“We are one”
I have just returned home from our Joint Worship for Christian Unity at Melfield United Church of Christ. The theme was “we are one,” and the story (which Christians all over the world have celebrated together in this week of Christian Unity) comes from Exodus, the crossing of the Red Sea.
We came together, across denominations, across race… to celebrate what God has done for ALL of us! The gift of salvation, crossing over to LIFE, to Freedom. All Christians (and even Jews and others) share this story of crossing the Red Sea together…how God made a way WHEN THERE WAS NO WAY! The world and the church are so full of division, but Christians hold so much in common. We share a common creation (with all people), a common story of salvation…from captivity in Egypt to the salvation that Jesus Christ offers to ALL people. Why would we let others come together across divisions before us? Jesus Christ is the one who has united us: “In Christ there is no longer Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, woman nor man..” We are all one in Christ Jesus.
It was very unusual for those of us (white) United Methodists to come to a worship service at 3pm on a Sunday afternoon, but I was so proud of those of you who came, and honored by the invitation from Melfield UCC (most of whom had been at church since 9 or 10am!!) And God gave us a real experience of being ONE! We sang together, prayed together, and experienced God’s presence together. This is not the end, but a beginning, a step along the way.
We give thanks for all God has done for all of us, and we pray, with Jesus, that we may be one so that the world may trust in the love and salvation of God. (John 17).
Peace,
Pastor Christi
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