word of the week - Belong - 11/17/24

Definition: be the property of:  be a member or part of a particular group,organization, or class: to be placed in a specified position.

Scriptures:
Ecclesiastes 4:9-11 - "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?"
Galatians 6:10 - “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith”.

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Website: www.wow-newton.com
Email:  osnewton@wow-newton.com

Transcript

Scriptures:
Ecclesiastes 4:9-11 - "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?"
Galatians 6:10 - “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith”.


THOUGHT
“No man is an island. No man stands alone. Each man’s joy is joy to me, each man’s grief is my own. We need one another, so I will defend each man as my brother, each man as my friend.” by Joan Baez
This song from my youth resonated with me deeply during the times I would sit alone in my favorite tree, reflecting on my unique position as the only girl of my age on a street filled with boys. When I was younger, I played stickball and marbles with the boys, but as a teenager, it became “inappropriate” to hang out with them like I used to. That sense of isolation faded when I went to church.  There, I found friendship, validation, safety, comfort, joy, and love.  It was the place where I belonged.
Historically, the community church, regardless of denomination, has been much more than an institution for religious instruction. The church was a cornerstone of social life where people were taught how to live in accordance with the Word of God. It was the preferred place to meet their spouses, get married, christen their babies, and mourn their loved ones. It was a refuge where individuals were cared for, accepted, and supported. People did not just attend church; they belonged to the church.
The church should be a living example of how to honor the God and Father of all, who is above all, through all, and in us all. It should demonstrate the Gospel of Christ by providing a space where the human need to belong is both fed and nurtured. The church can transcend financial, educational, cultural, and political divisions by being a place of refuge for anyone who feels lost, lonely, or in need of comfort. It should stand as a beacon of light, drawing those who are struggling, suffering, and lost toward its flame of love, hope and light.
Currently, with the ability to purchase homes without restrictions of race, class, or social status, many of us no longer live in communities of shared experiences or common values. Often, we do not know our neighbors, as personal interactions are limited by demanding work schedules, cultural and linguistic barriers, and political division. Mobility has afforded to  many the freedom to live in areas where they may not participate in local activities or engage with those around them. By choice, many families are living like islands in an ocean of unfamiliar people.
Today, the need for the church to be a place of belonging is greater than ever, yet it is struggling to survive.
Why?• Is it possible that the church, with its fine furnishings, fundraising agendas, and     lofty goals, has become disconnected from the real needs of the people?• Is the church more like a team sport, where only those with certain skills and abilities are valued and encouraged to belong?• Has the focus shifted from what the church can do for its members to what the members can do for the church?
The church must continue to be a beacon light that not only reflects the spirit of God in the local community where it resides, but that also cares for the needs of the universal community of God to which we all belong. It should be a place where everyone feels understood and valued.
The church must boldly proclaim:• You are welcome here.• You belong here.• We love you.In this church, “No man is an island; no man stands alone!”