“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household” -Ephesians 2:19
On Sunday, November 3, St Luke’s celebrated Confirmation Sunday. We welcomed 50 students into full membership. These students made their public profession of faith and took the vows of membership. Nine of our students were baptized across both campuses. It is always a joyful celebration when our young students take the faith for themselves. It was a powerful day for our family of faith as we gathered to welcome our newest members.
As I stood in the sanctuary, looking at part of the confirmation class, I was reminded of an important part of our faith. Our faith is both personal and corporate. Although our faith means so much to us as an individual, it is through others that our faith is deepened and enriched. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, said, “The Bible knows nothing of solitary religion.” We experience God through one another, and our practice of faith is strengthened by those who are on this journey with us.
It was a blessing to see the confirmation students take this step in the faith. It was also a blessing to see that they were not standing alone. That day, they were joined by the St. Luke’s staff, their parents and grandparents, the faith friends who had been praying for them, and a loving congregation who joined the confirmation students in renewing their commitment to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength…and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:30-31)
We are often tempted to think that we can take the journey of faith by ourselves. The truth is, we need each other. We need the loving support of our family of faith, and we need to play an active role in supporting others. There is no greater way to love our neighbors than to be an active participant in the journey of faith with one another.
Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
