Fellowship, Formation, Mission

Many of us tend to think that the focus of the gospel is solely on the individual: Jesus came to save individuals from sin and bring them to personal salvation. This is incomplete. Jesus came to rescue us and restore us into relationship with God as Father and to one another as siblings. Jesus came to redeem his people collectively. Through faith in Christ’s death and resurrection, we are reconciled into the community of faith, the family of God, his people, the church. Look at how this is expressed in Scripture:

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”  1 Peter 2:9-10 

Understanding that God has saved “a people for his own possession” is the foundation for strong, authentic, loving community in the church. At PasCov, we come together with three commitments in all of our Small Communities:

FELLOWSHIP  “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.”  Hebrews 10:23-25
 
FORMATION  “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives.a Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom He gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.”  Colossians 3:16
 
MISSION  “God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”
1 Peter 4:10  
 
We hope to see many of you tomorrow at our Rekindle forum from 10-12 in the sanctuary, where we will encourage each other and be equipped to serve our Good God!
 
Grace and peace,

Anita Sorenson
Pastor for Spiritual Formation