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Contributing Writers: David Mathis | Tim Perkins
Past Contributing Writers: Mike Mills, Spring Hill Church | Doug Fincher | Pastor Randy and Sue Smith | Mike Belgard
Faith
October 28, 2019 - Grace and peace from our brother and savior, Jesus, Amen. It is Friday morning, and I am starting on next week’s newsletter and newspaper article. Woke up this morning to rain, rain, rain! We certainly need the rain, so no complaints here. I tried to coax the puppies out this morning, but Gunter and Sam just looked at me like I was crazy. The only way they will voluntarily go out in the rain is if I take them for a walk and get wet too. I am debating this idea as I write.
Our long season of Ordinary Time comes to an end as we have several holy days coming up on the calendar. We Protestants celebrate Reformation Day, and of course November 1st is All Saints Day. I always think of All Saints Day as kicking off a new season—cooler temperatures, “fall back” out of Daylight Savings Time, Thanksgiving, and of course Christmas. I learned watching the news that the way the calendar falls this year we will have six fewer shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. This is the reason why retailers are starting the Christmas Season before Halloween. I don’t really accept that explanation, though, as this silly season of buy-buy-buying seems to start earlier and earlier each year.
All Hallowed Saints Eve (Halloween) and All Saints Day were festival days in pre-Christian Europe. As the emerging Christian Church did everywhere, it took these days over and repurposed them to the new faith. I like Halloween and am not bothered by its pagan roots. If we threw out every Christian holy day that had some pagan features, we would have to throw out most if not all of our festival days.
All during October we have collected peanut butter & jelly for Community Christians Services. In November we will start collecting rice and beans. On Sunday, November 10th Paxton will have a Gideon Speaker. Paxton has long supported the work of the Gideons; several of our past members were Gideons. Last Sunday I handed out new church phone directories. When you are as small as Paxton Methodist, you can fit all the names on one page! So Sue took pictures of Paxton folks and our pretty church, an album that makes up most of the directory.
Last Thursday was our program at Lakeside Assisted Living. Hilda was lively on the piano. I emceed, telling stories between singing, including the parable for my sermon yesterday. Since I missed Nora’s singing last week, she graciously did an encore of Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World,” one of my very favorite songs. Ollie spoke about miracles in her recent life, leading in to the Bible according to kids and a poem about hugs. Pastor Sarah’s devotional started with some of God’s smallest creatures, progressed through a tale about her dog Maple, and finished with Jonah running from God. Stellar discussed miracles in her life and then accompanied herself on guitar, singing “Peace in the Valley.” Her mom and Margie, by the way, were important parts of our group today. Fannie talked of the value of optimism in life, with some catchy slogans. Sue read a piece from the Texas Co-op Magazine called “Native Soil”: The author explains how his children were born outside Texas but with a bag full of good old Texas dirt under the delivery table.
We had a really good Sunday School lesson that focused on Romans 6: 1-14. Today was Reformation Sunday, and the book of Romans was very important to reformers like Luther, Calvin, and Wesley. The emphasis was on the need to live each day as best we can. The author reminds us that we cannot live a self-serving, self-centered life and at the same time live a God-serving, God-centered life. Paul also says that believers have already been raised to a new life in the present, a life that should be lived to and for God.
Before the sermon we had a short business meeting. We are quite informal at Paxton Methodist. The church voted to give $600 yearly to the work of the VFW. We have several members who are very active in the local VFW, doing so much good for our local veterans. Their programs to remember sacrifices made in the past also help educate all of us.
The Gospel for Sunday was from the Luke Gospel 18: 9-14, the parable about the tax collector and the Pharisee. Jesus picked the most despised person possible and contrasted him with the Pharisee, who was very virtuous and correct in his religious doing but lacking in the humility vital for living in God’s Kingdom. The tax collector was, by contrast, humble, knew his shortcomings, and prayed to do better in the future.
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.
Randy & Sue Smith
Paxton United Methodist Church
October 26, 2019 - Gates Chapel Baptist Church Celebrates 106th Church Anniversary Sunday, November 3, 2019 at 2:30pm Rev. Anthony Jackson and Bright Morning Star Baptist Church will be the special guest.
Gates Chapel Baptist Church is located on CR 2310 Shelbyville, Texas. Everyone is invited.
October 25, 2019 - You are invited to worship with us in our Annual Usher Day on Sunday, October 27th at 2:30pm!
