Let Us Worship Together

November 18, 2011 Daily Democrat of Durant

There are numerous reasons to select a church: geography, family history, the people, programs, and many other reasons I could fill a book as they are as individual as the people in any one church.  Yet we all know there is only one Jesus whom we all worship at various times, various buildings, and in many various ways.  That is wonderful, for we can reach more people with the One Gospel.  We even know that truly the Body of Christ is still united as Jesus is the head and each of us and each church is part of the body.  This is truly an important fact of the church and Paul makes it quite clear with his metaphor of the church being the Body of Christ in 1 Corinthians.  Paul understands there are individuals and even different churches, yet his statement in Chapter 12 verse 12 still speaks to us today, even with different denominations, “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.”

If we concentrate on our differences we will me mired in a land of differing opinions and taste, most of all.  Yes, there are differences in theological and Biblical interpretation, but if we look for the differences, you will find more to talk about in how we worship; if you search where the churches are similar, you end up at Jesus.  We can agree with Peter’s response to Jesus asking “Who do you say I am?” when Peter proclaims, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” (Matthew 16:15-16)  This simple confession is what truly unites us and if we come together in Jesus’ name we will have more power to do what Jesus commands us, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)

I believe when we gather at our respective churches we are truly part of a larger body, with Christ as the head.  It is wonderful we can gather together from the various different churches in our community to offer Thanksgiving together for the many blessings we enjoy living in our community.  We will give primary thanks to our Creator, to our Savior, and the gift of the Holy Spirit.  This tangible act of gathering as one church will be at the Community Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, November 20 at 6 pm at Community Christian Church (5325 University Boulevard).  I look forward to seeing everyone that confesses Jesus as the Anointed One, the Christ, Son of the Living God, so we can share how thankful we are Jesus provides salvation for all.

February 2011 Newsletter

We gathered for dinner after worship on January 23, and I was wonderfully surprised at the banner that read, “Pastor’s Appreciation Day” with a lovely snowman painted on the end.  The spread of food looked amazing and tasted even better.  It is a great joy to share a meal in Fellowship Hall, large such as it was that Sunday, as well as the lovely meals Sunday evenings and the first Wednesdays of the month (it will be baked potatoes this Feb. 2).  Yet the surprise did not end there. I was honored, humbled and extremely thankful for the Proclamation of “Pastor J.C. Mitchell” day, a desk plaque, and the greatest gift, a basket of cards from various congregants (the children’s being the most dear and smile producing).  I thank everyone who helped surprise me with such a wonderful honor, and everyone that celebrated with us that Sunday afternoon.  Mindi, A.J., and I are very thankful and honored to be part of such a wonderful and loving congregation: our family.

Each week, while we may not share a meal in Fellowship Hall, everyone is welcome to come back Sunday evenings at 5:30 PM to do just that as well as stay and hear some wonderful music and enjoy a study; or if a child, a fun night of educational fun and games.  We also share the wonderful meal of the Lord’s Table during worship.  This is central to our worship and our identity as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). “In 1991 The Commission of Theology, a working group of our Council on Christian Unity, stated in 'Report to the Church on the Lord’s Supper' that the Lord’s Supper is a means by which we are nourished in the love of God in Jesus Christ and united with the church universal ‘is a truth the Disciples are made aware of more surely by our partaking of the Supper than by any statements we make about it.’”  (Kinnamon, Michael;  We Are Disciples: 2009)   This is both because each person’s relationship with Jesus is personal, and the breaking and sharing of the bread has numerous theological implications.  We are reminded of the sacrifice, the new covenant, the gathering of believers at one table, the banquet in heaven, the resurrection, and  the great Love and forgiveness of God for all of us (and I am sure you can add more thoughts, for it is in our partaking that we know Jesus).  We keep the Table central to our worship and identity, knowing it is Jesus who invites to this open table.

In the Gospel of John, the Last Supper is depicted differently from the synoptic Gospels.  John tells us it is the night before the Passover and describes Jesus washing His disciples’ feet.  During this Last Supper our Lord Jesus demonstrates a wonderful example of leadership.  Jesus knows He will go to the cross, taking on our sins, and thus tells His disciples, and us today, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.  Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  I feel the love at First Christian Church; let us share the invitation to the Table, to the Love, to each other, and beyond the church walls.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor J.C. Mitchell