December 6, 2021 - Hope, peace, love, and joy are the themes, one for each of the four Sundays of Advent. Last Sunday the word was hope, and today it is peace. Dr. King warned that there cannot be peace if there is no justice. Jesus would certainly agree with that. We are moving toward Christmas Day, but it feels more like fall in October than winter in December. When Sue and I went to Saturday’s Christmas Festival in Joaquin, it was almost hot. I have been wearing short sleeved shirts, which is not something this cold-natured person does at this time of year. Joaquin’s Candy Cane Christmas was still festive—with carols, lots of red and green, and holiday crafts. Did I mention food? Booths and booths of that too!
My older dog Gunter had surgery last week: He’s now sporting a large blue cone around his neck to keep him from messing with his eye. I think he’s a little embarrassed to wear it, and I know it has to be uncomfortable. But Gunter has been a real trouper, accepting his fate, even including eye drops. He has a good appetite, and he and Sam are still enjoying their adventures.
I took beans and rice to Community Christian Services this past week along with a couple of church checks. I also took a very generous donation for someone who receives my weekly newsletter but doesn’t attend our church. The volunteers at CCS were so pleased! In December we are collecting cans and boxes of soup. Also in December I will start gathering data about the church for the “End-of-Year” reports, a regular part of being a Methodist. Reports must be turned in before January 12, 2022. That seems so far in the future, but 2022 will be here sooner than we think.
Our Sunday School focused on Luke 1: 5-25, 57-58. The story of the long road to Bethlehem begins with the birth of John the Baptist. This series of events is led off by the angel bringing the news of an upcoming birth to Zechariah and Elizabeth. This couple was old and doubtful. I think Ms. Fannie’s class was in agreement with the author when he said, “The secret of patience is doing something else in the meanwhile.”
Today we not only had a service of the word but also a service of communion and remembrance—Holy Communion. Sue served as music tech and Joe lead us in singing “Amazing Grace” and “Away in the Manger,” two old standards that most of us know by heart. The Gospel lesson for today came from Luke 3: 1-6; for the first time in the new Christian year, we meet that wild man of the wilderness, John the Baptist. The Old Testament lesson was from the prophet Malachi. When growing up in Trinity Lutheran Church, all I knew about Malachi was that his short book was the last one of the Old Testament. But his message was very similar to John the Baptist. Both prophets told the people that they needed to repent—to turn back to the God of the Covenant and to be about kindness, justice, and mercy.
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.
