The day was first observed by presbyterians in 1936, adopted by the federal council of churches in 1940, and shortly thereafter observed in methodist and evangelical united brethren churches. As we draw near to world communion sunday, may you find welcome and solace at the table, and may you receive the sustenance and joy of the christ who sends us into a hungering world. Dalles, a pcusa pastor who has researched the history of world communion sunday notes this in his blog entry, reprinted from the october 7, 2002, issue of presbyterian outlook. To feed the worlds children, to free the oppressed, to clear out the minefields, to care for creation. Sermon 10032010 world communion sunday clover sites. Today, sunday, october 06, 20, world communion sunday worship with holy communion 10. And so part of our approach this morning is to remember in our offering our connection to the work of the church in every corner of gods creation. Lamb of god, as you empty yourself you fill our cups until they overflow. For a reflection on the gospel reading for this sunday, click the image or title below. In worship the people of god acknowledge god present in the world and in their lives. Give us a mind to accept and celebrate our differences. The sunday for which this service is designated is world communion sunday.
Sermon 10032010 world communion sunday today, as many of you know, is world communion sunday. The first sunday in october is designated as world communion sunday, which celebrates our oneness in christ with all our brothers and sisters around the. Observing something called world communion sunday one day of the year communicates the idea that the eucharist is special. Reformation sunday presbyterian historical society. Eric law, in his book, the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, tells us.
Those simple words, spoken over bread and cup, call us back to you, lord christ. As we gather this morning, we remember our sisters and brothers from above and below the equator, from the north and from down under, from every time zone around the globe. The tradition was begun in 1933 by hugh thomson kerr who ministered in the shadyside presbyterian church. Westminster presbyterian church extends an enthusiastic welcome, in christs name, to all who worship here or join us in fellowship. On this world communion sunday, jesus is calling us to this same high calling. Resources for world communion sunday presbyterian church u. We do this using the pcusa peace and global witness. Today christians from every culture break bread and pour wine or juice together. A brief history world communion sunday originally called world wide communion sunday originated in the presbyterian church usa. Written by matt gaventa, the pastor of amherst presbyterian church in amherst, virginia, and the chaplain at sweet briar college. World communion of reformed churches leader visits presbyterian church u. Sep 20, 2017 world communion sunday originally called world wide communion sunday is a gift of the presbyterian church to the larger ecumenical church. This is my blood, poured out for you for the forgiveness of sin.
Service of worship world communion sunday october 6, 20 9. About world communion sunday shadyside presbyterian church. World communion sunday is a celebration observed by several christian denominations, taking place on the first sunday of every october, that promotes christian unity and ecumenical cooperation. Worship planning committees can organize worship around these common events andor include ecumenical prayers and liturgi. The presbyterian church usa, abbreviated pcusa, is a mainline protestant christian. World communion sunday falls on the first sunday of october, as churches around the world celebrate their oneness in christ by gathering at the communion table. Holy communion is served on the first sunday of each month. On this day churches around the world will come to the table of the lord as an expression of their oneness in jesus christ. Oct 08, 2014 celebrating world communion sunday 2014 along with our mission fair at first presbyterian church sarasota fl. World communion sunday, the first sunday of october, is a worldwide opportunity for christians in every culture to break bread and share the cup as they affirm christ as the head of the church.
The liturgy, sermon, and celebration of the lords supper are all designed to highlight the unity of the church of christ worldwide. Presbyterian mission agency world communion sunday special. Geary at the white plains presbyterian church on world communion sunday, october 6, 20 luke 17. We are privileged to be members of the global faith community. Peace, in the midst of the world we are called to serve a world ever more in need of peacemaking. We had a wonderful celebration of world communion sunday with bread, bread and more bread. Communion from a presbyterian perspective shannon pappas communion, also called the lords supper, the eucharist, the blessed sacrament, and holy communion, is grounded in the last supper, the final meal that jesus shared with his disciples on the night before his arrest and crucifixion.
Why world communion sunday is a bad idea ekklesia project. World communion sunday is celebrated the first sunday in october every year in many protestant churches. World communion sunday is october 2 christian church. World communion sunday fall church decorations, altar decorations, altar. Today is world communion sunday a celebration begun by the presbyterian church in 1937, now celebrated by christians, protestant and catholic, around the world. Mccoy, guest lectionary liturgist minister of music, takoma park baptist church, washington, dc worship planning notes this observance is a wonderful opportunity for christians to embrace people from all. The peacemaking offering, from the general assemblys adoption of peacemaking. World communion sunday the african american lectionary.
