This morning at Advent Lutheran Church (ELCA) we concluded the Easter Hope series and welcomed new members.
Sermon
My message, “One in Jesus” is based on the narrative lectionary passage: Galatians 3:1-9, 23-29.
You can watch below or read the manuscript.
Excerpt
In Christ, we are all equal. We are all united in Jesus.
For most of us it is probably pretty easy to look around our sanctuary this morning and agree that we are one in Jesus. It takes a bit more effort if we expand this to include Adviento. And perhaps it becomes much more difficult yet just as appropriate to apply to the same label to the people who serve as volunteers at the White Rock Center of Hope.
All of them and all of us are one in Christ. When I finish preaching we will proclaim this truth together lifting our voices in song with Somos Uno En Cristo or We are One in Christ. It is a hymn that I was introduced to many years ago while on a mission trip in Mexico. And, on a day when we will gather here in this sacred space for the service or ordination and installation of Connie Ortega, it seems particularly appropriate to be reminded that our one faith is multi-lingual.
In English, the song begins with these words:
We are all one in Christ, we are one body.
All one people out of many.[1]
I don’t know about you, but I am grateful that God calls us – all of us – to bring all of ourselves to follow Jesus. In baptism God claims us as God’s own. And, in community, we live out our faith.
Here at Advent we say we welcome everyone and we mean it.
- Those with varied religious, vocational, and familial backgrounds are welcome here.
- Those residing in gated communities, those with no place to lay their heads, and those housed in all sizes and sorts of dwellings are welcome here.
- Young people, old people, middle aged people, all people of all ages are welcome here.
I invite you to bring your whole self to Advent and to your journey of faith, knowing that the unique gifts, experiences, and perspectives you offer will enrich our community.
And as you do, it is my hope and prayer that you experience this congregation as a place where all are welcome and that you will intentionally extend that welcome to others.
May we truly be one in Jesus.
Amen.
[1] See ELW 643.