Almost everyone, Christian or not, knows the parable of the Good Samaritan. This story Jesus told 2,000 years ago is so compelling that it is part of how we designate someone as good and compassionate. We even have laws named “Good Samaritan” that seek to protect those trying to help others from litigation if something goes wrong in the process of helping. We know this story like the “back of our hand” as the saying goes. But there is another saying, “familiarity breeds contempt.” Do we know this parable so well that we have stopped being surprised and instructed by its wisdom? Read Luke 10:25-37 slowly and deliberately asking God to help you hear the story the way those who first heard Jesus’ words heard it two centuries ago. Bring your impressions with you Sunday and see what God does as we explore this amazing Biblical text together.
A Call to Prayer for General Conference
After almost three years of preparation the Special Called General Conference meets beginning Saturday, February 23rd and running through Tuesday February 26th. The purpose of this meeting is to consider recommendations from the Commission on the Way Forward regarding the way the United Methodist Church understands sexual ethics and how we will be in ministry to LGBTQ persons in the future. There is a plethora of information regarding General Conference available under the resource tab of the church website.
As the 864 delegates from around the world gather for the Conference in Saint Louis this Saturday they will begin by being in prayer from 9:00am to 3:30pm CST. Please take some time during the day Saturday and offer your own prayers for the work of the delegates as they seek to make crucial decisions regarding the future of the United Methodist Church. I will be framing my own prayers around the Lord’s Prayer, particularly the petition, “...your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Also pray specifically for our local congregation at Denver. Pray that regardless of what the General Church decides we will continue to be a vital and vibrant expression of God’s love in our community. Our hope comes from the promise of Christ that we are His Church and, “...not even the gates of Hades will prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). We will still be in ministry and mission to our community and world on February 27 no matter what happens in Saint Louis!
If you are interested in following the proceedings of General Conference you may do so: All of the sessions of the special General Conference will be The meetings of the special General Conference are open to the public. If you are present in St. Louis, you can register and attend as a guest of the special General Conference. All of the sessions of the special General Conference will be
streamed live here.
On Saturday, February 23, the live stream will begin at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 3:30 p.m. CT. On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, the live stream will begin at 8:00 a.m. CT and conclude at 6:30 p.m. CT.
Blessings,Pastor Steve
