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Now that's what I call love...

December 1st, 2021

Reprinted from December 12th, 2011

 

On what can hundreds of people from many Christian churches of various denominations possibly agree? Toss in several adherents to other faith traditions and a few agnostics and atheists, and the search for a common denominator becomes even more puzzling. UCOM provides an answer and a model for inter-religious/non-religious cooperation. Sit all our faithful supporters down for a theological discussion and, though all of them would hopefully be courteous and kind to one another, there would not likely be agreement or even consensus. Most of us would go away with a smile and an agreement to disagree.

 

The one thing that brings these disparate people with our divergent ideas and theologies to work heart to heart and hand in hand is our perception that all of us and all of our neighbors deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and compassion. Whether we approach this as our religious duty, a socially conscious response to inequality or just the right thing to do as human beings to human beings, we agree that by virtue of being on this earth, people deserve the sharing of our wealth and ourselves to make life better. Most of us also agree that to make that better life sustainable we need to band together to offer people options to support themselves and those who depend on them.

 

UCOM’s faith exhibits itself in love.

 

What is love anyway? “Happily ever after…” is the fairy tale love. By the time most of us have been disappointed by this one a few times, we lose faith in the premise (though the stories and the fantasies still make us wistful). The Hollywood kind of love is both more confusing and less satisfying even than Cinderella. “I want you” or “I need you” becomes synonymous with “I love you.” There’s the selfish manipulation that passes for love in lots of situations, from parental to romantic and on. “If you loved me, you would…” Those kinds of love don’t measure to the standards UCOM’s faith defines as our love.

 

Even “Jesus in me loves you,” isn’t quite there. It does go a bit beyond the emotional fluffy stuff that we sometimes think of as love; but it seems to pass the buck. “You are not quite worthy of MY love, but Jesus loves everybody and he can love you through me.” See what I mean?

 

Love at UCOM produces action.

 

The writer of the Christian book of James in the Bible has a theme something like this, “You show me your faith without good works toward others, and I will show you my faith by means of my actions.” UCOM’s faith, like James’, is easy to see. It is always the organization’s intent to show God’s love by treating everyone equitably, without judgment (Who deserves and who doesn’t? Who really needs this and who is just out for a free ride? Who has a nicer car or better TV than we do?), and with hearts of empathy.

 

These three intentions exhibit themselves in a warm welcome, inquiry into how we might help in other ways in the current situation, lots of tender smiles, gentle welcome friendly touches [in non-COVID times], reciprocal respect, help and referrals for assistance to everyone who comes our way and an opportunity to serve for all of those who seek that.

 

This love is not cheap. It is not artificially produced. It is not an enchantment. The kind of love that is the faith basis for UCOM’s work in the community, our commitment to our neighbors’ well-being, flows from a sense of oneness with the Divine and with all of creation that comes from the One Source. Each of us is entrusted with the good of the other. Jesus’ statement (about doing good to the most vulnerable of creatures being synonymous with doing good to him) makes much sense considering this assumption.


Therefore we love—in this sense—everyone who comes to us. Sometimes there is the easy fluffy emotional cute-kid love; others are more comfortable with the stuffy air-kiss-on each cheek love, or the scruffy “can’t-respond-to-your-help-in-kind” love. This is UCOM, seeking to live out in our everyday behaviors the love of God that enlightens the whole world.

 

Light the light of love.

 

[UCOM really is a faith-based community resource. We are not a church—don’t conduct worship services, have no pastor, no preaching, no proselytizing; but we do ministry (service for others) because of a deep-seated faith that tells us what we are doing is the right thing for us to do together with and for our neighbors.]

 

That’s my take on UCOM’s faith-base. I invite you to add your faith perspective as it relates to the work of United Church Outreach Ministry and to our place in the community of faith and in the wider community.

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Comments

#1 Kathy Fyan said:

When are you open

#2 Bruce Roller said:

Kathy, Our Healthy Choice Food Pantry and Farm Stand manager will be in touch with you directly tomorrow. Thanks for asking.

#3 Don Davies said:

Truly inspiring preaching and sermon here. I only read and listen to few ones and the Black Pastor, Keion Henderson, https://www.keionhenderson.com/about-us/ is on top of my list. He is truly a light for this new generation!

#4 marianna geoffrey said:

I love listening to Keion Henderson, he is a good pastor, he knows how to capture his audience's attention and connect with them. He is the Founder, CEO and Senior Pastor of The Lighthouse Church & Ministries, a church community headquartered in Houston, Texas. If you are still wondering who keion henderson is, check https://www.keionhenderson.com/about-us

#5 marianna geoffrey said:

If you want to know more about keion henderson kids check https://keionhenderson.com/t-d-jakes-interviews-keion-henderson-it-crushed-me/ Keion has three daughters, he is the biological father of just one, Katelyn. His first wife Felicia Henderson came into the marriage with two daughters, Tynisha and Candis from her previous marriage. Keion tied the know again with his current wife who also came into the marriage with five kids from her two previous marriages.

#6 marianna geoffrey said:

If you are wondering about pastor keion henderson age, well he was born on July 6, 1981, and is 42 years old as of 2023. He founded The Lighthouse Church & Ministries in 2009. He preached his first sermon in 1995, and it was titled. ‘Faith: where is yours?’. Check https://keionhenderson.com/about-us/ to know more about him.

#7 marianna geoffrey said:

Keion has three daughters, he is the biological father of just one, Katelyn. His first wife Felicia Henderson came into the marriage with two daughters, Tynisha and Candis from her previous marriage. Keion tied the knot again with his current wife who also came into the marriage with five kids. If you want to know more about keion henderson daughters check https://keionhenderson.com/about-us/

#8 marianna geoffrey said:

If you want to know more about keion and felicia henderson check https://www.keionhenderson.com/ lighthouse church. Keion Henderson was once married to Felecia A. Henderson, she was previously known as the first lady of the Lighthouse Church and was part of the online talk show series Closet Chats.

#9 marianna geoffrey said:

If you enjoy listening to motivational sermons check https://keionhenderson.com/ keion henderson pastor of lighthouse church is one of the many I really love listening to. He is a good speaker, he can capture the audience's attention and connect with them. He also has a good character one of the first things I look into a pastor. I hope more people find him and listen to him.

#10 Your Name: said:

Check https://keionhenderson.com/ too if you like listening to pastor keion henderson sermons. Keion Henderson founder, CEO, and Senior Pastor of the lighthouse church & ministries is such as great preacher that he can capture the audience's attention and connect to them. I always enjoy listening to him and I hope many people find him too.

#11 marianna geoffrey said:

If you like attending and listening to uplifting and motivational sermons check https://www.keionhenderson.com/ too Pastor Keion Henderson of lighthouse church houston texas helped me get through my depression especially with our situation right now. I hope more people find him and be motivated by his preachings.

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