1 Corinthians 13 - Christmas Version

“Those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen cannot love God whom they have not seen.” (1 John 4:20)

“If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shining balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my relatives, I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my spouse and in-laws, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crystal snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ in my own household, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child or grandchild. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse or call the relative. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens. Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust. But giving the gift of love to our families (and all people) will endure.”

As we prepare for the coming of Christmas, I pray that we will all recall love as the greatest gift we can offer each other, especially as we give it in and among each other as the family of God! Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

Prayers for Sutherland Springs, TX

Our prayers go out to the members and friends of Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church in Texas after yet another tragic, senseless shooting that left 26 dead and at least 10 wounded during worship yesterday morning.

While no church or organization can fully prevent an occurrence like this, our church's Safety and Security Committee will be meeting very soon to formulate more proactive response practices  for our church, not only hopefully to lessen the chances of tragic acts such as this occurring, but also to minimize potential injuries if it did.  If you would like more information about how you can be involved in this effort, please contact our church office.

LFUMC’s 2017 “Rise Against Hunger” Event

“When they had plenty to eat, he said to his disciples, ‘Gather up the leftover pieces, so that nothing will be wasted.’ So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves that had been left over by those who had eaten.” (John 6:12-13)

On behalf of our Missions Committee, I’m pleased to invite you to participate in our second annual “Rise Against Hunger” packing event (formerly called "Stop Hunger Now”) on Sunday, November 12 from 12:30-2:00pm in the MMC, where we will be packing 20,000 meals for those in need around the world.  

This ministry is a world-wide interfaith initiative (started by a United Methodist minister in 1998, by the way) designed to help people in developed communities like our own combat hunger and starvation in developing communities around the world.

Some of you remember that we sponsored this same event last year, but due to its popularity we moved it from the worship and Sunday School hour to after lunch so that you could invite friends, relatives and neighbors from other churches to help pack.  Plus, your generosity through last year’s Lenten change collections allowed us to significantly increase the number of meals we’ll be packing.

We’ll begin that day with a lite soup and sandwich lunch (donations accepted) in the Small Dining Room in shifts beginning at 12Noon, then move into the Fellowship Hall about 12:30pm for the packing event, which will be a great service opportunity for appropriate for children, youth, college students, and adults. If you know that you’ll be participating, please help us prepare by registering ahead of time HERE.

Remember, Jesus fed over 5000 with the simple offering of one little boy’s lunch.  At our event, we’ll be preparing meals to feed four times that number!  Perhaps this is what Jesus had in mind when he spoke the words of John 14:12-14, “whoever believes in me will do even greater works than these [that I do].”

So, on November 12^th, dress casually for Sunday School and worship, enjoy lunch at 12Noon, and then join your fellow church members as we “rise against hunger” in the name of Jesus!  And don’t forget that God loves you and I do, too!

[P.S., to find out more about this initiative, visit their website HERE]