Issue 11 February 1, 2022
The Newsletter of Jones Chapel United Methodist Church
“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
—Ephesians 4:16 NIV
“Truth will ultimately prevail where pains is [sic] taken to bring it to life.” George Washington
Valentine’s Day
February 14, 2022
❤️ 💝
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Viola Underdown Recovery at Jones Chapel Larry Rowland Judy & Gene Webster Bill & Terry Aikens Jeff Ward Martha Rose McDowel Amos Humphrey Kim Babb Frank Farner Maynard Wilson Dan Cooper Those with Covid Roger Robertson Kate Anderson Hubert Wilson Rodney Kiser Dale & Dana Hixon Tom Schultz Savanna Blair Peggy Self Family of Steve Ward Unspoken requests Megan Jay Boatman Rita & Judy Craddock Our Church/Israel Our Nation/Leaders/Military Ruth Turner Kim Wood Ukraine Ann Underdown Joyce Ogle Justin Coleman Joan Seaton Peggy Johnson Daryl Sylvester Carol Lennon Family of Gavin Queen Chad Smith Mr. Roberson Jackie Brown Ann Clark Marty & Martin Hochertz Grace Trew Jerry Low Wanda Davis Blankenship Family Wanda Smith Kenneth Graham Tim Crabtree Sandy Lambert Area Opioid Crisis
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. Matthew 10:8
Pastor Brad’s Scribbles:
Loving God Demonstrated by Loving Others
February is a month in which a lot of attention is given to the topic of love. The sad part is most people have absolutely no idea what love looks like or how it’s supposed to act. It’s no wonder. Over the last 50 years or so, thanks mainly to the entertainment industry, the meaning of love for some people has changed.
With today’s worldview, a lot of people are operating on the assumption love is some mysterious thing that just happens and over which you have no control. The number one reason cited for divorce is “I just don’t love him/her anymore.” This statement is often accompanied by a sigh and a shake of the head as though the speaker can’t understand how it could have happened.
The Bible, on the other hand, gives a very different picture of love. In 1 Corinthians 13 we read, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” The present tense form of the verb means that it is ongoing or happening now.
And in 1 John 4:7-8 we learn that love comes from God because God is himself love. No mystery here. Love is clearly defined by God’s word.
Even Christians have somehow bought into the idea that love is a warm fuzzy feeling. But love is not a feeling. It’s a choice. Matthew 5:44 tells us to “love your enemies.” It is impossible to feel warm and fuzzy about people who are hard to love or who do not like us. Enemies don’t inspire those kinds of feelings. So, love is a choice. We have to choose to love someone who does not care about us.
Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35) Rather than focus on our own wants and desires, we need to raise our eyes and see the needs of others. The love God calls us to is not an easy love. Sometimes it is very difficult to love some people. But remember, sometimes it is very difficult for others to love you, too.
By understanding the nature of love and then choosing to operate in it we declare ourselves as followers of Christ. It isn’t the t-shirt we wear or the little fish on our cars. People will know us by our love. We demonstrate our love by loving one another with an abiding love – by forgiving each other, and encouraging each other, bearing each other’s burdens – demonstrating to the world that we are His disciple.
In the dead of winter, trees are difficult to tell apart. The bare branches all tend to look the same against a gray winter sky. In spring the blossoms give a hint of what will follow, but by late summer the identity of the tree is completely revealed with the appearance of fruit. There can be no mistaking an apple tree for a peach tree. The fruit is the evidence.
The same could be said of Christians. From a distance, we might look like anyone else. But upon closer inspection, we should find the fruit of the Spirit as evidence of our experience. In Galatians 5:22 we read, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” The fruit is the result of what has been cultivated, or grown. As we grow in Christ, the fruit of the Spirit grows in us. Or, at least it should, and the fruit is the evidence of the growing.
Loving God and loving others is what we must live by. We love because God first loved us. We love because we are challenged to love and empowered to love by the Holy Spirit. What better way to show God’s love than by showing love to others?
Hope to see you soon! Pastor Brad
“Remember who you are. Don’t compromise for anyone, for any reason. You are a child of the Almighty God. Live that truth.” – Lysa Terkeurst
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
13-Tammy Barker
22-Jerry Edwards
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO:
22-Marty & Suzanna Hochertz
February Church Notes:
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Recovery: a worship service for everyone. Great music and message every Sunday at 4:45 PM in FLC. No service Feb. 13.
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Sunday Eve. Worship starts at 6 PM in the Chapel. No service Feb. 13.
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Wed. Night Bible Study 6 PM in the Chapel. No study Feb. 9.
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We are going to do Valentine’s baskets for those in the nursing home. We need everything by Sunday, February 13. The list for the baskets are pudding cups , 4 pkg. crackers, small pkgs. Kleenex. If someone wants to make Valentines cookies that would be great and Vicki will check on water.
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Please remember to bring Blessing Box items anytime.
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1st Qtr. Mission Offering- House of Mercy.
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Any inspirational items you may have for the Newsletter, please give to Pastor Brad, Perry, or Leslye. Or text to Leslye at 423-506-4139. Text me your favorite Bible Verse, also.
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Any church questions, Pastor Brad. Financial questions, Kim Farris.
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8
A Suggested Devotion-Written by Mother Teresa
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway.
‘ for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Matthew 25:35-36
In biblical thinking, genuine love exists only when good works are done in a context where God rather than the doer gets the credit. – Daniel Fuller
JONES CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Pastor Brad Brown (Jenny)
Services: 590 County Road 778, Athens, TN 37303
Parsonage: 381 CountyRoad 775, Riceville, TN 37370 423-306-0702 Jones Chapel Facebook Page: Recovery at Jones Chapel; joneschapel.net
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