We're in This Together
By Rev. Heidi L. Barham | April 26, 2026
Click here to listen to the service
Read Acts 2:42 – 47 (NIV)
As we come to this fourth Sunday of the Easter season, it is the Book of Acts that calls for our attention. And as we reflect on these closing verses from Acts 2, I want to offer a word of encouragement to us… that no matter what may be taking place in the world around us… no matter how much fear and anxiety we may be feeling… no matter how hard some people are working to tear us apart… it is important for us to remember that WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER.
There is plenty of chaos and confusion going on that can truly be unnerving… from the conflict over in Iran… to the increasing number of mass shootings and intimate partner violence happening across this country… to blatant attacks on voting rights… to fluctuating prices at the gas pump as well as the grocery store… it can be hard to figure out where we should focusing our attention… just what should our real priorities be? And what are we supposed to do in the midst of all of this?
Thankfully, when we look to the Word of God, we can gain a sense of certainty and a reassurance that will sustain us and carry us through from one day to the next… and perhaps even one moment to the next.
So, this morning, I want to invite us to consider this passage of Scripture which is taken from the second chapter of Acts.
It is in the opening verses of Acts 2 that we read about the Day of Pentecost… the day when God’s Holy Spirit came upon a crowd that was gathered in Jerusalem… and suffice it to say, it was a group of people who had absolutely no idea just how dramatically their lives were about to change.
Now, to give us some background… the word Pentecost comes from the Greek word for 50… which symbolizes the fact that the feast was being celebrated 50 days… or seven weeks… after Jesus’ resurrection. This is why it was also known as the Feast of Weeks.
In our modern tradition, Pentecost is celebrated on the seventh Sunday following Easter and is often referred to as the birthday of the Christian church… all of which happens roughly 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection.
And although we are still several weeks away from celebrating Pentecost Sunday this year… our text which comes from the Lectionary still contains a message that is relevant to us today.
So, as we take a closer look at Acts 2… we find a rather large gathering of folks who found themselves living in a place of uncertainty… unsure of what life was going to look like for them in the wake of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection… not yet understanding the magnitude to which their lives would be impacted by Jesus’ sacrifice on their behalf.
But thankfully, the Apostle Peter was there to give them a press briefing of sorts… explaining to them what the scriptures had foretold and recounting for them the timeline of events that had ultimately led to the crucifixion of Jesus.
And as those who were gathered in that crowd began to comprehend the extent of what had happened… and the ramifications of their actions… their spirits were convicted… and they asked Peter and the other disciples, “So, what do we do now?”
Peter explained that they needed to repent of their sins and be baptized… in other words, they needed to change their lives and turn to God. And that is the same charge that is extended to all those who want to be disciples to this day… there is a call to change our lives and turn to God.
And in these tumultuous and turbulent moments… as we find ourselves living in a world filled with fear and frustration… let me suggest that the verses of our text which follow Peter’s Pentecost sermon offer us some guidance and direction for the journey ahead.
Our text provides us with the basic blueprint for what it means for the people of God to be the church… which I daresay is more important for us now than it has ever been before.
Now, in the Message Paraphrase, the opening verse of our text reads, “They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.”
In other words, they were intentional about studying… they fellowshipped with one another… they shared with one another at the table… and they prayed. All of which are the essential elements of what it means for us to be the church… the body of believers.
You know… like the folks who come together before service on Sunday to talk about the Bible during Sunday school or on Zoom for the Word on Wednesday.
Like the folks who gather here on a Friday night for a time of family, fun, and fellowship… laughing with one another… eating with one another… and simply enjoying just being with one another.
Like the folks who bring food and other staples to donate to the local hunger cupboards and food pantries throughout the year… because as many of us are well aware… hunger never takes a holiday.
And like those same folks who make it a point to pray with and for one another… beyond just the time designated for Joys and Concerns on a Sunday morning… but throughout the week… especially on Thankful Tuesday.
Those are the kind of folks that we find described in our text for today who make up the church.
Now, you may have noticed… when we think about the birth of the “church” in the Book of Acts… there is absolutely no mention of anyone erecting a structure, painting a wall, designing a stained-glass window or installing a pulpit or a pew… because, I am the church… you are the church… we are the church together.
As we keep reading, the next verse of the text says, “Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles!”
Simply put, because of the disciples’ faithfulness… the people were able to witness God doing many miraculous and wondrous things through them.
And as we look at where we are now, roughly two-thousand years later, we can see evidence of how this is being lived out today.
Our text tells us that, “…all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met.”
