As a faith community, we are a diverse group of people that make up the body of Christ. We come from various backgrounds, faith journeys, and different life experiences that make each of us unique - together we are NewHope Church. On a Sunday morning, you could be sitting between a college student or a medical professional in their scrubs who just got out of work. You could be sitting next to someone who is curious about Christianity or someone who just received a hard diagnosis and is holding on to both fear and faith. Have you ever asked those around you about their lives? You will likely hear some incredible stories that speak of overcoming challenges, faith, and renewal. We all know what it’s like to experience NewHope for the first time and the community and friendships we’ve found here. Most of all, we’ve found God and have encountered Him in some special moments. God is the one who holds us all together.
In Colossians 2:19 Paul writes, “For He holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it.”
As followers of Jesus, we each get to play a role in the spiritual growth and unity of the church. Just as joints and muscles in the physical body provide movement and support, we are each called to support and build one another up in the faith. How are you building others up? How do you need others to build you up?
We each have a common dependence on Jesus and that leads to growth and unity. Unity must be built upon God because we as a church have and will continue to experience growth. We grow through encountering God, understanding the scriptures, applying God’s truth to our lives, and sharing the message of Jesus through serving. May Jesus always be at the center of everything we say and do.
In the 1990s/early 2000s, Vineyard music was sung in many churches. They wrote several incredible songs including “Jesus Be the Centre” which goes…
Jesus, be the centre
Be my source, be my light
Jesus
Jesus, be the centre
Be my hope, be my song
Jesus
Jesus, be my vision
Be my path, be my guide
Jesus
May we always allow God to continue to nourish us as we trust Him and allow Him to hold us all together. Even in times of growing pains, may we understand that He is working things out for our good. God, be the center of it all!