August 14, 2017 - Sunday was the 10th Sunday after Pentecost. We have had a rainy August which means we have had cooler temperatures, with no string of 100 degree days this August! Since this is the year of Matthew, our Gospel Lesson for Sunday was Matthew 14:22-33. Once again Jesus sends his disciples ahead so that he can find that quiet place to pray and think. When Jesus rejoins his disciples, he does so in dramatic fashion.  He comes walking on the water toward the boat. At first the disciples think they are seeing a vision or a ghost. But then they realize it is the teacher.

July 31, 2017 - Sunday wa s the 8th Sunday after Pentecost, in the midst of Ordinary Time on the Christian calendar. The Gospel Lesson from Matthew continues with the Kingdom parables. In today’s Gospel lesson—Matthew 13:11-33, 44-52—Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to five different things: a mustard seed, yeast, hidden treasure, a pearl, and a fishing net. Five common things related to the kingdom serve as a reminder that the Kingdom of God is close by. You can smell it—like you can often smell a coming rain shower.

July 17, 2017 - Sunday was the 6th Sunday after Pentecost, in the midst of Ordinary Time on the Christian calendar. This is the year of Matthew, and starting in Chapter 13 we have a series of Kingdom parables. Parables are more poetry than prose—more of a comfortable stroll along a stream than a strenuous walk. Many parables are the parts of the New Testament that people can recall from their early days in Sunday school. These parables are not about regulations and rules but about dreams and poetry and images of living in God’s Kingdom in the right now.

July 3, 2017 - Sunday was the 4th Sunday after Pentecost. Our Gospel Lessons have been from Matthew and focus on the five long talks by Jesus found in this Gospel. The five symbolize Jesus’ Torah and a way for the Matthew writer to tie Jesus to the Jewish faith. Matthew 10: 40-43 speaks of a cool cup of water as a sign of hospitality. This passage is only found in the Matthew Gospel. Methodists are always to be practicing “radical hospitality” as seen in their motto—“Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors.” Unfortunately, as a denomination we don’t make enough of an effort.

June 19, 2017 - Sunday was the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost, denoting major religious and festival celebrations being over until fall. We had our usual crowd at Paxton this morning. Cynthia graciously came by and played the piano for us on the way to her own church. Joy and Gene brought produce from their garden, set up two long tables full of delicious looking vegetables, and even brought plastic bags to hold what we wanted. They also had their canned pickles and hot sauce. It was a real farmers’ market right there at church!