Pastor Will Shewey, Shades of Grace United Methodist Church
John 21:17
Pastor Will Shewey – This Week’s Visit to Shades of Grace UMCwith a Link on This Page to Facebook’s Live Streaming of Sunday Services
February 26, 2019
Yesterday morning during my first hour at Shades.. a man came in dressed in hospital pants and socks; no shoes. He had been found the night before unresponsive and rushed to er. It was an overdose. His face and body covered with meth scabs and sores. His brother had committed suicide the day before. He pleaded with me to help him be free from addiction. I arranged help for recovery.
The second lady in my office was in tears. Had never seen her before. Told me she is living in the streets now, following the suicide of her husband last June. I had known him, and did not know he is dead. She cried and told me his body had been donated to science and she is grieving that she never had a memorial service for him. I prayed with them both.
John Wesley said we have nothing to do but save souls. Sometimes that means literally saving their lives. Come see what God will do today! Blessed at God’s Living Room.
February 25, 2019
Homelessness has faces of every age, ethnicity and gender. I deal with it every day of this life.
Elderly folk are living in cars and in the streets. Middle aged folk have no place to call home. A homeless man at Shades lost a brother to suicide last night. I am constantly amazed at the numbers of young folk experiencing homelessness , addictions and mental illness.
Statistics say there are more than 1.6 million youth who are homeless in America. It is estimated that up to 40% of these youth are homeless because of family rejection. The reason? They are gay. May the church, the body of Christ never cause any of these little ones to stumble.
I want to have clean hands, and a pure heart when I stand some day in His presence.” Come unto Me, all you who are weary and heavy laden. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly. Ye shall find rest for your soul.” JESUS
Comment 1:
Homelessness is not usually a choice made but dictated by bad situations we are presented with along our journey. I have known only one person in my life that chose to be homeless.
God reach out to all that need your loving touch today. Continue to bless the Methodist church during this time of possible change. I’m praying that the decisions made in St. Louis this week will be God’s plan and not mankind’s plan for the Methodist church.
I personally believe that we have to be inclusive of all walks of life to be Christ like. I don’t have the answers for folks who argue that thought and I understand some folks reluctance to accepting homosexual ministers. It will be hard for me too but I will respect the decision made and continue to try and be as Christ like as possible personally.
I also plan to continue to go to my church regardless of the decision made in St. Louis. I hope that unity is the final result but fear that some separation within our denomination will occur. God bless us all.
Comment 2:
My oldest son is gay and it never crossed my mind to disown him or kick him out. I continued to raise and love him because he is my flesh and blood. I love him more than life and would do anything in the world for him. I will always defend him and love him. I can’t comprehend how a parent can turn their backs on their own children.
Comment 3:
I can love someone and disagree with their lifestyle. I can also love someone and show them the err of their ways from the Bible. I can love people, disagree with people, prevent them from dragging down the wrong path without shunning them. It’s a hard thing to do, but God didn’t say discipleship is easy.
Comment 4:
As in the parable of the weeds, we should not be judging others because it only causes harm. We should let The Farmer separate the wheat from the weeds at the close of the Age. We should be about trying to live our lives the way Jesus taught.
Comment 5:
Thank you for the love, acceptance and help that Shades of Grace offers to everyone who finds themselves at your door. Jesus says we should “love” each other as He loves us. Plain and simple, love others as we love ourselves.
February 26, 2019
Yesterday morning during my first hour at Shades.. a man came in dressed in hospital pants and socks; no shoes. He had been found the night before unresponsive and rushed to er. It was an overdose. His face and body covered with meth scabs and sores. His brother had committed suicide the day before. He pleaded with me to help him be free from addiction. I arranged help for recovery.
The second lady in my office was in tears. Had never seen her before. Told me she is living in the streets now, following the suicide of her husband last June. I had known him, and did not know he is dead. She cried and told me his body had been donated to science and she is grieving that she never had a memorial service for him. I prayed with them both.
John Wesley said we have nothing to do but save souls. Sometimes that means literally saving their lives. Come see what God will do today! Blessed at God’s Living Room.
