How does picking what we let go of and what we embrace help us build a future with hope? A sermon by Pastor Brenda interviews Marty Williams presented on October 31, 2021.
Scriptures: Luke 10:1-12, 17-20
Series: A Future With Hope

INVITATION (Joy )

As we prepare to celebrate communion, please gather something to eat and something to drink. If you aren't already in gallery view, I encourage you to switch to that so you can see everybody gathered here. And when we get to the words of institution, I invite you to raise your bread and cup as Jeff raises his bread and cup, and to take, eat and drink as he leads us. Today we come to the table as one community, gathering in sacred cyberspace in our family bubbles. A sacred space not constrained by geography or by walls. We bring our whole selves to this table, God's table. We bring our emptiness and longing, griefs, gratitude, our tears, fears and doubts. Come to the table with a global guest list. All are welcome here. Whoever you are, whatever your story, no matter where you are on your life's journey, here now, just as you are, you are welcome. Let us lift up our hearts in prayer.

PRAYER (Joy )

Holy wisdom, breath and heart of our lives, divine architect, source of our hope. We feel the power of your presence with us in this sacred place. We hear your call of extravagant welcome, calling us to empty ourselves so that you may fill us with gratitude for your presence with us. Bless every meeting of hunger and generosity. Bless our memories of food shared and our hopes for food justice. Bless the peace of our common cup and the pieces of our broken bread so that everywhere and in this place sacred to us today, it may become a sacred meal shared by all. Holy one, blessed this food, we've prepared for this shared table food for our individual journey and food for our journey together in this community that we may 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 foods. Amen.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION (Jeff)

Jesus loved to feed hungry people, whether it was the physically hungry who were gathered in the wilderness, the spiritually hungry crowd gathered in the upper room or the emotionally hungry disciples on the beach or on the road. Jesus loves to feed hungry people. Noticing the hungry is the first step to ending hunger, and when Jesus noticed the hungry, he found some bread and he did this. He took the bread. He blessed it, broke it and he gave it to the hungry. When we share this spread, we become Christ's body today, broken open for the world. Let us share this bread in memory of him. Take and eat. Jesus loved to quench the thirst of the thirsty. Whether it was the inquisitively thirsty woman at the well, the anxiously thirsty in the upper room or the broken thirsty on the beach, Jesus loved to quench the thirst of the thirsty. Noticing the thirsty is the first step to ending thirst, and when Jesus noticed the thirsty. He found a cup and made a difference. On that night when Jesus was about to be betrayed by one of his thirsty disciples, this is what Jesus did - He took a cup from the table. He offered thanks to God, and he shared it with all his thirsty disciples in that upper room, reminding them that the path to justice is a nonviolent path. A path that rejects the powers of the empire, a path that often requires great sacrifice. When we share this cup. We invite the spirit of Jesus to flow through our blood that we may have the courage to sacrifice for justice. Let us share this cup in memory of him or take and drink.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (Jeff)

Please join with me in giving God, thanks. Eternal God, you have called your people from east and west, from north and south to feast of the Table of Jesus Christ. We thank you for Christ's presence and the spiritual food we have received by the power of your Holy Spirit. Keep us faithful to your will. Go with us to the streets, to our homes and to our places of labor and leisure that whether we are gathered or scattered, we may be the servant church of the servant. Christ, in whose name we pray, amen.