Kerr first conceived the notion of world communion sunday during. Worshiping with children, proper 22, world communion sunday, including children in the congregations worship, using the revised common lectionary, carolyn c. It is always the last sunday in october, marking the occasion in 1517 when martin luther posted his 95 theses on the church door in wittenberg, germany. We pray, o god of peace, that our work will be blest. To labor in his name for a world filled with peace. We had just lived through the 20 revolution in egypt as well as the attacks.
In 1990, the general assembly of the presbyterian church u. The first celebration occurred here at shadyside presbyterian church in 1933, when the reverend dr. World communion sunday, held annually on the first sunday of october, is a celebration of the unity of the worldwide church through christ. October 5, 2008 twentyseventh sunday in ordinary time world communion liturgy invitation christ invites us all to this holy feast. Heritage sunday highlights the denominations rich historyfor those born into the presbyterian faith as well as for those who migrate to the. World communion sunday with christians around the world, in congregations large and small, speaking every language and one language. Its a special worship service observed by several christian denominations, taking place on the first sunday of every october. October 5, world communion sunday, worship bulletin. The key word for world communion sunday is communion, or unity. Sometimes we come with joy for gods goodness in creation and redemption. World communion sunday may come and go without much fanfare, foregoing celebrity hype and lacking attentiongrabbing scandal. Heritage sunday always falls on the sunday closest to may 21, the opening date of the first general assembly of the presbyterian church in the united states of america in 1789. On this world communion sunday, give us eyes to recognize your reflection in the eyes of christians everywhere. Effective thursday, march 12, the bryn mawr presbyterian church campus is closed.
Today, god, we confess fumblings and failures in accomplishing unity, as we set aside yet another day to remind ourselves of the task. Connecting childrens literature with our faith story, october 6, 20, union presbyterian. World communion sunday the text this week textweek. Observed on the first sunday in october, this day calls the church to be the. We invite all children of god to join us as disciples of christ and. In your arms, lord jesus, stretched on a cross the love of god embraces all the earth. Prayer of the day it is not in the hollowness of our fears. To feed the world s children, to free the oppressed, to clear out the minefields, to care for creation. Najla kassab, president of the world communion of reformed churches, will preach at the ecumenical worship service on wednesday morning, june 20.
Jesus is calling us all to open up and allow god to do a new thing. The pcusa was established by the 1983 merger of the presbyterian church in the united states, whose churches were located. Scriptures and prayer for world communion sunday old testament. Additional resources citation added by discipleship ministries, 20. Global ministries of the christian church disciples of christ and the united church of christ is offering worship resources for world.
We affirm that there can be no exclusion within the body of christ. Oct 06, 20 today, sunday, october 06, 20, world communion sunday worship with holy communion 10. At the 10 th assembly for the world council of churches, attendees and delegates were invited to participate in bible studies. World communion sunday delivered by jan van pelt sunday, october 2, 2011 at 10. Being invited to the lords table is the greatest honour we can be given. Use the resources below to plan a celebration for your congregation, download free bulletin inserts, and learn more about presbyterian history. World communion sunday ideas and liturgy, jordan rimmer, 2015. It is a day when we mark the almost universal christian practice of breaking bread with one another and remembering both the night of jesus betrayalwhen jesus instituted what we now call the lords supper as a lasting remembranceand of jesus sacrifice.
Celebrating world communion sunday 2014 along with our mission fair at first presbyterian church sarasota fl. Several times throughout the year, the christian church seeks special opportunity to give visibility to our unity christ through our common worship. Starting in 1936, on the first sunday in october, worshippers celebrated communion in presbyterian churches. Bell the late clerk of session and church historian at shadyside recalled that dr. New book published african public theology this is a big one. It is a day when we mark the almost universal christian practice of breaking bread with one another and remembering both the night of jesus betrayalwhen jesus instituted what we now call the lords supper as. Sep 30, 2007 world communion sunday may come and go without much fanfare, foregoing celebrity hype and lacking attentiongrabbing scandal. It originated in the presbyterian church usa in 1936. World communion sunday 2018 optional great prayer of thanksgiving. See more ideas about communion, prayer stations and sunday. Oct 06, 20 breaking bread on world communion sunday highlights neglected aspects of the meaning of communion.
