Dear FPCLA,
I can’t believe we are in the second half of the year. This year has been full of ups and downs and the journey to figure out what is normal in this pandemic effected year. We are all in the process of enduring, surviving, thriving, stumbling, walking, running…to live. Know that our community exists to love and support one another.
I want to share a story about a phone call I received from a person who comes to the food pantry, who now wants to attend worship. I told him about Wilshire Presbyterian Church at 10 am, and he said that was too early. He asked about our church, FPCLA, and I replied that we have worship at 1:15pm and he said that the time works with him. I also informed him that we are progressive and fully Queer and Women affirming. He replied, “That is what works with me.” I got warm and fuzzy feelings in my heart. 🙂
Sermon: Other People's Shoes
Scripture: Luke 10:25-37 The Message Bible
25 Just then a religion scholar stood up with a question to test Jesus. “Teacher, what do I need to do to get eternal life?”
26 He answered, “What’s written in God’s Law? How do you interpret it?”
27 He said, “That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself.”
28 “Good answer!” said Jesus. “Do it and you’ll live.”
29 Looking for a loophole, he asked, “And just how would you define ‘neighbor’?”
30-32 Jesus answered by telling a story. “There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.
33-35 “A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man’s condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I’ll pay you on my way back.’
36 “What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?”
37 “The one who treated him kindly,” the religion scholar responded.
Jesus said, “Go and do the same.”
Announcements:
- We have in person worship at 1:15pm and remote worship. There is no fellowship hour afterwards, but instead will head out for meal and drinks.
- If you need FPCLA t-shirts, please let me know. I will send you out one :).
- If you have the means, please give to FPCLA.
