Richmond United Christian Presbyterian Church

Use your pain to comfort others. 2 Corinthians 1:1-11, Mark 2:1-12

They brought a paraplegic to him, carried by four men. When they weren’t able to get in because of the crowd, they removed part of the roof and lowered the paraplegic on his stretcher. Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus said to the paraplegic, Son, I forgive your sins. Mark 2:3-5 TheMsg

The Son was supreme in the beginning andleading the resurrection paradehe is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he’s there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so expansive, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universepeople and things, animals and atomsget properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross. Colossians 1:18-20 The Msg

Coping w/ Life's Hurts 3 - Pain & Shame, Mark 5:24-34, Romans 8:26-34

I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. Isaiah 61:10 CEB

Our Friendship Committee (formerly church growth) is seeking a family to adopt for the next 12 months. Seeking a low-income or lower middle-class family w/ at least one child. We have a simple one page application to fill out, due to Bob, Teresa, or myself by Dec. 15. We plan to give food (or a grocery gift card) for Christmas & next Thanksgiving, & Christmas & birthday gifts. If you know a family that could use a boost in these ways, please let us know.

The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives,... and release to the prisoners; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn. Isaiah 61:1-2 NRSV See more

Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, blessthat’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing. I Peter 3:8-9 TheMsg

Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it’s God’s order. So live responsibly as a citizen. If you’re irresponsible to the state, then you’re irresponsible with God, and God will hold you responsible. Duly constituted authorities are only a threat if you’re trying to get by with something. Decent citizens should have nothing to fear. Romans 13:1-3 TheMsg (The Message)

Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew’s house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them. When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit, and lit into Jesus’ followers. What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riffraff? Jesus, overhearing, shot back, Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: ‘I’m after mercy, not religion.’ I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders. Matthew 9:10-13 TheMsg

In a well-furnished kitchen there are not only crystal goblets and silver platters, but waste cans and compost bucketssome containers used to serve fine meals, others to take out the garbage. Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing. 2 Timothy 2:20-21 The Msg

There’s more: God’s Word warns us of danger and directs us to hidden treasure. Otherwise how will we find our way? Or know when we play the fool? Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh! Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work; Then I can start this day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin. These are the words in my mouth; these are what I chew on and pray. Accept them when I place them on the morning altar, O God, my Altar-Rock, God, Priest-of-My-Altar. Psalm 19:14 TheMsg

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of Godwhat is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 NRSV

This is God’s Word on the subject: As soon as Babylon’s seventy years are up and not a day before, I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned outplans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. Jeremiah 29:11 The Msg