October 1, 2023, we celebrate The Great Thanksgiving with special emphasis on communion with others around the world as we celebrate at The Table of the Lord. These words are found in the liturgy to be used from our UMC Book of Worship for this occasion:
"Renew our communion with your Church throughout the world, and strengthen it in every nation and among every people to witness faithfully in your name."
Additionally we say as usual when sharing the Great Thanksgiving:
By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory, and we feast at his heavenly banquet.
RENEW OUR COMMUNION
With your Church throughout the world…
STRENGTHEN IT (your Church) … to WITNESS FAITHFULLY in your name.
What bold statements of prayer! We recognize in our liturgy that we need the grace of Christ in order to be the Church gathered and sent in the name of Jesus. Coming together at the Table, we remember the words and actions of our Lord Jesus. We remember the commands to love God and love one another. We ask for renewal in the community sharing in this communion. From the earliest gatherings of the Acts 2 church where the Apostles and all those who followed Jesus came together to share in one bread, they shared their resources with one another. Today as we ask for renewal, we remember our commitment to the Church, the body of Christ, with the sharing of our lives - our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, our witness.
Come to the Table friends. Be renewed in the love of Christ. Be ready as we are then sent together into the world to give witness in faith.
See you on Sunday!
Pastor Paul