James Shepherd, public practitioner of Christian Science healing and speaker, will present his virtual talk, “Why Everyone is Needed” on Sunday afternoon, May 23 at 2 p.m. Visit the church website (csmontrose.org) and click the link on the lecture tab on the homepage for connection information. Music will begin at 1:45 p.m.

The talk will focus on universal healing precepts found in the Holy Bible, especially in Christ Jesus’ life and teachings, showing how they are available for anyone to understand and experience through the lens of Christian Science. The talk will be live-streamed as well as available afterwards on YouTube. It is sponsored by Third Church of Christ, Scientist, Glendale in the Montrose Shopping Park at 2406 Honolulu Ave.

This lecture explores the nature of God, infinite Love, as the only cause, and the unbreakable connection to God as God’s offspring. It shows how this gives everyone purpose and worth; what it means to see everyone from a more God-like, or spiritual, point of view, and why seeing everyone in this way has such an impact on everyone’s lives.

Sharing examples of healing and of lives that have been transformed and lifted from dark times to healing and progress, Shepherd will explain why Christian Science is both Christian and scientific, meaning that people can prove its effectiveness for themselves, as fully described in the book “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” written by the founder of the Christian Science movement, Mary Baker Eddy.

Shepherd will also touch on the life of Mary Baker Eddy, a mid-19th century woman from New England, and how she came to understand, confirm and teach what she felt was original Christian healing. Eddy herself said she was especially inspired by Jesus’ demand, “He that believes on me, the works that I do will he do also; and greater works than these will he do, because I go unto my Father” (found in the Gospel of John 14:12 in the Bible).

For over 150 years, people around the world have also worked to follow Christ Jesus in this practice of Christianity and continue to do so today, with healings of physical ills and personal difficulties for themselves and others.

James Shepherd has been a Christian Science practitioner for many years, helping people on a daily basis through this scientific approach to prayer. Based in Eugene, Oregon, he speaks to audiences around the world as a member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship.