The GreatHeart
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Bible Study and Support Group Every Thursday at 2pm, when chapel is over and lunch has been served, a group of men and women, most of whom are homeless, gather in the chapel for the weekly Bible study. There are usually 20-30 of us gathered in a circle with our Bibles open seeking a deeper relationship with God and one another. The Bible study has addressed topics, such as “Recognizing Idols,” “Who is Jesus?” and “Who Wrote the Bible?” We have also gone verse-by-verse through James’ Epistle, and since December we’ve been reading through Luke; we are currently in Chapter 8. On Friday morning at 10:30am, a next group of men and women gather in the second floor
conference room for the weekly support group. These men and women talk about issues that affect their lives, such as alcoholism and drug addiction, gambling, anger issues, etc. Our interns (see Page 3) provide much support at these groups. Gwen co-leads the Bible study with me, and Gwen and Elif, under the direction of Kathy, colead the support group. Due to health or other issues, many of the attendees are not able to join The Bowery Mission’s residential recovery program. Thus, through the Bible study and support group we have found ways to more deeply minister to those on society’s fringes.
The Bible Study at The Bowery Mission: All Are Welcome!
Washing the Feet of the Poor On Maundy Thursday, we had two footwashing services at the Mission. In the morning the counselors washed the feet of the residents in the program; in the afternoon, Uros (who leads the Gospel Jazz band every Friday night in the chapel) and I held our second annual footwashing service for the homeless community. Since it was Thursday, we had our weekly Bible study that afternoon. Many of the men who had their feet washed were at the study. We applied spikenard oil on many of the men’s feet (just as Mary did for Jesus) and the chapel had a
wonderful musky smell. It is amazing how God works. It was not planned to reflect on the footwashing at the Bible study, but it just so happened that we left off in Luke 8, which tells the story of Jesus having his feet washed. Many men came to the Lord that day. Fifteen of the men in the program made an outward confession of faith. Actions do speak louder than words, and although we mostly washed feet (and said little), many responded with faith commitments. Please hold these men in prayer as they journey with God.
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” – Jesus (John 13:14)