30-Mar-25 (Luke 15:1-3,11b-32)

The parables from today's scripture talk a lot about God's care and concern for people who have wandered off, but we should also be aware of God's love for people who, regardless of the status of their relationship with God, are suffering and hurting, in need for the most basic things.
Part of living into the Realm of God is acting as agents of God's care and concern for the folks who have needs, especially those most likely to be overlooked and forgotten.
We do that in actions we take ourselves and also in our gifts to the Church.
Those gifts allow others to act on our behalf, to share the good news of God's love for all people in words and deeds.
Let's consider our part in that as we take up the offering for today.

Prayer:

Please join me now in a spirit of prayer.
God, whose love knows no boundaries and reaches out to us and through us, bless these gifts that your work will be done throughout the world.
Bless us as well, that we can say and do the things that demonstrate your love to those we meet. Fill us with your care and concern.
We pray in the name of Jesus, our Savior, Amen.