Thoughts Along the Way February 4, 2022

Thoughts Along the Way

Pastor Tom Joyce

February 4, 2022

 

“Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The One who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “go, and do likewise.”

Luke 10:36-37

 

In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, the lawyer wanted a definition of who could be classified as his “neighbor.” Jesus, as is always the case, does not define people in terms of geography, demographics, politics, nationality, or religion. There are entire industries surrounding categorizing people; even hospitals ask patients about nationality and race, but not Jesus. Categories have a tendency to separate God’s people and the business of Jesus is celebrating the unity of the Body of Christ, not to cause separations. In the movie, “Land,” Edee’ just wanted to be alone and not bothered by humanity which in her experience was quite violent and uncaring. While being alone in a broken down cabin with no electricity in the middle of nowhere, she passed out from hunger and exhaustion. Miguel, a local hunter saw her need, stopped and cared for her and taught her how to live on her own in the unyielding mountains. When Edee’ asked why Miguel helped her, his response was simple, “you were in my path.” There is no easy definition of a neighbor, except that a neighbor is one that shares with another mercy along the path of life, no matter the path and no matter how the world may define the recipient of grace and mercy along the way.  The Kingdom of God is not about statistical categories or demographic descriptions; it is all about “being a neighbor” to another in the love of Christ while “loving God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength and with all your mind.” (Luke 10:27) There is no limit to the grace God, through Jesus, offers you; why should there be limits to the mercy and grace you offer to another?  Living a life of faith is not always easy but it is always a blessing and a privilege.




      

 

 
 
 
 
 
Our Sunday Summer Worship Schedule begins May 21, 2023. We will have one serve beginning at 10:00 AM. Our Saturday evening Service will start June 3, 2023 and be held outside in our pavilion at 5:00 pm.
 
 
Pastoral Visits:
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!
 
Pastor Tom Joyce
 
 
If you wish to join us in person but are not ready to enter the building, you can worship from your car, tuned in to 88.5 FM or from the comfort of your home by tuning in to one of our online platforms below
 

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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.

 
 
 
 
 

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Our Mission: To make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the World.

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Our Mission: To make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the World.