White pages make it easy to learn who my neighbors are through their neighbors’ page. By entering in my address, White pages uses a robust data set to search through who else is living within the proximity of the address I have provided to bring me a list of names of who my neighbors are. White pages also offer the ability to monitor my neighbors. I can track who is moving in and out with their Neighborhood Watch service, which provides me with my neighbor’s background check report and the peace of mind of knowing the safety of my neighborhood. Okay, no knock-on personal security, but wasn’t Jesus getting at something else?
It’s one thing to know my neighbor but another thing to genuinely care for them!
Jesus told a story of a traveling man going to Jerusalem. He’s jumped, robbed, and beaten to near death on the road. His assailants leave him to die. Over an unspecified amount of time, several other travelers pass by the bloodied and beaten man. They see him and his desperate life and death situation yet decide for unknown reasons that there was no time for them to assist. Their own business, appointments, family obligations pulled them past the dying man. They were too busy. They did not see the injured man as their neighbor. Perhaps they had never known God’s rescue!
Another traveler appears. Jesus called him the “Good Samaritan.” Ironically, Jews and Samaritans did not see each other as good or worthwhile. For a Samaritan to assist a hurt Jewish man was unthinkable and vice versa. Yet, this Samaritan found it in his heart to make the time and rescue the injured Jewish man. He didn’t check the “White pages”, he just pitched in, got involved and saved a man who was very different than himself. God has done the same thing for each of us, who on no efforts of our own, needed rescue!
Summertime brings many homeless individuals across our path at Christ’s Body. Recent surveys paint a grim picture of soaring numbers of homeless individuals in our cities on the Front Range. Most are in desperate need of a Good Samaritan. Most are in desperate need for food, clothing, and hope-a hope that God still loves them and will bind up their wounds and heal them.
The heart of our work at Christ’s Body is to make time and see and help those in need. We strive to see beyond their present circumstances to who they are. I hope that you will continue to be with us too. Your prayers, volunteer hours and financial support are our summer life blood. You help us to be Good Samaritans to thousands of homeless people every week. We want to bind up the broken-hearted and care for those whose only hope is to meet the heavenly Good Samaritan!
Blessings to you!
Pastor Jim
If you have any questions, prayer requests or other issues, call us at 303-860-1272 or email us at info@christsbody.org.
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There’s something about receiving, or giving away, a gift wrapped bible. When both the giver and the recipient know of the sweetness of the truth within its pages, it almost always results in a tear of joy and a gratefulness for moments shared.
We met Jonathan (pictured right) last month at our monthly taco outreach with Kitchen One for One. Over the course of the outreach we learned a bit about his story, his heart, and his hopes for the future. Jonathan has been homeless for a number of years, since starting a long road to recovery from a traumatic brain injury that left him paralyzed in most of his body. Growing up on a farm in the midwest, his desire is to be on a farm again, and that’s exactly where he is slated to head this month.
In our encounter with him, we were able to give him food and clothes, but most importantly to hear his story and talk with him about following Jesus. To sit with him and care. To give him a new bible for his journey. To encourage him in the Lord and to pray with him as he embarks on his next step.
We write about Jonathan this month to put him on your prayer list. “God, thank you for moments like these, to meet a precious man whom You love. We ask you to draw Jonathan to you. To rest in You, Jesus, as his hope and security. Bless him with Your presence. We ask You to protect and guide him. As he ventures up north may the time You give him draw him to the truth of Your Word. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen."
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THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME |
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After a lengthy “pause” on church services being held at Christ’s Body due to COVID, Christ’s Body started back up regular weekly church services once again in August of 2022. We had only two guests from the community that day, but we knew God was starting something.
Now, fast forward to today (August 2023, one year later) and our church service on Friday mornings continues to grow. We continue to experience record attendance breaking into the twenties for all of July and August thus far. Those numbers represent a growing group of ‘regulars’ that call CBM their church home.
I think one of the lessons gained from a worldwide pandemic is that people are made for connection. People yearn to be seen and heard. And this is often best accomplished in community. God knew this, and so he set up people in a community called ‘church’ as the vehicle to share the good news of the gospel to the world. And we have a good one established again here on CBM’s campus. For many, this is their church home. And to that we say, “there’s no place like home."
If you desire to help us build our community through our church to the homeless, visit us any Friday morning at 10 AM to worship with us - we'd all love to worship with you!
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YOUR CARE IN ACTION
Christ’s Body would like to thank you for your ongoing and faithful support! As the number of individuals we see on the streets has grown, so then does the need for additional resources.
We are in need of prayer support, volunteer involvement, clothing and hygiene items, and bibles for us to distribute.
Also, your financial support is crucial in our ability to meet these needs.
Please prayerfully deliberate and consider becoming a monthly financial partner with us?
Thank you for choosing to make Christ’s Body a part of your giving process!
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Stop By during Regular Donation Hours:
Monday - Friday from 8 AM - 2 PM
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