MAY 21, 2024

MESSAGE FROM JIMMY

We all have special verses in the Bible that rise to the level of what I call a “life verse.” I want to share one of my life verses with you today. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11). Here is the entire passage from 1 John 4…

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:7-11).

I have preached and taught on this passage many times over the years. One of the things that stands out to me is how John presents to us a test of sorts. Here is the test: “Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God and everyone who loves- knows God- for God is love. Whoever does not love does not know God.”

John makes the test real simple. We measure the amount of God in our lives by the amount of love in our hearts. The more God is present, the more love is present. So if you have a heart full of God then you have a heart full of love.

What does this kind of love look like in action? Listen to how John puts it, “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother or sister, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother or sister whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother or sister” (1 John 4:20-21).

In this season following Pentecost, I am reminded that where the Holy Spirit is present, love is present. I am praying for the Holy Spirit to help us to love God and love one another even when it is hard, even when there are differences regarding Biblical interpretation, even in the aftermath of Sunday’s vote.

That’s what I believe John is calling us to do: to love each other no matter how we vote or even how we are because that’s the way God loves us. He must have because he was even willing to sacrifice his Son for us.

And that’s what this text is all about. It says we are all loved by God in ways we can’t even imagine. It is that love that leads us be perfected in love and holiness.

“We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

MESSAGE FROM KATIE

I was incredibly grieved to miss Baccalaureate Sunday with our graduating high school seniors this month. These seniors have been such a gift to me and to our youth group! I am grateful to have played a small role in their faith journey thus far. I trust that the Lord goes with them, before them and after them as they branch out!

I wanted to let you know (for those who still do not know) that a couple of weeks ago when I was out for Baccalaureate Sunday that it was because I had been admitted to Baptist Hospital for stroke-like symptoms. After an incredible number of tests and scans, where a stroke was ruled out, their best educated guess was that it was from a complex migraine with accompanying neurological symptoms, caused or worsened by stress and exhaustion.

I wanted to thank all those who sent texts and called to check on me during this time. I especially want to thank some of our church members for taking me to the hospital, visiting me during my stay, and even bringing me home. As a single person with no family in the area, these people were truly the hands and feet of Jesus to me. So thank you! Thank you! This is what the church ought to be like. So I am grateful for you for being the Church that we are called to be.

Blessings,

Katie

TOP 3 AT FIRST UMC

DONATIONS NEEDED FOR MISSION TRIP

The Nicaragua Mission team is looking for wheel chairs to take on their trip June 24. These will be given to people who need them. Please contact Bill Burrow at 601-954-6940.

YOUTH WEEK

Save the date today for our youth week, June 2nd - June 9th! We've got some fun surprises up our sleeve and can't wait to share with you! Start getting ready for the most epic week of the summer!

Sneak peek:

June 2 | Gotcha (surprise new 7th graders) & lock-in @ FLB

June 3 | Release at 8 am & Rest Day

June 4 | Dinner, Games & Extended Night of Worship @ FLB

June 5 | Geyser Falls

June 6 | Dinner & Messy Games @ Beckmanns'

June 9 | Pool Party @ Prestwoods'

KIDS MINISTRY SUMMER + VBS

Save the date for our first pop-up party on May 29th at 6:00pm. The destination will be revealed through clues the week prior! Watch our social media and the GroupMe!

Save the date for Splash into Summer! Join us on June 1st from 10am-12pm in the Family Life Building parking lot! Bring your sunscreen and towels while we provide the fun! Waterslide, foam party, bubbles, and more!

VBS Road Trip to Bethlehem and Beyond

June 9-13

A road trip can lead us to some fun and exciting adventures. At VBS this year, kids will take a "road trip" to Bethlehem (and beyond) to discover the fullness of God's love for us. Join us for the journey of a lifetime! Click here to register by May 27 to be guaranteed a t-shirt. Also, here's our amazon wish list for vbs this year!

MINISTRY MOMENT

WEEKDAY PRESCHOOL GRADUATION

By Michele Rittenhouse

The weekday program finished the school year with a program and graduation of 32 children moving on to kindergarten. It was a great year! The children experienced so much growth and learning! We are so thankful for all of the teachers that worked hard and showed the love of Christ to 91 children this school year.

CONGREGATIONAL CARE

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If you have a prayer request or if you or someone you know has a need, complete a short request form (click on button). These requests will be reviewed by our Pastoral team.

Please review the prayer list download. If you would like to add to the prayer list, please continue to use our digital form for submission which can be accessed by clicking on the link in this email or on our website.

Prayer Request Update: If you have requested a loved one or friend to be placed on the church wide prayer list and they no longer are needing prayers, please call the church office or email info@firstmethodistclinton.org for removal. The people who are on the Church Prayer Request are added by the request of church members.

Pastoral Care Line 601-460-0570

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