When it comes to love, God made the first move. Not because we were holy. Not because we were good looking. Not because of money or status or race. No, not even because we loved God, but God put us first and loved us before we even knew ourselves. In fact, before we were even born! That’s the nature of God’s love. It is an unstoppable force.
Once again, we go to the genesis of creation. The 1st week of Advent, we talked about the unstoppable hope God had at Creation. No one creates something without hoping the best for it. The 2nd week we talked about the unstoppable peace brought to us by the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. And last week we talked about the unstoppable joy that is found in the presence of God, the joy that’s there in good times and bad.
Well, this week, we are going to look at the force that started it all – love.
7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.
1 John 4:7-8
John’s text makes a statement that is simple yet profound about the nature of God. God IS love! Many times we only focus on our love for God. We say, “God, I love You!” But we forget or even question how deeply God loves us and desires to be with us. To walk with us along this journey called life, regardless of our past or present situation.
I don’t know how many times I’ve found an old item of clothing or shoes and thought – you know you can’t fit that anymore! But what do I do? I put it right back in the closet because who knows, maybe one day I will wear it again. I see the potential! And God does the same for us. When we fall, He helps us up because of His great love for us and the plans that He has for us. Unstoppable Love!
In the book of Genesis, we see that God created this big, beautiful world and populated it with creatures in the air, on land, and in the sea. And the Love Train set off on its course. God’s perfect plan seemed to be derailed when the serpent deceived Eve and she and Adam ate the fruit. But even when they fell, God clothed them and used Eve to bear the very first child, Cain. Because unstoppable love is redeeming love.
And as we travel through the generations of the Bible, we will see time and again, the incredible, all-powerful, magnificent, unstoppable love of God. Sometimes we see it through His punishment and other times through His tenderness. But make no mistake about it, all sixty-six books of the Bible are testaments to the unstoppable love of our Father, who in the fullness of time, sent His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him, will not perish, but will have eternal life! And now, on the other side of the cross, the unstoppable love of Jesus is shed abroad in our own hearts. So that this love train continues for even more generations to come! That, my friends, is Unstoppable Love!
This Sunday is the fourth Sunday of the Advent season when we celebrate the love of Jesus. I invite you to join us for worship, as we continue the Advent Sermon Series: Unstoppable. This Sunday’s message: Unstoppable Love.
Christmas Eve Service will be at 5:00pm. We’ll have candle lighting, singing, and the joy of the manger.
Board Meeting Minutes will be available at the Welcome Center and in the e-newsletter.
Advent Adventures & Caroling were both a huge hit! We had about 200 folks from the community who came to hear the Green Trails Elementary School choir sing Christmas songs, play games, and enjoy pizza and cocoa! And our homebound members truly enjoyed the carolers who came to their homes. GT your faith is showing! Thank you to ALL who helped make those happen!
Annual Charge Conference will be held on Saturday, January 18, 10:00-11:30am, at Wentzville UMC. This is where the business forms approved by the board are received and affirmed by the congregation. Forms such as Pastoral Compensation, the Trustee Report, and the Membership Report. All members are invited to attend.
Leader Installation & Volunteer Brunch On the first Sunday of 2025 we will install our 2025 Leadership Board and NLDT Team! After worship we will host a Volunteer Brunch to appreciate ALL of our wonderful volunteers who have helped GT to do vital ministry in 2024!
Congratulations LIBC! Hats off to Rocky Marlowe, Erika Whittaker and the crew of Let it Be Christmas! It was another wonderful production. And if you recognized the narrator, yep! It was my husband, Pastor Antonio Settles! Let is be Christmas!
Last Sunday of 2024 I will be taking some time off after Christmas Eve service and will be back on January 2! Rocky will bring the message on Dec. 29.
Vision for 2024:
A House United:
Strong Faith, Strong Families, Strong Future!
Have a blessed Christmas and a joyous New Year!
Blessings,
Pastor Linda
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