Vital Signs of Faith: GROUP
Dear friends,
People in the Bible are frequently identified by their relationships with others. When Jesus returned to Nazareth, the people identified him by his relationships: “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?”
And how was Jospeh described? Luke’s Gospel explains who he was: “Joseph son of Heli, son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of Melchi, son of Jannai, son of Joseph, son of Mattathias…” The lineage goes on and on.
Part of the reason that the Bible emphasizes these connections is because our faith underscores the importance of community. We were created to be in relationship with other people.
Unfortunately, in our increasingly individualistic society, we can forget the importance of connection. In many ways, the pandemic exacerbated these trends, as individuals have become increasingly disconnected from one another. That was never God’s plan. We are not meant to face the challenges or celebrate the joys of life alone.
Therefore, I invite you to join us this Sunday, as we examine the final vital sign of our faith: the call to be a part of a group. I look forward to coming together for worship this Sunday. I look forward to gathering as a community.
In Christ,
Mark+
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