Benediction: Faithful Stewards of Grace (based on 1st Peter 4:10)

May you go as faithful stewards of God’s grace. May we use what we’ve been given to serve others with courage and love. 

Jesus' Great Commission = A Rebuttal To Nationalist Christianism & Rededicate 250 - by Rev Jim Wallis at Religion News

Jesus' Great Commission is a repudiation of White Nationalist Christianism.

Jesus' Great Commission offers a direct rebuttal to the Nationalist Christianism vision on display by some politicians today and at Rededicate 250.

Its call to make disciples of all nations rejects any privileged status for the USA, or for any racial or ethnic group, and, by its own logic, is a repudiation of White Nationalist Christianism.

Equally important is the distinction between making disciples and making converts. Jesus' Great Commission is an invitation into the life, teachings and values of Jesus — love, justice, compassion, forgiveness and care for others.

The kingdom of God, in other words, is not a political regime or a national identity. It belongs to the whole world.

The full article is available here 

Benediction: Life With Others Is What We're Designed For (based on Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

Trinity by Mark Jennings

Just as the God the Trinity is a relationship which brings out the best in each person involved, so has the human race been designed and hardwired by God.

Having fellow travelers on life's road allows us to be helped when we need it, as well as allowing us to help others as they need it; just as God the Trinity intended.

So in our everyday lives, let's be open to letting others in and let's be attentive to where others could use whatever help we can provide.

Benediction: Divine Connection Which Brings Comfort (based on Philippians 4:6-7)

If we strive to love and care as instructed by God, there will be plenty of things in life which can cause us to worry and/or be anxious. That's the reality of having an open heart, mind, and spirit. 

So may we remember that God is everywhere and within everything around us. Our all-surrounding God yearns for connection with us. May these truths brings us hope which comforts our spirits.  

Benediction: A Hopeful Understanding of God's World (based on Mark 12:30-31)

As followers of Christ, we are called to have a hopeful understanding of our world because God called the created universe "good" and is always working to make all things new again. 

We are called to bring this hope in God with us wherever we go. May it cause us to dedicate ourselves to helping to bring out the best in everyone and everything, here and now.