News from Paxton Methodist, Mar. 14

March 14, 2021 - Grace and peace from our brother Jesus. Sunday was the 4th Sunday of Lent. In the United Church of Canada, today is also Laughter Sunday. Lent is such a solemn time for people of the Christian faith, but we must never forget laughter and humor. An old proverb says, “If you don’t laugh, you don’t take life seriously enough.” During my sermon I told some of the “humorous” tricks the Joaquin high school seniors played on me, their first-year teacher who wasn’t much older than they were.

Ms. Fannie had another good Sunday School lesson for us today. Gene read the scripture that served as the focus of the lesson—1 Peter 2:1-10. Our writer says that this letter was written to the many new Gentile Jesus Followers. They must have seemed out of the loop, not knowing all the Jewish spiritual stories, commandments, and special celebrations. Peter tells them that they need only to remember two things—love God and love your neighbor. Pretty good advice for everyone.

Since we resumed in-person worship, our music has been on CD. We can hum the song under our masks but no vigorous singing! The two songs we used during worship were from a CD that Fannie loaned me. Our first hymn was “Just a Closer Walk with Thee,” soothing and melodic. Later, we enjoyed a lively banjo version of “Where the Soul Never Dies.”

The Gospel lesson for this Sunday includes John 3:16. The writer of the John Gospel refers back to what was the Old Testament lesson today: Moses crafts a bronze snake on a pole so all the Israelites who had been bitten by God-sent snakes could look upon the idol and be saved. The Gospel writer says that the Son of God must be raised up just like Moses raised up the bronze snake. In case comparing Jesus to a snake sounds strange, I reminded the congregation that Hebrews viewed snakes as a symbols of wisdom, not just as sneaky evildoers like the serpent in the Garden of Eden.

Paxton Methodist is having in-person worship; we respect each other by wearing masks and keeping socially distant. Scientists and medical professionals, who know more than politicians about this subject, say that we can do three simple things to curtail the spread of Covid-19: wash our hands regularly, stay at least six feet apart—social distancing, and yes, wear a mask—or maybe two masks--mask-wearing is the patriotic thing to do. It is also the Christian thing to do, loving your neighbor as you love yourself. And get that vaccine!

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.