Bishop W.C. Martin and the Bennett Chapel Church Family are our special guests. Sis. Stephanie Hicks of St. John Baptist Church is our guest Mistress of Ceremony. Rev. Richard Edwards, pastor. Sis. Anita Williams, President.
October 25, 2019 - The Dreka Pentecostal Church is having their annual fall festival on Saturday, October 26th. Come join us for bouncehouse fun, chili dogs, hayride, carnival style games, fun and fellowship. Hope to see you there!
The festival starts at 5pm and if it rains it will be moved to indoors!
October 25, 2019 - The Senior Nutrition Site is having a Halloween Fundraiser this weekend, on Saturday, October 26, 2019! There will be live music, food, and raffles! OH! And you can't have a Halloween party without a costume contest! The fundraiser is from 6 - 11 pm and it will be $10 for adults, $5 for children. The Senior Nutrition Site is located on Loop 500, next to the college. So be sure to come and have a ghoul time with us! For more information, call us at 598-7768 and ask for Mrs. Dee.
October 24, 2019 - On behalf of Pastor Bradley A. Hale and the Mt. Horeb Baptist Church family we would like to invite everyone to our 111th Church Anniversary, Sunday, October 27, 2019 at 3pm at the Mt. Horeb Baptist Church in the Bland Lake Community.
Bishop Cedrick Grace and the Mt. Zion Baptist Church will be our special guests for the evening, please join us and be blessed.
October 23, 2019 - When we meet Moses in Exodus chapter 4, he is 80 years old. He has spent 40 years in Egypt, growing up in the household of Pharaoh and 40 years in Midian, herding sheep for his father-in-law on the back side of nowhere.
He had a stammering voice and some serious self-esteem issues. There was nothing about his physical appearance or disposition to make him outstanding as a leader among men.
But, when he submitted himself to the Lord, when he allowed God to direct him, he became mighty in the history of the people of God. You see, God can take the little things and change them into something great. God asked Moses, “What is that in thy hand?” Moses answered “A rod”. Something that was simply a stick in the hand of Moses by the power of God became the force that brought the plagues on Egypt, divided the Red Sea, brought water from a rock, and won a battle when Moses used it as God directed him. Little things, when placed in the hand of God become great things.
David’s sling and five small, smooth stones by the power of God were able to slay a Philistine Giant. Five loaves and two fish that belonged to a small boy became enough by the blessing of the Savior to feed five thousand.
We must be willing to take our talent, our ability and commit fully to God and become an instrument in the hand of God to do great things to His glory.
It’s something to think about…..tbp
Join us for worship this coming Lord’s day at the Center Church of Christ, 110 Hurst Street Center, Texas, or online at www.centerchurchofchrist.com
October 23, 2019 - Cecily's family shares the story of her battle with brain cancer from the early days of her illness until the bitter end in a book, 'Cecily's Hope: A Story of Faith, Hope, and a Courageous Cancer Battle.'
'Cecily's Hope' releases on Amazon on October 24, 2019.
Regina Raymond, Cecily's mother, said, "My daughter Cecily was an amazing young lady who fought a battle so great it was exhausting. She had the most amazing faith and love for God. This is a story of love and faith and the little brown eyed girl we love so much. She touched many lives with her battle and I hope to make her proud."
The book is part of the CRG Ministry which was created to fulfill Cecily's dream of bringing people closer to God with her battle of brain cancer!
Cecily was diagnosed with brain cancer, as a senior in high school, in 2008. That tumor was removed and she received radiation and chemo. Cecily went on to graduate with her class, just as planned! Cecily recovered well and went on with a very happy life! But in 2014, just a few short years later, her cancer returned, she began her battle and 16 months later she became a glorious Angel in Heaven!
Cecily's aunt, Kim Adams, explained it was a conversation Cecily had with her family of her desire to share her story and to fellowship with churches, groups, businesses, or any organization. Cecily started the book during the early days of her illness hoping to be the one to share but wanted her family to finish the book and her ministry in her absence in celebration of her life!
The CRG Ministry was started to fulfill Cecily's desire. Other missions of the ministry is Cecily's Closet which includes giving Christmas toys; SHS Scholarship; coloring books, crayons, and stuffed animals to children's hospitals in Houston; and bibles.
To learn more about CRG Ministry, visit online at crgministry.com
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith! - 2 Timothy 4:7
Cecily fought the fight, she lost the battle, but won the war... because she kept the faith!!!
