This past Sunday morning we gathered outside of UniPlace for a worship service. We were delighted to see Samir playing the organ loud enough for us to hear outside, and able to wheel the piano towards the Sanctuary doors. It may have been a short service, but the fellowship with friends was incredible. Thank you all for joining us.
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We also wanted to share these words from our Community Connector, Jess:
In the fourth chapter of his letter, Peter is preparing the followers of Jesus for hard times. In the midst of his warnings though, he notes they should continue to practice hospitality, and to use the gifts they have to serve others. Perhaps anticipating that in the face of hardship, they might pull back, or hoard resources — leaving their communities without support from the people of God.
I love how Eugene Peterson has translated this in the Message version of the Bible: “Take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it. If words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One Mighty.”
The Community Dinner, which you have all so faithfully supported over the years is a way this community is aligned with not only these words from Peter, but in fact the whole of scripture — as God calls us, over and over again, to love the world and those in need. In this uniquely difficult time, with its own sufferings and hardships, I am so honored to witness UniPlace refusing to pull back. Keeping the dinner going at this time is one way we are saying to this community, “you can depend on us to respond to your needs with the love of Christ Jesus.”
View this weeks message from Pastor Kris here: https://youtu.be/xpJUeTYQ7ME