Monday, March 17, 2008

 

It has often been said that "we only hear what we want to hear" and I believe there is some truth to this saying.  Often we close our ears to the very words we need to hear the most.  We simply hear what we want to hear.

 

The Gospel stories are replete with accounts of those who stood by in the crowds that followed Jesus throughout his Galilean ministry but only heard what they wanted to hear ... the Pharisees, the rich, the self righteous.  Yet, the amazing thing is that the common people heard Jesus gladly.  They were the ones who were able to understand his message of God's Love and our Forgiveness.  They were the ones who gathered at the foot of the cross at the hour of his crucifixion.  And what did they hear?  They heard the words that we can still hear and understand today.

 

     They heard words of forgiveness ... "Father forgive them..."

     They heard words of promise ... "This day thou shalt be with me in paradise"

     They heard words of physical anguish ... "I thirst"

     They heard words of the anguish of the soul ... "Why hast thou forsaken me?"

     They heard words of fulfillment ... "It is finished"

     They heard words of confidence ... "Into Thy hands I commit my spirit?   .

 

But the words that echo so loudly in my mind today are the words of compassion and caring that he spoke to his disciple, "Behold your mother."  John 19:26-27.  Even in that darkest hour, His concern was for his mother who would be left alone and homeless without him.

 

I take those words from the Cross to be a clear challenge to us today to take care of those who are alone and bereft in this world ... the homeless and all those entrusted to our care here at People's City Mission.

 

May this Holy Week be filled with new meaning for you as together we contemplate Christ's sacrifice, celebrate His resurrection, and affirm His living presence in our lives.

 

 

 

Lord, hear our prayers for five-year-old Braedon and his mother as they work through Braedon's behavioral problems.

 

Lord, hear our prayers for Diane and her three children as they move out of the Family Shelter and into their own apartment.  Be with them and guide them with Thy love that they may have the strength to avoid the behaviors that brought them to the Mission.

 

Lord, hear our prayers for Florence, a woman disabled from polio who is looking for work.

 

Thanks be to God for the donor who volunteered to help the young, Curtis Center guest who is struggling with mental health issues and a history of abuse.

 

Thanks be to God that Steve was offered a full-time job, with benefits, at U Stop and that Steve's son, William, survived his heart surgery and is recovering.

 

Thanks be to God for this Holy Week.  May Christ's spirit be in our hearts and minds this week as we prepare for Easter Sunday.

 

 

Every Sunday we hold a 40 minute worship service at 10:00 a.m. in the Reed Chapel at the Mission.  All of the Mission guests are invited.

 

We are looking for churches to volunteer to be responsible for worship for one month (4 or 5 Sundays).   This responsibility includes providing someone to lead worship, preach the message, lead music and serve coffee and donuts.  We have a piano in the Chapel.

 

If your church would like to help, please call Sonny Hill at 475-1303.

 

 

Your generosity is overwhelming!  Some churches don't want to give up their barrels! 

 

On behalf of our Mission guests and those from the community who use the Distribution Center, we thank you for sharing your used clothing with us.

 

The Distribution Center needs used furniture.  We will pick up your furniture donation.  Please call 475-6892.

 

The Distribution Center also needs diapers, particularly large sized diapers.

 

The Mission cafeteria needs flatware... spoons, forks and table knives. 

 

We continue to use egg cartons for our donor who brings us fresh, country eggs.

 

Grocery bags!  

 

If you have something to donate and are wondering if we can use it, please call Rick at 475-6888.

 

 

Bloom where you are planted! 

Christ calls us to service right where we live.

 

The Advisory Board had a great meetinng on March 6.  Rick Ragsdale was honored for his service to the Advisory Board.  Those in attendance were able to tour our new facilities.

 

Best of all, we were able to idenfity new ways to work together... in the spirit of Christ's love ...  to reach out to the poor and the homeless in our community.

 

If your church or group is looking for a new way to help at the Mission, please call Sonny Hill at 475-1303.  We want to be part of your home missions outreach!