November 27, 2022 - Grace and peace from our brother Jesus, Amen. We at Paxton Methodist hope everyone had a joyful Thanksgiving. Reports from the pews show that Thanksgiving was a good time with plenty of food, football, and fun. As a church, we began the season of Advent, which sees another year go by on the Christian calendar and we prepare ourselves for the coming of the Christ child. Because the preacher is about a week behind, we also celebrated Christ the King Sunday. Now begins our time to worship the hope and promise coming that blessed morning.
Our Sunday school lessons came from Romans and continued the theme of inclusion and tolerance, building a future together. We are finishing up with this current study and got our new Sunday School literature a few weeks ago. I always enjoy the differing perspectives given by the various writers. This week Paul’s advice was to stop judging others and never to put a stumbling block in the way of others reaching toward Christ and God.
Our Gathering Hymn, “Lord of the Dance,” is usually an Easter song, but in five verses it does a really good job of telling the Good News of Jesus. Our Gathering Words also reminded us that with the dawn comes light and the promise of God’s presence. The bulletin quote this week came from John F. Kennedy: “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” The affirmation was The Apostles’ Creed, followed by Sue reading about this first Hope-themed Sunday of Advent. There were three scriptures—from the Old Testament, an Epistle, and Luke’s Gospel. We sang the Christmas hymn, “O Come All Ye Faithful.” We lifted up many friends and their families during prayer since even in times of hope and promise, we sometimes experience sadness. Our hearts go out to our dear friend Carolyn and her family.
After three years on pandemic pause, Paxton Methodists decided to renew our Paxton Community Christmas get-together this year. The program will begin at 6:00 PM on Thursday, December 15. After songs and a couple of readings, a light catered meal will follow, You don’t need to bring a thing! Come join us.
Monday I took the sacks of beans and rice, along with a couple of checks, to Community Christian Services. They were hard at work getting things ready for Wednesday. These volunteers proceed quietly under the radar, so they don’t always get the thanks they deserve. But really—thank you, thank you, thank you! In December we will collect cans or boxes of soup. Hot soup sounds pretty good for lunch or dinner on cold days. Darkness falls sooner every day, and my body feelsh ready for bed earlier and earlier. But as long as I have a good book to read, then I am OK.
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 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.
