What We Need
“Ask,and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 (NRSV)
What do we really need? Jesus promises that as we ask, we receive. St. Paul reminds us that God knows what we need before we even ask. And the Spirit intercedes, and connects us to the one who hears us and responds in every need. Need is different than desire, for sure. We want a lot of things. But all that is good and necessary, we receive from our loving God.
As human beings and sinners, we need forgiveness, healing, and love. The good news of Jesus is that through the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of our Lord, we have received all this and more. We need to be forgiven and forgive others. We are healed in body, mind, and soul through the grace of God as we practice our faith. The powerful message of the love of God is shown to us most clearly in Jesus who abides with us always. How can we share that good news with others in this new day and time? We will soon have new opportunities to serve with Family Promise, Lutheran Social Services of Nevada, and Nevadans for the Common Good. Our doors are opening and our community seems to be humming with energy. This is an important time to show up to worship and invite others to serve and share the love we have been given. We are called to love one another. Let us pray for God’s Spirit to lead us to love.
As families, we need support. Parents, children, and grandparents have struggled through a long time of separation, tension, and worry. We need connection, resources, and relationships. We have been blessed to be connected to Fremont Middle School which is scheduled to begin renovations this summer, as it is transformed into a new magnet school. Through faculty and staff we have been introduced to six Spanish-speaking families and have provided food and household assistance during the pandemic. Our youth are going deeper in relationships with our gifted youth leader, Marissa, and growing up with faith mentors. Our plan is to host Vacation Bible School this July and begin a new season of confirmation in September. How can we imagine new ways to share our faith with our young people? We are called to teach and raise up children. Let us pray for God’s Spirit to enable us to grow in grace with them.
As a church, we need financial support. Funding for our ministry comes from the gifts of those who gather here to worship and pray together. That’s been interrupted, and we’ve weathered the storm with the help from members and friends who give by mail, online, and in person. As is the case in most churches, the largest gifts come from a small percentage of members, most of whom are late in years. In the last few years, we have had to say goodbye to many of the saints who have given of their time, talent, and treasure here. How can we carry on what they’ve begun? We are called to give as well. Let us pray for God’s Spirit to make us generous.
We will always face storms in life, and we cannot know what tomorrow will bring. We are grounded in the example of those who came before us. We strive to be wholly present in this moment, and to faithfully look forward. We know that scripture gives witness to God’s faithful presence no matter what, and the living Word of God in Jesus is continually transforming us. This season of Pentecost is about listening for what the Spirit of God is doing, and as we do, we can trust that God will provide all that is needed for the ministry to which we have been called and equipped to carry out here. Thank you all for your participation, accompaniment, faith, and love.
In Christ,
Pastor Jason Adams
Worship with us in person or online!
Sunday Mornings at 9am
www.livinghopelasvegas.org
Leave a Reply