ANNIVERSARY REFLECTION

⁴²They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. ⁴⁴All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. ⁴⁶Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2, NIV)

Things have changed in the church planting world in the last 2,000 years. The verses above tell of the immediate results that were seen shortly after the birth of the Christian Church at the festival of Pentecost. God used his power in unique ways through the apostles. We see how the lives of the believers were being affected as they came together to worship every day. These people of like minds shared meals, fellowship, and their means with the less fortunate. And what a gift it was that the original group of Christians could see firsthand how the number of believers was increasing daily!

As we fast forward to today, things do not seem as easy. The Lord has changed the way in which he communicates with his people, no verbal or overtly miraculous signs. Rather than church being the place to gather every single day, we allow our schedules to squeeze out worship on any given Sunday. Our time is thin, perhaps our means are thinner, and our generosity is tempered. Rather than joining in common goals with the body of believers, we seek our way. And we certainly do not see our church grow daily, as it takes weeks, months and sometimes years to build bridges to share the Gospel.

But the more things change the more they stay the same. Just like the original apostles (which means “to send”), we have been sent to spread the Good News of Jesus. For the last ten years, the congregation of Apostles has done just that! We celebrate the fact that the truths of the Scriptures are proclaimed unashamed. We rejoice that our family of believers that gather around the Word and Sacraments has grown (while others have moved on). We marvel at the talents the Lord has given to his people. We are thankful that God has provided a beautiful home for us to carry out our ministry. I pray we will continue to support each other in faith, love and service to one another as the Lord allows.

Dear friends, the Lord is just as powerful and just as active as ever; he never changes. His Word moves hearts and changes lives. On this 10th anniversary of Apostles, we celebrate the grace God has shown and the people he has brought to faith. We look forward to our eternal home of heaven. Until then, let us devote ourselves to the original apostles’ teaching of Jesus, to fellowship, to the efficacy of the Sacraments and to prayer. To God be the glory!