Loving People

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Matthew 22:34-46

Jesus tells the greatest commandment

• Charge Conference last week. District Superintendent Gary Nicholson shared about The United Methodist Church's mission statement (to make disciples of all nations, for the transformation of the world). We celebrated the missions and ministries of Ctown UMC

                                                                                                          Gary also shared some inspiring thoughts with our Staff/Parish Relations Committee...

                                                                                                          Preferential seating: make sure guests and visitors have a place to comfortably slide in without directing attention to them.

Your territory: Each church leader has responsibility to "watch out" for the ones sitting nearby, check up on them when they're not around, etc.

2-minute rule: For two minutes after church, don't talk to people you already know; instead, seek out new people to talk to.

Each one reach one Each member of the church focus on reaching one new person in a year and disciple-ing them.

Last week Deb K. presented a children's message in which she was dressed as a homeless person and she reported how well people actually received her. (we didn't do too good).

Gary’s virus scenario: Suppose there was a virus in the neighborhood (aka sin) and it guaranteed to infect and kill everybody and you learned of the antidote (Jesus). Would you wait for infected folks to knock on your door to give them the antidote or would you knock on their door to offer it?

1 Thessalonians 2:4, 8:   ⁴We have been examined and approved by God to be trusted with the good news, and that’s exactly how we speak. ... ⁸We were glad to share not only God’s good news with you but also our very lives because we cared for you so much.

• Closing Hymn: insert As A Fire is Meant for Burning