Welcome,
Pastor Julio C. Peña's September 2023 Message
“A Bold Vision & Invitation”
MATTHEW 25
The Future is never certain. We have no ideas what lies ahead, but we can prepare like a gardener prepares the soil, plants the seed, water the ground and rely on God to do the rest, while continue in pray. However, if we focus on the world of fear, doubt and negative thoughts, then I question our Faith in God? Is it just in our own personal life or is within the church, the world or in everything we do.
The church PC (USA) has planted a resource of and a vision with Matthew 25. This initiative; called Matthew 25 is something that we at Good Shepherd have already been doing, but we have just scratched the surface, but beginning in September 3rd in our worship service through the coming months until June 2024 we will explore this initiative through scriptures mainly in the Gospel of Matthew. We will also explore in our Bible study, Coffee with Jesus ministry, and other avenues as they arise in the coming month.
Let me share with you some information from PC (USA) that I have received on Matthew 25.
What is Matthew 25 church?
Matthew 25:31 – 46 calls all of us to activity engage in the world around us, so our faith comes alive, and we wake up to new possibilities. Convicted by this passage, both the 222nd and 223rd General Assemblies (2016 and 2018) exhorted the PC (USA) to act boldly and compassionately to serve people who are hungry, oppressed, imprisoned or poor.
How the Vision unites all Presbyterians?
By accepting the Matthew 25 invitation, you can help our denomination become a more relevant presence in the world by:
- Connecting and uniting the PC (USA), creating a spark that energizes and joins us in our common mission together.
- Celebrating and calling forth churches that actively engage the world.
- Showing our understanding as Presbyterian Christians that we are “saved to serve.”
Where to Begin?
There are already PC (USA) congregations that identify themselves as Matthew 25 churches. (We are One of Them). We aim to help multiply this loving commitment to radical and fearless discipleship by partnering with mid councils and congregations to help them embrace one or more of these three focuses:
- Building congregational Vitality by challenging congregations and their members to deepen and energize their faith and grow as joyful leaders and disciples actively engaged with their community as they share the gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed.
- Dismantling structural Racism by fearlessly applying our faith to advocate and break down the systems, practices and thinking that underline discrimination, bias, prejudice and oppression of people of color.
- Eradicating systemic poverty by acting on our beliefs and working to change laws, policies, plans and structure in our society that perpetuate economic exploitation of people who are poor.
Again, in the season from September 2023 to June 2024 we are going through this journey of Matthew 25 in all of our worship services including Advent and Lent season. I pray that we will all be fed and strengthen by this journey of Matthew 25.
In other news:
- we are still looking for new leadership within and out of our congregation. We are also looking a fresh new choir and we are looking for a music leader with fresh ideas and a style of a combination of hymns and praise music of all style and fresh energy.
- I would encourage for all of you to look out for our monthly newsletter and our website for current and changing information on Bible Study, Prayer Night, Coffee with Jesus, Youth Bible Study (7th – Senior High School), On-line Bible Study for college students, Sunday School, and other events.
Blessings, Pastor Julio
