“Welcoming Those Different From Us”

May 15, 2011   50-Day Spiritual Adventure Wk.3 Acts 10:(1-23,)24-35
(with material adapted from Rev.Roger Haber)

  Play AUDIO (24 kbps mp3) 

CAN THIS BE ‘CHURCH’?

•    Calgary church startlingly diversified

A NEW UNDERSTANDING FOR “MR.CLEAN”

•    Cornelius’ surprising invitation to Simon Peter
•    Peter resists God’s invitation to eat un-kosher food
•    Peter obeyed, though ‘unlawful’ for Jew to visit Gentile
•    baptism of Holy Spirit proves God’s acceptance of believing Gentiles

THE CHURCH DOWN HERE, AND UP THERE

•    our most segregated hour?
•    transformed by contact through collaborative volunteer project
•    church in heaven from every nation / tribe

RECONCILIATION NEEDS TO BE PART OF OUR DAILY LIVING

•    being witnesses ‘to the ends of the earth’ requires broadening our acceptance: race / age / demographic
•    intentionally take steps to befriend someone un-like yourself

CAN YOU HEAR ME?

•    cleft palate sufferer clung to affirming words that deeply impacted her life