23-August-26 (Matthew 16:13-20)

How do we see evidence that Jesus reveals God to us? Much of what we see of Jesus is the character of a prophet, a teacher, or a preacher. Yet there is something, something that Peter also saw, that helps us to recognize that to see Jesus, is to see God in some real way.
But let's extend that just a bit further. How do people see God's character, especially God's love today?
In a world where hate is common and easily learned, just like in Jesus' time, people see God in love that reaches out to them, especially in times when they are hurting, suffering, or in need. They do not so much hear the words that are spoken as they experience the actions done.
It is in those actions that the love of God is the most clear, and those are the actions we support with our time, our abilities, and our gifts given in offering.
The deacons will not come and collect our offerings for today.

Prayer:

Please join me in a spirit of prayer.
Loving God, who reaches out to us through the life and work of your son, bless us with giving and caring hearts like his, so that we may give of ourselves and our resources for your continued work.
Bless these offerings as well, that they would be put to use that will share your love with the people of this world, especially those who are most desperately in need of seeing it in action.
We pray in Jesus' name, AMEN