Mercy

Saturday, March 11

Then the king will say at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;

Since the earliest churches, we shared the Word of God with each other, building a foundation, which leads us closer, or at times back, into God’s arms. By singing hymns, hearing the lessons, teaching Sunday School and making offerings, we imitate Christ’s example, which leads others to follow.

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink;

Every week our Sunday School students bring in food items for the food pantry. The food goes to local families struggling to make ends meet. Many times through the month, these families run out of food and pray for help. Sometimes the parents will not eat, so that their children can. People like you answer their prayers! Our Social Ministry group provides food baskets during the holidays, when our finances are at the worst. They fill our cabinets and refrigerator for many weeks. He gave us food and I was neither hungry nor thirsty again.

I was a stranger and you welcomed me;

We are so blessed with warm greetings from many members. We are welcomed with kindness, joy and understanding. No matter how different we are, where we have came from, or what we have done wrong in our lives. Each of us is welcomed and no one is ever turned way, just as it is in Heaven.

I was naked and you gave me clothing;

When winter is upon us, the Giving Tree is put out with great love and care to provide help for those who need it. This past Christmas, a little girl grew so quickly her parents could not keep up. They somehow managed to provide clothes for school, but buying pajamas was out of their reach. The Giving Tree blessed her with many warm girl’s pajamas and a warm winter coat, so she didn’t have to use her brother’s old t-shirts as nightshirts anymore. Best of all, she was no longer embarrassed to go over to a friend’s house for a sleepover!

I was sick and you took care of me;

When we were sick in the hospital or home recovering from surgery…your people came with smiles, hugs of warmth, covered dishes and many prayers. Those aided our recovery.

I was in prison and you visited me;

Trapped in domestic violence, with nowhere to turn, afraid, feeling alone, ashamed, God sent his Pastor and a friend to unlink the chains that bound us. He restored and strengthened our faith, and gave us the courage to be free and replaced the pain and suffering with love and compassion.

Matthew 25: 34-36

Let us pray:

Oh God when I have food help me to remember the hungry; When I have work help me to remember the jobless; When I have a warm home, help me to remember the homeless; When I am without pain, help me to remember those who suffer; And remembering, help me to destroy my complacency and bestir my compassion. Make me concerned enough to help, by word and deed, those who cry out for what we take for granted. Amen.

Debbie Chesney

peacefuldove@optonline.net