Series: Just Mercy Sermon: Pricey. Obedient. Personal.
WATCH THE SERVICE HERE
Texts: Ruth 2:1-20, 4:1-10, James 1:27
Supplemental Text: Mark 10:45, 1 Timothy 2:5-6, John 14:31, Romans 8:14-17
Psalm Reading: 146
Jesus and Boaz remind us that serving others (i.e. children in the foster care system) comes with a price, is an expression of obedience, and requires us to get personal.
Foster Care Needs
In Pennsylvania, there are approximately- 14,000 children in foster care, with 375 children in foster care in York County.
There are nearly 3,000 children waiting to be adopted in Pennsylvania.
About 1,100 children will age out of the system this year with no forever family.
Fun fact: There are about 12,000 churches in the state of Pennsylvania. If a family from every church took one child into their homes, the need for foster care would be taken care of.
Stillnaz Foster Care Initiative Opportunities
Prayer - receive a monthly prayer email with praise and prayer requests from Keystone Family Alliance.
Become a resource family - Our goal is to have more than enough foster families than children in care. Is God calling you to answer the call to open your home? If you feel that nudge, you can respond and we will help guide you through the process.
Join or Lead a Stillnaz care community - 90% of foster parents will quit fostering before the 2 year mark. With a supportive community, 90% of them will foster past 2 years. A few hours a week of support can make a huge difference for foster parents and the children they serve. The Care Community will commit to: At least 1 year of service to the family, provide 1 meal a week, babysitting at least once month and meeting the needs the family may have throughout their fostering journey.
Lead a Care Community-Each Care Community needs a coordinator to be the point person for the resource family and the Care Community. This coordinator will connect with the resource family regularly about their needs and communicate those needs to the rest of the Care Community.
Join Gateway - Sign up to receive emails of tangible needs posted by caseworkers that you can meet. Keyfam.org/gatewayform
Give Financially —Support the mission by giving to the Keystone Family on Stillnaz.com/give or to “York County” at www.keyfam.org/donate.
Reflection Questions
Begin with a prayer pause. Read Psalm 146:3-9. Choose a line to meditate on for 2 minutes.
What is your experience with foster care or adoption? What do you believe is God’s purpose for the church in light of this crisis?
Read Ruth 2:1-20. What stands out to you about Boaz in this part of the story? Anything in his character or behavior that you want to incorporate into your life?
In the message, we recognized that Boaz’s generosity was pricey, obedient and personal. Why is it important to remember that in light of the idea of living out James 1:27?
Read 1 Timothy 2:5-6, John 14:31, Romans 8:14-17 and see how Jesus’ generosity was pricey, obedient and personal. How do these verses encourage, challenge and equip us to be people who extend care to the children in need of foster care today?
Read Ruth 4:1-10. What is the difference between Boaz and the other kinsman redeemer? What excuses or reasons could prevent us from helping orphans in our community?
Our Foster Care Initiative is inviting us to consider 6 different ways of becoming engaged. Which of these are you being drawn to?
Close in prayer. Ask God to help you determine what needs to change in your life to better serve your community. Think of and pray for those who are like Ruth in your life.
Weekly Reading (November 11-16)
Monday: Psalm 113; 1 Timothy 5:1-8
Tuesday: Psalm 94; 1 Timothy 5:9-16
Wednesday: Psalm 94; Luke 4:16-30
Thursday: Psalm 16; 1 Timothy 6:11-21
Friday: Daniel 4:19-27; Colossians 2:6-15
Saturday: Daniel 4:28-37; Mark 12:1-12