Bridge Benevolence
This Pastor’s Note won’t be too much of my words. I want us to take this time to read the sobering words of James. With government shutdowns and with people who are facing food scarcity in and around our congregation, we must embrace our role as the hands and feet of Jesus. Where power embraces power and looks to scratch the back of others who can return the favor, it is not so in the church.
Let us seek how to help others, especially those who are not in a position to necessarily return the favor. This is the last thing I will say before I let you read the passage below: We have a Benevolence Ministry at Bridge we can donate to and that you can appeal to if you are in need. If you are in a financial place to donate, consider setting up a monthly or bi-weekly donation on our Bridge of Hope App. Those donations are stewarded by a faithful committee full of integrity led by Deacon Earlie Johnson. On a case by case basis, they help members in need. They take the time to lovingly and responsibly vet each situation so as to ensure the process is above reproach.
If you are in need, reach out to Deacon Earlie. He won’t be hard to find (You can reach out to the Pastoral Team as well).
Lastly, please take a minute to read the following passage with a humble heart. May we connect deeds to our faith to bless others. We are a family, and we must care after each other. We are indeed, our brother’s and sister’s keeper.
“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.”
James 2:1-18 NIV
In Christ,
Pastor Javier Batista
Let us seek how to help others, especially those who are not in a position to necessarily return the favor. This is the last thing I will say before I let you read the passage below: We have a Benevolence Ministry at Bridge we can donate to and that you can appeal to if you are in need. If you are in a financial place to donate, consider setting up a monthly or bi-weekly donation on our Bridge of Hope App. Those donations are stewarded by a faithful committee full of integrity led by Deacon Earlie Johnson. On a case by case basis, they help members in need. They take the time to lovingly and responsibly vet each situation so as to ensure the process is above reproach.
If you are in need, reach out to Deacon Earlie. He won’t be hard to find (You can reach out to the Pastoral Team as well).
Lastly, please take a minute to read the following passage with a humble heart. May we connect deeds to our faith to bless others. We are a family, and we must care after each other. We are indeed, our brother’s and sister’s keeper.
“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.”
James 2:1-18 NIV
In Christ,
Pastor Javier Batista
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