Sometimes, the first step in the healing process is acknowledging we need help-- and then reaching out for that help. A sermon by Rev. Brenda Loreman presented on January 23, 2022.
Scriptures: Mark 5:22-42
Series: I Am Not Okay

INVITATION (Brenda)

As we prepare to celebrate communion, I encourage you to gather something to eat and something to drink if you are worshiping with us on Zoom. And if you aren't already in gallery view, those of you in Zoom, I encourage you to switch so that you can see an array of faces and can see one another. And when we get to the words of institution, I invite all of us to raise our bread and cup as Mark raises his bread and cut. I suppose it was a rhetorical question, but in Matthew's gospel, the writer says that Jesus asked, Who among you if your child asked for bread would give a stone? We come to this table asking for bread. We come to this table asking to be fed to be nourished in body and soul so that we may be about seeking, above all else, the Kingdom of God. At this table, we get a taste of justice. At this table, we get a taste of grace and hope. At this table, we ingest God's limitless love, a love that frees us from fear and judgment. So sisters and brothers siblings come to this feast. Not because you must, but because you may. Come not to prove some point of faith, but to deepen your relationship with God made known to us in Jesus of Nazareth. Come to this table where all are welcomed and none are turned away. For truly, no matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.

PRAYER (Mark)

Will you pray with me? Hear our voices as we sing our joy to you. God of the listening heart. You reached out and touched chaos with your imaginative spirit, proclaiming goodness and wholeness as creation burst forth, shaping us in your image, you breathe life into us so we could be united with you. Holy are you, listener to our deepest longings. And blessed is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. He emptied himself of glorious riches so we could be filled with grace and hope. He endured our suffering so we could be healed. He was broken so we could be made whole. He died, so we would live with you forever. Come among us source of healing your spirit, gracing the bread and the cup nourishing your children. Gathered here at your table. Mend our broken hearts so that we may love all your children. Touch our wounded souls so we may embrace all those cast out by the world. Fill us with your gracious gifts so we may overflow in generosity to those in need. Amen.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION (Mark)

Friends, as we gather around Christ's table here, I can't help but think of the circumstances that Jesus faced. We remember around this table every time Jesus fed the crowds, whether it was in his ministry, in the resurrection and especially on that last night when he was betrayed. And in those circumstances facing betrayal, arrest and execution. Jesus took the bread from the table and he blessed it, giving thanks to God. And I'm not sure that that whole part about giving thanks in the midst of those circumstances really echoed in me until today. So he took bread. He gave thanks to God, blessing that bread, and he broke it. And he gave it to them, inviting them to eat and to become the body of Christ. Take and eat. And in a similar manner at that meal, he took a cup from the table. That may have been the Elijah cup, the cup set aside for Elijah coming to announce the presence of the Messiah. Maybe he was inviting the disciples to be like Elijah and to announce the presence of the Messiah, and he gave thanks to God blessing that cup. And he shared with them, inviting them to drink. And to allow his life force to flow through them. Take and drink. Our Advent story tells us that the Christ child whose birth we anticipate will one day sit at tables with strangers and friends, building relationships filled with love and grace. We see this, as Jesus fed the multitude, turned water into wine, and ate with the dear ones in that upper room the night before his death. It was there that Jesus took the bread, blessed it and broke it. Remembering him through this broken bread, our eyes are open. Christ is with us. Take and eat. He then took a cut and blessed it. And in his blessing, he reminded them that when they sip from the fruit of the vine to drink in remembrance of him through this cup of blessing, our hearts are warmed. Christ is changing us. Take and drink. On the night that he was arrested in the shadow of execution and death, Jesus sat at a table with those that he loved. In the midst of their fear and anxiety, He offered them a different vision for their lives and offered a ritual for healing and wholeness. He took the bread and he blessed it. When he broke it, and he gave it to them, and he said, "this is my life, broken open and shared with you. Each time you eat this ordinary bread, remember the extraordinary transformative power of lives when they are broken open for justice and love." And then He took the cup, traditionally reserved for Elijah, the holy one to come. But instead of waiting, he said, "this is the cup of blessing. Each time you drink of this cup, you participate in the promise of new life, of liberation, of the yes to communion with God." Ministering to you in Christ's name, we offer the bread and the cup, take, eat and drink. When Jesus shared bread with people around him. During his ministry that night that he was betrayed, and on Easter, he would do this: He would take the bread. He would bless it. He would break it. And he would give it. Saying take and eat. In the same way, at that last supper, he took the cup from the table and they gave thanks to God blessing it, and he gave it inviting his disciples to drink it. Friends, we come to this table that our lives may be broken open like the bread and that God's life force may flow through us like sweet wine. Come to this feast for all things are ready. Take, eat and drink. Friends, let me share with you what has been shared with me every time Jesus shared bread. With the multitudes on the hillside, at the supper, in the shadow of execution and even at the table in the mass on Easter evening, Jesus did this. He took bread. And blessed it. And broke it and shared it with them as a gift, saying this is for you. And likewise, when Jesus shared the fruit of the vine, he took the cup and gave God thanks and praise and blessed it. And he shared this cup as the cop of the New Covenant, a sign and symbol of God's grace poured out for all people. A gift for all of us. In remembrance of Christ, we eat the spread of new life and drink from the cup of blessing. Take and eat and drink.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (Mark)

Please join with me in giving God. Thanks, generous one. We thank you for welcoming us to your table just as we are. We thank you for nourishing and empowering us with your gifts. We thank you that you lead us forth transformed, renewed and enriched for the journey that grows in your love. Amen.