What Does God Look Like?

The congregation and guests were welcomed for worship by liturgist Clifford Thornton. Birthdays were celebrated for Dakota Stead and Susie Thornton. An announcement was made of the Southwest City Community Theater's presentation of "Virgil's Wedding" on Jan. 16 and 17 at the Southwest City Methodist Church. The congregation shared in a time of fellowship and Megan Elwood and Zoe Thornton lit the altar candles as Patti Carroll played the prelude to worship.

The congregation sang the hymns "Seek Ye First" and "There's Within My Heart a Melody," accompanied by Patti on the clavinova and the orchestra.

Joys were by Doris Fields and Carolyn Queer for time spent with family; for the support of the congregation and the daycare for St. Jude's Children's Hospital; and for the Clifford Thornton family for their recognition by the McDonald County School Foundation. Jim Stauber shared that bald eagles have returned to a nest on the farm along the Elk River. Prayer was requested for Barbara and Jennifer Griffith, for Ron Saunders' brother, for those involved in weather related traffic accidents, and for unspoken requests. Pastor Mary Lou Toft led the congregation in prayer.

Clifford read the scripture lesson, from Genesis 1:26-31.

The orchestra played the Martin Nystrom song "As The Deer" for the music special.

In her message to the children, Mary Lou posed the question "What does God look like?" God is a spirit, so we can't see him, but we know from the Bible that God made us in his image.

Mary Lou's message to the congregation was about loving others. God made us in his image and when His spirit enters us, it allows us to love others as He loves us. If we fail to love others, the love of God is not in us. Some people are easy to love, others more difficult. We should be aware of those who don't know God's love and share God's love with them. Are we willing to sacrificially give our love to all?

The congregation sang "Blessed Assurance," followed by Mary Lou's benediction to close the worship service.

You are welcome at worship services, Sunday's at Pineville UMC, 9:30 a.m.; Noel UMC 11 a.m.; and at Southwest City UMC at 1:30 p.m. Pastor Mary Lou Toft can be reached by phone at 816-729-6767, email at [email protected] or visit Noel MO United Methodist Church on Facebook.