Dear FBC Family and Friends,
Our nation is in a time of upheaval. Our hearts are grieving the recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. These are only 3 names in a litany of black lives who have been killed as a result of individual and systemic racism. Some were parents, all were children, beloved members of families and communities.
Racism is sin, undermines human dignity and is an affront to the glory of God in whose image we are all created. I don’t know anyone who would disagree with that. But the experiences, stories and videos that are being shared implore us to see and hear how more veiled racism persists to this day. I’m learning there are many daily things I take for granted without fear of what may happen to me, while the continual threat of suspicion and becoming the next George Floyd or Ahmaud Arbery is a very real and ever present anxiety for the black community.
As the Church, in the face of injustice we are called by God to the work of:
Proclaiming the Good News
Doing Justice
Loving Mercy
Walking Humbly
Thinking of Others First
Being Good Neighbors
The Ministry of Reconciliation
Mourning with Those Who Mourn
I ask you to commit yourselves to steadfast prayer in these times. Here are some ways you can pray:
Pray for the families and communities of Ahmaud, George, and Breonna as they grieve the brutal and very public losses of their loved ones.
Pray for true justice to be served.
Pray for the grace and mercy of Jesus to transform the hearts of those who have taken the lives of Ahmaud, George and Breonna.
Pray for local, national and state leaders for humility and wisdom as they balance supporting the rights of peaceful protesters and safeguarding communities. AND that they would work with community activists across the country to effect policy changes.
Pray for law enforcement as they serve, to do so with honor and integrity and for the courage to effect change where needed
Pray for business owners and communities who’ve been affected by riots.
Pray for peace to descend where there is chaos.
Ask God to search your heart and to expose bias and prejudice so you can confess it and work on healing.
Please plan to join us online this Sunday as we worship our God of compassion and justice, spend time praying for our nation and consider how Scripture calls us to respond to injustice.
And may this time of upheaval be used by God, that His church would usher in justice and love for neighbors in a powerful way that points people to Christ.
They Will Know We are Christians By Our Love
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity will one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah they'll know we are Christians by our love
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we'll guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah, they'll know we are Christians by our love.
In the peace of Christ,
Pastor Shiloh