And while that may not be something most people would think is all that feasible in our society today – a society that is often characterized by an every-person-for-themselves mindset – there are still those caring and compassionate people who are doing whatever they can to make it a reality.
The other day, I came across a story about a non-profit organization called Book Fairies that is distributing more than 25,000 donated books to underserved residents in the New York area. Even more remarkably, since 2012, this organization has donated more than 6 million books to Title 1 schools, educators and community partners.
It takes me back to something that I remember hearing in my childhood, “Reading Is Fundamental” …so the more we can do to provide educational resources to our children… the better. (See Book Fairies Giving Away 25,000 Books to New York’s Children Thanks to Big Donation).
Meanwhile, in Charlotte, North Carolina, there were over 6,500 volunteers who put together over 10,000 beds in roughly 24 hours for children who do not have beds of their own. Sadly, there are estimates that more than 140,000 children are waiting for a bed.
While it may not seem like that big of a deal for some folks but having a bed is a critical need… because according to Dr. Douglas Kirsch, a medical director of sleep medicine at Atrium Health, “Without consistent, quality sleep, kids fall behind in ways that affect their health and learning.” (See 6,500 Volunteers Build 10,000 Beds in 24 Hours for Kids Who Don't Have One of Their Own (WATCH)).
Meanwhile, closer to home, the Values in Action organization has launched its United States of Kindness initiative that encourages individuals and groups to commit to doing 250 acts of kindness between now and the end of the year… in celebration of the country’s 250th birthday.
Stuart Muszynski is the co-founder of Values in Action and he has stated, “Kindness is a core value that we all need, because kindness connects communities, kindness connects people. Kindness is the glue that holds society together…” (see U.S. of Kindness 250 acts of kindness initiative kicks off this week - United Church of Christ).
Just further confirmation that like those early disciples… WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER… and there is work for us to do.
Now, if we move to the last two verses of our text, we read:
Read Acts 2:42 – 47 (NIV)
As we come to this fourth Sunday of the Easter season, it is the Book of Acts that calls for our attention. And as we reflect on these closing verses from Acts 2, I want to offer a word of encouragement to us… that no matter what may be taking place in the world around us… no matter how much fear and anxiety we may be feeling… no matter how hard some people are working to tear us apart… it is important for us to remember that WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER.
There is plenty of chaos and confusion going on that can truly be unnerving… from the conflict over in Iran… to the increasing number of mass shootings and intimate partner violence happening across this country… to blatant attacks on voting rights… to fluctuating prices at the gas pump as well as the grocery store… it can be hard to figure out where we should focusing our attention… just what should our real priorities be? And what are we supposed to do in the midst of all of this?
Thankfully, when we look to the Word of God, we can gain a sense of certainty and a reassurance that will sustain us and carry us through from one day to the next… and perhaps even one moment to the next.
So, this morning, I want to invite us to consider this passage of Scripture which is taken from the second chapter of Acts.
It is in the opening verses of Acts 2 that we read about the Day of Pentecost… the day when God’s Holy Spirit came upon a crowd that was gathered in Jerusalem… and suffice it to say, it was a group of people who had absolutely no idea just how dramatically their lives were about to change.
Now, to give us some background… the word Pentecost comes from the Greek word for 50… which symbolizes the fact that the feast was being celebrated 50 days… or seven weeks… after Jesus’ resurrection. This is why it was also known as the Feast of Weeks.
In our modern tradition, Pentecost is celebrated on the seventh Sunday following Easter and is often referred to as the birthday of the Christian church… all of which happens roughly 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection.
And although we are still several weeks away from celebrating Pentecost Sunday this year… our text which comes from the Lectionary still contains a message that is relevant to us today.
So, as we take a closer look at Acts 2… we find a rather large gathering of folks who found themselves living in a place of uncertainty… unsure of what life was going to look like for them in the wake of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection… not yet understanding the magnitude to which their lives would be impacted by Jesus’ sacrifice on their behalf.
But thankfully, the Apostle Peter was there to give them a press briefing of sorts… explaining to them what the scriptures had foretold and recounting for them the timeline of events that had ultimately led to the crucifixion of Jesus.
And as those who were gathered in that crowd began to comprehend the extent of what had happened… and the ramifications of their actions… their spirits were convicted… and they asked Peter and the other disciples, “So, what do we do now?”
Peter explained that they needed to repent of their sins and be baptized… in other words, they needed to change their lives and turn to God. And that is the same charge that is extended to all those who want to be disciples to this day… there is a call to change our lives and turn to God.
And in these tumultuous and turbulent moments… as we find ourselves living in a world filled with fear and frustration… let me suggest that the verses of our text which follow Peter’s Pentecost sermon offer us some guidance and direction for the journey ahead.
