Singing One Song

Grace and peace to you in the name of Christ,

I begin this epistle with a heartfelt word of thanks on behalf of one of the beloved saints of Stonebridge UMC. Last Sunday, Mildred Walton celebrated her 100th birthday. Mildred is a faithful member of our church family who worships with us each week. When I called to wish her a happy birthday, she joyfully told me about the many cards she received from members of Stonebridge UMC. She asked, “How will I say thank you to all those good people?” I promised to share her gratitude in this weekly email. Thank you, Stonebridge UMC, for surrounding Mildred with such love and reminding her how deeply she is cherished.

Over the past four Sundays, we have explored the heart of our Christian faith together. We believe in God our Creator, Jesus our Lord and Savior, and the Holy Spirit. 

This week, we turn to what we believe about the Church. The Apostles’ Creed simply says, “I believe in the holy catholic church.” Written long before the formation of the Roman Catholic Church, the creed uses “catholic” to mean the one universal Church with many parts. Whether Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, or Roman Catholic, we believe in the one triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are united by the lordship and saving grace of Jesus. Our rituals and approaches may differ, but we belong to one another through our baptism in Christ. 

Some Christians believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior but do not see the Church as necessary to faith. Yet the New Testament mentions the church 115 times. For the first Christians, the Church was home for worship, growth, and faithful living. The book of Acts reminds us that we flourish when we follow Christ together: our worship becomes richer, our faith grows deeper, and our healing presence in the world is multiplied. 

The early Christian writers gave us beautiful images for the Church. My favorites are the Body of Christ, expressing our unity and shared life; the Bride of Christ, revealing our loving covenant with Jesus; and the City of the Living God, where God dwells among us. These are more than labels—they are spiritual portraits of the Church’s nature and mission.

In Ephesians 4:1–6, Paul describes the Church as a body—with arms and legs, eyes and ears, muscles and bones. Each part has a different purpose, yet Christ draws us into one living fellowship. 

We are all called to sing one song—not in unison, but in rich harmony, adding holy variety and texture to the beautiful melody of our faith.

When we confess our belief in the holy catholic Church, we embrace a beautiful paradox. We are a settled community and an always-reforming movement. We carry an ancient story while creating a new future. We are one body, enriched by diversity and held together in Christ. We live in the world while seeking a different way. We are earthly and imperfect, yet bright with God’s presence. We gather in particular places, but our embrace is catholic and universal. 

I cannot imagine living out my faith without the Church, and I thank God for each of you at Stonebridge United Methodist Church. Even with our flaws, wounds, and disagreements, the Church remains a sign of God’s presence in the world. As Jesus promised, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).

See you Sunday! Have a blessed weekend!

Pastor John Allen