Advent Devotions

Today’s author is Prince of Peace member Caryn Josephson.

Philippians 1:1–18a

In Philippians 1:3–6, Paul writes: “I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.”

Whenever I read these verses, I think of our partnership with Bomalang’ombe and Vikongwa parishes in Tanzania. Last week Jim and I spoke with members of another congregation about what it means to be a Companion Congregation with a partner church in the Iringa Diocese. We shared how relationships are at the heart of this companionship.

We experience this in person-to-person connections—like the relationship we renew each visit with our goddaughter and her family, and the friendships we’ve formed with pastors, evangelists, and prayer partners. We also see it in the connections here at Prince of Peace, through members who have traveled with us to Tanzania and those who help make our annual Tanzanian dinner possible. And, we’re grateful for relationships with other congregations in the Saint Paul Area Synod who have companions in Tanzania—or who are considering beginning a companionship.

Our experiences in Tanzania have also made me look for—and appreciate—other ways we share the gospel in our community: sharing our worship space with Centro Cristiano Bethel, sharing our building with Sacred Settlement, and offering our time and financial support to groups such as EveryMeal, Keystone, and Habitat for Humanity.

We share the gospel when we share in our life together – through meals, prayers, visits and generosity.  Where is God inviting you into deeper partnership in the coming days?