November 24, 2019 - Grace and peace from our brother and savior, Jesus, Amen. What a nice week we had weather wise. I know that I am an old curmudgeon because I don’t like hot weather and I really don’t like cold weather. Instead, it has to be just right. I wonder if there is a place to live where it stays in the 60s and 70s year round? Our daughter will be heading home shortly from her visit to Morocco. Both of our kids and my brother and sister-in-law will be coming to Joaquin to celebrate Thanksgiving. We have been keeping our daughter’s dog Stella since we got back from Madrid: I know Puppy will be ready to get back to her home and her routines.
Sunday was the last Sunday in the Christian calendar. For almost a century, many Christian churches worldwide have celebrated the last Sunday as Christ the King Sunday. When I first studied the church and its calendar of holy days and celebrations, I thought Christ the King Sunday must be an old celebration—but I was wrong. It was Pope Pius who looked around in 1925 and saw the rise of fascism, the collapse of the world economies, and the continued growth of hatred and prejudice. He thought there had to be time in the Christian calendar to reflect on the Christ—as the mover and shaker that the world needed. He wanted the last Sunday of the Christian year to be a time to contemplate what the world would look like if Christ was indeed central to all our thoughts and actions.
There is no more powerful description of the Christ than in Paul’s letter to the Followers of the Way in Colossae. His description of the Christ as the very image of the invisible and unfathomable God was a new way to imagine God. A hymn, “Soli Deo Gloria” envisions the Christ as the “Incarnate Love Song.” What a beautiful way to see and understand the Christ! Next Sunday begins the Season of Advent. I usually associate Advent with waiting, but this year I am going to stress that with the coming of this special time, we see the “advent” of God’s Kingdom. Sometimes we have to look pretty hard, but Jesus teaches that the Kingdom is here on earth.
We finished up this quarter at Sunday school; with the beginning of Advent comes a new Sunday school book titled Promise, a good Advent theme. I am not sure our little class is sold on the new format, but we are somewhat flexible and adaptable, so we will learn to love it. Gene read our scripture from Luke, where we see Paul in Athens—the cultural and religious hub of the empire. Wherever he looks he sees idols and temples to many gods. And yet the one he remarks about has an inscription “To an unknown God.” This, I am sure, was the beginning of many discussions in the city square.
Our little church has two birthdays this week: Larry Hume and Hilda Diehl. Theresa and Larry also had an anniversary last week. Happy anniversary, Humes!
Mrs. Hilda will be celebrating her 90th birthday for which her friends organized a special party. We also remembered her today with a poem from Mrs. Fannie and gifts from the church. It has been such a joy to have Hilda as part of our small group. She is an inspiration to all, and she sure keeps us going strong.
Last week was our program at Holiday, part of the nursing home circuit Hilda set up years ago. She played piano for us, and I emceed. Sue read What Was I Scared Of? by Dr. Seuss, a rollicking tale with a good moral. Fannie introduced and read a Thanksgiving poem called “Thank You, God.” Pastor Sarah talked about change—like Texas weather and relationships—and then read Scriptures showing that God alone does not change. After I shared a couple of memories from our recent trip to Spain, Jo talked about the play she saw in Branson about the Annunciation called Miracle of Christmas, a really touching story. She also chimed in on sister Nora’s chorus of “How Can I Keep from Singing?” Nora “sang a book” too—a picture book version of “Over the River and Through the Woods.” A special thank-you to a special lady who’s been joining us at our programs: Mrs. Margie, one of the world’s nicest people.
During the month of November we are collecting rice and beans for Community Christian Services. In December, during Advent, we will collect cans of soup. On Tuesday several of us will head to Lakeside Village Assisted Living. We will gather at 2:00 on Tuesday instead of Thursday because of Thanksgiving. The Paxton Community Christmas Program and Dinner will be Tuesday, December 17th at 6:00 PM. We hope that you can join us in this festive celebration.
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.
