The Pastor's corner for august 2014

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“All around the world, something's going on about Jesus' love.
It's amazing! He loves us all so much with a love so strong.
No one else could love us more. It's amazing!
We're all a little different in many different ways.
No matter where we come from God loves us the same.
None of us  is perfect so he forgives our sin.
Jesus is our Savior and his love will never end.”

Those are the lyrics to a song titled “All Around the World,” the theme song for our 2014 Vacation Bible School program. VBS was held at the Oakland UMC July 20 – 24. This year the theme was 

“Weird Animals – Where Jesus' Love Is One -of -a -Kind.”

Daily, the children learned a Bible point that corresponded to a Bible story and a key Bible verse. For example on Monday evening, the Bible point was Even when you're left out...Jesus loves you! The  Bible story was Jesus heals ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19) and the key Bible verse was, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). 

Throughout the week the children were encouraged to finish a Bible point by shouting “Jesus loves you!”

Even when you're left out.....Jesus loves you!

Even though you're different....Jesus loves you!

Even though you do wrong.....Jesus loves you!

Even when you're afraid.....Jesus loves you!

As I thought about the Bible points and the lyrics to the songs the children learned during their time at VBS, I though those lyrics/Bible points are not only good lessons for our children, they are good lessons for adults, as well. Even as adults we sometimes feel left out, different, afraid, and yes, we still make mistakes and need God's forgiveness. 

May you always have the assurance in your heart, that no matter what......Jesus loves you!

And All God's Children Said,

“Amen.”