Many Members - One Body
by Rebecca Evans, Youth Ministry Coordinator
They say “it takes a village to raise a child.” Likewise, it takes a whole church family to “train up [children] in the way [they] should go, and when [they are] old [they] will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).
Intergenerational influence in spiritual life and faith formation has always been important to me, even from a very young age. Looking back, I see a mental slideshow of moments that, while they may have seemed of little import at the time, added up to a solid foundation in the Lutheran Christian faith and a stronger relationship with Jesus Christ that would sustain me as I ventured off to college and adulthood.
I recall sitting at the church piano with Mr. Winneken (age 80), showing him what I (age 4) had learned recently; pinning fabric pieces to paper backing with Mom and the quilting ladies; trying German food made with love by Louise, Hilda, Gerta, and Anita at Oktoberfest and learning I don’t like sauerkraut; caroling at homes of shut-ins from our congregation and being rewarded at the end of the evening with a dessert buffet at the Wilsons’; learning more about prayer from our pastor, and how Christianity isn’t just a religion but a relationship; discussing Shakespeare and Arthurian legend with Mr. Sharp while home from college on a break; trading vocabulary words with Mr. Thornberry on the way out of church as we shook hands; demonstrating hand percussion for kids at VBS; sending heartfelt letters of condolence to Mr. Wilson when Ruth passed away and to Mr. Sharp when he lost Betty. Attending Bible study with my parents when the school where I was teaching was on a break and being embraced with so much love and care as everyone caught up with each other and prayed for each other, demonstrating how the faithful “rejoice with those who rejoice [and] mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15).
The blessings that church members of all ages bestow upon each other are not just moments of sharing food together, enjoying entertainment, chatting, studying. Sharing life together in a community of faith is a gift from God that we are called to—and the effect is seeing how those who came before you walked with Jesus and being a beacon to those who are younger as they navigate their own journey. The Holy Spirit lives in each of our hearts and works through us to increase the Kingdom of God as we gather in His name as one body valuing and supporting all of its members.
We are so blessed here at Hope Lutheran Church to be a family of various generations worshiping together and learning more about Jesus. Each member contributes something unique and special to the faith formation of one another: Teaching students in Sunday school. Deepening understanding in Confirmation. Sharing soup supper and conversation at a mid-week service. Catching up during coffee hour. Enjoying fellowship at social events. Illuminating the Word in a sermon or a youth message. Passing the peace and learning how we can pray for each other. Working together to maintain the grounds. Serving on a committee, in a guild, or in worship services. Providing beautiful music. Creating a float for our civic parade. Delving deeply into Bible discussion over breakfast or with a small group at church. Making crafts, eating snacks, and talking about how Scripture applies to our lives at youth group. These (and many more ways) are how we’re walking together in our faith at Hope. This is the work. May God bless us and those we’ve yet to meet as we continue working—and walking—together.