Reflections for Lent

Hebrews 3:1-6 NRSV

Therefore, brothers and sisters, holy partners in a heavenly calling, consider that Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses also “was faithful in all God's house.” Yet Jesus is worthy of more glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that would be spoken later. Christ, however, was faithful over God's house as a son, and we are his house if we hold firm the confidence and the pride that belong to hope.

God’s Church

For many years I was the director of the 4-and 5-year-old choir at our church. It was a treat for me. One year we had 52 in our choir! Have you ever tried to herd cats? My pianist was so wonderful with this age group, and the parents helped out. Those precious children could sing so beautifully. We named our choir “JOYFUL NOISE!” They enjoyed singing in “Big Church”. In reading this scripture, I was reminded of one of the choir’s favorite songs. The scripture tells us that God has no church building. His people are His church. 

People build churches. But these churches are only gathering places for those who love God and believe in His Son. Christ is the keeper of God’s church, His People. The song the children loved to sing is called, “We Are the Church," by Richard Avery and Donald Marsh. 

Refrain: 

I am the church! You are the church! We are the church together! All who follow Jesus, all around the world! Yes, we’re the church together. 

Verse 1: 

The church is not a building, the church is not a steeple, the church is not a resting place, the church is a people. 

Refrain

Verse 2

We’re many kinds of people, with many kinds of faces, all colors and all ages, too, from all times and places. 

Refrain

Verse 3

And when the people gather, there’s singing and there’s praying, there’s laughing and there’s crying sometimes, all of it saying: 

Refrain

-Carolyn Dickson-

Dear Lord, Thank You for the wonderful “Church” around us. They are our friends. They are our family. They are our Brothers and Sisters in Christ. Thank You most of all for Jesus, the Son of God, who is over God’s Church. Amen