The Whole Body of Christ

Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul,

and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions,

but everything they owned was held in common.

With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the

resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.

There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands

or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold.

They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

–Acts 4:32-35

We hear a lot of talk about “Godly” community and what it means to have Christ’s model for leadership. In comparison to Iron Age monarchies, divinely chosen judges, and outright emperors, the community described by Luke in Acts 4 seems to me to be an authentic and Christ-centered way to live. It is a time and place where resources are shared, and everyone has something to contribute; even if they have no resources. The idea of giving to those in need has a reciprocal side that these individuals give in return. I’m deliberately not saying, “give back” because that changes their community life to a simple transaction.

In American culture it is difficult to separate material resources from scriptures because we tend to think in terms of possessions, goods and transactions. But if we raise the bar and think of Acts 4 in terms of spiritual and intellectual care we see a community where all are valued because of who they are and how everyone’s presence is part of the flourishing (shalom) of it. It is not “I give because there by the grace of God go I.” It is, “We flourish in blessing together because we see and care for each other.”  In community like this there is no “other.”

But we live in the real world and there are “others’ who are disenfranchised, left on the margins, or not taken seriously as part of the whole community. They become objects rather than siblings. Once again, our economically challenged neighbors may come to mind, but there are others who are disenfranchised from participating because of perceptions of ability and age. 

Sunday we heard a bit of the voices of our young people and heard references to our elders who are living away from our church walls. These are part of our treasures of the church that are sometimes ignored or left behind. As we heard the story of Thomas in worship on Sunday (John 20:19-31) I emphasized that Thomas was able to experience wholeness in the risen Christ with the help of his community maintaining a place for him to flourish; even after he expressed his major doubts and fears. People of God, let us continue our path towards openness. Let us make a place where we are all seen, we can all share and we can all flourish together. With the help of one another we can all be healed and reach out for what Jesus offers us.

Peace,

Pastor John

Listen to the Messages Online: Video Link. 

 Next Sunday Series

Living Into the Resurrection

Sunday, April 14: A Brief Introduction to Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and the Potential to Transform Relationships

So often words are weaponized, violence and coercion are seen as the answer to challenges. Jesus lived trusting in God and taught a path characterized by non-violence. 

Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is a communication process designed to radically shift the way we think and use language in everyday situations to enhance the quality of our relationships with colleagues, friends, family, and neighbors. In this session, we’ll learn how to communicate in a way that invites more goodwill into our lives to better meet everyone’s needs.  

• Facilitator: Paige Hector, LMSW, is a consultant and nationally recognized speaker and writer with over 25 years’ experience in post-acute and long-term care settings. Paige writes extensively on topics relevant to nursing homes including multiple chapters of Managing the Long-Term Care Facility, 2nd Edition due for publication in 2024. She serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for Caring for the Ages, the publication for AMDA, The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine. She is actively involved in the AMDA Education Committee; the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workgroup; and the Behavioral Health Advisory Council, as well as national work groups to improve trauma-informed care. In 2018, she was named the Gerontologist of the Year for the Arizona Geriatrics Society. Gypsy Lyle connected Paige with CAUCC!

Please sign up (indicate if you will be more likely joining in person or via Zoom): Click here to sign up.

Make The Wheels Go Round

Casa de las Misericordia (La Casa) is the shelter in Nogales, Mexico for legal asylum seekers. Our Compassion on the Border committee along with our CAUCC community supports the work of this shelter via Cruzando Fronteras – the steering committee that oversees the financial affairs of La Casa. Visits to the shelter are conducted many times per year and members of CAUCC have participated in these tours.

Those of you who have made the trip across the border to La Casa have experienced first hand riding in the 20 year old passenger van. Not the most comfortable of rides with tight seating arrangements and a low roof! We know what great work La Casa does and now we are hoping to help provide good transportation for trips to the facility. 

The estimated cost of a new high roof van is $60,000. We have an anonymous donor who has given $20,000 toward the cause. Donations can be made by checks written to CAUCC with Faith in Motion on the memo line. Donations can also be made directly through the church website donation page or using the QR code on the poster display in the church entrance. Join us as we track the progress to our goal.

Questions? Contact Susan Sommerfeld at: Email or (763)202-3160.

Last Chance!

Six members of our congregation have volunteered to help at Poz Café on the 18th. Three of them have volunteered several years previously. Why do they do it?

• "I enjoy helping people, especially the marginalized. These care partners, people living with HIV, are definitely in that category. It is so rewarding to see how much they enjoy this time, eating out and spending time with other people who accept them and with people who are like them."
• "It is a great chance to help others who are on a rough road. Just a small offering to their monthly day of games, great luncheon, chances of winning a bingo prize and the tote bag of necessities. They are always so happy upon leaving."

This week is your last opportunity to add to that happiness by dropping off deodorants or small boxes of Kleenex at the church office or narthex on Sunday. Please bless yourself with the joy of giving.

If you have items but can't bring them in, I am happy to pick them up.

Jane Pendley (520) 437-9111

Taizé Service in the Sanctuary

Taizé is a quiet, 45-minute service with gentle music, singing, subdued candlelight, scripture readings and includes time for reflection, time for silence and time for meditation. 

Please join us Thursday, April 11th at 6:30 pm in the sanctuary. Prelude music will start at 6:20 pm.

Taizé is held the second Thursday of each month.