The Messenger

February 15, 2025

The Greatest of These is Love

This is the time of year when the world turns its attention to romantic gestures—flowers, chocolates, and heartfelt notes expressing loving devotion. While these tokens of affection are meaningful, the love described in 1 Corinthians 13 goes far deeper than fleeting emotions or grand gestures. Paul speaks of a love that is patient, kind, and enduring—a love that mirrors the very heart of God.

In our Wesleyan tradition, we understand love not just as a feeling, but as the very essence of the Christian life. John Wesley taught that the goal of our faith is not merely to believe rightly but to be perfected in love—to be so transformed by the love of Christ that we embody His grace in every aspect of our lives. Wesley called this sanctification: a lifelong journey of growing in holiness of heart and life.

Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 that eloquent speech, profound knowledge, and great acts of faith are meaningless without love. In other words, Christian love is not measured by words alone, but by action. Wesley often pointed to Jesus’ command to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31).

This kind of love is sacrificial and active. It is patient and kind—not envious or boastful. It is humble and selfless—not insisting on its own way. It is forgiving and steadfast—not easily angered or resentful.

Such love is not natural to us in our sinful state. It is the work of God’s grace within us. Wesley taught that through justifying grace, we are saved by faith in Christ, but through sanctifying grace, God continues to shape us into people who reflect His love in every thought, word, and deed.

Valentine’s Day celebrates love, but Paul speaks of a love that never ends (1 Corinthians 13:8). Human love—while beautiful—can be fickle and fragile. But the love of God is eternal. Paul’s words remind us that faith and hope are essential, but love is the greatest of all (1 Corinthians 13:13). Why? Because faith will one day become sight, and hope will be fulfilled, but love will remain for all eternity. When we stand before God, it is not our achievements, knowledge, or reputation that will matter—it is the measure of our love.

On this day, may we be reminded of the highest calling of all: to love as Christ loves. And may we, as a church, continue growing in this sanctifying love, until the day we see Him face to face.

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Tony

Worship Service, Sunday, February 16th @ 9:30am

It's going to be another glorious morning of worship at Christ Methodist Church. This Sunday we're privileged to welcome Dr. Karl Stegall as he delivers our morning message. He'll be sharing a powerful sermon entitled "What I Learned from Dusty Rhodes" based on the familiar scripture, I Corinthians 13 which guides and instructs us in the ways of Christian love. It will be so wonderful to apply these life lessons as the imagery of Valentine's Day is still fresh on our minds.  

We're happy to have our Voices in Bronze Handbell Choir with us on Sunday. They'll be sharing a joyful piece during the prelude entitled "Marche Royale" which will get us off to a joyous start to the service. During the offertory they will also share a dramatic and unique arrangement entitled "Fantasy on Hyfrydol" which is known to us as the familiar Wesley hymn, "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling." The clashing dissonant chords give way to the beautiful harmonies of the hymn symbolizing that Christ's love is perfect and drives all discord away. Our Chorale will also share a beautiful anthem to support the message entitled "By Our Love." Its soaring text reminds us that "The time is now! Come church arise! Love with His hands, see with His eyes. Bind it around you, let it never leave you, and they will know us by our love." Penned by Mary McDonald, this anthem will be a powerfully sweet sound in your ears on Sunday morning!

We look forward to seeing you all Sunday at 9:30am at Lee-Scott!

Passionate about sharing Jesus and making a difference? Join us for a mission trip to Quito, Ecuador, from June 21-28. We'll be offering construction, medical, and dental aid while also nurturing spiritual connections. We will be partnering with SIFAT (Servants in Faith and Technology) on all aspects of the mission trip. The trip will be organized in 3 serve teams: Construction, Medical/Dental, and Spiritual Care. You can choose a team that aligns with your passions and skills. The cost of the trip is approximately $2653 per adult (includes trip and all transportation). For children ages 11 and younger, the pricing is approximately $2364. All persons 20 and younger must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. 

Please click the blue link below for more information and to reserve your spot.

The trip requires a minimum of 12 participants in order to take place.

Deadline to register is Tuesday, February 25th!

Youth Upcoming Events

Sunday School

10:45-11:10am

(LSA Middle School building)

CMCA Winter Bible Studies

In addition, the J.O.Y. Bible study for women that previously met at Greystone on Mondays, is now meeting at Parkway Baptist Church at 9:30am on Mondays. They are studying Sandra Richter’s book, The Epic of Eden - Deborah: Unlikely Heroes and the Book of Judges.

