Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:18)
There is a difference between debating the issues and actually doing something. Here are a few ways to do something.
See the refugee from another land.
OUTSIDE THESE WALLS
How one family in our church is loving refugees in Colorado Springs by partnering Pulpit Rock families with Muslim families. And there is a place for you.
LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES (local)
The Lutheran Family Services (LFS) Refugee & Asylee Programs are dedicated to helping refugees and families rebuild their lives by equipping them to achieve self-sufficiency within their first year in the United States and fostering integration into their new communities.
WORLD RELIEF
The current refugee crisis in the Middle East is one of the greatest, most complex humanitarian crises of our generation. World Relief is committed to providing practical steps that every individual and church can take to help and make a real, meaningful difference in the lives of refugees and the displaced.
PREEMPTIVE LOVE COALITION
Violence unmakes the world, but preemptive love has the power to unmake violence. Preemptive Love Coalition brings relief to families fleeing war in Syria and Iraq. They help refugees rebuild their lives. And they provide lifesaving medical care for children in conflict zones.
See the person from another race.
We have an opportunity coming right into our own church.
On March 19th, we are hosting a potluck and communion service with Friendship Baptist Church, a predominantly African American church that we partnered with at the last City Serve event. We are inviting them to eat with us, then celebrate communion together.
Please circle this date and plan on being here with us.
See the officer with a mandate to protect and serve.
COFFEE WITH A COP
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office created this program to build better relationships with the community that they serve. During Coffee with a Cop, you get a chance to sit down with some of our officers and deputies and ask questions, and get to know them as neighbors.
SHIELD 616
We are still looking for individuals, families and groups to sponsor one of the 16 officers Pulpit Rock has adopted. You can sign up to pray on The Wall and read the list of Officers we are sponsoring. You are also invited to attend a special Vest Presentation to meet our officers. The date will be announced in services and posted on The Wall.
See the people right next door.
This is the point of these four weeks. As you keep using the neighborhood map:
Learn names and ask God to help you truly see them.
Loving starts with seeing and seeing starts with looking to see them as God does.
Let’s practice proximity and listening to refugees, people of other races, our law enforcement and our neighbors. Let’s see them as people.
God, please awaken our compassion.