We have peace knowing God forgives us. How do we react when people hurt us? How do we react to a society that is full of anger? Why do we respond with anger to sinners and people we disagree with? Forgive and live in the peace of Christ

Isaiah and Peter were both shocked by meeting God. They both responded with fear and a complete sense of guilt and shame. Yet God shocked them more by forgiving them and welcoming them in His presence! We learn to things as we stand before God - we are sinners and we are forgiven. We would do well to remember this every day!

God opens our eyes in Christ to see everything differently including His church. The church isn't a building or institution but the very body of Christ. Paul calls us to see each member as a significant part of the body, from the smallest and weakest to the strongest. It all goes together bound to Jesus and united in Jesus

Message by Rev. Joel Hess, St. James Chicago

in the end, when everything else fails, and it will, we need to be loved and we are made to love others. We have problems loving others because we want to protect ourselves. God's reckless and committed love for us frees us to not worry about ourselves and therefore recklessly love others.

Message by Rev. Joel Hess, St. James Chicago