ChurchStaff
 
Rev David Diller preached about “Competing Realms.” In Matthew 22:15-22 Jesus is questioned by the Pharisees & Herodians about paying taxes to Caesar. If Jesus says, “Don’t pay them,” the Herodians will seize him as a rebel. If Jesus says, “Pay them,” the people will turn against him. The religious authorities have a fool-proof trap, but Jesus walks out & puts them in.
“Show me a coin,” he says. They hand him a Roman coin with Caesar’s image & inscription. “Whose coin is this?” "The emperor's." They carry Caesar’s coin & use it as legal tender, so they recognize Caesar’s sovereignty & his right to order the coin returned as taxes.
Then Jesus launches his counterattack: “Render to God what belongs to God.” This involves three things: loving God with all our heart, mind, & strength, loving our neighbor & loving ourselves. First, nothing at all really belongs to us. This whole creation is God’s possession & we are never more than stewards. Loving God means loving life in the world God has made & loves. Second, rendering to God what is God’s means caring for others. Sharing with & helping others is the only way we can store up treasures with God. This is the second commandment. Finally, we render to God by loving & caring for ourselves, making the most & the best of our life & circumstances.
 
Rev Diller is teaching a four week series on Contemporary Theology, reviewing the history of Israel, the Church, the Bible, & how theological ideas have changed across the centuries & into modern times. Classes meet Mon Oct 27 at 1 pm & Sat Oct 25 & Nov 1at 10 am.
Payne Springs UMC hosts a Walk to Emmaus reunion every Tue at 5 pm.
Everyone is welcome at Disciple Bible Study. Our next Monday night class meets Nov 3 at 5:30 pm. Our next day class meets Thur Oct 30 at 3 pm. You do not have to be a church member, just curious and eager to learn about the God who loves us & expects us grow up in our thinking & our living so we live free & responsible lives caring for one another.
Payne Springs UMC is a caring church family learning to follow Jesus. Our purpose is to help every person grow to full maturity in the image of Jesus Christ in the twenty-first century. With open hearts, open minds, and open doors, we combine both traditional & contemporary styles. We invite you to come learn about God and Jesus, the Bible and the Church each week. Sunday school is from 9-10am. At 10am coffee, juice, & snacks are served in Fellowship Hall. Worship is from 10:30-11:30am. Nursery care is provided. Sunday evenings we invite you to an in-depth study of Matthew at 5 pm. If you have questions or need directions, call our church office at (903) 451-2978 or go to www.paynespringsumc.orghttp://www.paynespringsumc.org.
 
Christian Stewardship is a lot more than giving to support the Church. Stewardship is a matter of caring for God's world, caring for other people, & caring for ourselves.