September 6, 2016 - Sunday was the 16th Sunday after Pentecost. This was the first Sunday of a new month and the Paxton Church celebrated Holy Communion. This month, our church will be collecting macaroni and cheese for Community Christian Services. The Gospel Lesson for this Sunday is the last part of Luke 14. In last week’s Gospel, Jesus had been invited to dine at a leading Pharisee’s home. Our lesson today takes up as Jesus leaves the house and a large crowd had come to hear this rabbi. Jesus in no uncertain terms explains the high cost of being one of his disciples. To be a disciple one has to hate his family, give up all his possessions, and take up the cross. All three of these propositions are not easy things to do. As Bonheoffer said there is no such thing as cheap grace. This “hard saying” of Jesus is not difficult to understand; it is hard to be willing to do! Bishop Willomon said that many find it easier to recreate the Gospel and the Savior than it is to become a true disciple. People have been recreating for centuries!
The Charge Conference for this area will be held at FUMC in Center on September 22nd at 6:00. Next Sunday between Sunday school and church Paxton will have a short Church Conference. We will approve the various reports, the paying of next year’s apportionments, the budget, and continued support of the pastor. After that I will make copies and deliver them to Center. Later that week I will officiate at the wedding of Valarie and Mark and am looking forward to that.
Monday is Labor Day. It is also the Monday that we go to Green Acres for our monthly ministry. Our program will begin at 2:00. Later in the month we will also go to Holiday and Lakeside.
We had somewhat of a crowd at Green Acres. Included in the group were two of Mrs. Fannie’s former students and a former Joaquin student. We sang lots of old-time church songs (some better known than others). Nora led us in “God Bless America,” Fannie told about playing in the rain, Sue read a picture book called “We Can’t Sleep,” and Matt talked about the Gospel. Mrs. Hilda was lively on the piano, and I emceed. Neither Matt nor I have been at the church programs in awhile—he’s been on vacation and then back at school, and I’ve been nursing my broken foot. It was good to reacquaint.
“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!
