“In the same way (the Spirit) calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth and keeps it united with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.”

From the explanation of the Apostle’s Creed – 3^rd Article in Luther’s Small Catechism.

The Christian church began in an “upper room” in Jerusalem.

Some might say it was on the evening of the Resurrection when our Lord, according to John 20, “entered the upper room though the doors were locked”, breathed the Holy Spirit on ten frightened disciples and commissioned them to forgive the sins of others as they had now been forgiven.  Some say it was 50 days later when, on Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended upon many more disciples, who were together in an “upper room”, like “tongues of fire” and they began to speak the wonders of God in many languages.

Regardless, the church originated in the very place where Jesus was crucified, resurrected, and ascended.  Jerusalem is our spiritual home.  From it the church spread to “Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8)   We belong by confession to the “one, holy, catholic and apostolic church" (Nicene Creed).  The church in Jerusalem and the wider Middle East is the focus of a prayer service to be hosted by Calvary on Wednesday, January 19^th at 11:00 AM.   We’ll welcome our friends from St. John Vianney Catholic Church, as we have in the past, to worship with us and join us in prayers for the church in the Middle East.

The Christians of that region face many challenges. In truth, the church of the Middle East is a persecuted body of Christ, a suffering body, but also a courageous and gracious body, ministering to people of all cultures and religions.  Our worship is part of an 8-Day emphasis on the church catholic (universal church) called The International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  On the table in the Narthex you will find several copies of an 8-Day Prayer guide for you to learn about the church in that region and shape your prayers for Christians in the Middle East.  The wider aim of the Week of Prayer is the visible as well as spiritual unity of the church. Given that our origins despite our differences are in Jerusalem, the church in the Middle East is a most appropriate focus for this effort, and I hope you’ll join us.

Immediately after worship we’ll move to Fellowship Hall for coffee and light snacks.   As part of the day, we will receive an offering of non-perishable food items and monetary donations, all of which will be directed to the St. Vincent DePaul Food ministry housed at St. John Vianney.  Please bring something to share when you come next Wednesday. If you can’t participate in the worship, you can also drop off food items in the grocery cart in the entry of the church this weekend and during the week leading up to Wednesday.  Monetary gifts made out to Calvary with “St. Vincent Food Shelf” in the memo line will be relayed to them as well.

I am looking forward to this joint service, the music and prayers of two congregations united with Christ in the one true faith through the Holy Spirit.  This is the 4^th time I’ve participated in this joint service, and I always consider it a joy to unite our two congregations that reside on the corner of Calhoun and Gebhardt, praying in our common faith and for the common faith of Christians across the globe.

Because of a cross.

Pastor Ken Nelson