NOTE FROM PASTOR J R SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2022
This Sunday is World Communion Sunday. It is observed each year on the first Sunday in October. When it was originally started by Dr. Hugh Thompson Kery in 1930, it was designed to promote Christian unity. And if Christians would “accept one another, as Christ has accepted us, so that God will be given the glory;” think of the positive impact this would make in our world today.
Furthermore, think of the incredible impact “accepting one another,” would make if Followers of Jesus extended this same grace to everyone, not just other Christians. After all, Jesus taught in the parable of “The Good Samaritan” that our neighbor is not just someone of the same race, nationality and ethnic background we are.
However, as Followers of Jesus, Christian unity around the meal we call Holy Communion is a great place to start. So, for this World Communion Sunday, we at Covenant will use our entire worship experience to focus on the message of “Accepting One Another,” throughout the service; but especially at “The Communion Table,” the table of blessing and hope provided by God’s grace, AND the place where at Covenant ALL ARE WELCOME!.
We will open worship with a new hymn to many of us, sung to a familiar tune (The Church Is One Foundation.) The first and last verse says:
Help us accept each other as Christ accepted us;teach us as sister, brother, each person to embrace.Be present, Lord, among us and bring us to believewe are ourselves accepted and meant to love and live.
Lord, for today’s encounters with all who are in need,who hunger for acceptance, for righteousness and bread,we need new eyes for seeing, new hands for holding on:renew us with your Spirit; Lord, free us, make us one!
It all begins and centers around a simple message “Accept One Another!”
Join for a special worship experience and liturgy this World Communion Sunday. My homily will be “Accept One Another!” based on “Romans 15:1-7.”
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