How often do we think about Christian fellowship and what it really means? Is it just simply about churchgoers getting together to drink coffee and eat donuts? God’s Word indicates that it is much more. The times that we have before and after services are wonderful times to visit with one another. When you do that visiting, think about Paul’s words in Romans 12, “Each member belongs to the other.” That means that we care for one another as members of the one body that Christ has made us. WE NEED EACH OTHER!

Human beings were created to be together, in fellowship with God and one another. We reach out to one another by sharing what’s happening in our lives…our troubles, our heartaches, our joys. Your troubles are my troubles…your heartaches are my heartaches…your joys are my joys to share along with you. Together we build one another up in Christ, in support of the one body He has created. Together we serve the Lord, by serving one another and serving those in our community. We let others see how Christians live together in love.

Think also about what the writer to the Hebrews (10:24) says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another---and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Those words apply to our worshipping together, receiving the Lord’s gifts in Word and Sacrament, but also to the fellowship that we share. As members of one body we “spur one another on”. We encourage each other in the Lord.

I am working with our elders to facilitate more Christian fellowship, care and concern within our congregation. This month I’ve begun visiting the elders in their homes, taking time for prayer, conversation and encouragement. One of the things we do when I visit is take a look at their list of members whom they are to care for in the Lord. We’re doing this so that we have an opportunity to share things about people that one or the other of us may not know. We’re identifying inactive members, shut-ins, members who have been sick and are in need, and things like that.

We are blessed with a wonderful community of Christians in this congregation. As I’ve said before, it’s easy to see the warts and blemishes. I think too many people focus on those things, assuming that no congregation is worth their time if it has problems and struggles. You know what? The Lord works through our struggles and it is often then that His love and compassion shines through the most. I’ve been overwhelmed by the love of this congregation for one another since I’ve been here!

Every so often I hear about what one member did for another who was sick or hurting in some way. I’ve seen our Helping Hands group very active in seeking out people with such needs and finding ways to help them. Kudos to Kathy Sievers and Janet Crouch, by the way, for being the driving forces behind that wonderful group! I’ve even had the blessing of experiencing personally the love and care of many of you as our family experienced sickness and other struggles in January. So many Zion people went above and beyond to be there for us in a time of need! Our family is looking forward to sharing our joy with you as we bring home our newly adopted child this summer. And I know that many of you have your fair share of joys to share as well.

God has brought us together through Baptism into Christ Jesus! What a miracle! I’m so thankful to be part of it. Aren’t you also? Rejoice in the miracle of being bodied to the Lord and one another. Look at the person next to you next time you kneel at the Lord’s Table for Holy Communion. Smile at the person working with you at the sausage supper this month. Ask how they’re doing. If you haven’t seen them in church for a while, tell them you miss them. The body of Christ misses them. These are your brothers and sisters in Christ for all eternity, God’s gift to you. We who are many are one body in Christ! Life together in Christ is good! You are Zion and you are loved!