Celebrate Jesus! July 11, 2022
Celebrate Jesus!
Pastor Tom Joyce
July 11, 2022
“The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
Luke 5:27-32
Jesus said, “love your neighbor as yourself.” This is one of the two great commandments that summarize “all the law and the prophets.” The interesting thing about Jesus is that in giving us this commandment, he made no accommodation for excluding anyone from the banquet table. Welcoming and loving our neighbor is all about treating all people as children of God with the understanding that we are all in the same boat in the eyes of Jesus; beloved and in need of grace. When we exclude people based on what we think we know about someone, or based on what we know to be true, we miss out on an opportunity to welcome someone in the name of Jesus as a fellow sojourner through life’s twists and turns. Everyone has a story to share and to want to hear that story, especially around a table is offering the gift of your presence and faith to them. The calling to loving neighbor is not a suggestion by Jesus, it is an imperative to celebrate the people God has placed along your path. Every summer holiday the neighborhood we lived in put picnic tables together and had we had a party; some have been getting together for a long time and others for the first time. By the end of the evening, we were more than just neighbors, we were friends sharing stories and laughter. Maybe the Kingdom of God is like that; a big old block party sharing the love of Christ with each other, always with room for one more! Thank you Jesus.
If you would like a visit or would just like to talk, please let me know. Please
call or text me at 330-416-1817, call the church office at 440-327-8753, or email me at
fieldsumcpastor@gmail.com. As always, I am available to pray anytime, just give me a call. I
am here for you and honored to be your pastor. God is good all the time!
Please join us on Sunday on our webpage:
www.fieldsumc.org (click livestream)
FaceBook: www.facebook.com/fieldsunitedmethodistchurch, or
Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/fieldsumc/videos.
The ministry of Jesus Christ continues though Fields especially during this time. If you are able to give, here are a few options:
Online: www.fieldsumc.org tap “giving”
Text: 440-319-3537
Mail: Fields United Methodist Church
34077 Lorain Rd.
North Ridgeville, Ohio 44039
Thank you for your prayers and support.
Our Mission: To make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the World.
and Podcast License
#CSPL016520
CVLI #503204932
WorshipCast #8044