April 20, 2021 - Grace and peace from our brother Jesus. Sunday was the 3rd Sunday of Eastertide: We are still dealing with resurrection and what that means to 21st century Jesus followers. I think we can all agree that spring time is the right time for resurrection and rebirth. Martin Luther said that the Lord wrote the promise of resurrection not only in books but in every leaf of springtime.
Since we resumed in-person worship, our music has been on CD. We can hum the song under our masks but no vigorous singing! Our hymns this week came from Fannie’s CD God Bless America. The first song—not a hymn, but maybe should be—was “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Our second selection, “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” is in the Methodist hymnal, followed with the inspirational line, “and let it begin with me.”
Our Sunday School lesson once again focused on how we can live lives of holiness in God’s Kingdom. Paul in Ephesians 4: 21-32 speaks of this as beginning with a whole new wardrobe, appropriate for a whole new way of living. The biggest stumbling block to this new way are old enemies—ignorance and closed hearts. Paul wrote that we should work to not make the Holy Spirit unhappy.
In John’s first letter he tries to reassure the Jesus community that, despite troubles and turmoil, they must always remember they are children of God. Even in these times of pandemic, doubt, and disbelief we can also be children of God by planting the seeds of resurrection—leading to transformation, hope, and our need to be close to God.
Paxton Methodist is having in-person worship; we respect each other by wearing masks and keeping socially distant. Scientists and medical professionals, who know more than politicians about this subject, say that we can do three simple things to curtail the spread of Covid-19: wash our hands regularly, stay at least six feet apart—social distancing, and yes, wear a mask—or maybe two masks—mask-wearing is the patriotic thing to do. It is also the Christian thing to do, loving your neighbor as you love yourself. And get that vaccine! How has simple science—wearing a mask or getting a vaccine—become a political hot button issue? Let’s all use our common sense and defeat Covid-19 together!
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.” 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.
