MAKING CHANGE THROUGH LOVE

"We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another."

-I John 3:16
 

Last week we talked about what it means to love…to really love in a  “be changed and change the world kind of way.” We are loved that powerfully by Christ. He taught us that loving that way means laying down our life for another. This is hard stuff. It doesn’t come naturally.

So how do we learn to love this way? We practice. If you want to learn to beautifully speak another language, then go to the land where that language is spoken. If you want to improve in a particular sport, go to the field, court, or course that was built for its playing. If you want to grow in Christ’s kind of love, practice in the community founded and grown through His powerful Spirit. Come, get on the practice field. Practice serving and laying down some gifts, time, resources, and care. Feel free to laugh, get dirty, make mistakes, and grow.  All the while we are being shaped by the practice of loving in the way of Christ. Christ is shaping us in love. He is preparing us to be better at shaping our world in love.

Come and practice loving in new and different ways!  Call to talk to the volunteer receptionist at 812-332-6396 or email volunterreceptionist@fumcb.org to sign up or ask questions!
 

Opportunities to “Lay it Down”
How might you offer yourself in this Christ-following community in a new or deeper way?

Connect:
Support connections to God, this community, and each other

1.    Welcome Teams in the Sanctuary
2.    Welcome Teams at the Open Door
3.    New Member Sponsors/Friends
4.    Newcomer Information Team: Welcome Tables, ‘First Connections Gathering’

Grow:
Grow in faith with one another

1.    Teaching Team: Sunday School during the summer for children, or during the year for children or youth
2.    Chaperone Teams: Vacation Bible School or Jr./Sr. High Youth
3.    Small Groups: Participant, facilitator, or organizer
4.    Worship Liturgists: Read in worship
5.    Communion Teams in the Sanctuary
6.    Communion Teams at the Open Door

Serve:
Reach out to one another

1.    Habitat Building Team for June
2.    Tornado Relief Teams
3.    Caring Teams (Visit or write notes to the homebound and sick)
4.    Nursing Home Visiting Team (Visit Elder Folk in Nursing Homes)
5.    Feeding Teams: Planning and preparing Church/community picnic or FEAST community meal