“I appeal to you, brothers and
sisters,... that there be no divisions among you, but that you be
united in the same mind and the same purpose.” (1
Corinthians 1:10)
"I'm Methodist." "I'm
Baptist." "I'm Catholic."
"I'm non-denominational.” “I’m just plain Christian!” With all our different labels and so
many varieties of Christianity, no wonder non-Christians get confused when we
try to share our faith in Jesus with them!
Yet, consider
the fact that our differences in belief and practice need NOT keep
us apart in heart and spirit. Reflect, for example, on the words
of John Wesley (founder of Methodist Christianity), spoken in one of his
sermons over 250 years ago:
“Although we do not think or worship
alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of
one opinion? Without all doubt we may.
Every wise person... will allow others the same liberty of thinking
which they desire others to... allow them. One should only ask... 'is thy heart
right with God? Dost thou believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? Is he revealed in thy
soul? Is thy faith... filled with the
energy of love? Do you show your love by
your works?... 'If thine heart is as my heart,' if thou lovest God and all
humankind, I ask no more -- 'give me thine hand.'" (--From
Wesley’s sermon Catholic Spirit)
Remember, when
we get to heaven, God won’t ask what denomination or Christian tradition we
belonged to. But He WILL ask (and know) what’s in our hearts! With that in mind, I hope you’ll join me on October 1st for World
Communion Sunday worship!
As we’ve done
in the past, we’ll have one combined, blended worship service at 10:30am in the Sanctuary with our sisters
and brothers in Christ from the Korean United Methodist Church of LaGrange. Their
Pastor (Rev. Daniel Kim) will help lead us in worship, and the Korean church
choir will join both our BRIDGE praise band and choir in leading our singing. I
hope you’ll join me as we celebrate our oneness with Christ in heart and spirit
across cultures and the globe, starting right here in our own backyard with our
Korean friends! And remember, God loves
you and I do, too!
