Shelby County Today

September 21, 2020 - I would like to invite all pastors, people in the community, all leaders and anyone that loves Timpson to come join us for a morning of prayer September 26, at 10am in SOSO Park. 

We need to come together in unity for our town and community.

Thank you. Hope to see everyone there. Spread the word.

If you have questions give me a call or send me a message on Facebook. Tuffy Green - 936-332-6361.

September 20, 2020 - Grace and peace from our brother Jesus, Amen. Sunday was the twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Later this week we officially enter fall, AKA autumn. The temperatures have finally started to moderate, and we are lulled into the idea that summer is over. Unfortunately we are still in hurricane season, with another storm brewing in the gulf.

Paxton Methodist Church is meeting each Sunday wearing masks and practicing social distancing. Our music is just on piano and CD—no singing to spread germs. All during the month of September we are collecting macaroni and cheese for Community Christian Services.

In fine Methodist tradition, Paxton Methodist will have its yearly Charge Conference. We don’t have the technology (or truth be told, the know-how) to do Zoom, so our District Superintendent is coming to Paxton on Saturday, November 21st. We will be getting together yearly reports and a congregational and clergy assessment. Working on these reports reminds me of my days as a school principal. But I never faced what administrators at our schools are having to confront with the pandemic. What a frightening time for school employees, students, parents, and the entire community!

The scripture for our Sunday School lesson was Romans 8: 1-11. The purpose of both the reading and the lesson was to overcome selfishness, learning to live in God’s Spirit. Paul says that the Spirit of God leads to life and peace. A preacher at Joaquin Methodist, when Sue and I first started going there, said all sin was selfishness. Forty-five years later, I can still hear him saying that, and have come to believe it is really true.

We had a small group for Sunday School and church this morning. It was really nice to have Sue and Fred worshiping with us this morning. Today is Gene’s birthday and we hope he has a really nice, special day.

The Old Testament Lesson for Sunday was the last part of Jonah. The reading starts after the cool parts—getting swallowed by a great fish and then thrown up on the beach. I titled my sermon “Grumbling with God” because Jonah just knew that God was going to be merciful and forgive the people of Nineveh: Jonah wanted those no-good people to suffer! And God didn’t disappoint Jonah. He did forgive, and he was merciful; Jonah was ready to pack it all in.

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

September 15, 2020 - Mt. Herman Cemetery Homecoming will be held Sunday, September 20 as usual. The cemetery is located on Hwy 7 W in the Mt. Herman community in Center, Texas. We will begin at 12:00 Noon with covered dishes available. All is welcome to attend.

If you are unable to attend but would like to make a donation to the cemetery please send to:
Mt. Herman Cemetery
c/o Deanne Sample, Treasurer
1106 CR 4314
Tenaha, TX 75974

Questions may be addressed to any board member or by calling President Jerryl Adams at 936-590-1321.

September 14, 2020 - Grace and peace from our brother Jesus, Amen. Sunday was the twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. It seems like just the other day Hurricane Laura was threatening the coast of Louisiana and the Gulf. Now we are watching Sally, hoping for the best for our neighbors to the south of us. I sure was disappointed that the promised “cold front” didn’t quite make it to our area. But the mornings have been pleasant, even though we are still in that summer weather pattern in Texas. Here we are, half way through September, with a start-stop-start school year and two weeks of high school football.

Paxton Methodist Church is still meeting each Sunday wearing masks and practicing social distancing. It is easier for us than many other churches because we are really small—but this last Sunday we had six extra people! We limit our music to piano and CD solos, hoping not to spread droplets of whatever! During the month of September we are collecting macaroni and cheese for Community Christian Services. I delivered the August collection along with three checks, and it was really good to see friends giving others a helping hand.

In fine Methodist tradition, Paxton Methodist will have its yearly Charge Conference. We don’t have the technology to do Zoom so our District Superintendent is coming to Paxton on Saturday, November 21st. This will give us some time to get all the reports and evaluations completed, voted on, and sent to the District Office.

There was a short article before the Sunday School lesson about simplicity. Our author says we embrace simplicity by cleaning out all kinds of clutter. I know that our houses are full of stuff—some we treasure and some junk that is just that—junk! Our lesson scripture was from Romans, where Paul’s words are difficult. He speaks of us as enemies of God with a need to restore a relationship to the holy and divine. I agree with half of that: Despite my weak faith and questioning nature, I don’t see myself as an enemy of God. But Paul speaking about forgiveness and the reconciliation which comes after is something we can all embrace.

As we finished up Sunday School, we had several special folks come in for church. Lillie, Liz, and Mike were at the farm and joined us this morning. This was the first time in a long time that we got to see and visit with them. Lillie looked so good, after breaking her hip twice and doing the tough rehab. Mrs. Minnie also came this morning with her friend Hilda and even played piano for us. Minnie is a regular at our nursing home ministries, so we haven’t see her in a long time. Sue and Fred, Senior Center folks from Logansport, also joined us for worship. It was great to have all of them. We at Paxton Methodist are always excited when we are in “double digits.”

We have two birthdays this month. Our good friend Joe had a birthday Sunday, and we sure hope he is doing well and staying safe. Gene has a big birthday coming up this coming Sunday; family will join Gene and Joy for the celebration. We were saddened to hear of the death of our friend Carmelo Dominguez, the pastor whose congregation used to share our building. We have lost many dear people to this horrible pandemic.

My sermon dealt with the need not only to forgive, but to reconcile. Without reconciliation, repair of friendships is impossible. It does seem that we are way too often concerned with who is right and who is wrong and not on getting along. That requires respect and knowing that everyone deserves dignity—not to mention a touch of humility.

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.