Sharing the love of God

This Sunday, October 4th we celebrate World Communion Sunday. It is an annual celebration among Christian churches around the world lifting up our unity in Christ in the midst of our diversity as people. We will have Holy Communion, we’ll have some information in our bulletin about opportunities to share in world-wide ministry through the United Methodist Church, and ways Woodville UMC already gives to world-wide missions. It will be a beautiful day of worship.
This past Sunday we continued our focus on discipleship. The Gospel word from Matthew was to “bring the kingdom near” to others. We can do this as a church and as individual Christians when we speak and show the love of Christ in our daily lives. Through the gifts we have been given we can offer God’s love in ordinary ways and watch God make them extraordinary gifts to a world in need of His love. We invited everyone at the close of worship to pray and think about ways each one of us could offer the love of God to someone else. Some came forward and recommitted their lives to Jesus Christ. Others came knowing they had a gift to give. Others stood supportively pondering no doubt what they could do. Next to this column, you’ll see here what one family did immediately following worship. The Pate family has been visiting our church; their daughter Ana is active in our youth group and is a confirmation student. What a wonderful response to God’s call!
Woodville UMC is already doing great things for the kingdom of God. Our small groups are growing, our youth ministry is growing in number and depth, missions are outstanding and the Wesley Center can become a vital place for ministry. Keep praying and exploring ways God may be stretching us to reach out and “bring the kingdom near” to people. I feel the fire of the Lord growing and shining in us and through us. Whether its sports, music, cooking, talking, driving, reading or something else, we can offer the love of God in some way. I’m so inspired by the Pate family’s offering of love…I would love to hear about yours. God bless you in your efforts to share the love of God.
See you Sunday,
Tommy