Matthew 4:1-11

Another face of homelessness. A young man appearing to be not more than 20 years of age stopped our open door before Ash Wednesday evening service. He asked for food. I gave him two bags of lunch and invited him in for ‘church’. He stayed for the service and enjoyed his meal, and participated in the imposition of ashes. He is one of God’s lost and lonely children.

He told me he’s not a good reader and has some limitations I discovered after the service he had lived with his mom in a low budget motel and she passed away last year. He had no tangible means to live on his own. Will you join me praying for a solution. There are so many complicated layers in every story. I can’t imagine having no one and being in his situation

Please share this on the pages of your TriCities friends and share this ministry.

You are invited to worship at the only United Methodist congregation in our area that meets exclusively on Saturday mornings. The service begins at 10:30 a.m. at 313 E Sullivan Street in Kingsport. Shades of Grace is a storefront house of worship where ALL people are welcome and casual dress is ALWAYS acceptable.

“Shades” began in October, 2014 as a new church start of Holston Conference. Due to the nature of ministry with the least of these, there is no membership available. Anyone who claims a place here is accepted and given opportunities to be fully included in ministry. We offer sacrament of holy communion and baptism upon profession of faith. Worship is non traditional in many ways, but solidly grounded in Wesleyan theology. We offer some of the very best music and worship to be found anywhere.

The ministry is active Monday through Saturdays every week, and closed on Sundays. We feed hundreds of meals to our community friends who are homeless and in need each week and provide hot showers for men and women. We furnish a clothing closet. We provide many funerals for homeless unclaimed in partnership with a local funeral home and Immanuel Lutheran Church.

It doesn’t matter where you live, who you love, car you drive (or not), live in a house or cardboard box, attire, piercings or tattoos. God loves ALL.
As Oscar often says, “ Pray for all who deal with addiction and depression. The world needs a lot more love. So, let it go; let it go.”

Challenging all to exercise . . . 44.20 miles, 6.3 miles daily this week. Keeping up my steps. Staying healthy as possible.. – Let’s get it done! Keep moving.

May eternal flames of the CHRIST candle continue to light our path as we walk each other home. My prayer is that not one of God’s little ones will ever be made to stumble because of my sincere efforts to fully follow the LORD. Thy will be done, LORD!

You can now listen to Shades of Grace on the Radio – FM 92.1

Recovery at Shades: Recovery meeting for ALL on Monday at 5:00 p.m. at 313 E. Sullivan St. Meetings will continue each Monday. Led by our Shades of Grace folk.