What is the defining characteristic of the Christian community? Not our theology, not our worship style, not our ability to prove we are right. According to Jesus, it is love. In the first message of the new series "Called Together," Lori Alford opens in the book of Acts to show what that love actually looks like when it gets put to work.

When the early church failed to care for a vulnerable minority group within its own community, the believers did not fracture or look away. They adapted, expanded their leadership, and placed the people experiencing neglect in charge of solving the problem. Love showed up as action.

Drawing on the life and witness of River Road UMC itself, Lori traces the rhythm of inward and outward love that has marked this community and challenges every one of us to look around and ask: who is not yet at this table?