“God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.” 1 Corinthians 1:9
Fellowship is something I get to see regularly in my ministry as Superintendent of Lutheran Schools. Fellowship in Lutheran schools takes on many forms, from choirs that sing together and teams that play together to adults and students who serve together. Lutheran schools are places that help children see not only the friendly activity aspect of fellowship but also the service aspect that is found in our Life Together in Christ. Just in the last few weeks, I’ve witnessed the following events centered on serving others with Christ’s love:
- Immanuel Lutheran School in Alpena collecting money to buy sandals that are uniquely built to grow in function as a child grows and also to last for five years. They have surpassed their goal with support from their congregation;
- Teachers and students at St. John, Rogers City taking turns shoveling the sidewalks clear of the 4-6 inches of fresh snow. The willing workers, big and little, were all smiling, realizing they were helping their local and school community;
- Trinity in Jackson, where children and adults were rubbing shoulders as they packaged meals for Kids Against Hunger. Chapel was led by a missionary, who reminded them that they were united in Christ with people from another continent;
- West Shore Lutheran School in Muskegon collecting water for students at St. Paul Lutheran School in Flint;
- At the installation of Gail Smith at St. Matthew, Westland, school staff encouraged her in her teaching ministry through the use of Scripture and examples of their service;
- Students at St. Michael Lutheran School in Wayne not only have raised money to package meals for Kids Against Hunger but also raised funds and bought gifts for Angel Tree at Christmas;
- Schools volunteering prayers, money, and service for a neighboring Lutheran School who had a second grader killed in an accident. Area congregations and schools volunteering time, meals, goods, and service to remind the community that our God is faithful and keeps His promises.
Lutheran schools daily remind students that we are not alone but God has promised to be with us to the end of the age. What a joy it is to see those words expressed in small and large acts by students, teachers, and parents! Life together in Christ means reaching beyond ourselves and extending our hand to assist our neighbor and remind them that God loves and cares for them in part through His disciples. Please join me in praying that, in our Life Together in Christ, we continually look out for our neighbor because we are united as the body of Christ regardless of where we live.
[Tweet “Life together in Christ means reaching beyond ourselves and extending our hand to assist our neighbor.”]
Photo by Elisa Schulz/Michigan District–LCMS
