Official Workbook overture source text
Overture: 4-43
Workbook page: 326
Source pages: 326
Source status: source checked / public
Submitter: South District; Circuit 28, Pacific Southwest District
Ov. 4-43
To Call All in Synod to Love, Peace, and Brotherly Care
WHEREAS, Christ our Lord says, “By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35); and
WHEREAS, St. Paul writes, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:31–32); and
WHEREAS, Our Synod has too often been torn by harsh words, pride, and strife, which weaken our witness and grieve the Spirit;
and
WHEREAS, The unity of the Church does not rest in uniformity of human will but in the pure preaching of the Gospel and the right use of the Sacraments (AC VII); therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod urge all its members, from laity to pastors to leaders, to repent of anger, pride, and harsh speech; and be it further
Resolved , That the Synod call on all its members to “bear with one another in love” (Eph. 4:2), to speak well of each other, to pray for one another, and to seek peace; and be it finally
Resolved , That we, brothers and sisters in Christ, commit ourselves anew to walk in love, so that our life together may be marked not by strife but by joy in the Gospel, to the glory of God and the good of His Church.
Christ Greenfield, Gilbert, AZ; Circuit 16 (Faribault), Minnesota South District; Circuit 28, Pacific Southwest District
