News from Paxton Methodist Church

June 12, 2018 - Sunday was the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time.  It was overcast Sunday morning, and the talk was about the possibility of some rain.  Later Sunday afternoon we got almost 2 inches at the Smith house!  We really needed it—my yard and garden sure appreciated it.  I enjoyed not having to drag hoses around, watering various garden spots. 

We had our usual crowd this morning.  The Sunday School lesson focused on some of Jesus’ Kingdom parables from Matthew 15: 1-9.  The three parables dealt with the good seed and the weeds, the mustard seed, and the yeast.  These parables point out how often the Kingdom may appear small, but the Kingdom of justice and peace will prevail. 

Isaiah 5: 1-7, is a love poem or ballad called “The Song of the Unfruitful Vineyard,” depicting Israel and Judah as the unfruitful vineyard.   God is the owner who has provided everything needed to produce good tasting grapes; even so, all Israel and Judah produce are bitter harvests.  The scripture goes right along with our Sunday School Lesson about justice.  In the last part of verse 7, the scripture says, “God expects justice, but there was bloodshed; righteousness, but there was a cry of distress.”  Of course, this isn’t just speaking to Israel: We see our own wrongdoing in these same verses.

Joe and Hilda teamed up as they do each week to bring us our music.  Ms. Hilda played “Precious Lord,” one of my favorite hymns, as the offertory

During the month of June we are collecting toilet paper and paper towels for Community Christian Services.  This Thursday we head to Focused Care for our program of music and fellowship.   

“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. Godspeed.

Randy & Sue Smith