February 28, 2019
The final hours of February are quickly slipping away.A new month will begin, and in a few short days Lent will begin. A verse says we’re exchanging beauty for ashes. Ashes are reminders of what once was.
Next Wednesday as those ashes are imposed upon our foreheads, we will again hear the familiar words,” From dust we have come. To dust we shall return. Repent and believe the Gospel.” We will remember that Christ alone is our peace and blessed hope. He who was despised and rejected, who thought it not strange that division and persecution is a familiar path upon which the faithful are often called to travel.
With Christ’s help, I’ll acknowledge my failures to be an obedient church ( yes, each of us is the church, not a denomination.) I’ll confess that I have not done Gods will and have not always loved my neighbors. I’ll ask to be freed for joyful obedience. I rejoice in the faithfulness of a holy and loving savior who walks with me and has promised to never abandon even one of his little ones. I want to not only remember what was, but truly know the one who was, and is, and is to come. It is well, it is well. Love wins! Always!
During 2018, Shades of Grace church assisted folk in our community with $11,582.00 in rent and an additional $12,846.23 for support of electric, water and rent through donations to participating partner agencies. All this in thanksgiving for our support and stewardship from other generous partners in this storefront mission.
March 1, 2019
Shades of Grace congregation currently is ministering to at least five members who are dealing with terminal illnesses. Some are homeless and find relief by sleeping during the days in our building. Just a cold drink of insure or a pack of crackers… and these folk are so grateful.
Our faith community consists of homeless folk, convicted felons, various offenders, single parents, a few professionals, a good crowd of blue collar and regular working folk. There are biracial couples and friends of alternative lifestyles. There are ex-cons and several pastors who are faithful servants for the kingdom. And the rest are just plain ol’ regular folk trying to share Jesus’ message of radical hospitality with a world that so often feels out of place.
God’s Living Room is a place they can all be ‘family’ and discover hope. (read the parable of the fishing net that is cast and draws in every manner of creation.) This is church! Join me at 4 p.m. Sunday for worship, and every M-F for miracles that only can be done by the Divine!
Donations are welcome at Shades of Grace. Many homeless walk miles and walk all night because they are afraid of being robbed or attacked. Some are learning to restructure their lives, back to work . . . so they need new shoes, clothes, educational programs, an ID card, some type of residence and other resources for a foundation to re-join society. Shades of Grace does what Jesus would do, Gives the lost, least, last and lonely that hope and faith, showing them that someone cares. Shades of Grace depends on donations and volunteers.
Feeding the Hungry at Shades of Grace
Happening at Shades of Grace
Struggling with losses in life? Need some hope and comfort? Meet with Pastor Michele and friends who will help guide you on this Journey Thru Grief! Tuesday at 11 a.m.
Need to talk about it? Loss, death, divorce, friendship, job, income?
Meet with Pastor Michele Tuesday from 11-noon at Shades!
HISET, formerly GED, classes will be offered Tuesdays and Thursdays 10-noon. Phyllis and Bill are looking for you. Never a cost at Shades. Why not stop by and see how they may be of service to you? Need help with the ABC’s of everyday life? Help reading those applications or completing a job resume’? Meet at Shades of Grace Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 am -noon. No cost!
Need Photo ID? Be at Shades of Grace Thursday by 9:00 a.m.
Pastor Will Shewey Prays for Us
As your head rests upon a pillow tonight,
breathe a prayer of intercession and thanksgiving.
Many things about tomorrow we will not understand.
Events of this day can’t be understood.
Rest in knowledge that He who keeps His people
neither slumbers or sleeps,
and secret things belong to Him.
If it be God’s will, we will awaken
to mercies new for the morning.
Though we walk through the waters,
they shall not overflow us.
Lord, forgive those who have fallen so far
from the place of peace and comfort.
Give courage to those making
difficult lifesaving choices.
Be near those dying and with those
preparing to go forth in a new reality.
And bless your holy church,
people called by your name,
that it may always be a light in darkness,
and stand on the side of unconditional love. Amen
Needing to Share and Provide a Multitude of Resources to the last, least, lost, lonely and the forgotten, there is a Donate Button at the Following Link to Shades of Grace United Methodist Church.
Click Here for Their Facebook Page and also the Donate Button for an Opportunity to Give.
