LIVING GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH - HAWLEY MN
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What does LOVE look like?
By Pastor Hope Deutscher
 
   Love. How do you define what love is? One of the Greek words for love is agape, which is self-sacrificing, generous (not greedy or selfish), and unending, undeserving and generous. The word “love” appears more than 700 times in the NRSV version of scripture. One of the most well-known verses is John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”  And then later in John, Jesus says to his disciples, after he’s washed their feet and said one of them would betray him: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”
   That command may be tough to live up to – but that doesn’t mean we should give up before we even try. So what does love look for us?
  • Christian love is realizing that we need to be understanding. As we carefully return to some in-person worship and events, love is realizing that some people are not comfortable attending in-person events or church. Love is for both those who are not comfortable coming and those who are comfortable coming, to give grace to the other.
  • Love is praying for and helping one another by continuing to follow CDC and MN health guidelines; praying for all who are working to end the pandemic with vaccines, and continuing to care for those who are ill.
  • Love is going through a pandemic, and find ways to be church: worshipping online, being in video Zoom Bible and book studies; and gathering food and financial support for local ministries.
  • Love is helping one another grow in our faith – being supportive, reading scripture, and discussing God’s presence in our lives.
   “We must respect ourselves enough to break the pattern of placing unrealistic expectations on others. … Being full of God’s love settles, empowers, and brings out the best of who we are,” says author Lysa Terkeurst in an online blog. “But living loved isn’t just their mind-set; it is a choice we make daily. It isn’t just a possible thing we should try. It’s the only solution that actually works. We have to tell our minds to live loved.”  
   Loving others can be hard work. But God’s sacrificial love gives us the strength - and love - to follow Jesus’ command to love one another. May we live loved!

May you have a blessed February and Happy Valentine’s Day! God’s blessings and love,

Pastor Hope Deutscher
 
Other Sermons/Resources:

We Have Hope in a New Year and in the Good News of Christ

We Are A Transforming Church

Road to Emmaus Wellness Guide by Portico Health Benefits
Join an 8-week journey with the disciples on the Road to Emmaus as you contemplate your own well-being. 

Do not be afraid! He is Risen! Sermon, April 12, 2020

We are Easter People Living in a Good Friday World (April 2020 Newsletter Article)

Contemplative Practices During Times of Anxiety

Faith Over Fear Sermon, Living Grace 3/15/20

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