For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe, according to the working of his great might which he accomplished in Christ when he raised him from the dead and made him sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come; and he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fulness of him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1:15–23 (RSV)
'I do not cease to give thank for you,' thus St. Paul writes to the Ephesian Church. Some five to seven years before St. Paul wrote this letter, he had spent around two and a half years with the Ephesians. He had helped to begin their church, caring for its well-being, and faithfulness to Christ.
These are words that any faithful pastor could write to the parish to whom God calls them to serve. Like St. Paul, the pastor sees the Holy Spirit at work in the parish. As the members go about their lives, the pastor sees their devotion to Christ and His Church.
It is an easy temptation to chide a congregation for their devotion to their particular church. Yes, the pastor wants his parish to be aware of the larger Church and its mission in the world. A wise pastor can see the parish members serving through that part of the Body of Christ, of His Holy Church, that is their local congregation.
A congregation is rooted in the Gospel of Christ, in the message of Jesus' death and resurrection. It is the Gospel message that the Holy Spirit pours out on the local parish. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, the parish calls a pastor to serve them, preaching and teaching for the sake of the faithful.
These combine to demonstrate the abiding love of the Father as He empowers each congregation to serve the Gospel where it has pleased God to place that congregation. Each congregation draws inspiration from the faithful who have served Christ throughout the life of the congregation. The present generation of believers is tasked to continue the witness to Christ so future generations will hear the saving Word of God.
Our little parish here in Northeast Iowa may seem to of small importance, but that is incorrect. Though the world may not know of us as they do the Ephesians to whom St. Paul has written, we carry the same Gospel message in our own time and place. Ours is a great a witness as was theirs.
I do not cease to give thanks for you, faithful believers in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. You who are of the same Body of Christ as our Ephesian brothers and sisters, witnessing to our Lord Jesus.