August 9, 2021 - Grace and peace from our friend and brother Jesus. The typical Texas summer weather pattern has come to our part of the world. Once again Mother Nature sent us a curve ball instead of what we usually get temperature-wise at the beginning of August. It was nice to have slightly cooler days and low humidity. But it didn’t last, and we are back in those dog days of summer. Still, no triple digits or wildfires.
Sue and I were in Dallas last weekend visiting our kids. Larry filled in for me, speaking about growing up in the suburbs but being pulled to the quieter country life of his grandparents. Both Sue and I had the same upbringing—suburbs of big cities but frequent visits to grandparents in small towns and farms. We enjoyed reading his talk, and I really appreciate Larry covering the pulpit for me.
I think the Sunday School class is getting used to our author this quarter, and beginning to appreciate the way she talks about scripture. Today’s lesson was based on Job’s suffering; she also discussed why pain befalling good people just doesn’t have a satisfactory answer. We all would like to a clear understanding, but it never really came to Job; we too will have to puzzle over the reality of suffering.
It was so great to have Carolyn back. Carolyn was at Sunday School and church last week, too, but I wasn’t. Carolyn’s daughter Lisa came and we had a lively discussion during our lesson. The church gave thumbs up to two scholarships that will go to grandchildren of two of our members. While we were going over the announcements I realized that I forgot someone’s birthday—mine! Oh, well, I don’t need reminding that I am getting older.
Sue operates the CD player; luckily, we have many hymns on CDs. We are able to play and sing the Gloria Patri and the Doxology in response to our Affirmation of Faith and our offering. Today’s hymns were “Take My Life, and Let It Be” and “Lord, I Want To Be a Christian.” These two are not so familiar to our congregation, as we are more used to old-time songs from the Cokesbury hymnal and Heavenly Highways. Singing from CDs, though, the most important feature is a song with breathing spaces—some of the instrumental accompanists seem very much in a hurry to get someplace else!
My sermon was based on John 6: 35, 41-51. In the words of today’s Gospel, Jesus told those who were hanging on his every word that he was the Bread of Life. Bread and water are still the basics in most human diets. But of course, Jesus is talking about much more than bread. And when he added that he came down from Heaven, the neighbors who knew his parents and watched Jesus grow up were not happy. But these words provided much comfort to the Jewish Jesus followers of the first century.
All during the month of July, Paxton Methodist collected cans of spaghetti and ravioli for Community Christian Services. I delivered the food and some checks to Community Christian Services last week. In August, with its school reopenings, we will focus on “Undie Sundays” to help outfit returning students. This was the original monthly collection for Christian Services at Joaquin Methodist, which later was expanded to various foods and hygiene items each month. As I write this, the Joaquin school parking lots are full to bursting (Logansport returned already). We hope teachers, staff, and students in Shelby County and Desoto Parish have a safe and productive school year.
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.
