Far from being a civic-minded organization of volunteers interested in doing good for our society, the church is a “community of authentic forgiveness,” and that can happen only by God’s power and grace. “Here there is full forgiveness of sins, both in that God forgives us and that we forgive, bear with, and aid one another.” We are connected to our Lord and Savior, and we are connected to each other, as we worship, work, confess, witness, encouraged, guide, challenge, teach, learn, support, and love. We do good works that benefit our society, but that is not our primary purpose or connection. We share similar interests and priorities, but that is not the main reason why we gather together. We are connected to the Risen One because we have participated in His death and resurrection, through our Baptism. We are connected to the Lord of Life because we receive His body and blood in Holy Communion. We are connected to Him and to each other because are ‘living stones’, parts of His body, redeemed children of God.

One problem is that we American Christians have convinced ourselves that we can come and go as we choose, without regard to God’s will for the church. We convince ourselves that we are free and independent, completely within our rights to go or stay, to get involved or to walk away, to get connected or to remain isolated. The Lone Ranger is our model in our attitude toward the fellowship of saints. We gather together when we feel like it, and ignore the body of Christ when we have something more ‘fun’ to do, or someone who is more attractive and interesting. More people are convincing themselves that they don’t need the church, that they can be spiritual without being involved with other Christians, that it is OK to disobey God’s instructions about functioning together within the church. That disobedience can include failure to communicate maturely with those with whom we disagree; failure to support God’s work with His resources; failure to witness and teach and counsel.

You and I are in the church (the whole Christian Church, those who have faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior) because the Holy Spirit has ‘called, gathered, enlightened, and kept’ us in this community of saints. He does so because He knows that we need to be connected, need to be in relationship with other believers, need to be involved in the living body of Christ. I fear that we don’t take this holy community seriously enough. I fear that our faith weakens and our faithfulness becomes inconsistent when we do not gather with our fellow saints on a regular basis. I fear that our connections become looser, to the point that the body that could support and strengthen and protect and care for us is no longer available.

The third point is that there is a long history of God fulfilling His promises to be in our lives and in our world. He keeps His word. He is committed to us. He loves us. He enables us to be faithful to Him. So, we can trust Him. No matter what is happening in our lives or in our world, we can count on Him to accomplish His will, which is to save us and take us home with Him.

The fourth point is that we learn to be humble before Him. After all, He has our lives in His hands. The whole world is in His hands. Nothing occurs without His knowledge and permission. We yield to His power and wisdom. We seek His guidance and help. Our faith and our circumstances put us on our knees before the Holy One Who loves us and calls us to follow Him day by day.
Fifth, as we come to a birthday anniversary and think about the year that has gone by, we are moved to thank God for His gifts and support. We are led to the amazing conclusion that God has been active in our life in incredible ways, protecting, giving, using, guiding, sustaining, challenging, forgiving, leading. We can't have another birthday if our Lord is not watching over us. He alone gives life and health, growth and healing.

As we deal with the death of a loved one, we reflect on the person's life, realizing that God was involved in ways that were not always comprehended at the time. We are grateful that the loved one was a part of our life, that our relative or friend was blessed by our Lord, that God's grace and mercy were available.

As we reflect on the amazing happenings in the Middle East, we wonder if the end of the world is upon us. As we listen to the debates about bankrupt states and-cutbacks in government programs that threaten our well-being and the lives of people in other parts of the world, we question God's involvement. Has He forgotten? Does He care? Will He do anything for us? If this is the end of human history, will He keep us strong in our faith and love?

When I am bombarded by these thoughts, I (eventually) go to the cross and let it remind me that my Lord does know and care. The cross is proof that He does keep His promises, even at the cost of His life. The cross tells me that His love is uncondi-tional and everlasting. I have experienced His forgiveness, made possible by Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. I have been freed from guilt and fear, and I have been accepted and reconciled. God has never failed me, and He never will. His history of faithfulness, revealed in the Bible, shows that He is committed to us. Nothing can stop Him from accomplishing His will. Nothing can make His love go away. (See Romans 8:38-39)

Isaiah put it this way: “Can a mother forget the infant at her breast, walk away from the baby she bore? But even if mothers forget, I’d never forget you - never. Look, I've written your names on the backs of My hands.” (Another translation: 'I have graven you on the palms of My hands.') (Isaiah 49:16) Isn't that an incredible picture -our Creator and Lord thinking about us constantly?

What do you think? Do you want your congregation to be 'the best' that it can be? Are you willing to think, plan, pray, and work so that this church can do all that God wants it to do? Can this fellowship of saints be a source of truth, love, acceptance, recon¬ciliation, guidance, and support? Will you and I do all that we can as individual mem¬bers to invite, encourage, learn, and act, so that God's win and presence might be known?

