Join us for Sunday service with Communion at 10:00 am.  Sunday school starts this week.  All are invited for coffee after the service.

Marlene’s Rev. Notes:

“For when two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20

I love this verse! It brings with it a sense of diversity and vision within the church, by breaking down the concept of a localized meeting-place with God. We have gained the capability of creating a temple anywhere and everywhere. Our meeting place with the Holy One is both spacious and gracious. It is not the temple that makes the place of worship, but the coming together “in my name.”

There are worshipping souls in the great cathedrals, but they are not all there. Whether on a mountain top, in a wheat field, on a sandy beach or a frigid prairie, when two or three compassionate believers are gathered in the name of Jesus; there is the Church.

Matthew 18 is known as Jesus’ “community discourse.” Here Christ teaches how believers should treat each other regarding sin. This case envisions a Christian, who has sinned against another. How is the offender to be reconciled and healed? Matthew’s Christianity requires patience and understanding toward those who have committed an offence against another person. Matthew suggests multiple attempts be made to address grievances within the church. He also expresses great faith in the beloved community, and in their ability to forgive, as they are blessed with Christ’s presence and Spirit.

Paul’s encouraging words in his book to the Romans are: “each Christian owes no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves one another has fulfilled the law.” This, my friends, is easy to say, but hard to live.