Subject: Awakening the Church: Embracing Our Call to Serve (05/31/'24) -Message

Subject: Awakening the Church: Embracing Our Call to Serve Faith in Action: A Call to the Church In the quiet sanctuaries where sacred songs once filled the air, there is a call that resounds—a quiet thrill urging us to open our doors and show that we care. For hungry hearts and thirsting souls, the church must be a beacon of light, a place to bind wounds and turn darkness into brightness. Many homeless wander, baptized yet with weary feet and hopeful hearts. We often forget the church's mission goes beyond prayers and hymns. "Come, share your bread, invite them in. For I was hungry, I was cold. To clothe the naked is to win a crown of grace, more pure than gold." The scripture speaks clearly: our faith must be accompanied by action and our love by deeds of mercy. With grand buildings and locked doors, we miss the chance to be a home—a solid dock for those roaming the streets. Churches must wake up and heed the call to be the hands and feet of grace, to serve the least, and to be a holy place for all. Faith without works is dead, a hollow creed, a fleeting breath. But love in action brings new life and conquers death. Let us open wide our gates and welcome all who seek His face. In every heart where kindness waits, the church becomes a sacred space. Pastor Steven G. Lee (May 31, 2024)