August 22, 2016 - Sunday was the 14th Sunday after Pentecost. The Gospel story is found only in Luke, but similar controversies dealing with the Sabbath are found elsewhere in Luke and in the other Gospels. Once again we must transport ourselves into a foreign time, a foreign place, and a foreign culture. Jesus is asked to reach from the scrolls at a synagogue and to teach. But as often happens with Jesus other events alter his plans and he has a chance to teach by example. The “good church folks” at the synagogue, as was often the case, didn’t like what Jesus did or said. Unfortunately the words and teachings of Jesus sometimes seem out of place in our success-oriented world, where people may think wealth or fame is a sign of God’s favor.
What a strange month August has been! It started out as a typical hot and humid August but then morphed into a rainy, cooler month. Our prayers and thoughts are with those in Louisiana who have suffered greatly from the floods and to those in California suffering from one fire after another. In my weekly email newsletter I put a letter from the bishop about the disaster and what we can do to help. United Methodist Relief has been on the ground since this disaster started helping out. Our local giving to the District and Conference helps pay salaries to UMCOR so that all donations can go directly to flood relief. Looking and listening to the weather this weekend, it seems that our traditional August weather will return later this week.
Our ministry to Holiday Nursing Center was postponed because of Gloria Fiedler’s funeral. Visitation and the funeral were held last Tuesday at Mangum’s and burial was at the cemetery behind Timpson Missionary Baptist Church. Paxton Methodist provided a meal for family and friends afterwards. We really appreciate the use of Timpson Missionary Baptist’s fellowship hall and the help that church members and Delta Gamma gave after the funeral.
United Methodists hold yearly meeting called Charge or Church Conference. Our Charge Conference will be at First Methodist in Center, where many of the smaller churches will come together to hold one area-wide conference. Our church will do much of the work of budget writing and planning for the Charge Conference ahead of time. All that means is the pastor needs to get busy and start filling out the necessary paperwork for 2017. As the name indicates, we Methodists tend to be very methodical and believe in planning ahead.
Monday is the first day of school for some Texas students and teachers. We wish them all the very best as they begin another year. Vera is ready to welcome fourth graders to their first day. Paxton Methodist has been collecting new children’s socks and underwear to donate to Community Christian Services. In September we will be collecting macaroni and cheese. This Thursday is our ministry at Lakeside Assisted Living that starts at 2:00. Clarrisa, Hannah, and Josiah Menefee plan to perform for the residents of Lakeside. We hope you will be able to join us.
“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!
