But the United Church of Christ simply blows me away with its commitment to witnessing to the unity of all Christ’s people. Time and again I find references in UCC documents, liturgy, and writings a deep, abiding commitment to Jesus’ prayers in the Gospels that all his disciples be one. That desire actually to demonstrate to the world Christ’s desire that we be one church is all the way through its life and structure. In fact, it was the gathering of four very diverse traditions— the Congregational (mostly in New England) and Christian Churches (largely in the upper Midwest) which united in 1926, and the Evangelical and Reformed (primarily German Reformed) Churches which united in 1934. Each pair was driven by the conviction that the many splintered denominations around the globe were an affront to God and that humans should try to bring ourselves back together, although they realized that even bringing near-neighbors like the E&Rs together was plenty difficult. Still they persisted, and, having united in those partnerships, responded to the post-World War II ecumenical impulse by entering negotiations to unite yet further. On June 25, 1954 in Cleveland, the Congregational Christian Church and the Evangelical and Reformed Churches became the United Church of Christ. The simple name reflects the witness, a united church worshiping and serving Christ. It has been a passionate, progressive voice for social justice, spiritual renewal, openness, grace, hope, and the proclamation of God’s love in the world. We can be proud to stand in that heritage.
Which makes the celebration of World Communion Sunday right down our alley! If there is any opportunity to demonstrate that all Christ’s followers are joined together, a world-wide exhibition of our unity is a great way to not only talk about it but act it out. Even if it is one congregation at a time and a bit imperfect (in that we still can’t quite manage to get even all the congregations in a single town to set up a couple of block-long table down the main street and sit down together), it’s a way of at least pushing our boundaries and trying to symbolize that “we are one in the Spirit, one in the Lord.”
A little history: In 1936 the first Sunday in October was celebrated in Presbyterian churches in the United States and overseas as “World Wide Communion Sunday.” From the beginning, it was planned so that other denominations could make use of it and, after a few years, the idea had spread. The Department of Evangelism of the Federal Council of Churches (a predecessor body of the National Council of Churches) was first associated with World Wide Communion Sunday in 1940 when the department’s executive secretary, Jesse Bader, led in its extension to a number of churches. It is celebrated in quite a few traditions, although most commonly among mainline protestant denominations. Still it’s one of the best ways we have of visibly showing we believe in a deep spiritual unity as Christ’s disciples.
A key part of our UCC celebration on any communion Sunday is the open invitation to the table. Unlike some other denominations, we don’t have “requirements” or restrictions on who may or may not commune. We take Jesus’ own invitation to those who believe in him seriously and welcome all to the table Jesus has prepared. Who are we to stand between someone and our Savior? That’s a truly “wide” invitation! It’s one of the ways we live out the UCC national slogan, “No matter where you are on life’s journey, you’re welcome here.” Everyone is welcome around the big white and gold draped wooden table in front of the large wooden cross at the front of our quilt-rich sanctuary at 309 Highland Road.
Last Sunday I proposed a little challenge: invite someone to World Communion Sunday on October 5th. Seriously! Ask some family, friends, coworkers, neighbors who haven’t been to a church in a while, or maybe even ever, or maybe who had a bad experience with church or who has felt left out or excluded, and offer to pick them up or meet them and walk in with them and show them the way. (Studies show that people who have not been in a particular worship service are very afraid of making a mistake or of not knowing anyone there, so accompanying them and helping them find their way around the service and the building is a huge help.) If that first person isn’t interested, ask someone else. Seriously! Try up to three invitations, even if they don’t accept, but at least try, OK?!? Seriously!
To round out worship this week, we will have the Cornell a cappela group, The Hangovers, and handbells, in addition to recognizing those of our congregation going to the Heifer Farm next week on a mission trip. It will be a wonderful service to attend!
Jesus invites everyone to share in the meal which he has prepared… everyone. No matter where one is on life’s journey, all are welcome here. All.
Let’s make Jesus happy by displaying our unity around the world and our welcoming communion table.
In Christ,
David
Texts For Sunday Worship:
From the Hebrew Bible Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20
From the Gospels Matthew 21:23-32
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