Between Sundays for the Week of September 7, 2026
On Sunday, September 6, we were grateful to have Pastor Imani Olear lead worship. View Sunday’s worship service and listen to Pastor Olear’s introduction to the gospel and full sermon (beginning around 16:53). Below, find the reflection printed on the back of the bulletin for your devotion this week and don’t miss the “Faith Connection at Home – Summer Spotlight!” (scroll to the bottom of this email) to learn more about this week’s featured kid, Nate Hoffman!
Called to Community
from Sundaysandseasons.com
Jesus says, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (Matt. 18:20). In these Sundays after Pentecost, we are repeatedly reminded that God has not abandoned us and that Christ’s resurrection and ascension are a beginning for us, not an end.
The readings this week focus on the practical work of the gathered Christian community: turning from sin to repentance, from conflict to reconciliation. The question is as relevant today as it was for the disciples and the first Christians: How do we live together, work together, as the body of Christ? We have been saved by grace, liberated by God’s love to love one another. What does it mean for
us and for our community to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 13:14) and to clothe ourselves in love?
We keep asking these questions because the way we gather as Christians continues to be profoundly countercultural. We do not gather as a social club, drawn and kept together only by shared demographics and interests. If church is only a social club, there is no reason to continue to gather if conflict arises, if uncomfortable issues are raised, or if “the way it’s always been” begins to change. If church is only a social club, there is no reason to do the hard work of reconciliation and forgiveness.
God calls us into community knowing that being in community is hard. In scripture we can find practical guidance for gathering through good and hard times. The Holy Spirit is always at work—in, through, and among us—to gather and regather us again. In community we meet and become Christ’s body in ways that are impossible for us as individuals; all the commandments are fulfilled in this call to neighbor-love (Rom. 13:9).
P.S. As always, share your presence with us or prayer concerns by completing a contact form on our website! Links to previous worship videos are available on our website.
Faith Connection at Home
How old are you and what grade are you entering in the fall? I am almost 9 years old and entering 4th grade.
What’s something you know how to do really well? Soccer, soccer and soccer! Really any sport with a ball. I’m also good at rollerblading and the hoverboard.
What is something you would like to learn how to do? I would like to learn how to surf.
Ponderings
The poetry of Mary Oliver is often deeply spiritual and prayerful and speaks to noticing the movement of the divine in the world around us.
Praying
It doesn’t have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch
a few words together and don’t try
to make them elaborate, this isn’t
a contest but the doorway
into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.
From Thirst, 2006