“Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and remain in his love. I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full.” (John 15:9-11)
Most of us desire to be remembered, to have and to know our place in life. We all want that. What are the connections that will sustain my life even when I am gone? What difference have I made in this world? Those are the questions Jesus is addressing as he speaks to his disciples in today’s gospel.
It is the evening of the last supper. Jesus is speaking final words, one last sermon, to his disciples. He is preparing them for life without his physical presence, foreshadowing what resurrected life, Easter life, is to be like. He offers some direct answers to those questions: You are my friends. Abiding love is the connection that will sustain you.
Most of us spend a lifetime searching for those answers and trying to make them our own. They must, however, become more than intellectual answers. They must become lived answers. We learn to trust and live those answers in relationship with one another. Life is a school for learning to love. Death is a school for learning to live.
Our searching for those answers is ultimately our searching for Christ. That searching is always there, but it becomes more acute in those times when mortality becomes reality. In those moments we want something those we love can hold on to, something to comfort, encourage, and reassure us that our lives have made a difference.
Join us this week at Sedona United Methodist Church as the Rev. Fred Mast shares a special Mother’s Day inspired message entitled “Mom’s Jesus Recipe for Life”. Sunday mornings we enter the spirit of worship at 9:30am for (On-site/In-Person) featuring meaningful and uplifting music, special times of prayer and passionate life changing messages designed to move you closer in your relationship with Jesus Christ and others. We look forward to seeing you!
Worship details can be found through our website (www.sedonaumc.org) or by calling the church office (928-282-1780) as well as the opportunity to reserve your seat for worship. We will continue to also offer an amazing Spirit Filled On-Line Worship experience each week.
Sedona UMC offers several weekly book and bible studies: Tuesday’s @ 2PM Adult Studies at “The Gathering Place” in West Sedona; Wednesday’s our Men’s Bible Study at 9am; and Thursday’s our Women’s Bible Study at 9:45am. We offer so many great missions, ministries, and fellowship opportunities at Sedona UMC—Visit our website at us on www.sedonaumc.org and “Like” us on Facebook.
We would love to pray for you! —Prayer requests may be submitted online or by calling us at 928-282-1780. We are conveniently located at 110 Indian Cliffs Road off the Back O’Beyond roundabout on Route 179 in Sedona. All are welcome at Sedona UMC—We look forward to seeing you!—Come and grow with us!
