LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Join our United Methodist Churches for First Sunday Communion and experience “Love and be loved” as we study John 15:9-17.

Do we ever question what love really means?

If one checks out The American Heritage Dictionary and read through all 10 variations, including a., b., c. , it is no wonder we have a problem with the word. But let's go to 8. a., where we read “God's benevolence and mercy toward man. b. Man's devotion to or adoration of God, c. The feeling or benevolence, kindness, or brotherhood toward others.”

Now we can understand what John is telling us. It is written that John was a successful business man of means as one of five in a fishing business with the business being in Capernaum and a home in Jerusalem.

There is much more to the story, but we need to move on to the fact that when Jesus called, John left his business to be with Jesus continually. Only in this way could John have written the Gospel documenting the Love of Jesus.

So in our scripture today we find the explanation of “Love and be loved.” The words of Jesus show us the way.

For that get-up-early place to worship, join our Potter Valley United Methodist Church, 10075 Main Street, Potter Valley, at 9 a.m.

Join Clearlake Oaks UMC, 12487 The Plaza, at noon.

For an afternoon service join with us at Clearlake UMC, 14521 Pearl Avenue at 2 p.m.

We pray that we see many visitors in our churches in the beautiful days of spring.

Dawn-Karen Roberts is pastor of the United Methodist Churches in Clearlake, Clearlake Oaks and Potter Valley.