December 14, 2020 - Grace and peace from our brother Jesus, Amen. Sunday was the Third Sunday of Advent. We are living in the worst time of this pandemic: More and more people have friends and loved ones who have suffered horribly and even died from this virus. Late this week, the first really hopeful sign in the nine-month battle—a vaccine was approved and will be rolled out next week. My sermon title for Sunday, “Voice in the Wilderness of Covid,” reflected the frightening reality of 2020.
Paxton Methodist is having in-person worship; we respect each other by wearing masks and keeping socially distant. Scientists and the medical professionals say that we can do three simple things before the vaccines are generally available: To curtail the spread of Covid-19, we should wash our hands regularly, stay at least 6 feet apart—social distancing, and yes, wear a mask. Things are so dire that mask-wearing is the patriotic thing to do. It is also the Christian thing to do, loving your neighbor as you love yourself.
Usually at Paxton Methodist, Advent features a Christmas program and dinner for the community. However, due to the ongoing pandemic, we have canceled our 2020 celebration. All during the month of December we will be collecting cans of soup for Community Christian Services. CCS has done an excellent job of getting essential supplies—especially food—to individuals and families in need. The Kids’ Christmas part of CCS is now hard at work, helping spread holiday cheer to the younger members of those families.
Our Sunday School lesson was a very timely and needed reminder that our goal in life is thinking and living as Jesus did. Fannie took us down Memory Lane, back to the 1980s & 90s and the popular bracelet—WWJD (What Would Jesus Do). Our author reminded us Jesus told his disciples that whoever believes in him will do the work he did.
We want to be as safe as we can. Since we resumed in-person worship, our music has been on CD. We can hum the song under our masks but no vigorous singing! Both songs today were Christmas hymns. “Joy to the World” mirrored today’s theme of joy, especially appropriate since we were also commemorating Joy Hutto’s birthday this week! “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” featured Andy Williams’ mellow voice.
This 3rd Sunday of Advent is to be one of joy as Mary exclaims to God her surprise and honor in her role as the mother of the Christ. In our Gospel lesson today from John, the theme of light overcoming darkness is really stressed; John points to Jesus as the light that will illuminate our path, showing us the way to wholeness. If we can get past some of the stranger parts of the Baptizer, we can hear his voice in any wilderness, beckoning us to new light and a new way of understanding God.
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.
Randy & Sue Smith/Paxton United Methodist Church