Upcoming CMCA Events

Sunday, February 16, 2025

Worship (9:30am) - LSA

Confirmation Class and Sunday School Classes (10:45am) - LSA

Women's Bible Study - Prayer (4:30pm) - Greystone

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Women's Bible Study - Revelation (9:30am) - Greystone

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Women's Bible Study - Revelation (6:30pm) - Greystone

Thursday, February 20, 2025

Men's Bible Study (6:45am) - Auburn Chamber of Commerce

Sunday, February 23, 2025

Worship (9:30am) - LSA

Confirmation Class and Sunday School Classes (10:45am) - LSA

Women's Bible Study - Prayer (4:30pm) - Greystone

Sunday, March 2, 2025

Worship (9:30am) - LSA

Confirmation Class and Sunday School Classes (10:45am) - LSA

Women's Bible Study - Prayer (4:30pm) - Greystone

Youth Pickleball Tournament (5pm) - Opelika Pickleball Courts

Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Worship Service w/ Imposition of Ashes (6:30pm) - 2060 Windway Rd. - the Barn

Children's Choirs

All of our children's choirs have resumed for 2025 and we'd love for your child to join us. We have choral musical opportunities for children from age 3 - 6th grade as well as handchimes for grades 4 - 6. Children grow in their faith, their God-given musical gifts, and relationship with each other through their choir participation. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 3:45 - 4:15 for Cherub Choir (ages 3 - Kindergarten), Genesis Children's Choir (grades 1 - 6) from 4:30 - 5:15, and for Handchimes (grades 4-6) from 5:15 - 6:00pm. Join us! 

• Cherub Choir (Ages 3 - Kindergarten) 3:45-4:15pm
• Genesis Children's Choir (1st - 6th Grades) 4:30-5:15pm
• Handchime Choir (Grades 4th - 6th) 5:15-6:00pm

Join the Christ Methodist Chorale

We'd love to have you sing with the Chorale as we prepare a very special Glory of Easter concert with two amazing guest musicians: composer and conductor Dan Goeller and also pianist Ian Mulder. With Mr. Goeller, we'll be presenting his iconic and moving collection In His Own Words which explores the many "I Am" phrases of Christ including "I Am the Light," "I Am the Resurrection," etc... as well as his arrangement of God So Loved the World considered by many to be one of the most beautiful arrangements of this text ever composed. This year marks the 20th anniversary of this work's composition.

Also joining us will be the amazing pianist, Ian Mulder, for the world premiere of a moving musical collection combining beloved hymns of the faith with iconic and beloved orchestral music by Sibelius, Beethoven, Faure, and many other beloved composers. This will be a moving experience for singers as well as the congregation. Joining us will be singers from many other churches. Don't miss this amazing musical journey as we enter the Lenten and Easter Season. We start rehearsals on Thursday, February 13th.

For more information, contact our Director of Worship and Arts, Gary Klarenbeek, at gary@christmethodistauburn.com.

As we give from the heart, we sow seeds into God's kingdom. Galatians 6:9 encourages us, "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up." Our giving will bring a harvest of blessings beyond what we can imagine.

Laity Training Summit - Montgomery, AL

The Alabama Emerald Coast Conference of the GMC is thrilled to announce a Laity Training Summit on March 2nd, from 2-5pm, at Saint James Church in Montgomery. This engaging event aims to inspire and equip lay leaders for impactful ministry. Attendees will receive practical tools, valuable resources, and uplifting encouragement to help them excel in their roles as lay leaders. For more information and to register, click below.

Congregational Care

As a caring community of believers, we commit the names listed below

for your prayers and expressions of love and care:

CMCA Family:

Pam Baker, Jim Carroll, Gene and Rita Chandler, Henry Cobb, Sue Daniel, Pat Douglas, Sandra Fisher, Harry Gill, Sherry Guenther, Kay Guthrie, Kathy Harte, Pam Lamar, Donna Kelly, Bess Lord, Lynn Parker, Ron Patterson, Caleb Pipes, Ruth Register, Keith Ryland, Becky Speigner, John and Connie Staton, Sherwood and Betty Thomas, Rita Tuck, Gary Webb, Bill Wilkinson, Ann Williams, and Kay Yeager.

Extended Friends and Family:

Jeff, son of Winsley and Linda Bates; Parents of Linda Bates; Max Bush, Craig and Lisa Leonard's grandson; Ryan Chism; April Coulter; Hudson Early, Sandra Fisher's great-grandson; Tad Gidcomb, Ann Thompson's nephew; Fred Lacy; Kitty Mayo, friend of Betty Mann; Elizabeth and Jason Moore, Butch Foster's daughter and son-in-law; Mary Frances Murray, Alicia Conn's mother; Lisa Norrell, friend of Janet Wilson; Dan Pope, Dannell Fogal's father; Ray Porterfield, Nancy Flurry's son; Chris Sramek; Richard and Joyce Stanyard, Larry Stanyard's father and mother; Lydia Steadham, relative of Judith Gibson; Family of Chad Wilbanks; Brent Wilson, Craig and Lisa Leonard's friend; Chuck Dupree, Beverly Webster, and Martha Cauthen, friends of Sue Daniel.

Sympathy:

We extend our deepest sympathy to the following:

Beverly Marshall and family upon the death of her mother, Joanne Bain

Wanda Ptomey and family upon the death of her aunt, Lorene Bates

If you have additional prayer requests or other needs, please send to:

prayer@christmethodistauburn.com

Connect with us!

www.christmethodistauburn.com