From Pastor Joy Martinez-Marshall –
Hi Church,
I am excited to finally be in Lincoln and present at the church. You each have already been a blessing to Austin and me. We are moving (by the time you read this we have moved) into our place on Saturday, September 28th. My first day in the office will be Tuesday, October 1. Know that my door is always open to you! The best way to get to know each other is through time spent together. It will take a couple weeks to set hours in which I will be available in the office, but my phone number and e-mail are posted. I look forward to getting to know each of you as we live in community together. God has been so faithful to us as we have made this transition. Change is always bittersweet, and I know that God is at work. We serve a God that is merciful and gracious to us even when we do not deserve it. Austin and I are ready to share our lives and Texas traditions. Over the past couple days, I have been reminded of the word of the Book of Acts 2:24-47:
“42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”
In this passage, the Pentecost event, had just happened. This refers to Jesus making good on his promise that the Holy Spirit would come and dwell among the people. Together people rejoiced and Peter makes a speech about Jesus being the fulfillment of the promise that a Messiah would come to reconcile the world. Then the narrator gives the first description of the early church. What is so fascinating to me is that is such a beautiful picture of how things should be and could be. God is present in their giving, in their sharing, in their glad hearts, and adds to their numbers. God is at work in God’s church and is near to us. I think the most ironic thing about this passage is that the rest of the Book of Acts talks about the struggles and disagreements that the early church had. This remains true today. Being in community is a challenge but it is sacred and holy work that we are called to. As we journey together my prayer is that we would devote ourselves to God’s teachings through fellowship, eat together, pray together, and go out and tell the world that there is room for them at our table. I look forward to serving God alongside y’all!
-Pastor Joy