Saturday, February 21

And the King shall answer and say to them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, ye did it unto me.

Matthew 25:40

One week a year our congregation has the opportunity to put our faith into action giving supportive services to homeless persons as the 30 South Oakland Shelter (SOS) clients live in temporary housing at our church for a week. Our members work in many ways to help them feel welcome and comfortable. Whether it is providing ingredients for lunches, moving in mattresses, welcoming arrivals, serving dinner or breakfast or interacting with them in friendly conversation, there are many roles which convey our kindness and caring. Some members provide musical entertainment and some spend the night as hosts. Each morning and evening, volunteers provide transportation to and from SOS in Lathrup Village and workplaces.

Some FPC members are more comfortable using their talents in other ways, some prefer to work in the background and some are comfortable interacting with the guests. I have been involved for years coming every evening and doing art activities with the children and adults. The reactions of the guests are gratifying as they do the activities. They mention what a nice diversion this is, and show pride in their projects.

At this difficult time in their lives, they appreciate the loving kindness offered by our volunteers. One guest commented, “Thank you for kindness and love when I couldn’t get it anywhere else.” Another said, “Thank you all so very much. Your kind words and generous actions will not be forgotten. May God bless you.”

It is in service that we as Christians can put our beliefs into action. The SOS guests can experience a week surrounded by people who do their best to provide a warm, caring environment. These actions made it possible for another guest to say, “I am grateful to Mark (Grobbel) and the rest of the staff for making me smile when I thought I had lost it.”

Thank you God for helping us serve you as we reach out to others and share our talents. May we ever have a vision of how we can make a difference and help us to be ready to act upon that vision with generous spirits. Amen

Diane K. Bert

Friday, February 20

I have come as a Light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer wander in the darkness.

John 12:46

An Alphabet Of Spiritual Inspirations From The Bible (#1)

A	Angels	Ps 91:11	For he shall give his angels  charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up.
B	Blessed	Ps 66:20	Blessed be God, who does not turn away from my prayer, nor his mercy from me.
C	Commanded	Ps 33:9	He spoke, and it was done;  he commanded and it stood fast.
D	Delivered	Ps 34:4	I  sought the Lord and he heard  me, and delivered me from all my fears.
E	Earth	Ps 33:5	The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
F	Faithfulness	Ps 89:1	I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, with my mouth will I make known his faithfulness to all generations.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet

and a light unto my path

Thursday, February 19

Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like children you will never see the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.

Matthew 18: 3-5

I first met Richard when he was six weeks old. He was born three months before a normal due date and weighed in at 1 1/2 pounds. His mother left the hospital after delivery and was never seen again. His grandmother said she wanted no part of another of her daughter's children.

And so Richard spent the first six months of his life at Children's Hospital in Detroit. He developed well physically, but his prematurity left him totally blind. A foster family took him in when he left the hospital. This was a family that took foster children on a regular basis. They were a couple with two children of their own and these children were in their teens. They fell in love with Richard and, though they knew they would give up their opportunity to continue fostering, they decided to adopt him.

It turned out to be a huge battle for them because they were "white" and Richard was "black." They won - after a long battle through the courts. The court stated that because he was blind he wouldn't know the difference between "white" and "black." His new family decided to raise him with love and honesty - a knowledge of where he came from. I saw a lot of Richard over his formative years. It was wonderful to watch him develop. l remember calling him in the winter when he was about 15 years old. He was going skiing with some friends. l told him that the moguls in the snow scared me. He said, "what, are you a chicken." He did well in high school and received 3 scholarships with an option to go to either MSU or UM.

Lord, help us to love one another, forgive one another, and accept one another.

Pat Manatrey

Ash Wednesday, February 18

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit…”

Matthew 5:1-3

Today our 2015 Medical Mission Team departs for Mexico where we will conduct a four day medical clinic in the town of Leona Vicario. For some this will be a first-time mission trip experience while others return year after year seeking to serve and ultimately are served an extra dose of grace and love. For in Leona, the stars shine brighter and more profusely and we gaze at the night sky in awe and wonder.

We welcome the children with all their exuberance and their shyness, listen to the concerns of young mothers cradling their babies and try to discern the problems of the elderly clothed in their brightly embroidered traditional attire and wizened smiles. While the needs are great, to us the smiles reflect grace and love, and the pace of life slows down even though we are very busy.

We wash our hands before meals in an almost sacramental ritual, scrubbing in three buckets of water filled with soap, rinse water and bleach. For a brief few days we live our lives in balance enjoying the rhythm of prayer, hard work, welcome rest, and a community of those who love and share the common purpose of serving as the hands and feet of Jesus.

In this Lenten season at FPCB we will focus on the teachings of Jesus found in the Sermon on the Mount. His message was not what his followers expected to hear and is still counter-cultural today. May we each take a mission trip this season, living balanced lives that open our hearts to experience the tug of Christ’s call to be messengers of God’s love and grace along whatever road we may travel.

God of grace, help us to sit and listen deeply to your call and then give us the courage to follow where you would lead us, for we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 Cindy Merten