October 23, 2019 - Pleasant Grove MBC is having their Fall Fest on Saturday, November 2nd! There will be Games, Candy, Food, Cake Walk, Photo Op, Hayride, and Campfire! Come join us for great food and fellowship! We would love to have you and the family. Kids are welcome to still wear their Halloween costumes. For more information, please call Bro. Josh Crawford at 572-5303, or find him on Facebook. God Bless you all.
October 21, 2019 - Grace and peace from our brother and savior, Jesus, Amen. The past week has been really nice—pleasant temperatures and some much- needed rain. I hope autumn hangs around for a long time—until January or February would be fine by me! Saturday night we got an unexpected rain shower. It didn’t last all that long, but we had an inch in our rain gauge.
Thursday was the flu shot clinic at the Joaquin Community Center. The Joaquin Senior Center uses the Joaquin Community Center every week day and they, along with the local Quick Care, sponsored the clinic. Those who got their flu shots were invited to lunch with the seniors. Each weekday the Senior Center provides a meal for seniors at the Center. They are not funded for “take out” or “meals on wheels.” There is no paid staff: The four volunteers—Lynn, Doug, Delores, and Sue—plan and prepare meals Monday through Friday and keep the Center open from 8:00 AM until 1:00 PM. Many seniors come early and stay late to play dominoes, and on Friday a big group comes to play bingo.
It was Homecoming week at Joaquin. The Ram football team won a hard-fought victory over Timpson. Hard to believe I have been retired from the school business over ten years. We live close enough to the football field that we can hear the play-by-play of the football games (our dogs are not amused). Tenaha had its homecoming a couple of weeks ago, and several of our church members attended various homecoming functions.
Larry McNeil, who attends Paxton Methodist, has a real passion for Texas history, especially Shelby County history. In the old McNeil/Brown Drug Store in downtown Tenaha, Larry set up a display of one of the classes that went through Tenaha schools. He has had several displays; it is worth the stop to check out local history. I have heard many glowing reports about Ms. Fannie’s talk at the Shelby County Historical Museum. She spoke about the beautiful historic court house on the Center Square, which she shares with pride and knowledge.
Several of our members give to the East District Second Mile Club. The money that the Second Mile Club collects from donors goes to small churches in the East District of the Methodist Church who have big repair or other financial needs. I have finally put together a phone directory for Paxton Methodist. I have been working on it for awhile and thought I was going to have to change the title from 2019 Directory to 2020 Directory. Finally I got them put together and handed out at church. We are so small that the directory part only took one page. Sue took pictures of the folks at church and Sunday School, and we added those along with the church’s mission statement and some pictures of the church. That was the hard part—technology and I don’t always agree.
Last week was our ministry at Holiday Nursing Center. I had a doctor’s appointment in Shreveport so Sue headed up the program. Minnie played everything that was thrown at her. Pastor Sarah talked about a nature walk she took, tying it to appreciation of even God’s smallest creations—and to Genesis. I missed Nora singing one of my favorites, Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World,” but she says she’ll do it again this week. She also shared a quote from Mother Teresa and hand-clapped the group through “Do, Lord.” Sue read two short pieces—“A Bee in Her Bonnet,” from Country Woman magazine, and Ten Turkeys in the Road, a comical picture book. Hilda and Margie were on hand to help with the singing, and Bobbi, Holiday’s new Activity Director, joined in also. This coming Thursday we head to Lakeside Village Assisted Living for our monthly program.
Ms. Fannie had a great Sunday School lesson. Gene read the scripture from the Luke Gospel about Nicodemus’ meeting with Jesus. Jesus tells him that he must be born anew. Nicodemus has all the advantages possible in his culture and society, but there still remains a “chasm” between him and God. I am always amazed how our Sunday School lesson ties into the scriptures for that particular Sunday.
The Old Testament Lesson for Sunday came from the part of Jeremiah that is called The Book of Consolation. Jeremiah tries to get them from doom and despair to hope and promise. Once again God is going to “covenant” with his people. But this time God isn’t going to write the Torah—“The Way”—on stone tablets but into the very heart and soul of people
In the Gospel Lesson from Luke 8: 1-8, Jesus tells about the persistent widow who confronts a corrupt judge. The widow did not give up until eventually the judge came around to justice. And we can tell that widow never gave up on God! In the New Zealand Anglican Church, after the Gospel has been proclaimed, the reader says, “Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.” I really like that.
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.
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