Scripture Reading — 1 John 4:7-21There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.— 1 John 4:18Elen, a single mother of three, lives in our shelter for women and children. Tiny but with a tough veneer, s

Scripture Reading — John 11:17-44Jesus . . . was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept.— John 11:33-35When my sons’ mother died unexpectedly, my wife, sons, and stepdaughter and I came together in deep, shared grief.

Scripture Reading — Revelation 7:9-12I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.— Revelation 7:9In 1983, Ulysses left Haiti and arrived in Chicago with some fellow refugees

Scripture Reading — Galatians 5:13-26You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.— Galatians 5:13A volunteer at Roseland Christian Ministries saw a sign for the celebration of Juneteenth and said, “W

Scripture Reading — Ruth 1:1-22Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.”— Ruth 1:16A few years ago Erika’s mother passed away from cancer. Erika’s mother was a sister

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 17:1-28A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.— Proverbs 17:17Ever since I was born, my brother has been by my side. As kids, we walked to school together, and when we moved to the Chicago area, we had each other’s backs. I’ll never fo

Scripture Reading — Exodus 13:3, 14-16“In days to come, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ say to him, ‘With a mighty hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. . . .’”— Exodus 13:14My father-in-law tells a story about his grandfather returning from Norway with a