I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, ‘Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I’ll handle the works department.’
Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove.” - James 2:18, The Message
There is a balance between Lutheran’s understanding of grace as freely given, not dependent upon any works of our own, and the idea of a faith without works being dead as it says in James. Yes, we are saved by grace through faith and that has nothing to do with any action we take, however and as I have stated many times in sermons, we live our lives in response to what God has first done for us.
Your council and I have been praying for well over a year for the Holy Spirit to guide our congregation to be the church we need to be where we are planted. Together. It has been amazing to see doors opening to new opportunities for us to be church in our community as we seek to spread the love of Jesus. You’ll read more about that in our council president’s article in this issue. I believe this is part of what God is calling us to do.
Be sure to read the report from Kathy Lueders and the future church committee.
They have been working on listening, praying, and discerning how the Spirit is equipping us to be church, together, using the gifts we have and the facilities we are blessed to occupy here on our little island. Soon you will hear more from Kathy and her team as they seek to gather your input and to respond to your questions about the process and their findings thus far.
More evidence of faith being lived out. More opportunities to share what we love about our faith and about our community of faith here at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection. I hope you will join me as I pray for this amazing church family and the Spirit’s guidance as we continue to strive to live into an active faith for all to see.
In peace and hope,
Pastor Paul
