Shelby County Today

July, 7 2021 - This past Sunday was July 4th. A day that we celebrate as “Independence Day” All over America, in communities large and small, people were celebrating and observing this day in a variety of ways. Yet, as we pause and remember those who began this quest for freedom on July 4, 1776, and we celebrate our independence and freedom, how often do we pause to reflect and remember the one who gave us the ultimate freedom?

Every Lord’s Day, in communities large and small, in churches large and small, Christians gather to remember the one who gives us freedom from the bondage of sin. It is something that is observed every Lord’s day. We come to the table with a small piece of unleavened bread and a small cup of fruit of the vine. Things that have no value in themselves. Yet, because they are emblematic of the body and blood of my Lord, the one who bought our freedom from sin with his death on the cross, they have value to us.

The night he was betrayed, Jesus took bread, blessed it and told his disciples that it was his body that was broken for them. He also took the cup and told them it represented the New Testament in his blood. He further told them as often as they ate the break and drank the cup they showed his death until he came again.

Jesus bought our freedom from sin with his blood shed on Calvary’s hill. We celebrate that every Lord’s day. Is that as important to you as the freedom we enjoy in America?

It’s something to think about… tbp

Join Us for Worship this coming Lord’s Day
Center Church of Christ
www.centerchurchofchrist.com

July 5, 2021 - Grace and peace from our friend and brother Jesus. Today is Independence Day, and many Americans are on the move after 14 months of being cooped up. I hope everyone has a joyful, thoughtful, and safe Fourth of July. And if you haven’t gotten your Covid vaccine, by all means get it done. It is your patriotic duty!

Our music this morning included responses to our affirmation and God’s generosity as we sang the Gloria Patri and the Doxology. Our two hymns were the patriotic songs, “America” and “America the Beautiful.” It is helpful to our small congregation if we already know the songs at least somewhat. Being lifetime Americans, we really know these!

Our Sunday School lesson looked at several Proverbs but not really ones I was familiar with: We read and puzzled over the sayings presented. The lesson author said part of what makes Proverbs so wise is taking into account the context in which the advice is being offered. The Proverbs do speak to the danger in being “involved” with others—but despite such a risk, God created us for communion and community.

We celebrated Communion this morning. Not only was it the 4th of July, it was also the first Sunday of the month. I’d thought we might use the hymn “Let Us Break Bread Together,” but its difficulty and unfamiliarity ruled against it.

I used the Gospel lesson, Mark 6: 1-4, as the text for my sermon. Jesus had a successful tour of the Galilee and headed home to Nazareth. He had been disappointed that religious leaders felt threatened by him, and he would soon be just as disappointed in the hometown crowd’s reaction. Jesus, now a traveling rabbi, was asked to lead services at the local synagogue: The folks who heard him were impressed with his knowledge of the law and his wisdom. But they just couldn’t get over the fact that Jesus was a homegrown boy who might be thinking he was too important for them. There was also some jealousy involved at his area-wide success. Sounds like us modern-day folks, doesn’t it?

I loaded up the truck last Wednesday and headed to Haslam Baptist Church to drop off the toilet paper and paper towels we collected during June. They were busy that morning as usual but helped me unload. During July we will collect spaghetti and ravioli; August’s “Undie Sundays” are also coming up quickly.

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, and Open Minds.” 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 your email address to the Paxton email address, and I will add you to the list. God’s Speed.

July 1, 2021 - Homecoming at Old Home Baptist Church will be Sunday, July 11. The Cemetery Meeting will begin at 10:30am, followed by the Morning Worship Service. Covered dish lunch in fellowship hall afterwards. Everyone welcome to come out for a day of worship and fellowship. Old Home Church is located in the Paxton Community 1 mile off of Farm Road 699 on CR 3455.

Donations can be sent to: Linda Wheeler, 1273 CR 3689  Joaquin, Texas 75954.

June 28, 2021 - Grace and peace from our friend and brother Jesus. We are fast approaching Independence Day, and it sure seems like we Americans are ready to celebrate. After being cooped up for over a year, we are ready to brave the heat to sing, shoot off some fireworks, and have a cookout. So happy Fourth of July to all!

This Tuesday residents of the Paxton area will meet at Paxton United Methodist Church to discuss the building and operation of a disposal well in the area. This proposition has got people thinking long-term about all the possible consequences that come with a project like this. The meeting will update folks and also continue the discussion.

Our music this morning included our responses to our affirmation and God’s generosity as we sang the Gloria Patri and the Doxology. Our two hymns were “When We All Get to Heaven” and “Hymn of Promise.” We had to work pretty hard to keep up with the tempo of the first one: The CDs that we are using don’t have many places in the music to pause for breath.

The Old Testament scripture that our Sunday School is focusing on is still tracking Joseph. Today’s lesson is one of surprise and uncertainty all around. Would Joseph’s brothers realize that they were speaking to their long-ago castoff brother? How is Joseph going to react when he hears that his father is still alive? And of course, can Joseph get past the way he was treated by his brothers to forgive and allow them to come together as a reunited family? The answers to these questions were all positive, and it seems that a new chapter in Joseph’s life is beginning.

The book titled Wisdom of Solomon is found in a part of the Bible we Protestants don’t use, called the Apocrypha. But there is so much to read and learn in that section. The wisdom literature that served as the main scripture for my sermon begins with a bold statement that God did not make death. It goes on to say that God does not delight in the death of the living because he created all things to grow and generate wholesome, fulfilling lives. God made us in the image of his own eternity. Wisdom which is often portrayed as feminine—Lady Wisdom has been with God from the very beginning, and humanity quickly learned how life becomes whole when we cultivate wisdom.

I had a really nice Father’s Day. I heard from Megan, Jacob, and Audrey, which is always nice. Sue and I went out to dinner, a normal pre-pandemic thing for us, but not so normal now. Sue also bought me some cool stuff, including a portrait of my little canine companion Sam.

Sue and I ordered a copier from Amazon, and I was able to run off bulletins for this morning. Unlike last week, I also persuaded my tablet to share my sermon. So I feel a little more “techie” today. When I start feeling cocky, though, I’ll just compare myself to my kids, who can do pretty much anything on a computer. Today, that even included my son talking to Sue on the cellphone while Zooming on the computer to see her laptop screen and work her through a problem.

This week was the last Sunday of the month, so we loaded up toilet paper and paper towels to deliver to Community Christian Services. I’m always glad for a collection like this, which is much lighter to carry than a bunch of cans. But I discovered that paper goods, while not as heavy, are lots bulkier. In order to make room for my dog companions in my truck, I had to unload the whole lot to my home office and then will reload on Wednesday to take to CCS. Next month, spaghetti and ravioli.

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, and Open Minds.” 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 your email address to the Paxton email address, and I will add you to the list. God’s Speed.