Be Easy To Love

We were greeted by Gene Gardner who opened our morning service with prayer. David and Kitty Collingsworth were celebrating their anniversary and special prayers were requested for all of those in our congregation traveling, Mildred Carter, Tu Bebee and family and Virgil Winchester. Special thanks to Sandra Rickman for the "Pioneers for Christ" framed collage of our church.

Wayne Johnson and Gene collected our tithes and offerings and we were led in song by Karen Gardner, who sang a special and piano accompaniment from Becky Johnson.

Bro. Mark Hall began Sunday's message "Feelin' the Love" by reading Romans 13:8. "Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law." Bro. Mark told us, "Christianity is a religion of faith not feelings, but nothing fortifies our faith more than love and nothing makes us happier. We must first feel the love of God and then one another." John 15:9 says, "As the Father loved me, I also have loved you; abide in My love."

Bro. Mark told us that there are three reasons given in the Bible to love one another. (John 15:17, "These things I command you, that you love one another.") First, so our joy may be full for our own happiness. Second, because Jesus commanded it. And third, it is how we are identified. Jesus said the proof of Christianity is in your love for one another. Bro. Mark asked, "How are we to love one another? As Jesus loved us. What happens when we don't love one another?" Galatians 5:15 says, "But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another." Bro. Mark said, "Be easy to love. The happiest people are the ones who love everyone for their joy is full. What makes someone easy to love? Ask yourself, 'How can I be easier to love and what can I do?' Think about why you love someone instead of why you don't love someone."

The congregation then joined in sharing their ideas about why it is easy to love someone and who they find easy to love. Many wonderful examples were shared that we can use to apply in our own lives as we show our Christian and unconditional love to others. As we gave characteristics of people who we know that are easy to love, Bro. Mark reminded us that all of them described Jesus. "Who could be easier to love than Jesus? We are supposed to look like Jesus. When someone is easy to love, they look like Jesus. Remember the scripture, 'Love the Lord they God will all your heart, mind, body and soul.'"

In closing, Bro. Mark said, "We are to love God first and then love one another as ourselves second. First show people God loves them and then show people you love them."

Our hymn of invitation was "Jesus Loves Me" and Bob Obenshain gave the benediction by asking the Lord to help us be people that are easy to love.

We invite you to worship with us next Sunday as we celebrate 110 years of service at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. and worship service at 11 a.m. when the Goulds will sing during our morning song service. We will host a fellowship lunch for all and then immediately following lunch, the Goulds will praise God again in song. Everyone is invited to worship with us, have fellowship lunch, listen to Bro. Mark Hall bring us God's message and hear the Goulds. Everyone is welcome. Mill Creek is located 3.5 miles east of Noel just off Highway 90 on Upper Mill Creek Road.