Author Archives: Jason Hardy
2402 – Who Is My Neighbor?
Watch the full service on our YouTube channel by clicking here.
Luke 10:25-29 New International Version
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]”
28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Human Relations Day
January 14th
Human Relations Day is a denomination-wide Special Sunday that celebrates and raises awareness about the strength of human relationships. A special offering is received the Sunday before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday and contributes to building his vision of “the beloved community” through programs such as Community Developers, United Methodist Voluntary Services and Youth Offender Rehabilitation Programs.
Your contribution to the Human Relations Day offering holds the potential to bring about transformative change:
- 57% supports community developer programs, nurturing racial-ethnic minority congregations and strengthening local UMC communities according to their unique needs.
- 33% empowers The United Methodist Voluntary Services (UMVS), challenging unjust systems and advocating for those whose livelihoods are at risk.
- 10% fuels Youth Offender Rehabilitation Programs, empowering young individuals to participate positively in their communities through mentoring and other empowerment initiatives.
At a time when it may feel like we have lost so much, embracing God’s love for us can shift our perspective to recognize and share abundant grace. United Methodist Special Sunday offerings celebrate vibrant ministries while investing in servant leadership, community building and ministries of peace with justice. Concentrating our resources to support these important ministries equips us to work together, empowered by God’s love.
For more than half a century, United Methodists have observed Human Relations Day in recognition of the message Jesus demonstrated during his life: all of God’s children are important.
St. Matthew Today for January 10th, 2024
2401 – Relax and Trust
Watch the full service on our YouTube channel by clicking here.
Luke 2:41-51 New International Version
The Boy Jesus at the Temple
41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”[a] 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
Luke 3:21-22 New International Version
The Baptism and Genealogy of Jesus
21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying,heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”