2-Feb-25 (Luke 4:21-30)

Jesus tried to get his home congregation to see that the realm of God was far bigger than they thought. That the love, respect, and looking out for each other extended to all people everywhere. Later he said that the best place to begin was with the poor, the outcasts, and the forgotten.
One way we have to do that is through how we spend our own time and efforts, and another is through our financial gifts which allow that work to go on here within the congregation, but also in our wider community and throughout the world.
Seeing that people are fed and clothed and have safe places to live is a good way for us to show that the realm of God is indeed among us.
So, let's consider how we can participate in the wideness of God's love in word and in deed as we take up our offering for today.

Prayer:

Please join me now in a spirit of prayer.
God, who loves us all, help us to see beyond the artificial and self-serving boundaries that we place on who we love. Help us to reach out in your love for all people in the things that we personally see to and in the things that our resources accomplish in the work of the Church.
Bless these gifts and use them to extend your realm even further.
We pray in the name of Jesus, who demonstrated your love to us, Amen.