“You can continue to contemplate the gifts of creation even from your window. Nature is not a place to visit. It is home.” ~ Gary Snyder A sermon by Rev. Jeffrey Spencer presented on September 26, 2021.
Scriptures: Ezekiel 31:3-7
Series: Season of Creation

INVITATION (Mark )

As we prepare to celebrate communion, I encourage you to gather something to eat and drink. If you had not done so already. And if you are not already in gallery view where we could see each other, I recommend that you switch to that option by clicking the button in the upper right hand corner of your screen and select Gallery View. And when we get to the words of institution, you are invited to raise your bread and cup up as the pastor raises the bread and cut. We are reminded that this place setting of bread and cup is not our table, but the Lord's table and everyone is welcome, including those who get up every morning to try to follow Jesus, as well as those who fall asleep remembering how they didn't. We welcome those who know what this meal is all about, as well as those who struggle with the mystery. And we welcome those whose faith overflows the edges of their hearts, as well as those whose faith runs on empty. So come neighbor and stranger, brother and sister in Christ, come old and young for all of you or God's beloved, and all are welcome to this feast, there are no exceptions. Now, let us ask for God's blessing on these communion elements in prayer.

PRAYER (Brenda )

Praise to you, Divine creator. Thank you for the gift of life. The beauty of nature for all people, of faith, of every generation and for your steadfast, loving kindness. Praise to you, divine redeemer. Thank you for sharing our human existence, f rom birth through death to everlasting life, you have shown us a way worth emulating. Bringing healing and hope to those most in need. Praise to you, divine sustainer. Thank you for the vision to see beyond the immediate a calm in the midst of storm, for the strength to build an ever expanding community and the courage to bring about the changes necessary within our lives. Holy God, bring your spirit upon these gifts of grain and grape that they might be for us the presence of the living Christ and pour out your spirit upon us so that we might be taken, blessed, broken and distributed so that others might know the blessings of living in communion with you and one another through Christ, with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit. All glory and honor are yours, God now and forever. Amen.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION (Brenda)

Every time Jesus shared bread with his friends or with the multitudes, he did this, he took the bread. He blessed it. He broke it. And he gave it to them as a gift, saying, this is my body for you. Let us do this in remembrance of Christ. Take and eat. And likewise, when he shared the cup, he lifted it up and he gave God thanks and praise, blessing it. And he offered this cup as the Cup of the New Covenant, a sign and a symbol of God's grace poured out for all people. A gift for you. Drink this cup in remembrance of Christ, take and drink.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (Mark)

Please join with me in giving God thanks. We give you thanks. Give her a giver of all good things, the gift of this spiritual meal. Here we have been nourished here. We have tasted the bounty of your creation. Here connected with your divine thread that runs through all your creation. May we join with you in building a world where love is spread to everyone and everything? Amen.