May 7, 2019 - Love and peace from our brother Jesus. Sunday was the Third Sunday of Easter. Easter is not to be a one-day remembrance and celebration but a way of life, and the time from Easter to Pentecost is often referred to as Eastertide. The first Sunday in May was beautiful after days of rain and storms. Since it was the first Sunday of the month, we celebrated Holy Communion. Also, during this month we will be collecting cans of fruit for Community Christian Services.
Our Sunday school lesson was about God’s grace: The scripture for the lesson was Romans 3: 21-31. The Letter to the Romans is probably the most important of all the New Testament letters to Protestants. Luther certainly saw it as crucial, and Wesley had his “heart strangely warmed” during a study of this letter. Fannie had us really thinking and dealing with questions that don’t seem to have pat answers. I guess that is when faith becomes even more important.
I used Psalm 30 as the scripture for my sermon. The Psalms are the Jewish hymnbook, and this psalm was a hymn of thanksgiving. The writer expresses gratitude to God for saving him from death as well as from those who wanted to do him harm. He goes on to say, “Weeping may stay all night, but by morning, joy.”
Our monthly Focused Care program has been changed to the first Monday at 10AM, so that is where we were today. We had a lively bunch, both presenters and residents. Hilda had a long trip to Lumberton and back on Sunday, but on Monday she was playing piano with gusto. I emceed, choosing songs we all knew (and could therefore belt out joyfully). Pastor Matt did a devotional on a post-Easter sighting of Jesus and also spread his personal good news: He has been appointed to Beaumont’s Wesley United Methodist Church, and his wife Ami has a school job in deaf education, her field. We’ll certainly miss them but wish them good journey. Sue read The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash, and Nora sang her book, Grandma’s Feather Bed. Fannie shared some wisdom sayings and placed replicas on the tables for the residents. Jo, her voice getting stronger all the time, joined us, as well as Teresa, in her first of—we hope—many programs with us. Morris, as he has been doing, assisted the church group with the congregational singing.
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.
