Shelby County Today

January 7, 2019 - Sunday was the Epiphany, when traditions of the church have us celebrate the coming of the wise men. In our Christmas programs, the shepherds and the three kings arrive at the manger at the same time. This is the year of Luke in the Common Lectionary, but Luke doesn’t even mention wise men. Since the Epiphany landed on exactly on Sunday, I chose Matthew 2: 1-12 as my scripture. These mystics were not kings but wise men—scholars following the light to Bethlehem. What a wonderful story to inspire our own journeys into the mystery we call God. 

I went to Tenaha Methodist for their church service to hear Pastor Matt preach and to have communion with my Tenaha Methodist friends. I was late to Paxton Sunday School but the part of the lesson I heard sounded very thought-provoking. The title of the lesson was “Hold Fast to God’s Love”: Accompanying scriptures were 2 Thessalonians 3: 1-5 and 2 John 4-11. The main focus was how to tell others about our faith story. We all have thoughts about “witnessing,” but for some of us it is hard to know how to do it effectively without offending or turning people off. I am going to keep my Sunday School book turned to January 6th this week and read over it again. 

We were very saddened to hear that Center Methodist Pastor Karen’s husband Martin Jones passed away. I saw Dr. Thomas Franks listed in our local obituaries. Dr. Franks was Dean of the SFA Education Department for many years. My uncle, Ray Rinas, also died this week. My brother and sister-in-law headed to Kansas City for his funeral. It seems that 2019 got off to a sad start.

January is often a time of reflection as we say goodbye to one year and hello to another. I always fall into the trap of making resolutions, but at least I kept it to three this year. I am reading the book, The Mystic in You, so one of my resolutions is to try to open my eyes to the Divine that happens in the ordinary. The other two I am keeping a secret for now to see if I even try to maintain them. I don’t have a real good track record!

During the month of January, the church is collecting cans of tuna to donate to Community Christian Services. It is also the first Sunday of the month, so we celebrated Holy Communion using a liturgy that quotes from Teresa of Avila. This Thursday at 10:00 we will head to Focused Care for our ministry program. I hope we still sing some Christmas songs even though the twelve days of Christmas are past. We are in the midst of flu season and we all hope and pray that our friends at the various nursing centers have had their flu shots and will avoid illness this season. 

Monday is “Report Day” for Methodist churches in the Texas Conference. Various reports have to be submitted to the District that are then forwarded to the Conference. Last century, when I first became a Methodist minister, we had to physically report to the District while auditors went through our reports. Now these reports are filed and submitted electronically. I wonder what John Wesley would think of that! I really appreciate our treasurer, Gene, for getting all the financial numbers ready for me to enter. 

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. God’s Speed.

January 1, 2019 - Sunday was the First Sunday after Christmas. A Happy New Year greeting from all your friends at Paxton Methodist. We wish that 2019 will be a year of spiritual growth and health. Sunday morning was cold, and it looks like East Texas is in for more rain. I remember this summer wishing we would get some much-needed rain. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could save this rain until July and August—and maybe some of the cold temperatures too!

I hope everyone had a good Christmas. Christmastide continues until next Sunday, when traditionally, January 6 is the Epiphany. In the lectionary this is the year of Luke, who has no wise men in his telling of the Gospel. So I plan to head back to Matthew and pick up the story next Sunday. This Sunday the Gospel sees Mary, Joseph, and almost-teenage Jesus traveling to Jerusalem. This is one of the few glimpses into the life of the young family. Jesus is totally absorbed in all that he hears to the point that the extended family heads home without him!

Fannie had an inspirational Sunday School lesson, perfect for the coming New Year, titled “Modeling God’s Love.” In the scripture reading, Jesus separates the sheep from the goats. Jesus thanks the righteous for feeding him when he was hungry and welcoming him even though he was a stranger. The righteous don’t remember doing all these things; Jesus tells them that acting with kindness toward the least among us is the same as doing it for him.

It was so great to see Lillie, Liz, and Mike at church this morning. They are up at the farm for a few days. I hope that the weather gets better so they can spend some time enjoying being in the country. Sue was pleased to show Lillie pictures of the Joaquin Senior Center on her phone, including one of the plaque commemorating Lillie and husband Buddy’s hard work during their time at the Senior Center.

Last week, our ministry was at Lakeside, but at two days after Christmas, entertainers and entertained were both in short supply. We certainly couldn’t do without a piano player, and Hilda ably fulfilled that role. Fannie read two sweet poems bridging the time between Christmas and the New Year. That’s what we tried to do also with our song choices—some Christmas and some non-Christmas. Gene sang different types of noels, like the calypso version of “Away in a Manger” and Harry Belafonte’s “Mary’s Boy Child.” Sue read How Santa Lost His Job and later did “Jingle Bell Quiz” with the residents. Maggie, as emcee, kept things moving along. And as usual, we were joined by one of the nicest ladies in Shelby County, Margie Dorner. So even with a small group, we had a good time.

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. God’s Speed.

December 31, 2018 - St. John Missionary Baptist Church is hosting a Watch Night Service on Monday, December 31, 2018 at 9pm. Bring in the New Year with Praise and Worship. Come Worship with us as we bring in 2019!

December 31, 2018 - As Christians, followers of the Christ and children of the Most High God we all wait. We wait for the coming of the Lord in glory, we wait for the end of this age and the coming of the next, the age of The Kingdom of God on earth.

John the Beloved gives us a look into this time with his words from Revelation and the vision he had of the new heaven and the new earth.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of the heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4)

What a sight to behold, the earth has been flattened, the mountains have slid into the sea and the sea is no more. And now, a new heaven and a new earth are coming down from heaven. A new beginning for all who are true believers, for those who do the will of the Lord in their lives.

As the half brother of Jesus, James says; “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22)

To be simply a hearer of God’s word does little, for when one is not in worship of the Lord, he looks away and does not remain in faith but is easily drawn away by the passions and temptations of the world. For those the judgement will be one of disappointment and torment, forever.

“But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres. Being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” (James 1:25)

It is not enough to just believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, for the devil and his demons believe and tremble in his presence, no, one must also obey the Lord Jesus Christ if one is to be saved of the penalties of one’s sin. One must be a doer of the Word of God, living the Word of God each day of one’s life on earth.

“And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” (Rev. 21:5)

“And the city has no need for sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.” (Rev. 21:23)

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month.” (Rev. 22:1-2)

“Let the evildoer still do evil, the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.” (Rev. 22:11)

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.” (Rev. 22:12) Where will he find you when he comes???