How do both having a sense of mission and having a community to celebrate accomplishment help you build a future with hope? A sermon by Pastor Jeff interviews Beth Armstrong presented on November 7, 2021.
Scriptures: Philippians 2:1-11
Series: A Future With Hope

INVITATION (Sandy Thomas )

For many of us, November is a time to gather with family and friends to feast. Here each week, we gather for a feast of the spirit. So go get something to eat and something to drink so we can share a virtual feast in the name of Jesus, our redeemer and sustainer. If you aren't already in gallery view where you can see all the many eager faces, please switch by checking the button in the upper right corner of your screen. And when you get to the words of institution, I invite you to raise your bread and cup as Brenda raises hers. We gather here by the invitation of our host, Jesus. All are invited to the table. Jesus knew he would be taken from us for a time, and he created this ritual to remind us that he truly is always with us. For us, that means a way to connect the holy with the human. Through this connection, let us pour grace from the cup and find food for our soul. Let us empty ourselves to be filled with the Holy Spirit, to be filled with intent to be slave to the power of the holy. To take God's love out into the world. Let us prepare ourselves with prayer.

PRAYER (Sandy Thomas )

Holy one, we bend our knee to you, we cannot understand or see what is right in front of us. Help us to embrace your spirit, your purpose, your love. Help us to be your obedient servants. Pour your light and love into these elements so that as we take them in, we will be your heart and hands in this thirsty and broken world. Amen

WORDS OF INSTITUTION (Brenda)

I share with you what has been shared with me - every time he shared bread with the multitudes at supper in the shadow of execution at the table in a mass on Easter evening, on the beach, at breakfast. Jesus did this, He took the bread. He blessed it. He broke it. And he shared it with them as a gift, saying this is for you. Let us share the bread in remembrance of Christ, take and eat. And likewise, when Jesus shared the fruit of the vine, he took the cup and lifting it up and giving God thanks and praise, he blessed it and he shared this cup as the cup of the New Covenant, a sign and a symbol of God's grace poured out for all people. The gift for you. Let us drink this cup in remembrance of Christ. Take and drink.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (Brenda)

Please join with me in giving God thanks in gratitude. This sacred meal we give, we give ourselves to the giver of life and wellspring of love ask much of us, enable much in us and encourage many through us, lead us on for your love sake. Amen.