Unleashing

Of the four Gospels, Mark’s was written first and is the shortest. Its tone is also the most urgent. There are fewer details in the telling of events and the word “immediately” is used often. Our capital campaign, “Fulfilling the Master’s Plan: Honoring the Past and Ensuring the Future,” challenges us to do the work that’s urgently necessary “under our roof” so we can be better prepared to reach out and do the work that’s urgently necessary “beyond our walls.” The work of sharing Christ’s love in the heart of downtown Gainesville and far beyond with open hearts, open minds and open doors. Like countless others have in First UMC’s 160+ years of faithful discipleship, let’s say “Count me in!” 

Jesus is called beloved by God in the waters of baptism and perseveres through the trials of the wilderness. Both events empower him to begin his public ministry and unleash a love into the world that had never been experienced before. How do our personal celebrations and challenges empower us to be the perfectly imperfect, passionate disciples of Jesus Christ God calls us to be?