Subject: Embracing Radical Love: Reviving Jesus' Spirit in Our Time (06/12/'24) -Message

Subject: Embracing Radical Love: Reviving Jesus' Spirit in Our Time In the heart of the city, where shadows loom and the forgotten wander in silent gloom, a light shines from ancient days. It is a call to love in modern ways, echoing through the noise and haste of our bustling streets. Jesus dined with sinners, those cast aside. In their company, He did not hide. Tax collectors and the scorned He knew, offering a radical love, both pure and true. "Come to the table," His voice still rings, "where grace and mercy spread their wings. The least of these, the lost, the shamed, in my kingdom, they are named." Today, as we walk these busy avenues with hurried steps and hurried hearts, His call remains clear and bright: to love the outcast, to be the light. To homeless souls and those in chains, to hearts burdened with silent pains, we extend our hands and break down walls, for in their eyes, His spirit calls. Compassion over judgment must reign, transforming hearts from grief and pain. We advocate for justice, lifting our voices, and in every act, let love rejoice. We create spaces where all belong, where empathy and grace are strong. A community where hope can bloom, where every life finds ample room. In this work, His spirit lives. In every touch, in all we give. We revive the heart of ancient grace in every time, in every place. Let us walk with heads held high, with open hearts and vision nigh. Embrace the call, in love be free, and revive His spirit for all to see. In the heart of the city, where the forgotten wander, the light of ancient days calls us to a new kind of love—a love that dines with sinners, embraces the shamed, and names them beloved in a kingdom where all are welcome. Pastor Steven G. Lee (June 12, 2024)