December 23, 2015 - Sunday was the 4th Sunday in Advent and is often referred to as Mary’s Sunday. Our gathering words were The Canticle of Mary also called The Magnificat. Today is the last Sunday of Advent. Christmas is right around the corner and the television news says 100 million of us will be traveling this Holiday Season. Paxton United Methodist wishes everyone a Joyous, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
The scriptures for this Sunday all deal with anticipation and restoration and healing. Micah has done what a prophet of God is suppose to do—tell the people to repent—to turn back to God. His words are fierce but like earlier prophets Micah sounds a hopeful note that in the midst of troubles and difficulties God is always with us. In our Gospel Lesson Mary is told that her child will be the chosen one—the Messiah promised in the Hebrew Scriptures. We need to remember how often God has used humble people—the most unlikely people to be his messengers of Good News.
Fannie decided that Sunday School would be about Christmas. So she searched her “teacher folders” and removed stories and poems about Christmas. Like a good teacher she assigned parts and we had a joyous time. We were in double digits at church and so we were all happy about that. It sounded about evenly divided between those staying home and those traveling this holiday. Sue, her mother Dixie, and I will head to Monroe for a day to visit Dixie ’s brother Eddie and his wife Pasty. But we plan to be home for Christmas. This will be the first time in a very long time that our kids will be home for Christmas.
Last week several volunteers went to Holliday Nursing Center to sing Christmas carols and to just enjoy each others company during this festive time. On Monday, Delta Gamma played host to the Pineywoods Harp Ensemble and Fourte’ Cello Ensemble. Their program was filled with Christmas carols. Afterwards, the ladies of Delta Gamma had refreshments. Sue and I enjoyed ourselves so much and visited with old friends that we don’t see all that often.
Everyone in the Joaquin area was saddened by the news that Mike Wood died after a long battle with cancer. Mike taught for over 30 years and also served as mayor and fire chief. He was a friend to us all and we are going to really miss him in so many ways.
As I was writing this article Fannie called. Steven Joe was headed to the hospital in Longview . Our prayers and thought are with him.
“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!
