For Such A Time as This – June 9, 2021 – Becky Zapata

 To the Good Folk of the Palmyra Church of the Brethren,
 
Joys and Concerns
If you have a joy or concern you would like us to share and pray about, please call, text, or email it to me.  If you would like it included in our Sunday Worship sharing and prayer time, please share it with Pastor Bill that week by Thursday evening. 
 
Let us hold in thought and prayer our brother David Crist, following the death of his father Owen “Kay” Crist (88) of Bedford, PA, on May 27.
 
Let us hold in thought and prayer our sister Carol Lentz, following the death of her mother Helen Heagy (105) of Annville, PA, on June 5.
 
We rejoice that Terry Meads has returned home from the hospital and is doing much better.
 
See this Saturday’s “Weekly Update” email for any new prayer concerns.
 
Thank You:
To all who call others to check in on them and to share our emails and devotions.
 
Today’s Devotion:
“Compelling Vision” is our denomination's effort to identify a shared vision that can foster unity in the midst of great diversity and dividing differences.  A thirteen session Bible Study has been developed to undergird this statement.  We are using pieces of the Bible Study in our weekly devotion email.
 
Today’s reflection was written by Becky Zapata, who was born in Mexico and is a COVID-19 survivor.  She is a wife, a mother of two, and a grandmother of four, with a passion for church growth and community engagement.  She has completed the SeBAH training and is in the process of ordination with the Church of the Brethren.
 
Shalom,
Dennis
 
Compelling Visions Statement
Together, as the Church of the Brethren, we will passionately live and share the radical transformation and holistic peace of Jesus Christ through relationship-based neighborhood engagement. To move us forward, we will develop a culture of calling and equipping disciples who are innovative, adaptable, and fearless.
 
Session 10 – Life-Changing Relationships
How does the example of Jesus Christ challenge us to build life-changing relationships with our neighbors?
 
Scriptures - Jeremiah 29:4-7, John 1:14, Luke 19:1-9Reflection – Becky Zapata
I am sure you have watched TV shows about home renovations where you see the before and after pictures. It is impressive to me that contractors and designers can see the potential of an old house and then transform it into a homeowner’s dream. You have most likely seen social media pictures of folks who change their image with new hair color, diet, or exercise. I believe we have an intrinsic need to become better in many areas of our lives. Most of us desire better health, a better attitude, a better life, a better ministry, a better heart, a better faith, a better relationship with God, a better relationship with our kids, or a better relationship with people in our community.
 
A man named Zacchaeus had one of those quick “before and after” experiences in his life. He was a chief tax collector and wealthy. As such, Zacchaeus had access to a lot of money with very little accountability. From my Sunday School teaching, I recall that he was a sinner who became rich by stealing as he collected taxes from his neighbors. Much hate existed towards these “traitors” or “tax collectors.”
 
Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus has much to teach us about how we reach out to our community. In my experience as a Hispanic pastor at Principe de Paz Church of the Brethren, I know that Hispanic families have a deep sense of spirituality. Faith, hope, and love is what I have in me and is what I believe our communities need. Jesus saw Zacchaeus, whose name in Hebrew means “pure” or “innocent,” as someone needing faith to believe in God, hope to become the person God wanted him to be, and love to belong and be accepted by his community.
 
As John writes, Jesus became a man and lived among us (John 1:14). He was just like us, hungry, sleepy, tired, upset, yet full of faith and prayer. Luke’s writer does not say what type of meal or conversation Zacchaeus had with Jesus. I am sure the conversation was uplifting and filled with grace because I have seen what grace produces in our community, and it is similar to the action Zacchaeus took with his community. Once grace is received, it produces beautiful actions. Jesus himself said, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:9).
 
The prophet Jeremiah tells the Israelites exiled in Babylon to seek the welfare of the city where they are—build homes, plant gardens, and have children for “if it prospers, you too will prosper” (29:7 NIV). In our congregation, we have a ministry called “Blessed to be Blessed,” where our neighbors and our community receive food, clothing, and financial assistance, all donated by our congregation. This creates an environment of engagement where everyone can serve, get involved and share faith, hope, and love with our community.
 
Even though Jeremiah and Jesus lived years apart, their message is the same—build relationships and engage one another in conversation so that faith, hope, and love might flourish. What do you think Jesus wants to talk about in your community and with the Church of the Brethren in general? At Principe de Paz, we feel that our community loves to hear Jesus speaking about faith, hope and love. One thing is certain, Jesus wants to talk to many of us, no matter who we are or where we are. His grace declares us “innocent” and his loving words lead us to a better way of life.
 
Sending
Lord of all loving, renew our compassion, and open our hearts while we reach out our hands.

from Brothers and Sister of Mine, verse 4