The way to a church's heart is through its stomach. A sermon by Rev. Jeffrey Spencer presented on May 22, 2022.
Scriptures: Acts 2:43-47 Psalm 67
Series: Looking Back; Stepping Forward

INVITATION (Jeff)

As we prepare to celebrate communion. If you've not already done so, I invite you to get something to eat and drink. If you gathered on Zoom and aren't already in gallery view, you might want to switch to that so you can see each other. You may also. Well, yeah, that was that. Regardless of how you're joining us today, when we get to the words of institution, I invite you to raise your brand as I raise the bread my table. When Joy, raises the bread at her desk and to raise the cup as we raise our cups Hospitality being both guest and hosts must be practiced that God's dream that is may be made manifest in the world. Every time we celebrate communion, we get to practice hospital both as the guests and as the hosts, both welcoming friends and strangers and being welcomed by friends and strangers. So come to this table where Jesus is the host, where Jesus teaches us to welcome all people No exceptions come to this table recognizing that you are exile and refugee. Come to this table and find hospitality. Come to the table welcoming your neighbors and sharing in the duties of host. Expressing your caring for all of us on this journey ever deeper and deeper into the heart of God. Come and be welcomed. Come and give welcome For truly, no matter who you are or where you are on life's journey. You are welcome here

PRAYER (Joy)

Now let us ask God's blessing on the communion elements in prayer. Let us lift up our hearts, minds and bodies together in prayer. Holy Wisdom. Divine Love. Creator, breath, and source of all of our lives. We feel the power of your presence with us in this sacred space. Made by this community, both virtually and in one place. And we respond to your call to follow you on the way to be your hands and feet in this world, to form communities, to bring your kingdom to all beings here. Now. And you are with us always on this path. Divine Comforter. Abide with us. Fill us with gratitude for your presence. With us, and for this life you've given to each of us. Bless the peace of our common cup and the pieces of our broken bread. Holy one. Bless the food we've prepared, prepared for this shared table. Food for our individual journey and for our journey together in this community. May we feel our connection to you and to each other as our bodies are fed our spirits nourished by the sense of belonging, which is the most vital of all food. Amen.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION (Joy)

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (Joy)

Loving and Sustaining God, we lift our voices to you in gratitude for this communion feast. We arise from this table with nourished spirits; we arise from this table in fellowship with one another; we arise from this table with your holy presence within us. Holy One, we thank you for this embodiment of your love. Amen.