Read the scripture passage for the day in more than one language. To commune is to be made one with christ and his body, the church. This was one of those sermons that i struggled with on friday afternoon, struggled with on saturday night, struggled with again on sunday morning, finally just gave it to god and preached it and got a ton. The book of confessions outlines the beliefs of the pcusa by declaring the. We celebrate this fact as we begin a new sermon series, reformed and always reforming.
Just think of it all around our globe christians of every tongue, tribe, and on every continent are doing what we are doing this morning. As we gather this morning, we remember our sisters and brothers from above and below the equator, from the north and from down under, from. Oct 01, 2014 88 chuck knows church world communion sunday. The reverend najla kassab, president of the world communion of reformed. Brochures and cards bulletin inserts forms and applications liturgy and worship aids manuals and policies video, audio and multimedia publications and periodicals posters and fliers reports and study guides prayer cards. See more ideas about communion, church banners and clay projects for kids.
The day has taken on new relevancy and depth of meaning in a world where globalization often has undermined peace and justice and in a time when fear divides the peoples of gods earth. Presbyterian mission agency world communion sunday. Resources for world communion sunday presbyterian church. Its a special worship service observed by several christian denominations, taking place on the first sunday of. This offering supports diverse mix of national and international ethnic young adults to make a global impact for christ. But in an increasing globalized world, where differences can be divisive, sharing in the elements of the lords supper is the quiet constant that unites believers of christ that grace, redemption and healing are. See also the great thanksgiving for world communion sunday, united methodist book of. Presbyterian heritage sunday has been set aside by the general assembly of the. Sep 22, 2011 world communion sunday is october 2 posted on september 22, 2011 at 3.
Pcusa updates book of common worship to have inclusive. World communion sunday october 2, 2016 liturgy wcommunion for september 25, 2016 pentec. Different but the same, on the chancel steps, childrens resources by frances woodruff, 20. For this service, it is appropriate to have persons bring breads from their countries of origin or countries where the church supports mission. Send your congregations action story to marj carpenter, 1425 e. Bible study is one of the ways in which the assembly is able to explore the theme and encourage mutual learning, growing and commitment to the calling of the god of life. The liturgy, sermon, and celebration of the lords supper are all designed to highlight the unity of the church of christ world wide. The first sunday in october was designated world communion sunday back in 1933. A had a special visitor last week at the national office in louisville. The believers calling in 1983, seeks to promote the peace of christ throughout the presbyterian church u. Reformation sunday presbyterians celebrate the tradition that grounds their faith on reformation sunday.
The national office for the mainline denomination presbyterian church usa, located in louisville, kentucky. A part of the reformed tradition, it is the largest presbyterian denomination in the us, and known for its relatively progressive stance on doctrine. It is good to seek oneness in the congregation, but today our horizon is much broader for we celebrate and seek the oneness of the whole communion of saints on earth and in. In the darkest years of the great depression, the year that adolf hitler would come to power and fascist dictatorships were at their height all across the world, the.
One presbyterian congregation in texas moves from summer worship in the chapel to the sanctuary on world communion sunday in october and follows worship with a potluck luncheon. Courtesy of pcusa presbyterian church usa will soon have a new book of common worship, which will include a new marriage service text that will feature inclusive language. The first celebration occurred at shadyside presbyterian church in pittsburgh, pa, in 1933 where dr. Hugh thomson kerr, a beloved pastor in the presbyterian church, persuaded the denomination to. Christians in congregations around the world participate in the lords supper. Prayer for world communion sunday the presbyterian outlook. World communion sunday is one of the best ideas presbyterians ever had. World communion sunday pastor and leaders kit umc giving. Pcusa world communion sunday liturgy presbyterian mission. October 2, 20 world communion sunday this coming sunday, we will celebrate the sacrament of holy communion with christians all over the world, symbolized by a variety of breads.
Other appropriate communion music may include hymns of praise from other countries. World communion sunday originally called world wide communion sunday is a gift of the presbyterian church to the larger ecumenical church. According to the 1972 book of discipline paragraph 163. The presbyterian church usa, abbreviated pcusa, is a mainline protestant christian denomination in the united states.