Shelby County Today

December 18, 2017 - Sunday was the Third Sunday of Advent. This is often called Mary’s Sunday, as we celebrate the angel coming to Mary with the unbelievable news. The Advent candle we light is the one that stands for rejoicing.  We rejoice with Mary. We remember Paul tells us that no matter our circumstances, we are to rejoice.  Next Sunday we will have our Christmas Eve service at our regular worship time—10:00 AM. Paxton Methodist will not have services Christmas morning. Center FUMC will have a communion service at 5:00 and a candlelight service at 6:00 on Christmas Eve.

Our Sunday school lesson spoke about having a faith that perseveres. The scripture came from Acts 14, showing Paul quite determined to persevere regardless of the opposition he faced. Our author spoke of faith and the need to find the right balance in our spiritual living—good advice.

We were in double digits this morning which was cause to celebrate. For Sue and me, having our daughter Megan as one of those was even better! We really appreciate Joe and Hilda for our music, joyful Christmas songs. And on this special day of Advent Joy, we sang “Happy Birthday” to another joy—Joy Hutto, whose birthday was Sunday.

Our worship this morning began with us reading responsively The Magnificat or The Canticle of Mary.  This reading is a retooling of Hannah’s Song in the Old Testament. Whichever you read, you can feel the wonder and joy these woman are feeling. In my sermon I stressed the importance of Advent and the need to prepare for the coming of Christ into the world.

This past week volunteers went to Focused Care—Green Acres.  Pastor Matt is between semesters and has been able to join the volunteers at the various nursing homes. This Tuesday at 10:00 will be our ministry at Holiday Nursing Center, a different time because they have something else scheduled for our usual slot. The holiday season is a busy one everywhere! All this month we have been collecting cans of soup for Community Christian Services, and our church is pleased to help with the CCS mission for Children’s Christmas this next week. 

“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, Open Minds.” Sunday School starts at 9:30 and 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 me your email address to the Paxton email address and I will add you to the list. Godspeed.

December 12, 2017 - What do you desire in life this morning? Do you wish for fame and fortune, for gold and silver? 

Or is your wish for family and friends, for fellowship with those you love? 

Let’s look to the Proverbs for some ideas about what we should wish for in our lives today.

“A good name is to be chosen rather than riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.” (Proverbs 22:1) 

Why a good name above riches, could not one buy a good name if one had plentiful riches?

“The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all.” (Proverbs 22:2) 

Because when the day comes and the trumpet sounds all will stand before the throne of judgement with no distinction made between rich and poor. The Lord cares not for your position in life, he cares for your position in heaven and he waits for all to come to him and accept the Lord Jesus as Lord and Master and receive the gift of eternal life with him.

For those who read and study the Bible the word of God gives instruction for eternal life with the Lord.

“The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.” (Proverbs 22:3) 

To the prudent who knows the word and will of God there is a reward in heaven waiting for those who fear the Lord.

“The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.” (Proverbs 22:4)

God gives us his word for our instruction and for our daily living but so many do not use it, those go on in ignorance and suffer daily without knowledge nor hope.

The world is governed by the devil, the prince of the air, and all worldly activities are to promote the wishes of the devil.

“Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked; whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.” (Proverbs 22:5) 

What should we desire in life this morning? We should desire to know the Lord, to walk in his light and to do his will for us each and every day. How do we do this? We study the Bible daily praying for guidance and inspiration from the Lord God that we may know his will for us, that we may do his will each day and become more perfect vessels in service to him and the gospel. We should do this, not only for ourselves but for our children and our children’s children as well. For it is up to us to teach those younger than us in the ways and will of the Lord.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old and he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) 

It is the duty of this generation to learn the will of God and to pass it along to the younger generations to come. For all must face judgement, all will be judged for their lives their deeds done in this life, whether good of evil.

“Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail. Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.” (Proverbs 22:8-9) 

The old prophet Micah said there is three things that the Lord requires of all who wish to receive salvation; “to love justice, (to do unto others as your would have them do unto you), to love mercy, (to help those in need), and to walk humbly with God, (to do God’s will each day and not your own or the will of the world).

Let the desires of the Lord govern your life, turn from the world and to God that you too may earn a crown and a place in heaven.

May the blessings of our Lord be upon you and may you do his will each day...

December 11, 2017 - The Pastor and members of Carroll Chapel CME Church in Shelbyville, would like to invite you to our Annual Harvest Drive Program on Sunday, December 17 at 3:00pm. Everyone is invited. 

December 5, 2017 - Sunday was the First Sunday of Advent. Paxton Methodist Church looked so nice when I walked in. The Christmas tree was up and the sanctuary was decorated. The Advent candles were beautiful, and my mother’s nativity scene looked right at home. Everything is ready—thanks to various Paxton elves—for the Paxton Community Christmas Party Tuesday at 6:00.

We had our usual crowd—not really a crowd! We started our new series of Sunday school lessons, dealing with the early Jesus movement and their faith in Jesus. The scripture was Acts 3:11-21, about a man who is healed. Peter and John want every one to know that it is not them but Jesus who healed this man. They call Jesus the “author of life,” and we see that quite early in the development of the Jesus movement, Jesus is so much more than a prophet or teacher or healer.

Joe and Hilda teamed up to lead us on two Fannie Crosby songs. Carolyn gave Sue some readings for the days of Advent, and Fannie lit the Hope candle. Our scripture was from Isaiah 64, where we heard that the people were excited about the coming of the Lord into their lives. Sunday was the first Sunday of the month, so we celebrated Communion. Because our church was so decorated, our Communion “table” had to be the middle of our circle as we stood near the altar.

Sunday was the beginning of a new Christian year, a year in which the Gospel of Mark will be stressed. This provides a problem for the Christmas season since the Mark Gospel has no birth story, unlike Matthew and Luke. The reading from Mark 13:24-27 is an apocalyptic writing that urges Jesus followers to be ready when the Human One of God will return again. Advent is a time of waiting and preparing; our human nature often sees us becoming restless—we tend not to be a patient people!

Paxton Methodist decided to send a $500 check to CASA for their work with foster children. In the Methodist system, our church gives to the missions and programs of the world-wide Methodist Church and our Texas conference each month through our “apportionments.” But our small church also helps out with many local needs: providing scholarships, supporting the Gideons, relief to victims of natural disasters, funds for local food banks, assisting with school needs, and so on. We are also helping out with Joaquin’s Community Christian Services to provide Christmas gifts to young people. In a week I have a meeting with our new District Superintendent, Rev. White. At our Charge Conference, we met him for the first time—he seems a genuinely nice person.

Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, our Lakeside ministry was moved to the last Thursday of the month. No one seemed confused, though: Mrs. Fannie commented that she believed we had more people than she’d ever seen there! Minnie and Hilda handled the piano duties for congregational singing and some specials. Gene, Carolyn Hooker, and Nora all sang specials, so we had some fine talent. Pastor Matt, temporarily on holiday from SMU, was able to be there; his devotional was heartfelt, dealing with his own family’s recent loss. Maggie and Sue let Pastor Matt off from emcee responsibilities, continuing their trade-off running of the show. Readings were from Fannie and Ollie, with Sue telling a joke. We jumped in the Christmas season a little with “Joy to the World,” “Silent Night,” and Nora’s two—“Up on the Housetop” and “Jolly Old St. Nicholas.” With so many people, our congregational singing was strong, including Jo and Margie, who are kind enough to join us.

“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, Open Minds.” Sunday School starts at 9:30 and 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 me your email address to the Paxton email address and I will add you to the list. Godspeed.