Grace / Sacraments

On Sunday as we join around the communion table, the pastors will pray, “Make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world until Christ comes in final victory.”

Have you ever noticed those words? “Make us one.” We live in a fractured world, a world of polarized political views and polarized religious views. We live in a world where families don’t talk to each other and we all seek to be “right.” We live in a world where we don’t know our neighbors and our kids don’t even go to school with the kids on our block.

Do we really believe this part of our prayer can be accomplished? Do we pray “make us one” while knowing in our hearts that it will never happen?

I don’t believe that we have to think alike to be one.
I don’t think we have to believe alike to be one.
I don’t think we have to vote for the same people to be one.

I believe we can be one together in mission and ministry as we reach the world around us. We can be one as we worship a God who loves us. We can be one as we praise a Savior who removed our sins by his death and resurrection. We can be one as we allow the Spirit to move us to greater compassion and grace for one another. I believe we can be one.

But I believe we can’t do it on our own. I will harbor resentments if I don’t let the Spirit move within me. I will speak words of division if I don’t allow the Spirit to close my mouth. I will seek my own way if I don’t surrender to the Spirit’s grace that can change me.

How can we be one with Christ? One with each other? One in ministry to all the world? I invite you to ponder that as you prepare to come to worship together on Sunday with people who may not think and act like you. I invite you to ponder that as you pray for the discernment of the task force exploring a possible merger with Sanctuary UMC. I invite you to ponder that as you interact with people in the grocery store, the Y, and your neighborhood. How is the Spirit moving you to unity in this world?

I pray we can lead the way in this fractured world.
See you soon.
Pastor Lynn

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

• 8:30 a.m. Traditional service in Sanctuary and child care in Rm 15
• 10 a.m. Traditional service in Sanctuary and child care in Rm 15
• 10 a.m. Youth and children’s Sunday School and child care (except fifth Sundays)
• 10 a.m. Livestream premieres on YouTube and Website

To access our livestream service:

• From the main menu on our website click “Worship.”  -OR-
• Go to YouTube and search for UMC St. Mark’s Oro Valley or use this link.