Roy’s Ramblings

This past week I had breakfast with one of the newest pastors in town – great guy – really young – full of energy and is ready to conquer the world. I gave him a piece of advice that was given to me many years ago when I was “really young – full of energy and was ready to conquer the world” … If you want to go fast … go alone – If you want to go far … go as a group – African Proverb.

This little ditty is in our hymnal and it came to mind – We Are the Church – UM Hymn 558

Refrain:

I am the church! You are the church! We are the church together!

All who follow Jesus, all around the world! Yes, we’re the church together!

The church is not a building, the church is not a steeple,

the church is not a resting place, the church is a people.

     Refrain

We’re many kinds of people, with many kinds of faces,

all colors and all ages, too, from all times and places.

     Refrain

Sometimes the church is marching, sometimes it’s bravely burning,

sometimes it’s riding, sometimes hiding, always it’s learning.

     Refrain

And when the people gather, there’s singing and there’s praying,

there’s laughing and there’s crying sometimes, all of it saying:

     Refrain

At Pentecost some people received the Holy Spirit

and told the Good News through the world to all who would hear it.

     Refrain

“Ephesians 4:1-16 gives guidance to the basic expectations of congregational shepherds (translated pastor): called ‘to equip the saints for the work of ministry’ — to help [those in the church] to become better servants like Jesus, through gift-identification, prayer, sacraments, group Bible study, and service opportunities. A biblical definition of a saint is ‘every follower of Jesus Christ, holy, and set apart for God’s special purpose, someone in whom Christ lives again.’ As St. Paul says elsewhere: ‘I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.’) Galatians 2:19b-20). This is the calling of all of us in the Body of Christ, servants as Christ to one another.

We are all called to do ministry and be ministers of the Gospel. We all have a special calling that others are counting on us to perform. We all have gifts that God expects us to give. And, we receive a special blessing each and every time we make a difference to someone somewhere. So this week we are going to be talking about our diversity and our differences and how they make us one body in unity to follow the teachings of Jesus the Christ.

Pray this out loud as often as you need to: O Lord, we hear your call to use our gifts, abilities, and resources in service of your kingdom. Feed us with Jesus, the Bread of Life, so that we are empowered to be the people you created and call us to be. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

May God Bless Us All – Pastor Roy