Grace United Church of Christ

God’s grace is given to all of us if we will say “yes.” Adversity can help make space in our hearts for God. Affliction produces endurance which builds character which gives us hope. God and country are not the same, God is over it all. And, God sends us out to share the Good News to everyone

What is our mission? How do we respond to the resurrection? Yes, make disciples of all the nations, but we are also called to do what Jesus commanded, not our own ideas. Love all of God’s creation. Love your enemies and those who persecute you. Give without expectation of return. Do not judge.Treat others as we would like to be treated by them. Be the hands and feet of Christ.

The Holy Spirit unites us on many levels. In times of need, in times of celebration, reach out. Find the strength of connection. Don’t be an part time Facebook connection. Be a constant!

We are one body in Christ. Each part plays a role. Find unity through the heart of God. Find common purpose.

Spreading the power of God’s word can be difficult, even life threatening. But we move forward using the example of Jesus…represented so well by the strong women in the Bible and those in our lives.

What do we lose when we enclose our church in a small setting? What do we miss in the beauty of the world?

Our needs shouldn’t come first. God calls us to love all, seek justice for everyone, no one left behind or pushed aside. There is something more powerful than we are, something we can’t explain. The world needs us to embody this love.

Jesus brings the Good News. Our job is to get out of the locked room and take Jesus’ message to the world. We need to open the door and go out and spread the Good News, not just saying the words, but living them.

We’re all going through something, but today is our opportunity to stop and search and realize that God is here with us.

Empire thrives on division and discord. Jesus calls us to build a world where things get better. James Baldwin said, “Hope is invented everyday.” That is exactly what Jesus calls us to do. We are not alone. When people gather, empire gets nervous.

Remember your past. Use your experiences to fuel your empathy for others.

When the destination is close to home, we don’t tend to notice or appreciate it. God values our relationship more than the distance between us. God calls us to be in relation with everyone, not just those who think or act like us, … the stranger in our midst, the hungry, the thirsty, …

Take time to make miracles for the little things.

God is with us, stand together for peace.

Jesus says we are all blessed, and promises us what we need. Jesus starts his story with the ending, he tells us that we will get what we need. We are called to create an inclusive society. It will be challenging, but we will receive peace, mercy, and the kingdom of heaven. We live between “Oh, Lord” and “Praise, Jesus”

We don’t have all the answers. We can’t know everything. Even with all of today’s technology, we don’t always get the truth, but if we keep seeking the Holy Spirit, God will show us the way.

Sometimes the right move is not to shout louder, but to bring laughter. Sometimes bringing about God’s justice means moving on. Violence will not bring justice. Even when it is hard, God calls us to bring justice.