What we choose to support shows where we think God is calling us to and where we think a hope-filled future lies. A sermon by Rev. Jeffrey Spencer presented on November 14, 2021.
Scriptures: Jeremiah 29:10-14
Series: A Future With Hope

INVITATION (Liz Musgrave )

As we prepare to celebrate communion, if you haven't already done so, I encourage you to gather something to eat and something to drink. And if you're not already in gallery view, seeing a bunch of our smiling faces, I recommend you switch to that view by clicking the button in the upper right hand corner of your screen. And when we get to the words of institution, I invite you to raise your bread and cup as Pastor Jeff raises his, so we can share communion together. Even though we are still meeting virtually, we can still share in God's gifts. We know that we have been given more than most. And that means we should count our blessings and pass them on. Even though it feels we are still in a time of exile, we do have hope that we will be able to come together in person again soon. We can give thanks that we have the resources to be able to be safe and meet from our homes. We can be grateful that we can put together our communion wherever we are. This is a time we share in the bread and cup, the table we set reminds us of the meals Jesus shared with the multitudes and with his closest followers on the night he was betrayed. We now share this meal that has come to us through the multitudes of followers that have come before us. Jesus calls us to this meal and because he calls us, we know we are all welcome. Here we come because we have been invited. Now let's lift our hearts in prayer.

PRAYER (Liz Musgrave )

Creator God, we give you thanks for all the gifts you have given us. We know we have more than enough. We especially want to give thanks that even though we are still in exile, we can hope that we may be together soon. We know that are times of wandering are preparation for what comes next. We know that your people are in exile for 70 years and still had faith and continued with their lives. Thank you for Jesus's disciples who took his teachings into the world. May we each use this time of exile to be strengthened to do what we can to be called Jesus's disciples. Loving God, even though we are still meaning apart, we could all give you thanks for the bread and cup or whatever we are using for communion today. Jesus did this with the multitudes using a few loaves of bread and a few fish. He instituted this communion meal we are sharing on the night He was betrayed by sharing what was on the table with his closest followers. Thank you, God, that even though we aren't in one room, we can share together whatever we have and still be one in Christ. Amen

WORDS OF INSTITUTION (Jeff)

Think for a moment about who has gathered there in that upper room with Jesus hours before he was betrayed with a kiss and handed over to be killed. Impulsive Peter, doubting Thomas, disciples who had thought violence would lead to freedom, and disciples who had collaborated with the Roman occupation. Women who would witnesses execution while others fled and who would be the first to proclaim the resurrection. Even someone who would betray Jesus' vision and purpose to this complex community, Jesus chose to give a gift. He took bread from the table. He blessed it. He broke it. And he gave it to them, to all of them, telling them to look at it and to see his body, to taste it and to taste the presence of God. Take, eat and taste the presence of God. And then he took a cup filled with the juices of the grapevine, and he blessed it and it gave it to them. To all of them telling them to look into the cup and to see the life-blood of mercy and love. To taste the cup's contents and to taste the presence of God. Take, drink and taste the presence of God.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (Jeff)

Please join with me in giving God thanks. Almighty God, we give you thanks for the gift of our saviors presents in the simplicity and splendor of this holy meal. Unite us with all who are fed by Christ's life and grace that we may faithfully proclaim the good news of your love and be a rainbow of hope in an uncertain world. Amen.