August 15, 2021 - Grace and peace from our friend and brother Jesus. It is Sunday morning, and I just got back from a walk with my faithful companions, Gunter and Sam. It was really humid, but the temperature was much nicer than a regular August morning. We got a good rain yesterday evening, with more thunder and lightning than rain. But I will not have to water today, so “Yeah! I am not complaining one bit.
In a real break from my routine, I am not getting ready for Sunday School or the church service. Every one of the regular Paxton Methodist worshipers is vaccinated, but last week two of our folks tested positive for Covid. Since they’re vaccinated, the symptoms have been milder, fortunately. We have called off in-person worship today and also for next Sunday, August 22nd. With fourteen days passing, hopefully we will be able to resume Sunday, August 29th.
Last night the East District Superintendent of the United Methodist Church, Dr. Richard White, called to say he was coming to Paxton to worship with us. Although we have been meeting in-person for months, this week was a different story. I sure hope he can schedule another time. We all like Dr. White, who is a good friend of Paxton Methodist and Shelby County. Life often throws curve balls and we have to be ready for what comes. The District announced that our Church Charge Conference will be Saturday, November 20th at 2:00 PM. I will try to figure out Zoom so our next conference (2022) will not require Dr. White to venture all the way to Paxton.
One of the books I am reading is News of the World, which has been made into a movie starring Tom Hanks. Hanks plays a veteran who after the Civil War travels around Texas to hold public meetings where he reads newspapers, catching people up on recent events. The cost of admission is 10 cents. He’s asked to transport a 10-year-old girl, newly released from Kiowa captivity, to her relatives in southern Texas.
Much of the book so far features the thoughts and musings of Hank’s character. At one point he said that humanity has recognized that we have a responsibility to protect and care for children. For some reason during this troubling pandemic time, it seems we have forgotten that. Younger children are getting really sick from the Delta variant: Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Florida have run out of pediatric ICU beds. At the same time, these states are fighting over vaccine and mask requirements.
The Old Testament lesson for today was Proverbs 9: 1-6. Proverbs is a book of wise sayings for young people—but also for the young at heart. In this ancient text, Lady Wisdom was present when God was working on creation, and now she invites everyone to feast on her enlightenment. We all need to sit at that table! Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians 5: 15-20, is also talking about wisdom and the need to apply it to our daily living. The Gospel lesson from John 6: 51-58 promises life—the Kingdom of God—for those who partake of the gifts God has provided. I will preach on wisdom when we get back to in-person services; I also pledge to pray, read, and meditate on how I can apply wisdom and knowledge to my own life. I hope I listen to Lady Wisdom’s call and ignore Lady Folly!
We have enjoyed having Carolyn back these last few weeks, but she will soon head back to Pennsylvania to care for her sister. We will miss her, but I know her sister sure appreciates her. Sue added to Sunday’s bulletin that I had a birthday last week. I guess it’s only fair since I put her birthday in the July bulletin. Mine is August 12, my son’s is the 13th, and his stepdaughter’s the 14th. Maybe I can remember that!
In August, with its school reopenings, we will focus on “Undie Sundays” to help outfit returning students through Community Christian Services. I hope that everyone at the local schools has had a good start to school. As a retired teacher/principal/bus driver, I still miss my fellow educators and the kids. Each morning as I am making laps around the park, I watch the buses heading to school. With Covid-19, I imagine start-up is more complicated than usual. We hope teachers, staff, and students in Shelby County and Desoto Parish have a safe and productive school year. Joaquin and Tenaha scrimmaged Friday night. We live close to school and we can hear the PA announcer when we are outside. Sounds like fall!
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.
