his becoming a Gideon.  We really enjoyed having them this morning.  We are so small that we get excited when we have visitors. 

Our Sunday school lesson continued with the theme of Covenant.  Jeremiah is speaking of a new covenant made not with a Temple or a people.  The old covenant no longer spoke to a people who had been enslaved and dispersed around the known world.  This new covenant would be written on each individual’s heart, to carry that covenant and promise wherever s/he went in the big old world.  My short sermon was based on the Old Testament Lesson—Joshua 24: 14-15.  The Israelites were about to enter their new land; Joshua told all that gathered that they and their families had a decision to make.  Were they going to follow the gods of previous generations?  Would they follow the gods of those who already lived in the new land?  Or would they follow the God of Abraham and Moses, the God who had been with them in exile and captivity and during their long travels to the Promised Land?

We always appreciate Joe and Hilda and the music they bring to our time of worship.  With a few more voices today, we sounded pretty good.  I was able to deliver last month’s boxes of peanut butter and jelly to Community Christian Services.  Jody and Nicki were there—always good to see them.  This month Paxton Methodist is collecting rice and beans.  Hilda, Fannie, Nora, and Jo went to Focused Care this past Thursday for our monthly program.  Hilda reported that they had a good group and there was plenty of song and laughter. 

“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. Godspeed.

Randy & Sue Smith
Paxton Methodist Church