UNFOLDING LOVE

Have you ever thought about God’s love? God’s love has always been there, ever unfolding, never intruding, but always a constant companion. The very reason that this earth and humanity are here is because of God’s great love.

God wanted a people for Godself. A people to love and to love God back. So, God did what every good parent does, He made preparations for the children to come. The entire account of Creation shows the depth of God’s love.

God didn’t want the people whom He would love to live in chaos (although chaos has been humanity’s trademark!) so He ordered us a world. Love was unfolding. A disruptive love; one that changes everything for the sake of love. Can you imagine if we had to navigate a world that was formless and empty, fending for ourselves? So, God did 2 things – He created the heavens and He created the earth.

And if you follow the pattern of the Creation story, you will see the Creator’s disruptive love unfolding, bringing order out of chaos, giving us the light before anything else. So, it is fitting that when God began to reset the chaos of this world, that He would disrupt the darkness of 400 years of silence by first giving us the Light, the Light of the world, Jesus.

Love took a breath in the form of a little baby. Seems like a strange way to save the world. But remember, God’s love is unfolding from glory to glory. God is always working behind the scenes in ways that we don’t understand. God can even bring a shoot of love from what appears to be a dead stump…

“A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,

and a branch shall grow out of his roots.

The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,

the spirit of wisdom and understanding,

the spirit of counsel and might,

the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.”

Isaiah 11:1-3

This Sunday is the 2nd Sunday of Advent, and we will continue with our Advent Sermon Series - The Unfolding: Unfolding Love! For the first time since the pandemic started, you will NOT need to register for worship! I know, hold the applause, please. If you cannot worship with us in-house, you can also join us online at 10:00am. For online worship go to www.umcgt.org.

Join me for our next State of the Church, on next Saturday, December 11, at 9:30 am. We’ll be in the sanctuary. This is your opportunity to hear an update on church finances and governance.

Advent Adventures begin on next Sunday, December 12, 5:30-7:30pm! The Scavenger Hunt Angels will return, along with caroling, cocoa, and some other surprises.

Enjoy the warm weather we’ve been having, and I hope to see you in worship!

Blessings,

Pastor Linda