In the pages that follow you will find out about how we reach out to our local community.
However, it is important not only to reach out to others, but also to know why we reach out to our community.
In three different places in the gospels, Jesus gave reasons why His followers should share the love and grace that they had received with those around them.
Firstly, He called them to let their light shine so that people would glorify His Father in heaven (Matthew 5.14).
Finally, He said that caring for the poor and needy might not be valued in this world, but would be rewarded in the life to come. Invite the poor and needy to your dinner party, because though they can never pay you back, God will reward you (Luke 14.12-14).
Loving our community is not just about social action. It is about the church responding to the timeless call of Jesus to value what is of eternal worth and significance by expressing God's love to people here and now.