April 11, 2016 - Sunday was the 3rd Sunday of Easter, with our Gospel Lesson once again coming from John. Most students of the Bible believe that this last chapter of John was added much later than the rest of the Gospel. Problems of the early Jesus movement were often answered in the early writings of Jesus’ followers, including the Gospels found in the New Testament. In today’s story the miraculous and the ordinary meet. Peter and some of his fellow Jesus followers return to the familiar region of the Galilee. They really don’t know what to do, so they turn to what many of them know best—fishing. All fishermen know that sometimes you return to shore with little to show for your effort, which is what happens to the disciples. A stranger on the shore suggests that they cast their nets on the other side of the boat; miraculously, the nets fill with fish. Peter figures out who the miracle-worker is and jumps out of the boat. He swims to the resurrected Christ, who is fixing them an ordinary breakfast.
We have had a week of beautiful days. Everything is flowering and turning green. We see resurrection all through nature, and I hope you take some time to really enjoy it. While working—playing—in my garden, I keep thinking about how hot it is going to be in a few months. That is so typical: to have so much beauty all around but letting my mind wander to unpleasant things.
We had a small crowd this morning. It was great to see Joe back; he and Hilda selected hymns that we all enjoyed—very spirited. Our Sunday school lesson was really thought-provoking. The lesson was based on Luke 7: 36-50. Jesus was invited to a Pharisee’s home and a woman who was shunned by the community crashed the party. We are only told she was looked upon as a reject, so we can just fill in the blank. Jesus does the unexpected by welcoming her and allowing her to wash his feet. This made the good folks at dinner begin to wonder what kind of rabbi Jesus was that he seemed so accepting of this woman. Needless to say, the lesson and the words of the author of the Sunday school literature sparked much interest.
Sunday afternoon Sue and I went to Nacogdoches to see Sue’s brother and his wife, who are celebrating their first wedding anniversary. They had driven up from Houston for the afternoon to visit Dixie, Sue’s mom. Sue’s sister and brother-in-law met us and we all went out for a late lunch. It was like a little family reunion. This Monday morning it was raining. There was a dry-ish pause, so I took my four-legged friends for a walk in the park. I have three 50 gallon barrels to collect rain water from the roof, but all three were empty. So I am looking forward to some collectible rain.
The rain gives me time to finish my weekly email and article about Paxton Methodist. I really appreciate the local newspaper and online news printing the articles—one of the many special things about living in a small town.
“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 9:15 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!
Happenings at Paxton United Methodist Church, Apr 11th