Our text provides us with the basic blueprint for what it means for the people of God to be the church… which I daresay is more important for us now than it has ever been before.
Now, in the Message Paraphrase, the opening verse of our text reads, “They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.”
In other words, they were intentional about studying… they fellowshipped with one another… they shared with one another at the table… and they prayed. All of which are the essential elements of what it means for us to be the church… the body of believers.
You know… like the folks who come together before service on Sunday to talk about the Bible during Sunday school or on Zoom for the Word on Wednesday.
Like the folks who gather here on a Friday night for a time of family, fun, and fellowship… laughing with one another… eating with one another… and simply enjoying just being with one another.
Like the folks who bring food and other staples to donate to the local hunger cupboards and food pantries throughout the year… because as many of us are well aware… hunger never takes a holiday.
And like those same folks who make it a point to pray with and for one another… beyond just the time designated for Joys and Concerns on a Sunday morning… but throughout the week… especially on Thankful Tuesday.
Those are the kind of folks that we find described in our text for today who make up the church.
Now, you may have noticed… when we think about the birth of the “church” in the Book of Acts… there is absolutely no mention of anyone erecting a structure, painting a wall, designing a stained-glass window or installing a pulpit or a pew… because, I am the church… you are the church… we are the church together.
As we keep reading, the next verse of the text says, “Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles!”
Simply put, because of the disciples’ faithfulness… the people were able to witness God doing many miraculous and wondrous things through them.
And as we look at where we are now, roughly two-thousand years later, we can see evidence of how this is being lived out today.
Our text tells us that, “…all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met.”
And while that may not be something most people would think is all that feasible in our society today – a society that is often characterized by an every-person-for-themselves mindset – there are still those caring and compassionate people who are doing whatever they can to make it a reality.
The other day, I came across a story about a non-profit organization called Book Fairies that is distributing more than 25,000 donated books to underserved residents in the New York area. Even more remarkably, since 2012, this organization has donated more than 6 million books to Title 1 schools, educators and community partners.
It takes me back to something that I remember hearing in my childhood, “Reading Is Fundamental” …so the more we can do to provide educational resources to our children… the better. (See Book Fairies Giving Away 25,000 Books to New York’s Children Thanks to Big Donation).
Meanwhile, in Charlotte, North Carolina, there were over 6,500 volunteers who put together over 10,000 beds in roughly 24 hours for children who do not have beds of their own. Sadly, there are estimates that more than 140,000 children are waiting for a bed.
While it may not seem like that big of a deal for some folks but having a bed is a critical need… because according to Dr. Douglas Kirsch, a medical director of sleep medicine at Atrium Health, “Without consistent, quality sleep, kids fall behind in ways that affect their health and learning.” (See 6,500 Volunteers Build 10,000 Beds in 24 Hours for Kids Who Don't Have One of Their Own (WATCH)).
Meanwhile, closer to home, the Values in Action organization has launched its United States of Kindness initiative that encourages individuals and groups to commit to doing 250 acts of kindness between now and the end of the year… in celebration of the country’s 250th birthday.
Stuart Muszynski is the co-founder of Values in Action and he has stated, “Kindness is a core value that we all need, because kindness connects communities, kindness connects people. Kindness is the glue that holds society together…” (see U.S. of Kindness 250 acts of kindness initiative kicks off this week - United Church of Christ).
Just further confirmation that like those early disciples… WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER… and there is work for us to do.
Now, if we move to the last two verses of our text, we read:
They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.
Now, one of the few positive things that came out of the COVID crisis was how churches found creative ways to come together… holding space in a new virtual reality so they could remain in community with one another… even as they were on lockdown.
And if we stop and look at the ways in which the Gospel is still being shared across phonelines and cyberspace… it is a modern-day reflection of the ways in which the Good News was able to spread like wildfire back in the Book of Acts.
In fact, in the verses which precede our text for this morning, we read:
And if we stop and look at the ways in which the Gospel is still being shared across phonelines and cyberspace… it is a modern-day reflection of the ways in which the Good News was able to spread like wildfire back in the Book of Acts.
In fact, in the verses which precede our text for this morning, we read:
Peter said, “Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away—whomever, in fact, our Master God invites.”
He went on in this vein for a long time, urging them over and over, “Get out while you can; get out of this sick and stupid culture!”
That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up (Acts 2:38-41).
