What is Our Story?

Blessings Friends,

Last week I invited you to come and hear Sergio Silva from Rio de Janeiro share his story of growing up as a “street child” in an infamous Brazilian Urban Slum. In the parlor, through a young translator, he told of standing on the corner at 5 years old begging for food because he was responsible for providing for his two-year old sister and infant brother waiting in the shack after their parents abandoned them. He told of his arrest, separation from his siblings (one of whom would never acknowledge him again) his placement in a Methodist orphanage, and his encounter with a missionary, the first person he knew to exude joy. His tremendous journey of pain and redemption went from there. When he finished, a neighbor (who because I cannot reach him to ask his permission, I will leave unnamed) that attends Café Capitol Hill on Sundays and is currently on the streets himself, sighed and shared, “But that’s my story.” He, Sergio, and others then partook in an extraordinary conversation about the struggles of poverty, the presence of God and the calling and commission on the church.

This week, we will conclude our study of Genesis in worship. We’ve looked at what it means to be the People of God. And story after story, we’ve seen God’s earliest children be both radically broken and yet repeatedly brought into God’s action of bringing about God’s promises for the world.

Is that our Story? As I sat and listened to our extended community last Thursday, I caught a glimpse of “the people of God.” We tell our stories to one another. We hear and honor one another’s pain and possibilities. Scripture is shared. Through the sharing, we begin to glimpse God’s promise for us, not to be alone in the struggle but to wrestle together and discover God’s truest desire for us individually and for God’s world.

I look forward to seeing you in worship on Sunday.

What’s Happening this Week at CHUMC:

Wednesday Bible Study – Our study group is continuing with the series “Great Sermons.” Each week we dig into a proclamation by a different famous preacher. So no worries if you have not come before, each week is unique. So print off this provocative sermon by Martin Luther King Jr looking at the Christian’s role in Vietnam and head over to the church. We meet in the parlor at 7 and don’t worry if you haven’t gotten it all read.

Ongoing Food Drive - Mission Possible, one of the ministries of Capitol Hill Group Ministries suffered 3 repeated break-ins in one week. This ministry, which serves 25 children living in Potomac Gardens Housing and is now in its tenth year. has never experienced such a loss. Everything was taken. We at CHUMC will be collecting non-perishables to restock this ministry for the meals it offers the children there to learn. Please bring as you are able cans of tuna, chicken, vegetables, boxes of Macaroni and cheese and other pasta to the Lobby of CHUMC. Thanks to all who have already given!

Sunday Worship – Continuing our Journey through Genesis and what it means to be the People of God, we will wrestle with Genesis 45:1-15 and Matthew 15:10-28. And don’t forget to come to Sunday School at 9:45 in the chapel where the class will be discussing these passages. Consider class a “warm-up” for worship (smile).