Happenings at Paxton Methodist, April 4th

April 4, 2017 - Sunday was the Fifth Sunday in Lent. It was a stormy day Sunday and many folks didn’t venture out. We received almost three inches Sunday and were without electricity for about four hours. It was a great time to take a nap. Our big old hound dog Abner is terrified of storms and fireworks. He is a much happier dog today (Monday) with sunshine and blue skies. Easter is fast approaching. Next Sunday’s lections (scriptures) focus on Jesus’ triumphal entry while other readings focus on Jesus’ passion. Each year Roy and Judy at Sunshine Flowers provide palms for us to use in our worship service. This I completely forgot but thankfully Roy remembered and called to see how many palm fronds we would need.

This past Sunday, the 5th Sunday in Lent focused on death and rebirth. Every Sunday in Lent is to be looked at as a “little Easter” and this was certainly the case this Sunday. Ezekiel is taken to a valley of death—dry bones. The bones are Israel and God promises that Israel will once again be a nation. For the last several Sundays the Gospels have been long narratives from the John Gospel. This past Sunday the John story was of Lazarus and Jesus bringing him back from the grave.

Even though most paintings portray Lazarus as an older man I think he was a young boy. Because there is not an adult male Martha is considered the head of the household. It is also possible that Mary and Martha were widows living together and raising their younger brother. In the King James version of this story we have the shortest verse—“Jesus wept.” Our story is a sad story that becomes a miraculous one when Lazarus is raised from the dead.

Our Sunday school lesson used the 23rd Psalm as its text. The author reminds us all that sometimes faith is greatly challenged especially when we are languishing in the valley of death. It was great to see everyone at worship. Larry says that Rose is feeling better and we have three birthdays this week. Evie Ideker had her second birthday Sunday. Carolyn Umbrell and Fannie Watson also celebrate a birthday this week. Gene and Joy announced that the Hutto Cemetery on their land will be dedicated next Saturday. Gene is expecting a good crowd coming from all over. Easter Sunrise Service will be April 16th starting at 7:00 AM at the Watson home in downtown Paxton.