Reflecting on Values: Life Together as a Christian Community

“Life Together,” by Sandy Benny

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By means of God’s sacrifice of His Son on the cross, those who believe will have eternal fellowship, or life together, with Jesus. This ultimate sacrifice and service is the center of our life together, with Him and also in service to others with whom we have a connection. The connection may be with people we know, or others whom we’ve not yet met.

Before attempting to discover what Life Together as a Christian Community would look like, I’d like to briefly look back to the values that likely were important to Faith members before us.

Just imagine, 70+ years ago, how excited Faith’s founders must have been as they enthusiastically and prayerfully planned and built a new Lutheran church in the suburbs!  They made decisions about the selection and purchase of the property, the design and composition of the sanctuary and parsonage and other necessary details. Their guidance throughout this mission was their strong and solid commitment to God’s word and His Plan for them. Their life together  was made possible through their sharing of God’s word, prayer, the sacraments, and sticking to the plan.

When my family arrived here in 1947, the white wooden sanctuary had an attached two-story Fellowship wing with Sunday school classrooms downstairs.  (The school was added several years later.) What I remember from my youth here was Faith congregation was strong in its commitment to God’s Word, Sacraments, prayer and two-year Catechism classes! I also remember adult members calling on newcomers, shut-ins, new moms and their babies.

While these Lutherans were steadfast in their core beliefs, they also were sure to enjoy their Christian life together, having plenty of fun socials and activities.  My favorite was the popular Church/Sunday School picnics at Carmichael Park!  The Walther League youth group handled the games, ice cream and sodas. Today, Faith maintains these core beliefs along with lots of opportunities for social outlets together.

Our time together is strengthened through God’s word in Church services, Bible Classes onsite and in homes and restaurants, Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, soup suppers, LWML ministries, nursing home and other visitations—all activities centered on God’s Word practiced at Faith and in our community.