I went to the doctor today, and was tested for COVID and Influenza. Both tests came back negative, the doctor said I was not contagious and prescribed some meds to help treat my symptoms. I thank all of you who have been praying and reaching out to offer encouragement.
God Thought You Were Worth Dying For
I’m reading Tokens of Trust by Rowan Williams. He makes very plain and very direct some points we all know, but which it is good for us to continue to ponder.
“God is the unique source of everything. Therefore, there is nothing God is forced to do.”
God didn’t need to create. God was not lacking anything. And yet God chose both to create us and to love us, without there being “anything” in it for God.
“The love that God shows in making the world, like the love he shows towards the world once it is created, has no shadow or shred of self-directed purpose in it; it is entirely and unreservedly given for our sake.”
Despite the fact that God has nothing to gain from loving us, God is neither miserly nor stingy with love. Indeed, God has gone as far as anyone can for love.
“The love God shows, in creating us as much as in saving us, is completely free. He doesn’t owe us anything. He has chosen that we should exist and he has chosen to treat us always as lovable – as it has been forcefully expressed: ‘he has thought that we were worth dying for’.” — Rowan Williams [1]
When you doubt your purpose or your value, when you wonder if you are loved, remember “God thought we were worth dying for.” To be specific, God thought you were worth dying for.
[1] Rowan Williams, Tokens of Trust (Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Know Press, 2007), chap. 1, Electronic Version.
Ash Wednesday Service is In Person
A clarification that the Ash Wednesday Service tomorrow (Wednesday, February 18, 2026) at 7:00 p.m. will be in person in the sanctuary for the imposition of ashes.
Worship — Sunday, February 15, 2026
Looking for a previous service? Here’s the College Avenue United Methodist Church YouTube page: www.youtube.com/c/caumcMHK.
Ash Wednesday Service
We will hold our traditional Ash Wednesday service, featuring the imposition of ashes, this next Wednesday (February 18, 2026) at 7:00 p.m.
I Believe in Christianity
“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything else.” — C. S. Lewis [1]
I agree with Lewis, Christianity is more than just an objective truth, it is a worldview, a way of looking at and making sense of the world. The Christian faith is not just something we admire from a distance—it is a way of observing and making sense of everything else around us.
[1] “Reflections: Christianity Makes Sense of the World.” C.S. Lewis Institute, December 1, 2013. http://www.cslewisinstitute.org.
Lay Leadership Report
A copy of the updated report listing those serving on committees and commissions for 2026 was placed in every mailbox this morning. You don’t need to do anything with this report; we’re just trying to make the information available to everyone. If you don’t have a church mailbox, but would like one, just contact the church office.
Not a Transaction, Mechanism, or Formula
I’m looking at Why Did Jesus Have to Die? by Adam Hamilton for a future book study. He makes a critical point I want to share here.
“Jesus’ death is not primarily a transaction, mechanism, or formula—it is not a divine quid pro quo where one thing automatically results in another (Jesus’ death procures our forgiveness, for instance). Instead, the Crucifixion is first and foremost a Word or message from God. This Word has the power to save, to deliver, to rescue, to redeem, to forgive, to heal, to inspire, and to love. It is intended to move us, to change us, to open our eyes and our hearts, to transform us, and to heal us and the world.” [1]
Adam Hamilton. Why Did Jesus Have to Die?: The Meaning of the Crucifixion ( Nashville, TN: The United Methodist Publishing House, 2025), Kindle, 7.
Worship — Sunday, February 1, 2026
Looking for a previous service? Here’s the College Avenue United Methodist Church YouTube page: www.youtube.com/c/caumcMHK.
Bishop Wilson on the Violence in Minneapolis
Our Bishop wrote an excellent letter regarding the what’s going on in Minneapolis. I wanted to be sure and share it with you.
Worship — Sunday, January 25, 2025
I had requests for Psalms I named in this video. The Psalms I most often use in my devotions are Psalm 124, Isaiah 43:1-3a, Psalm 46, and Psalm 121. I also had requests for the Bibles and commentaries I named, but that’s going to have to be another post at a later date.
Looking for a previous service? Here’s the College Avenue United Methodist Church YouTube page: www.youtube.com/c/caumcMHK.
Church Office Closed Monday
Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 has cancelled classes for tomorrow, Monday, January 26, 2026. We’ll follow church policy and keep the church office closed tomorrow as well.