The “Good News” of God’s Love for All!

 The “Good News” of God’s Love for All!

With all that is going on in our world: the pandemic, climate changes, WAR, and all the continual destructive wars of way too many prejudices (do I have to list them all? I don’t think so!) causing way too much pain and suffering for everyone, where can we find some peace and hope? I believe, in the “good news” of God’s Love; given to the world through the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ.

The term “good news” comes from the Greek word, “euangelion”, which is translated as “evangelical.” Now, please, don’t stop reading. Euangelion is NOT defined, as some Christians define that word, which is not love for all. We believe, Euangelion, in its truest definition, IS, the “good news” of God’s love, for all, again, given to the world through Jesus, the Christ.

Throughout His life, Jesus lived euangelion. He brought “good news” to everyone by welcoming, accepting, feeding, healing, forgiving, and loving everyone: family, friends, and enemies; Jews and Gentiles; and the religious and non-religion. Jesus brought euangelion, especially, to those who physically crucified him, and, to the world, everyone, all people, and “All means all”, who put Him on His Cross - because of our sin, our sin of, not believing-in Him, in God’s love, when Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) Pure euangelion, pure, unconditional, evangelical love, for all!

I truly believe, euangelion is what the world so needs; God’s love for all. If you are looking for a faith community, striving to learn and live God’s euangelion love for all, you are invited to join us at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.

For those who follow my blog around the country, and around the world, if you would like to join us in hearing and learning about the “good news” in our worship and many Bible studies, please email me at pastorricksjlc@bellsouth.net and I will add you to our mailing list.

If you would like to join us in worship this Sunday at 9:00am (EST), here is the ZOOM link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84002456740?pwd=MUVOamNoWXVScndGdDlHRTFkcHNYZz09

Meeting ID: 840 0245 6740  Passcode: 181385

One tap mobile  +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/keet1d0Drn

If you would to join our In-Person worship. Come join at Noon at St. Philips Episcopal Church located at 85 Fairway Drive, Nashville.

Here is a link to our website for more information about God’s ministry at St. Johns: www.stjohnsnashville.org

#stjohnsnashville    #allmeansall

A Reflection on John 3:16; God's Love for the World

 Here is a link to St. John's Lutheran Church's YouTube page for a Reflection on John 3:16, God's love for the world: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV0D9AJ0psI 

#stjohnsnashville #allmeansall

TRUST! Letting Go and Letting God!

 Letting Go and Letting God! Trusting in God’s ever-present Love!

 I believe, one of the most difficult issues in our lives, is, to have “trust” in others and in God!  Having trust in people, and having people trust us, is very difficult to earn and maintain. Trust is also very easily broken, right? Why do we fail to trust others and have others lose their trust in us? I believe, because our lives, our world, are so self-centered, often to the exclusion and destruction of the other. To help us trust each other, I believe we are to learn to put our complete trust in God. Here is a link to my sermon on “trust” given on March 6, 2020: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkxSwtGZmmI&t=1s

As we learn that we are created in God’s image of Love, and, God is a God of Love, For All, shown and given to the world by Jesus’ complete “trust” in God for His life, death, resurrection, and ascension; may we “Let Go and Let God”, help us to trust in God’s love for all. As we strive to do that, maybe, just maybe, we will be able to trust each other more. Then, maybe, well, no maybe about it, we might just have a world filled with more peace and hope.  I welcome your comments and thoughts; especially on "how" we can "trust" God and others.  #stjohnsnashville    #ELCA  #Lutheran    #allmeansall