As I am writing this, our pretty spring-like days have changed back to winter. It is Saturday morning and as Sam, Gunter, and I were walking our miles at the city park, we could feel the wind pick up and change directions. Now, about noon, it has dropped ten degrees and is rainy and windy. Oh my, Mother Nature is fickle. Mrs. Fannie will for sure have the heat going at church tomorrow. Thanks, Fannie!
Paxton Methodists wish every one a happy St. Valentine’s Day. Sue and I both have doctor’s appointments on Monday, so I ordered flowers for my Valentine early this week and picked them up today. Roy at Sunshine Flowers always does such unique and creative work, and the flowers for Sue were no exception. As usual, her gift to me was heavy on sweets—we know each other well, after 47+ years.
All during the month of February we are collecting soap and shampoo for Community Christian Services. We got such a sweet card from Mrs. Ruby at CCS this week, which I will read to the church tomorrow morning. Delta Gamma will have their meeting at Paxton Methodist Church on Valentine’s Day. I have heard that the meal will be catered by Jason and Glenn Gill. I should sneak by to get some of that good food from two guys who really know how to cook!
Also during February, our church pays Conference and District apportionments. Paxton, like all United Methodists, helps each year to keep Methodist hospitals, universities, and other good causes going. Our church denomination is referred to as a connectional church: One way we stay connected is our giving to keep the worldwide church relevant and effective in its ministries.
Our Sunday School lesson was based on Matthew 5: 14-16, exploring how our actions make God’s glory and love evident to the world. Toward this end, our author says that we as Jesus followers allow Jesus to transform our emotions, beliefs, and actions. It is the light from Christ that begins the change deep inside us. One quote we all liked came from the Quaker theologian Elton Trueblood: “You cannot go to church; you are the church wherever you go.”
Our Gathering Words were based on Sunday’s Psalter lesson—Psalm 1. For the last two Sundays we have used a modern 21st Century Affirmation to declare our faith. Our songs today were two good old hymns, “He Leadeth Me, O Blessed Thought” and Fanny Crosby’s “Blessed Assurance.” The bulletin quote was from Joseph Campbell: “The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe.”
The Gospel lesson that I used in my sermon was Luke 6: 17-26, Luke’s version of the Sermon on the Mount. Calling it the Sermon on the Plain, Luke offers just four blessings and adds four woes. Jesus said that the poor, the hungry, those who grieve and weep, and those pushed to the edges of society are blessed in God’s Kingdom. Unlike Matthew, Luke includes some “woes” which always have me wondering if Jesus could be talking about me. Jesus says woe to those who are rich, who have plenty to eat, who are laughing and having a good time, and who are spoken well of. Luke’s beatitudes get right down to the nitty gritty, while Matthew’s seem less harsh and much more poetic. Today’s Gospel tells us our first move—our first action toward someone should always be compassion and respect, not judgment.
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.
