“Love is the Way: Sharing God’s Love”

Dear SDUMC Family,

As you have witnessed, our 2020 stewardship theme has been Love Is The Way. We started this series as Rev. Faith reminded us to give thanks for those who have shared God's love with us. Last week, we shared how God's love transforms us when we are open to this amazing gift. This Sunday and next, we'll reflect on how God calls us to share this love with others.

Bishop Michael Curry recently released a book, Love Is The Way that we've discussed throughout our series. One passage from the book spoke to me in this stewardship season, "The way of love will show us the right thing to do, every single time. It is moral and spiritual grounding—and a place of rest—amid the chaos that is often part of life. It's how we stay decent in indecent times. Loving is not always easy, but like with muscles, we get stronger both with repetition and as the burden gets heavier. And it works."

John Wesley, one of the founders of the Methodist Church, shared a similar sentiment, "Love cannot be hid any more than light; and least of all when it shines forth in action, when ye exercise yourselves in the labour of love, in beneficence of every kind." Wesley was referencing Matthew 5:14-16, part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. What struck me was that Wesley's thoughts in 1748 are so similar to that of Bishop Curry.

Take a few moments with me and ponder how you are sharing God's love in the world around you. I also hope you'll join me this Sunday in Livestream Worship at 9:30 a.m. or Outdoor Worship at 10:45 a.m. (it's supposed to be a beautiful Sunday morning). We have many special elements for worship, both on livestream and outside this week. It's a Sunday not to be missed.

As always, thank you for continuing to share God's love through your prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness during this challenging period in our world. Please know through your gifts, you are making a difference in our community and the world.

Grace, Peace, and Weekend Blessings,