September 7th (think day after Labor Day) at 7:30am Jon (the Methodist) will pick back up with our “Fifteen Minutes Of Good” morning devotionals on Facebook Live. Many of you joined us during Advent/Christmas and then again during Lent/Easter for these early morning gatherings. A number said that they participated at times later in the day. Each episode will be ready when you are. I hope you’ll join me each day as we pause to pray, embrace the gift of music, and hear a reading from Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book, Life Together. This short, but powerful writing focuses on five topics:
1. Community. 2. The Day With Others. 3. The Day Alone. 4. Ministry. 5. Confession and Communion.
In his writing, Bonhoeffer reminds us of the gift of being called together into Life in Christ.
The prisoner, the sick person, the Christian in exile sees in the
companionship of a fellow Christian a physical sign of the gracious
presence of the triune God. Visitor and visited in loneliness
recognize in each other the Christ who is present in the body; they
receive and meet each other as one meets the Lord, in reverence,
humility, and joy. They receive each other’s benedictions as the
benediction of the Lord Jesus Christ…..how inexhaustible are the
riches that open up for those who by God’s will are privileged to
live in the daily fellowship of life with other Christians.
Life Together, pg 20
As the late, Bishop Reuben P. Job reminds us,
Jesus lived his life in community. From his childhood with Mary
and Joseph to his calling and traveling with the disciples to his
declaration that he and the Father were one, Jesus lived in community.
A community of faith nurtured him, supported him, and informed him.
It is unthinkable that we would try to live a faithful life without the gifts
offered in a faithful community of Jesus.
I hope you will embrace this daily opportunity to strengthen our Life Together, and share this in your congregation. Invite them to “Like” our Sound District Facebook page (the only pre-requisite to participating.) Everyone is welcome to join in. This is a great way to expand our family by inviting our neighbors, co-workers, family and friends.
Join me and our growing Sound District family on September 7th.
Still In ONE Peace,
Jon (the Methodist)
If you would like to view past editions of How Sweet the Sound, follow this link: https://sounddistrictnc.org/category/from-the-ds/