Connected in Faith
What is the nature of the church? What brings us together and connects us as a part of the wider whole? As our society becomes more and more individualistic and more and more separated by technology, mobility, and just sheer busyness, what is it that draws us together? Are we just individuals that happen to worship together—whether onsite or online—or is there something deeper that connects us? A few months ago, I came across this thought-provoking question, “Is the church more like a bag of marbles or more like a cluster of grapes?” When you begin to think about the similarities and differences of a bag of marbles and a cluster of grapes, you can come up with all sorts of comparisons on a surface level. Both are spherical. Both are groupings of similar items. Both can be roughly the same size as one another. And yet with marbles there is a lot of movement within a bag. If the bag rips or develops a tear you can quite easily lose a marble or two without missing it at all or simply the whole thing can come apart, fulfilling the proverb of “losing your marbles.” Is the same thing true with a cluster of grapes? When you look beneath the surface of the cluster of grapes there is a deeper connection and network that joins them together. They are living and growing together, depending upon one life source to supply for them. If one grape goes bad in the cluster, it’s going to have an effect on the rest. There is something truly shared within this interconnected web of life and growth and being. Isn’t that the very picture of what the church should be?
The church at its core is a group of individuals united together for the wider good of its community and world that is completely dependent and sustained by the very life-giving source of Jesus Christ. We are not just a collection of individuals. We are a “congregation” of believers, concerned not only for our own welfare but for the good of others. When one of us goes missing, it affects us. When one of us is experiencing difficulty, it affects us. When one of us has reason to celebrate, we all have a reason to celebration.
During this ministry year, we desire to emphasize this special connection that we have as the family of God called Calvary Lutheran Church and School. For this reason, we have developed the theme of “Connected in Faith,” which we will be referencing and developing throughout the year ahead. Even though we might be separated from one another in this time of pandemic, we are still joined together by Jesus. Even though some of our ministries, events, and activities might look a little different this year, we still have the same mission of engaging people in Christ, wherever we find ourselves. Here is a layout of the three key emphases of our ministry theme developed around God’s invitation and instruction to us through the words of Hebrews 10:22-24.
2020-21 Ministry Year Focus
"Connected in Faith"
- Connecting with God - Draw near with a true heart
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
— Hebrews 10:22 - Connecting with our Church Family - Hold fast the confession of our hope
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
— Hebrews 10:23 - Connecting with our Community - Stir up one another to love & good works
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.
— Hebrews 10:24
May God’s peace go with you this month, as you abide in the love of Jesus. (see John 15:5).
— Pastor Kurt Ebert
