Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved (Acts 2: 46-47)
"So there is no area of the church which is not wholly and exclusively subject to Christ. It is a dreadful reduction of the New Testament concept if today the church is often seen to have its existence only in preaching and the administration of the sacrament," a quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his book The Way to Freedom.
Church is not always easy, nor is it always pleasing. What church is, when it is church at its best, is life together. Common and shared worship. Companionship in the joys and struggles of life. Being hospitable, and loving the neighbor, even if he/she is a stranger. Finding purpose in something greater than ourselves. Church is not wholly about meeting my needs. Church, at its best, helps me to meet the needs of the world.
Jesus, help the church to be life together, both in the sanctuary and especially beyond it. Amen.
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