3-16-25 “Many Parts in One Body: A Call to Care” (Membership Caring Month #3)

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“Many Parts in One Body: A Call to Care”

(Membership Caring Month #3)

            I want to start with something funny that I found an internet site: A few minutes before the church service started, the congregants were sitting in their pews, talking. Suddenly, Satan appeared at the front of the church. Everyone started screaming and running for the exit, trampling over each other in a frantic effort to escape from evil incarnate.

Soon, everyone had exited the church—except for one elderly gentleman, who remained calmly seated in his pew, seemingly oblivious to the fact that God’s ultimate enemy was in his presence.

Satan walked up to the old man and said, “Don’t you know who I am?”

The man replied, “Yep, sure do.”

“Aren’t you afraid of me?” Satan asked.

“Nope, sure ain’t,” the man replied.

“Don’t you realize I can kill you with a word?” asked Satan.

“I don’t doubt it,” the old man said, unfazed.

“Did you know I could cause you profound, horrifying, physical agony for all eternity?” Satan continued.

“Yep,” the man replied calmly.

“And you’re still not afraid?” asked Satan.

“Nope.”

Satan, frustrated, asked, “Well, why aren’t you afraid of me?”

The man smiled and said, “I’ve been married to your sister for over 48 years.”

From the imposition of ashes, we began our Lenten journey—a time of reflection, repentance, and renewal. During Lent, we reflect not only on Christ’s sacrifice but also on what it means to be us, His disciples. Today, as we observe Membership Caring Month, let’s reflect on 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, where the Apostle Paul describes the Church as the body of Christ.

This passage beautifully illustrates membership care, reminding us that we are called not only to belong but also to care for one another in love.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that the Church is like a body. Each of us has a role—Some are hands, some are feet, some are eyes— but all are necessary. He warns against two dangers: feeling insignificant and feeling superior. “Feeling insignificant” means thinking that we don’t matter, while “feeling superior” means thinking that others don’t matter.

Have you ever thought about whether any part of your body is unnecessary? Simply look at your hands! Whether you’re right-handed or left-handed, you still need both. If you had only one hand, you would face difficulties because your hands work together more often than you realize. Imagine saying, “I am right-handed, so I don’t need my left hand.” That would be absurd! Likewise, in the body of Christ, every member is important. During membership Caring Month, we remember that no one is insignificant; no one is unnecessary. If one member suffers, all suffer. If one rejoices, all rejoice (v. 26) Caring for one another is not optional; it’s essential.

In 2016, after finishing my Ph.D. program, I left campus housing. My spiritual mentor invited me to stay at her house until I could find a place to live. One night, I became extremely ill with unbearable pain in my right shoulder. I couldn’t move. Though it was just my shoulder, my entire body felt the pain. My mentor and her daughter rushed me to the ER and stayed with me overnight. The diagnosis was a frozen shoulder. During my suffering, they suffered too. They didn’t just drop me off at the hospital; they stayed. They prayed. They showed me what true Christian care looks like. Since that night, we have shared a bond like family.

Now, think about your own family:

• If a loved one were in the hospital, could you be at peace staying home?
• If one of us in the body of Christ is hurting, can we ignore them?

The Apostle Paul emphasizes that the weaker parts of the body are indispensable (v. 22). In the church, this means that we must care for those who are struggling—the sick, the lonely, the discouraged. True membership care goes beyond Sunday greetings; it means walking alongside those in need, offering support, and ensuring that no one feels unseen or forgotten.

I appreciate the time we take during the service to share our joys and concerns. Not only do we share our own, but we also lift up those in need of our care. This practice strengthens our connection and demonstrates our love and support for one another. Additionally, I share prayer requests with parishioners through the weekly bulletin insert and the Weekly E-News via email. I wonder how many of you have noticed that we send out the Parish’s Weekly E-News. It includes my weekly sermon, the bulletin, church news, and prayer requests. If you have email, but haven’t received it, please let me know. The Weekly E-News is a valuable tool that keeps us connected throughout the week.

As we journey through Lent, we remember that Christ cared deeply for the outcast, the poor, and the brokenhearted. If we are the body of Christ, we must do the same. Who in our congregation needs encouragement? Who is suffering in silence? How can we be Christ’s hands and feet to them?

The Apostle Paul concludes by pointing to “the most excellent way”—love (v. 31), leading into 1 Corinthians 13, the well-known on love. The best way to be the body of Christ is through love in action. Love is patient, love is kind; love does not say, “That’s not my job.” Membership care is not just about duty—it is about love. It is not just about feeling connected but about serving one another as Christ served us. When one part of body suffers, we all suffer. When one rejoices, we all rejoice. True Christian love binds us together.

During Lent, our Lord Jesus Christ calls us to love sacrificially. Lent is a time to repent not only of our personal sins but also of our communal shortcomings. Have we neglected to care for one another? Have we dismissed the contributions of certain members? Have we allowed divisions to weaken our witness? This is a time to renew our commitment to unity and love.

As we continue in this Lenten season, let us examine how we embody care and unity. Let us be a church where every member is valued, every gift is honored, and every need is met with love. May we walk in Christ’s example, carrying one another’s burdens and strengthening the body of Christ together. Thanks be to God. Amen!”