Good to Know
Summer Heat
As we get into hotter summer days, we will keep an eye on the temperature in the sanctuary. On excessively hot days, City Harbor Church will meet downstairs in the Fellowship Hall, so please pay attention to signage and social media!
This Week
Sunday Church Service
We are looking forward to our Sunday church service this Sunday, June 22nd, at 9:00 am. You can listen to the recordings of previous messages here. This Sunday’s song list is included below:
You are Holy (Prince of Peace)
https://youtu.be/QsYyuK1w3q0?
God So Loved
https://youtu.be/iq5URsXbKXs?
Ever Be
https://youtu.be/BhasSpSBdEE?
All My Fears
https://youtu.be/Ri7KLykdZt8?
Sharing Life Together
Pastor’s Weekly
Two Sundays ago, we enjoyed a faith-filled and joyful gathering of several Baltimore City churches. We see pictures and reports, online, of thousands of people being water baptized across our city and nation. Many are following Jesus with the help of local churches.
There is a supernatural peace found in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Kingdom of God brings about a lifestyle of righteousness, peace, and joy, Romans 14:17. We are to pray, asking for God’s Kingdom to come, and for God’s will to be done, Luke 11:2-4. We read about this, in Acts 2. We see that receiving salvation from Jesus prompts a public identification thru water baptism. Incredible life-change happens by receiving all that God the Holy Spirit has for us. This also motivates local church activities, wholehearted devotion, and generosity to the cause and to those in need. Acts 2 gives us the example that we need.
The Good News of Jesus was the foundation for Paul and Timothy’s appeal to Philemon. Paul asked Philemon to forgive Onesimus (who had escaped slavery). By legal custom, Philemon would have been expected to enslave and physically harm/mark Onesimus, upon his return. Paul sends Onesimus back to Philemon, asking for a supernatural forgiveness of debt, based on their shared identity found in Jesus Christ. Paul asks Philemon to free Onesimus, changing his social status and relating to him as spiritual family. Scholars estimate that between 25 and 30 percent of the first century New Testament church were either currently enslaved or had been enslaved. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul is calling for Jesus-followers to view their world in a new light. Legal change of a person’s status, in citizenship, is how they would read Paul’s appeal. Jesus taught about the mercy and truth of God our Father. Our God is described as a God of righteous justice and compassionate grace.
How should this inform our prayers for the needs of refugees, immigrants, and illegal immigrants? How should this inform our prayers for immigration reform? We desire the wisdom of God to be seen in compassionate good stewardship, meeting the needs of refugees and protecting the innocent. We need a more efficient and effective immigration department. We can pray, based on Paul’s appeal, for a righteous and merciful change in legal/social status. We can think through complex issues and ask God for his Kingdom to come and his will to be done. We can ask God to bring our leaders into alignment with his will. May the Holy Spirit give you grace and peace, as you pray.
Here is the full video of the Pentecost service: https://f.io/alGfUf2P
Upcoming Events
- June 22nd, 9:00 am Sunday Church Service
- June 29th, 9:00 am Sunday Church Service
- July 6th, 9:00 am Sunday Church Service
- July 13th, 9:00 am Sunday Church Service
- July 20th, 9:00 am Sunday Church Service
City Harbor Church: helping people take next steps in following Jesus. Click here for more information about us and what we believe.