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When I was in college some friends of mine and I would go down to the grocery store every now and then and buy some fruit in baby food jars. Partly driven by boredom and partly by lack of money, it was something different to do on a small budget. My favorite was the baby food bananas. Truth told, about every 10 years I still stop by and pick up a jar just for old times' sake. They have a slightly unripened taste and they are very smooth. They have to be that way for babies to digest. Euphoria aside, baby food bananas never compare to a perfectly ripened, freshly peeled banana. A banana has body and texture; it has strings. It leaves a feeling on the roof of your mouth. It offers a unique sense of sweetness. There is so much more to enjoy and savor than the pureed version made for babies. I will come back to this in a moment.

St. Cyprian in the 3rd century made the following observation: He cannot have God for his Father who has not the Church for his mother. In our age of self-creation and self-actualization we have, perhaps without intention, fashioned a concept of spirituality that conceives of personal interaction with God without an ever increasing commitment to his Church. The apostles and early Christians knew nothing of this brand of Christendom.

In difficult and disappointing times we often withdraw and isolate; the early Church practiced rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep (Romans 12:15). We are often pulled by a felt need for time away, recreation, and relaxation; the early Church longed to be together and spent time together day by day (Acts 2:46). We often feel as though we cannot possibly give more of our "hard-earned money"; the early Church practiced holding much of what they owned in common, sold many of their belongings in order to meet others' needs, and did so with hearts full of generosity (Acts 2:44-46).

Baby food or something better. The Christianity practiced in the first century had a lot more body and texture; it had strings-many more points of experience and connection. Even though the lives of first century Christians would be overwhelming to us, they enjoyed a unique sense of sweetness with one another. I think there is so much more for us to enjoy and savor. Let's own our isolation and our consumerism. The risen and ascended Jesus is dispensing his good gifts!

We want to make sure to thank everyone for pitching in and making life at Christ Community vibrant, full, diverse and possible. We are grateful to have a church family that is willing to serve each other and seeks to meet the needs of others within and outside of Christ Community. Many incredible, sacrificial, faithful and unannounced things have been done, over and over. Thank you.

We also want to acknowledge that some of you are committed to serving each other in several capacities. This is wonderful! Thank you! But we want to make sure that no one has over-committed (or that we have over-committed you), and that you are all still able to enjoy the full and healthy life of our church community.

Please let Ali Olsen or Ken Brown know if you are feeling stretched into areas in which you are not ready to serve.

If you are relatively new to Christ Community, or never really figured out where you might serve on a regular basis, please talk with Ali Olsen. There are many opportunities and needs ranging from bringing food, to volunteering in Children's and Youth Ministries, to spear-heading Sunday tear-down. Let's all share the responsibilities of community and life at Christ Community.

All the hopes and expectations of Christians are realized in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...

I recently read these words and thought to myself, "Really?" Are all of our hopes, expectations, and dreams truly being realized in the death defeating resurrection of Christ? Objectively, yes! This is what is taking place. Subjectively, no. We still allow our hopes to rest on many things other than the resurrection that is making all things new. Often, the things that most distract us are good - good things, good desires, good whatevers that have usurped the place of Christ as our greatest desire. We inoculate ourselves with Christian thought and Christian expressions. We are good at looking good. So in your down moments of frustration and disappointment or in your manic moments of excitement and celebration ask yourself...Are all of my hopes and expectations being realized in the resurrection of Jesus Christ? And be honest with yourself.