Then Jesus said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourself against all kinds of greed. After all, one’s life isn’t determined by one’s possessions, even when someone is very wealthy.” – Luke 12:15

Rebekah and I enjoyed another positive morning in worship Sunday. Life is good, period, but it is better when experienced in the context of community.

Simply put, we need one another, we all do, and being part of a church is the best possible way to receive the support, encouragement and accountability required if we are going to engage life at the level the Creator intended when we were so thoughtfully made.

I know that is a pretty big statement. But I stand by it. Each one of us has been imagined, designed, created and gifted to this world by God; and the Creator’s intention is that we experience community, both with God and with each other. It follows, therefore, that our full potential as humans necessarily involves faith-based community.

This week the Sunday school class I am attending wrapped up their conversation around the Life of Jesus, then Rebekah’s message addressed the “deadly sin” of greed.

Later, after church, we enjoyed the blessing of lunch with a couple of our very good friends.

Today, what I want to leave us with is Rebekah’s benediction at the end of worship. Not that the benediction itself was any more wonderful than usual, but that in watching there is this sense of standing in the middle of a crowd of good people, soaking in the atmosphere of such a beautiful space, feeling blessed and encouraged, knowing that you (knowing that that all of us) are supported and loved – grace upon grace.

From his fullness we have all received grace upon grace… – John 1:16