The Community Called Church

January 31st, 2026

Colossians 3:12-17.

We’ve pondered this week how forgiveness is at the center of God’s love. God is always loving and forgiving, and through a growing and vibrant relationship with our triune God, we’re brought up into the Father’s love by the Holy Spirit in Christ. God’s ways become our ways through grace, and we learn these new and unforced rhythms of self-giving love and fellowship. This community called “church” is the place our lives intersect with this new way to live in the world for the world.

The Spirit of Christ flows in and through us with forgiveness that doesn’t hold shortcomings, mistakes, and stumbling against each other, even those outside the faith. Here in this beloved community, we learn by living this grace-full way to bear with one another, not from a sterilized tolerance, but through carrying each other’s burdens. We’re all broken in some way, and we’re finding God’s healing by extending God’s love, forgiveness, and grace, becoming a means of grace to each other.

As we worship, engage the Scriptures together, celebrate and receive the Holy Sacraments, and serve, we’re nurtured in this beautiful and holy Way and create space for more of God’s kingdom to come among us.

Author: Michael Scarlett