Together More
“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)
Thank you for your counsel, input, encouragements, and expressions of love to me and my family as we pray concerning the Divine Call I received a little over a week ago. We share so many joys together at Zion! Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we rejoice in Christ’s promises, wonderful works of grace, and gentle leading.
The psalmist hits the mark with the beginning of Psalm 133’s delight in togetherness and solidarity. Oh the bitterness that sin inserts into the soul when there is conflict. Oh the sweetness of reconciliation and life lived with time spent together. Many of you reading this are new to church and are discovering the joys that our world and culture have for several decades declared “isn’t important.” I won’t write of the importance of reconciliation and time set apart to be with other believers today. Rather, at this moment, think of the pleasantness of the simple moments we’ve enjoyed this past month. In addition to the public gatherings after Easter of our Divine Services, Communion celebrations, hymn singing, Spanish Language Mission Forum, LWML meeting, small group Bible studies, confirmation classes, game night, worship in Mexico, planning meetings, building repair work, and the New Member potluck, there have been numerous simple conversations with family as well as anguished prayer together in hard, painful circumstances. Jesus Christ has drawn us near to Him with forgiveness and to each other in reconciled unity. So good. So pleasant. Thank you, Jesus.
St. Paul describes an important facet of our life in Christ that we have received and that I pray would be a cause of even more sweet times together and with others in peace and unity:
“[Jesus] died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. 16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.
(2 Corinthians 5:15-20)
This month, we look forward to our celebrations of Holy Communion knowing the Lord will continue to reconcile us to Himself. Bible Study on Sundays will expand our understanding of the Bible’s vast vocabulary of Good News and I pray you all have opportunity to share it.
In Christ’s peace,
Pastor Stephen
This article, news, and information is found in our May 2024 newsletter, available by mail, email, of pickup in the church entryway and office. Let us know if you wish to subscribe to receive this monthly publication.
This post is also available in: Español (Spanish)