Beloved of God,

There is a song that goes, "I am the church, you are the church, we are the church together..." I have been thinking a lot about that as we read the Book of Acts together, and as we figure out how to be church these days. I lean heavily on the fact that the church is not a building, but a body. THE body of Christ, with Christ as our head and the global church as the hands and feet and stomach and heart and every other part. 

It's tough to remember that we are one in Christ when there are so many differences. Yet it isn't our sameness that makes us the church. It is our diversity that is unified in Christ. Christ makes us one, part of each other, interdependent and in relationship. 

We live that out by keeping connected with one another: worshiping together in the parking lot or online, praying for each other, serving our neighbors near and far, studying together, and meeting formally or informally, in person or online. 

This week we will read from Acts chapter 4 where nothing can stop Peter and the other apostles from witnessing to the love and grace of Jesus Christ. That is what the world needs from us now. And it is what we need from each other now. Not sappy pleasantries, not negativity. We need the gospel. That in the love and grace of God, Jesus came to be with us and for us. That through Christ, God's final word is life. And that we have that eternal life here and now in the Holy Spirit. Let's fill up our world to overflowing with that message. Let's fill up our congregation to overflowing with that message. Let's let that gospel flow through us so that nothing else can get out. 

Peace to you, Pastor Sarah