Phoebe was no mere letter-carrier; she was a minister and founder of the church. A sermon by Rev Tracy Barnowe presented on July 10, 2022.
Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 11:1-16 Romans 16:1-2
Series: Know Your Mothers

INVITATION (Brenda)

As we prepare to celebrate communion, please gather something to eat and something to drink. If you're here in the sanctuary and you haven't picked up a communion kit, now's the time to do that, they're out in the hallway. If you're gathered on some and you aren't already in gallery view, you may want to switch to that so that you can see one another. Regardless of how you're joining us for worship today, when we get to the words of institution, I invite you to raise your bread and cup as Joy and I raise the bread and cup. We're 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 in the morning and try to follow follow Jesus as well as those who go to sleep at night, 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. 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, come sibling in Christ, come old and young for you are all God's beloved and all are welcome to this feast. There are no exceptions.

PRAYER (Brenda)

Let's lift up our hearts in prayer. Creator, we long to be the church you call us to be. We long to be a place where everyone is safe and no one is too comfortable. Where we always speak the truth to ourselves and to each other. And where all have enough, because no one has too much. And so we come, outcasts and oddballs, idealists and realists, to this table, to your table, where you invite us to eat and drink and experience unconditional love. Jesus, we come to this table to your table, because we know your desire to feed the hungry is as real today as it was when you said the multitudes on the hillside. And we are hungry, hungry in body and spirit. Feed us, Jesus, with the bread of resurrection life. Holy Spirit, we come to this table, to your table, because we believe that you can and will work through this simple food thats before us, because we believe that you are transforming us, even as we pray together, because we believe that you are empowering us with a bravery that can and will work with you in transforming the world. Come to us in the feast, God in community, Holy and one, fill us in your community and make us complete. Sanctify us with your peace, quench our thirst with hope Amen.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION (Joy)

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (Joy)

Gracious and loving God, thank you for feeding our hunger and relieving our thirst. Now send us into the world to do the work you have given us to do: to find the lost and lonely, to heal broken souls, to free prisoners, and help the blind see. Grant us strength to persevere in resisting evil, and to proclaim with our hands and hearts the love we have in Jesus Christ. Amen.