March 16, 2020 - Grace and peace from our brother, Jesus, Amen. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! On the Christian calendar, Sunday was the Third Sunday in Lent. It has certainly been a strange week on Planet Earth. Who would have thought a month ago that the whole world would be in lockdown! Who would have thought that a virus would cause a state of emergency to be declared in the United States! I always figure that out here in the sticks we wouldn’t be affected by things that trouble urban areas and other parts of our country and world—but who knows. We all have been or will soon be impacted by events. Area nursing homes have asked visitors to stay away, so our ministries to Holiday and Lakeside have been canceled. We will keep collecting cans of chili for Community Christian Services during the month of March.
Liz has texted several times to keep Paxton Methodist updated on Lillie since her hip surgery. It sounds like Lillie is making good progress—always good to hear. Maybe by the time she is ready to run a race, things will be back to normal and baseball will start! Until then, we hope Lillie has plenty of ice cream. Fannie told the folks that Carlie and Derek are expecting their first youngster. I know there is excitement in the Watson family! Fannie also told us that Charlie had a horse riding fall: We hope he gets to feeling better soon.
Our Sunday School scripture came from Number, when God sent poisonous snakes to kill the complaining Israelites. If God wants my attention, sending snakes would certainly do it! I am fearful of snakes even though I know they do much more good than harm in the natural order of things. Still, I am a big fan of St. Patrick and the idea of chasing out the snakes. I wonder if St. Patrick would drive out the snakes from Texas! That would be a pretty big job.
The Gospel Lesson for Sunday was John 4: 5-42. This passage is the longest dialogue between Jesus and another person found in the Bible. I think it is important and intentional that the conversation is between Jesus, a Jewish rabbi, and an unnamed Samaritan woman. Once again, the scripture uses the “hated Samaritan” to illustrate a foundational story and idea of faith. I wish the woman had been named so I didn’t have to always refer to her as a Samaritan woman. There are many sermons that can be preached and many lessons learned from these 37 verses and this intense, personal, and meaningful discussion between Jesus and the woman at the well.
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, and 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 your email address to the Paxton email address, and I will add you to the list. God’s Speed.
Randy & Sue Smith/Paxton United Methodist Church
