Philippians 4: 4-7 Common English Bible
4Be glad in the Lord always! Again I say, be glad! 5Let your gentleness show in your treatment of all people. The Lord is near. 6Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayer and petitions, along with giving thanks. 7Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus.
In reading Philippians 4:7 this verse jumps out to me! “Let your gentleness show in your treatment of all people, The Lord in near!” You, the congregation of Johnson Memorial are this verse! Anytime that a mission project needs items to be donated, you make it happen! When we send out a list with items on it, all the items are donated! GOD IS IN CONTROL AND LEADING ALL OF US.
Johnson Memorial has many on going mission projects, the Common Grounds Dinner is one of them. The folks that attend are very thankful people. Every Thursday they come a little early and sit on the 10th Street steps us their fellowship time to get to know those who are also waiting for their dinner. A prayer precedes their dinner. No matter what is served they are thankful and they bless those who have prepared the food that night.
One evening, Fred was talking to one of the attendees about the Covid vaccine. Fred learned that some had not received the vaccine because they didn’t know where they could receive it and had thought that they couldn’t afford it. Fred told him that it was free where he could go to get it. That got us thinking, we could bring the Health Department to them. So, a couple of weeks later the Health Department held a Free Vaccination Clinic in the Church parking lot for the public. The man got his shot along with quite a few others who needed it. Everyone was so thankful to receive this service.
The Backpack Ministry is a wonderful blessing for all those who are involved, the packers, delivers and organizers. Fred and I deliver the backpacks once a month to the Explorer Academy. Last month when we were there at the school, the social worker was taking the backpacks into the school. She was thanking us for all we do; then she asked us if we could we help out with coats and shoes for the kids. It was getting colder outside and they saw kids coming to school with no coats or jackets and in need of good shoes. We said that we would take it back to Johnson Memorial. The list was sent out; you all made it happen. By the end of the next week the needs were met. You “Let your gentleness show in your treatment of all people. The Lord is near.”
Along with the coats and shoes, your gentleness was shown as you all are taking care of the can goods for the Thanksgiving Food Boxes. These families who will receive the food are grateful people. Last year as we were handing the food out the families thanked and blessed us for doing Gods work at Johnson Memorial.
While working on these projects you meet so many people with different needs, by listening to them and communicating with those in need we can go to God in prayer and He can help us answer those needs.
All this is made possible by those at Johnson Memorial being God’s hands and feet in all of the Mission projects we provide for God’s people.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank you for leading us to do the work you want us to do for your people.
You are always there to guide us when we least expect it, when we are not listening, or taking time to be in your presence. Be with all your people in need and hungry, homeless, jobless and in need of help with finances, lead them to the places that can help them, and show them the love of Christ, and be the hands and feet of Jesus for them. Keep all your people in your loving arm, showing them the way you want to guide them on their journey to continue to help those in need.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Melanie Herr
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