March 1, 2022 - Grace and peace from our brother Jesus, Amen. Sunday was Transfiguration Sunday. Three of the most trusted disciples accompanied Jesus to the holy mountain, where the light of God shone brightly on his son. They also saw two of the greatest figures of their faith—Elijah and Moses—speaking with Jesus. The disciples saw the transfigured Jesus in yet another new way—as God’s chosen.
March is just about here, when Paxton Methodist will collect cans of chili for Community Christian Services. I will take soap and shampoo along with a couple of checks to CCS on Wednesday. This week features Mardi Gras, literally “Fat Tuesday,” and Ash Wednesday, both leading to the period on the Christian calendar called Lent. This is a time of reflection but also a time of hope. At the end of Lent comes Easter.
Like most freedom-loving Americans, our prayers this morning were for the people of Ukraine. My maternal grandparents came from a region that today is partly in Ukraine and partly in Poland. Ukrainians have never looked upon Russia as a friend—the reason my grandparents left. A fearsome part of Ukrainian history is Stalin’s slaughtering and starving millions of peasants. Let us remember that the United States is that shining city on the hill—the beacon of democracy—for many around the world, and respond with compassion in this situation.
Our Sunday School lesson focused on Matthew 28: 16-20, when the eleven disciples went to the Galilee as the resurrected Jesus instructed them. Specifically, Jesus told them to go out into the world and make disciples. Our success in “making disciples” will depend on how we treat others. Words won’t work, but action and truth will.
My sermon was based on Luke 9: 28-36, the Scripture immediately following Jesus’ Sermon on the Plains—AKA Sermon on the Mount—which I featured the previous two Sundays. This was the portion of Luke’s story about the Transfiguration of Jesus, also representing his turn (physical and mental) from the Galilee toward Jerusalem, where he would be crucified and resurrected.
Our hymns this week continued the theme of hope: “My Hope Is Built” and “Rock of Ages.” On the CDs we use now, the first song was a breathless romp; “Rock of Ages,” however was fortunately much more sedate. Our bulletin quote came from Bishop Yvette Flunder: “It is vitally important in the midst of all this present chaos and madness...that we hold on to hope.” Funny thing, although the quote speaks of “this present chaos and madness,” it can actually apply to countless troubled situations throughout history—not just our own.
Our church congregation this Sunday included Sue’s Uncle Eddie, who was visiting from Monroe, Louisiana. He’d been wanting to visit his sister, my mother-in-law Dixie, but didn’t trust his driving or his attention span while doing it. So we picked him up one Monday and drove him back the next Monday, reuniting with family in Nacogdoches during the week. Eddie also made friends of our two canine companions, to the extent that Gunter was planning to accompany us on the trip. Gunter panics if we drive further than the post office, so that made his offer all the more heroic.
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.
