Right after the account of the day of Pentecost [Acts 2] — when the Holy Spirit came upon the believers in a dynamic, powerful, and public — there is a report on what those new disciples did daily:

The believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers. [Acts 2:42]

“Devoted.” It was not a social group with common “interests,” nor a club for practicing a hobby. These were not things they did if they could find the time or if they didn’t have something else more important to do. They were devoted. Cleared the schedules. Counted on each other’s presence and support. Focused their lives around it.

So, what are you devoted to? Together, what are we devoted to? Is there something that we’re going to do so consistently and with such vigor and dedication that visitors just get caught up into it?

Sunday’s scripture readings suggest a least two possibilities. The Gospel reading [John 13:31-35] records a new command from Jesus, that we love one another.

Have you ever run across a group of people you were sure loved one another? Well, a family. Or, at least, some families. You sense a real bond between them. They share common values, history, insider jokes, and genuine affection. How did you feel in the midst of them? I have felt in these situations both an attraction toward them but also a sense of being left out. I was the newcomer. Maybe not an outsider walled out. But not quite an insider either. Many have felt that way with the family of their spouse for instance, the in-laws. “Are y’all family?” “Well, legally, yes.”

What would it take for a church to be both devoted to one another and completely open to newcomers?

The other scripture for Sunday [Acts 11:11-18] really strains this openness. The church inherited the clear demarcation between Jews and… everyone else. All the original followers were Jews. Many thought that Christianity would exist as a faction/sect or Jews. And yet, the Holy Spirit kept pushing these Jesus followers out beyond their limits to include gentiles. It was very controversial and required many encounters and debates for the leaders to recognize what was going on.

What people is the Holy Spirit leading us to include into our loving fellowship? The first phrase of our new Vision Statement puts this matter front-and-center:

“Trinity is a Christian community inviting all to gather in love…”

What does that mean in light of these scriptures? Are we ‘devoted’ to that? What does that mean for you? Have you invited or welcomed someone beyond us?

I look forward to worshipping with you Sunday at 9:00 am in the Sanctuary. As always, I would love to get your comments or questions — ahead of time or afterwards. Just click here.