commentary

Great Commandment: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your strength." (Deuteronomy
6:5)
Great Commission: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have
commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end
of the age." (Matthew 28:19)

Our Bishop, Bruce Ough and the Ohio River Valley District
Superintendent, Randy Stearns, have been sharing with the people
in the West Ohio Conference that "Love" comes first. Jesus teaches
us how to love God, our neighbors, friends, family, and even our
self. There are times when we find loving others easy and also times
when it is hard.

But before we can truly go and share the love of Jesus with others
as the Great Commission commands we must learn to love first. We
must remember the Great Commandment in order to live out the
Great Commission.

So how do we love first? Jesus has given us many examples of how
to love. His greatest act of love was dying on the cross for our
salvation. Other examples were demonstrated in his acts of
kindness, compassion, patience, and understanding.

Are we as a person and as a church living out the Great
Commandment? If not, what can be done different?

Let us learn to "love first" in order to live the going and making
followers of Jesus.

Blessings,
Pastor Ann

I cannot tell you the number of times I have heard the comment, “This is like
the church I grew up in as a child.” It is a reminder of wonderful memories and
happy times when families came to church to hear the word of the Lord.

If you are searching for new direction and meaning in life, our hearts, our
minds and our doors are always open.

The people of Clarksville United Methodist Church wish to extend to you a
warm welcome. We invite you to participate in all that we have to offer. We pray
that in some way the Lord will meet you here and bless you with His presence.

Forever HIS,
Pastor Ann Myers

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not
for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and
pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me
with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NRSV)

I was recently reviewing some of my goals that were planned for 2007…They were…

· Continue to serve Jesus.

· To listen and be obedient to Him.

· To cherish the interruptions of my life because in those interruptions are wonderful
Jesus moments.

· Not to be a gossip or listen to gossip

· To say “I love You” more

· To learn

Those goals have become a “lifestyle…a way of living” for me.

For 2008, I will continue to improve on that list and add a few more.

Do you have goals or plans for 2008? The Lord has wonderful plans for you. Have you
talked to Him today? Have you heard His plans? Are you listening to Him?

May your New Year be blessed with Love, Peace, Hope and Joy.

Happy New Year,

Pastor Ann