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A Note from the Pastor
Thank you for visiting Amlin UMC’s web site. On behalf of the entire congregation I extend to you an always-open invitation to participate in worship and all church events/activities. Whether you are a first-time visitor, or have been part of the congregation a week, a month, or a lifetime, you are welcome to participate fully in the ministries and activities of the church.
May our experiences at Amlin UMC enrich our spiritual life, draw us closer to God, connect us with friends in Christ, and empower us to make the world a better place.
Rev. Casey Wilson
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Love In Action
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” (1 John 4:16)
God is love. Love is at the very core of who God is. God’s love is not merely a sentimental feeling or warm emotion. When the word love is used in association with God, there is also an accompanying action: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son…” God is love in action.
God’s love is demonstrative. God does not merely say, “I love you,” but proves it by what He does. The love of God is living and active. It is tangible and recognizable. When God’s love is poured out, there is no mistaking it.
God, our heavenly Father, is love in action, and God expects us, God’s children, to love in action as well. Just as we are reflections of our human parents, mirroring them in our appearance and mannerisms, so too, we are to be reflections of our heavenly Father, imitating Him in our behavior and attitudes.
To love in action requires giving of ourselves. Just as God showed his love for us by giving his only Son, so we show our love to God by giving to others through sacrificial acts of compassion and justice. The evidence of our faith is the extent to which we take the responsibility to be personally and intimately involved in our giving and to be personally and compassionately involved in the lives of others.
In this issue of “Country Talk” there is information about several opportunities for you to demonstrate love for God and neighbor by serving needs in our congregation, community, state, and world. Read. Pray. Act.
Pleasing God does not require exceptional wealth, ability, or intelligence. All it requires is the desire and willingness to make a difference in the world by making a difference to one person at a time.
Pastor Casey
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Disaster Relief
To contribute to ongoing relief efforts in the U.S. and around the world through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), make checks payable to Amlin UMC and write UMCOR in the memo line. To designate a specific relief effort or to contribute directly to UMCOR, visit www.gbgm-umc.org/umcor. Thank you.
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