THE service at Crediton Methodist Church on Sunday, October 20 was led by Rev Wayne Grewcock.

In the reading from Matthew 22 we heard how the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus by asking if it was lawful to pay taxes to the Caesar. Jesus told them to “give to Caesar the things of Caesar and to give to God the things that are God’s”.

Wayne asked us what we felt about taxes – we did not like paying them but had to otherwise we would be prosecuted.

Tax is compulsory. Wayne then asked how do we decide what to give to God. Some people suggested we give service, our heart, love, everything, praise and thanks.

Wayne spoke about living the Jesus Way.  How can we live the way Jesus would have?

What is it today that we need to do? Who is it today that we need to love?

Jesus says love your neighbour – not just those whom we know, but those people with whom we will actually never come into contact. 

Why had we come to church today?

Some said for fellowship, to praise God, and to find God.

Then Wayne asked us to describe this church – it was warm and welcoming, a second home, with family, it has a good feel and is a special place where we can feel the presence of God and focus on Him.

Shoreline is a wholly on-line church that Wayne runs and he said they had been asking all the above questions.

They will never be in a physical place together but it is where people can, like us, feel the presence of God and focus on Him.

We all come as brothers and sisters in Christ to gather, sing, listen to the Bible, ask the question “what does God need of me today and tomorrow?”

How can we live the Jesus way?  The most simplest way is to love.

Do not judge – just love and welcome people even if they are different from us.

God loves you and God calls you and wants to use you to be the most loving person you can be.

The call of the church is to love and welcome and a chat over a cup of tea is a most powerful tool.

It is important to come to worship and to share with those around us.

We are part of God’s family.

Bronwyn Nott