To this day, roughly six years after we were forced to pivot as we figured out that we are still called to be the church even when we are not inside a building… especially when we are not inside a building… thanks to the technological advancements that we discovered in those dreary times… we are still able to hear powerful messages like Peter’s being shared by pastors, preachers, and teachers across a host of media platforms like Facebook Live, YouTube, and Zoom (and yes, even Free Conference Call.com).
And based on reports that I hear from my ministerial colleagues… it seems safe to say that there are thousands who are still being added to the number of believers.
People who may have never had a desire to set foot inside the walls of a church building are hearing these messages across the Internet… messages of repentance and surrender to Christ… messages of the gift of grace that leads to eternal life… and as a result the Gospel is continuing to spread far and wide.
Now, if we were to back up to the first chapter of Acts… we would find the instructions that Jesus gave His disciples, just before He ascended into heaven.
It is in Acts 1:8 that we read these words of Jesus, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
And it is through that gifting of the power of the Holy Spirit that the disciples then… as well as those of us who call ourselves disciples now… have been able to fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19-20, when Jesus said:
And based on reports that I hear from my ministerial colleagues… it seems safe to say that there are thousands who are still being added to the number of believers.
People who may have never had a desire to set foot inside the walls of a church building are hearing these messages across the Internet… messages of repentance and surrender to Christ… messages of the gift of grace that leads to eternal life… and as a result the Gospel is continuing to spread far and wide.
Now, if we were to back up to the first chapter of Acts… we would find the instructions that Jesus gave His disciples, just before He ascended into heaven.
It is in Acts 1:8 that we read these words of Jesus, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
And it is through that gifting of the power of the Holy Spirit that the disciples then… as well as those of us who call ourselves disciples now… have been able to fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19-20, when Jesus said:
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Just to be clear… although we are living in a season of pandemonium which is unlike anything we have ever seen before… we have not yet come to the end of the age… which means we still have work to do to fulfill Christ’s commission to His followers.
Now, as we think about what it means to fulfill Christ’s commission… let me suggest that it is time for us to get back to basics… to get back to living in the ways that God has been calling us to live… and get back to doing the work that God has been calling us to do.
Getting back to the basics of people pulling together, sharing what they have in common for the good of all, and not just for themselves.
Getting back to the basics of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ… proclaiming the Good News that because of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection we have the promise of eternal life when we surrender our life to Him.
Getting back to the basics of truly being the church that God has called us to be… not the brick and mortar, not the stained glass and steeples, not the pulpit and pews… but the church as God intended us to be… the people of God, studying God’s Word with one another, fellowshipping with one another, breaking bread with one another and praying with and for one another.
Getting back to the basics of loving one another and caring for one another – being mindful that at the end of the day what it all boils down to is this…
WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER.
That means we need to be the church that God called us to be… living like those early disciples lived, doing all that the Lord commissioned them, and us, to do… making disciples, teaching them to obey everything that Jesus has commanded… remembering Jesus’ promise to be with them, and with us… always… even to the very end of the age.
And truly living out the Great Commandment to love God with all of our heart, all of our soul, all of our mind, and all of our strength… and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves… because this is how the world will know that we are Jesus’ disciples by our love for one another and this is how we show the world that in spite of any and all reports to the contrary… WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER.
Amen.
Hymn of Discipleship: They'll Know We Are Christians #494
Back
Now, as we think about what it means to fulfill Christ’s commission… let me suggest that it is time for us to get back to basics… to get back to living in the ways that God has been calling us to live… and get back to doing the work that God has been calling us to do.
Getting back to the basics of people pulling together, sharing what they have in common for the good of all, and not just for themselves.
Getting back to the basics of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ… proclaiming the Good News that because of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection we have the promise of eternal life when we surrender our life to Him.
Getting back to the basics of truly being the church that God has called us to be… not the brick and mortar, not the stained glass and steeples, not the pulpit and pews… but the church as God intended us to be… the people of God, studying God’s Word with one another, fellowshipping with one another, breaking bread with one another and praying with and for one another.
Getting back to the basics of loving one another and caring for one another – being mindful that at the end of the day what it all boils down to is this…
WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER.
That means we need to be the church that God called us to be… living like those early disciples lived, doing all that the Lord commissioned them, and us, to do… making disciples, teaching them to obey everything that Jesus has commanded… remembering Jesus’ promise to be with them, and with us… always… even to the very end of the age.
And truly living out the Great Commandment to love God with all of our heart, all of our soul, all of our mind, and all of our strength… and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves… because this is how the world will know that we are Jesus’ disciples by our love for one another and this is how we show the world that in spite of any and all reports to the contrary… WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER.
Amen.
Hymn of Discipleship: They'll Know We Are Christians #494
