October 18, 2024

“I Believe in the Communion of Saints…”

The third paragraph of the “Apostles Creed” reads this way:

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic Church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and life everlasting.

Although this paragraph may seem a bit hodge-podge compared to the rest of the creed, it is actually very interconnected. This section has its touchstone in the first statement on the declaration of the importance of the Holy Spirit. It declares that the Spirit establishes Christian relationships, with God and with people, as well as our resulting redemption in Christ in life beyond life. The key word for Christian community in the New Testament was koinonia. Koinoniais often translated as "communion" or "fellowship," but might be best understood as “joint sharing” or “mutual participation,” such as the church holding all property in common as a form of communal living. (Acts 2:44-45, 4:32) This is the same word found describing participation in Christ through the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 10:16-18).

So what do we make of the koinonia of the saints? Through the Spirit we participate in Christ, and as Church become the Body of Christ on earth. So all who are baptized in water and Spirit, everywhere in the world, are connected to each other in Christ. But as the creed concludes that death does not end this participation. Even those who are experiencing their eternal reward are connected to us in the Spirit through Christ. The communion of saints includes both the living and the dead in Christ.

On Sunday, November 3, we will celebrate All Saints Sunday, commemorating loved ones who have gone before us, proclaiming our ongoing connections with them in Christ. Specifically, we will remember those who have died in our church since our last All Saints Sunday. We also invite you to add those who have died in your life in the past year—or many years past. Feel free to bring a photo of these people with you to add to our celebration. You can place it in the chancel before the service or bring it up during the service when you come forward to light a candle, acknowledging their light in Christ still shines.

Later that day, at 3:00 pm, we will celebrate the life and faith of Darryl Johnson in his memorial service. Please do plan to attend if you can. There will be a reception following that service. This day will truly be a chance for us to celebrate the gift or our koinonia in Christ through God’s Spirit, proclaiming we believe in the communion of Saints.

With confidence in Christ,

~ Pastor Todd