It can be hard to live our lives in a way that reflects Christ. This was no less true when Paul was writing to the Ephesians than it is today. Paul's letter here shifts the focus of how we live in community with one another (gifting one another with community) as the Church to how we live in the community of our everyday lives which are mixed with believers and non-believers. As we consider Paul's words, we consider their wisdom and how we might use them to "walk not as unwise, but as wise" in order to bring light from Christ to "arise the sleeper from the dead".

There are many whom we can give ourselves to as gifts, and we can give of ourselves in many different ways – but the “Gifting” of living in Church community with one another is a distinct kind of gift that we can share with our Brothers and Sisters in Christ. We can share in a counter-cultural community that seeks to give grace instead of punish wrongdoing, but also provides wisdom for living together in community. In this new life, we are fed and nourished by the Body of Christ, those who are around us together, living out His life for one another

There are many whom we can give ourselves to as gifts, and we can give of ourselves in many different ways – but the “Gifting” of living in Church community with one another is a distinct kind of gift that we can share with our Brothers and Sisters in Christ. We can share in a counter-cultural community that seeks to give grace instead of punish wrongdoing, but also provides wisdom for living together in community. In this new life, we are fed and nourished by the Body of Christ, those who are around us together, living out His life for one another

Missionary to Kenya, Rev. Dennis Meeker shares his sermon about what God is doing in all congregations in the world in His power. Visit Rev. Meeker’s site, 4kenyaskids

Missionary to Kenya, Rev. Dennis Meeker shares his sermon about what God is doing in all congregations in the world in His power. Visit Rev. Meeker’s site, 4kenyaskids

God’s gift of Communion or the Lord’s Supper is a particularly powerful gift, as it unites us with the “breadth and length and height and depth” of the love of Christ that we may find our root in Him. This gift is a miraculous gift – every bit as miraculous as walking on water or sending a flood, and like the rainbow in the sky, is a sign of God’s covenant faithfulness with His people, encouraging us to believe His Word.

God’s gift of Communion or the Lord’s Supper is a particularly powerful gift, as it unites us with the “breadth and length and height and depth” of the love of Christ that we may find our root in Him. This gift is a miraculous gift – every bit as miraculous as walking on water or sending a flood, and like the rainbow in the sky, is a sign of God’s covenant faithfulness with His people, encouraging us to believe His Word.

We continue our “ReGifted” series with a consideration of our Baptisms, looking at what it means to be granted access to the Trinity in one Spirit, as well as to be united with brothers and sisters in Christ through this sacrament. We were once far off, but God has granted to us His gift of inclusion so that we might be included in His sheepfold and shepherded by Jesus Christ. The other readings have an overt “Shepherding” theme, which leads us to consider how we are being shepherded in our Baptisms today.

We continue our “ReGifted” series with a consideration of our Baptisms, looking at what it means to be granted access to the Trinity in one Spirit, as well as to be united with brothers and sisters in Christ through this sacrament. We were once far off, but God has granted to us His gift of inclusion so that we might be included in His sheepfold and shepherded by Jesus Christ. The other readings have an overt “Shepherding” theme, which leads us to consider how we are being shepherded in our Baptisms today.

God's love for us never ceases, but there are times at which we might question the compassion of God when we see the suffering of people around us. Jeremiah wrote the book of Lamentation as he was watching his people being carried off into exile, but he was still able to have hope in God's provision for his people. As we see Alexa and Wyatt baptized this morning, we reflect on the hope that we have for their lives, and how God will show them compassion - even in those times when they will suffer in their lives