August 24, 2020 - Grace and peace from our brother Jesus, Amen. Sunday was the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time. What pretty weather we have had! For August the temperatures have been reasonable and the humidity lower than normal. We don’t know what next week will be, as they are now predicting two hurricanes in the gulf. We certainly could use the rain here, but we worry about our neighbors along the coast.
I went on my first trip since the pandemic. My little dog Sam and I went to my daughter’s in Dallas. While at her house, I saw my son and my brother and sister-in-law. I really had a nice visit. Megan had the young man who mows her yard fill my truck with wooden fence, pavers, and pallets left over from having her back yard redone.
I lose track of time during the pandemic and didn’t realize that it is about time for the church’s Charge Conference. This is a yearly meeting with reports and budgets that we have with the District Superintendent. This year’s conference will, of course, be different because of the pandemic. I need to get busy working on reports and the budget.
Our Sunday School lesson focused on Matthew 15:21-28 and the Canaanite woman. This was the Gospel lesson for last Sunday and the scripture that I used then. This unnamed woman was determined to get a healing for her sick daughter. The disciples were put out with her as she kept shouting for help, annoying and embarrassing them. She was getting into what John Lewis would call “good trouble.” Jesus at first ignored her and seemed to deny her requested help, but was moved by her determination, healing her daughter after all. Our lesson said taking time to listen to another person’s story is an expression of concern for them and their situation. Being good listeners is part of the compassionate care we should show others.
I used as my scripture for Sunday the Epistle Lesson from Romans 12:1-8. In my sermon, I mentioned that some New Testament scholars refer to these verses as the Christian Torah. For the Jewish people, the Torah is the first section of their testament, what we Christians call the Old Testament. Torah means “pointing the way,” and that is what Paul is doing in Sunday’s scripture.
We are collecting children’s socks and underwear this month for Community Christian Services, part of Undie Sunday from so long ago. Next month is another kid-centered collection: macaroni and cheese. Our grand-niece, who just turned 13 today, loves that dish and has made it the top one of her cooking repertoire. When Sue asked what kind of cheese she uses, Ava replied, “Kraft.” Turns out that the only mac-n-cheese for her is that blue box with the powdered cheese!
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 10am. 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.
Randy & Sue Smith/Paxton United Methodist Church
