March-May Bonus Readings

Community of Christ will be holding its 2025 World Conference at the end of May and beginning of June. In the weeks leading up to the conference, the resolutions that will be discussed and debated there will be available here on the Someday School website. Taking some time to read over and annotate these resolutions will let you stay aware of what’s being discussed as a whole church—and share your thoughts on what direction the church should go in.

This Week’s Lectionary Scripture

Fifth Sunday of Easter¹

Today is the fifth Sunday of the Easter season. The Easter season continues for fifty days and concludes with the Day of Pentecost.

Revelation 21:1-6

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

“See, the home of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them;
they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them and be their God;
he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.”

And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.”

• Why are we being reminded that God is “the beginning and the end?"
• In this last part of Revelation, there are multiple cycles of despair and hope. When have you experienced these cycles in your own life?
• What do you think would it be like to live in the “new earth” mentioned in this passage?

This Week’s Text from Sharing in Community of Christ

We Share Sacraments ²

Baptism

Jesus began his work by asking to be baptized (Matthew 3:13–17). Baptism is a public act announcing you are choosing to follow Jesus Christ with all of your heart, might, mind, and strength. It is a decision that marks a significant point in recognizing God’s initiative in your life, turning toward God, and entering a covenant relationship to the community of disciples and God.

In baptism, we are immersed in water to symbolize death to sin and raised from the water to begin a new life. Paul, an early convert to Christianity, wrote how baptism symbolizes a complete following of Jesus and a dramatic change of life: “When you were buried with him in baptism you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God” (Colossians 2:12 NRSV).

People old enough to make their own decision may be baptized in Community of Christ. This is considered the age of 8 and older. Baptism represents a first step toward membership in Community of Christ.