A United Methodist Pastor's Theological Reflections

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory (nikos) through our Lord Jesus Christ." - I Corinthians 15:57


Monday, October 7, 2024

Sunday (October 6/World Communion Sunday


October 6, 2024 (World Communion Sunday)
Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC

Lord, thank you for reminding us on this World Communion Sunday in which churches all around the world are celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion, that as different as we are, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

And Lord, I noticed when we sang verse 2 of our prayer hymn, that there are many churches that do not drink wine together on their knees, they drink grape juice instead, like our denomination. But we do all break bread together, and as we will sing in a little bit, we do also praise God together.

 

As brothers and sisters and as one big Christian family, we join together on this day to celebrate our unity in Christ. Only you can bring together such a diverse group of people from different countries, nationalities, cultures, and denominational names to proclaim the good news of our faith with one unifying voice, “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.”

 

As we take this time to pray for the people on our church’s prayer list, we also lift up to you the several other thousands and thousands of prayer lists throughout the world. We join the 45,000 Christian denominations in praying for people who are on our hearts and minds this day. May your healing, guiding, loving, and comforting presence be with all who have particular needs this day.

 

Thank you for the power of prayer and especially for the prayer that you taught your disciples that is being prayed throughout the world, not only on this World Communion Sunday, but every Sunday when we gather for worship. As brothers and sisters in Christ, let us pray together…

 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

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