February 10, 2011

Opening Hymns:
We Are the Church

Scripture Reading:
1 Corinthians 3:22

Message: Our Divisions
Much of my time during college I was living with three people of different Christian denominations. We each had our different views and our different passions… but the focus was always on the Lord. Different denominations allow people to praise and worship God as they feel comfortable, and in a way they see fit. However, I’m afraid this passage hits home. Divisions in the church have been growing every year. People are trying to seek and define what the “true church” should be like. There are so many disagreements that each branch of Christianity has with all the other branches. People fight and argue about it. Sometimes families and friendships are torn.

Sadly, when I read this scripture I think “yep, we are still drinking milk aren’t we.” But then there are the times when the community comes together as one. When floods strike and all come together to lend a hand. When disaster hits, and we come together in prayer. When harvest comes and we celebrate together with joy. There are so many times we can join together, each of us as brothers and sisters and remember our similarities. We can remind ourselves that we are children of God. There may always be wars about religion. And there will always be disagreements. But through prayer and scriptural study we can still join together. We can remember the greatest commandment “to Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and “To love your neighbor as yourself” (Mathew 22: 37, 39).

I will always remember and miss the bible studies I had with my three friends. We each were able to say our views about how we read the scripture. We each gained insight, and learned lessons we wouldn’t have learned had we never had those bible studies. There are so many things to learn from each of our brothers and sisters. My challenge for myself and for each of us is to listen, learn, and grow.

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, we all want to learn your ways. Sometimes it is hard to hear Your voice in this busy world. I pray that you will guide us to Your will on this day. Let us play nice here on earth. And help us to learn and grow so that we might start sharing and partaking of solid spiritual food together. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
The servant Song 261 (Red)
Let the Walls Fall Down 262 (Red)

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, and serve the Lord
Thanks be to God