“Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common … 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.” – Acts 4:43-44, 46-47b
Throughout the book of Acts, we see the first Christian communities living together and working to understand what it meant to be called together to be God’s people in the world – people who live in and because of the promise of the resurrection. For these early Christians, it meant days spent together in the temple together worshipping God and it meant time spent together in their homes, eating and witnessing to the blessings that abundantly filled their lives.
These times were filled with conversation and fellowship – learning and living together as people called into mission by Christ. They were able to share their faith and their lives with each other in new and exciting ways. They were building new communities and strengthening their relationships. This summer, we at Reformation have an opportunity before us much like these opportunities of the early church.
Together, with the members of Messiah Lutheran Church in Newtown Square, we will be able to join in worship, Bible study, fellowship and service. Through these experiences, we will have a chance to rejoice in God’s work in our lives and to listen together for the ways that God calls us to live and serve with and for each other. Please take a moment to note the opportunities in the pages of this newsletter and others that might arise as the summer continues.
Pastor Wayne and I encourage you to consider joining us for these exciting shared ministry opportunities this summer as we continue living out our own mission to invite all people, serve our neighbors and build a living faith alongside the members of Messiah Lutheran Church.
Blessings,
Pastor Alina