This Sunday we will reflect on the 8th chapter of Nehemiah. In the first verse of the reading, we're told God's people came to hear Ezra expound the Torah "as one man." God's word is, of course, for individuals. Indeed, Nehemiah goes on to delineate specific types of people in attendance (men, women, children). But these individuals come together as one. What God is calling the people to do can only be done together, in community.

Nehemiah connects what the people believed, as they listened to Ezra preach, with how they heard, in community. One of my favorite theologians, Thomas Oden, points out that God's people's theology and community are always tied at the hip. As he puts it:

"Our stereotype of orthodoxy is that of frozen dogma, rather than a warm continuity of human experience--of grandmothers teaching granddaughters, of feasts and stories, of rites and dancing. Orthodoxies are never best judged merely by their doctrinal ideas, but more so by their social products, the quality of their communities."

In our liturgy, whether we're celebrating a baptism or a wedding, it's not only individuals covenanting, but the community. The congregation responds "we will" when asked if they will support the bride or groom or person being baptized or ordained. Philip often reminds us, "everything we do, we do in community."

The historian Robert R. Williams points out that the early church was known not just for what they believed, but how they lived--communally:

"The sick and the poor were cared for, and work was found for the unemployed. Strangers were entertained as brothers in Christ. Those who had lost all rather than to deny their faith were given shelter and support. Our annual sunrise service was a daily concern, for every day brought its Easter message. One's private life belonged to a community of saints and was fashioned by its decrees and sustained by its resources."

On Sunday we, like the early church, and like the people of Nehemiah's day, will gather together as a community, as a family, as "one man" to hear God's word read and explained. I hope you will be there!

BOARD OF STEWARDS ELECTIONS ARE COMING UP!

ASD Board of Steward elections are coming up this Sunday. Members of All Saints may vote for new board members in person after each service on January 26th. For a list of our BOS candidates and their bios, click HERE.

Click below to watch a video message from Joann Dealey:

As we approach our Annual Church Update and Board of Stewards Elections, we’re excited to share a special series of ministry updates. Each week in our newsletter, we’ll feature insights from one of our ministry leaders. In just about five minutes, each leader will highlight some key accomplishments, share a story of God’s work in their ministry over the past year, and look ahead to their goals for the next six months.

So let’s hear from Joann Dealey this week, who will be sharing about our Annual Church Update. We hope these updates give you a deeper connection to the work happening at All Saints and the exciting ways God is moving among us.

If there are no available parking spots in our lot, please use the parking lot across Cadiz. Our primary parking area experiences its highest occupancy between the transition from our 9:30 to 11 am service.