“When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.” Romans 12:13 

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4: 8-10 

Compassionate hospitality goes above and beyond saying “Hello”. It meets everyone where they are and helps them feel loved and connected. It encourages us to reach out, think outside the box, see, listen and truly be kind to one another. Talk to people, get to know them. Find out what they need and work to meet that need. We are all children of God and should remember to “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 – A Steering Team Member

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1-2 

“True worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24 

We worship regularly with our church community, and when the service ends, a week of worship begins. As God is glorified through community worship in the sanctuary, so must we worship and glorify Him in Spirit and in truth with our life, breath, actions, talents in the store, home, school, neighborhood and workplace. – A Steering Team Member

“And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” 1 Thessalonians 5:14 

“How good and pleasant it is when god’s people live together in unity!” Psalm 133:1 

Community is God’s desire for us. Creating community requires open minds to listen and not be judgmental. Community allows the sharing of joys and blessings as well as concerns and hardships while showing compassion and encouragement. When we grow relationships with others, we grow a relationship in Him! – A Steering Team Member

“You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.” Timothy 2:2 

“My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commandments in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.” Proverbs 3:1-2 

I may take a different meaning of a verse and someone else shows me another way to look at it. Sharing ideas and in these conversations a better understanding of God’s word. The telling of stories and sharing your life with people who pray and care for you gives you strength especially in trying times.We are instructed to love and in this sharing and learning we follow God’s commandment to love one another. We are commanded to not forget these teachings not just for the body but just as importantly to your soul. Learning and knowing what is in the Bible strengthens your connection to God and while learning strengthens our community. We may lose the physical body but through God’s love we gain eternal life. – A Steering Team Member

“Welcome one another therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Romans 15:7 

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is equally important: “Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31 

Jesus invites everyone to His table. His gift of body and blood is for all. The church is the body of Christ. As the body of Christ we invite and welcome everyone and work to help them feel totally included in all aspects of Wesley Church. Jesus respects the dignity of all. We reach out with the same love of Jesus, an initiating, inviting, welcoming love for everyone.  – A Steering Team Member

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth burst into jubilant song with music” Psalm 98:4 “Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing!” Psalm 100:2 

The emotional power of music, rightly employed, is a vital and moving aid to worship. Music, quite apart from an associated text, is capable of evoking powerful emotions. Music teaches us

the gospel. Music connects us to God in unique ways. Music allows us to express our love to God with our whole being. Music as worship fulfills God’s command. – A Steering Team Member

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 

“After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, god will bless you for doing them.” John 13:12-17

Jesus’ last commandment to us before he left the earth was to make disciples of all nations. We are called to bring the light of Christ to our neighbors, and we each have unique social circles that allow us to do so: our families, our communities, our schools, our workplaces, and other organizations we are a part of provide us the opportunity to share God’s love with diverse groups of people. 

Just as Jesus’ first disciples were not experts, so, too, God does not expect us to be expert missionaries . Through the Holy Spirit, God will give us what we need to speak Christ’s name boldly and authentically. Missional work is more than preaching and is not limited to far off lands. We are also called to serve one another, just as Christ serves the church. By a helping hand or a caring word to those around us, we share God’s grace in new ways and in new places. – A Steering Team Member

“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth;but she, out of her poverty, put in everything-all she had to live on.” Mark 12; 41-44

“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fisherman. “Come follow me, “ Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James, son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.” Matthew 4:18-22 

God gave us the most selfless gift of all, the life of his only son. Through his generosity, we are all saved. Strive to offer selflessly to others the same generosity the Lord has shown us, and give with no expectation of receiving anything in return. Give generously time, talents, money and love- gifts bestowed upon us by the Lord that we can reciprocate to others- and you will be blessed. Through selfless generosity we can grow the kingdom of God.  – A Steering Team Member