It's a major challenge to be faithful to God and to meet His expectations, as the poem indicates. I get the ‘blues’, as I get discour¬aged with the results of my efforts, and get frustrated with my own flaws and short¬comings. You and I manage to stray away from the things we need to do, such as studying God's Word more often, praying and praising more consistently, being com¬passionate and generous. We yield to temp¬tations far more often than we want to admit. Complacency afflicts us, as we are content with the way things are. We don't want to do more than we are already doing.

The poem's sentiments are nice but unrealistic. As we work side by side, as we wrestle with our understanding of God's will for our congregation, as we engage in the discussions and planning that prepare us for the future, we challenge and criticize constructively even though some might choose to be offended and upset. We move forward with the work and opportunities that God gives us even though not everyone agrees or is willing to stay involved. We commit ourselves to making this body of Christ an active, lively, loving part of God's kingdom. We determine to function as a group of believers who proclaim God's Word clearly, show His love passionately, and point to His forgiveness and life faithfully.

2000 years ago, at a time when famines and wars devastated large regions, and Christians were being persecuted viciously, St. John wrote the messages and visions given by God. The book of Revelation offers tremendous hope and comfort to those who trust in the Lord. In the first 3 chapters, letters are given to7 congregations, warning of judgment, giving encouragement. To those who ‘overcome’, who ‘conquer’ by remaining faithful, who rely on His care, who seek His will, there is given the promise of new life and eternal joy with the One Who gave His life for them. The Lamb of God, sacrificed and resurrected, ultimately brings His people into His presence, where they give Him "glory and honor and thanks forever and ever".

That sounds great to us as we deal with the stress of daily living, with mounting debts, with limited options. Our conditions are not getting better, but are getting worse, and a future that offers healing, relief, and life is good news for us. Is there any help for us now, though, or do we quietly cope until He calls us home? Is there anything that God does for us in our present circumstances?

When we are open to His voice, when we willing to let Him work in us, when we are eager to become more like the example that Jesus set for us (Philippians 2:5ff), we discover that God does provide blessings that are relevant to our current circumstances. In the Revelation letters, Jesus tells the believers to pay attention to His Word. He also gives patience and courage, discernment and strength. He provides forgiveness from the guilt and remorse that can paralyze us. He renews our love for Him, and enables our faith and trust to grow. He increases our awareness of His presence in our world, and of His involvement in the actions and maneuvers of nations. He gives determination and compassion, generosity and endurance. He gives wisdom so that we might know what to say when we are called to witness. He provides perspective, so that we realize that this earthly existence is not all that there is to our life. He controls the power of evil and the efforts of Satan so that we are not overwhelmed by temptations and pressures. He cautions us about idols and immorality, about complacency and com-promise, about being ‘lukewarm’ in our relationship with Him. He offers to make our love vibrant as He guides us through each day. He brings people alongside of us to encourage and help. He shows us that we are dependent upon Him for life itself. He showers us with His mercy.

Our world needs all of that, too, as the people around us look for acceptance and help and meaning for their lives. Our Lord tells us to share that Good News, giving us marching orders in Matt.29:18-20 (the Great Commission). How are we doing with that mission? In our Christmas cards, decora¬tions, and greetings, are we communicating our faith that Christmas is really about Jesus and God's love and our eternal salvation? We live in a society that seems intent on getting rid of Christianity. Our local county authorities told the Chamber of Commerce that the tree-lighting event could not use the word 'Christmas'. To the Chamber's credit, the Chamber refused that stipulation, and the authorities accepted a compromise that allowed 'Christmas' to be used. Are you and I as determined to "keep Christ in Christmas", or do we go along with 'Happy Holidays' or 'Seasons Greetings' (whatever that means)?

With this awesome, mind-boggling event that we call "Christmas" right in front of us, are we motivated to use it to help our world know of God's love and mercy? More than that, do we see our congregation as a resource for helping us show our world that the Lord is gracious and compassionate, and gives to all who believe life without end? Do we see Ramona Lutheran as a fellowship of saints that enables 'faith-sharing' and 'faith-building', that is important to carrying out God's Great Commission to teach and baptize and make disciples? Do we see our church as a place for celebrating and learning and witnessing and demonstrating His love in us? We can do much on our own, but we can do much more of God's will when we join together, pool our resources, and work with each other to put His plans into action.

Do you agree? Are you doing all that God wants you to do in and through this church we call Ramona Lutheran? Are you making your time and energy, your spiritual gifts and money available for God to use as He grows His kingdom through this part of His body? Is this congregation effective in doing God's will? Is it 'worth' your support? Is it using your contributions to accomplish that which is God's will for this fellowship of saints? Without your support and involvement, this church will not remain a source of Christmas hope and love. It will not be able to touch people's lives with the truth of God's Word. It will not enable people to help, comfort, encourage, or guide each other.